You can say that competition breeds development in the NFL. When a team adds talent at a position, the existing rostered talent must step up if they want to retain their role. For starting guard Cesar Ruiz, he is embracing the young talent influx along the offensive line for the New Orleans Saints.

Ruiz isn’t shying away from helping out the “new guys” who will play a key role for New Orleans in 2024.

Taliese Fuaga is a rookie projected to start at left tackle, while young linemen Nick Saldiveri and Trevor Penning are candidates for starting OL spots, too.

“My biggest advice to them is, the extra time that you do – you hear a lot about, ‘Spend extra time in your playbook’ – but that extra time on the field after practice, that extra time having one-on-one with us as players, that benefits you a lot…” — Ruiz via Saints

Ruiz is trying to make sure that the young players don’t get bogged down if they struggle early on or during practice. The reps are what can turn a below average starter into a notable offensive line piece, similar to the timeline of Ruiz’s pro career.

“But I just kind of tell them, don’t get down on yourself out here. We’re in practice, you’re going to make a mistake but just learn from it. Don’t repeat the same mistakes. But all those guys are doing well, they’re stepping up to the plate playing their positions well right now.” — Ruiz

Fellow lineman Landon Young is a fan of the Saints’ new offensive system, too. That is a theme around the offense. Many players believe the shift will be a positive one under Klint Kubiak as their play-caller.

“It lets us think of our job on each play and not think of what they’re doing directly on defense. It more follows our scheme of that block rather than having to worry, ‘Oh, are they bringing this blitz? Are they having this rotation?’ It really lets us go up there and have the play and focus on playing against that guy across from us.” — Young

The Saints will begin padded practice during training camp on Monday. That’s a notable step forward for everyone, including the offensive line.