Left tackle Cordy Glenn cleared his physical and returned to the practice field on Saturday night, with limited participation in the form of offensive line drills. Glenn has not yet passed the conditioning test.
Head coach Doug Marrone said the team is working Glenn in “very slowly”, with Glenn saying he’s taking it “day by day” with no timetable to full practice participation. Glenn said what kept him out was a medical issue, but the exact problem was personal.
Glenn expressed that he was “frustrated” with not being able to play with teammates, but he is back now and “just trying to knock off the rust a bit.”
“I wouldn’t say I could just jump back in, but you’ve got to get back in the swing of things and just get comfortable again out here,” said Glenn. “Not being out with the guys every day and working every day, you have to get back in the swing of things and get your routine back down pat.”
Center Eric Wood was certainly happy to have the third-year left tackle back on the field, a player that is among the league’s best at the position in Wood’s opinion.
“He looked good out there in individual drills and we’re going to take it slow with him,” said Wood. “He’s had some time off, but we’re definitely excited to have him back.”
“Cordy has pretty rare genes when it comes to offensive linemen. He was born with a ton of strength and a ton of athleticism. There are some little nuances of the techniques that will take a little bit of time, but he’s a good enough player that it won’t take too long.”
In Glenn’s absence, rookie seventh-round selection Seantrel Henderson has played surprisingly well for a first-year player, especially in two preseason games against great pass-rushers like Jason Pierre Paul and Greg Hardy. Marrone said Henderson could start at left tackle with Glenn not back for game action yet, which the second-year head coach quickly pointed out could “be a long time”, stating that “Seantrel can play left tackle in this league.”
Wood said Henderson has done “a great job”, and that his experience and talent is a “great” addition to the front five lineup.
Henderson said after practice that he’s tried to “get better” every day, and the hands-on coaching of Marrone on technique has helped him be successful. Henderson’s outstanding play in place of Glenn has begged the question of whether or not the former Miami Hurricane could start on the offensive line even when the team’s left tackle is ready to be on the field.
Henderson told the media that coaches haven’t talked to him about moving to right tackle, but he is willing to play whatever role needed.
“Whatever the coaches want me to do I’m going to do it,” said Henderson. “Whether it’s going to guard or going to the other tackle that’s fine with me, I just want to play.”
The structure of the offensive line still has yet to be determined, but it would be a surprise if Henderson doesn’t play into the discussion of the starting 5, with or without Glenn.
Other notes:
- With added snaps and reps due to injury issues with Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin during camp, Ron Brooks has taken advantage of opportunities, according to Marrone. “I think Ron’s having a good camp,” said Marrone. “I think he’s put a couple good games together and a lot of good practices. It’s the same thing you see on the field. Ron’s been practicing well and normally when you practice well, you’ll go ahead and play well.” Marrone did not say Brooks was good enough to move up in the cornerback depth chart, but has liked his improvement.
- Marquise Goodwin sat out practice with a hamstring issue. Goodwin not being on the field to develop chemistry with the quarterbacks hurts his ability to gain snaps behind a quartet of players at this position making waves in camp (Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Chris Hogan, and Mike Williams). Goodwin had 3 40-plus yard touchdowns last season, so his playmaking ability is definitely going to be welcome. However, crucial snaps will be tough to give to him with all the other talent at receiver.
- Guard Chris Williams, who the team signed as a free agent, has played well in camp thus far, though Marrone believes there is still room for improvement. “There are a couple things technically that I’ve been talking with him about, that if we can get done will greatly improve his game,” said Marrone. “We’ll continue to work on it. It doesn’t come overnight and we have a lot of good opportunities coming up so I’m excited.” The former first-round pick of the Bears had some bad luck early in his career with injuries, but appears to found a good home in Buffalo.
