Zach Strief's Opportunity Could be Coming

by Andrew Juge on Jan 29, 2011 6:00 AM CST

Zach Strief enters this off-season as an unrestricted free agent for the first time, and it's going to be very interesting to see how much interest he garners on an open market. The 6'7" 320 pound mammoth has the kind of size that any coach would dream of having at a tackle position. In his four seasons with the Saints, he's been buried on the depth chart behind Jammal Brown, Jermon Bushrod and Jon Stinchcomb. While he's gotten a substantial amount of playing time fairly consistently, he's never really gotten a shot as a full time starter. His reps the past two years have mostly come in the form of blocking tight end and that's hardly been a way for him to showcase his best skill set.

Let's face it, the guy is a tackle, and a beast of a tackle at that. He's not a tight end. He doesn't have the foot quickness or agility to be a consistently effective blocker off the edge. What's more, anytime he saw the field it was a clear indication that the Saints were running the ball. The few times they didn't, it meant one less option in Brees' progressions. Sean Payton clearly found ways to get Strief on the field because he likes him, but I don't think you can say Payton put Strief in the best position to succeed. Not even close. Despite that, he deserves recognition for playing largely solid football as a blocker.

This coming offseason, I think Strief's number one goal is to land in a place where he can get a true opportunity. The guy would love to come back to the Saints because he loves New Orleans and he's invested in the community. He met his wife Mandy in New Orleans, and she's a local, so his roots are now firmly planted in the area. In his perfect world, he would come back to the Saints next season as the starting right tackle.

How realistic is that, though? Right now the starters are Jermon Bushrod and Jon Stinchcomb. The Saints seem to think Strief is better suited to play on the right side, and it looks like Charles Brown is being groomed to possibly be an eventual starter on the left. So the question is whether or not the Saints would get rid of Stinchcomb. While Stinchcomb had a mediocre season, I think the Saints like his play and they love his leadership. It's hard to envision that scenario, but it's not impossible. Stinchcomb does have an escalating salary, and the Saints may decide to invest elsewhere and cut the chord. The CBA situation will play a role in that decision to an extent, I'm sure. Even then, there's no guarantee that they'll settle on Strief as his long term replacement, should they decide to part ways with Stinchcomb. I believe they should, but you never know.

As for Strief returning to the Saints as the "swiss army knife" of the offensive line again, I think that's even less likely. I just feel like the top reserve on one of the best lines in the league should get an opportunity elsewhere. Someone will pay him. Add to that the fact that Strief is a great guy and a high character individual, someone will want him on their team as a starting right tackle. I'm sad to admit it but I don't think he'll be with the Saints next season, and frankly, I think he deserves this opportunity.

I wish it was with the Saints because my vote would be to give him a shot as the starting right tackle over Stinchcomb. I thought the edge blocking by starters in general by the Saints this past season was very spotty, and the tackle position is one of the few places on the Saints' offense that could use an upgrade. I'm not convinced I like Bushrod as a starter long term either. The Saints will either have to overpay to keep Strief as a backup, which still may not convince him to stay, or they'll have to promise him a starting role. If they don't someone else will.

What do you think? Should the Saints step up and finally give Strief a REAL opportunity?

Poll

What to do at right tackle?

Stick with Stinchcomb

59 votes

Give Strief the Role

110 votes

Move Bushrod over and start Charles Brown at LT

79 votes

Find a starter elsewhere

14 votes

262 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Boy I was torn on this one

Agree Strief deserves his chance. Also not quite ready to give up on Stinchcomb because he was playing on an injured knee most of the season was he. Voted to give Strief his chance to start but would also hate to see Stinchcomb go to.Yeah, I know it would free up some salary cap but we have other players we “need” to do that with.

When I say WHO DAT U say TWO DAT!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Jan 29, 2011 8:21 AM CST reply actions

Also

Yeah, Bushrod had his sophomore slump last year, but do we want to give up on him? Believe conditioning and training would help here and his salary numbers would make him a viable backup should he lose his starting position.

When I say WHO DAT U say TWO DAT!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Jan 29, 2011 8:33 AM CST reply actions

Payton isnt sold on Bushrod

we drafted Charles Brown in the 2nd round last year. thats pretty high for a guy to be sittting on the bench. my guess is Brown is the starter in the next year or so.

by vanondubs on Jan 29, 2011 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

I think Strief has had his chance

It’s called “training camp.” If he had shown that he was significantly better than either Stinchcomb or Bushrod, he would have been a starter. Think not? We’re talking about the same team that elevated Bushrod to permanent starting tackle, without panicking and hitting the free agent market, instead of Strief. We’re talking about the same team that cuts draft choices when free agents prove to be better, that cuts veterans when rookies prove to be better. Payton will play whoever he believes gives him the best chance to succeed…and he played Stinchcomb and Bushrod.

I think Strief will get the same chance this year if he sticks around. Considering how spotty the line play was last year, he’ll probably get an even better chance than before. And as far as “overpaying” to keep Strief as a backup, all I can say is that championship depth comes at a price.

It was worth the wait.

by MtnExile on Jan 29, 2011 8:47 AM CST reply actions

Proud to say...

Proud to say this team values player conduct as well as abilities, in decision making, when evaluating them. We can say we are proud of our team for soooo many reasons.

When I say WHO DAT U say TWO DAT!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Jan 29, 2011 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

one more thing...

Training camp can be compared to a title bout in boxing. Rarely does someone lose their title nor position by a close decision. Damn near has to be a TKO.

When I say WHO DAT U say TWO DAT!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Jan 29, 2011 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

We’re talking about the same team that elevated Bushrod to permanent starting tackle, without panicking and hitting the free agent market, instead of Strief.

Except that isn’t exactly what they did. Oh they made Bushrod the starter in camp, yes, but they yanked him for at least one entire game and parts of others and let Strief play for him. And he did OK at it too. Oh it was very likely an injury replacement and/or a wakeup call more than anything else, but they still did it.

I’d like to give Strief at least one more chance if we can find a way to structure a contract that he’ll sign, pays him fairly if he does win a starting job, and still gives him a chance to get a starting job elsewhere soon if he doesn’t get one here. Which is why I say below that I’d like to go with a three year deal… and then plan on him taking over in zero to two years, depending on how well Stinch recovers from his injuries before training camp.

by FriarBob on Jan 30, 2011 12:41 AM CST up reply actions

I hope and don’t think they’ll get rid of Stinchcomb. Just keep them all. They are all an asset that I think we should not lose.

by tommy v on Jan 29, 2011 9:34 AM CST reply actions

Don't see both Strief and Stinchcomb back next year

I could be wrong, but I think the Saints will have to pick one. With Strief as a UFA I think he’ll get his chance, and he’d be a fool to pass on it.

by Andrew Juge on Jan 29, 2011 9:36 AM CST reply actions

Sadly

Sadly we are all just speculating and passing the time until they get off their collective butts and get a deal done.

When I say WHO DAT U say TWO DAT!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Jan 29, 2011 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Agree one of them will go

our O-line as a whole, has been a solid one during the SP yrs. Our protection sufffered this season b/c RB blitz pick up also. This draft yr. is full of OL and DLmen.

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by metryman on Jan 29, 2011 10:03 AM CST reply actions

As for Strief returning to the Saints as the “swiss army knife” of the offensive line again, I think that’s even less likely. I just feel like the top reserve on one of the best lines in the league when two of them aren’t playing hurt and you ignore the left tackle position should get an opportunity elsewhere

FIFY.

Stinch was clearly playing hurt, whether it is ever admitted or not. He stank most of the year, and I just don’t think he’s old enough to have a sudden Favre-like collapse for no reason other than sheer age. (For that matter, it wasn’t even merely sheer age for Favre, his team also collapsed around him, so it was synergistic.) Not even when you consider the impact of playing OL, because he’s only 31, and he only has five full years of play under his belt. Before that he played 6, 4, and 0 games. He’s 31 but he’s really only got the wear and tear of a 26-28 year old,

And I’m pretty sure Goody was at least nicked up. Either that or both guards were too busy covering for the ineptitude of the tackles outside them to give him the help he needed against double-A-gap blitzes and/or top-end interior rushers. Maybe a bit of both, for that matter.

But I really don’t think they’ll flat-out get rid of Stinch. The way he played at times, I think they should have benched his butt and let Strief have a go (or even moved turnstile-Bushrod over and let Strief try LT), but unless it’s clear he will NOT recover I can’t really expect him to be let go.

The complicating factor, however, is that Bushrod very likely will ALSO be a free agent. I can’t see free agency going to five years AND an 18-game season coming. One or the other will have to go (maybe both). So I’d frankly just as soon try harder to keep Strief and let Bushrod see what HE gets elsewhere. (Probably not THAT much that we couldn’t match if we wanted to AND he wanted to stay… and of course it’s debatable if either of those are true, much less both.)

I’d even go so far as to sign Strief now, to hell with the CBA and leverage. There will be other players who will be unsigned, there will be plenty of leverage left, especially now that a key player rep has flat out admitted (on public radio! (quoted by PFT)) that they got a slanted deal last time around.

So I’d say sign Strief now to, say, a two or three year deal, and promise in negotiations (or even in the contract itself) to let him compete for a starting spot next (each) year. Considering that he’s played both, I’d let him both compete with Brown AND with Stinch, but if the Saints really think he’s a RT focus on that instead. Even if he doesn’t win this year, within three or four I’d bet he will, Stinch is pretty good but I don’t think he’s THAT good that he’ll last another 6+ years. (And if I’m wrong, trade Stinch next offseason. Maybe even put in the contract that if he doesn’t win the starting spot they have to try to trade him next offseason to give him a shot at starting elsewhere.)

Let the best man win, but regardless, let’s keep the best talent of the two FAs around if we possibly can.

by FriarBob on Jan 30, 2011 12:09 AM CST reply actions

Gah! That should have been trade Strief next offseason…

by FriarBob on Jan 30, 2011 12:12 AM CST up reply actions

Keep them both, and thats what the saints will do

Both Strief and Stenchcomb are both very important on this team. You all talking like Stenchcombe is the loose end?. last year everyone wanted Bushrods head? What gives?

They will both be on the Team, Watch

by Ranger565 on Jan 30, 2011 4:34 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Draft Castanzo in the first, start Brown at RT.

-Trade Bushrod or Stinch for a 4th or 5th rd pick.

"Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not 'every man for himself.' And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked 'em up."

by jeff.l.b on Jan 31, 2011 11:18 AM CST reply actions