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.” (1 Viewer)

[Koolbrees]

I'm sorry but your post is ridiculous . Tell me the credentials you have to make that statement please . Are you or have you been a HS, college or pro OLcoach or player? How about maybe a pro scout? Or maybe even a very qualified football writer?

First, everyone is entitled to their opinion and thanks for the response because I can handle constructive criticism.

Now do I really need to have credentials to speak on what I see or just facts because from what I'm seeing from Penning, he can't play at this level as a NFL Tackle.

Now can I be wrong...ABSOLUTELY!!! I would love to be called out if I'm WRONG and he develops into an above average NFL Tackle in the next 2-3 years.

In my "opinion", Penning should have NEVER been drafted in the 1st round to fill a highly skilled position because he was a "project" player at best.

 

[MikeyF]

In my "opinion", Penning should have NEVER been drafted in the 1st round to fill a highly skilled position because he was a "project" player at best.

I mentioned this in a different post but unfortunately players from smaller programs always get overrated because some of them are just so far above their competition physically that technique doesn't matter... and they get drafted too high just based on their physical measurements.

The good thing about TP is that he doesn't have a lot of time at OT and he should be able to develop his technique.
The question is can he handle the mental side of not be physically able to overpower NFL competition and develop...

 

[Koolbrees]

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.....

"Captain Obvious" that's a good one

But remember you said the keyword "struggling 3rd year OT"

So my question is: Why is he still struggling?

The season is right around the corner.

 

[Snakehead]

My gut tells me that they could have done more to be prepared.
I think someone will probably be available via trade in the next week or so. Albeit, an average player.
However, they seem comfortable with who they have.

How? How would they know a RT in his prime would be diagnosed with degenerative knees and probably won't play again? They did draft an OT in 2022, but he's had his own issues.

People on here complain about why they didn't draft Spears due to medicals, but Ram is a perfect reason why you don't draft someone who will more than likely not have a full career due to known medical issues.

 

[St. Widge]

How? How would they know a RT in his prime would be diagnosed with degenerative knees and probably won't play again? They did draft an OT in 2022, but he's had his own issues.

People on here complain about why they didn't draft Spears due to medicals, but Ram is a perfect reason why you don't draft someone who will more than likely not have a full career due to known medical issues.

I took his post as could have done more to be prepared in case Penning wasn't ready to play RT this year. They could not have known last year was it for Ram until late last season at the earliest. That being said, they have known that Ram has a degenerative knee condition for several years so they knew it was coming at some point they just didn't know it would be this year. But, I agree this is why you don't draft a guy like Spears who has a limited shelf life that could end at any time.

But, for example, they could have signed an average vet RT in free agency this year for Penning to compete with for the job so that at worst you have an average starter at RT. And the time to do that was a few days to a week into free agency. Or they could have taken another Tackle in the draft by using some of their picks to move up in a deep OT draft. I'm not sure that guy is out there right now unless there is a trade available.

To be fair, I'm not sure who that average vet RT was, but I suspect there were better players than Udoh available earlier in free agency since Udoh is really more of swing guy that can adequately play Guard and Tackle rather than a real RT.

 

[Swampy Saint]

I took his post as could have done more to be prepared in case Penning wasn't ready to play RT this year. They could not have known last year was it for Ram until late last season at the earliest. That being said, they have known that Ram has a degenerative knee condition for several years so they knew it was coming at some point they just didn't know it would be this year. But, I agree this is why you don't draft a guy like Spears who has a limited shelf life that could end at any time.

But, for example, they could have signed an average vet RT in free agency this year for Penning to compete with for the job so that at worst you have an average starter at RT. And the time to do that was a few days to a week into free agency. Or they could have taken another Tackle in the draft by using some of their picks to move up in a deep OT draft. I'm not sure that guy is out there right now unless there is a trade available.

To be fair, I'm not sure who that average vet RT was, but I suspect there were better players than Udoh available earlier in free agency since Udoh is really more of swing guy that can adequately play Guard and Tackle rather than a real RT.

Amen.

 

[sfidc3]

"Captain Obvious" that's a good one

But remember you said the keyword "struggling 3rd year OT"

So my question is: Why is he still struggling?

The season is right around the corner.

My understanding is injuries early on and currently it's a lack of confidence in technique, he obviously has the physical tools to compete (he's a freak athlete, along the level of Armstead) but like almost everything else sports related the mental part is as important as the physical.....

But that is just what I've been hearing as a fan, probably more to the story, either way he hopefully makes some good strides to winning the RT job in the immediate future.....or he is probably gone.....

 

[MikeyF]

Pretty good take by Jeff Nowak.

Under pressure: These Saints players have the most on the line in preseason finale

There’s only one dress rehearsal left for the New Orleans Saints before the regular season arrives, and that means job pressure for a lot of players on the current 90-man roster. See more on WWL and Audacy and the Inside Black & Gold podcast.

www.audacy.com

 

[Hedon James]

Pretty good take by Jeff Nowak.

Under pressure: These Saints players have the most on the line in preseason finale

There’s only one dress rehearsal left for the New Orleans Saints before the regular season arrives, and that means job pressure for a lot of players on the current 90-man roster. See more on WWL and Audacy and the Inside Black & Gold podcast.

www.audacy.com

People losing their minds about the RT situation (rightfully concerned, IMO), but reading into the situation too much. People lie all the time...pay attention to ACTIONS for the truth. Truth is...this makes all the sense in the world, IMO. I'll be nervous about the RT situation until I see signs of dominance from TP...or until he CONFIRMS he's a bust pick. If he's average, we'll be looking at tackles again next season...rinse & repeat. Until then:

1 - get TP as many reps as possible. he obviously hasn't progressed as ANYONE had hoped, so at this time, it's prudent to
2 - get Udoh some reps in case TP isn't ready, or in case TP fails or gets injured early in season. also
3 - keep an eye on OL that Benton/Dennison/Kubiak have prior familiarity with. if any shake loose, or could be available via preseason trade, then pursue
4 - if steps 1-3 don't pan out, try again next year. Saints have been good at OL picks for a LONG time, but law of averages seems to have caught up. Selection of Fuaga seems to suggest that MAYBE picks are gonna start falling our way again? Fingers crossed!

 

[DSnfla]

First, everyone is entitled to their opinion and thanks for the response because I can handle constructive criticism.

Now do I really need to have credentials to speak on what I see or just facts because from what I'm seeing from Penning, he can't play at this level as a NFL Tackle.

Now can I be wrong...ABSOLUTELY!!! I would love to be called out if I'm WRONG and he develops into an above average NFL Tackle in the next 2-3 years.

In my "opinion", Penning should have NEVER been drafted in the 1st round to fill a highly skilled position because he was a "project" player at best.

I'll leave you with a great quote from Jim Mora when talking to the media. " You think you know , But you don't know, And you never will"

 

[DSnfla]

I took his post as could have done more to be prepared in case Penning wasn't ready to play RT this year. They could not have known last year was it for Ram until late last season at the earliest. That being said, they have known that Ram has a degenerative knee condition for several years so they knew it was coming at some point they just didn't know it would be this year. But, I agree this is why you don't draft a guy like Spears who has a limited shelf life that could end at any time.

But, for example, they could have signed an average vet RT in free agency this year for Penning to compete with for the job so that at worst you have an average starter at RT. And the time to do that was a few days to a week into free agency. Or they could have taken another Tackle in the draft by using some of their picks to move up in a deep OT draft. I'm not sure that guy is out there right now unless there is a trade available.

To be fair, I'm not sure who that average vet RT was, but I suspect there were better players than Udoh available earlier in free agency since Udoh is really more of swing guy that can adequately play Guard and Tackle rather than a real RT.

I think ( and let me know if you agree) that our OL issues really began before the 22 season. I'll leave Marrone out because you know my feelings on him. It started with the ridiculous pursuit of Watson from the Texans. From what I have been able to gather that prolonged pursuit of him prevented us from resigning Armstead. He wanted to come back but because we were not able to make him a legit offer due to Watson stringing us along TA signed with Miami.
In 21 out OL was Armstead, Peat, McCoy, Ruiz and Ram. How would you like to have that OL right now? the fault of not resigning TA rests solely on the FO, in no way should we have been chasing Watson and thank all the stars in heaven he went with Cleveland.
That put us in scramble mode @ LT. So we draft Penning, I'm not going to debate if we should have drafted him other than to say he was drafted just about where almost EVERY mock/ scout said he should be.
What I think we got wrong is that EVERYONE knew that TP was not pro-ready especially in pass-pro to start day one. What we should have done was sign a decent LT in FA ( and there were several available) to be a bridge starter @ LT until TP was ready, Which if he had been healthy maybe end of rookie yr or possibly yr 2. TP was thrust into the starting lineup WAY too early without having gotten hardly any work in his 1st season or the 2nd offseason.
22 was not a good yr for O linemen. While the Olave trade was fine to trade away future picks looking for quality OL especially OTs was not a wise choice. Almost every OL taken in the 1st 2-3 rds have been underwhelming, even the ones at the top part of the draft. We were most likely not going to find a ready to start OT in 22 the whole trade to get a 2nd 1st rd pick hurt us and not because we took TP but because it diminished our drafts for the next 2 yrs

 

[St. Widge]

I think ( and let me know if you agree) that our OL issues really began before the 22 season. I'll leave Marrone out because you know my feelings on him. It started with the ridiculous pursuit of Watson from the Texans. From what I have been able to gather that prolonged pursuit of him prevented us from resigning Armstead. He wanted to come back but because we were not able to make him a legit offer due to Watson stringing us along TA signed with Miami.
In 21 out OL was Armstead, Peat, McCoy, Ruiz and Ram. How would you like to have that OL right now? the fault of not resigning TA rests solely on the FO, in no way should we have been chasing Watson and thank all the stars in heaven he went with Cleveland.
That put us in scramble mode @ LT. So we draft Penning, I'm not going to debate if we should have drafted him other than to say he was drafted just about where almost EVERY mock/ scout said he should be.
What I think we got wrong is that EVERYONE knew that TP was not pro-ready especially in pass-pro to start day one. What we should have done was sign a decent LT in FA ( and there were several available) to be a bridge starter @ LT until TP was ready, Which if he had been healthy maybe end of rookie yr or possibly yr 2. TP was thrust into the starting lineup WAY too early without having gotten hardly any work in his 1st season or the 2nd offseason.
22 was not a good yr for O linemen. While the Olave trade was fine to trade away future picks looking for quality OL especially OTs was not a wise choice. Almost every OL taken in the 1st 2-3 rds have been underwhelming, even the ones at the top part of the draft. We were most likely not going to find a ready to start OT in 22 the whole trade to get a 2nd 1st rd pick hurt us and not because we took TP but because it diminished our drafts for the next 2 yrs

I do agree. The decision not to sign Armstead, whether because Watson waited to long or not, was a mistake that has led us to where we are now. They had to get a LT in that draft and Penning was seen to be the best one available where they picked. And he may have been, but that doesn't mean he was ready to start. They should have taken another player, moved back, or just have not made the deal with Philly include getting two first that year. But taking Penning at that spot meant that they were essentially forced to rush him to start because they had no other LT option. That contributed to him never developing to the point he needs to be. He was always likely going to take a year or two to develop.

Then they had to take Fuaga. Luckily Fuaga looks to be the real deal and was solid value where they picked him. But, if they had signed Armstead back then, the entire OL would look so much better and you could have Armstead at LT and Fuaga at RT until he moves to LT when Armstead retires. And maybe we would not have taken Penning and instead used that pick on a young DL, WR, TE, or Guard. Lots of possibilities for how it would have gone, but yes, not resigning Armstead was the beginning of the downfall of our OL. And yes, we are really lucky that Cleveland guaranteed him all that money because we would be worse off now having made the Watson trade.

 

[kcirdor]

 

[DSnfla]

I do agree. The decision not to sign Armstead, whether because Watson waited to long or not, was a mistake that has led us to where we are now. They had to get a LT in that draft and Penning was seen to be the best one available where they picked. And he may have been, but that doesn't mean he was ready to start. They should have taken another player, moved back, or just have not made the deal with Philly include getting two first that year. But taking Penning at that spot meant that they were essentially forced to rush him to start because they had no other LT option. That contributed to him never developing to the point he needs to be. He was always likely going to take a year or two to develop.

Then they had to take Fuaga. Luckily Fuaga looks to be the real deal and was solid value where they picked him. But, if they had signed Armstead back then, the entire OL would look so much better and you could have Armstead at LT and Fuaga at RT until he moves to LT when Armstead retires. And maybe we would not have taken Penning and instead used that pick on a young DL, WR, TE, or Guard. Lots of possibilities for how it would have gone, but yes, not resigning Armstead was the beginning of the downfall of our OL. And yes, we are really lucky that Cleveland guaranteed him all that money because we would be worse off now having made the Watson trade.

I think we made that trade with the stubborn mindset that we WERE going to take a WR and an OT in that draft , and that was a mistake. We should have never made that trade with Philly, not because of who we took but because it handcuffed our future drafts. We should have signed a good OT in FA and there were quite a few to replace TA. We had the money because we were going to pay Watson. We could have still made the trade to move up for Olave , even though it would have cost us more. We could have traded our own pick # 19 to Wash for #11,might have had to give up a 2nd and maybe a 6th to move up but we would have kept all those pieces we traded to Philly. And we would have gotten the pics from the Payton trade
Our drafts would have been 22- Olave #11, no 2nd ( Taylor) #3. 23, 1st # 9, 1st #30, 2nd # 40, 3rd # 71. 24 1st # 14 Fuaga, 2nd # 41 Kool-Aid, 2nd # 50. We would be a different and most likely a better team

 

[sfidc3]

I was a huge TA fan and hated that we didn't resign him.....but I think it is fair to point out he missed 7 games last season for the Fins.....as great as he is (and he would help us) he simply can play an entire season.....