It's not as if Erik McCoy isn't accustomed to, or conditioned for, change.
The New Orleans Saints' center, entering his sixth NFL season, has dealt with a decent portion of fluidity along the offensive line, as he periodically has seen linemates injured or leave via free agency.
And he even watched his teammates adapt when he was forced to watch a combined eight regular-season games in 2021 and 2022, due to his own bumps and bruises.
But three new offensive line starters to open a regular season is something he hadn't experienced – until now.
McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruiz are the holdovers, while the Saints look prepared to start rookie first-round pick Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, eight-year veteran Lucas Patrick at left guard and 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning at right tackle, after Penning switched from playing left tackle the previous two seasons.
"I don't say that I'm unsettled," said McCoy, who has started all 74 regular-season games he has played and was named to the Pro Bowl after last season. "I try not to be unsettled in any situation.
"It'll be different but I believe in all the guys that we have and I believe in the talent that we have in the room. And I believe the offensive system will put us in the best place possible to go out there and execute and to ultimately be a really good offensive line."
McCoy provided a brief assessment on each of the new starters.
Of Fuaga, he said: "I think he's a ballplayer, and I really believe that he'll have a great rookie year. I'm excited to see what this year, his first real game, what that looks like because I think that he can be a really good player for this team for a long time."
Regarding Patrick: "Veteran, savvy guy. Knows a lot, he has been in this system before so even things where I haven't known all the answers, he's there to even help me out. He's been in this for a couple of years, and he's done it. So I'm excited to be playing next to him because he's super intelligent."
On Penning: "Transitioning to a new position. However, he has made strides over the past couple of years and I'm hoping it's going to be a good year for him."
Much of the hoped-for success will begin with the anchor, who, in terms of Saints tenure, has been the elder statesman in the offensive line room for the last two seasons.
"It's all part of the job," McCoy said. "I know that these guys rely on me, I know that I am the old guy in the room and that I have a standard that I set for myself. I expect them to hold me to that standard if I'm not living up to it.
"I'm excited for it, I'm excited to kind of sit in the leadership role the second year in a row. I think it has given me an opportunity to grow and really challenge myself to be more vocal, to be more demanding of the people around me."
McCoy said holding his teammates to a standard will require nuance.
"I think it all depends on the guy, and it depends on the time," he said. "Some guys do better with encouragement. Some guys do better when you get on their ---. That's just the reality of it.
"If you ever see me and Cease (Ruiz) going back and forth, we're yelling at each other because that's kind of how we communicate the best. I know it sounds dumb, but he knows I'm serious if I start yelling and I know he's serious if he starts yelling. But a guy like Tali – rookie – you want to build him up, you want to encourage him.
"So it just depends on the guy and it depends on the moment."
QUICK EXIT: Saints Coach Dennis Allen announced Thursday that running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu, who was claimed off waivers from Minnesota, was waived with a failed physical designation.
HONEY LOVE: Allen was asked about having Tyrann Mathieu starting at one safety position while the other starting spot is unsettled, and the appreciation for Mathieu was strong.
"All players have strengths and weaknesses but here's what this guy does for me and for us is – I know exactly what I'm getting with Tyrann Mathieu," he said. "Every time he walks in the building, every time he walks onto the practice field, every time he walks onto the game field, I know exactly what I'm getting.
"He's as much of a consistent player as I've seen. I think any time you have that type of consistency and the coach knows exactly what he's getting, then I think it makes it so much easier to gameplan and put guys in position to do the things that they do really well, and try to minimize when you're putting them in a disadvantageous position. He is the consummate professional and as a coach, you appreciate that."
TRANSACTION: The Saints signed offensive tackle Austin Deculus and tight end Treyton Welch to the practice squad, and terminated the contract of tight end Mason Fairchild. The roster is at 53 players, with 17 on the practice squad.
