Halapoulivaati Vaitai is having a great spring and it’s been even more beneficial for him because it’s happening at a different position. Vaitai has been logging first-team reps at right guard, in place of Brandon Brooks, who is rehabbing from a torn Achilles.
The Eagles are obviously pleased that he’s adjusting to a new position and Vaitai’s ability to adjust so quickly to playing guard could lead to big dividends down the road.
Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has been impressed with Vaitai’s progress at right guard and reaffirmed his belief that the Birds won’t miss a beat with Brandon Brooks out.
“Really good,” Stoutland said of Vaitai’s progress in OTAs per Mike Kaye of NJ.com. “It’s the time of year where you do this kind of stuff. Like Isaac [Seumalo] had done this before and showed what great value he had to the organization by playing multiple positions. V has never really done this and it was the time to do it. He’s done a great job because it really is a different position.”
Vaitai has been getting coached up by Isaac Seumalo and former starting left guard Stefen Wisniewski throughout the offseason program. The position switch from tackle to guard can be tedious, but Vaitai seems prepared to learn the nuances, telling NJ Media, that “If you can play more than one position, it’s really good.”
