 Photo By: Stephen Lew Da Boot Sports 7/30/2025 Article Courtesy of Crescent City Sports By: Rene Nadeau One could argue that the Saints’ offensive line in 2025 is the most scrutinized position group—one that may ultimately dictate the level of success the team can achieve this season.Pro Football Focus ranked the Black and Gold O-line 30th in the league last season, suggesting there’s nowhere to go but up. The arrival of new head coach Kellen Moore, along with a revamped staff and several offseason moves aimed at improving the starting unit, gives the Who Dat Nation reason for optimism. Six-year veteran right guard Cesar Ruiz has steadily improved throughout his career since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has logged 4,706 career NFL snaps. Pro Football Focus ranked the 6-foot-4, 316-pound Camden, New Jersey native as the 30th-best offensive guard in the league last season. Despite battling knee issues, he earned a 72.4 pass-blocking grade from Week 8 through the end of the season, allowing just one sack, 2.2% pressure rate, two quarterback hits, 13 pressures, and only one penalty. The nuances of the Saints’ RPOs and run schemes may seem mundane at first glance, but Ruiz believes fans will be pleased with the results. “Sitting in the (offensive line) meeting and it’s, ‘Wow, we’re capable of doing that?’” he exclaimed with a wide-eyed smile. “We talk about how excited we are about these plays. We can’t wait to get out on the field and run them. To the casual observer, it may seem like a normal run play, but to us, we see the possibilities.” There’s a new approach in the offensive huddle, but the emphasis on physicality hasn’t changed. “It’s a different offense, a different play caller,” Ruiz continued. “It’s not the same scheme as 2024. We want to be able to run the ball. Our identity is to run the ball and be physical. If we do that successfully, it’ll open up everything else.” Ruiz is out to prove that his 2024 campaign was no fluke. He’s focused on taking a major leap forward this season, buying into Moore’s offensive creativity. “I love football. I love plays that are new,” he said. “I’ve been amazed by all the things we’re able to do in a single play. The offensive line loves it. The skill guys love it.” The 2025 Saints’ offense still aims to set the tone and control the flow of games. “Absolutely, our offense should dictate the tempo of the entire drive,” Ruiz explained. “We want to play on our terms. We want to go up-tempo, no-huddle. We want to use different cadences for different plays. It’s all on the offensive line.” The offensive line has undergone a transformation. Taliese Fuaga, a first-round choice last year, returns after making 17 starts at left tackle, but now shifts to right tackle. 2025 first-rounder Kelvin Banks Jr. steps in at left tackle. A 2022 first-rounder, Trevor Penning, moves to left guard. Seven-year veteran Eric McCoy continues to anchor the center position and is arguably one of the league’s best. Ruiz feels confident in the line’s newfound chemistry. “Me and Fuaga, we joked all offseason that we can’t believe we’re playing next to one another,” Ruiz said of the new pairing on the right side. “It’s kind of like what I had with Ryan Ramczyk (45 starts). We didn’t have to say much—we were just always on the same page. That’s happening now with me and Tali. It’s great. It’s fun. I love working with him.” Twenty-one-year-old rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks has also impressed in early camp. He picks things up very fast,” Ruiz observed. “He’s very smart. He’s very confident, and that’s really important. He’s putting in extra work after practice. He wants to be great.” Fourth-year veteran Trevor Penning, who struggled to find his footing at both tackle spots, may have found a permanent home at left guard. “It’s a natural fit for him,” Ruiz said of the 6-foot-7, 325-pounder. “Trevor is a very gifted human being physically. His frame and mentality are built for playing guard. ‘ I’m going to smash my opponent. I’m going to dump you on the ground. I’m going to bully you.’ That’s his MO. That’s how he plays the game. There’s no better place to do that than offensive guard—in a phone booth, in tight space. I’m excited for him. I love seeing him work.” But it’s not just about brute force. The Saints’ daily routine is built to maximize each player’s productivity and help them reach their peak. “Ten minutes after practice, we spend time working on the details,” Ruiz said, emphasizing the group’s camaraderie. “The offensive line is a close-knit unit. We shower, then we watch film together. We share what we saw at practice before we even meet with the coaches. We all get on the same page.” A key addition this offseason is Ted Rath, the team’s new Director of Sports Science. Rath, named Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2022 (his second time earning the award), has 15 years of NFL experience. He and Kellen Moore first worked together in Detroit from 2012 to 2014, when Moore was a backup quarterback. Under Rath’s guidance, the Saints have developed a strategic plan that incorporates individualized nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery—all with the goal of improving performance and reducing injury risk. One of the team’s favorite recovery tools is the “Cool Tank,” stationed at the far east side of the practice field. The chamber reaches 22 degrees and helps players regulate their body temperature after intense work. “It’s hot outside. The cooler brings your body temp down,” Ruiz said with a smile. “It gives you a reset. Then you can go back out and give it your all. That cool tank is a lifesaver.” Given the rash of injuries that plagued the team last season, the Saints are determined to become one of the league leaders in sports science, with an eye on promoting player wellness and team unity. “There’s a big emphasis now—even in the pre-practice warmups,” Ruiz explained. “We get a two-hour break after practice to eat lunch, relax, and do rehab. It gives us time to take care of our bodies, talk to teammates, and bond. I love it. I understand the benefits, but for the younger guys, it’s a chance to learn how to manage their bodies. That break is huge.” Now 26 years old (as of June 14), Ruiz has played in 75 NFL games, with 69 starts. He sees the 2025 season as a launchpad toward greater success. “Our standard is to be the best in the league,” he said of the offensive line’s goals. “That’s how we work every single day—with the mindset of being the best. That standard isn’t going to change. We want to be physical and set the tone.” If the offensive line can maintain that standard, the rest of the offense is sure to follow. John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior) *John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A huge Thank You to Cardio Health Solutions owned by Ron Sancho for sponsoring and believing in our publication!
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