Terron Armstead is no longer a member of the New Orleans Saints, an absence that you could probably identify with your ears alone.
Whether it's in the form of Terron's music blaring through the speakers, his voice on the field, or his presence as his position group's spokesman, there's a vocal gap that someone from this current, and highly drafted group, must step into independently of what happens on the football field.
There's no lack of veterans to choose from. Ryan Ramczyk is entering his 6th season and is one of the top-paid right tackles in the NFL. Andrus Peat is entering Year 8. The Saints spent first-round draft picks on both players, as well as Cesar Ruiz and Trevor Penning, with Erik McCoy a premium second-round pick. James Hurst is a reliable backup, or potentially Day 1 starter at LT, entering his 9th season, his third in New Orleans. But the RT is the rock-solid veteran presence and star in that group.
“I think I’ve always viewed myself as kind of lead by example," Ramczyk said earlier this month, "but at the same time I think I do have to take a step up and be kind of more of a vocal leader.”
It's possible the position group spokesman duties fall to McCoy, who has never been shy in that regard. But as the unquestioned star, Ramczyk should be first in line to praise successes and, more importantly, take ownership for poor performances. It was Armstead who stood before the microphones and explained the brutal protection issues after a Week 2 loss to the Panthers this past season. Who would have that responsibility in 2022 and beyond?
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It represents another changing of the guard in team leadership, which has been a near-constant thing the past several seasons. Drew Brees retired. Malcom Jenkins retired. Craig Robertson retired. Armstead and punter Thomas Morstead are now with the Dolphins. Sean Payton has retired and is replaced with former DC Dennis Allen. Even former OL coach Brendan Nugent was replaced by Doug Marrone as that position group's leader. The longtime NFL coach will be learning his personnel throughout the offseason, but he'll be able to lean on returning assistant Zach Strief as he does that.
"I’m excited to being able to work with them and try to have them get me better first," Marrone said earlier this offseason, "and then for me to get them better."
And how the offensive line reacts to that change could be a major key in just how successful the 2022 offense can be. A year ago, it was a season marred by injuries at nearly every position, but no group was more impacted than the offensive line. Both Ramczyk and Armstead missed 6 or more games, many of which came at the same time. After two years of premium health, McCoy was hurt in Week 1 and missed multiple games. It forced a temporary position shift for Ruiz, a young player still finding his way at guard. Peat played in 6 games, the fewest in his NFL career.
Can that group stay healthy? Ramczyk says he's sorted out the knee injuries that have plagued him.
"There were just some complications in my knee that I was trying to resolve last year and I think I’ve done a really good job this year of strengthening just the muscles around my knee and it’s feeling a lot better now," he said. "So I feel really confident going into this year."
WHAT'S THE DEAL AT LT?
The lone player from the top end of the OL depth chart who wasn't present at any of the three team OTAs was Hurst, who is expected to be in attendance at this week's mandatory minicamp. He and Penning will likely be featured in one of the more interesting offseason position battles to see who opens the season as the starter in Armstead's former position and protecting QB Jameis Winston's blindside.
Marrone has spoken highly of Hurst, and the team would likely be more than willing to roll with the veteran if need be. As for Penning, here's what Allen had this to say about the No. 19 overall pick in the recent draft.
“No. 1: He’s out here working extremely hard. I see a really big man that’s got some really good, athletic qualities," Allen said. "I see a rookie. Like I do with all these rookies, there’s a lot of things that they have to improve on from a mental standpoint, from a fundamental and technique standpoint.”
Penning, as is the case with any rookie, still has a lot to learn. That's particularly true as it pertains to his technique, which he said wasn't as necessary to know during his time at Northern Iowa. He could beat his opponents there without perfect technique. That won't be the case in the NFL. Things like hand placement and footwork will be buzzwords throughout camp, and it's what he's spent the most time drilling thus far. Penning has described Ramczyk as a "quiet guy," but a man that he's thrilled to be able to watch and emulate early in his career.
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“He’s been great," Penning said. "He’s a very successful offensive lineman. Being able to be in the same room as him, it’s incredible.”
And for a player who's on-field attitude drew attention early and often during the pre-draft scouting process, that lead-by-example approach might could be a good thing.
Either way, Penning's performance and development throughout minicamp and the larger training camp will be a major thing to watch, and listen for, later this summer.