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Does Chan Gailey Think Chris Hairston Can Start?

PITTSFORD, NY - AUGUST 08:  Chris Hairston #75 of the Buffalo moves at the snap during Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College on August 8, 2011 in Pittsford, New York.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
PITTSFORD, NY - AUGUST 08: Chris Hairston #75 of the Buffalo moves at the snap during Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College on August 8, 2011 in Pittsford, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
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Reporters most recently talked to Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey at the NFL owners meetings. ESPN.com's AFC East blogger James Walker posted a quick video on the website Tuesday about one question he asked the Bills coach. Walker wanted to know about the Bills' blind-side situation.

"What are you going to do at left tackle next year?" Walker says he asked Gailey.

According to Walker, Gailey paused before answering "I don't know." Walker also notes that Gailey said the Bills could draft a tackle in the first two rounds, re-sign Demetress Bell (which is no longer an option), or move Andy Levitre from left guard to left tackle "as a last resort."

Conspicuously absent from that list is second-year tackle Chris Hairston. Hairston was the team's fourth-round draft choice one year ago and started seven games in place of the injured Bell. The question now becomes: was it Walker or Gailey who failed to mention Hairston? It's certainly possible that in the intervening few days it could have slipped Walker's mind, since he didn't appear to be reading from a script in the video. It would be very surprising and questionable if Gailey didn't mention Hairston as an option for the spot.