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During an offseason in which his team’s three-year starter at center left town, second-year Saints offensive lineman Tim Lelito invested time in acclimating himself with a skill he otherwise may not have concentrated on as much.

“I did a lot of snapping,” Lelito said Wednesday to local reporters during an appearance at Airline Park Academy in Metairie. “I got real comfortable with that.”

Such is life for a player whose superiors have repeatedly said will compete for a job vacated by Brian de la Puente, who was the first-string center in New Orleans from 2011 through 2013 and joined the Chicago Bears in free agency earlier in April.

It was clear from Lelito’s statements that he was giving himself the best shot possible to succeed de la Puente. Aside from keeping in shape and boning up on snapping, he’s immersed himself in the Saints’ playbook to learn what each member of the offensive line is supposed to be doing at any given moment.

“Last year, I had to know the plays, but this year I have to know the ins and outs of every play,” Lelito said. “I have to know what everyone’s doing on the line so we’re all together.

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foreverfan

You're the man.... You better have learned the play book.

Armstead, Lelito hope for sophomore surge
Armstead, Lelito hope for sophomore surge - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints might have two sophomores starting on their offensive line this year, with Terron Armstead a virtual lock for the left tackle job and Tim Lelito a strong contender at center.

The prospect is a little daunting. But remember, the last time the Saints promoted two less-experienced starters into their starting o-line (Zach Strief and Brian De La Puente in 2011), they wound up setting the NFL record for yards gained in a season.

The Saints obviously liked what they saw in small doses from both Armstead and Lelito last year.

Armstead, a third-round draft pick out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, took over the starting left tackle job over the final four games last season. He was considered a bit of a developmental project when the Saints drafted him. But he's a sensational athlete, and he seemed to improve with each start.

Lelito was even more raw, having come in as an undrafted rookie out of Grand Valley State. But he won a roster spot in training camp and made two spot starts at guard during the season (the second one much more impressive than the first).

Lelito is the current front-runner to win the center job, though the Saints could still add an experienced veteran like Jonathan Goodwin or a draft prospect as competition. More at ESPN....

2019 Death of a Parrot.

Seer1

Snapping for the chance to be the second most important player on the team...

Crusader

Working hard at his Craft. I like it. That's what creates great players.

jeanpierre

Last Offseason/Preseason, Coach Payton *****ed and moaned about how he was worried about Left Tackle...

This season, not a peep...

While it would still be prudent to draft some depth along the offensive line, especially Center, we should allow our confidence in Payton to flow to his decision to roll with Lelito...

ChrisXVI

We'll know much more about his chances to start in two weeks. If we draft Richburg, Martin or Stork then we got us a competition on our hands.

hagan714

i am trying really hard to do this but i am not there yet. Drew stepping up in the pocket makes the OC such a key position. confidence? nope worried

SloMotion

That boy's "The pride of St. Clair, Michigan" ... like one of those prize bulls you see at the State Fair ... he'll be alright, ... I'm even kinda' proud of him ... small-town boy done good, eh?

Rugby Saint II

Let's him get all the snaps he heeds. Knowing the play book will help his cause tremendously, although I expect stiff competition from one of our draft picks.