I don't recall this much buildup for an O-lineman on this team for many, many years, and much as I've loved Dave Diehl over the years, and have winced at all the recent commentary, albeit accurate, I'll miss him but also welcome Pugh into the immediate fray.
Looking forward to his start against the Jets (and I don't expect him to relinquish the spot for the next 7, 8, maybe 10 years), I went back and watched all 11 plays he was on the field vs. the Colts. All were played in the third quarter - across two series - and all at left tackle. As we know, he'll take over at right tackle (for now).
Yes, I know we can't judge a player on 11 snaps. But pre-season is certainly a time for indicators, no?
He played two series, a total of 11 snaps. By my judgment, 10 of those 11 yielded positive results - by Pugh, anyway. A few of the plays were not successful, but on only one of them could I find any level of fault with Pugh, individually ... but even on that one play, it was the failure of others that led to Pugh's man getting the better of it.
Here they are, Pugh's 11 plays from scrimmage vs. Indy:
* 1st-and-10: (run) Pugh sealed the DE on his side nicely.
* 2nd-and-8: (run) Pugh hit the DE and turned him completely away from the direction of the play; he then went to the second level, where he hit and sealed a linebacker.
* 3rd-and-5: (pass) Pugh held off rookie DE Bjorn Werner nicely (pass completed for first down). (Note: Pugh, whenever confronted with Werner, did well ... as opposed to Diehl struggling in the first half with Werner's quickness.)
* 1st-and-10: (run) Pugh registers a somewhat soft hit on the Cots DT (who was not in on the tackle, for what it's worth).
* 2nd-and-8: (pass) Pugh stonewalls Werner on the left side, however, O-lineman Matt McCants was beaten by the Colts DT, who went inside to sack David Carr.
* 3rd-and-13: (pass) Colts blitz (INC pass) Pugh stonewalls LB Caesar Rayford (noteworthy: the rookie LB Rayford is listed as 6-foot-t-7, 267 pounds).
Second set of downs ...
* 1st-and-10: (pass) Pugh stops 310-pound DT Drake Nevis at the LOS.
* 2nd-and-3: (run) Pugh turns the rookie Werner out nicely ... the run goes up the middle, Werner not a factor.
* 1st-and-10: (pass) Pugh stonewalls Werner at the LOS.
* 2nd-and-2:(pass)Pugh holds off the rush of Colts LB Monte Simmons nicely.
* 3rd-and-2: (Robinson false start)
* 3rd-and-7: (pass) The only play that, if pressed, you could consider a negative for Pugh ... but not completely. On this one, Pugh pushed the oversized LB Rayford out, but on the rush, BOTH right-side Giants O-linemen (OT James Brewer and OG Brandon Mosley) were beaten badly and the pocket collapsed to the QB's right, forcing him to step up, and into Rayford, who was, at that point, re-directing to the left on Pugh. Result: Sack by Rayford.
And that was it for Pugh.
+++
Given the results he yielded (yes, albeit against a second-half defense - still including the tough rookie Werner, though), I'm pretty damn excited to see young Mr. Pugh get reps with the first group, and I'm quite optimistic that he'll rise to the occasion.
With all the gloom-and-doom about our O-line, I think we have ourselves a gem in this kid.
Seems like Reese hit the jackpot again this draft. Pugh, Hankins, and Moore all have showed a lot of promise moving forward. Lets not forget Mr. Cox!
Cox seems to be a steal and we still don't know what we are going to get from taylor and hermann.
It will also be interesting to see what we get for Nassib down the road.
Maybe tomorrow.
Others have said it, but yeah ... adios Da'Rell Scott.
Justin Pugh vs IND - ( New Window )
I fully expected Pugh to have to sit for a few weeks as many rookies do.
That's how its taught.
We'll see how he does at RT against a tough Jets D.
I assume that there will be some growing pains along the way. But, he is a mid first round draft pick. He should be able to start from day 1.
What concerns me is how much turnover on the OL is going to happen next season. We have a $100M two time winning SB MVP QB to protect. Diehl is gone, maybe even this year, but certainly after this season. Cordle, Snee, and Boothe, could also be gone, although I hope Boothe returns, especially since he got no offers in FA this off season.
Here's hoping we can find at least a few starters or capable backups from Brewer, Mosley, Herman, and Goodin.
Reese knew that this kid was a very good prospect and so I'm not surprised at all to see him play well. If it wasn't for certain circumstances, Pugh would not start until mid-season just because.
Pugh looks pretty good to me especially for a rookie playing in his first game.
I have two exceptions to the analysis though. On the first play the DE pulled an Osi and took himself out of the play. I don't really think that Pugh was that much of a factor on that play. On the last one, he helped out the guard and left the blitzing DB all alone. If he slides out and takes the DB, there's no sack.
Nice work.
This week should be a good test for him because he'll be playing with and against the 1s. Will he make mistakes? Sure. They all do, even the vets.
Actually, I thought Pugh did well. I was impressed by his ability to move his feet and set a wide base while still remaining nimble. There was one play where there seemed to be confusion on the left side as to who was to block whom but other than that I was pleased with his performance.
2. Before we get too high on him, remember he is still a rookie and will experience growing pains, particullarly week-1 against Dallas where he will be lining up against one of the NFL's top pass rushers
On that play the RE lined up across from Pugh stunted inside, and the CB from that side came in on the blitz. Pugh turned inside and helped block the DT, while the CB ran unblocked and ultimately got the sack.
I the other sack, I think it was more caused by the break down on the right side of the offensive line, and Carr taking too deep of a drop.