Most Buffalo Bills fans are keenly aware of the team's revolving door at right tackle, and would like to see GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey address the position this off-season. Gailey, for what it's worth, went out of his way to throw a quick compliment to Erik Pears, who, for the time being, we'll simply call Gailey's most recent starting right tackle.
When asked Monday about his thoughts on the various players that played right tackle for him in 2010, Pears was the only player Gailey mentioned by name.
"At the right tackle, I’ll be honest with you, I thought Erik Pears played as well as you could expect the last game and a half that he played for us," Gailey said.
Pears, who will turn 29 about a month before training camps open (if that happens at all), was signed by the Bills on December 14. Less than two weeks later, he was splitting reps with Mansfield Wrotto at right tackle during the Bills' final two games of the season. Buffalo's offense was putrid in those two games, generating 10 points and 13 turnovers, but Gailey seems to have seen something he likes in Pears.
It's unclear how lengthy the contract the 6'8", 305-pound Pears signed with the Bills in December. If he's set to hit unrestricted free agency, don't be surprised if he's brought back to compete for a job on the right side heading into 2011.