Is Petitti on the block???

[Portland Fanatic]

I think Grizz brings up a few valid options...it may certainly be a possibility.

By Grizz
Posted on Tue Aug 29, 2006 at 01:22:37 PM EST

Let me state right at the start, I have no solid eveidence that Petitti might be a candidate for a trade. So what I'm writing here is pure speculation. Given that disclaimer, the idea doesnt sound too far-fetched to me. Here's my reasoning.

The Cowboys have 5 offensive tackles and 4 of them are pretty much in the same boat. Besides Flozell Adams, the other 4 seemed to be around the same level right now. I'm pretty sure the Cowboys don't want to carry 5 tackles on the roster even though Parcells did say it's a possibility. That would limit the flexibility of the rest of the roster, and we still don't know if we'll have to carry a kickoff specialist.

So why am I offering Petitti up as trade bait? Because after listening to Parcells discuss things today in his press conference and trying to read between the lines, Petitti makes the most sense to me. We know Flozell will start at LT. We are pretty sure that Marc Colombo will start at RT, if it's not him then it will be Jason Fabini. Yesterday Parcells seemed to take Petitti out of the running by saying he is being groomed as a swing-tackle, which sounds like he's not being considered at the RT starter's spot, even though Parcells wouldn't confirm that. Also, given that Colombo and Fabini have been switching off at RT the last two preseason games, this makes sense.

Today, Parcells gushed over Pat McQuistan and yesterday he said McQ will be on the roster. So the way it looks right now, Flozell is the LT and McQ is his backup. Colombo or Fabini is the RT with the other being the backup. Petitti is the swing-tackle.

But today's press conference contained some interesting nuggets. First, Parcells said specifically that other teams have called about trading for some of the offensive line players. He also said they are working on their contingency plans at that position. You can rule Flozell out of the trade equation, and it sounds like you can rule McQ out, too, as Parcells obviously has very high hopes for the kid. I think you can rule out Fabini, only because he is an aging veteran and I'm not sure if other teams would be willing to give up something that would return equal value. Especially because he's coming off an injury and Parcells probably places a higher value on him than any other coach in the league. So that leaves Colombo and Petitti among the tackles.

Colombo looks to be heading for the starting lineup, so I wouldn't put much stock in the Cowboys trading him. In addition, Parcells has been saying some very complimentary things about him lately. That leaves Petitti, who is young, has already had the experience of playing a full 16-game schedule, both very desirable traits. He probably represents the best trade value of the tackles that the Cowboys might part with. Notably, Parcells said that Petitti, Colombo and Fabini have all played both tackle spots before, meaning that Petitti isn't the only swing-tackle available on the team. Also of note, whenever asked about Petitti over the last couple of weeks, Parcells says he's doing OK, but he never gushes about him the way he has with McQ, and to a lesser extent Colombo.

So I'm cooking up a scenario that looks like this. Flozell starts at LT, Colombo starts at RT. Fabini represents the swing-tackle on game day and McQ stays on the 53-man roster but is inactive on game day. With that, you have the opportunity to trade Petitti and probably get good return value, and still cover your bases at the tackle position. What do you guys think? Does it sound possible or likely? Or am I really stretching here and reading things into Parcells' comments that aren't really there?

 

[THUMPER]

I seriously doubt it. Parcells likes to showcase his potential trade bait by playing them a lot (like he did with Shanle) and Petitti hasn't seen much action so far. If anyone was going to be trade bait, based on playing time, then I would think it would be McQuistan but I don't think we'll trade him.

Fabini is the likely candidate for trade/release as it would save us cap room and he has no upside to him.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Pettiti isnt going anywhere.. he is the swing tackle, that's an important position to have..

 

[Stash]

Seems a distinct possibility to me, if the return value is there. But unless they get at least a 4th round pick, or a quality player in a need area, why give up on a young player with versatility and potential?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think Fabini, Petitti, and Al Johnson are the only linemen other teams could be asking about.

I think we have to keep Johnson because we have no other backup there and we aren't 100% certain Gurode won't revert to mental snafus in the regular season.

I *doubt* we trade Petitti, because Parcells does have a year invested in him... Although Grizz' scenario is possible.

Does anyone remember the other teams interested in Fabini during FA? I could see trading him if the kids have Parcells' confidence.

 

[Stash]

If it were my decision, I keep all 5 tackles like Big Bill mentioned. Other than kicking woes, the tackle position was the undoing of last year's team. This team has the chance to win it all and I would do whatever it takes to ensure the tackle position is rock-solid going into this season. If that means keeping 5 player, so be it.

 

[SmashFactorGolf]

Caught an article in that there is essentially a league wide shortage of decent OL players.....

likely why Denver can keep their cupboard full, in that they utilize smaller more mobile lineman vrs the league norm of jumbo's

 

[CoCo]

I doubt Pettiti is traded simply because he is so young (read upside).

But I do think we would be just fine with 4 tackles since Kosier can also play tackle.

It is a very interesting debate. Very interesting.

 

[noshame]

I assure you guys this was a miss que. You see, our GM was likely calling around for OL help and accedently called Bill.

That has to be it.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

I doubt Pettiti is traded simply because he is so young (read upside).

But I do think we would be just fine with 4 tackles since Kosier can also play tackle.

It is a very interesting debate. Very interesting.

That is the key that could make something like this happen. Not saying it will as it is an interesting view, but a possibility.

 

[Duane]

Fabini is on the down side of his career and might be marginally better at this point that big Rob. So if we're going with a win now point of view he might make it over Petitti. However, I don't see that really happening.

 

[sago1]

I really doubt we trade any of our tackles; it would leave us very vulnerable. Look at the situation right now. Adams isn't playing against the Vikes and some question about Jags game. So who plays LT if Adams doesn't. Forget Colombo, cause he's at RT & forget McQuistan (despite Parcells comments) cause I doubt he really ready to protect Bledsoe's back in season opener. That leaves Fabini & Pettiti but don't know who Parcells first choice. And if Colombo got hurt, then we got the other swing man. I only know that last year the Pats carried 5 OTs which is how they made it thru the season with all those injuries, including on the OL. I say keep 5 OL this year; next year is different situation entirely. Besides Adams 5 year contract is up at end of 07 season. Depending on his play both this year and 07, we might go elsewhere and use McQuistan at LT & Colombo at RT, again leaving Pettiti the swing man. I really don't believe Fabini will be around in 07.

 

[The Realist]

I posted this idea an hour or so ago elsewhere.

 

[bobtheflob]

Here's why I don't think it will happen. Fabini is old and probably doesn't have many years left in him. If we trade Pettiti, Fabini becomes our only backup at RT as McQ isn't a swing guy. So a year or two down the road, Fabini will either be retired or have declined in skill enough to make him a poor choice to backup a guy who's already had a major injury in his career. Then were are we? To me it's looking more and more likely that we'll go with 5 tackles this year until we're sure that Pettiti can start if need be.

 

[dmq]

If it were my decision, I keep all 5 tackles like Big Bill mentioned. Other than kicking woes, the tackle position was the undoing of last year's team. This team has the chance to win it all and I would do whatever it takes to ensure the tackle position is rock-solid going into this season. If that means keeping 5 player, so be it.

I agree. No way do I want a sudden shortage of Tackles barring injury. Plus, its not like Flo or Fabini is 100% right now.

 

[silver]

could be. McQ appears to have taken his place as BP's pet project. Then you have Colombo who is still relatively young and is another sort of pet project himself. We know how BP values veterans especially those who are FOB's (Fabini) so it makes sense that he would want to trade Pettiti. How many pet projects can a grown man have? if he can somehow swindle someone out of a 1st day pick he'll do it in a second. makes business sense converting a 6th rounder into a 3rd rounder. However, I doubt BP would pull the trigger on any of these trades. he likes his depth too much.

 

[Iago33]

I'll throw in my vote on "unlikely." I think you listen to offers, but unless one is great (I'm talking third or better), you just don't trade young talent, even if it is back-up talent.

 

[DLCassidy]

If BP wanted to consider Fabini as the "swing" guy he would've given him some reps at LT. He hasn't and doesn't appear to be planning to. And he hasn't given McQuistan any snaps at RT. So Petitti would seem to be his guy for the swing tackle.

 

[speedkilz88]

Eagleton and Eatman were wondering the same thing during the Lunchbreak after the pc. It really does make the most sense that teams asked about Petitti since he is no longer starting. I would think about it seriously if a team was offering a 4th, but would turn down anything less.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I would think a "soft spot" would be the offensive line, yet we would trade one away? Seems odd to me, but does look like Pettiti is the odd man out. Lack of playing time is a very bad sign with Parcells.