New Orleans Saints positional previews: Offensive Line

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Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints center Max Unger (60) during overtime of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Cowboys 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints center Max Unger (60) during overtime of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Cowboys 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) center poses with guard Senio Kelemete (65) and tackle Zach Strief and center Max Unger (60) and offensive tackle Tony Hills (76) and offensive guard Tim Lelito (68) and tackle Terron Armstead (72) and guard Jahri Evans (73) and offensive tackle Mike McGlynn (77) following win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) center poses with guard Senio Kelemete (65) and tackle Zach Strief and center Max Unger (60) and offensive tackle Tony Hills (76) and offensive guard Tim Lelito (68) and tackle Terron Armstead (72) and guard Jahri Evans (73) and offensive tackle Mike McGlynn (77) following win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

We wrap up our New Orleans Saints positional preview for the offense, as we look at the beefy offensive line.

The team’s front line didn’t have the best success in 2015, as quarterback Drew Brees was sacked 31 times. For perspective, Brees came in slightly above his 2014 total (29), but less than his 2013 number (37).

Pro Football Focus ranked the Saints’ offensive line as their No. 3 unit last year, finishing at 9th in pass-blocking and 2nd in run-blocking. However, are those stats misleading? After all, the team’s rushing attack ranked 24th in the NFL after putting up just 1,491 yards on the ground (93.2 yards per game).

No matter how you slice it, the offensive line is one of the biggest scapegoats in football. Quite simply put, the demand is always there for improvements to be made so that the whole unit plays better. Heading into 2016, it’s safe to say the Saints have some big pieces that could help rekindle some familiar chemistry that has been lost over the past decade.

Next: The Young Guns

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