METAIRIE, La. -- It sounds like Andrus Peat will be more of a break-in-case-of-emergency option at left tackle rather than a first option for the New Orleans Saints.
Saints coach Sean Payton said on New Orleans’ “Dunc and Holder” radio show Monday that the Saints will start training camp by trying out rookie Ryan Ramczyk and veteran Khalif Barnes at left tackle before moving Peat over from his primary position of left guard.
The Saints suddenly need a new starting left tackle, since Terron Armstead suffered a shoulder injury during June minicamp and is expected to be sidelined until at least the middle of the season.
“Early on, you’ll see some rotation. Then how does Ryan handle it,” Payton said of the Saints’ 32nd overall draft pick out of Wisconsin. “He’s, I think, a quick study. And fortunately for us, he’s healthy now and will be able to start practice. So I’m anxious to see his transition.”
Ramczyk remains a big mystery since he played only one year at Wisconsin after transferring from Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He was also limited throughout OTAs and minicamp while completing his recovery from hip surgery. But the Saints are obviously intrigued by the 6-foot-6, 314-pound tackle's potential.
“When you’re able to take a tackle at the end of the first round, a guy like Ramczyk, that’s a huge pick,” Payton said. “And so I’m anxious to see how he does, and how the veteran [Barnes] does, before moving Andrus there in a rotation.
“I like the work [Peat)]has had at left guard. But we have some flexibility.”
Peat started seven games at left tackle last year in place of Armstead while the latter was dealing with knee and quad issues. And that was Peat’s primary position in high school and college before the Saints drafted the Stanford product in the first round out of the 2015 draft. But after trying him out at a variety of positions, the Saints have realized Peat’s best fit is at left guard. So they’d love for someone else to step up at left tackle.
Payton also mentioned Barnes’ weight loss as a positive sign for the 35-year-old veteran, who bounced on and off the Saints’ roster last year without appearing in a game. Barnes, an 11-year starter with both the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, told NOLA.com earlier this offseason that he lost more than 40 pounds since last summer.
Veteran Bryce Harris, who re-signed with the Saints this offseason, is another option at left tackle. Veteran Senio Kelemete, who was played at center, guard and tackle, could also fill the position if need be.
"We’re deeper at that position than in probably any of the years since we’ve been here," Payton said.
