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re: We are going to have great options at #8
Posted on 1/4/26 at 9:55 pm to blackandgolddude
Posted on 1/4/26 at 9:55 pm to blackandgolddude
quote:
This team's #1 need is a home run hitter. If we can find a pair of guards in free agency, Love would be an absolute monster in Kellen's system
Not to mention how much he would help our young franchise qb out at the start of his career.
0
Posted on 1/4/26 at 10:03 pm to GynoSandberg
So basically not in MANY years has it worked, and that was many Oline coaches ago.
Also, Strief was RT in college, and was only successful for us at RT. Evans was a raw prospect at a small college.
Also, Strief was RT in college, and was only successful for us at RT. Evans was a raw prospect at a small college.
Posted on 1/4/26 at 10:37 pm to bonethug0180
It works all the time. Ruiz and Penning just suck
Posted on 1/4/26 at 11:07 pm to GynoSandberg
It also fails all the time. There is a very mixed degree of success of this across the league. Recently it has been horrid for us. Why do more of what has been failing ever since Peat?
Posted on 1/4/26 at 11:09 pm to Dantheman504
Fano and Fuaga would give us the best right side OL in the NFC for 10 years and protect Tyler.
Im all in on Fano.
Im all in on Fano.
Posted on 1/4/26 at 11:20 pm to bonethug0180
Guys drafted as guards fail all the time. Draft picks fail all the time, free agent signings fail all the time. At the end of the day, it comes down to evaluating the right personnel. Just because all things have the risk of failure doesn’t mean you stop trying
Fuaga is a good tackle, and has the traits to be an elite guard. It’s a little different than Penning, who was the worst tackle in the league. And nothing was ever right about the Ruiz pick from the day we took him
Fuaga is a good tackle, and has the traits to be an elite guard. It’s a little different than Penning, who was the worst tackle in the league. And nothing was ever right about the Ruiz pick from the day we took him
Posted on 1/4/26 at 11:28 pm to GynoSandberg
Still think the Covid off-season tanked ruiz. Whatever they were trying to do, move him to guard or swap with McCoy never got started. And then McCoy got hurt in week 1
Posted on 1/4/26 at 11:45 pm to GynoSandberg
I just don’t think you move a guy for a third time, especially after he had a really good end to the year after battling injuries. Why not just sign your LG and draft someone in the third and fourth and have them battle Ruiz for the RG?
Seems like a more cost effective formula rather than banking on Fuaga having a smooth transition to Guard (which is an unknown) AND hitting on Fano or someone else in the first round at Tackle (an even bigger unknown.)
I get the negativity and thinking that we will go OL again when we’ve done that 4 times since 2020 and still having some scrutiny with Loomis in the draft but I think with Moore and his guys there, I have a little more faith that we can find ways to attack OL without solely expecting to use every first round pick we have until it’s fixed
Seems like a more cost effective formula rather than banking on Fuaga having a smooth transition to Guard (which is an unknown) AND hitting on Fano or someone else in the first round at Tackle (an even bigger unknown.)
I get the negativity and thinking that we will go OL again when we’ve done that 4 times since 2020 and still having some scrutiny with Loomis in the draft but I think with Moore and his guys there, I have a little more faith that we can find ways to attack OL without solely expecting to use every first round pick we have until it’s fixed
Posted on 1/4/26 at 11:56 pm to WicKed WayZ
I have no issue going OL in the first round. My issue, which you've partially hit on, is moving Fuaga yet again. He was a very good LT in 2024. He had a down year compared to last at RT, but still a good year overall (some of this was due to injury). Now you want to draft another tackle and move him again?
People think it's really no big deal to move guys around, but left side to right is a HUGE difference in stance. Tackle to guard is a difference in stance and a HUGE difference in technique. It's extremely different playing on the outside than in.
This is the whole reason Peat had so many struggles because they tried to force him so long to play the right side and his body could never adjust. He moved back to the left and his play immediately improved. He eventually even got used to playing inside at LG instead of outside at LT (while he was an okay LT (faaaaaaaar better than RT or RG) he had issues with the speed rushers which is why they tried to move him to the right side to begin with).
So no, while there is "projection" Fuaga would make an elite guard there is zero guarantee he would actually be even a decent guard. It's a HUGE risk and you are risking wasting yet another pick by drafting someone else to play tackle yet again.
Draft someone who is actually an elite guard. Don't take a huge, idiotic swing and draft a tackle at the top. It isn't worth the risk.
People think it's really no big deal to move guys around, but left side to right is a HUGE difference in stance. Tackle to guard is a difference in stance and a HUGE difference in technique. It's extremely different playing on the outside than in.
This is the whole reason Peat had so many struggles because they tried to force him so long to play the right side and his body could never adjust. He moved back to the left and his play immediately improved. He eventually even got used to playing inside at LG instead of outside at LT (while he was an okay LT (faaaaaaaar better than RT or RG) he had issues with the speed rushers which is why they tried to move him to the right side to begin with).
So no, while there is "projection" Fuaga would make an elite guard there is zero guarantee he would actually be even a decent guard. It's a HUGE risk and you are risking wasting yet another pick by drafting someone else to play tackle yet again.
Draft someone who is actually an elite guard. Don't take a huge, idiotic swing and draft a tackle at the top. It isn't worth the risk.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 12:09 am to bonethug0180
Not only that but the Saints were VERY reluctant to move Penning inside. I doubt Moore would be as hesitant since when he came that’s what they did but it doesn’t seem like it’s something the FO would be Ok with and would rather see Fuaga stick it out at Tackle.
And another thing, it’s a totally different ball game moving college tackles like Nicks and Evans when the draft cost isn’t high. They were fifth rounders. People will mention Becton but he was fricking HORRIBLE this year with the Chargers. Fuaga was what? The 13th pick? And the new tackle would be the 8th pick? Just seems way riskier to me vs just drafting someone like Downs or Love or even someone like Bain/Bailey and then taking a Guard in the 3rd or 4th to compete with Ruiz. At least then Fuaga has continuity and Ruiz either competes his arse off to become at least an average guard before we dump him or he loses his job to a rook
And another thing, it’s a totally different ball game moving college tackles like Nicks and Evans when the draft cost isn’t high. They were fifth rounders. People will mention Becton but he was fricking HORRIBLE this year with the Chargers. Fuaga was what? The 13th pick? And the new tackle would be the 8th pick? Just seems way riskier to me vs just drafting someone like Downs or Love or even someone like Bain/Bailey and then taking a Guard in the 3rd or 4th to compete with Ruiz. At least then Fuaga has continuity and Ruiz either competes his arse off to become at least an average guard before we dump him or he loses his job to a rook
Posted on 1/5/26 at 6:20 am to bonethug0180
quote:
It also fails all the time
Typically for a Penning situation. Guys who suck at T that teams try to salvage who also suck at G. It fails b/c the player sucks not because of the transition.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 6:26 am to bonethug0180
quote:
He was a very good LT in 2024.
This is over-stating it. He showed promise as a rookie but was not "very good" for the NFL.
quote:
Now you want to draft another tackle and move him again?
He has been OK at best at T and has always had better physical traits and style to be a G. We also really need help at G without many avenues to upgrade this offseason.
Saints fans just overrate him b/c he didn't suck, the sunk cost of another 1st, our bad history at drafting OL, and, well, he's on their team. His PFF grades were in the 64-65 range both years. He is not a guy who has played at an elite level.
quote:
Draft someone who is actually an elite guard.
None coming out this year.
Nothing close in FA, either.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 7:51 am to WicKed WayZ
quote:
I get the negativity
The only negative part about drafting OL is the guys we drafted. Im not against getting another, especially if you can upgrade your tackle and in turn upgrade the guard spot with Fuaga. Fuaga has 33” arms and 80” wing, the talk of him playin guard isn’t new. The length goes from the bottom 10% of tackles to middle of the pack length for a guard. The speed and athleticism is elite in the top ~10% for guards
I’m not saying this is the only way, just not ruling it out. If Fano is that guy, great. I think Mauigoa is going to face the same issues as Fuaga at tackle with the length.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 8:33 am to GynoSandberg
quote:
The only negative part about drafting OL is the guys we drafted. Im not against getting another, especially if you can upgrade your tackle and in turn upgrade the guard spot with Fuaga. Fuaga has 33” arms and 80” wing, the talk of him playin guard isn’t new. The length goes from the bottom 10% of tackles to middle of the pack length for a guard. The speed and athleticism is elite in the top ~10% for guards
I’m not saying this is the only way, just not ruling it out.
100% agree with all this.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 10:53 am to Flavius Belisarius
quote:
2 QBs at least will go in top 7 picks
If Trinidad goes pro, 3 will be drafted in the Top-7 because Arizona will likely want a QB.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 11:24 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
His PFF grades were in the 64-65 range both years. He is not a guy who has played at an elite level.
It’s the year of our lord 2026 and we’re still taking PFF grades as gospel. Jesus Christ.
Even so, we don’t NEED elite play. Would it be nice? Absolutely. There’s a big difference between being bad and being elite. Fuaga was above average and trending toward good in the later part of the year when he got healthy. But you’re not going to get elite play by changing Fuaga’s position AGAIN, for the third fricking time. You and Gyno are seriously underestimating the hindrance that could be on his development. There’s also ZERO guarantee Fuaga would be any better at Guard and you’re also banking on the other tackle to come in right away and be better than a 2 year vet? Seems way riskier to me. And because of Ruiz’s contract situation, I don’t see a scenario where he doesn’t play meaningful snaps at RG next year. Hopefully they add someone in the 3rd or 4th to compete but he’s due $9M the next two years
Posted on 1/5/26 at 11:26 am to GynoSandberg
quote:
The only negative part about drafting OL is the guys we drafted. Im not against getting another, especially if you can upgrade your tackle and in turn upgrade the guard spot with Fuaga. Fuaga has 33” arms and 80” wing, the talk of him playin guard isn’t new. The length goes from the bottom 10% of tackles to middle of the pack length for a guard. The speed and athleticism is elite in the top ~10% for guards
I’m not saying this is the only way, just not ruling it out. If Fano is that guy, great. I think Mauigoa is going to face the same issues as Fuaga at tackle with the length.
Fuaga, Fano and Miami OL dude are all RT's that have elite OG traits. i wouldn't care who plays where but i am not against a continued dedication to getting the OL in better shape.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 11:30 am to Chad504boy
Our fan base is really brainwashed into thinking we can only get good OL in the first round of drafts. Look how far we have fallen
Guess we better get used to Audric Estime and Ronnie Bell after all huh?
Guess we better get used to Audric Estime and Ronnie Bell after all huh?
Posted on 1/5/26 at 11:32 am to WicKed WayZ
quote:
Our fan base is really brainwashed into thinking we can only get good OL in the first round of drafts. Look how far we have fallen
i'm okay with a few different paths in the draft. but i'm not taking OL off the board out of a grievance of what's been done in the past.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 11:36 am to WicKed WayZ
quote:
But you’re not going to get elite play by changing Fuaga’s position AGAIN, for the third fricking time.
You don't know that, especially since the move would cater to his physical and play limitations.
quote:
There’s also ZERO guarantee Fuaga would be any better at Guard
Nobody having a rational discussion talks in those sorts of absolutes.
Nobody promoting the possible move is speaking in terms of 100% guarantee. That's not how life works.
quote:
and you’re also banking on the other tackle to come in right away and be better than a 2 year vet?
Like the OT we just drafted that moved Fuaga already and played much better than him in his 2nd year?
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