Former New Orleans Saints star Stan Brock is considered one of the finest offensive linemen in the history of the franchise. Brock held down the right tackle spot in New Orleans for 13 years and 186 games. That's the most of any Saints player to wear his number 67 jersey by a wide margin and the sixth-most games played by any player in New Orleans franchise history. A member of the franchise's 45th Anniversary team, Brock was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1997. He was just the third offensive lineman and first tackle to receive that honor at the time.
Stan Brock gave some of his thoughts on the current state of the New Orleans Saints in an interview with Kyle Odegard earlier this week. Odegard is a national sports writer and insider
for the Arizona Cardinals who writes for Action Network. He met Brock for a one-on-one interview in an article released on Tuesday. You can catch the full interview right here.
Odegard sat down with Brock about Colorado Buffaloes football, where Brock was a first team All-Big Eight selection before being a first-round pick by the Saints in the 1980 NFL Draft. Odegard also asked Brock about some of the offseason questions that surrounded the Saints. Specifically, the New Orleans and Colorado Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on Erik McCoy, Travis Etienne Jr., and Alvin Kamara.
On the importance of a healthy Erik McCoy
''When you're playing with a backup center that's not quite as good, or if we moved this guy from guard to learn how to play center, there are a lot of questions. What's going to happen? (As a quarterback), you can't be trying to take care of another position when you're trying to do your job. He can't be worried about the offensive line. He needs to stay focused.''
On adding Travis Etienne Jr., reaction from Alvin Kamara
''It's different now than when I played, right? There was no free agency, so there wasn't a big problem because they weren't bringing in free agents to replace you. Just with a draft pick. Now, the mentality is different, and guys start feeling that. I'm not as needed and I'm not as wanted as I once was. And anything that chips away at your confidence hurts your performance.''
Could Kamara potentially feel alienated?
''If they start questioning what he can do, whether it's catching the ball out of the backfield, getting outside, it's going to chip away at his confidence. That makes it a lot harder to go out there and give it everything you've got for that group.''
Could this lead to a potential breakup?
''Sometimes it's easier to go find somebody who wants you. Hopefully, just out of respect for him, I hope they treat him right.''
Kamara and the Saints renegotiated the contract recently. This ended (unfounded) speculation that Kamara would not be with the Saints in 2026. However, it did not put to rest questions on how Kamara will be used or his reaction to a different role, as Stan Brock pointed out. An authority on offensive linemen, Brock's analysis on Erik McCoy's importance is also telling. McCoy has missed 10 games in each of the last two seasons with injuries.
Kyle Odegard can be found on X/Twitter @Kyle_Odegard. He writes for Action Network and is an Arizona Cardinals insider.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints Hall of Famer Stan Brock shares takes on team's offseason moves
