What about Deuce Lutui...

[red desert]

at right tackle?

Didn't he protect Matt's blindside for one year at USC? If I recall correctly, he did very well. He is our best o-lineman, and his familiarity with Matt's drop in the pocket can only only add to his effectiveness at RT.

That would allow us to put Reggie at LT. A good move in my opinion. Think about this lineup:

LT - Wells
LG - M. Brown
C - Johnson
RG - W. Gandy (or switch him and M. Brown)
RT - Lutui

All of sudden, our o-line looks alright.

That would leave us with the following backups:

T - O. Ross
C - Leckey
G - E. Brown
Plus draft picks.

Our offensive lines woes are solved.

If only it were that easy.

Note: I understand the potential for a repeat of "Leonard Davis is a pro bowl guard and not LT" situation. But the personnel is this situation is different. We have some solid guards in place should management decide to take my brilliant advice and switch Deuce to Tackle.

 

[O]

I've wondered about this myself.
After all, Deuce did say he likes protecting the pretty boy.

 

[Redsz]

I don't believe Lutui has the foot speed for RT.

From his scouting report:

Lutui is a limited athlete who lacks the foot agility, quickness and flexibility to block effectively when he has to move his feet a lot. When he gets out and blocks in space, he struggles to adjust on the move and cannot maintain consistently. He lacks the quickness to get around the play-side defensive tackle to make the "reach block" with good position. He does not punch consistently in pass protection, which allows quick and aggressive defensive tackles to get underneath him and jolt and drive him backward into the quarterback's lap too easily for such a naturally strong offensive lineman.

He is best suited for the interior were he can use his strength and agressivness to drive guys off the ball (in line).

I'm expecting the line to look like this:

RT-Wells
RG-Lutui
C-Johnson/Leckey
LG-Brown
LT-Draft pick

Ross and Gandy, IMO, should be backups. Gandy is servicable, but shouldn't be starting.

 

[CardLogic]

I think Duece is a better guard than tackle, but if the Cards don't have a better tackle...

 

[conraddobler]

I don't believe Lutui has the foot speed for RT.

From his scouting report:



He is best suited for the interior were he can use his strength and agressivness to drive guys off the ball (in line).

I'm expecting the line to look like this:

RT-Wells
RG-Lutui
C-Johnson/Leckey
LG-Brown
LT-Draft pick

Ross and Gandy, IMO, should be backups. Gandy is servicable, but shouldn't be starting.

To me wouldn't it be easier to draft a RT and start Wells at LT?

Wells with a left handed QB would be more than serviceable as a LT IMO.

Plus we have Ross for RT as a backup or camp competition with the rookie, that and if you had to you could start Gandy there in a pinch...

RT's typically do not face the other teams premier rusher, Wells is very athletic and is difficult to speed rush which is what that side faces the most of, so IMO he should go there unless we draft Thomas then of course your scenario makes perfect sense and I'd be completely happy with that line.

 

[Redrage]

To me wouldn't it be easier to draft a RT and start Wells at LT?

Wells with a left handed QB would be more than serviceable as a LT IMO.

Plus we have Ross for RT as a backup or camp competition with the rookie, that and if you had to you could start Gandy there in a pinch...

RT's typically do not face the other teams premier rusher, Wells is very athletic and is difficult to speed rush which is what that side faces the most of, so IMO he should go there unless we draft Thomas then of course your scenario makes perfect sense and I'd be completely happy with that line.

Agreed, Wells filled in well when asked to play LT in the past.

Also, Deuce is good Guard, but he doesn't have the feet to play tackle at this level.

 

[artp]

Haven't we, already tried moving a promising rookie OG to OT?

 

[artp]

Haven't we, already tried moving a promising rookie OG to OT?

Wher the Hell did that comma "," come from?

 

[Redrage]

Haven't we, already tried moving a promising rookie OG to OT?

Yep.

 

[Zeno]

I'm so sick of all this moving players around talk. Let a player get comfortable in a position and stay there. By moving 1 player and having another fill that other players recently vacated spot you are creating an instance where you have 2 players learning the offense in a new position. So throw what ever little continuity we have right out the window.

 

[seesred]

Wher ...I like the comma. Commas are good. Good comma.

GBR
40

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I brought this very topic up about three weeks ago and was about half damned run off the board.

Trust me, there's some who think the idea might work, but a mass want nothing to do with it.

 

[nurnay]

I'm still pissed that Philly traded up and took Justice in front of us.

 

[Shane]

I brought this very topic up about three weeks ago and was about half damned run off the board.

Trust me, there's some who think the idea might work, but a mass want nothing to do with it.

For good reason. Lutui does not have the footwork to play LT in the NFL he just doesnt. Way to slow. He got away with it in college because he was forced to because of injuries.

 

[BACH]

To me wouldn't it be easier to draft a RT and start Wells at LT?

Wells with a left handed QB would be more than serviceable as a LT IMO.

Plus we have Ross for RT as a backup or camp competition with the rookie, that and if you had to you could start Gandy there in a pinch...

RT's typically do not face the other teams premier rusher, Wells is very athletic and is difficult to speed rush which is what that side faces the most of, so IMO he should go there unless we draft Thomas then of course your scenario makes perfect sense and I'd be completely happy with that line.

If we get Thomas, who is somewhat finesse and used to the mental pressure of playing blindside, then you might have a point.

I wouldn't make the move though. Two reasons:

- Wells is a finesse player and not physical enough to play frontside OT. He best suited at blindside.

- All the top OT prospects have played LT in college. It's a little known fact, but it's actually harder for a lineman changing from the left to the right than it is to move from T to G. One thing is starting a rookie O-lineman, but it's a whole other thing to start a rookie O-lineman at a new position and on his "unnatural" side.

 

[joeshmo]

Lutui is staying at gaurd.

Jurecki stated this week that lutui gained a good 10 lbs during the offseason and it looked like the good kind of weight not the bad kind. And he expects to gain more in Lotts program. That tells me he is staying at OG.

 

[Goldfield]

Lutui is staying at gaurd.

Jurecki stated this week that lutui gained a good 10 lbs during the offseason and it looked like the good kind of weight not the bad kind. And he expects to gain more in Lotts program. That tells me he is staying at OG.

If its the good kind thats good news.

I think the only OG we have that can play OT is M.Brown. He IMO has the feet to do it. And to be honest I would rather see M.Brown at LT before we see Ross there. Now I wouldnt mind seeing M.Brown at LT & Ross at LG.


Lutui is a OG, and Wells is an OT ONLY, he is a very bad OG.


The best part of all this is we do have depth and competition at every spot so they should all improve...

 

[Mitch]

If its the good kind thats good news.

I think the only OG we have that can play OT is M.Brown. He IMO has the feet to do it. And to be honest I would rather see M.Brown at LT before we see Ross there. Now I wouldnt mind seeing M.Brown at LT & Ross at LG.


Lutui is a OG, and Wells is an OT ONLY, he is a very bad OG.


The best part of all this is we do have depth and competition at every spot so they should all improve...

I so agree about Milford Brown, Beerz! Good call. Last year almost everyone scoffed at the notion of Reggie Wells being tried at tackle. I think it would be wise of the Cardinals--particularly with the addition of Mike Gandy who has real upside at LG--to see what Milford Brown could do at LT...OR--even better--RT--and switch Reggie Wells to LT, seeing as usually the quickest edge rushers play at RDE outside the LT and Wells is the most agile tackle on the roster.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Haven't we, already tried moving a promising rookie OG to OT?

Agreed.

Keep Lutui at guard. He was a beast as a rookie and will only get better.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

So, let's see:

We have the suggested move of M. Brown, who has never played tackle in 31 games in the NFL, to LT... Gandy to left guard - Johnson at centre - Lutui from guard to tackle... and for some, Wells from RT to LT, etc. etc.

How about we keep one thought in mind.

From our end of year, vastly improved O-line, we have one hole to fill: LEFT TACKLE. Which, is not to say that additional changes won't be made through competition, but let's not throw out hard earned continuity. Remember, it took 6 permutations before we settled on the line that ended the year. Don't think any of us want to go through that again.

Ross is holding the LT position on the depth chart now, so it would seem the coaches are giving him chance to hold on to it. If a rookie or someone else beats him out, fine. But, I'd rather start the process in training camp with the 4 remaining starters from last year in position, and see what happens.

ROSS - BROWN - LECKEY - LUTUI - WELLS

Backups: ROSS (or draft pick) - LECKEY (or Johnson) Gandy, Gorin, Brown

 

[Goldfield]

So, let's see:

We have the suggested move of M. Brown, who has never played tackle in 31 games in the NFL, to LT... Gandy to left guard - Johnson at centre - Lutui from guard to tackle... and for some, Wells from RT to LT, etc. etc.

How about we keep one thought in mind.

From our end of year, vastly improved O-line, we have one hole to fill: LEFT TACKLE. Which, is not to say that additional changes won't be made through competition, but let's not throw out hard earned continuity. Remember, it took 6 permutations before we settled on the line that ended the year. Don't think any of us want to go through that again.

Ross is holding the LT position on the depth chart now, so it would seem the coaches are giving him chance to hold on to it. If a rookie or someone else beats him out, fine. But, I'd rather start the process in training camp with the 4 remaining starters from last year in position, and see what happens.

ROSS - BROWN - LECKEY - LUTUI - WELLS

Backups: ROSS (or draft pick) - LECKEY (or Johnson) Gandy, Gorin, Brown

Yes continuity is important. But you cant overvalue it either. First thing you have to do is put guys in the positions that let them use their strengths & minimize their weakness's.

Wells is an ok OT, but he was a BAD OG.

If M.Brown can play OT better than Ross/Gandy, thats a good move. Because Ross/Gandy both are alot better OG's then they are OT's.

I would leave Wells & Lutui alone. I would also keep Lecky the starter until(or if) he is clearly beat out by Johnson.

Also you never know, IF M.Brown does play LT, Johnson could also end up beating out Gandy/Ross for the LG spot.

Remember the line also improved after they moved Step to the bench & started Lecky, and moved Wells from LG to RT. Those 2 moved made a big impact.

 

[Goldfield]

I so agree about Milford Brown, Beerz! Good call. Last year almost everyone scoffed at the notion of Reggie Wells being tried at tackle. I think it would be wise of the Cardinals--particularly with the addition of Mike Gandy who has real upside at LG--to see what Milford Brown could do at LT...OR--even better--RT--and switch Reggie Wells to LT, seeing as usually the quickest edge rushers play at RDE outside the LT and Wells is the most agile tackle on the roster.

I was one of the Wells to OT supporters. I still wouldnt mind to find a better OT in a year or two, but he is solid there.

I am a huge fan of Lecky, I watched him very close when going over tape. I dont know if Johnson can beat him out(if given a fair shot).

Also wanted Step Benched BADLY...

 

[Duckjake]

Agreed, Wells filled in well when asked to play LT in the past.

That depends on how you define "well". As best I can remember Wells has played left tackle only twice. Once against the Vikings in his rookie season and then again in 2004 against Tampa. Neither of those games involved stellar offensive performances. On the other hand the Cards won both those games so maybe you're on to something.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Yes continuity is important. But you cant overvalue it either. First thing you have to do is put guys in the positions that let them use their strengths & minimize their weakness's.

Wells is an ok OT, but he was a BAD OG.

If M.Brown can play OT better than Ross/Gandy, thats a good move. Because Ross/Gandy both are alot better OG's then they are OT's.

I would leave Wells & Lutui alone. I would also keep Lecky the starter until(or if) he is clearly beat out by Johnson.

Also you never know, IF M.Brown does play LT, Johnson could also end up beating out Gandy/Ross for the LG spot.

Remember the line also improved after they moved Step to the bench & started Lecky, and moved Wells from LG to RT. Those 2 moved made a big impact.

We'll evidently you undervalue continuity, or at least view it as less important than I do. And, yet - every successful O-line is a byproduct of players playing together over time. Our O-line at the end of the year is a minor example, when, after 6 tries, Loney finally had a group that meshed fairly well.

Why the team would be experimenting with Brown at tackle, a position he's never played in the NFL, is bit beyond my understanding given his play at L-guard last year. And, how do we know that Ross is a better guard? The info I've seen shows no starts at guard... all of them at R-tackle and a few at left. Not to mention that until further notice from Whis and Grimm he's the starting left tackle.

I merely suggest that the line at end of year sans Big, be this years' starting point.

So, to reiterate... I'd like, and it seems likely - that we'll go to camp with the following lineup, with a possible change at LT if we get Thomas or Levi Brown, and Johnson at centre prior to the opening of the season.

LT: ROSS (Gandy, Rookie)
LG: BROWN (Gandy)
C: LECKEY (Johnson)
RG: LUTUI (E. Brown)
RT: Wells (Gorin)

(other draft picks)

 

[Zeno]

If M.Brown can play OT better than Ross/Gandy, thats a good move. Because Ross/Gandy both are alot better OG's then they are OT's.

.

As far as I know Brown played OG at Florida State too. When was the last time he played OT? High School? OL positions aren't interchangeable like everyone seems to think.