Da Boot Sports 7/26/2024 Courtesy of: Crescent City Sports By: Rene Nadeau The start of New Orleans Saints training camp has finally arrived. There is no biggest story line to watch than the evolution of the offensive line. It will directly correlate with the team’s hopes for a successful season. It’s well known that New Orleans is banking on their top pick in this year’s NFL draft to make a significant impact for the unit. The pads come on July 29, a time when we begin to develop a true indication of his ability to fill the void at left tackle. Taliese Fuaga was the 14th player selected in this year’s NFL Draft, a player the Saints had targeted. “We really like Taliese,” head coach Dennis Allen stated following the pick. “He’s big, athletic, extremely physical, and has a culture-building personality. We fell in love with him at the Combine. We felt he was our type of person. He’s a tough, physical player.” The Saints are working with a newly constructed offensive line. If the starting quintet enjoys any level of success, much of that could stem from Fuaga’s development. He appears to possess the skills, mindset and DNA that could set him apart. Fuaga is explosive with great range, displaying rare agility for his size. He has the reactions to recover quickly and shows the talent to redirect rushers in pass-blocking assignments. The native of Tacoma, Washington can adjust with a high football IQ, and his punch is said to land with a heavyweight boxer’s knockout power. Pro Football Focus afforded Fuaga an overall grade of 88.2 last year at Oregon State, with a 90.9 run-blocking score. The team captain played in 12 games and 700 offensive snaps without surrendering any sacks on his was to becoming an Outland Trophy semifinalist. Additionally, Fuaga profiles as the type of bully every NFL team needs in the trenches, one who takes pride in dominating his opponent. He plays with a wide base with active, quick hands constantly in their proper position to strike with power. The rookie moves like a lighter man, playing with quick feet. ESPN analyst Louis Reddick heaped praise on the 6-foot-6, 324-pounder on draft night: “Fuaga has nimble feet and great punch timing. This guy is a foundational piece. He is a 10-15 year player who’s gonna be a multiple-time All-Pro.” That’s a tall order. The organization has had only five offensive linemen named First-team All-Pro: Willie Roaf, Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, Jammal Brown, and Ryan Ramczyk. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Roaf earned that honor twice for the Saints and four more time with the Chiefs while Evans, a likely Canton entrant down the line, did so four times in New Orleans. Jim Michalczik has spent over 30 years coaching at both the college and NFL levels. He was recently named the offensive line coach at Michigan State, previously serving in the same capacity at Oregon State as a mentor for Fuaga. Add Michalczik to the list of believers. “Fuaga is in an elite group of players I’ve coached,” Michalczik said on draft day. “There are a few guys with his maturity. A lot of positives. He’s a hard worker, a competitor. He’s naturally powerful. He can translate that to the field.” “He’s very sharp, very smart. His talent is way up there, his work ethic, his maturity. He has those physical tools. Every rep he does at practice, he does at game tempo.” Michalczik says his former pupil strives for perfection, modeling his style after a three-year NFL veteran who has already earned First-team All-Pro in 2023 and twice earned Pro Bowl recognition. “He studied a lot of Penei Sewell,” Michalczik noted, comparing Fuaga to the Detroit Lions star tackle. “His pass blocks, he tried to emulate some of those things.” Sharpening his skills while adjusting to the speed of the NFL during his time at rookie camp, OTA’s and minicamp. “Getting my steps down for the running game,” Fuaga said. “I like run blocking. Still have to improve my run blocking and pass blocking. It’s mainly just learning a new playbook. It’s similar to what we ran at Oregon State, but there is some new terminology. Guys are bigger, faster, stronger at this level. Getting adjusted to the speed.” Fuaga spent most of his college time at right tackle but the Saints installed him at left tackle. The 22-year old has handled the adjustment with veteran precision. “I’d like to get my pass blocking down. That’s where you make your money on 3rd and longs,” he analyzed. “You’re going against very athletic pass rushers. Working against the veterans at practice is going to make me better. Being sound with my feet, steps, and hands. I have to get them all in sync.” One of those veterans who has been instrumental in Fuaga’s maturation process during their encounters is six-year New Orleans defensive end Carl Granderson. “I’m asking him questions every day. Like what could I have done better on that play. He is always straight up with me. He’s a good player. At the end of the day, we are going to compete. After practice, I always have a few questions. What do you see from a left tackle in the NFL that works?” Offensive line coach John Benton, also a newcomer in New Orleans this offseason, has been pleasantly surprised by what he has already seen so far. “Tali fits our scheme. He’s done incredibly well. The attack requires both tackles to cut off pursuit, win angles of attack. It requires a more athletic approach from both tackles rather than a physically dominating approach,” Benton detailed. “Benton reminds me a lot of my college coach Michalczik,” Fuaga said. “They are old friends. They both coach the same. Benton has kind of been like a father figure so far, taking me under his wing.” He hasn’t taken a regular season snap yet but Fuaga has already received the celebrity treatment during his brief time on the streets of the Crescent City. “I went to an Outback Steakhouse, and they gave me a discount because they knew who I was,” Fuaga said with a laugh. “There is nothing but love from the fans, and I have nothing but love for New Orleans.” New Orleans offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is pleased but knows the real work is yet to come. “Fuaga is smart, well-coached at Oregon State. He impressed us early. He works hard. He’s done everything we’ve asked. We’ll see when the pads come on.” That time has arrived. 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! CARDIO HEALTH SOLUTIONS The company who cares for your heart and what your heart cares for!! Cardio Health Solutions (CHS) utilizes PET and CPET technology to detect all forms of cardiovascular disease even in its earliest stage. We also provide financing, support, and management services to practices interested in exploring the functional capacity of their patients through detection and ancillary imaging. 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