During the New Orleans Saints' rookie minicamp over the weekend, coach Sean Payton gushed about offensive lineman Andrus Peat, envisioning the first-year player eventually taking over at right tackle.
The question is whether that vision will come to fruition this season.
Starting Peat at right tackle would necessitate veteran Zach Strief to the left guard spot vacated by the trade of Ben Grubbs.
Speaking at the Saints' Hall of Fame golf tournament on Monday, Strief downplayed any move to the inside.
"I've never played guard. I don't expect to..." he said, via The New Orleans Advocate's Joel Erickson. "People don't realize Tim Lelito and Senio (Kelemete) are great."
Strief was, of course, speaking about the Saints' current depth chart at left guard.
The 31-year-old understands that Peat was drafted to take his spot sooner or later, but wants to make the rookie earn the gig.
"He's taking my job eventually. ... My job and my role is to make that take as long as possible," Strief said.
The 10-year veteran also acknowledged it's his responsibility to prepare Peat to take his job.
The additions of center Max Unger and Peat have bolstered the offensive line in front of Drew Brees. Over the next four months the spots will all shake out. But make no mistake, the best five blockers will start, regardless of what position along the line they are slotted.
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