Saints’ O-line in synch both on and off the field - Associated Press (1 Viewer)

[kfran]

Saints’ O-line in synch both on and off the field
By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer
10/22/09

METAIRIE, La. (AP)—New Orleans lineman Zach Strief and Jon Stinchcomb stood side-by-side, feet shoulder-width apart.

With nimble synchronicity, the lumbering duo tapped away in tandem on fake electric guitars while playing the video game Rock Band in the middle of the locker room.

It’s the kind of teamwork that has helped the Saints’ offensive line make Drew Brees one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the NFL.

“We’re not all alike, but we get along well,” Stinchcomb said after he’d put down the plastic guitar following Wednesday’s practice. “That’s not only on the field, but off, and I know for a fact it carries over because there are times when it’s a heated situation and you’ve got to be able to work with the guys across the O-line...

...“Those guys have been together for a while. They know and have a great feel for one another. They have great trust for one another,” Brees said. “Typically that’s the position that takes the longest to develop as a unit because it’s the largest number of guys on the field as a unit. Plus, what I see with our guys is they don’t just come in the facility and are buddy-buddy and then leave and everybody goes their separate ways. These guys are hanging out all the time.”

The offensive linemen found themselves together at so many charity events that they formed an official foundation called OL4NO (Offensive line for New Orleans). They’ve done bike giveaways at Christmas, youth camps and Feed the Children events, to name a few.

They also eat out together every Thursday night.

“It’s never about football, which is nice,” Strief said. “It’s probably unusual a little bit for no one (among the linemen) to be an outsider—and the coaches have done a good job of making sure that, you know, ‘Do these guys get along?’ ...

Link...
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-saints-betterblocking&prov=ap&type=lgns

Great to see our O line getting national exposure. Well deserved and earned.

 

[Montana Saint Fan]

I'd hate to pay the bill for those Thursday night dinners.

 

[Funluvncriminal]

Props to the O-Line!