Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?

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John Sigler
May 9, 2020 1:24 pm ET

If you were to go back to the initial days and weeks after the 2019 season wrapped up, polling fans on which of the New Orleans Saints guards would be around in 2020 and beyond, most would probably have suggested right guard Larry Warford rather than left guard Andrus Peat.

Warford is an ironman, with 107 starts under his belt (including the playoffs) and three trips to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years in New Orleans, even if his play trailed off last season. Meanwhile, Peat has been perceived as an injury-prone anomaly who finally found his footing after washing out at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard, too. To his credit, Peat was also voted into the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019.

The analysts at Pro Football Focus graded Warford as a top-10 guard last year (clocking in at No. 8, with an overall grade of 75.8) while Peat was, well, less impressive (ranked at No. 70, due to a 48.5 grade).

Obviously, the Saints disagreed with the wisdom of the crowd. Peat was signed to a massive contract extension with $33 million in guarantees, whereas Warford was released after the team drafted his replacement in the first round (even if the jury’s out on whether rookie phenom Cesar Ruiz will slot in at guard or push Erik McCoy out of the center spot). Why did the Saints do that?

In all likelihood, this wasn’t an easy this-or-that decision. Smart teams like the Saints do thoughtfully allocate salary cap dollars to different position groups and specific players, but they probably didn’t sign Peat to a long-term contract with Warford’s uncertainty in mind. But what if they did?

Internal projections might have looked more favorably on Peat than Warford, if the team’s actions are any sign. Peat is just 26 years old and his issues have largely been connected to injuries — he missed a six-week chunk of the 2019 season with a broken arm, after 2018 was derailed by a concussion, sprained ankle, and broken hand, all of which followed a season-ending broken leg in 2017. He’s never suited up for a 16-game season, but the Saints are apparently betting big that he’ll begin to. If he can stay healthy, his level of play would probably skyrocket.

As for Warford: he’s turning 29 in June and has grappled with conditioning problems, which may have contributed to his less-than-satisfactory performance last year. The Saints were said to be unhappy with his game tape throughout the offseason, but it’s still surprising that they chose to punt on an accomplished player. If the goal all along was to upgrade from Warford, keeping him around as a backup along with the also-expensive Nick Easton (due more than $5.8 million against the salary cap this year) didn’t make sense. It’s worth noting that young reserves like Will Clapp and Cameron Tom have also logged meaningful NFL snaps.

Schematically, Warford hasn’t been the best fit in New Orleans. As pointed out by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, he was timed as one of the slowest guards in the NFL back at the Combine, which stands out in a bad way on one of the league’s fastest offensive line groups. Upgrading to a more mobile blocker like Ruiz or McCoy at his spot would do a lot to bring back the carefully-timed screen plays New Orleans was once known for.

So, the answer to our original question is that the Saints probably didn’t compare Peat and Warford before making a call. They did see an opportunity to get better up front by moving on from Warford, and separately took a chance on Peat putting his injuries behind him.

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Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Really nothing in this article that shows a clear and concise reason for these moves.

Saints felt his play dropped off, but he ranked 8th in the league.
Saints felt he wasn't in shape, but chose to keep a guy that never plays a full season.
That said, I don't mind moving on from Warford with Ruiz because it does put more speed on the line, which is critical.

Still don't understand the large contract for Peat.
- Never plays a full season, always hurt.
- When he is healthy he never grades out well on PFF, usually ranked behind backups.
- Opposing teams specifically target him in their game plans.
- Offensive numbers are better when he doesn't play.
So with all of the above, let's pay the guy like a top 10 OG....

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Cheap food diet with Popeyes Sammiches?

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

We re-signed Peat because there were no other options. The guard market dried up before free agency even started with Thuney and Scherff getting tagged.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

You'll never know the exact reasons unless you sit down with them and discuss it. Even after that you may feel you are more correct in your way of thinking than them their's. Personally, I would tend to trust their judgement given knowledge of all variables involved than anyone completely on the outside looking in.

One thing I do know is that Peat has been forced to play through three fluke broken bone injuries which had to have affected his effectiveness. Warford was just slow and out of shape.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

If Peat gets beat like a drum this season like he did last season time and time again, it's gonna cause a huge ripple effect.
Brees not having time in the pocket, possibly hurt.
Finding a replacement to do a job he got a big contract to do.
New money for his replacement.
Carrying a big cap hit.
I really hope they know what they did, we'll see.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

IMO Warford is a better pure GUARD. Andrus can play swing TACKLE if the coaches need him too. I'm simply not a fan of Peat at either position. Most of the time he's either putting together subpar game film or he's hurt.

Bottom line Payton was not happy with Warford in 2019, called him out a few times pre draft and apparently was already on thin ice in a contract year. It is what it is.

I hope Ruiz is the real deal though.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Sure, I just don't get the large contract. I wouldn't question bringing Peat back for a more reasonable rate. Hope I am wrong and he proves to be worth every penny.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

The contract isn't as "big" as it seems. It is really a prove it deal. Only $23M of it is fully guaranteed. The other $10M is conditionally guaranteed if he is still on the roster AFTER this coming season. They can cut bait after the 2020 season with minimal dead cap. If he has a strong season he'll be worth the extra guarantee and then can be cut at any point after with no guarantees. I think they feel chances of him suffering yet another break is minimal.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Is anyone as confident as I am about Easton filling Peat's spot? He played damn good when Peat was out if I remember correctly.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Just bad memories with peat getting put on his arse on a bull rush he had no answer .was he hurt? Possibly , we will see


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Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

I wouldn't rule out Throckmorten to push Easton either. Maybe even Greenidge as well.

From my reading, he (Throck) has played a lot of different (C, G, T) positions while at Oregon. Versatility is the name of the game on the Saints O line.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

I am. I think he’s the variable in this equation that no one seems to be talking about. He was brought in to be “the guy” before McCoy fell in their lap and he did very well filling in. He’s also probably the most versatile player along the line.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Simple. Coaches believe Peat’s ceiling and long term upside is greater than Warford. Fan opinions and PFF ratings be damned.

Does Peat have flaws? Absolutely. But at 26 years of age he also shows flashes of elite play. Just like Armstead when he’s healthy he’s virtually unstoppable.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Throck?

The Saints O Line will be as rugged as The Grand Tetons mountain range. I dub him T'Ton!!

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Side note - Ethan Greenidge .. a year under his belt in the system. He's big, young and coaches have praised his development from last season.

Depth.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

I read an interesting stat. Saints gained 432 yards on 97 off-tackle runs to the left side of the field last season. That's how good Peat CAN be.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

They didnt sign Peat to a new contract to have him as a back up. My only thought is Warford is 3 years older, we freed up 7.75 million by cutting him and Peat can play any guard or tackle position.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Broken arm, concussion, quad, ankle, broken fibula, high ankle sprain. I only went back to Jan 2018.

Nothing about a fluke makes me look deeper, three flukes is suspect.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Peat only started 10 games, you might want to look closer at who the Guard was before you give him credit.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

This is an excellent article https://www.canalstreetchronicles.co...the-re-signing

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Yes it is. I read it when it first came out way back in March. That's where I got the info about Peat's injuries being flukes:

Another point of contention for many fans is the injuries that Peat has sustained, but Duke made a good point to me during our conversation that those were injuries he simply couldn’t really avoid. Duke went as far as to list them out during our talk, “Here is the thing, it’s not a matter of him staying healthy himself, look at his injuries he’s had... has nothing to do with him. (They’re) all blunt force. Broken ankle while engaged and driving, pile rolls up on him. Broken hand, gets sandwiched between helmets. Broken arm, running back comes through and puts his helmet right in his forearm as he is engaged. He can’t control those things.”

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

I read that part. Each on itself was a fluke but repetitive flukes is a systemic issue which points to either conditioning, technique, fragility, or a horseshoe in the wrong position.

What he is proving to be is an accident looking for a place to happen. Time will tell if he finds a way to avoid all the flukes. At this point he has time and compensation on his side.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

I tend to agree with the choice above. His coin was flipped and landed on tails several times in a row. He is due a break (no pun intended).

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Tend to agree on just bad luck , has something to do with resigning For may be the end of his career if he fulfills


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Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

I wouldn't be surprised if the long term plan is to replace both. We'll be drafting more guards. Peat is younger. Maybe they are hoping he can take some strides forward. Payton has a habit of pulling offensive linemen out of his ass. If Peat doesn't work out, someone else on the roster will step up.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Side bar on O linemen ...

Saw a recent tweet from Nick Underhill .. Jeff Ireland stated Saints had "pretty strong intel" that Miami and KC would take RUIZ.

He could be the real deal for years to come in New Orleans. Ramz, McKoy and now Ruiz on a good O line.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Yeah. I saw that somewhere, too. At least the KC connection. With McCoy being able to step out to guard where he can better use his talent, Peat hopefully avoiding the fluke injuries, Armstead repeating what was a great full season this past year, and Ramz ... just being Ramz, we can have easily the most dominant offensive line in the NFL for the next several years.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

THIS!!!! WE TOOK THE CHEAP ROUTE AND IT DIDN'T PAY OFF.

I really wanted Zeitler. But no one listened to me on Airline.....

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

It takes two to make a deal. Who's to say that Zeitler WANTED to come to Nola?

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Did he make Cleveland a winner?

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Loomis has limits on what he will pay...?

I need to have a few drinks and read that again.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

The stat came from Underhill. I'm sure it's accurate.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

Because every player deserves a pros debate to balance the cons.. This approach is from a unit point of view as an offensive line plays as unit and not a single player. I will start off with saying that had Drew not been freakishly injured Peat wouldn't have been in the cross-hairs as much for as long.

Why did the Saints keep the Offensive Line together?

• #1 Rushing Offensive line in the league for 2019
  
• #3 Pass protecting Offensive line in the league for 2019
  
• #4 Least run stuffed Offensive line in the league for 2019
  
• 55% Of the time we run between the Guards 'GCG' space and our Offensive line is #1 in the league running there.

Peat doesn't get all the credit but no lineman does or should. Regardless of how i see Peat, I wouldn't screw that that volume of success either.

Re: Why did the Saints choose Andrus Peat over Larry Warford?
 

My comment was more geared to Easton being able to fill in if Peat went down.