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A year ago, New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead struggled with even the basics for an offensive lineman, the three-point stance. As a rookie he couldn't beat out the dubious Charles Brown for the starting job.

On Thursday at training camp, Armstead manhandled his defensive teammates when they tried to test him. Now, he's the unquestionable starting left tackle for the Saints with the all-important task of protecting Drew Brees' blindside.

Armstead went from being a complete disaster in the first half of his first NFL start in Week 16 last season at Carolina to playing the best game of his short career against Seattle in the NFC divisional playoff game three weeks later.

The quick maturation of the freakishly athletic Armstead is the primary reason why coach Sean Payton has to answer a question about Armstead's potential like this: "We are not ready to put him in Canton (Pro Football Hall of Fame) yet, but he is very athletic and I would agree, he has a lot of the traits you look for."

Armstead, the Saints' first third-round pick in 2013, possesses the size and strength (6 feet 3, 304 pounds) to look the part of a starting left tackle. It's Armstead's speed and quickness that makes him unique. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time, 4.71 seconds, of all the offensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February. It's why veteran right tackle Zach Strief said Armstead can be as "good as he wants" to be.

"Honestly, from a talent perspective, it's off the charts," Strief said. "He actually looks strange on tape. He is so much faster than what you (are) used to (seeing from an offensive lineman). His athleticism is really impressive. What's great about Terron is that he is really humble, quiet and he works.

"He wants to be good at it. He works at it, he listens and he takes advice. The sky is the limit. He can be a great player and a lot of it is going to be up to how hard he works, and I think if he stays on the path and continues what he is doing, he will be a good player for a long time."

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Rugby Saint II

He could quite possibly give us Willie Roaf type production.

The Dude

He settled down pretty decent after the Carolina game. It's gonna be nice to see what another year of camp will do for him.

Utah_Saint

Armstead looked like a beast the last few games of the season last year. If he and Lelito work out, this offense could be another record setter.

hagan714

lets see what a full year brings. i am looking forward to watching play

dizzle88

"Armstead manhandled his defensive teammates when they tried to test him"

Our D line are no slouches either, our running game improved when he came into the lineup last year as well

Payton obviously trusted running the ball to his side

darstep

The disaster part I must have missed.
I only saw one whif and he just got beat on that one: over committed and it was over.
He's a monster! and always seems to have his feet well under him.
He will be one of the good ones. He will miss his share of pitches but
I think we have found ANOTHER gem.