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One thing concerned Tim Lelito more than earning a starting job with the New Orleans Saints: proving he could help his team win in whatever capacity it used him.

Well, the Saints are 4-0 in games Lelito has started on the interior of the offensive line, contests in which he was filling in for a pair of former NFL champions — one a four-time first-team All-Pro guard and the other with a Pro Bowl selection to his name.

And it’s safe to say Lelito can contribute to Saints victories whenever they require his presence, no doubt a reassurance coach Sean Payton is glad to have as New Orleans seeks to extend a two-game winning streak that has given it a 4-4 record and the top spot in the NFC South.

“Most importantly, we are winning,” Payton said when asked about whether Lelito had merely met or exceeded expectations while playing in place of injured veteran center Jonathan Goodwin in victories at home over Green Bay and at Carolina. “Our expectations for him are high, and I think he’s answered the bell.”


Read more: Filling in for the injured Jonathan Goodwin, center Tim Lelito meets the Saints’ lofty expectations | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Barry from MS

I'm a Lelito fan. Us running the ball effectively and Brees not getting pressured as much because of the way a certain O-Lineman blocks, I will be that certain O-lineman's fan.

SaintLeonard

Our center of the future? I think he could be.

Jack Vegas

He should've had the job all along. We'd probably be at least 5-3 if he had, considering all the pressure coming up the middle on Brees late in the Lions game that led him to throw that pick.

NonieT

I agree. He's a much better pass blocker and a mauler.

Beastmode

Hoping Goodwin can make it through this season. Can never have enough depth on the OL but agree, he's likely done as a starter. There is a clear difference without him in there.

ScottF

Goodwin was an excellent insurance policy, and obviously the coaches saw enough in him to start him. The month and a half on the bench certainly helped Lelito.
As said above, you can never have too much depth. When Strief got hurt Thursday I started having very bad thoughts.

lumm0x

Lelito has been solid. Time to go o-line with a few picks in the draft though. Grubbs and Evans are getting older and expensive and we can use the depth.

ScottF

I see restructuring in the future for one or both.
Hopefully Kelemete is our next diamond in the rough surprising FA / late round find.

Grubbs is 30, Evans and Strief 31.
Since Strief didn't play much for the first 3 years, he might have a little more life in him than the others

Cruize

The run game has picked up.