Right Tackle Spot not really Worrying me

[Chuck 54]

Contrary to the opinions on this site, I believe Tucker will be adequate at RT this season. We did not lose games because Gurode and Tucker were manning the right side of our line...we still ran the ball effectively and even 40 year old Vinnie managed to survive the pass rush. Now we supposedly have Rivera (pro bowl material) with Tucker, who is a year older, a year deeper into the offensive system, etc. etc.

Yes, we'd all love to run another Eric Williams out there and have the best OL in the league this year, but it's not going to happen. Unlike the effect of having nothing but garbage at RCB and FS last season, playing with Tucker at RT again, this time beside Rivera (if he ever gets on the field), is not going to cost us most of our losses.

Let's face it, before training camp, Rogers was the bust of the draft last year and most on this site thought he'd have trouble making the team...suddenly he gets to play with the first team a little, we hear some good things about him, and everyone thinks he was our only option at RT.

We may not like how things are looking, but surely there's no way BP worked out his offseason acquisitions and the draft thinking he would pencil Rogers in at RT...he had to be relying on a real battle with Vollers, Tucker, and hopefully Rogers.

Even now, he's in no rush to sign a FA, not even a 2-3 million dollar a year guy because he's not sure any of the guys available are certain to be better than Tucker/Vollers/Pettitti.

WE've watched 1 preseason game that everyone now realizes was not heavy on preparation, which includes studying stunts and line calls...we're ready to be patient with our FS, QB, WR's, but not our RT???

I truly don't think it's going to be that terrible...we'll see another glimpse Monday night. I think Tucker will start, and while I don't think he'll play to satisfy everyone, I believe he'll begin to solidify himself at the RT spot again this year.

If I could secure only 1 spot before the season starts, it would be the FS spot. Either one of our guys really steps it up, or I hope we find someone from outside...the secondary is looking too secure to have to start covering up for a weak safety spot.

I hope and pray Bledsoe plays better than his past couple of years because I have no faith at all in Romo or HEnson.

But RT??? NOpe, I'm not nearly as concerned because all signs point to the overall improvement of the OL...from LA's improved conditioning, attitude, and play, through the improved competition at Center, the addition of a probowler at RG, the return of Campbell at TE, and even the year of experience Tucker has gained, this unit will be better than last year even if Tucker is clearly the weak link.

Those who disagree with me on our QB's repeatedly point out that we still have 3 preseason games to go...well, let's give Tucker the same opportunity. He's no older or experienced than Henson and Romo, but at least he started and played 13 games last year...I think he deserves a little more time before we throw him out.

Personally, I was ready to throw Gurode away because I argued that he sucked ever since he got here, but clearly he has value as a Center, so I was wrong there. I think Tucker is going to be okay, and once the season begins, we'll see that we have other issues that are more important than our current RT spot.

 

[JackMagist]

I don't disagree with you about the RT spot...at least not yet. I want to see a couple more preseason games and see what kind of play we get from Pettiti and Tucker. Although I don't think Tucker is necessarily going to be the man at RT; it could very well be Pettiti. Parcells has played rookies on the OL before and if Pettiti keeps showing the improvement that he is reported to be showing in camp then he could very well be our RT come opening day.

 

[odog422]

Contrary to the opinions on this site, I believe Tucker will be adequate at RT this season. We did not lose games because Gurode and Tucker were manning the right side of our line...we still ran the ball effectively and even 40 year old Vinnie managed to survive the pass rush. Now we supposedly have Rivera (pro bowl material) with Tucker, who is a year older, a year deeper into the offensive system, etc. etc.

Yes, we'd all love to run another Eric Williams out there and have the best OL in the league this year, but it's not going to happen. Unlike the effect of having nothing but garbage at RCB and FS last season, playing with Tucker at RT again, this time beside Rivera (if he ever gets on the field), is not going to cost us most of our losses.

Let's face it, before training camp, Rogers was the bust of the draft last year and most on this site thought he'd have trouble making the team...suddenly he gets to play with the first team a little, we hear some good things about him, and everyone thinks he was our only option at RT.

We may not like how things are looking, but surely there's no way BP worked out his offseason acquisitions and the draft thinking he would pencil Rogers in at RT...he had to be relying on a real battle with Vollers, Tucker, and hopefully Rogers.

Even now, he's in no rush to sign a FA, not even a 2-3 million dollar a year guy because he's not sure any of the guys available are certain to be better than Tucker/Vollers/Pettitti.

WE've watched 1 preseason game that everyone now realizes was not heavy on preparation, which includes studying stunts and line calls...we're ready to be patient with our FS, QB, WR's, but not our RT???

I truly don't think it's going to be that terrible...we'll see another glimpse Monday night. I think Tucker will start, and while I don't think he'll play to satisfy everyone, I believe he'll begin to solidify himself at the RT spot again this year.

If I could secure only 1 spot before the season starts, it would be the FS spot. Either one of our guys really steps it up, or I hope we find someone from outside...the secondary is looking too secure to have to start covering up for a weak safety spot.

I hope and pray Bledsoe plays better than his past couple of years because I have no faith at all in Romo or HEnson.

But RT??? NOpe, I'm not nearly as concerned because all signs point to the overall improvement of the OL...from LA's improved conditioning, attitude, and play, through the improved competition at Center, the addition of a probowler at RG, the return of Campbell at TE, and even the year of experience Tucker has gained, this unit will be better than last year even if Tucker is clearly the weak link.

Those who disagree with me on our QB's repeatedly point out that we still have 3 preseason games to go...well, let's give Tucker the same opportunity. He's no older or experienced than Henson and Romo, but at least he started and played 13 games last year...I think he deserves a little more time before we throw him out.

Personally, I was ready to throw Gurode away because I argued that he sucked ever since he got here, but clearly he has value as a Center, so I was wrong there. I think Tucker is going to be okay, and once the season begins, we'll see that we have other issues that are more important than our current RT spot.

as chief posted in another thread, and to which i agreed, tucker is what he is. the very reasons you have faith in him are the very reasons i dont. no improvement. same mistakes. he can do the job, i just dont think he has the mental committment necessary to go with steady performance at the position.

sparano already said his problem wasnt physical. and i agree. the reports from camp show either he doesnt know whats going on (unable to answer parcells when asked the down) or he just is being lazy in his technique (successive penalties in the exhibition).

IMO it will be pettiti or FA who mans the position this year for the duration.

 

[Cbz40]

"Those who disagree with me on our QB's repeatedly point out that we still have 3 preseason games to go...well, let's give Tucker the same opportunity. He's no older or experienced than Henson and Romo, but at least he started and played 13 games last year...I think he deserves a little more time before we throw him out."

I agree with that .....I'll give him 3 games.

 

[TheHustler]

You may say that our right side OL play was "adequate" but it really wasn't. Our yard per carry was over 1 full yard less running right than running left. If we don't improve the RT spot, Julius isn't going to reach his full potential.

 

[TheHustler]

"Those who disagree with me on our QB's repeatedly point out that we still have 3 preseason games to go...well, let's give Tucker the same opportunity. He's no older or experienced than Henson and Romo, but at least he started and played 13 games last year...I think he deserves a little more time before we throw him out."

I agree with that .....I'll give him 3 games.

Except Tucker started 13 games last year, Romo and Henson started a combined total of 1 and was pulled @ halftime.

The learning curve is also SLIGHTY different for an OL and for a QB, OL are expected to come right in and contribute. QBs are SUPPOSED to be bad their first year or two.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Those who disagree with me on our QB's repeatedly point out that we still have 3 preseason games to go...well, let's give Tucker the same opportunity. He's no older or experienced than Henson and Romo, but at least he started and played 13 games last year..

No more experienced than the young QBs? Neither Henson nor Romo have started 13 games.

Parcells didn't want to bench Tucker last year... He had to, because he was so bad.

I do agree that I'm not that worried about RT, though. I think Pettiti will step up -- and if he doesn't, we still have Vollers, who at worst will be solid.

 

[Chuck 54]

as chief posted in another thread, and to which i agreed, tucker is what he is. the very reasons you have faith in him are the very reasons i dont. no improvement. same mistakes. he can do the job, i just dont think he has the mental committment necessary to go with steady performance at the position.

sparano already said his problem wasnt physical. and i agree. the reports from camp show either he doesnt know whats going on (unable to answer parcells when asked the down) or he just is being lazy in his technique (successive penalties in the exhibition).

IMO it will be pettiti or FA who mans the position this year for the duration.

Tucker is an undrafted FA from little Southern Miss. Last year was his first playing time...offensive linemen, even the top draft choices, often take a few years to get on the field. In the past two drafts, top OT's in round 1 have played guard for a year before getting a shot at OT. I think people are way too fast to label Tucker and to give up on him...he hasn't even scratched the surface of what he may be yet.

As for Pettitti, I'll come back and admit I'm wrong if it happens, but that rookie has no chance of starting this year...none. Hopefully, he'll become a solid player in the future, but I don't think he has a chance in hell of starting on opening day over Tucker at this point.

 

[Chuck 54]

You may say that our right side OL play was "adequate" but it really wasn't. Our yard per carry was over 1 full yard less running right than running left. If we don't improve the RT spot, Julius isn't going to reach his full potential.

Oh...I'm not saying we need to improve it...we've already improved it by getting Gurode out of that RG slot...eventually, we'll probably have to find a better RT than Tucker...I'm just saying our season isn't going to hang on that position this year...the right side will be okay.

Heck, we all know we need to improve our LB play too, and our WR's, and our QB, but we're not freaking out over it...we know we'll be okay and competitive...we know we're not going to miss the playoffs because of our FS situation...I"m just saying that we're not going to have our season go down the toilet over the RT spot...everything can't be fixed in 1 year, and we should not trade any draft choices for some aging veteran to be a stop gap at RT this year.

 

[Chuck 54]

Except Tucker started 13 games last year, Romo and Henson started a combined total of 1 and was pulled @ halftime.

The learning curve is also SLIGHTY different for an OL and for a QB, OL are expected to come right in and contribute. QBs are SUPPOSED to be bad their first year or two.

I think you're absolutely wrong on offensive linemen....they typically take longer than most rookies to contribute, especially to start...and we're talking about an undrafted rookie out of a small college who still had enough to make the team.

 

[Sarge]

as chief posted in another thread, and to which i agreed, tucker is what he is. the very reasons you have faith in him are the very reasons i dont. no improvement. same mistakes. he can do the job, i just dont think he has the mental committment necessary to go with steady performance at the position.

sparano already said his problem wasnt physical. and i agree. the reports from camp show either he doesnt know whats going on (unable to answer parcells when asked the down) or he just is being lazy in his technique (successive penalties in the exhibition).

IMO it will be pettiti or FA who mans the position this year for the duration.

Agreed - the guy is a mental midget. I for one have very serious concerns at RT. I would rather NOT have to rely on Tucker but that may not be an option.

 

[Chuck 54]

Agreed - the guy is a mental midget. I for one have very serious concerns at RT. I would rather NOT have to rely on Tucker but that may not be an option.

At this point, I'm not sure we can rely on Adams or Allen or Rivera either.

Adams has had a good season, but he sure melts down at the worst times. Allen looks better, but his recent history shows we never know when he'll go down with a bad wheel. Rivera is really the biggest ? because we haven't even seen him play yet...we know he can play, but we don't know how well he can play with the back problem, and we don't know how well he'll hold up at this point.

With the questions surrounding Rivera, I don't see moving Allen to RT as even being an option...I'm not sure anyone has the faith in our backup guards to replace Allen there until Rivera settles in and looks fine.

Last year, the right side was horrible with Gurode being a worse problem than Tucker, both in missing blocks and badly timed penalties, imo. I just think that side has to be better if we can get freakin' Rivera to play.

 

[Sarge]

At this point, I'm not sure we can rely on Adams or Allen or Rivera either.

Adams has had a good season, but he sure melts down at the worst times. Allen looks better, but his recent history shows we never know when he'll go down with a bad wheel. Rivera is really the biggest ? because we haven't even seen him play yet...we know he can play, but we don't know how well he can play with the back problem, and we don't know how well he'll hold up at this point.

With the questions surrounding Rivera, I don't see moving Allen to RT as even being an option...I'm not sure anyone has the faith in our backup guards to replace Allen there until Rivera settles in and looks fine.

Last year, the right side was horrible with Gurode being a worse problem than Tucker, both in missing blocks and badly timed penalties, imo. I just think that side has to be better if we can get freakin' Rivera to play.

I feel much more comfortable though relying on proven players like Flo/Allen/Rivera than Tucker. I think Rivera, if healthy, will be fine.

Gurode, I've never trusted.

We need help on the OL, no question about it, but for my money, the first thing I see as a glaring weakness is RT and Tucker.

The OL is aging. Allen and Rivera are nearing the end so you can bet we will be heavy into OL next offseaso, both via FA and the draft.

I wish I was as optimistic regarding Tucker as you are Wayno, but I'm not.

 

[burmafrd]

Actually I think that it is 50-50 right now that Pettiti is the starter. BP seems to be willing to go that route-so he must figure that if Pettiti keeps improving steadily that it will work out.

 

[Chuck 54]

I feel much more comfortable though relying on proven players like Flo/Allen/Rivera than Tucker. I think Rivera, if healthy, will be fine.

Gurode, I've never trusted.

We need help on the OL, no question about it, but for my money, the first thing I see as a glaring weakness is RT and Tucker.

The OL is aging. Allen and Rivera are nearing the end so you can bet we will be heavy into OL next offseaso, both via FA and the draft.

I wish I was as optimistic regarding Tucker as you are Wayno, but I'm not.

ON paper, I agree with you 100%...we look great everywhere but RT, and I'm just hoping to get as good or a little better play there than last year.

My concern is whether we're ever going to see a healthy Rivera...I'm hoping we're just using caution and he'll be 100% when the season begins. I also hope BP makes a decision on the center in the next week or two rather than the idea of playing them both in real games.

If the other 4 play up to potential this year, and if Tucker plays even a little bit better than last year, I think we can scheme to cover his liability...If he'll avoid the stupid penalties, we can give him a little help in pass protection...last year was even tougher because we were blocking poorly up the middle too.

I don't really have a lot of confidence in Tucker...I just don't think HE was the weakest link on offense last year, nor even the weakest link on the OL, necessarily.

I'm not sure what BP was actually hoping for this year, because only a crazy man would have actually had confidence in Rogers either.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

We better hope we see a healthy Rivera, because Peterman seems to be playing only on the left side...

If Rivera gets hurt, it's hello Tyson Walter/Ben Noll.

 

[jobberone]

I think we have no choices right now. Parcells is currently stuck with Tucker who has yet to show he can do it and Pettiti who shouldn't have to be thrown in the fire yet. He should be allowed time to develop before thrown to the wolves IMO. But we may have to rely on him. I don't question Rob's heart or being physical enough. He just hasn't had time to learn the position yet.

If you take Vollers and put him out there you can stop the bleeding but if he or Adams go down you have no depth left. That is Vollers job.

So no matter who is out there you are one lineman short right now unless Tucker turns it around and Rob can play as well.

The spot is weak and the depth is non-existent which I suspect may be one of those holes that could bring the team down.

 

[Fred Smith]

Tucker probably won't make this team. If Rob Petitti can start at RT, then we probably won't sign a veteran. If Petitti shows that he is not ready to start, we will sign Scott Gragg, and Petitti will back him up on the right side. The tackles on the left side will be Adams and Vollers. If Petitti is the starter, Ben Noll will be moved to RT to be the backup.

 

[Chuck 54]

Tucker probably won't make this team. If Rob Petitti can start at RT, then we probably won't sign a veteran. If Petitti shows that he is not ready to start, we will sign Scott Gragg, and Petitti will back him up on the right side. The tackles on the left side will be Adams and Vollers. If Petitti is the starter, Ben Noll will be moved to RT to be the backup.

Just a difference of opinion, but I see no way Tucker gets cut...absolutely none this year. Ben Noll??? Don't make me laugh...he's the guy fighting to make the roster. Why would a coach cut his RT from last season and use a guy like NOll who's proven nothing at RT when he's struggling to make the team at OG...he's not even ahead of Tyson Walter at RG.

I've been wrong before, but I'd be shocked at this scenerio.

 

[Tristan]

TUCKER CAN"T BLOCK! it's that simple.