New Orleans Saints 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning not only expected a move from tackle to guard under the new regime, but he welcomed it, believing the change could revitalize his career.
"The things I do well, I think fit better at guard," Penning said on Thursday, via The Times-Picayune. "Not to say I can't play tackle, but in the run game -- especially at guard -- the things I do well really shine."
The 6-foot-7, 324-pound Northern Iowa product entered the NFL known for his aggressive style -- sometimes too aggressive. He was installed as a tackle during his rookie season and asked to help replace Terron Armstead. An injury wiped out much of his first season, and he never looked comfortable on the outside. In three seasons, he started 23 games at tackle, including 17 last year on the right side.
Penning sounded surprised he wasn't moved to guard earlier in his career -- the latest shot at how the previous coaching staff in New Orleans utilized its players.
"At guard, you can be more aggressive -- obviously not super aggressive, but more aggressive than at tackle," Penning said. "You can just connect on guys and get on them early, versus tackle where you've got a lot of space between you and the edge rusher."
Penning's transition to guard will have a big say in how the offensive line performs in front of whatever young QB wins the starting job. Taliese Fuaga played well at left tackle last year and slides over to the right side, where he played in college. First-round rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. takes over at left tackle. The hole was always left guard. If Penning not only takes the job but excels, it will make a world of difference, particularly opening holes in the run game, which were absent much of last season.
New head coach Kellen Moore agrees with Penning that his style matches what they want in a guard.
"Trevor's physicality, his demeanor, the way he plays, we feel like guard presents him a great opportunity," Moore said.
Added Moore: "His play style, his physicality is what jumps off the tape. We want him to play fast, free and confident, because when he plays like that he's a really, really good player."
Moore saw firsthand last season in Philadelphia how Mekhi Becton moved from tackle to guard and rejuvenated his career. The Saints are hoping to copy that playbook with Penning, who enters the final year of his rookie contract after the club declined his fifth-year option.
