Shelley Smith G STL visiting NYG today

And I don't say that to minimize it's importance. We lack depth on the OL. This would be an important signing.

In comment 11553936 Ten Ton Hammer said:

Quote:

seem to have reputations and reports as really, really good run blockers.

TTH - much needed for this team, but it also seems their pass blocking leaves a lot to be desired. And well, we already saw Eli running around for his life last year.

Gotta start somewhere, I suppose...

you have to fall asleep on the couch, and upon waking just blindly pick undrafted FA to do worse than what we have.

But with patience, perseverance, and good coaching he became an integral (and versatile) part of our offensive line for the past three years. The Giants signed him, stuck with him, and he paid dividends for them.

Shelley Smith may not be the second coming of Carl Nicks. He may not even be the second coming of Kevin Boothe. But if the price is right he's worth taking a chance on. God knows the Giants need all of the O-Line help they can get.

Shelley Smith is black?

Projects well to a zone scheme because both require feet and agility over power

is Shelley Smith?

will sign 2 more OL by Fri like I said yesterday,,OC and G.
Beatty health is a concern..plus Baas gone,,and Snee is
a player everyone on BBI thinks is starting,I think he
may make tean because FC but dont see him lasting long.
Pugh and Swartz is all we have.Lots of backups.

In comment 11553630 Joey in VA said:

Quote:

... And the St. Louis Dispatch writer who said this, should be fired... "Smith is a strong pulling guard who would make sense for teams that implement zone-blocking schemes."??????? So zone blocking, in which the entire line essentially moves laterally to create multiple running lanes likes a strong pulling guard???? WTF?? The zone blocking scheme simply does not use that.

Thanks Joey. I thought that was crazy when I first read it too. Guess it wasn't just me.

In comment 11554095 chris r said:

Quote:

Shelley Smith is black?

Now now, radar. Are you implying that a preponderance of black guys have girly names?

starters on the OL.. they need quality depth too

1) For the issues the Rams have had, why is their OL being pilfered?

2) I agree with Joey about the assessment of RG vs. LG.

3) I admit to not knowing enough about him to have my own opinion. But, when every write-up describes problems in pass protection, why is this a good thing? Our greatest weakness last year was pass protection, in my opinion.

4) Does anyone really think Snee won't be starting, if he is healthy?

In comment 11554197 Kevin(formerly Tiki4Six) said:

Quote:

starters on the OL.. they need quality depth too

As much of it as possible.

'healthy' does not at all equal 'can still play nfl guard'..it must be brutal...vs DTs all day.

I don't disagree. But, i don't think for a second that he won't be penciled in as a starter if he is healthy. Whether or not that is the correct move is another story. I think by restructuring him as opposed to cutting him/suggesting retirement, they plan to squeeze another year out of him as a starter.

.hope not though.

I also don't think a signing like this would be with depth in mind. I may be in the minority here, but I think Mosely and Brewer provided decent depth last year and are now another year in. They obviously need more than that, but I'm not convinced they aren't considering Snee a starter, which means there is no other OG position after yesterday's signing.

run game last year? Thye need OL who can run block just as much as pass block. Shelley might not be signed just for depth. But he has win the job.

...possibly we are getting a little more flexibility in the first 4 rounds

I agree they need help in the run game as well. My point is they already signed a starting OG yesterday. I think they will be viewing the other OG position as Snee's to lose.

In comment 11554263 Matt M. said:

Quote:

I don't disagree. But, i don't think for a second that he won't be penciled in as a starter if he is healthy. Whether or not that is the correct move is another story. I think by restructuring him as opposed to cutting him/suggesting retirement, they plan to squeeze another year out of him as a starter.

He might be pencilled in as starter for OTAs and camp, but I think they'll give others a chance to beat him out.

And that's assuming they don't view Schwartz as the new starting RG. Snee may have already lost his starting job (on paper).

All we (fans) know about the OL right now is that they have 2 guys that can be relied upon as starters: Pugh and Schwartz. We have no idea where they envision any of these guys playing. For all we know the current plan could be:

Pugh - Brewer - FA? - Snee - Schwartz with Beatty as the swing tackle

.

is a viable backup.

In comment 11554399 JOMO25 said:

Quote:

is a viable backup.

I don't either, but as of right now if the coaches believe Schwartz is best at RT (and I have no idea if they do), then it's between Brewer/Mosely/Snee for the guard spots.

Even if they see Beatty/Pugh as the bookends, you're still (currently) looking at one of Snee/Brewer/Mosely at the other OG spot.

concern anyone?

Quote:

... whose early career was limited because of injuries.

I think the Giants need to focus on guys who have shown they can stay healthy. If they were limited due to injury when they were in their early / mid 20s, how likely is it they will be more healthy as they age?

Pass...

Quote:

I think the Giants need to focus on guys who have shown they can stay healthy. If they were limited due to injury when they were in their early / mid 20s, how likely is it they will be more healthy as they age?

If this is your criterial then the list of available guys who you like is going to be extremely small and limited.

Someone posted that we were last in rushing in 2011. We did have good pass protection in 2011. As you know, we won tyhe SB.

In comment 11555791 Some Fan said:

Quote:

Someone posted that we were last in rushing in 2011. We did have good pass protection in 2011. As you know, we won tyhe SB.

We did not have good pass protection in 2011. Eli masked the poor play of the offensive line.

eliminates you from consideration, IMV. Yes, bring him in for a look but only sign him if we really think he can pass protect effectively

than the rush blocking (being we were LAST in the NFL). Clearly you have to agree that this team only goes if Eli can pass so that skillset in an O-lineman has to take precendence.

It now appears we are going after the third tier guys who have little appeal for whatever reason and come much cheaply. Oh well, I guess we have to deal with the cap.

The pass protection was much better in 2011. Eli had lanes to slide and move through the middle of the pocket. He had none of that in 2013. He could not step up and throw a pass last year

Dan Graziano ‏@DanGrazianoESPN 18m
RT @JordanRaanan: Shelley Smith is on his way to New England to meet with the Patriots. Still a chance something happens with Giants.