I though it was but then I happened to check back to last year. In the first five games Jennings average 4.3 yards per run. Then he was hurt and Williams averaged 3.3 for the balance of the year. Conclusion: Despite this crappy oline. Jennings, a decent runner but by no means an impact player, was able to have an acceptable average; an average that dropped off significantly after he went down. Conclusion: Maybe the oline took more heat than was warranted.
Now as to pass blocking. You keep hearing people say, "Eli's gonna get killed this year." Did he get killed last year? I noticed that in the final eight games the Giants gave up only 11 sacks and only one sack in the final two games against two top teams in sacks, the Rams and Eagles. Now you might say that Eli just unloaded quickly hence the low number of sacks, and he probably did in many cases, but the team averaged 25 points per game of offense during that eight game span in spite of a non existent run game. These were mostly close games so don't think these were simply "garbage time" points. 25 points a game would have tied them for 10th overall in points.
I'm not saying that the concerns about the oline are misplaced only that with a little luck (Flowers develops, a right side solution is found), some good health and maybe an Evan Mathis this could be an okay oline. Add in Beatty's return later this year, the addition of Vereen, improvement from the runners and the oline could in time actually be seen as a plus.
So last year, even with a crappy center, a rookie LG and John Jerry this line actually did enough to win more games than six if only they had a decent running back and a decent defense. There are certainly concerns about this year's oline but I think it may turn out a lot better than people think.
Eli may not be a scrambler, but he is very good at moving around the pocket and avoiding contact ... he was on the move quiet a lot last season and any semblance of a true passers pocket was a rarity ...
Mosely - Highs and lows, looked better in his snaps at guard than tackle
Hart - Pretty darn good. Didn't look really fluid, like he was thinking too much, but showed good technique and competed very well
Gettis - I can't tell you how impressed I was. Very disciplined, never seemed out of control and always seemed to know where he was going and what he was doing. He seemed a little smaller than most guards, but was so sound in his technique it didn't seem to matter. He got pushed back on a bull rush once that I saw, but even then he stayed in the way rather than fall to the side and leave a clear path. He played a lot, and I was highly impressed. I'd love to see him go against someones first team to get a better evaluation.
I wouldn't be shocked at all if Jerry's play picks up if he has some actual seasoned professionals playing next to him.
it wasn't our RB's last year, Williams was productive ... did you watch any games ? notice the influx of defenders on our side of the LOS at the handoff exchange ... I think I can make a highlight reel of over 50
OL showed some promise the other night on the left side. Need a RT to step up and Geoff to remain healthy, and they'll be fine.
The defense is of greater concern, the talent deficiency is over there.
This year the Beatty injury really hurts because it basically negates getting Flowers. if Beatty can come back, then this line could be good by the end of the season and hopefully in the postseason
But right now, we are looking at 1 or possibly 2 JAGs filling out the line. that's not good
OL just needs to stay healthy, and add a RT next offseason (a need which was created by injury, and will probably be accelerated if they choose to move on from Beatty). Relax.
You might not want Flaherty around our younger OLinemen either
The OL was far from a strength and it was a problem at times last season but the RB injuries and lack of talent were an even bigger problem. If this team has a healthy Andre BRown in 2012 we make the playoffs. IF they have healthy RBs in 2013 they probably finish with a misleading but somewhat tolerable 8-9 win seasons. And if they have Jennings all of last year they win 8 games.
Asking for healthy RBs throughout the season is a lot to ask but this team could not afford to lose their only legit back the last 3 years but that's exactly what happened. Jacobs and Bradshaw were cooked in 2012 and Brown was the only good option. Same with 2013. Williams was a mess early on last season.
The OL needs to come together but it wasn't the sole reason why the offense struggled last year. A RB is an OL and QBs best friend. This year Williams is a year better and Vereen provides much needed sizzle but Jennings better fucking stay healthy for the majority of this year. I'd handle him very carefully if I am Coughlin.
Williams was god awful until the Rams game. I'm not killing him because he was a rookie thrust into a tough spot but you're out of your mind if you think Williams was productive. He was downright terrible. Actually, he was the worst RB of all time if you do some research.
Keep beating the Collins drum it's all you've got.
Unless Williams progresses during this camp, need to think about keeping 4 backs.
Williams was god awful until the Rams game. I'm not killing him because he was a rookie thrust into a tough spot but you're out of your mind if you think Williams was productive. He was downright terrible. Actually, he was the worst RB of all time if you do some research.
Keep beating the Collins drum it's all you've got.
you don't think any of his "awful" had to do with the 5 guys in front ? they didn't do much to help the run game all season ... they did nothing actually
Schwartz can't get healthy fast enough then we only have to deal with one weakness. I really hope Mosely or Donnelly can take the job from Newhouse if we don't sign Jake Long.
IF WIlliams had the 90 Giants OL in front of him of course he does a better job but that doesn't mean he wasn't a troubled RB.
I think the future is bright with Flowers Pugh Richburg three premium draft picks. We just need to pipeline a replacement for Schwartz next season to eventually take over and find a legit RT and the line will be set.
Hopefully, Schwartz or Newhouse can effectively play RT. Not that concerned about left side - they'll get better with reps.
In some games last year our running game saw just as much negative yardage as positive yardage and it is not the running backs.
I wouldn't be shocked at all if Jerry's play picks up if he has some actual seasoned professionals playing next to him.
Agreed.
Schwartz is solid if healthy and Beatty is also solid if healthy.
There are a bunch of players who have showed some promise this year: Gettis, Hart, and possibly Mosely
Two veterans who are below average: Jerry and Newhouse.
Adding ONE good OL would make a huge difference. You need one of the younger guys to step up and to get something good from either Beatty or Shwartz.
A good indicator? Do we have Jerry, Newhouse, Herman, Reynolds, Mosely as reserves? If so then you know we have not seen anyone good come up.
Flowers, Pugh, Richburg, Schwartz and Beatty are a good five.
We need two starting caliber guys to step up behind Shwartz and Beatty. May only be one on the roster now.
Eli may not be a scrambler, but he is very good at moving around the pocket and avoiding contact ... he was on the move quiet a lot last season and any semblance of a true passers pocket was a rarity ...
Eli not a scrambler? Eli disagrees...
You Can't Teach Speed - ( New Window )
xman : 11:24 am : link : reply
the rest of the league? Are we average? Last years RB's couldn't gain yards behind Dallas' OL other the Jennings.
Even you could have gained yards behind that line....
I dont think they did a bad job protecting eli but it could also have been a product of the quick passes.
we cant grade out the line after the 1st preseason game or even the first regular season game. They will continue to develop as the season progresses. If they can win games early in the season and give the line a few weeks to develop this team could really round into shape just in time to get Beatty back.
its not that bad but its not very good. theyll get better.