TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Think about what it must be like, when your boss comes up to you at your job, the same job that you’ve been working at for the last 25 years since you were in your early 20’s, and tells you: “Hey, meet ‘such and such’. He’s the new guy, and I want you to train him”.

Now of course, you don’t want to do or say anything to make you boss unhappy or to jeopardize the job you currently have that’s paying for your rent, your bills, and the food you eat; so you simply say in response: “okay, sir / ma’am, no problem”.

Except there is a problem. A BIG problem.

That’s because ‘such and such’ is there to TAKE your job, as the person who was hired to REPLACE you.

Now take that scenario, and apply to to the one that 10th year Saints veteran Zach Strief is experiencing right now, and I think you’ll know exactly how he must feel at this moment, as the Saints head into mandatory Mini-Camp starting this Tuesday morning.

TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints RT Battle Could Be Epic

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

The analogy is a bit flawed. Strief knows he's on the downside of his career and will be replaced over the next 2 or 3 seasons. He's gonna get paid one way or another.

He seems like the kind of man that would take pride in mentoring a young player that has all-pro potential.

Besides, you're really only out of a job when all 32 teams decide not to hire you.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Love Strief.

Reminds me of Stinchcomb (who also played his entire career with N.O.)

Did you know Stinch was a backup for 2 years? And Strief for 5 years?

Barring injury, Peat will be a back up this year and that's o.k.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Sounds more like what is happening in IT. Bring in someone that is cheaper, has less skill and have current staff train them so you can get fired/laid off.

Have had it happen at two jobs... Both jobs are still there it just took 2 guys in India to do what I did for less than what I made.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Sounds about right. If your skill essentially becomes a commodity, I'd learn a new skill.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Agreed, I watched the interview he had with the Nola.com reporters and he seemed one of the more gracious athletes I've heard.

He let it be known that he wasn't backing down from the position, but if the coaches give the starting role to someone else then Strief will give that person all the knowledge he has to help them be successful.

That's a true team player.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

I still feel that if Peat beats out Strief then the loser will be Lelito

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

"Tackle eligible." Be prepared to hear that a lot.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

This.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Ugh I still hate the fact that we used the #13 pick on potentially a back-up right tackle.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

He won't be a back-up for long. He'll likely be a 10 year starter with multiple pro-bowls.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

We'll see.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Im sure Mickey and Sean felt he was probably the best player available at that pick for our team. If he turns out to be a great tackle, which I think he will, then he will be every bit worth the 1st round pick...even if he does sit for a year. Im glad we have a GM who thinks of the future of our team and doesn't just have a"right now" mentality.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

We haven't had a poor right tackle since.....?

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

But that's the thing... Right tackles are a dime a dozen. Just find a failed left tackle and he'll be an ok right tackle. That's why I'm bummed we made a future investment in a right tackle with the #13 pick.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Who did you like at 13?

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

the main knock om the kid is speed rush. even then it would appear some coaching should be able to deal with the issue.

secondary knock is second level blocking that is so key in zone blocking.

third knock is he has that southern California peace nick attitude. definitely will not be the next coming of Kyle Turley by any stretch of the imagination. So he is not a dancing bear from the woods but he is more of a dancing bear from the circus.

I can see his game day music having some Donovan in the mix.
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)

lets see what happens. these are the reasons why i do not expect him as a starter right off the bat.

i will give him a couple years to make me feel comfy about the pick.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

I have always like Zach for as long as he been with the Saints. Love Strief.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

From reports, Kikaha pretty much owned Peat with inside moves 2 days in a row.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

I tend to kinda like this report, it shows that Kikaha has moves in his arsenal, Peat just needs to learn to move his feet a little better.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Once yesterday and twice today, according to reports.

I think thats good news because I think we can all agree that Peat has NFL skills, he just needs to develop a bit more.

There were bigger question marks about Kikaha's game translating to the pros.

To hear he's having success is very good news indeed, even if its against a fellow rookie.

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

He's only been beaten three times in three days?
sounds good to me

#itsonlyOTASjustrelax

Re: TEACHER VS. STUDENT: Saints Right Tackle Battle Could Be Epic
 

It's the way of the sport. 32 is ancient for football