Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers

K Major · 05-25-2021, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Oh, WR Brandon Aiyuk whom Payton leaked so highly was taken with the next pick...[/B]

I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard.

At least I hope.

AsylumGuido · 05-25-2021, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by K Major

I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard.

At least I hope.

I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught.

jeanpierre · 05-25-2021, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard.

At least I hope.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught.

So put Peat at LT and Armstead at Center or LG...

AsylumGuido · 05-25-2021, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

So put Peat at LT and Armstead at Center or LG...

Now you are being ridiculous. Anderson never said every position is completely interchangeable. But, there is enough latitude between certain positions that putting the five best athletes out there on the offensive lines is perfectly doable.

K Major · 05-25-2021, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

So put Peat at LT and Armstead at Center or LG...

Hey I agree here. Moving a OT to OG or vice versa isn’t easy, and it’s rarely the solution. It's not as seamless as some may think.

Some of our former O lineman out there should chime in with their thoughts

.

AsylumGuido · 05-25-2021, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

Hey I agree here. Moving a OT to OG or vice versa isn’t easy, and it’s rarely the solution. It's not as seamless as some may think.

Some of our former O lineman out there should chime in with their thoughts .

Of course it's not easy, but when the athlete is talented enough it happens quite often, especially during the transition from college to the pros. I am sharing the opinion of one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the history of the game. The discussion was putting your five best OL players on the field as being the optimal plan. Not playing an elite LT at center. That would be asinine.

Rugby Saint II · 05-25-2021, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught.

I definitely agree with you about putting your best five out there Guido. As I understand it McCoy was having trouble with the line calls at center his rookie season. I believe that the Saints drafted Ruiz to be the center moving forward because that is what he excelled at in college. After his second year McCoy may may have been better making the calls at the line of scrimmage with more experience under his belt. The front office thought that McCoy would be moved to RG last year while Ruiz took over the center position but an abbreviated season shut that down.

The center is a position where an undersize guy with good technique and high intelligence can do well. That pretty much describes Ruiz' draft profile. He's had a year in an NFL weight training program and is stronger now. I expect to see Ruiz at center with McCoy at RG that can slide over if necessary.

SmashMouth · 05-25-2021, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard.

At least I hope.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught.

Saints ask their players to be able to handle multiple positions. Ruiz will rotate from Center to Guard, probably. Can he play LT too? We do have Mr. Glass there, even if he's been less injury prone of late.

05-25-2021, 09:29 AM	#1
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,799 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by jeanpierre Oh, WR Brandon Aiyuk whom Payton leaked so highly was taken with the next pick...[/B] I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard. At least I hope. jeanpierre likes this.

05-25-2021, 09:53 AM	#2
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,574	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by K Major I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard. At least I hope. I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught. SmashMouth and Rugby Saint II like this.

05-25-2021, 01:49 PM	#3
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by K Major I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard. At least I hope. Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught. So put Peat at LT and Armstead at Center or LG... K Major likes this.

05-25-2021, 01:52 PM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,574	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by jeanpierre So put Peat at LT and Armstead at Center or LG... Now you are being ridiculous. Anderson never said every position is completely interchangeable. But, there is enough latitude between certain positions that putting the five best athletes out there on the offensive lines is perfectly doable.

05-25-2021, 01:55 PM	#5
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,799 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by jeanpierre So put Peat at LT and Armstead at Center or LG... Hey I agree here. Moving a OT to OG or vice versa isn’t easy, and it’s rarely the solution. It's not as seamless as some may think. Some of our former O lineman out there should chime in with their thoughts .

05-25-2021, 02:11 PM	#6
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,574	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by K Major Hey I agree here. Moving a OT to OG or vice versa isn’t easy, and it’s rarely the solution. It's not as seamless as some may think. Some of our former O lineman out there should chime in with their thoughts . Of course it's not easy, but when the athlete is talented enough it happens quite often, especially during the transition from college to the pros. I am sharing the opinion of one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the history of the game. The discussion was putting your five best OL players on the field as being the optimal plan. Not playing an elite LT at center. That would be asinine.

05-25-2021, 01:57 PM	#7
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,133	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught. I definitely agree with you about putting your best five out there Guido. As I understand it McCoy was having trouble with the line calls at center his rookie season. I believe that the Saints drafted Ruiz to be the center moving forward because that is what he excelled at in college. After his second year McCoy may may have been better making the calls at the line of scrimmage with more experience under his belt. The front office thought that McCoy would be moved to RG last year while Ruiz took over the center position but an abbreviated season shut that down. The center is a position where an undersize guy with good technique and high intelligence can do well. That pretty much describes Ruiz' draft profile. He's had a year in an NFL weight training program and is stronger now. I expect to see Ruiz at center with McCoy at RG that can slide over if necessary. FinSaint and ChrisXVI like this.
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05-25-2021, 02:51 PM	#8
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,553 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Zach Strief: Erik McCoy is on his way to becoming one of NFL’s top centers Originally Posted by K Major I never understood the Ruiz pick/logic by moving a high performing center. But then again Erik is athletic, extremely mobile and bigger so I think he'll become a solid guard. At least I hope. Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I have heard this said before many times by legendary offensive line coach Paul Anderson, you try to put the five best players available on the offensive line and not dwell on position. Positions can be taught. Saints ask their players to be able to handle multiple positions. Ruiz will rotate from Center to Guard, probably. Can he play LT too? We do have Mr. Glass there, even if he's been less injury prone of late. AsylumGuido likes this.