One Issue The Bengals Could Face With Deuce Lutui Is Weight

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 30, 2011 1:26 PM EDT

ESPN's NFC West blogger Mike Sando, who covers the Cardinals, posts about the departure of Arizona's offensive guard Deuce Lutui, who signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday. Along with calling Lutui a "colorful character", Sando writes:

The Cardinals won't miss Lutui's annual battles making weight (he once reported at 396 pounds), his demands for a new contract and his seeming resistance to motivational ploys. The evidence suggests Lutui had run his course in Arizona, with the Cardinals making little push to bring him back.

Lutui reportedly demanded a long-term contract from the Cardinals during the 2010 offseason when his free agency designation went from an unrestricted free agent to restricted, because he was only a five-year veteran. The settled labor dispute between owners and players cost Lutui for free agency, settling for a qualifying offer of $1.759 million.

The long-standing issue with Lutui is weight, an issue the Bengals have faced in the past with offensive tackle Andre Smith and fullback Jeremi Johnson.

There's two scenarios to expect with Lutui for the Bengals in 2011. Having started all of his 72 games at right guard, Lutui could be the team's backup behind Bobbie Williams, and maybe an eventual replacement if the team elects not to bring Williams back, who is heading into the final year under contract.

There's also the idea he could compete at left guard, challenging left guard Nate Livings for the spot. Historically the Bengals have employed more athletic guards at left guard, however, the team also has a new offensive system, philosophy and coordinator.

Either way the move does give the Bengals much needed depth on their interior offensive line.

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Comments

Better not let he and Andre room together at camp.....

by The Van Buren Boys on Jul 30, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

Lutui and Smith can team up and go on The Biggest Loser

by Afton on Jul 30, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Those guys could shut down all the restaurants in G-town together...

Andre reported to camp in good shape, so am really hoping to see him bring it. We need it now more than ever….

by The Van Buren Boys on Jul 30, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Economy needs help

Have no problem helping out as a service to the community

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 30, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

New faces

Same old issues.

by K312 on Jul 30, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

Eating Olympics?

If the Bengals sign Stacy “Porkchop” Andrews, Andre “Jelly Moobs” Smith has a relapse and the addition of Deuce “Big Poi” Lutui we could win the eating olympics at Golden Corral.

by sofakingood on Jul 30, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like our amazingly athletic LG has found a new home..

EvanMathis66 Evan Mathis
PHX to PHL, fly like an eagle.

Hopefully Mr. 400 can play.

by Cry on Jul 30, 2011 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

Contract

I wonder if MB put a clause in Deuce’s contract for staying below a certain weight like he did with Andre Smith.

by DonMegga on Jul 30, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

depth

and more girth. More of Marvins non working motivational speeches coming……I guess they needed to sign someone to argue with Marvin, now that Chad is gone..

"Next season will be better" circa 1990
Twitter @Rcklarue

by Yarin on Jul 30, 2011 9:26 PM EDT reply actions