New Orleans Saints: Austin Reiter needs to replace Cesar Ruiz at center

The New Orleans Saints lost Erik McCoy to an injury in Week 1 and it’s affected the offensive line dearly. We saw the line crumble to pieces in the Week 2 loss at Carolina and while they were a little better last week, Jameis Winston was still sacked three times.

Cesar Ruiz, the Saints’ first-round pick from a year ago, has been slotted in at center while McCoy has been out and it hasn’t been going well, to say the least. NOLA signed Austin Reiter after McCoy’s injury and now might be the time to put him in at center and kick Ruiz back to right guard, which is where he’s best.

Bleacher Report agrees with this sentiment, listing Ruiz as the player the Saints need to bench immediately. While I don’t think a benching is necessary (he’s been fine at right guard), I do agree with the idea of moving Ruiz out of the center spot and having Reiter play there instead.

"Ruiz was one of the players who struggled in New Orleans’ Week 3 win over New England. He gave up three pressures to Patriots pass-rushers and seemed lost at times in protection.McCoy was given a five-week timetable to return, but the Saints shouldn’t wait that long to find another option at center if Ruiz continues to have issues keeping quarterback Jameis Winston out of harm’s way."

It’s time for the New Orleans Saints to move Cesar Ruiz back to right guard.

The Saints offensive line has always been one of their strengths but this year has been a far cry from what we’re used to seeing. McCoy going down definitely played a hand in that and now NOLA is also without left tackle Terron Armstead for what could be several weeks.

Reiter is a former starting center for the Kansas City Chiefs and started in two Super Bowls during his time with the Chiefs. He knows what it takes to be a high-quality starting center and if Ruiz is struggling at the position, it makes perfect sense to move him to right guard, where he’s played much better and is used to playing at.

This might not be a move New Orleans makes soon but hopefully, it does happen at some point.