Saints take Michigan center Cesar Ruiz

[NewsCopy]

The Saints took a center with their first pick of a draft for the second year in a row after taking Erik McCoy of Texas A&M in 2nd round last year.

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[Turbine]

Good move

[Frenchie35]

I think it's a good move. You always need a lead horse on the line to get the rest moving in the right direction..

[31Ragin97]

do saints have centers?

[CajunT]

do saints have centers?

The Saints OL had injuries last season and didn't play well. Brees was injured, then Peat, Warford and backups playing. The Saints had a rookie at C last last season, they were dominated up front against the Rams, San Francisco and Minnesota. The running game was non-existent. There are 3 reasons Ruiz was a good pick.

1) Highest graded college center is the last 3 drafts.
2) Larry Warford's cap hit is over $12.5m this season and he was overweight/injured last season. If he is cut are traded, $5.5m is dead money on the cap, but the team saves $7m.
3) Moving McCoy to guard, with Ruiz at center makes the line more physical. Both are larger and stronger than Warford.

BTW, Ruiz didn't give up a pass pressure from a single DL this past season.

[CajunEXPRESS]

do saints have centers?

McCoy from last year. They gave up draft picks for him. You can never have too many good linemen. That’s one reason why they lost 1st time they played post season last year.