Anticipation kept building throughout the night of the first round of the draft. Who were the Saints going to get at 24th overall? The pick ended up being Michigan center/ guard Cesar Ruiz, and shortly after hearing his name called by Commissioner Roger Goodell, the WWL Saints radio draft krewe got a chance to welcome him to New Orleans.
"Man, it was amazing,” Ruiz said about the announcement. “In that exact moment, I thought about my dad. I thought about all the work I put in. I thought about how much of a relief and a blessing it is to be able to get picked and make my family proud.”
The Cajun Cannon, Bobby Hebert, came out firing wanting to know how comfortable Ruiz would be playing guard. He may be a top center prospect, but the Saints just drafted Erik McCoy in the 2nd round last year.
“I’ll play anything. If I have to play guard, I’ll play guard. And, if I get to go play center like I naturally do, then I’ll be happy playing center. But, I’m comfortable playing any position on the interior of the offensive line,” Ruiz responded confidently.
Maybe McCoy will be the one sliding over, stay tuned for more hopefully come July in training camp!
The Voice of the Saints Zach Strief was anxious to talk to the new offensive linemen. Strief spent 12 years playing tackle in New Orleans and was curious to learn more about the football IQ of Ruiz that Coach Payton praised. Strief asked about making the calls on offense at Michigan and how extensive it was.
“I was basically running the whole show really,” said Ruiz. “I was flipping protections, ID-ing MIKEs. Every play I would make an initial ID-point and basically my initial call, that’s what everybody went off of. So, I made a lot of calls, a lot of communications, a lot of adjustments in pass protections and I was responsible for a lot.”
Strief joked that the young o-linemen won’t have to worry about making the calls in New Orleans since the quarterback handles all that. “Drew Brees will literally tell you exactly who it is that he wants you to block, so you won’t have to worry about it,” Strief told him.
WWL’ draft guru Mike Detillier would go on to ask the Saints 24th overall pick what needs improving. What area has he been working the hardest at?
“Definitely, my foot work in the run game,” Ruiz responded quickly. “That’s definitely one thing I’ve had to emphasize a lot. I knew that coaches were going to tell I had to work on it. I knew I would have to fix it once I got to this level. I’ve been doing a lot of footwork drills in terms of run game, inside zone, outside zone foot-work in my backyard with all this stuff going on. I’ve really just been getting my steps down that way it can be more natural.”
Saints all-time leading rusher Deuce McAllister wanted to know about Ruiz’s workout regiment. What was he doing to get ready during the draft and the plan going forward before coming to New Orleans for camp eventually?
“I have a step workout plan to stay in shape. And, an offensive assistant at Michigan taught me a lot of drills that I was able to do on my own that didn’t involve any equipment. My strength coach at Michigan, sent me the strength program he sent all the players there right now. His workouts are really intense so I wanted to keep the intensity up in my offseason.”
The Cajun Cannon couldn’t wait to jump back in again, this time asking if Ruiz was truly ready for the challenges that come with being in the NFL. Hebert made it clear that the NFC South is no joke; for example, the Saints take on two tough d-linemen in Ndamukong Suh & Vita Vea twice a year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It’s funny because me and Ndamukong Suh have a history,” chuckled Ruiz. “He’s like a mentor to me. He basically told me that whenever I get there, he’s going to show me what he’s got. So, I’m going to put my best foot forward against him and of course the Buccaneers. Playing against two great interior defensive linemen with a team like that I’m able to prove myself, show people I was worth the pick.”
Bobby finished saying of Ruiz, “I love him. Because I know that he is going to get better as a run blocker. But, he has earned high praise for his pass blocking skills. So, he’s not getting bull rushed! He’s holding his own so Drew Brees can stop up in the pocket.”