Trevor Penning will work at LT and RT during OTAs (OTA update: Penning moved to RT) (2 Viewers)

[SWJJ]

Also BTW Today is Trevor Penning's Birthday!

 

[Kegger]

Seems like they are wasting a lot of valuable practice time messing about with no plan. Typical of a team with a bad head coach.

I'm no DA fan, but testing things out in OTAs/preseason is totally fine. Especially with a new O scheme. Figure out which puzzle pieces fit best in which spots to get the best team on the field.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

You heard it here first, Trevor will look eons better at RT. Triplet talks about it on the pod how Peat couldn't play RT but he also forgets the failed experiment at RG when Jahri left. Peat just couldn't get right on the right side of the line. It's very possible that Penning's coordination improves on the right side

Meanwhile when I look at Fuaga, I did a quick comparison to Penei Sewell. Fuaga has a better RAS, but I don't think he has the updside that Sewell has. What I do see is that he has better feet than Sewell. Sewell has to get that thick lower half moving, Fuaga is a bit slimmer in the lower half and he mirrors better, but not with same anchor. IMHO he has the feet of a LT, despite the lack of traditional length.

He should handle quicker rushers better, and we know he can because he shut down Laiatu Latu

 

[Jesse Custer]

Some of us have been saying he needs to play guard since he first got here.

 

[Nonreg]

Lets remember that Fuaga is also still a rookie; pump the breaks on him becoming the savior at LT until he plays against NFL defensive lineman

 

[St. Widge]

I don't subscribe to NOF, but don't I recall a thread about one of Nick's articles that Penning had been working out with a well renown offensive line guru and the Saints were impressed with his progress?

That is basically correct. Although what Nick said was that reports from non-Saints sources were that he was doing a good job making progress at the camp, not that the Saints were impressed with his progress. The way I see this is the Saints are going to give Penning another shot, but they think Fuaga is their best Tackle so they are going to put him at LT unless or until Penning proves he's a better LT than Fuaga. And, if Penning doesn't show that, Penning will compete for the RT job with Young and Udoh.

But, unless Fuaga shows to be a great LT, he could be moved back to RT next year if they can find someone who is a good LT in the draft or free agency.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Some of us have been saying he needs to play guard since he first got here.

I've thought about G but I have two problems with it.

If he struggles on the left side as I suspect, then being at LG won't make it better and because RG is Ruiz spot unless they plan on moving he and McCoy around it seems unlikely.

The 2nd problem is, he struggles to anchor, going against more powerful guys on the interior is only going to expose that more. He was getting bullrushed by DE's 60lbs lightr than him, what happens when he has to drop an anchor vs a guy whos 300+?

 

[St. Widge]

I've thought about G but I have two problems with it.

If he struggles on the left side as I suspect, then being at LG won't make it better and because RG is Ruiz spot unless they plan on moving he and McCoy around it seems unlikely.

The 2nd problem is, he struggles to anchor, going against more powerful guys on the interior is only going to expose that more. He was getting bullrushed by DE's 60lbs lightr than him, what happens when he has to drop an anchor vs a guy whos 300+?

I know DA talked about cross-training guys, and maybe they will give Ruiz some work at Center and McCoy at Guard to keep the options open, but based on what Nick is saying, it kind of sounds like the only two spots that are set on the O-Line right now are McCoy at Center and Ruiz at RG. Of course, that could change as the new coaches see more of these guys in person.

 

[saint_drago]

I've thought about G but I have two problems with it.

If he struggles on the left side as I suspect, then being at LG won't make it better and because RG is Ruiz spot unless they plan on moving he and McCoy around it seems unlikely.

The 2nd problem is, he struggles to anchor, going against more powerful guys on the interior is only going to expose that more. He was getting bullrushed by DE's 60lbs lightr than him, what happens when he has to drop an anchor vs a guy whos 300+?

Exactly. He'll be at a leverage disadvantage almost literally every snap at Guard. So I'm just picturing him getting stood straight up and Derek Carr has a 6'7" Guard obstructing his view. Just go in your back yard and try to throw a few slants over a grizzly bear walking backwards right at you. Trust me, it's not ideal.

 

[jboss]

Exactly. He'll be at a leverage disadvantage almost literally every snap at Guard. So I'm just picturing him getting stood straight up and Derek Carr has a 6'7" Guard obstructing his view. Just go in your back yard and try to throw a few slants over a grizzly bear walking backwards right at you. Trust me, it's not ideal.

We've seen a lot of a 6'7'" guard on this team for the past ten years. It is a non issue.

 

[Patman255]

I'm all for evaluating Penning and Fuaga at either tackle position and letting the new O-line coaching staff figure out who's best for which position. Our best case scenario is that these two talented players start every game for us on the line, regardless of who's on left or right.

If we can start the season with a line of Penning, Fuaga, McCoy, Ruiz, and Saldiveri then we stand out best shot at offensive success this season. If we can't get Penning and Saldiveri on the field, if McCoy and Ruiz underachieve, etc. we're looking at another 7-9 to 9-7 season.

 

[BreesusSaves]

The Saints entire handling of Penning the past two seasons has been a complete disaster. Hopefully they right the ship.

 

[fishing4food]

I hope that Penning spent the off-season working his tail off with a trainer or with someone that knows how to coach OL. The season is riding on the o-line. If they can't get this fixed then we'll be at the bottom of the division. It's that important.

 

[St. Widge]

Exactly. He'll be at a leverage disadvantage almost literally every snap at Guard. So I'm just picturing him getting stood straight up and Derek Carr has a 6'7" Guard obstructing his view. Just go in your back yard and try to throw a few slants over a grizzly bear walking backwards right at you. Trust me, it's not ideal.

I don't really get this 6' 7" is too tall to play Guard thing. It's not ideal, but lots of 6'5" to 6'7" guys play Guard. Peat was 6'7", Saldiveri is 6'6" and in contention to start at LG. An inch or two isn't going to make much different in throwing over them or leverage. For QBs it's all about finding throwing lanes and the bigger issue is the guys on the other side who are much higher than 6'7" when they put their hands up.

So, I don't think height is the issue with Penning, he just isn't good at setting an anchor for power rushers. I think it's likely more about technique than height since lots of guys his height have a better anchor.

 

[Rexman100]

Hopefully we all want that as it would be best for the team. I'm hoping as well but I think his confidence is totally shot.

yea im sensing that too. Its one thing to challenge someone and threaten his spot w/ a new player to wake him up. But this is more like an autopsy then a Frankenstein rebuild. too much? People are forgetting Lucas Patrick, this guy is a day one starter at LG IMO. Hes got that "it" factor when it comes to leadership qualities too.