Max Unger is back in the middle of the New Orleans Saints offensive line, and not a moment too soon.
Max Unger is back in the middle of the New Orleans Saints offensive line, and not a moment too soon.
New Orleans opens against a Minnesota defense that likes to stack a pair of linebackers on either side of the center, making it difficult to identify rushers and assignments.
Unger’s role will be to help Drew Brees figure out what the Vikings are doing, all while dealing with players like Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr right over the top of him.
“They have a very successful formula in their blitzes,” said Unger, a Hawaii Prep graduate.
Unger’s return from offseason Lisfranc surgery stabilizes an offensive line that will likely start newcomers at right guard and left tackle.
“Obviously, getting Max back is big,” right tackle Zach Strief said. “The center kind of takes on the role of a tone-setter, setting huddles, breaking huddles, getting up to the ball, making calls. Very similar to how Drew (Brees) creates a consistency, Max does the same thing.”
Unger, a Kailua-Kona native, who played 13 snaps in the preseason finale against Baltimore, feels as ready as he can be after a shortened preparation period.
“I’d like to do a little bit more, but we didn’t have that luxury,” Unger said. “Everything feels good, it’s just a matter of playing catch-up from the whole offseason program and training camp. It’s coming back quickly.”