2025 Saints Training Camp

AsylumGuido · 08-01-2025, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by dizzle88

That's fair, I have zero concerns about Kamara and I'm excited about Fuaga, McCoy and Banks.

It can't just be Kamara though, Kendre needs to show he can stay healthy or someone else needs to step up (hopefully Devin Neal if not Kendre).

My concerns are at guard and mainly with Ruiz.

I'd like to be proven wrong, but I really, categorically do not trust Cesar Ruiz one bit. Almost once a game he seems like he's never seen a stunt pass rush in his life. Heck, it happened on a Twitter video a few days ago where he ends up blocking no one whilst players run straight past him.

As I say, happy to be proven wrong, but to me, it seems like he's learnt nothing since whiffing on the play that escalated Brees's retirement.

I heard on the first day of full contact pads that Ruiz destroyed Bresee. Owned him. It was either Triplett or Underhill on one of their camp videos. The problem with watching missed blocks on tape is that you don't know the individual responsibility. Someone on the line screwing up their assignment can make someone else look bad when all they are doing is being where they were supposed to be. That's why it is so important that they all stay healthy and fulfill their individual roles and act as a unit.

AsylumGuido · 08-01-2025, 09:55 AM

According to PFF rankings Ruiz was the 30th ranked guard in the league last season.

30. Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints

A knee injury knocked Ruiz out for a good chunk of the front half of the 2024 season, but he still managed to finish with the highest PFF overall grade of his career. His 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade from Week 8 through the end of the regular season finished inside the top 20 at the position after he allowed just one sack and a 2.2% pressure rate.

Given his ample experience (4,706 snaps) at 26 years old, the hope is that Ruiz can continue that progression in 2025.

SmashMouth · 08-01-2025, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

According to PFF rankings Ruiz was the 30th ranked guard in the league last season.

30. Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints

A knee injury knocked Ruiz out for a good chunk of the front half of the 2024 season, but he still managed to finish with the highest PFF overall grade of his career. His 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade from Week 8 through the end of the regular season finished inside the top 20 at the position after he allowed just one sack and a 2.2% pressure rate.

Given his ample experience (4,706 snaps) at 26 years old, the hope is that Ruiz can continue that progression in 2025.

We've missed more than hit on OGs of late ... Hopefully our luck changes.

dizzle88 · 08-01-2025, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I heard on the first day of full contact pads that Ruiz destroyed Bresee. Owned him. It was either Triplett or Underhill on one of their camp videos. The problem with watching missed blocks on tape is that you don't know the individual responsibility. Someone on the line screwing up their assignment can make someone else look bad when all they are doing is being where they were supposed to be. That's why it is so important that they all stay healthy and fulfill their individual roles and act as a unit.

As I say, numerous times he's been late reacting to a stunt and it's caused pressure up the gut.
I'm all for being proven wrong if it means the team improves, but to me, he stands out as the weak link on that line until proven otherwise.

Maybe I'm scorned that he accelerated Brees's retirement by whiffing on the block that broke Drew's ribs.

08-01-2025, 07:43 AM	#1
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,817	Re: 2025 Saints Training Camp Originally Posted by dizzle88 That's fair, I have zero concerns about Kamara and I'm excited about Fuaga, McCoy and Banks. It can't just be Kamara though, Kendre needs to show he can stay healthy or someone else needs to step up (hopefully Devin Neal if not Kendre). My concerns are at guard and mainly with Ruiz. I'd like to be proven wrong, but I really, categorically do not trust Cesar Ruiz one bit. Almost once a game he seems like he's never seen a stunt pass rush in his life. Heck, it happened on a Twitter video a few days ago where he ends up blocking no one whilst players run straight past him. As I say, happy to be proven wrong, but to me, it seems like he's learnt nothing since whiffing on the play that escalated Brees's retirement. I heard on the first day of full contact pads that Ruiz destroyed Bresee. Owned him. It was either Triplett or Underhill on one of their camp videos. The problem with watching missed blocks on tape is that you don't know the individual responsibility. Someone on the line screwing up their assignment can make someone else look bad when all they are doing is being where they were supposed to be. That's why it is so important that they all stay healthy and fulfill their individual roles and act as a unit. Danno likes this.

08-01-2025, 09:55 AM	#2
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,817	Re: 2025 Saints Training Camp According to PFF rankings Ruiz was the 30th ranked guard in the league last season. 30. Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints A knee injury knocked Ruiz out for a good chunk of the front half of the 2024 season, but he still managed to finish with the highest PFF overall grade of his career. His 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade from Week 8 through the end of the regular season finished inside the top 20 at the position after he allowed just one sack and a 2.2% pressure rate. Given his ample experience (4,706 snaps) at 26 years old, the hope is that Ruiz can continue that progression in 2025.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

08-01-2025, 10:29 AM	#3
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 39,091 Blog Entries: 29	Re: 2025 Saints Training Camp Originally Posted by AsylumGuido According to PFF rankings Ruiz was the 30th ranked guard in the league last season. 30. Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans Saints A knee injury knocked Ruiz out for a good chunk of the front half of the 2024 season, but he still managed to finish with the highest PFF overall grade of his career. His 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade from Week 8 through the end of the regular season finished inside the top 20 at the position after he allowed just one sack and a 2.2% pressure rate. Given his ample experience (4,706 snaps) at 26 years old, the hope is that Ruiz can continue that progression in 2025. We've missed more than hit on OGs of late ... Hopefully our luck changes.

08-01-2025, 04:00 PM	#4
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,557	Re: 2025 Saints Training Camp Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I heard on the first day of full contact pads that Ruiz destroyed Bresee. Owned him. It was either Triplett or Underhill on one of their camp videos. The problem with watching missed blocks on tape is that you don't know the individual responsibility. Someone on the line screwing up their assignment can make someone else look bad when all they are doing is being where they were supposed to be. That's why it is so important that they all stay healthy and fulfill their individual roles and act as a unit. As I say, numerous times he's been late reacting to a stunt and it's caused pressure up the gut. I'm all for being proven wrong if it means the team improves, but to me, he stands out as the weak link on that line until proven otherwise. Maybe I'm scorned that he accelerated Brees's retirement by whiffing on the block that broke Drew's ribs.