I’m not 100% sure he won’t be a RT while Sewell shifts over, but it’s a little different due to his sheer size. At T, edges generally have to go AROUND him, so even slow-footed giants like Trent Green, Trent Brown and Dawand Jones can succeed on either side. And Manu is fleeter of foot than all of those guys, just not to Mailata’s level.
Reading the tea leaves and interviews, it seems to me that the plan was to get Manu on the field at OG. Then once he develops, move him to OT.
Right, and that could still be in the cards as well. I should have clarified failed as the long-term answer at T first then becomes a long-term at G.
I really don’t think Holmes is panicking over the situation at guard.
He has faith in Mahogany and years of trust in Glasgow.
I also think there are several players developed in line ahead of Manu.
He is good to talk about but hasn’t played guard.
Had to be taught football the right way last season from the ground up.
Manu had to be taught a proper stance.
If Manu can get to the point he is active for a game next season it will be progress never the less being a starting guard.
Muti, Niese, Eguakun, Kayode and Sorsdal are all well ahead of Manu at guard.
I anticipate Holmes drafting an O-Lineman.
Organizationally the depth is thinner at Tackle than Guard.
It just depends on what the organization feels about the players I listed above.
The thought of Manu and Sewell side by side does kinda give me a semi… That’s about 700 pounds of maulers than can both really run.
Yep. Maybe he beats out Glasgow at RG just to get some reps before we move him to T. That’s a pretty common development path.
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For sure will be interesting. When first drafted he even said he was moving to guard… Then the Lions didn’t do it in camp… Changed their minds I guess. 
I want to see him after a year in the weight room. I’m betting his lateral quickness will improve with a year of coaching and technique as well.
Manu looks up to Sewell. He would love that.
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@Thats2 I found it.
They’ve asked me where do I feel comfortable playing and I told them left side. That’s legit where I’ve always been playing my whole collegiate career, I’ve told them. But they’ve opened up to me and told me if I’m willing to play on the right side, because I feel like they want me playing next to Penei Sewell, is what they’ve kinda hinted at. I told them I would be open to it. They told me—it sounded like that’s where they’re going to put me at coming into rookie minicamp. I think they’re just going to rep me at the right side so I can get comfortable at it. It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but it’s something that I’m looking forward to do(ing).”
Wonder what changed?
They saw how raw he was when he came into the building.
They would have already known that from his film IMO.
There were comments from Fraley where they were surprised and had to take him back to square one.
Basic fundamentals.
You aren’t going to teach a player new stuff when he doesn’t know the basics.
They took him back to OT and taught him how to do that right. Stance, how to line up, etc.
He has come a long way.
The staff may be able to build on that with guard or they could just continue to refine his OT play this season.
Right. In college he was definitely athletic enough to be their LT the whole time. So definitely where he’d be the most comfortable. Does that mean it’s his best pro position? Maybe so, maybe not. Our staff will find out.
The switch to right guard was all about getting him PT as quickly as possible imo, like @Mr.Peabody said. It’s one of the main reasons I think he’d be a RG rather than LG, not just because he loves the idea of playing next to Sewell but because that’s where a guy with his traits probably works best on the inside.
I think what eventually happened was we learned just how raw he was in camp. We were hoping he might make a smooth transition, but we didn’t have to count on it. Once it was clear he needed more work, we just moved him back to depth T.
Here is Manu after the season… From 6 weeks ago.
Does not sound like he’s moving to guard at all.
“If you want to be more up to play you have to be able to play on both sides,” he said. “I feel like this offseason I’m really going to attack and try to be better on that right side.”
In reference to playing both left and right tackle.
Here is the full article… Sewell sounds optimistic about him.
https://www.detroitlions.com/news/manu-to-continue-to-work-on-his-versatility-this-offseason
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Exactly.
I think Fraley took him back to his comfort level at LT and tried to make him proficient there first.
Now get him to the point where he can play both sides and become a Swing Tackle.
Then in year 3 hopefully he is ready to take over for Decker.
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I have super secret contacts all through the Lions organization, and they all tell me the same thing.
Manu is going to be our starting RG and the defenders better be shitting themselves at the thought of Sewell and Manu playing next to each other.
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The dlinemen on the other team be like…
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Again, I don’t think Holmes is going to sign a starting level free agent OG.
But Mekhi Becton is still out there.
I think he is trying to get his big contract, but if no team will give him the big deal Holmes could get a late signing short term steal.
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I don’t understand why you would let Zeitler walk for 9 million. He might be the best G out there. We haven’t spent much I don’t think.
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