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Jay Gruden fielded a couple of questions about Ty Nsekhe at the Friday press conference, and his answers proved to be interesting. Nsekhe had spent the week leading up to the Dallas game preparing to start at left guard, but following the injury to Morgan Moses, had to play right tackle for much of the game:
For the most part, when you’re playing every snap at left guard and getting ready to play left guard during the week and then all of a sudden, the second possession or the third possession, whatever it was, you’ve got to go play right tackle. It’s a totally different technique and all that stuff. I think he had a few issues there.
Unfortunately, he’s had to play all three – left guard, left tackle and right tackle. It’s easier said than done for these guys. It’s a different stance. It’s a different technique. It’s just totally different to be a left guard, left tackle, and then all of a sudden play right tackle.
I thing moving forward, we’ll try to get him in a spot where he can play and focus and play that spot.
This leads us to the obvious question: If the coaches want to put Nsekhe in a spot where he can focus and play that spot — given that we already have a matched set of left & right tackles — where would that spot be?
I think we’d like to put him at left guard. I think we were excited at the thought of having him and Trent on the same side. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to keep them both on the field for very long and see how that works out. Ideally, if Trent is able to play the last four games and Morgan gets healthy, I’d like to leave Ty at left guard and see how he does – see how he progresses at that position.
Hey, now there’s an idea!
So, will we see Ty Nsekhe as the starting left guard for the final four games of the season?
Until we get Morgan or Trent back healthy, he’s going to have to be the swing tackle or play one of the tackle spots assuming one of those two guys can’t play. But if they both can play, then he’ll play left guard.
That does raise a side question about the health of the two tackles.
Morgan Moses
Morgan [Moses], he has an ankle sprain, it’ll be a day-to-day once we come back. [With the long weekend to recover] hopefully Morgan Moses gets good news on his ankle and can come back. So, hopefully we will get some healthier guys, some refocused guys and finish this season strong.”
Trent Williams, who seems to need surgery
“I think the big thing is the timeline. Let’s find out what the timeline is for the surgery if he has to have surgery, number one – what type of surgery it’s going to be and how long it’s going to put him out. We’ll take all those and then figure out what we’re going to do with him. If he’s good enough to finish the season, he will finish out the season. We need him and Kirk needs him. We’ll go by what the doctors say and how Trent feels and make our decision with Trent.”
Poll
What should happen with Trent Williams now?
This poll is closed
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16%
He should play the final four games; like Jay said, the team needs him and Kirk needs him
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83%
This season is done; Trent should be shut down to avoid further damage, and he should get surgery on the knee right away so he’s ready for Training Camp next year
Poll
What should be the plan for Ty Nsekhe next season?
This poll is closed
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28%
Same as ever - he is the backup swing tackle
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59%
They should try him at starting left guard
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4%
Starting left tackle
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1%
Starting right tackle
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0%
Teach him to play center
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2%
Back up Jordan Reed at tight end
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3%
Don’t re-sign him; let him walk in free agency