OG Deuce Lutui may become availabe for trade, but do we want him?

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jul 22, 2010 12:23 PM EDT

Granted, that question would have been crazy a few short weeks ago. And why would the Cardinals move a starting OG on a Super Bowl team when protection is at a premium as they bring along a new quarterback? (Yes, I'm calling Leinart new)

Lutui grudgingly signed his one year tender after missing OTAs, reporting in at a shocking 400 lbs. Yikes.

It's important to note that the Cardinals have the kind of culture we are looking to cultivate here in DC. When the team loses, they don't even want to show their faces around the city in between. This team does things together, a very tight knit unit, and Lutui's absence has been noticed. By all reports he's no cancer, but it's worth mentioning.

Another major point of concern is his fit in Shanahan's zone blocking scheme. Here is a quote from his scouting report courtesy of Redsz from Arizona Sports Fans Network back in 2007 (didn't find anything more recent):

Lutui is a limited athlete who lacks the foot agility, quickness and flexibility to block effectively when he has to move his feet a lot. When he gets out and blocks in space, he struggles to adjust on the move and cannot maintain consistently. He lacks the quickness to get around the play-side defensive tackle to make the "reach block" with good position. He does not punch consistently in pass protection, which allows quick and aggressive defensive tackles to get underneath him and jolt and drive him backward into the quarterback's lap too easily for such a naturally strong offensive lineman.

While he may not be ideal for Shanny's system, he started all but two games over the last four seasons including two playoff runs. With the Cardinals likely interested in some veteran depth on the defensive side and the signing of OT Alan Faneca, Lutui became a luxury. He would provide some much needed depth and protection, or an ironclad insurance policy depending on how the coaches would want to use him. What do you think? Is a spare parts swap in order?

Poll

To acquire or not? Would this give us the depth on the O-line to support a Kool-Aid filled playoff run?

Yes, give 'em Haynesworh

12 votes

Yes, you're right, the Cardinals would never accept Haynesworth...Laron Landry or Andre Carter

2 votes

Yes, some other Redskin

32 votes

Yes, draft pick (I hate this option...but it's a poll)

8 votes

No, I'm comfortable with what we have

29 votes

No, Lutui is a bad fit/overrated

76 votes

159 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I'm assuming

that if anyone looks at the hated draft pick polling option, they’re thinking third round and lower…

We're from the city with the highest murder rate in the country. Why WOULDN'T they call us the Bullets?

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jul 22, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

Nice post...

We’ve tried our luck with 400 lb linemen, it doesn’t work out.

Hogs Haven. On Twitter. And Facebook.

by Kevin Ewoldt on Jul 22, 2010 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Jul 22, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I third this opinion.

The Once and Future King

by FlaGators on Jul 22, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

That's a devastating scouting report

He must have done dramatically better than expected. How the heck did he ever get drafted? You also say he signed his tender offer. So why is he available? Trade? And is he up sharply from his playing weight? I can’t see why we would give anything much for him, but if he came very very cheap – maybe.

by Donnio1234 on Jul 22, 2010 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

I know, right?

He is available because he was the only player to miss all OTAs, but more importantly showed up MASSIVELY overweight.

We're from the city with the highest murder rate in the country. Why WOULDN'T they call us the Bullets?

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jul 23, 2010 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

For one

I dislike your trade options. Landry, Carter, and Haynesworth are important to the team; however, if we could give up a very low draft pick, 5th or lower, I’d take a shot. But I wouldn’t take a risk for anything more then a 5th, and I really wouldn’t trade any player of any worth for him. Why? An out of shape, 400lb guard? Nooo…I am just fine. If we get him for almost nothing, then I guess you can take a chance. You don’t give up a starting 3-4 DE, SS, OLB for a guy who probably won’t be football ready until October-November. That’s too much weight to lose. Mike Williams had an offseason, this guy has a little more then a month to drop down to about 345 (a healthy gigantic guard playing weight).

by BigOLinemen on Jul 22, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

How do you even gain 60 pounds in an offseason?

Have a baby? I’m on board for the Santonio Holmes style acquisition.

We're from the city with the highest murder rate in the country. Why WOULDN'T they call us the Bullets?

by Bullet Nation in Exile on Jul 23, 2010 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I don’t want to give up much for a guy who is a black belt in the rare art of Fast Food. But hey, cheap for a guy with good potential, I’ll take it, even if the staple of his diet is 60 pounds of McDonald’s.

by BigOLinemen on Jul 23, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Lutui played RG for the Cardinals .

He had a decent season in 2009, but not that great in 2008. His playing weight is close to 340 lbs. He only allowed 2 sacks in 16 games and did well at run blocking. His play was better than any of the Skins’ RGs including Artis Hicks.

Yet you have to wonder about his professionalism when he allowed himself to get 60 lbs over his playing weight. Would he be able to get in shape by September? His salary was near $540 thousand in 2009, but his tender was $1,759 thousand. That is not too expensive for an NFL starting lineman.

by Jefferson1935 on Jul 22, 2010 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

It took about a year for Mike Williams to lose 90-something pounds?

It’s not going to take a mere two months to lose 60 pounds. The guy has a long way to go to get back in shape.

by kseandoyle on Jul 22, 2010 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

My thought right there. It could be late October before he really is in football shape. Unless he’s coming for almost nothing, no reason to go after him.|

And Mike Williams losing the weight he did in the time he did was really stunning.

by BigOLinemen on Jul 22, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

More info

“At 370 pounds, he was the heaviest USC Trojans player of all-time.” Midpoint between NFL playing weight 338 and his current weight of 400 lbs.
“He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2nd round, with the 41st pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.” Other players’ values have decreased including former 1st round picks Jammal Brown and Adam Carriker.

“League minimum base salaries for a 3 year rookie contract is $320,000 in 2010, $405,000 in 2011, $490,000 in 2012 ($1,215,000 total). For a 4 year contract it is $320,000 in 2010, $405,000 in 2011, $490,000 in 2012, $575,000 in 2013 ($1,790,000 total).”
The top 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft – “61.New York Jets Vladimir Ducasse – OT/G – 4 years $3.25 million contract, < $1M signing bonus” http://www.walterfootball.com/forum/showthread.php?18052-2010-Draft-Signings (Note: first 1st round pick has signed.)

by Jefferson1935 on Jul 23, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

And Big Mike may have paid a big price for that weight loss.

Stomach troubles and maybe, indirectly, his blood clot troubles. I don’t see how Deuce could play this year. He really self destructed.

by Donnio1234 on Jul 22, 2010 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

Not worth ANY price

Too many Positive things happening to risk taking a chance on an Over weight player who has no specific skills that we will need when and if he loses weight and is in contributing shape.There might also be an undisclosed problem !
Better opportunities are going to pop-up that will be Just what we need .
Eagerly awaiting news on events from Hell Camp ! Anybody heard anything?

sbredskinsnabb

by sbredskinsnabb on Jul 23, 2010 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

You wouldn't take him for a 6th or 7th?

The person you draft with that pick is more then just a project, it is a guy you hope can develop to be a back-up, and in some great cases, a starter. You could snag a guy who, may not be in football shape at all this year (worst case scenario) but could be around for next year and definitely make more of an impact then a 6th or 7th round guy.

by BigOLinemen on Jul 23, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions