I just re-watched the Giants' first three offensive possessions of the game, focusing mostly on the OL.
Drive #1: 9 plays, punt
Drive #2: 9 plays, downs
Drive #3: 10 plays, TD
The OL actually played pretty darn well on the first three drives. There wasn't much running room, but the Giants did pick up some tough yards. The one glaring disappointment was the failed 4th-and-1, but it wasn't the case of an OL missing the block.
Pass protection was very sound except for Chris Snee getting beat very badly on the 9th play of the 1st drive on 3rd-and-8. McDonald ran around Snee to sack Manning and cause a fumble than pushed the Giants into a 4th-and-21.
The tackles blocked well early. So did Boothe and Baas in pass pro. There was one play where a LB charged into Baas and knocked him backwards on a running play, but Baas played well. When he got hurt late in the 3rd drive, Boothe went to OC and Petrus to LG. Petrus immediately gave up a pressure as he was late in recognizing a stunt.
SO If we go after a guy like Nicks I imagine it'll be at LG since we like to pull our guards and he has good lateral movement. Then hope that Diehl plays well at RT since that does seem like the ideal spot for skillset.
The Patriots have nowhere close to that team speed.
The two big negative plays by the OL were by Chris Snee. He gave up both first half sacks and both of them to McDonald.
The OL was pretty decent other than that. Terrible start by Snee.
Re-Focused: Giants @ 49ers, Championship Round - ( New Window )
I'll tell you...McDonald was a brute inside. He gave Boothe all he could handle on another rush.