The New Orleans Saints drafted Cesar Ruiz with the No. 24 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
Ruiz is the fifth first round selection for the Michigan Wolverines in Jim Harbaugh-era along with Jabrill Peppers, Taco Charlton, Devin Bush, and Rashan Gary.
Some of the major media outlets spoke very highly of Ruiz, including CBS Sports Pete Prisco, but he doesn’t necessarily see how he fits into the Saints offensive line:
"I love [Cesar Ruiz]. I think he is going to be a center that goes to the Pro Bowl for seven, eight years and pushes for all-decade team. But, where does he play in New Orleans?!" @PriscoCBS loves the player, but he doesn't love the fit, yet he still gives the Saints an A. pic.twitter.com/HBKCmTrYQZ
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) April 24, 2020
Michigan’s Director of Recruiting Matt Dudek gave his praise for the three-year starter in Ann Arbor:
CESAR!!!!!!!!!!! Couldn’t be happier! Going to miss him around the building every day!!! #WhoDat https://t.co/0cCCtNYk9h
— Matty Dudek (@Thee_Matty_D) April 24, 2020
Ruiz showed a lot of emotion when he was chosen, and some say that it was the top reaction of the night. Skip over this one if you want to avoid shedding some tears:
Cesar Ruiz's emotional reaction to being drafted by the #Saints
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 24, 2020
: 2020 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/5gIpriJMo2
MMQB’s Albert Breer wasn’t extremely impressed with the pick, but it appears the Saints are willing to move some of their lineman around to fit Ruiz in:
The Saints are taking Michigan C Cesar Ruiz. I'm told the plan is to move last year's outstanding rookie center, Erik McCoy, over to guard.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 24, 2020
Not sexy. But investing in the OL has served New Orleans well.
Here is what his new head coach, Sean Payton, had to say about the newest Saint:
"(Cesar Ruiz) was one of the better interior lineman I've seen in a while. We knew we were choosing a real good football player." -- Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters
— angelique (@chengelis) April 24, 2020
Desmond Howard and OSU HC Ryan Day get into it before NFL Draft
The College Gameday crew had an NFL Draft Pregame Show on ESPN before the draft, and interviewed some of the top coaches across the country including LSU’s Ed Orgeron and Ohio State’s Ryan Day.
But Desmond Howard couldn’t help but add a little drama as he pulled in his winged helmet for the interview with Michigan’s arch-rival.
Desmond Howard made sure his Michigan helmet was out when he was asking Ryan Day a question.
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) April 23, 2020
Day “don’t think I don’t know what’s going on right there.”
Day went on to say he has much respect for Michigan.
I don’t think I believe him. pic.twitter.com/c2CgOkyUyS
Day said “don’t think I don’t know what is going on here” when he saw the Michigan helmet laying in front of Howard during the interview. Day later went on to say how much he respected the Michigan Football program.
It’s easy for Day to say that as he is 3-0 against Michigan since he joined the Buckeye’s coaching staff. Ohio State’s offense has outscored Don Brown’s defense 156-86 in those three games.
All of the top-3 NFL Draft picks had ties to Columbus. The Bengals drafted quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall who transferred to LSU from Ohio State and worked directly under Ryan day when he was the quarterbacks coach. The next two picks were defensive end Chase Young to the Redskins and the Lions selected corner Jeff Okudah.
Buccaneers QB Tom Brady walks into wrong home in Tampa
Off the field, Tom Brady has had some rough beginnings in Tampa Bay. Earlier this week Brady was caught on tape working out in a public park and had much scrutiny passed his way because of it. A police officer went over to Brady to tell him that he could not work out there as parks are closed in Florida due to the coronavirus outbreak. Although, he was not cited for the incident.
However, things got even stranger on Thursday as Brady walked into the wrong home thinking it was the house of Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Apparently the one he was looking for was the house next door.
Maybe Tom’s old age is finally getting to him...
National Brews:
- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s brother passed away during the draft last night. He was only 31 years old.
- The Green Bay Packers shocked the world as they traded up from 30 to 26 to draft Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. After making the NFC Championship game in 2019, it looks like the Packers are looking ahead to days without Aaron Rodgers.
- The NFL announced that the 2022 NFL Draft will be hosted in Las Vegas after they missed out on hosting it this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully has been hospitalized after he injured himself following a fall at his home. Reports say he is resting comfortably.