It was the trade heard round the football world that sent Jimmy Graham to Seattle and brought Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints. Unger will turn 29 going into this upcoming season and that number will (as of right now) make him the second youngest starting linemen the Saints have.

Age aside, Unger is a proven force in the interior of the offensive line and was considered one of the lone bright spots of the Seattle unit. The Saints certainly aren’t getting a nobody. The two time Pro Bowler and All Pro could be just the upgrade the running game, and passing game, has been looking for.

We must bring up the full truth about the trade as well. The Saints traded one All Pro who struggles with durability and injuries for another All Pro who has had similar problems. Unger only saw six regular season games for the Seahawks during the 2014 campaign. It is true that injuries from one season do not always carry over to the next, but any football fan can tell you it does happen.

While injuries do not negate a player’s talent it does raise red flags. Jahri Evans, the Saints’ guard who seems to find himself in the Pro Bowl every season, has only missed two games during his nine year career. Evans’ durability and longevity are what have made him into one of the best linemen in recent NFL memory.

However, injury concerns aside, if Unger can come to the team and play to his full ability Saints fans might just forget about Graham’s spectacular catches just a wee bit faster. When Unger is on the field and healthy he is a dominant force who can control almost any defender at the point of attack.

The greatest strength in Unger’s repertoire is his ability successfully run block and direct the entire offensive line in the same. Like the Saints, Seattle runs a very effective zone blocking scheme that has helped Marshawn Lynch become arguably the best running back in football. Unger centered (literally) the Seahawks line and allowed Lynch to have daylight in the interior.

How does this help the Saints? We all know that New Orleans is a passing team. When you have a future Hall of Fame quarterback like Drew Brees, you’re going to throw the ball. San Francisco did it with Montana in the 80s, and the Saints will continue to do it with Brees until he retires. Yet, both these franchises knew you had to have a consistent run game to compliment the pass.

Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is shown at the line of scrimmage next to New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) and New Orleans Saints center(55) in their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014 the Saints ran the ball only 37% of the time. During the 2009 Superbowl season the team ran the ball 45% of the time. While the Saints don’t necessarily have to duplicate the exact same stat lines as in 2009, becoming more balanced would help the passing game more than hinder it.

The signing of Mark Ingram to a 4 year contract combined with the trade for Unger allows one to assume that the team is preparing to balance itself out. If Ingram can continue with the stellar performances we saw at the end of 2013 and during the 2014 season, the trade will be seen as a good one. If the line loses cohesion instead of improving, Saints fans will be doing more than scratching their heads and picking their jaws off the floor like they were doing yesterday.

The final thing to consider is this: Unger is not just a tough and gritty mauler in the run game. Since becoming the starting center for the Seahawks in 2011 he has given up 3 sacks. In a four year span he only allowed 3 sacks. That is a truly phenomenal achievement in a league dominated by pass rushers both on the inside and outside of the line. Why run blocking is his greatest strength he should also be able to help keep Brees upright.

It would seem the Saints have found a replacement over Tim Lelito and Jonathan Goodwin, but as always, only time will tell if the biggest trade in recent Saints memory will be one that launches the team back into Superbowl contention. Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton feel the trade was the best move for the team, and all fans can do is hope they are right.