The New Orleans Saints released a video of the beginning of organized team activities. The video featured a compilation of moments from Day 1, but didn’t linger on any particular moment for long. A moment that was easy to miss was Taliese Fuaga doing what looked like a routine drill with a resistance band.
The routine nature of the clip could make it easy to overlook Fuaga’s alignment. Fuaga was at right tackle next to Cesar Ruiz. Media wasn’t present, but seeing Fuaga play right tackle on video felt like an Easter egg Marvel movie.
Taliese Fuaga’s clip created speculation around Kelvin Banks Jr. and Trevor Penning
If Fuaga is at right tackle, Trevor Penning isn’t at left tackle. That makes Penning either a backup or competing at left guard. It also means first round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. is starting at left tackle. This has the potential to be very revealing, but shouldn’t be viewed as a concrete move.
It was a fair assumption to make but still an assumption. Kellen Moore has vocalized the plan is to move Kelvin Banks Jr. around. It’d be fair to assume other offensive linemen would try their hand at multiple positions. If you’re considering Banks at left tackle, you’d want to see Fuaga at right tackle too.
Kellen Moore detailed plans for Trevor Penning
Once media arrived at OTAs, they were able to observe the offensive line. At that point, it was no longer an assumption. It was clear Penning was working at left guard. The team is still gathering information, but it is telling that Penning moved to guard once Banks entered the fray.
It's now on Banks to deliver and close the book on a potential return to tackle for Penning. If Banks performs well at left tackle, it doesn't matter what Penning does at guard. If he flames out, Penning will at best occupy the sixth offensive lineman role. If he plays well, he will have a chance to be a Day 1 starter at a third position in three years.