Oli Udoh got 1st team snaps at Right Tackle; Allen: “LG & RT are still open. Penning is progressing but Udoh will get a look at RT.” (2 Viewers)

[nakadish]

I think they badly want Penning to start and the the player they thought he was when the drafted him. So, they are trying to give him every chance they can to get reps with the first team to gel with the line and play against the better players in preseason. That's why they didn't give Udoh first team reps until camp broke in California. Now they want to see if Udoh might be better.

It could also be as simple as they want both players to have time with the 1s in training camp. Even if Penning starts, it's unlikely he will take every single snap so Udoh will get some playing time at RT during the regular season. But, it's also an opportunity to see how Udoh plays with the 1s. I think it's unlikely they start Udoh over Penning because he doesn't have Panning's potential unless Udoh blows them away. But I'm just guessing.

 

[Belfast Saint]

I said this a couple of weeks ago and it's as true today, whatever Penning's journey so far (played a lot, played a little, hurt, not hurt, whatever) he needs to produce. It's going to get very binary, very soon and understanding the context only goes so far, loving the potential only goes so far. The debate about whether he should be better than he is or where he should be now based on his journey is becoming moot. He needs to produce, he needs to demonstrate competency, he needs to show he can be trusted to deploy what he's been taught to be an effective member of the OL.

It's that simple. For me, he's not demonstrated that yet. His run blocking was better last week and I hope that we don't see a backslide there this week. But his pass pro is still highly suspect unless it's supported. No pressures, no sacks etc doesn't matter - it's always the process, not the outcome. And the process, from what I saw and in my opinion and taking into account what I don't know, wasn't good enough.

I also said a few weeks ago that either Penning would demonstrate his competency or else it would likely be someone else starting. Now, we aren't exactly spoiled for choice but if Udoh shows a bit more consistency and competency, I think he will be starting week 1. Penning has not set a high bar and it's pretty sad that we're unsure Udoh can surpass it but it is what it is. Feels a bit like watching a dunk contest between two 8 year olds...

 

[St. Geezy]

Marrone was in charge of the OL last yr it was mostly his decision. Tell me where Doug Marrone is the OL coach this season

Sorry, but I am not at all understanding what this has to do with my post.

 

[MikeyF]

2 years for 30 million for this...




We better hope one of these 2 can fill the need at RT.

 

[sportsaint]

Cesar Ruiz was pretty terrible for a couple of years. Not everyone "gets it" in their first year. But that doesn't mean they won't become good players over the course of their career. If Penning ends up starting for the next 10 years, nobody is going to care. There are certainly some things he doesn't do well. But there's enough to suggest that he can be pretty good, and you don't get there by sitting on the bench. You take your lumps on someone you think can become a good player, or you spend a lot of money of a FA that may or may not ever be available.

I think the angst comes from the team out all their eggs in Pennings basket and they are almost all broken with not any better eggs to replace them. And those eggs cost a lot in the first place

 

[MikeyF]

I said this a couple of weeks ago and it's as true today, whatever Penning's journey so far (played a lot, played a little, hurt, not hurt, whatever) he needs to produce. It's going to get very binary, very soon and understanding the context only goes so far, loving the potential only goes so far. The debate about whether he should be better than he is or where he should be now based on his journey is becoming moot. He needs to produce, he needs to demonstrate competency, he needs to show he can be trusted to deploy what he's been taught to be an effective member of the OL.

It's that simple. For me, he's not demonstrated that yet. His run blocking was better last week and I hope that we don't see a backslide there this week. But his pass pro is still highly suspect unless it's supported. No pressures, no sacks etc doesn't matter - it's always the process, not the outcome. And the process, from what I saw and in my opinion and taking into account what I don't know, wasn't good enough.

I also said a few weeks ago that either Penning would demonstrate his competency or else it would likely be someone else starting. Now, we aren't exactly spoiled for choice but if Udoh shows a bit more consistency and competency, I think he will be starting week 1. Penning has not set a high bar and it's pretty sad that we're unsure Udoh can surpass it but it is what it is. Feels a bit like watching a dunk contest between two 8 year olds...

You guys do realize that Udoh was pretty bad in his 1 year of starting at RG for the Vikings...

 

[Belfast Saint]

You guys do realize that Udoh was pretty bad in his 1 year of starting at RG for the Vikings...

Hence, "Feels a bit like watching a dunk contest between two 8 year olds..."

 

[St. Widge]

It could also be as simple as they want both players to have time with the 1s in training camp. Even if Penning starts, it's unlikely he will take every single snap so Udoh will get some playing time at RT during the regular season. But, it's also an opportunity to see how Udoh plays with the 1s. I think it's unlikely they start Udoh over Penning because he doesn't have Panning's potential unless Udoh blows them away. But I'm just guessing.

You would think that if they just wanted both players to have time with the 1st team in camp then they would have been rotating them before now. Beyond that, DA said that the job is now open and nobody has taken it.

Penning certainly has worlds more potential than Udoh, but if Penning isn't ready and they think he is going to be a major liability, then they have to start Udoh. A lot of this season is riding on getting serviceable play at RT.

 

[St. Widge]

You guys do realize that Udoh was pretty bad in his 1 year of starting at RG for the Vikings...

I do realize that, but he still may be better than Penning at this point. And he may actually be better at RT than RG. He's played better at RT than RG for the Saints so far.

I don't think Udoh is close to the long term solution at RT. But, at this point it's about triage, finding a serviceable starter for the start of the season. Maybe Penning will be ready later in the year or next year. Or maybe he's never ready and we need to sign/draft a RT or sign/draft a LT and move Fuaga back to RT. But that's something to figure out in the future.

 

[cwesleyc]

I think our right tackle may not be on the roster. I think the team will trade for someone or sign a vet after week one so the contract isn't guaranteed. Penning will make a good developmental/extra tackle, but Udoh is not the answer as a starter.

 

[BreesusSaves]

The 49ers, while famous for their run heavy scheme, still passed the ball on 51.3% of their plays last season.

When it comes to pass blocking, Penning isn't below average, he isn't serviceable, he's a liability to the point he could get someone's career ended. Having to figure out ways to mitigate the potential damage a terrible pass blocking Tackle can cause for half the offensive plays is literally not going to happen.

Time is fast running out for Penning, hopefully it clicks.

 

[St. Widge]

I think our right tackle may not be on the roster. I think the team will trade for someone or sign a vet after week one so the contract isn't guaranteed. Penning will make a good developmental/extra tackle, but Udoh is not the answer as a starter.

I really hope that a solid RT is available on waivers or in trade. But, I'm not holding my breath. OL depth in the NFL is very scarce and teams just aren't cutting or trading good OL at any position much less at Tackle. But, lets hope someone makes a mistake and we can benefit.

 

[St. Widge]

The 49ers, while famous for their run heavy scheme, still passed the ball on 51.3% of their plays last season.

When it comes to pass blocking, Penning isn't below average, he isn't serviceable, he's a liability to the point he could get someone's career ended. Having to figure out ways to mitigate the potential damage a terrible pass blocking Tackle can cause for half the offensive plays is literally not going to happen.

Time is fast running out for Penning, hopefully it clicks.

If Penning ends up starting, I think the hope is that either he develops or that all the running, play action, screen passes, three step drops, roll outs, and chips by the TE/RB keep Penning out of as many straight up pass blocking reps in obvious passing situations as possible. But, he is still going to have to pass protect one on one with an NFL pass rusher many times this year and that is a scary thought.

The 49ers do throw 51% of the time but a lot of that is play action and three step drops which gives the OL some help by delaying the pass rush.

 

[sfidc3]

Thanks for the response because I'm not a soothsayer

However, ask yourself this question:

Do you honestly think Penning could block any of these Defensive Ends:

- Myles Garrett
- Micah Parsons
- Maxx Crosby
- Josh Sweat
- Haason Reddick
- Joey Bosa

* If your answer is a hesitant "yes" then Houston we have a problem

* However, if your answer "no" then how long will it take before he is READY?

If my answer is a hesitant "yes"? WTF?

Ahoy, Captain Obvious, you are asking if a struggling 3rd year OT, that seems to be slowly improving can immediately compete effectively with the best DE's in the NFL? Is that supposed to be some kind of "gothcha"?

Because if so, it's mighty weak.....so, obviously NO, right now he is not at a level necessary to effectively block the best pass rushers in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he won't or can't get there.....How long? No idea, I'm not a soothsayer after all.....

 

[nakadish]

You would think that if they just wanted both players to have time with the 1st team in camp then they would have been rotating them before now. Beyond that, DA said that the job is now open and nobody has taken it.

Penning certainly has worlds more potential than Udoh, but if Penning isn't ready and they think he is going to be a major liability, then they have to start Udoh. A lot of this season is riding on getting serviceable play at RT.

I think a big part of it is injuries. If I remember right, I believe they had Udoh playing at guard till the last couple of weeks?

It looks like Penning is putting in the work to get better, even if his progress is not as fast as anyone would like. The only two questions to ask are can he develop, and can the Saints work around his deficiencies while he develops? I think they do like last year and assume the answer is "yes" till Penning proves otherwise. But they also need to make sure they have a plan B that's not in the training room.