From one great to a rookie looking to become great, the New Orleans Saints previous era met the Kellen Moore era, as Terron Armstead posted videos of Kelvin Banks Jr. training. Armstead was a pillar of the Saints in the late 2010's. There aren't many people better to help Banks take his game to the next level.
Banks is in good hands. Armstead was a leading figure in the offensive line summit. Taking on a mentorship role in his post-playing career was a natural progression for him.Â
Armstead was often plagued by injuries during his career. When healthy, though, he played at a level Banks aspires to reach. If you want to become one of the best, learning from one of the bests is a smart move to make.Â
Terron Armstead taking Kelvin Banks Jr. feels like a passing of the torch
Armstead finished the last three seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins, but he's a Saint through and through. Those three seasons pale in comparison to the nine years he donned the Black and Gold. In the years since Armstead has left, the Saints have failed to fill his role. Until now.
Armstead was one half of arguably the best offensive tackle duo in the league protecting Drew Brees, alongside Ryan Ramczyk. Armstead stayed a season after Brees left, and departed when Sean Payton did.
The Saints tried to use Trevor Penning to fill Armstead's shoes. That experiment didn't work, and Taliese Fuaga was next in line to start at left tackle. He was a natural right tackle and changed positions in the pros. Despite having a strong rookie campaign, Kellen Moore thought it was best to move him to Fuaga back to his natural position and draft Banks.
The Saints now have two young offensive tackles who have a bright future and appear to be a long term future at the position. That wasn't something you could say since Armstead left and Ramcyzk retired. Despite it taking four seasons to find their new franchise left tackle, the Saints clearly found him.
The time between Armstead to Banks makes it an unconventional passing of the torch, but it has a similar feel due to Armstead being the last franchise left tackle and Banks showing the potential of being the next one. When you see them working out together, the thought naturally creeps into your head. If Banks is learning from Armstead,