How New Orleans Saints Adjust With Erik McCoy Loss Makes Or Breaks Season

The New Orleans Saints offense and Derek Carr face a significant challenge as starting center Eric McCoy is sidelined for 6-8 weeks due to injury. This development shakes up the NFL team's offensive line dynamics, putting pressure on the Saints to adapt quickly.
Potential adjustments, including moving Lucas Patrick to center and exploring options like Landon Young, Oli Udoh or Nick Saldiveri for left guard. Free agent centers such as Brian Allen, Mason Cole and Connor McGovern could bolster the Saints' lineup. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak must adjust to maintain the momentum from Weeks 1-2 and prove their early success wasn't a fluke.
BECOME A LOCKED ON SAINTS INSIDER: joinsubtext.co...
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com...
Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
LouisianaSports.Net's Ross Jackson hosts the Locked On Saints Podcast keeping the Who Dat Nation up-to-date with everything you need to know about your beloved New Orleans Saints.
And follow Ross on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New Orleans Saints and talking with fans.
On Twitter: / rossjacksonnola
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.
Robinhood
The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered by Robinhood Gold, LLC.
DoorDash
Use promo code LOCKEDFALL24 for 50% off up to $10 value, when you spend $15+ on your first order. Limited time offer. Terms apply. Promo is not valid for orders containing alcohol.
PrizePicks
Go to prizepicks.one... and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

[@miltonmac]

This is where your worth as coaches ( Allen, Kubiak) and an organization is tested. Everyone will experience injuries during the season. Bad teams it's the end of the world, good teams find a way. Go beat the Falcons.

[@ShrexyGuy]

Either Graham or Ruiz would do fine at C til McCoy returns. The problem will be if Kubiak still chooses to run over half the time with a makeshift OL. Rn he has (and this is super niche, I know) one of three qbs in the NFL with a 20+% pressure rate while taking less than 5 sacks. The others are Richardson and Bo and we know darn well Carr isn't avoiding sacks like them. He's getting the ball to the open man quickly. Just 4 bad passes on his 64 attempts help to show that. So how's Kubiak gonna make space for AK or Hill around the line with a Foster out in front on outs, ins, hitches or options to help get a blocker out and make a 2-4 yard gain substantially larger to help supplement the run game if it continues to struggle

[@brittanylawrence3858]

Agree with Ruiz to center

[@Wright_Works]

That should have always been the plan.

[@Drip2SG]

Sign Lael Collins and put Patrick at center

[@brandonhiggins1394]

You can really tell in the comment sections who doesn't either watch Tape or even Know Tape Exists.

[@JustSomeDude2161]

Anytime I want to see how dumb the overall sentiment of the fan base is, I just look in the comments.

[@brandonhiggins1394]

@@JustSomeDude2161 🤣🤣🤣. This is True!! At this point I'm giving up on trying to talk sense to people.

[@JustSomeDude2161]

@@brandonhiggins1394 IDK if you follow Nick Underhill, but he said after McCoy went out, the interior blocking was the worst he had seen in his career, which is saying something imo.

[@brandonhiggins1394]

@@JustSomeDude2161 Yeah Bro I saw a few people post the All -22 and break it down so I'm here to Confirm what Nick said. They were missing blocks, not getting to the second level and they were running into each other on multiple occasions. Ruiz was supposed to be a pencil in as Decent on our O-Line and he looked like one of the Worst. You could see on Many Routes guys were open all over the Field but Carr was only having literally 1 second or less to throw. It looked Horrible. McCoy does a lot more than snap the ball and block he helps identify coverages and communicates with everyone on the Line. Probably why Ruiz was so bad he didn't have McCoy reminding him what play they actually running 🤣🤣. Hopefully Klint can mask the O-Line with a little time to prepare. If not until McCoy gets back we are in for a bumpy road.

[@jdleg409]

I watched the all-22 every game. Fuaga was the only exception all the others took turns at being bad. Udoh is awful I don’t know if he could play dead in an old western. Tell me where there is any NFL game film that shows Saldiveri can play? Lemieux was very underwhelming in the preseason. Patrick was much better at LG than he was at center. I am sure they probably won’t do what I would do. One of the other big problems last week was Prentice he was so bad.

[@scottdixon4495]

What's up everyone, new Saints fan here. Looking for a good place to get good insights on the team 🙏

[@kevindharnsberry5245]

Ross does an excellent job keeping us updated on what moves are being made. But I would also check out NOF with Nick Underhill, Mike Triplett, and Brandon Thomas.

[@scottdixon4495]

@@kevindharnsberry5245 Thank you!

[@vizisolutions]

John Skremetta's channel is very insightful especially on next Gen stats. He also is a legitimate fan and isn't totally losing his mind over the loss.

[@KevinFitzpatrick-fh8ss]

The front office did a terrible job drafting OL help after the first round and signing FA help in the off-season. That's the reality of this mess. If they had made a true effort to fix the OL the last two drafts this wouldn't have happened. At minimum a backup OC should have been drafted to learn the system behing McCoy. Just saying.

[@MrWorkkinnmann]

Patrick moves to center, Saldaveri or Young @ left guard, Ruiz stays put!

[@walk4jesusinternationaldis269]

We could see for ourselves that the plays weren't called. Good quality control push, though. But God gave us eyes to see and a brain to think.

[@imhereforagoodtime]

Everybody shout out Jason Kelce! Send up a bat signal or something and offer him a beer sponsorship on top of his salary, lol.

[@Rewindthetimes]

Go get a real center. This really could make or break our season

[@Rewindthetimes]

They need to go out n get a real center

[@willbill4689]

Leave Ruiz alone keep Patrick at LG and move up Lemieu let lemiieu start while we sign another center

[@bobhobbs4332]

Don’t panick fair weather fans! We will be just fine! We have a full week of practice to adjust who calls the line blocking assignments! Whether it’s the new center or Carr!!! The worse thing to happen to ANY team (besides losing the QB) is losing your center on the first possession!!!

[@Chrishoncho27]

Or sign a tackle as there is better available players at that position then guard or center move penning to guard I said this since we drafted him he's a big physical mauler which is more of a guard type player he's more of a run blocker which again most guards are better at run blocking then pass blocking

[@PearsonLester-m5q]

Miller Edward Lewis Brenda Garcia Scott

[@bookiebrown7012e]

The fucking free agent pool has some nice linemen we better spend some of tht fucking cash in they wallet

[@netopierre3477]

Sorry but we really need to ask the guy who retired to unretire..

[@LockedOnSaints]

Who do you mean?

[@Drip2SG]

@@LockedOnSaintsI think he means Kelce but Kelce ain’t budging

[@timothywashington880]

Who? I know you're not talkin about Kelce? That dude is not unretiring to come to N.O. Those guys are just going to have to step up and build new continuity, Hold the fort down til McCoy gets back!!

[@JustSomeDude2161]

@@LockedOnSaints I think he means Hurst

[@deadricrevolver9]

​@@JustSomeDude2161 ryan ramcyck or whatever

[@rimfalk]

Just dont bring Max Garcia back

[@hotlove2896]

Yes CR to C. LY to RG

[@drjacdc]

21:41 Diagnostician

[@LouisWinthorpe3]

It's crazy that people are still saying Ruiz. This is the same nonsense as people saying BRING IN DREW BREES TO BE HEAD COACH. It's just nonsense. The starting center will either be Lucas Patrick (more likely) or Shane Lemieux. The nice part of being Lemieux is the other four linemen stay put. If it is Patrick, you have to backfill LG. And if he's healthy it will be Landon Young who played well week 1 and 2, was injured week 3. Oli Udoh was bad. Nick Salvideri can spell relief at LG and RG. So the Saints did exactly what I said they were going to do, which is move Lemieux to the 53 man roster.

[@LockedOnSaints]

Said the same about Lemieux to the active roster. Lemieux makes sense if Ruiz is out also for sure. But his performance at center over the course of training camp and the preseason left a lot to be desired.

[@LouisWinthorpe3]

@@LockedOnSaints I remember questionable shotguns to Haener and Rattler. But I like the idea of stability in the other four positions. Regardless it seems they're going forward with Patrick at C, Young and Udoh the first two up at G

[@NolaSoulja1]

Ross are you more confident in the Saints finding a replacement LG because they move Patrick or RG because the moved Ruiz?

[@MichaelDowd-kz6wz]

Maybe Kyle Hergel will get some time….?

[@LouisWinthorpe3]

He is on the practice squad. He will only get playing time if he is a game day call up, and they can only do that 3 times

[@Tallie90]

Do you mean to tell me the Saints only had one center? No backup, just in case of injury. Who does that?

[@nickmessner700]

They frequently sign/draft interior linemen who are versatile. Ruiz, Saldiveri, Patrick, and Lemieux are all players that have snaps at center either on other teams or in college. So they didn't feel a need to have a specific backup center. It's one of many team building philosophy positions I disagree with.

[@LouisWinthorpe3]

Most teams do that. Most teams one of the starting guards is the second center.

[@whodat5047]

Man if 1 player (non qb) is the end of us I am horrified as a fan of this team. This can not be an excuse for this season to fail. Can’t keep giving DA these excuses. Playoffs should be the goal nothing less…

[@timothywashington880]

You don't think that's what they're tryin to do...Its not an excuse but just reality....This is still a new offensive scheme and you've lost the most important person on the O-line, now they have to rebuild the continuity that was already had with the starters....Yall keep harping on DA, He already took the measures for tryin to improve the team by hiring the new OC...He's not a Offensive minded coach, he's defensive!! Payton was given plenty of excuses in those bad seasons with those atrocious defenses...but all he could do was try to make the right hire!! They'll try to put the right guys out there to keep this O-line decent...But ultimately it comes down to the players execution and making the plays!!

[@ShrexyGuy]

​@@timothywashington880Centers will continue to get grossly underrated. No one recognizes them pointing out everything from blitzes to adjustments the D makes cause the QB relays it, and now is usually the one mic'd up.

[@whodat5047]

@@timothywashington880 Falcons starting Center and RT are hurt. Go out and play ball… No AJ Brown for the Eagles, Smith got hurt and they lost 2 linemen in that game and FOUND A WAY TO WIN!!!!!! Miss me with the excuses

[@trenelson9212]

Just sign like 3 guys so they can learn the system.

[@LouisWinthorpe3]

How? Do you sign three guys? Who are you releasing to make room for those three guys?

[@Drip2SG]

You move Ruiz to center you mess up Penning having help. Udoh can’t be a Guard. He’s horrible. Saldiveri needs to step up. Landon young is not it! Sign Lael Collins(can play guard and tackle) or Brian Allen.

[@williamstidham7704]

Agreed. Best move would be to sign a free agent C rather than shake up the whole line. I like the cat from the Rams, guy is a beast.

[@trenelson9212]

Except how long will it take for a new center to learn the system.

[@rickybobby7326]

What happend yo hurgle?

[@LouisWinthorpe3]

Hergel. He is on the practice squad

[@thinkfree652]

Unless the Saints pick up a center not many wins will follow.