Shane Olivea?

[TonyR]

There aren’t many guys who started 57 of their first 59 games for a perennial playoff team available on the open market come June. Of course, Shane Olivea’s run as a starter ended when he was benched in November but, still, he put in enough quality work with the Chargers to get a six-year deal in 2006.

He was released at the end of February by San Diego and drew some looks from the Jets before they signed Damien Woody to play right tackle. Even with a history of back problems and some of the shorter arms in the NFL, it’s surprising that Olivea hasn’t found gainful employment for the 2008 season. Well, it would be if he hadn’t found employment with a mystery team.

The 49ers, looking for depth behind Jonas Jennings and Joe Staley, inquired about Olivea’s availability recently but, according to the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, were told that he’d already agreed to terms with another team. He’s expected to sign with said team in June, presumably after they cleared some cap space. If Olivea were a wide receiver I’d put my money on the Saskatchewan Rough Riders but he isn’t, which makes things much tougher.

Who could it be? Baltimore, Carolina, Denver, Detroit and Oakland all fit the bill as teams that might welcome some veteran competition for the right tackle spot but almost everyone could use some depth.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/05/27/shane-olivea-has-signed-with-someone/

[400HZ]

Olivea is the last person you would want in a pure ZBS. I think either Miami or New England signed him. They love ex-Chargers.

[FireFly]

For some reason I always thought this guy would do better at guard. But perhaps that many starts at tackle means otherwise - or it just means that with the chargers roster being how it was that was the best fit at the time.

[TonyR]

Any idea why they let him go? Injuries? Making too much money? Seems like they liked him and then he suddenly fell out of favor.

As for him not fitting in the ZBS, is he "too big" and/or "too slow"?

[400HZ]

Any idea why they let him go? Injuries? Making too much money? Seems like they liked him and then he suddenly fell out of favor.

As for him not fitting in the ZBS, is he "too big" and/or "too slow"?

He has T-rex arms and isn't good in space. Olivea had a really good rookie year and regressed every year after that, culminating in his benching and eventual release last year.

[NW Bolt Fan]

For some reason I always thought this guy would do better at guard. But perhaps that many starts at tackle means otherwise - or it just means that with the chargers roster being how it was that was the best fit at the time.That's what everyone was clamoring for for a couple years.

[NW Bolt Fan]

He has T-rex arms and isn't good in space. Olivea had a really good rookie year and regressed every year after that, culminating in his benching and eventual release last year.In addition to that, he hurt his back early in the season last year. His replacement outplayed him, and he started whining. When the whining didn't stop, he was shown the door. IMO, if he's not been permanently debilitated by the back injury, dude can still play. He's young, and he can probably help a team out. He was nothing spectacular at RT. Maybe he can play Guard.

[Atlas]

I thought he was still with the chuggers. I like him alot. I think he would be better than McKinely. Or at least as good as. More depth if Denver was to sign him.

[boltaneer]

I think the Chargers wanted to upgrade Olivea's RT position with Clary who is starting now or even someone else and eventually move Olivea to guard, maybe replacing Goff in a year or so but IMO his attitude was the main reason he was let go. Maybe his back injury played more into it than we know right now but if healthy he can still play. But I agree with the general consensus is that he would be a better fit at right guard than at RT.