Will Justin Pugh make a good guard?

offseason. Let's hope that's true. I think he has the movement skills and aggressiveness to play LG.

So is Marshal Yanda.

In comment 12287498 yatqb said:

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offseason. Let's hope that's true. I think he has the movement skills and aggressiveness to play LG.

He gained 10 pounds of muscle from his rookie year so likely he has now gained 15 pounds since his rookie year, which is dang good!

He has two years at RT so my guess is he is plugged into OG and we see how OT Flowers fairs in camp. Remember, Flowers is ONLY 21 and his technique is still flawed. I, for one, am not putting too much into his starting this year - pick #9 or not! I say work him in as injuries happen??

has the arm length for it.

If, as many BBIers say, Schwarz is best at RG, and if, as other BBIers say, Flowers' ultimate destination is LT, not such a bad idea to let him start at LG and slide outside in a year or two when Beatty is gone. Give him left side technique from the get go.

In which case, Pugh is still the RT. I can understand the coaches keeping their powder dry on this one.

He was picked in the top 10, and I was disappointed in Pugh's selection, based on Pugh's game tape available and talking heads' description of Pugh as a 2nd day pick at best. But wanting to know more I looked at Pugh's film from the combine - his position skills drills - and darn if he didn't look like the 2nd best OL available in those drills at least so far as footwork was concerned. 2nd best and not too much less good than Cooper. IMO Pugh projects to a high level OG, maybe a Pro Bowl level.

In comment 12287513 Del Shofner said:

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If, as many BBIers say, Schwarz is best at RG, and if, as other BBIers say, Flowers' ultimate destination is LT, not such a bad idea to let him start at LG and slide outside in a year or two when Beatty is gone. Give him left side technique from the get go. In which case, Pugh is still the RT. I can understand the coaches keeping their powder dry on this one.

Del that's logical so far as Flowers is concerned, but not logical so far as where Pugh's best position is. IMO Pugh has a higher ceiling as an OG, because he has great feet and can pull.

Also, not sure Flowers is an OLT, but he's prolly a great ORT.

He lacks power and size for the position. He is a LT. Beatty is a LT. Flowers does not have the technique yet for the position of LT but he does have the criteria of skillset to play RT right now.

I realize that injuries on the right side plagued the Giants last season and less than quality players sub in but Eli actually got more pressure from his right side than his blindside. Hopefully upgrades at the center position and a healthy Schwartz will help to stabilize the line.

Pugh actually looked best when he was on the left side on the unbalance line formation with that angle pull. I assume McAdoo will be pulling at lot with Pugh on the left side on run plays.

He is a tough smart technician who knows and works at his craft. Versatility more than excellence, just like a lot of our past guys that we won championships with. He is a keeper IMO.

Beatty/Pugh/Richburg/Jones/Flowers/Fells

(just to fuck with allz youz TE pundits, and if Schwartz is less than healthy, and to pull both ways)

Pugh backs up left tackle, Schwartz backs up Right tackle.

or

Beatty/Pugh/Richburg/Flowers/Schwartz/TE

if you want vets on ends.

And take it to the bank.

Beatty/Pugh/Richburg/Schwartz/Flowers. Could turn out to be a solid OL.

One comment that is made is that an offensive lineman's athleticism doesn't change that much during their NFL career, but what really does is their strength..they get physically stronger as they develop in the NFL. I think the problem defensive lineman have coming into the NFL is the physical maturity of the offensive lineman they are asked to face. If Pugh were to make the transition right out college it would be one thing, he has been in the Giants strength program for a couple years now..I am not worried about him physically holding up, this should be his best season to date, whether it's at guard or tackle.

6'4 ~315, with short arms and legs, but mobile and athletic fits the OG profile moreso than tackle.

I don't worry about where Pugh winds up now that there are two tackles on the roster should earn the starting gigs. May be the best man win.

Case in point, Jahri Evans, 6-4, 318, perennial All-Pro.

In comment 12287513 Del Shofner said:

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If, as many BBIers say, Schwarz is best at RG, and if, as other BBIers say, Flowers' ultimate destination is LT, not such a bad idea to let him start at LG and slide outside in a year or two when Beatty is gone. Give him left side technique from the get go. In which case, Pugh is still the RT. I can understand the coaches keeping their powder dry on this one.

The "left side" idea makes sense from a holistic and game-planning aspect but my take is the Giants will take the players at their strongest position "today" and play them. Then make whatever changes necessary as they happen. Not sure which angle I prefer but we should see some nice upgrades along the line this season either way.

There have been hints at it made in the press and no bigger hint than targeting three guys (Flowers, Scherff and Peat) that would have probably all pushed Pugh in to G.

the Giants want to move Pugh inside. first off, I think the comments from the year he was drafted indicated he was stop gap at RT, then would go inside. He did reasonably well at RT year one, then had issues year two. It's widely known that he was injured, but it's also well known that Giants wanted an upgrade at RT, stating Pugh's future spot depends on who they could draft or acquire FA. They acquired a guy who can play tackle. Pugh goes inside.

The real question at this point is whether the Giants see Schwartz at LG or RG. I think the majority of BBI is clamoring for Schwartz to go right, but left is where the Giants paid huge dollars in FA to acquire and then plugged him in to. seems to me there's an argument to be made that since Pugh has played on the right, leave him on the right, and Schwartz was acquired to play left, leave him on the left.

contains 2 first rounders, 2 second rounders, and a top FA signee. It better be good or we are in trouble.

sort of like Beatty, a body, but we could do much better. Oline neglect needs to be a focus into next season as well.

is that he can shift back outside to OT if there is an injury to Beatty or Flowers and there wouldn't be a significant drop off.

In comment 12288208 mdc1 said:

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sort of like Beatty, a body, but we could do much better. Oline neglect needs to be a focus into next season as well.

"A body?" Seriously?

its a sign of the times people focus on the negative and pick these guys apart. if u study it most NFL G's are ex-college T's. They are highly skilled and so they play T in college but cant in the pros. jahri evans is just one of a laundry list and there is zero reason to think pugh can't be an overall excellent G

will he be a great drive blocker? probably not. but he should excel at zone, pass blocking vs. stunts and DE's lining up at DT, quick feet on the blitz and should be excellent on the pull/2nd level w/his T feet working thru traffic. an overall quality LG.

he is also a grinder who doesn't mind changing positions and he's built more like a G than a T so he has that going for him too. i see little reason not to be optimistic here

Flowers may not be ready for rt at this level and will play the season at lg. The switch will be made next season.

you can't sit there and claim Pugh struggles vs more physical players and say he's better at guard. He'll be facing bigger and stronger players there.

And the next original thought you have will be your first.

In comment 12288292 area junc said:

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its a sign of the times people focus on the negative and pick these guys apart. if u study it most NFL G's are ex-college T's. They are highly skilled and so they play T in college but cant in the pros. jahri evans is just one of a laundry list and there is zero reason to think pugh can't be an overall excellent G will he be a great drive blocker? probably not. but he should excel at zone, pass blocking vs. stunts and DE's lining up at DT, quick feet on the blitz and should be excellent on the pull/2nd level w/his T feet working thru traffic. an overall quality LG. he is also a grinder who doesn't mind changing positions and he's built more like a G than a T so he has that going for him too. i see little reason not to be optimistic here

This

In comment 12288304 Ira said:

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Flowers may not be ready for rt at this level and will play the season at lg. The switch will be made next season.

Help me understand how Pugh was fine at RT as a rookie but the arguably more talented #9 pick is not.

He has prototype NFL Left Tackle size, length, and strength.

I think Pugh would be successful wherever they place him, outside of injuries that is. He's quick and mobile enough to move around and make quick blocks. He's also a quick learner IMO.

1) The notion of OL neglect simply isn't accurate. They drafted OL early in Pugh, Richburg, and Flowers the last 3 years. Schwartz was a pretty good FA signing and they had other FA signings that simply didn't work out. That doesn't mean they neglected the OL.

2) Every indication has been that Pugh was moving inside and that is before they drafted a talented OT.

3) There is no indication at all that Flowers is the LT of the present or future. He has the skillset, right now, to play RT and all the talk has been that he will be a RT in the NFL.

4) Beatty is not a bad LT. If everyone ese plays to their ability along the rest of the OL, he is fine a LT anf this is a fine OL.

1. agreed, it looks more like incompetence than neglect. we need richburg, pugh and flowers to play to their draft positions or we have a line "on paper" that doesn't translate to the field

2. agreed. writing on the wall since they drafted him

3. disagree. everything from Jerry Reese, Tom Coughlin, Ben McAdoo and Pat Flaherty is LT. and he lined up at LT during rookie mini-camp. all available signs point to LT even if RT seems the obvious start. For me personally, if Flowers is the best LT on this team than he should start at LT. from all accounts he is going to be glued to the Giants facility and we will see what happens.

4. agreed. Beatty being an acceptable LT adds a factor.