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METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints' decision to thrust untested rookie Terron Armstead into the starting left tackle job is obviously a bit of a stunner -- especially considering that it's Week 16 and it's such a critical game against the Carolina Panthers. And I certainly don't know what to expect from Armstead, since we haven't really seen him in action since the preseason.

But at this point, Armstead is probably as good an option as any other. Among the alternatives: sticking with Charles Brown after benching him in the middle of last week's loss at St. Louis; moving Zach Strief over from right tackle; or promoting Bryce Harris, who has slightly more experience but projects as more of a right tackle.

I know this: Coach Sean Payton made the move with conviction on Wednesday. And it's not like Armstead is a complete unknown. Heading into training camp, there was an assumption that the dynamic athlete from Arkansas-Pine Bluff might be talented enough to compete for the starting spot before it became clear that Brown had a stranglehold on the job.

Plus, we have seen the Saints have success in the past when young left tackles have been thrown into the fire.

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New Orleans Saints have had success with young LTs - ESPN