2022 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints

FinSaint · 12-29-2021, 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

Must address O line. Peat has to be gone. Armstead, bargain contract or gone. Ruiz - can he fare better with a solid group around him or did we draft a backup center in round 1?

Ruiz is only 22, so I still have plenty of hope that he can develop into a good lineman.

K Major · 12-29-2021, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

Must address O line. Peat has to be gone. Armstead, bargain contract or gone. Ruiz - can he fare better with a solid group around him or did we draft a backup center in round 1?

The only thing Ruiz does effectively is make Andrus Peat look good.

Bad body language too. He looked pissed off at Ian & was actively assisting in getting that guy hurt (see Brees, Trevor S). Based on his performances, you could find a 2nd tier guard & not see much drop-off.

We didn't need a center & he hasn't developed into a guard. Lost in space.

Dress it up all you want but the Saints missed badly with the talent evaluation of Cesar Ruiz.

K Major · 12-29-2021, 09:12 AM

Lol,

C'mon, guys, Ruiz is an awful lineman. Are we watching the same player?? His entire body of work in 2021 was bad. This off-season, you bring in guys and try to replace (upgrade) him. I wouldn't rule out drafting a guard in the mid-rounds. See Nicks, Evans, McKoy (late 2nd).

To say this guy is about as healthy as you can get, makes me think of how little contact he is making with opponents on a weekly basis. He's not plowing anyone, no lower body strength. Just a bunch of "whiffs".

Drafting Ruiz in the first was an absolute reach.

AsylumGuido · 12-29-2021, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by K Major

Lol,

C'mon, guys, Ruiz is an awful lineman. Are we watching the same player?? His entire body of work in 2021 was bad. This off-season, you bring in guys and try to replace (upgrade) him. I wouldn't rule out drafting a guard in the mid-rounds. See Nicks, Evans, McKoy (late 2nd).

To say this guy is about as healthy as you can get, makes me think of how little contact he is making with opponents on a weekly basis. He's not plowing anyone, no lower body strength. Just a bunch of "whiffs".

Drafting Ruiz in the first was an absolute reach.

Just saying they may see something you don't because he's started every snap this season. If he was so horrible couldn't he be replaced by any warm body on the roster or on the street? I heard David Diehl (former Giants OT) say it's very difficult to evaluate an offensive lineman from the outside because you don't know who's missing assignments, them or the guy (or guys) beside them.

saintfan · 12-29-2021, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by K Major

Lol,

C'mon, guys, Ruiz is an awful lineman. Are we watching the same player?? His entire body of work in 2021 was bad. This off-season, you bring in guys and try to replace (upgrade) him. I wouldn't rule out drafting a guard in the mid-rounds. See Nicks, Evans, McKoy (late 2nd).

To say this guy is about as healthy as you can get, makes me think of how little contact he is making with opponents on a weekly basis. He's not plowing anyone, no lower body strength. Just a bunch of "whiffs".

Drafting Ruiz in the first was an absolute reach.

Was it Tripplet who said after the game we had "a couple guys blocking air"? I believe Ruiz was one and one of these 'off the street' linemen was the other.

Look, things do happen, but you can't block air at this level. If you're 'blocking air' you don't belong up here.

K Major · 12-29-2021, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by saintfan

Was it Tripplet who said after the game we had "a couple guys blocking air"? I believe Ruiz was one and one of these 'off the street' linemen was the other.

Look, things do happen, but you can't block air at this level. If you're 'blocking air' you don't belong up here.

Facts.

Yes, you would be correct. Blocking air is a nice term but I like to refer to them as "whiffs". A "whiff" got our Hall of Famer seriously injured. A "whiff" also got Trevor leveled vs Tampa. And we all saw what happened to Ian.

You said it though, at this level of player ... that cannot happen.

The thing with Ruiz though is that he's a repeat offender. Unacceptable productivity from a former 1st rounder.

FinSaint · 12-29-2021, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

The thing with Ruiz though is that he's a repeat offender. Unacceptable productivity from a former 1st rounder.

So, maybe the coaching is partly to blame if he keeps doing the same mistakes over and over again while still keeping his spot as a starter?!

He was a good player for Michigan, so what happened?

I remember the verdict being that he was a 1st round talent, but a weird pick for the Saints as they had no need for another center - maybe simply the BPA on the Saints board.

K Major · 12-29-2021, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by FinSaint

So, maybe the coaching is partly to blame if he keeps doing the same mistakes over and over again while still keeping his spot as a starter?!

He was a good player for Michigan, so what happened?

I remember the verdict being that he was a 1st round talent, but a weird pick for the Saints as they had no need for another center - maybe simply the BPA on the Saints board.

Michigan produces great tackles. Interior lineman? ... not so much.

Did you notice his play on Monday? He's looking to block the centers assignment instead of his own (guard). Chris mentioned it in the game day chat but he appears to be confused. Stop looking left <--- while playing guard.

Having studs on his left and right (TA & Ramz) masked his weakness but he's lost. Not just this year either. You can't have these repeated pass protection letdowns. I don't see any other 1st round interior lineman struggling like he is.

Ruiz is going to get another QB seriously injured.

Saints swung and missed on this one. Selecting a guy who played center his whole life and drafting him to be a guard makes no sense.

halloween 65 · 12-29-2021, 06:41 PM

I remember Charlie Brown. That was a swing and a miss.

lee909 · 12-29-2021, 10:52 PM

Ruiz just doesn't look good. Maybe something clicks but he sits on the line between one of the best RT in football and a top 10 OC, he spent time with Drew shouting out amd explaining the protection and he just doesn't seem to get it, or at least has multiples plays were he switches off or just looks confused.

12-29-2021, 03:21 AM	#1
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,964	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 Must address O line. Peat has to be gone. Armstead, bargain contract or gone. Ruiz - can he fare better with a solid group around him or did we draft a backup center in round 1? Ruiz is only 22, so I still have plenty of hope that he can develop into a good lineman.

12-29-2021, 09:29 AM	#2
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,883 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 Must address O line. Peat has to be gone. Armstead, bargain contract or gone. Ruiz - can he fare better with a solid group around him or did we draft a backup center in round 1? The only thing Ruiz does effectively is make Andrus Peat look good. Bad body language too. He looked pissed off at Ian & was actively assisting in getting that guy hurt (see Brees, Trevor S). Based on his performances, you could find a 2nd tier guard & not see much drop-off. We didn't need a center & he hasn't developed into a guard. Lost in space. Dress it up all you want but the Saints missed badly with the talent evaluation of Cesar Ruiz.

12-29-2021, 09:12 AM	#3
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,883 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Lol, C'mon, guys, Ruiz is an awful lineman. Are we watching the same player?? His entire body of work in 2021 was bad. This off-season, you bring in guys and try to replace (upgrade) him. I wouldn't rule out drafting a guard in the mid-rounds. See Nicks, Evans, McKoy (late 2nd). To say this guy is about as healthy as you can get, makes me think of how little contact he is making with opponents on a weekly basis. He's not plowing anyone, no lower body strength. Just a bunch of "whiffs". Drafting Ruiz in the first was an absolute reach.

12-29-2021, 09:36 AM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,871	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by K Major Lol, C'mon, guys, Ruiz is an awful lineman. Are we watching the same player?? His entire body of work in 2021 was bad. This off-season, you bring in guys and try to replace (upgrade) him. I wouldn't rule out drafting a guard in the mid-rounds. See Nicks, Evans, McKoy (late 2nd). To say this guy is about as healthy as you can get, makes me think of how little contact he is making with opponents on a weekly basis. He's not plowing anyone, no lower body strength. Just a bunch of "whiffs". Drafting Ruiz in the first was an absolute reach. Just saying they may see something you don't because he's started every snap this season. If he was so horrible couldn't he be replaced by any warm body on the roster or on the street? I heard David Diehl (former Giants OT) say it's very difficult to evaluate an offensive lineman from the outside because you don't know who's missing assignments, them or the guy (or guys) beside them.

12-29-2021, 10:08 AM	#5
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by K Major Lol, C'mon, guys, Ruiz is an awful lineman. Are we watching the same player?? His entire body of work in 2021 was bad. This off-season, you bring in guys and try to replace (upgrade) him. I wouldn't rule out drafting a guard in the mid-rounds. See Nicks, Evans, McKoy (late 2nd). To say this guy is about as healthy as you can get, makes me think of how little contact he is making with opponents on a weekly basis. He's not plowing anyone, no lower body strength. Just a bunch of "whiffs". Drafting Ruiz in the first was an absolute reach. Was it Tripplet who said after the game we had "a couple guys blocking air"? I believe Ruiz was one and one of these 'off the street' linemen was the other. Look, things do happen, but you can't block air at this level. If you're 'blocking air' you don't belong up here.

12-29-2021, 10:14 AM	#6
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,883 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by saintfan Was it Tripplet who said after the game we had "a couple guys blocking air"? I believe Ruiz was one and one of these 'off the street' linemen was the other. Look, things do happen, but you can't block air at this level. If you're 'blocking air' you don't belong up here. Facts. Yes, you would be correct. Blocking air is a nice term but I like to refer to them as "whiffs". A "whiff" got our Hall of Famer seriously injured. A "whiff" also got Trevor leveled vs Tampa. And we all saw what happened to Ian. You said it though, at this level of player ... that cannot happen. The thing with Ruiz though is that he's a repeat offender. Unacceptable productivity from a former 1st rounder.

12-29-2021, 01:23 PM	#7
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,964	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by K Major The thing with Ruiz though is that he's a repeat offender. Unacceptable productivity from a former 1st rounder. So, maybe the coaching is partly to blame if he keeps doing the same mistakes over and over again while still keeping his spot as a starter?! He was a good player for Michigan, so what happened? I remember the verdict being that he was a 1st round talent, but a weird pick for the Saints as they had no need for another center - maybe simply the BPA on the Saints board.

12-29-2021, 01:34 PM	#8
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,883 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Originally Posted by FinSaint So, maybe the coaching is partly to blame if he keeps doing the same mistakes over and over again while still keeping his spot as a starter?! He was a good player for Michigan, so what happened? I remember the verdict being that he was a 1st round talent, but a weird pick for the Saints as they had no need for another center - maybe simply the BPA on the Saints board. Michigan produces great tackles. Interior lineman? ... not so much. Did you notice his play on Monday? He's looking to block the centers assignment instead of his own (guard). Chris mentioned it in the game day chat but he appears to be confused. Stop looking left <--- while playing guard. Having studs on his left and right (TA & Ramz) masked his weakness but he's lost. Not just this year either. You can't have these repeated pass protection letdowns. I don't see any other 1st round interior lineman struggling like he is. Ruiz is going to get another QB seriously injured. Saints swung and missed on this one. Selecting a guy who played center his whole life and drafting him to be a guard makes no sense.

12-29-2021, 06:41 PM	#9
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints I remember Charlie Brown. That was a swing and a miss.

12-29-2021, 10:52 PM	#10
lee909 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Watford England Posts: 8,875 Blog Entries: 1	Re: 2021 NFL Free Agency: New Orleans Saints Ruiz just doesn't look good. Maybe something clicks but he sits on the line between one of the best RT in football and a top 10 OC, he spent time with Drew shouting out amd explaining the protection and he just doesn't seem to get it, or at least has multiples plays were he switches off or just looks confused.