Things people are forgetting about Pettiti

[whcarm]

1) Before the draft, Pettiti had a huge weight problem. At the combine he weighed in at close to 370 pounds and got hurt and couldn't work out.

2) He got his weight down some before the season started, but he was still not in good shape.

3) He was a sixth round pick that was not expected to start. Rogers was emerging last offseason before he wimped out. Pettiti thus got thrown to the wolves.

4) He had to switch positions. He was a LT in college.

5) Offensive linemen often get much better with age. It isn't a position that rookies usually come in and dominate, especially late round picks. They have to get stronger and wiser before they really develop into quality players.

6) The off season has seen him get stronger and bigger with less body fat and he has worked to improve his agility and footwork. In short, the guy looks like a new improved player.

7) He has a ton of experience for a sixth round pick. Having Adams and Fabini back will help him learn the position better and a full offseason working out and learning will make him better.

I'm not saying he is going to come in and be an outstanding talent, I'm not even saying I necessarily want him to start. I like having Fabini be the backup to both spots, especially if Adams went down again. But I do think Columbo has a legitimate shot if he is healthy.

Bottom line is that Pettiti had some major flaws last year that were exposed on a regular basis. But what else do you expect from a sixth round pick who came to the team with a huge weight problem and had to switch positions and then had to start unexpectedly? Even with all that, he really didn't play that poorly until Adams went down. Again, he wasn't great, but he wasn't hurting the team significantly until Adams went down.

With an offseason under his belt, in much better condition, with significant experience, with knowing more of the mental aspects of the game, with Adams back, with Fabnini helping him out, I think he will be significantly better this year.

Last year was not a true indication of what type of player he will be. Judging him off of his performance last year with all the hurdles he had to overcome is not fair. He will be a different player this year.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think most people, if not all, on here, know all this, we're all just taking a wait and see approach before proclaiming his greatness

btw, I'm on his bandwagon

 

[EndGame]

I might be one of the few who isn't terrified by our offensive line right now. Adams will be back, and he'll be fine. The RT position will be filled by either Pettiti, Colombo, or Fabini, and one of them will play reasonably well. Rivera will be healthy this season, and at least play reasonably well. At center will either be Johnson or Gurode ... probably Johnson with Gurode backup up center and guard. The only position I'm concerned about is LG, and I'm trusting Parcells and the scouts that he'll be passable.

Are we going to have an o-line like we did back in the early and mid 90s? No. Will we have a reasonably good o-line? I'm fairly certain we will.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I might be one of the few who isn't terrified by our offensive line right now. Adams will be back, and he'll be fine. The RT position will be filled by either Pettiti, Colombo, or Fabini, and one of them will play reasonably well. Rivera will be healthy this season, and at least play reasonably well. At center will either be Johnson or Gurode ... probably Johnson with Gurode backup up center and guard. The only position I'm concerned about is LG, and I'm trusting Parcells and the scouts that he'll be passable.

Are we going to have an o-line like we did back in the early and mid 90s? No. Will we have a reasonably good o-line? I'm fairly certain we will.

The thing is the offensive line of the early 90's WAS GOOD. But it wasn't as good as we perceive it to be. The fact is talent at the other offensive positions helped a great deal. We had a slightly better receiving corps (pre-TO), a running back who hit the holes quickly, a FB who could actually block someone and a quarterback who was far faster in his reads and his release. All those factors contributed to making that offensive line look even better than it was.

 

[dmq]

I think most people, if not all, on here, know all this, we're all just taking a wait and see approach before proclaiming his greatness

btw, I'm on his bandwagon

Lets say we are all crossing our fingers. If our oline was fixed, I'm not sure anyone wouldn't be predicting us in the SB. To outsiders, it seems like we did nothing in the offseason. To insiders:

Pettiti looks like he is much more physically ready to take on life in the NFL.
Columbo, is this guy works out for us, what a steal. Reports have been sounding good.
Al Johnson finally put on some muscle. Bout time, but something probably most mediots don't know.
Kosier, another finger crossing. This is scarey, but our Coaches really seem to like him.
Flozell, if he is even 75% we are better than we were w/ Tucker.
Fabini is nice depth.

I want to see this in action, but I am almost sure this line will be better than last year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Things people are forgetting about Pettiti...

Thanks for the post. All great points. Also consider that prior to his senior season, Petitti was considered to be a very high draft pick. No doubt Petitti is one of my favorites and I am pulling for him big time.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The thing is the offensive line of the early 90's WAS GOOD. But it wasn't as good as we perceive it to be. The fact is talent at the other offensive positions helped a great deal. We had a slightly better receiving corps (pre-TO), a running back who hit the holes quickly, a FB who could actually block someone and a quarterback who was far faster in his reads and his release. All those factors contributed to making that offensive line look even better than it was.

All very true Michael. I remember all those years we sent three or four O-linemen to the pro bowl. I won't say they had an easy job. But comon' - Troy, Emmitt, Moose, Jay, Michael.........

 

[burmafrd]

Still it is hard to find an O line where the backups stepped up as others left; some of the 90's backups ended up starting for other teams. It was a rare happening- with the exception of Eric, LA and Step, none of the others were all that close to being elite. But there were a bunch of guys that were VERY good all at the same place at the same time.

 

[Manster68]

Am I blind, or did nobody here mention that Petitti played the second half of the season with a high ankle sprain?

This poor guy has had some pretty tough critics on the message boards.

 

[burmafrd]

Those with an agenda have a hard time letting facts stand in the way. Of course sometimes facts are hard to find, too. But in petitti's case he did have a lot of reasons to not look all that good: position change, not in shape early and unable to catch up, wearing out as most rookies do after 12 or so games,and of course that ankle sprain: JJ flat out said he would not wish one on anyone and that he almost would have rather it been broken; it would have healed completly a lot faster.

 

[AbeBeta]

Forgetting?

People have been posting that same stuff in every single Petitti thread since the end of the season.

 

[NeWmAnIsNeXt41]

If this guy starts all 16 games like last season he wont give up no more then 6 sacks.

 

[whcarm]

Someone made a good point above as well. It would have helped Pettiti last year (and hopefully will this year) to be playing alongside a healhty Rivera.

I guess my major point, one that it appears some people are not remembering or at least not giving it enough consideration, is just how out of shape Pettiti was before he came to the team. He weighed 370 pounds! That is huge.

He dropped some weight before the season, but there is no way you go from 370 pounds of mostly fat and get into good shape in just a few months.

His weight was the reason he dropped down in the draft and it was the reason we got him thinking he would be a nice project.

Having a year of working out and getting in shape will definitely make a huge difference for him.

 

[Alexander]

Forgetting?

People have been posting that same stuff in every single Petitti thread since the end of the season.

And with as many excuses that have been made, he certainly better be vastly improved or there will be some people who will look pretty ridiculous with all the predictions of a huge rebound.

 

[burmafrd]

There is no reason why he will not be much better unless he truly is untalented. I find that hard to believe considering his college record. He works as hard as anyone; has no give up in him at all; and can play with pain and an injury (Mr Rogers, can you ever find THAT neighborhood?).
Now will he reach Pro Bowl status? Probably not. BUt I think he can be a good solid RT for years to come.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

And with as many excuses that have been made, he certainly better be vastly improved or there will be some people who will look pretty ridiculous with all the predictions of a huge rebound.

I guess it's tough to say what a huge improvement would consist of-- 10 sacks given up? 8 sacks given up? 2 sacks given up? Plus helping the running game get at least 4.0 ypc?

Personally I think he's closer as a run blocker than he is a pass blocker. I've never been impressed with Fabini... even less so as a run blocker. I think Petitti can surpass him as a run blocker very quickly. The pass blocking is something else entirely. I think if Pettiti could limit his sacks to 8 per 16 games I think we would be an asset on the offensive line.

 

[scottsp]

I am also in this kid's corner, but there is certainly a chance he doesn't upgrade his play or further develop. I understand all the factors that were working against him (some his own undoing) and I get that he wasn't 100 percent much of the time last season.

But understand, those dings will be part of his everyday life as an NFL offensive lineman for as long as he's able to play. Make no mistake, we are going to sustain nasty injuries - some pretty serious ones at that. The offensive line will get hit with some of that. So it's important Rob take this opportunity and run with it.

I've read about how this guy and that guy have been working their arses off this offseason. That's all well and good, but it really doesn't mean much until they strap up and get rolling. As much as we'd like to hope, we have no idea how this kid or offensive line will project.

 

[lspain1]

The questions on Petitti revolve around his quickness. He was beaten consistently to the outside. When he tried to compensate they faked outside and then went inside. He wasn't quick enough to pick up the move. The ankle sprain contributed to the problem but no one knows whether he has improved enough to make the difference. I'm rootin' for him, but the jury is out.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

And with as many excuses that have been made, he certainly better be vastly improved or there will be some people who will look pretty ridiculous with all the predictions of a huge rebound.

there will be alot of foolish looking people on both sides of the fence when it's all said and done...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think if Pettiti could limit his sacks to 8 per 16 games I think we would be an asset on the offensive line.