49ers at Right Tackle: Question or Answer?

by Fooch on Jun 2, 2008 9:49 PM PDT in News

While the battle for who will be quarterback rages, the right tackle position has become something else entirely. Assuming everyone is healthy, Joe Staley would be at left tackle and Jonas Jennings would be at right tackle. Jennings is excused from the OTAs so health is not an issue yet. However, in his absence, one time 49ers guard (for about 2 week) Chilo Rachal is getting a crack at right tackle for the first time since he was in high school. Additionally, the 49ers signed Alan Reuber, a journeyman tackle who has bounced around the league. While the Reuber signing may not make an impact once the regular season starts, it has gotten me thinking about this often forgotten position.

Jonas Jennings came to the 49ers amidst a decent amount of fanfare and a sizable contract. He has subsequently proven to be talented and very injury prone. When his 2008 option was picked up, the most interesting line was that he would be competing for a starting job and could still conceivably be cut. He's dealt with what appears to be some important family matters and while we certainly feel for him, it's entirely possible Jennings is either gone or benched at some point soon.

This has opened the door for the guard we thought we drafted. Chilo Rachal instead gets converted into a tackle and all of a sudden he's gone from competing with Dave Baas at right guard to competing with incumbent Jonas Jennings at tackle. Throw in Damane Duckett and Alan Reuber and you've got a whole mess of bodies out there. According to Nolan:

Head coach Mike Nolan said he was concerned about the overall unit. "We do need to add some depth there," he said. He figures he has "seven or eight" proven offensive linemen. "Last year, it was nine. Maybe that was a false sense of security."

The question becomes what will be the result at right tackle? Considering the overall lack of depth, I think we can count that in the "Keep Jonas Jennings" column. As I'm not all that knowledgeable about some of the nuances of the various offensive line positions, I turn to 49ers o-line coach George Warhop for guidance, followed by Rachal:

At tackle, Rachal has to learn to play "in space," that is, without being surrounded by teammates as he was at guard.

"One thing he's got going for him is he's extremely tough," Warhop said. "He's a very smart player." Rachal's new assignments "make sense to him. He just has to get sound technically."

Rachal said he played some tackle at USC in practice but not in a game. "It's not a big adjustment at all," he said. "After the first four plays (Monday), it pretty much came back to me."

Asked if the position switch was a nod to the fact Jennings has missed 27 games over his three years with the team, Warhop said, "I just think you can't have enough tackles, regardless of Jonas' history in terms of injuries."

I've thrown up a poll to see what people think about the future at right tackle. The "Never" option basically means you think either Rachal is a bust or Rachal goes back to right guard and somebody else eventually replaces Jennings. In reality this is probably a guess at best. However, I think this is an interesting position battle to watch going forward. While we want everyone to stay healthy, if Rachal played Lou Gehrig to Jennings' Wally Pipp, it might not be the worst thing in the world long term.

Poll

When will Chilo Rachal replace Jonas Jennings in the starting lineup?

Training Camp/Exhibition Games

26 votes

First half of the regular season

45 votes

Second half of the regular season

54 votes

2009 or later

31 votes

Never

18 votes

174 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 32 comments

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Comments

Jenning's Predecessor at Tackle

Chilo Rachel is a right guard. As Nolan puts it, “We need to add some depth there,” Rachel is just a short term replacement at tackle until Jonas Jennings returns, or until the 49ers add more players to fill in the offensive line, whichever comes first. But if Jennings return and Rachel plays well, Rachel could be there to stay. Having Rachel re-learn the tackle position gives the 49ers more versatility in moving the chess pieces for the best 11-player lineup every week.

I was disappointed in how Jennings fared with the 49ers (so far), because he is a good player and it would be nice to see him wreak havoc on the offensive line as a 49er.

When the 49ers sign players I have never heard of, it makes me wonder what the value are of those unheard of players. I want big names, because we know what they have proven in starring as NFLers. Is it just filling up roster space, and more so the positions of need? With journeymen who has been on several teams?

If we are to go into the playoffs, we need pro-bowl caliber players, not just journeymen who was an afterthought. It’s not about eating the biggest steak in the house, it’s about being savvy on the field.

And oh, it’d be nice to see both Jennings and Rachel taking the field at the same time.

The best eleven players.

by 16to80endzone on Jun 2, 2008 11:18 PM PDT 0 recs

I’m torn… do I make the Ross and Rachel joke, or do I overreact irrationally to the word savvy…?

Some decisions are just too big for me.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 3, 2008 2:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

You’re considering reacting irrationally to the use of savvy, but no mention of “With journeymen who has been on several teams?” It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.

"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Jun 3, 2008 3:13 AM PDT up 0 recs

That whole paragraph pretty much flashed me back nam style to the Giants’ 06/07 offseason.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 3, 2008 3:39 AM PDT up 0 recs

Although with subsequent re-reading, it’s making less and less sens to me in general. You need the best players, not the bad players, but you shouldn’t try to get the best players (the steak?), because you need savvy players?

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 3, 2008 3:44 AM PDT up 0 recs

Savvy on the Field

When I talk about being savvy on the field, we need players who understand what they have to do and understand the scheme in order to produce. I don’t care if that player is savvy with restaurants, where the best steak is in town. All I care about is knowledge of the Martz offense and being able to play with the scheme successfully.

With that said, I don’t care either what the player does before or after the game, people will only notice the production on the field, or lack of.

by 16to80endzone on Jun 3, 2008 8:55 AM PDT up 0 recs

"People will only notice the production on the field"

Except when people get shot at strip clubs you frequent.

by methodrampage on Jun 3, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

I understand what you mean. I’m simply making light of the way the Giants have scarred me with the use of that word over the last 3.5 years.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 3, 2008 11:30 AM PDT up 0 recs

I doubt it.

Why move rookie to position that he’s going to temporarily play? There’s obviously going to be some growing pains in Rachal’s move to tackle. You don’t draft utility OL in the early 2nd round, you don’t hinder his developement at his true position to be a stopgap at another position. If the Niners choose to move him to tackle, in there mind it’s permanent, unless Rachal proves that he can’t handle the position.

by methodrampage on Jun 3, 2008 8:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think teaching Rachal to play RT is not a bad thing. I think that if he is talented enough to play RT and either guard position it gives the 49ers some good flexibility in terms of the draft, and it can help keep the 5 best Olinemen on the field at once.

If, hypothetically, the 49ers best OL backup was a guard and only a guard, and Rachal started at RG this year, and Jennings (at RT) gets hurt, you can plug in “best backup guard guy” at RG, slide Rachal over to RT, and you have your best 5 healthy linemen on the field.

He played G at USC, which is pretty much a pro style offense, so if he can gain the versatility to play RT that could be useful for us. I don’t know how much it would hinder his mental/skill development. He should know what every person on the OL is doing anyway, and there are only a few technique difference between the two positions that I think he could iron out in a couple of months.

by rufio on Jun 4, 2008 7:20 AM PDT up 0 recs

You make it sound so simple.

If it were really that simple, there would be plenty of people going from guard to tackle (and doing well). Guards wouldn’t be as undervalued as they are today, because people would just have to pick up a “few extra technique differences” and they’re suddenly a shiny tackle!

While I understand that right tackle is the lesser of the two tackles, it has to be a lot more demanding than playing on the interior. No matter how you slice it, teams now-a-days have two pass-rushers, so on passing downs, BOTH tackles are left on an island. There’s a huge technique difference when you’re on an island and when you’re inside possibly bouncing people to one of the other guys inside or the runningback(s) in the backfield.

If the team’s going to spend the first three months of a SECOND ROUNDER’S valuable learning experience teaching him a position, I hope it’s because the team thinks he can stick there, and not just because they want him to be more versatile.

by sfgfan on Jun 4, 2008 8:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

So how much can Jennings bench?

I’m just curious because depending on how he compares with Rachal will directly influence my vote in the poll. Because we all know brute strength is what makes an OL great, technique be damned.

by methodrampage on Jun 3, 2008 8:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

Also...

... how much of a house-hold name they are, can’t forget that!

by sfgfan on Jun 3, 2008 9:09 AM PDT up 0 recs

And oh, it’d be nice to see both Jennings and Rachel taking the field at the same time.

Who are you suggesting is the weakest link out of Staley, Snyder, Heitmann, and Baas to where an injury prone player AND a rookie who is switching positions and has yet to step on the field are better than?

by sfgfan on Jun 3, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

Potential in the Offensive Line

Actually with both Jennings and Rachel, both strong players and big men, entices me to imagine a stout O-Line. Bass is injured right now so I can’t think about him right now, Staley is still coming into his own, Heitmann hasn’t been the same since he broke his leg..

by 16to80endzone on Jun 3, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

Jennings

If I were management, I would be looking toward any teams needing a starting LT right now to see if I could unload Jennings for anything around a 3rd or 4th round pick. He’s practically guaranteed to miss a significant amount of playing time, and having that kind of absence along the offensive line is unacceptable. Consistency is important to that unit, and I think that consistency is drastically compromised if Jennings even sets foot on the field as a starter. The guy’s NEVER played a complete NFL season. Never.

by sfgfan on Jun 3, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thank you thank you thank you for using the word “toward.” Since starting work, my grammar peeves have (rightfully) gone through the roof.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 3, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

Jennings Bygones?

I don’t know who Jennings reminds me of, but one player I can think of is Jeremy Newberry. These two players are real good players but were always injured and unable to play. Those kinds of players really gave me an itch, because I hate having great players who are always hurt or playing with bad knees.

I totally agree with sfgfan that Jennings should be dangled as trade bait so we can solidify our future as a championship team without having to be stuck with inconsistency. We need more picks so we can bolster any position of need and sign a free agent to replace Jennings. If the Niners held onto Jennings that long, like they did Newberry, then he must be an awfully good player when healthy.

by 16to80endzone on Jun 3, 2008 11:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Newberry

The difference (a big one, even) between Newberry and Jennings is the Newberry played through pain. He WANTED to be on the field. Jennings? If he got his eyebrows waxed wrong he’d probably call in sick.

by sfgfan on Jun 3, 2008 2:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

To elaborate on trading Jennings...

I’m not saying the team should hold out and trade him for something that will definitely help the future. Nolan and Co. have shown that they’re capable of doing VERY little with 3rd and 4th round picks. By saying they should unload Jennings for a third or fourth rounder, to me, is basically saying to trade him for what you can get. Not a whole lot of teams will give much for an injury prone player who will probably never play every week.

by sfgfan on Jun 3, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Snyder!!!

Adam Snyder should be starting RT. As I have already posted on the “Who Should Be Starting QB” thread, I think Snyder is way underrated. Snyder came in for Jennings half way through the season last year at left tackle, and while his first 5 games were bumpy, he made significant improvements in the last 5 games. Snyder for the year had less sacks allowed than Jennings did at the Left Tackle position, and in the end looked better than Jennings has looked in a long time. Left Tackle is the hardest line position and he was able to hold it down. Obviously he doesn’t have the natural talent/skill to be a left tackle but definitely deserves a long look at right tackle. Moving a rookie like Rachal to tackle in his first season is a mistake. He should learn the nuances of the NFL in a position he is a comfortable with first, then eventually (when proven), make the switch with Snyder at RT. Snyder is a good O-Lineman who’s versatility is invaluable but should be given the opportunity to be a RT. I mean if he out performed Jennings at LT he can definitely do it at RT.

How I think the O- Line should be:
LT – Joe Staley/Damane Duckett
LG – Jonas Jennings/Chilo Rachal
C – Eric Heitmann/Cody Wallace
RG – David Baas/Chilo Rachal
RT – Adam Snyder/Jonas Jennings

by StrictlyFootball on Jun 2, 2008 11:54 PM PDT 0 recs

Quick Correction

Snyder had less sacks allowed per game

by StrictlyFootball on Jun 2, 2008 11:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

Duckett

I think he’s a reach to make the roster. As it stands, the 49ers have the following that are practically assured roster positions: Staley, Snyder, Heitmann, Baas, Jennings, Rachal, and Wragge. Just because the 49ers may want to see more of Wallace (and seeing that he’s a pure center for a backup), they’d probably keep him on the roster. That’s five starters and three backups, pretty much what they carried all of last season.

The only way Duckett makes the roster is if they put Wallace on the practice squad, or they cut/trade Jennings.

On a side note, he’s making WAY too much to play guard.

by sfgfan on Jun 3, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

“I mean if he out performed Jennings at LT he can definitely do it at RT.”

This is just plain wrong. Guys at LT have to be quick and agile enough to handle weakside pass rushers (think Dwight Freeny). Ideally, the LT would be really strong too (and he has to be at least kind of strong), but the LT’s most valuable trait is a weak/blind-side pass protector-being an Olineman with elite quickness and agility-that is what separates good LTs from bad LTs. Having great strength is what separates great LTs from good LTs. Walter Jones, Jon Ogden, Orlando Pace, these are all guys who are agile and quick enough to deal with fast pass rushers, but also 320+ lbs and powerful, so you can use them on point of attack runs.

RTs, on the other hand, have to deal with typically bigger, less quick rushers. They are also typically the strong-side players that you run behind. You have to be agile enough to play “in space” with no one helping you to your right in pass protection, but not as agile or quick at a LT. You also probably pull less and are asked to block at the 2nd level less than an LT. You need to be decently quick and agile, but the elite level of quickness is not required at RT the same way it is at LT. More strength and power is required at RT.

SO, if player A who is more quick and agile than player B outperforms player B at LT, that does not mean player A will outperform player B at RT. Different skill sets.

by rufio on Jun 4, 2008 7:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

Why you gotta go and use math for?

I completely understand your point, and next time I won’t make an inference with out explaining further. So to further illustrate, i’ll continue my praise of Snyder.

Snyder is 3” taller than Jennings and weighs slightly more. Plus Snyder played most of his collegiate games at RT (he did move around to LT/RG sometimes as well). Snyder also dwarfed Jennings in the physical part by benching a full ten reps over Jennings (Combine). Jennings key selling points have always been being able to get leverage, his footwork, his hands, and his tenacity to go after guys and keep them down. Unfortunately though, Jennings (after getting a nice paycheck from the 49ers) has been contempt to play 75% of what he used to. Whether that’s because of injury’s or just a lack of heart, I don’t know, but as of last year Snyder has become on-par if not better than Jennings.

by StrictlyFootball on Jun 4, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

Jennings

Even before the 49ers signed him, I don’t think he ever played a complete 16-game season.

by sfgfan on Jun 4, 2008 11:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

Right Tackle

Chilo is, and was always planned to be, the 2008 RT. Jonas is gone/benched. Chilo is going to be brilliant. Just watch this space guys!

by AdrianUK on Jun 3, 2008 5:58 AM PDT 0 recs

RachAl!!!

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jun 3, 2008 11:34 AM PDT 0 recs

Injury Prone Jinx

What is funny, Jennings is a monster of a human specimen, if I stood next to him, I would be knocked flat. So why is he so injury-prone?

Some players are Energizer Bunnies, they hardly miss games due to injuries and even play with injuries, with some playing ten-plus years. Regarding Jennings, and anyone who is a hopeless star, is it freakish genetics, fate, or the injury-prone jinx? Is it because Jennings wore the wrong kind of shoes, or forgot his baseball protective cup?

Not even Hall-of-Fame bound Bryant Young was invincible from injuries (broken leg), but he rebounded back as a pro-bowler consecutively.

16to80endzone

by 16to80endzone on Jun 4, 2008 7:09 PM PDT 0 recs

While we're at it, what's the meaing of life?

I don’t think anybody in all of sports, let alone poster on this blog, knows the definitive answer to why some guy are more injury prone than others. Genetics probably plays a role as do conditioning/training, improper rehab, diet, just dumb [bad]luck (there are all kinds of possible variables in play here).

by methodrampage on Jun 5, 2008 8:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

Jennings

Is he really “injury-prone?” Or does he just lack the toughness that other players exemplify when they’re under duress? It’s not that Jennings is just hurt. It seems that a lot of his “injuries” are injuries that other players suffer and play through. It’s just that he doesn’t.

If it weren’t for Ken Norton, Jr., Bryant Young’s career would have been devoid of any major injuries. I know it was an accident, but friendly fire always sucks.

by sfgfan on Jun 5, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

Friendly Fire

In regardings to on field play and the friendly fire, I’d cut the player who is the subject of a star’s injury. Unless he was Ken Norton, Jr, a player we cannot incur wrath against, but laugh about it, because that was insane how BY got hurt because of Norton.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jun 6, 2008 10:37 PM PDT 0 recs