Guard Deuce Lutui has been the starter on the right side for the past three seasons, but after a tumultuous offseason, he faces a big challenge for his job.

Unhappy the club didn't offer a long-term deal, Lutui didn't sign his restricted free-agent tender until mid-June.

When he took his physical, he weighed 396 pounds, nearly 60 pounds more than his 2009 playing weight. By letting himself get out of shape, Lutui confirmed the worst fears of coaches.

"That (weight gain) was something that was a concern beforehand," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "That was something we battled for a couple years now, not just with him but with other guys, too.