Left tackle move
 

LEFT TACKLE MOVE? Payton said there hasn't been a lineup change at the left tackle position. Although Zach Strief started ahead of Jermon Bushrod, who had started each of the eight games he was healthy enough to play in this season before Sunday, Payton said the move was in part strategic and to allow Strief more playing time.
The players split time against the Buccaneers.
"(Strief's) a little different. It's really more a matter of trying to get him some more playing time," Payton said. "He's a little bit different than Jermon. He's had experience at left tackle and we really came out of the St. Louis game wanting to get him some work, and we were able to do it in this week's game and we'll continue to look at both of those players as options as we move forward.
"Both of those guys are going to play. There's no announcement there, but both have played earlier in the year. Jermon had gotten a lot of the work. I'm just trying to get Zach work as well."

Re: Left tackle move
 

I saw that .... Is Strief becoming our next dominant LT?

Re: Left tackle move
 

I always thought that Zach was a better fit over there. its great to see him getting playing time.

Re: Left tackle move
 

He got pushed around a little in the Bucs game. I think its great to get both of them some playing time. JB won't be back this year, and God forbid one of them gets hurt without the other one having played much.

Re: Left tackle move
 

It is no accident that we are a seriously improved running team this year.
While I hated to see Brown get injured. You cannot convince me that we would be this successful running with him in the lineup.
Jamaal is a great pass blocking LT. Run blocking has always been his weakness.
His pass protection was so good that he would never have been replaced.
Addition by subtraction?
I think so.
I wish him all the success in the world. But I don't see him (or his salary) in a Saints uniform next year.

Re: Left tackle move
 

Tip 'o the hat to SP's game plan for Monday night?

Re: Left tackle move
 

Liking the combo evidently they are both talented and having them both play uses our team to full potential solely because we have great depth. And a plus because they have time to rest up in between substitutions.

Re: Left tackle move
 

i hate to do this cuz i almost always agree with everything you say, even if it is rare that you speak up

but when jammal brown was playing, we had our highest ypc average off the left tackle....jammal brown is more of a run blocking tackle than a pass blocking tackle and his holding penalties and sacks given up show that

he is in the elite group of LTs in the league regardless of which you think he does better(run or pass block) because he does both exceedingly well

the difference in the running game is the commitment to it.....last season we passed the ball 3 times more than we ran......this year it is nearly a 50/50 split with us starting to pass the ball a lot more these past couple games

strief looks to be a better fit at LT than bushrod just because of the quickness at the DE position that we have to play against over and over

bushrod is more of a run blocking tackle but he has struggled a lot this season in all aspects of his game

strief is a nice breathe of fresh air but im not sold on him either just from watching him last season

Re: Left tackle move
 

Agree 100% about Brown. He is probably top 10 in the NFL at LT. Both Bushrod and Streif are downgrades. Brown consistently graded out as a premier LT in this league. As a run blocker, few LT's can even come close to Brown.

Disagree about Strief/Bushrod though...

Tim Ryan said Strief matches up better versus power guys, while Bushrod matches up better against speed rushers, but its close either way. Neither are even close to Jammal Brown in either category IMO.

However Brown money >>> Strief and Bushrod money combined. We're probably trying to evaluate how high a draft pick to spend on a LT in 2009, or how much to offer one in free-agency.

Re: Left tackle move
 

who the heck is tim ryan?

im just going on what ive seen

strief doesnt let the DEs get the inside rush on him and he is quick enough to meet them on the outside after they commit

bushrod just gets manhandled all over the place.....i really have nothing good to say about him......at least strief doesnt give up the inside and quicker route to the QB

Re: Left tackle move
 

Don't worry, Brown will be back next year, no way the Saints let someone like that walk. Bushrod has played fairly well, but I think teams may have figured him out, so it only makes sense to get Strief in there for a bit.

Re: Left tackle move
 

NFL Network moving the chains, the Fox color analyst and former D-lineman for the Bears.

He was also the one who stated Nicks was one of the best OG's he's seen on film in the league.

I've never thought Strief handled speed rushers well at all. He's got RT written all over him. He's massive yet kinda slow-footed.

I'd say Bushrod probably has better potential at LT than Strief.

Re: Left tackle move
 

i hate to take credit away from the analyst

but i was talking about carl nicks long before he was this season

last season i noticed his rare technique and ultimate mix of both power and great footwork

heres to tooting my own horn:chug:

oh and i dont have the NFL network so i wouldnt have any idea who he was unless he was on it very regularly

Re: Left tackle move
 

What I've noticed about Strief is that he will take his man to the outside and around allowing Drew to step up in the pocket to throw. However if Drew doesn't get rid of the ball in that 3-4 sec count he will get hit because Strief's man will get around him.

Re: Left tackle move
 

does anyone know where ciron black is being projected these days or is it too early to talk about that sorta stuff?

Re: Left tackle move
 

As was I, about week 5. And as were several other posters who were paying attention. I'm not sure if I'd re-joined this board yet though.

Re: Left tackle move
 

It seems to me that the pressure that's getting to Drew is coming from his blind side. I thought Payton was trying to decrease the turnovers by insertting Strief and hopefully give defensive coordinators something else to think about. It is good to see that both can do the job adequately before we hit the final stretch of the season and head into post season play hopefully.

Re: Left tackle move
 

Word out of the locker room is Bushrod starts Monday night with six sacks or more and Strief gets no rotation. Sounds like Payton is using Strief as a pawn. Look for Strief to take any offer and walk next year. He's gotta be getting tired of being used and abused