Buffalo Bills Position Battle Review: Left Tackle

Buffalo Bills rookie left tackle Cordy Glenn took the lion's share of first-team reps during off-season OTAs and mini-camps because his chief competition for the blind side job, Chris Hairston, was taking right tackle reps in place of injured starter Erik Pears.

That same scenario has manifested itself in the last week or so of training camp and the pre-season, and suddenly, Glenn's chances of starting on opening day have increased. In Thursday night's pre-season loss to Washington, Glenn took reps with the first and second units, while Hairston only saw abbreviated work there with the second unit.

When training camp opened, head coach Chan Gailey made it clear to reporters that Hairston and Glenn would battle for the left tackle job - and at various points in camp, Hairston appeared to have a very slight lead on the rookie from Georgia. Recent events being what they are, however, Glenn now has a distinct advantage - and that could very well remain the case even when Pears returns to the lineup.