Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Friday was an exciting time for Buffalo Bills first-round pick Max Hairston, as he took to the field in Orchard Park for the first time as a professional at rookie minicamp.
It’s been less than a month since the cornerback was drafted by the Bills, and his smile Friday was ear-to-ear.
"I was like a little kid before Christmas last night, very anxious. And it’s OK to be anxious, but to still go out there and be confident," said Hairston following Day 1 of rookie minicamp. "To know what to do and execute, it’s all just a learning process, but it was exciting. I finally got there, get some action, go against offense.
"It was a lot just adjusting from the college game to this, but I enjoyed myself. I have a lot to work on, but it just felt good to get my feet wet."
During practice, Hairston got the opportunity to interact a lot with cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae. It’s important because once the veteran players show up, he won’t be able to get that kind of 1-on-1 coaching. Hairston says he’s like a sponge.
"He brings good coaching to the table," Hairston said of Addae. "Somebody that wants to coach, someone that wants to help us get better. I used today asking him, 'How can I fix my mistakes?', or 'What do I need to see better?', or 'Do I need to slow down?'. Really using him to help me get adjusted to the level of play outside."
Now that Hairston is in the NFL, the techniques are different, the language is different, which is challenging in the beginning.
"It’s a different game now, just adjusting from my college terms to now my Buffalo Bills terms, and going from writing it down to going out there and actually playing the coverages," Hairston admitted. "It’s something I’m very excited for, and something I know I can get better every practice at."
As far as specifics go, Hairston says there are many things he’s working at.
"Having my eyes in the right place, covering the right zone, getting out faster, getting used to the cadence and sticking to the fundamentals in my play," he detailed."
Hairston went to the University of Kentucky, as did second-year running back Ray Davis and this year’s fourth-round defensive tackle Deone Walker. Hairston says he, of course, is going to ask questions of Davis to help him navigate is rookie season.
"Someone I’ve really been leaning on is Ray Davis. Just using him to help me know what to expect, know what to get ready for, and I’m just taking everything that I’ve learned from the guys that have been here before me and trying to apply it to my game," Hairston said.
This year, the Bills used their sixth-round pick on cornerback Dorian Strong out of Virginia Tech. Hairston says he and Strong have already gotten close, because they were together before minicamp.
"He had a really good day today, just being somebody that I take mental reps when I watch 'D Strong' as he went out their and played with poise, and played like he’s already adjusted," Hairston said of his fellow rookie. "We just got done doing some extra reps outside, and we’re going to lean on each other and help each other get through this process."
Strong has really enjoyed bonding with a fellow corner in Hairston.
"It’s amazing," said Strong on Friday. "We trained together during this whole process, so we’ve already worked together. I know how he works and I know how to make him a better player, and he knows how to make me a better player. That’s what it’s all about, making sure he’s good and making sure I’m good, and then we go out there competing for a spot."
Hairston is one of three Bills draft picks that has yet to sign his rookie contract. Defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and Walker are the other two rookies yet to sign.
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