"I think he's gonna be THAT good of a football player"@Erik_McCoy_73 on @Taliese1 pic.twitter.com/go9TXfYqRY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2024
New Orleans Saints first-round pick Taliese Fuaga is learning a new position, but you wouldn’t be able to tell, according to Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy. Fuaga was a right tackle in college at Oregon State but is being asked to be the Saints’ starting left tackle as a rookie.
When asked about the transition, McCoy had rave reviews. He called the rookie a “freaking natural.” Matter of fact, he scoffed at idea that a learning curve is visually apparent. Obviously, every rookie has to make that transition to the pros and switching positions can make it more difficult. You just can’t see it with Fuaga.
Not only does it look like he’s played left tackle his whole life, Fuaga impressed McCoy so much he believes the rookie can play four positions on the offensive line at a high level. McCoy, the starting center, playfully said “Fuaga can’t play center” before praising Fuaga’s skillset further, though he cautioned he shouldn’t repeat it to the rookie himself or risk inflating the young pro’s ego.
With Ryan Ramczyk on the shelf, McCoy takes over as the elder statesman on the offensive line. He called Fuaga the “best rookie offensive lineman I’ve ever seen” in New Orleans. For what it’s worth, McCoy has seen all of the projected starters as rookies. The Saints have drafted six offensive linemen since he joined the team while signing many more as undrafted free agents. He’s got a solid frame of reference.
A self-proclaimed fan of Fuaga, McCoy called Fuaga a lockdown player who can make an impact as a rookie. McCoy didn’t want to put any more expectations on the rookie, so he stopped himself from continuing the praise. You can tell how quickly Taliese Fuaga is making an impact in training camp.
