5 Saints That Need to “Come Up Big” to Beat the Bucs
By Bob Rose
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks to offensive tackle Andrus Peat (75) in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Andrus Peat, Left Tackle / Guard
Peat has struggled mightily over the last three weeks after showing some nice progress early in the year. The former number #1 2015 draft pick was little more than a small speed bump for the Tampa Bay pass rush on their way to quarterback Drew Brees two weeks ago, particularly Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers.
The Saints coaches were hoping to use Peat at left guard this season, but he has often had to slide over into the left tackle position because of the injury woes to Terron Armstead, whose season officially ended last week by being put on injured reserve.
Peat’s ability to give Brees’ blind side better protection will once again be the major factor on whether number #9 will have any time to look for his targets down the field.
This should absolutely be viewed as an audition for Andrus Peat, to show if he has any future with this team at all, or if he is merely a draft “bust”.