Bills Training Camp: O-Line Depth At "Swing" Tackle

by Brian Galliford on Aug 4, 2011 9:55 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills Training Camp

While the Buffalo Bills look to solidify their starting lineup on the offensive line, they'll also be carefully evaluating their various depth options up front. At the crux of figuring out which players may or may not stick around for the 2011 regular season are the team's "swing" players - those who can play both tackle and guard.

The team has reserve players that are pure tackles (such as rookie Chris Hairston) and pure interior linemen (such as Chad Rinehart). In building depth on the line, however, teams tend to prefer players that can provide depth at multiple positions. The Bills have at least three such players vying for roster spots this season.

Mansfield Wrotto is a virtual lock to make the team; he got a contract extension in March, spent most of the 2010 season as the team's starting right tackle, and can also play both guard positions. Two second-year players are challenging Wrotto for that swing role, including 2010 fifth-round pick Ed Wang and former undrafted free agent Cordaro Howard (who remains on the PUP list).

It's unlikely that the Bills will keep more than nine linemen, and it's possible that they go all the way down to eight. Teams typically have seven active on game days. Figuring out which of these three swing linemen will stick is the key to figuring out who else the Bills will be keeping up front.

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Im reaaaallllyyy

Really hoping they use that last roster spot for a backup left tackle…Not comfortable with guys better suited for guard playing left tackle if bell goes down

by bizarro bills on Aug 4, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

If Bell goes down, Erik Pears would shift over from RT. Pears was a starter at LT for a full season with Denver, so there’s no question he could do it, although he is better suited for RT. If that happened, Wrotto would replace Pears at RT.

by Macktruck on Aug 4, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Is this how most view the OL battles in terms of roster certainty?
Absolutely (3): Levitre, Wood, Bell
Likely (4): Urbik, Pears, Hangarner, Wrotto
Fighting for 1 or 2 spots: Wang, Howard, Hairston, Rinehart

by Berg79 on Aug 4, 2011 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

Wonder if anyone would be safe on the practice squad. Wang is a G/T Hairston is just too raw.

by greysquirrel on Aug 4, 2011 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Unless Hairston completely sucks..........

I think Wang will go to the practice squad since he missed so much time to develop last year.
Might not be a bad thing for our team to let him develop another year.

We can always activate him if/when the injury bug bites.

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 4, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Can Hang play either guard position?

Starters—Bell, Levitre, Wood
Locks—Hairston, Wrotto
Likely-Wang, Hang
The Battle rages-Urbik, Pears, Rhinehart
Sleeper—Brown
Inj reserve-Howard

Plus the Bills could sign a late cut by another team or sign a player that they have been watching…

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

I am not sure I’m understanding your terminology, but I don’t think Wang is more likely than Urbik, Pears, or Rhinehart.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Aug 4, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

urbik and pears are penciled in as starters right now… how is it that wang, wrotto, and hairston get roster spots ahead of them?

by boomsauce on Aug 4, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

3 definite starters Bell, Wood Levitre

RG & RT up for grabs

Hairston as a #4 pick has to make the roster, They kept Wang on the roster all year last year so the coaches saw something they liked. Wrotto just signed a new contract, he could be a starter or top reserve.

Hang is valuable as a starter at guard, center or a reserve.

The battle for spots or starting position between Urbik, Pears and Rhinehart…

Sorry for the confusion- trying to type while working has its moments…

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

oh no i wasnt confused. i just thought that analysis was totally and completely wrong. and i still think that

by boomsauce on Aug 4, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Completely wrong?

Oh My….

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

umm ya… i could go through why i think that..
guys who are penciled in as starters right now, and are locks for the roster:
bell, levitre, wood, urbik, pears
immediate interior reserves:
hang, rinehart
this leaves 1 or 2 roster spots as swing options for:
wang, wrotto, howard, hairston.

i dont think hairston will be gifted a roster spot because he was a late 4th rounder the same way i dont think wang will be gifted one if he proves to be useless again

by boomsauce on Aug 4, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

penciled in as starters

It is still very early in camp and I’ve seen players penciled in as starters this early not make the team…

I can’t see them letting Hairston go unless he totally sucks and they like Wang (doesn’t sound right). There will be some surprises as always…

We agree to disagree…

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

They r not going to cut Hairston

Unless he is a no effort bum

by wab2 on Aug 4, 2011 5:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Rinehart

You mention that he is purely an interior lineman and that’s how I’ve viewed him but I just read on BB.com that he is a swing player guard/tackle. Has he really played tackle before and is he in the mix for this swing position as well?

"You are every bit as good as everyone else, but not one bit better."
-Eldred Lee

by arbon78 on Aug 4, 2011 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

I didn’t see him play tackle at all in my one visit to camp.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Aug 4, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

ha ha.. I understand you can’t draw any conclusions from one practice. My question is really more along the lines of… if he’s been in the league since the 08 draft has he ever in his career played tackle?

I’m just trying to piece together why Chris Brown would indicate he is a guard tackle combo because if he is his value increases IMO.

"You are every bit as good as everyone else, but not one bit better."
-Eldred Lee

by arbon78 on Aug 4, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure why CB listed him as such. I am not aware of his ever playing tackle.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Aug 4, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I read the same thing.

The kid has talent and potential. Knowing that he has been linked to the tackle position is realitive to his value to the team. The thing here is that we drafted two young prospects in Wang and Hariston, and they should be given ample time to show what they have before Wrotto, Rhinehardt start stealing reps. That same article mentioned how Urbik provides experience at center and Wrotto and Rhinehardt provide the same at guard and tackle. Pushing Pears, Wrotto and Rhinehardt at the tackle psitions is Nix’s way of upgrading at this point allowing Wang and Hariston to develop. I agree we should hold the jury back a couple weeks before we allocate roster spots but I feel Rhinehardt is very much in the mix, just not immediately.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 4, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

So if we add an OT from FA then check one more off this list.

Geoff Hangartner is the key in this battle. He is definately good enough to make the roster, but do they want to keep him over a yonger player like Rhinehardt or Howard. If Wood stays at center, Urbik could be the incumbent back up. Harriston and Wang could be PS players this year. Neither are ready for the final roster and may just slide under the radar for a year and if not, then we would just have to start over.

Interested in this next week of practice, pads are on, things will pick up and the rotation will start to get a little more serious in evaluating roster spots over the next three weeks. Remember we kept Meredith around for a long time and gave him much opportunity last season before we let him go.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 4, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

They have to keep Hang

What happens if Wood goes down? The Bills can’t go that cheap, they have $25M cap room, right?

by Rick A on Aug 4, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

They could keep Hangartner and I hope they do, I just don't know who they would let go to keep him as a backup center.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 4, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Urbik or Reinhart I'd think

Hang played G/C in Carolina so I don’t see why he couldn’t be the primary interior backup, assuming he doesn’t start.

by lonestar_ak on Aug 4, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

They may try to trade Hangartner if Wood and Urbik are solid at Center and RG.

I don’t think they get much for him since there are good veteran centers on the street right now. Maybe a 6th rounder… probably a 7th.

by dabillsr1 on Aug 4, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Considering he held the line together last year, that’s really depressing to think about.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Aug 4, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Hang did a good job, but was getting bull rushed with a few of the larger NT's in the AFC East...

I think they like Wood and his power running the middle and opening up some holes… We’ll see a lot of runs between the tackles this year. Jackson is really strong in this area… We need Spiller to do better there.

by dabillsr1 on Aug 4, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely. I wasn’t saying that Hang should start, but he did an admirable job last year as the team’s C. The OL could have played much worse. So it would be hard for me to let him go.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Aug 4, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Ravens need a C

Birk out and Rabach failed physical

by freddyjj on Aug 4, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If no one seizes the RG spot, would our best line be Bell-Levitre-Hang-Wood-Pears?

It comes down to whether Wood is such an upgrade at center that its worth the downgrade we get at RG. Given how Hang graded alright last year, I wonder. BUt I’m all for experimenting, if Urbik or someone can hold down RG, great!

by greysquirrel on Aug 4, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Shouldn't the quotes be around the word depth?!?!

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Aug 4, 2011 10:58 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

beautiful

rec’d

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Aug 4, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Wang is a definite cut

Brian raises a fascinating question this morning. The one definite answer in my view is that Wang won’t make the team. I know he was a 5th round pick last year, but that doesn’t seem to mean anything to Gailey& Co. They keep the good ones and discard the bad ones regardless of draft status, and Wang so far has not shown anything to indicate he is worth keeping. I’m also skeptical of Cordaro Howard’s ability to make the roster. He’s ok, but nothing special.

My guess is that your starting line-up is Bell-Levitre-Wood-Urbik-Pears, with Hangartner, Wrotto and Rinehart as reserves and Hairston on the PS (he is so raw that no other team is likely to try to sign him). As for who could play LT if Bell is injured, remember that Erik Pears was a starter at LT for a full season with Denver, so he would likely shift over if needed, with Wrotto taking his place at RT.

by Macktruck on Aug 4, 2011 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Wang Hanging In

I see Wang as the sleeper in this group, the Bills coaches kept him on the active roster all of last year so they must have seen something they really liked.

If he doesn’t make the roster can the PS be a possibility?

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Better than... Wang Hanging "out"

There’s your joke now…

by dabillsr1 on Aug 4, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I set that one up, didn’t take too long for the Wang joke…

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course his name is pronounced “Wong,” so in fact there is no joke (unless you equate it with “wrong”).

by Macktruck on Aug 4, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

So

It’s Wong to let yourWang hang out…..

"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6

by Montel on Aug 4, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

nice

by tyoungs25 on Aug 4, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Touché

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

As sick as I am of the Wang jokes (and have been since he was drafted), there is a joke there because even though it’s pronounced Wong it’s spelled Wang.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Aug 4, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

You can call him Ed or Call Him Wang or call him Wong

“but you doesn’t hasta call him Johnson

Money can't buy you happiness. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan

by Goose22 on Aug 4, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

They kept him on the active roster in 2010 to see what he could do, but it eventually became apparent that the answer was not much." Now that they have Hairston, why would they keep Wang? (And of course the obvious question: if they thought Wang had promise, why draft Hairston?)

by Macktruck on Aug 4, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

amazing

this post has been up one hour and no Wang jokes! or a TWSS. I’m sure that was hard.

But, Rick A. did offer,

bq.What happens if Wood goes down?

Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12

by fansince60 on Aug 4, 2011 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

hang plays center?

by boomsauce on Aug 4, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

You're sure that was hard?

TWSS.

"This is a tough gayem for tough peepole." -- Chan Gailey

by Backup to Farve's Backup on Aug 4, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

we are an evolving group here at rumblers or Joe P. is busy.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 4, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

yep.....and I have evolved so much that I am starting over from the beginning :-)

QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

by Joe P. on Aug 4, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

lol, rec'd

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Aug 4, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

What happens if Wood goes down?

TWSS

"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6

by Montel on Aug 4, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

My Guess...

Levitre, Wood, Hangarter, Urbik, Wrotto
&
Bell, Pears, Wang, Hairston

http://twitter.com/#!/CLoSkills - Sports talk/opinions on Twitter, follow and I'll return the favor.

by CLoSkills on Aug 4, 2011 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

Will marketing effect their decision?

From a marketing standpoint; I see them keeping Wang 1 more season to see if he can make a difference on the o-line. Wang was in China this year teaching 32 flag football teams the ins and out of Pro Football. His influence being the only full blooded Chinese player in the NFL could be good from a marketing standpoint. If his influence can get a billion people to take interest in our beloved game and buy Bills merchandise and Jerseys. Thats money in the bank. I know this may sound crazy, but I’m just throwing it out there.

by Dareurush! on Aug 4, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs