Yep, I'm starting another Rogers-Pettiti thread - Dallas Cowboys Forum

UppityCracker2 · 05-15-2005

Ok, I am not too familiar with either of these players as far as college goes. Now, I do know some about what Parcell's and the media has written about Jacob Rogers.

We obviously drafted Rogers much higher than we did Pettiti. From what I have read, Pettiti fell due to weight problems, which he has apparently got under control recently.

They are both trained LTs and we are obviously trying to move them to the right. Rogers struggled quite a bit last year with his footing and ultimately was moved back to LT to back up Flozell. Apparently in the recent rookie minicamp, Pettiti was playing well on the left and struggled with his footing on the right side.

I guess where I am going with this is, why does it seem like from what I have read about these two guys that Pettiti has a better chance of making this transition to RT and possibly even this season. He was drafted way down the line and is already having similar problems with the transition.

Is there something that I am missing?

I know that I read a nice description of his playing in college where he was leveling ends I believe in the Senior Bowl.

Maikeru-sama · 05-15-2005

Not just in the Senior Bowl.

Quote:

Former Pittsburgh offensive line coach Tom Freeman was standing inside old Pitt Stadium in December 1999 when he first saw Rob Petitti, an unheralded recruit from Rumson, N.J., walk by.

"I'd never seen someone with a back like that in my life," said Freeman, who has been instructing offensive linemen since 1969. "He definitely passed the eye test."

After redshirting in 2000, Petitti, one of the Cowboys' sixth-round picks, started the next four seasons at left tackle for Pittsburgh. He burst onto the scene in 2001 when he basically shut down Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney, now a perennial All-Pro for the Indianapolis Colts. It was a sign of things to come. According to Freeman, Petitti (pronounced puh-TEE-tee) saved his best performances for the nation's top players.

[View Full Quote]

http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstoryn...24bf13ae0.html

jksmith269 · 05-15-2005

I DOn't know why but I've heard a lot of the same stuff. Could be because his size and strength from what I read Rob was late first early second round talent but because his foot injury and his weight issues (hard to run when you injure your foot so I can understand his weight issue) but at the same time it could be as much or more because Rogers fell out of BP's favor last season and once in his dog house its hard to get out IMO. I think the RT position is Robs all he has to do is take it.

Maikeru-sama · 05-15-2005

Give Rogers a litttle bit more time. It is always hard for lineman to get used to the NFL. He struggled with injuries, even in College but he may work out one of these days.

Rob P. seems to be a little bit more nastier and may be a better player. When watching the draft, Mel Kiper said that the Cowboys should watch out for Rob P. because he could be a steal.

I dont know anything about any of these guys we draft because I rarely pay too much attention to the draft as far as researching all the players.

This does give us flexibility as we could definitely move guys around and prove some depth.

Dont right off Rogers just yet although I am a little worried he wont pan out.

- Mike G.

blindzebra · 05-15-2005

Petitti is not an NFL-type LT he's built to be a RT.

Rogers is an ideal LT, his problems last year were mostly because of the shoulder, but he toughed it out.

Think Tuinei and Williams, these guys might be our future bookends on the OL and we got them without spending a high draft pick.

**MichaelWinicki** · 05-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindzebra

Petitti is not an NFL-type LT he's built to be a RT.

Rogers is an ideal LT, his problems last year were mostly because of the shoulder, but he toughed it out.

Think Tuinei and Williams, these guys might be our future bookends on the OL and we got them without spending a high draft pick.

That's a good point Z.

LeonDixson · 05-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindzebra

Petitti is not an NFL-type LT he's built to be a RT.

Rogers is an ideal LT, his problems last year were mostly because of the shoulder, but he toughed it out.

Think Tuinei and Williams, these guys might be our future bookends on the OL and we got them without spending a high draft pick.

Wouldn't it be great to have another "Erik Williams" in Pettiti? Mean, nasty and powerful but without the false start penalties in Erik's last couple of years.

AsthmaField · 05-15-2005

Yeah, like BZ said, Rogers is a finesse player. Left Tackle all the way. Petitti is a huge mauler... stricktly a RT.

Rogers is built to stop RDE's like Freeny whereas Petitti is a huge, powerful guy who's built to stop guys like Strahan and Marcus Spears.

Petitti better learn to play RT because if he has a future in the NFL, it's at RT, not left.

It's just a matter of repetition over on the right side, if you ask me. I think he'll be fine by the end of training camp.

Like BZ said... these two guys could be our bookends for years to come.

*Crosses fingers*

Nors · 05-15-2005

Petitti's size is massive. He's a football player that fell due to a bad foot and weight issues. Thats all good for us, Parcells will have him in shape. I'd be suprised if he doesn't win the job at RT.

**MichaelWinicki** · 05-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

Petitti's size is massive. He's a football player that fell due to a bad foot and weight issues. Thats all good for us, Parcells will have him in shape. I'd be suprised if he doesn't win the job at RT.

Nors... you and I agree on something.

Nors · 05-15-2005

Nors... you and I agree on something.

Evening Mikey

Hollywood Henderson · 05-15-2005

I don't think Rogers was in Parcells dog house at all...
I think his shoulder injury's really hurt his strength AND switching sides was also very tough...

As it could very well be for Rob P....Who I feel should be healthy sooners, as it Seems Rogers might not be ready for TC...

I don't agree with Saying Rogers is a pure LT vs Rob P. being a "NFL like" RT ether, you can play or you can't...Ether OT needs to be tough and able to run & pass block both...

As noted Rob handled Freeny as a LT...Pro DE's don't get much quicker then that...

I think it more that Flo is entrenched as our LT and RT needs upgraded, so thats where we try the new guys...

I still like Tucker to start this year at RT...

Rob has great potential, but switching sides might take a full year to get down right...

Billy Bullocks · 05-15-2005

RT's are more relied upon to be run blockers, since they arent protecting the QB's blind side. They gotta be nasty, and Rob P seems like he's got that mean streak

blindzebra · 05-15-2005

Parkas and mitten sells sky rocket in Hades, because we all like Petitti.

UppityCracker2 · 05-15-2005

Awesome insight and information guys. Thanks very much. That makes more sense now that it is really a size/build thing.