Last night was another exhibit of why David Diehl is no longer a capable starting offensive lineman in the NFL. I know Pugh was hurt last week but I think it's imperative that Pugh gets work at RT during practice with the first team this week and gets an opportunity to start the next game. We obviously drafted him b/c of the issues we've had with our oline the last two seasons so it's about time our first round pick got a chance to show what he can do.
Now before the crazies come out and say "well, the coaching staff gets to see him every day so they obviously know better," all I'm saying is to give him the OPPORTUNITY in the preseason. As Reese has said in the past, this team expects their top two picks to come in and contribute right away. We need to find out if we have a real solution at RT b/c David Diehl is clearly no longer than answer.
Also, depending on the severity of the Baas injury last night, it's very possible DD will be moved to LG for the foreseeable future anyway while Boothe fills in at Center. If so, that will give Pugh his shot anyway. But either way, we need to find out if he's ready to start BEFORE the beginning of the season.
That said, I thought he played quite well - better than did David Diehl.
Pugh might not get a look with the 1st team vs. the J-E-T-S, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him out there in our last preseason game, just to see how he fares against the Big Boys.
I predict he will replace DD at RT by Game Three of the regular season.
I know that Brewer got some reps at RT, but the plays looked kind of funny (technical football phrase) so I really have no idea how he did.
Diehl had some massive breakdowns which would not be tolerated if he was a kid. Sometimes he whiffs even on just making some kind of contact.
It is getting kind of late in the day, especially for Pugh as a starting RT. The concussion has definitely set him back learning a position not his college position.
Unfortunately, filling in on the first unit for Snee has also set Brewer back at RT. Unless there was a legitimate possibility that Brewer was going to replace Snee as a 2013 starter, it would have been better to have used him at RT.
I believe the Giants over-rate versatility, and under-rate an actual mastery of a position.
Pugh was drafted because they liked his apparent and prospective versatility. He is better equipped to play LT, either guard or center. If Brewer can't replace Diehl at some point, it could be more likely that Beatty plays RT and Pugh plays LT, or the Giants will draft another tackle and Pugh will move inside to replace Baas, Boothe, or Snee.
They draft Pugh to be a T, and if he can't start at RT at some point, it makes the pick a head scratcher.
I just don't think you draft a guy in the 1st based on him being versatile.
I know its incredible
There's many components they must demonstrate in order to earn the coaches' trust, otherwise it appears they will continue to default to Diehl.
It's not that I don't agree it appears to be time for Diehl to sit, but you can't outpoint the champion, you've got to soundly defeat him to win the belt.
I read a few posts yesterday about how Boothe is a better RT than Diehl at this point. It appears that some people don't remember how poorly Boothe played at RT.
They didn't with O'Hara or Diehl last year.
Veterans like him are cut every year, but I'm sure if the Giants do it, they will in the final cuts and have another veteran cut by another team ready to come in as his replacement.
When they put O'Hara & Diehl back in, the OL got worse.
Also- Let's be honest: TC and staff did not have a great year last year. Most notably not figuring out a way to get Wilson and Randle involved before it was too late.
Diehl at his best was better than Locklear, who turned out to be a journeyman for a reason. Looking at decisions with the benefit of knowing how they turned out is easy.
When Locklear stepped in at RT, the OLINE got better.
This isn't opinion. It's fact. Everyone in the building knew it.
TC chose to go back to his vets.
Some people sound like they've never watched a football game. I agree that Diehl's best days are behind him, and yes, he's looked like a liability out there, but if we're aware of it, I'm pretty sure the coaches are, too.
What posters are forgetting is that when Diehl replaced Locklear last year, it was because Locklear was hurt. It wasn't out of some perceived loyalty to Diehl. The same with Diehl starting in preseason. The coaches are giving him first shot to win the job. It doesn't mean he's already won it.
I am hoping that Brewer can beat out DD, leaving Pugh as the backup at both T spots.
As an aside, can anyone tell me why McCants is still on the team? I really know, it's because cut down time isn't here yet.
That's where thing get funny with Pugh:
-If they feel he is best at LT, why draft him? You just paid Beatty $$, and is your best lineman.
-They said Pugh is a T. If he's not a RT, then why draft him?
-If he winds up at G, I have a problem drafting a G in the 1st who isn't a grader.
-If he isn't ready to play RT (which is probably the case), what is/was the plan at RT? We knew a long time ago that Diehl stunk.
I'm not trying to jump the gun here, but we had a real issue at RT last year, and I'm not sure what the plan is. What is the plan for Pugh? (and I know it's very early)
Further, if you have a problem with Diehl being the best option at RT on the roster, your beef is with Reese, not Coughlin.
The Brewer situation doesn't look good.
And by that point, Boothe had already played reasonably well at G for the Giants during the regular season in previous seasons. He also outplayed Diehl during the preseason that year. What chance do Pugh or Brewer have, if a solid, experienced vet like Boothe couldn't beat Diehl out at a position Diehl is ill-suited for?
It's Coughlin's way. Look what happened to Sean Locklear when Diehl came back in 2012. Locklear was in great shape and did a solid job IMO. Seriously, the Giants are better off going with
K-Mac at age 45 than Diehl at RT.