Yesterday, we took a quick peek at the three-way battle brewing for the Buffalo Bills' starting right tackle job between Erik Pears, Mansfield Wrotto and rookie Chris Hairston. That's not the only interesting battle that will likely be taking place up front for the Bills once football begins again.
Assuming that third-year player Eric Wood makes a permanent move to center, his most natural position, the Bills appear to be three-deep at right guard (Wood's old position), as well. That's still not a lock, however, but most assume that Wood will begin the 2011 season where he ended 2010 - in the pivot.
Geoff Hangartner, last year's starting center prior to an injury that forced Wood to slide over, would be the veteran candidate at right guard, where he does have experience. He'd be fighting for the job alongside two former mid-round picks that the team brought in last year, Kraig Urbik and Chad Rinehart. It's nearly impossible to pick a front-runner out of that group, but Rinehart finished the season as the starting right guard.
The good news about these two three-man races is the amount of interchangeable depth the team has built up front. The downside, of course, is that the depth is largely questionable and/or unproven talent.