Saints' first-rounder Andrus Peat a promising work in progress
The lush surroundings of The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia are proving to be a learning oasis for Saints rookie tackle Andrus Peat, but the knowledge isn't coming without a price tag.
New Orleans' 316-pound, 6'7" first round pick out of Stanford is hearing all about what he doesn't know when it comes to things like one-on-one pass protection at the professional level. Head coach Sean Payton is encouraged by the development he sees each day in Peat.
"He is young and athletic. As far as reps, you just keep giving them to him," Payton said. "He is working hard. All of a sudden, you see improvement. Then it's putting it all together and showing consistency."
Terron Armstead and Zach Strief are the likely starters for the Saints this season, but with an aging Drew Brees under center, reinforcements for the line are at a premium.
Peat is perhaps not as far along as some of the other rookies in Black and Gold, given he had to finish the quarter at Stanford University before he was allowed to move to New Orleans and embrace his professional career fully.
Yet Payton seems confident in Peat's work ethic, gifts and future.
"He's in much better shape now than he was in the spring," Payton said. "We like him a lot. He is versatile and he is smart. He's just going to continue to grow, but you can see his feet, athleticism and obviously his size."
Peat hails from an athletic family: his father, Todd, played offensive tackle in the NFL for seven years, splitting time between the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and the then Los Angeles Raiders. The eldest Peat is watching three of his sons following his footsteps: Andrus, Todd Jr (defensive tackle for the Nebraska Cornhuskers) and Cassius (committed to Michigan State.)
Besides genetics, Peat is also in the company of veteran Zach Strief, who was a part of the Saints' Super Bowl XLIV effort and a willing teacher.
"It's a close room," Payton said. "Zach actually said it the best. It's no different with him and Andrus than it was with Jon Stinchcomb and Zach when Zach was a young player."
The Saints will enjoy their first off day on Tuesday since arriving in West Virginia, with practice resuming Wednesday afternoon.
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