5 sneaky threats for the Panthers to worry about vs. the Saints in Week 2
By Miles Ruder
Cesar Ruiz or Austin Reiter – C
It’s unclear at this point as to who will replace Erik McCoy at the center position, but the New Orleans Saints have a pair of options.
McCoy exited their Week 1 game with a calf strain and is expected to miss time, which likely leaves the job to Cesar Ruiz or Austin Reiter.
Ruiz, who started the game at right guard, replaced McCoy and played center for the rest of the game against the Green Bay Packers. The Saints selected the talented offensive lineman in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has experience playing the position as he started at this spot for two years at Michigan and made two All-Big Ten teams.
Meanwhile, Reiter is a veteran center who played the last three years with the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the past two years, he started in 34 of his 37 appearances, including their 2019 Super Bowl victory.
Reiter recently agreed to a deal to join the Saints practice squad and with a quick turnaround, he may be the odd-man-out in the starting lineup but has the experience to potentially rotate in if needed.
Regardless of who starts, the Carolina Panthers’ interior defensive linemen will have to control the line of scrimmage. Derrick Brown had an impressive showing in the season opener and needs to replicate that success.