Not exactly a Meatloaf classic but 4 out 5 ain't bad!
I was one that not only was concerned about the right side but not exactly enamored by the left side either. I mean Flowers seems like a great kid but was gimpy, had technique issues and did not exactly do a great job last year. I kind of understand why they want to keep him at LT..$$$.
I have never felt a 1st round pick for a LG is great value and although I liked Pugh, I did not exactly think he is an all pro so I was underwhelmed.
Our center's play was a very nice surprise last year.......and his arrow is pointing straight up!
I loved the new OL coach hire and feel it will pay dividends.....
Like that Flowers has a good relationship with him, fully healthy and I have better expectations for him.
Loved following Jerry at that camp and actually seeing his quickness improve.
Now, I just saw Pugh from his camp and he looks hugh! No longer do I see a big kid......but an even bigger man......
Now we have no depth and tired of discussing the RT. .....
But I am all in with 4 out 5 of the OL.
Cowboys is our primary competition
I don't really have anything else to add regarding the OL. We know the weaknesses and its up to Jerry/Newhouse to step up and the coaches to play to their strengths and tap into that extra gear (if its there).
The problem with our OL is that they don't match up well with 2 teams in our division that have good front 7s and can bring the heat - Redskins & Eagles.
As for OL depth, if we had a better option to start at RT and Newhouse became the backup swing tackle, we'd likely be fine.
I also should add.....that Pugh's draft did not exactly produce many all pro's......he was one of the few that year that actually is a decent player.
It is clear from their actions that the team is not comfortable at RT. They may no choice in the end, but the fact that they were discussing possible trade to bring in Monroe tells you all you need to know. There is concern there, as there should be.
It does not appear that Hart is ready to challenge for the RT spot, at least not yet. This will be something to keep an eye on in camp.
I can't help but to feel that this group is one Oline away. I am concerned we may see that a failure to address RT holds this offense back from reaching its potential. The Flowers situation has complicated matters, for sure --let's just hope his play proves them right and justifies the insistence.
Now, some have written off Jerry/Newhouse. I admit to not being too hopeful for any major improvements, but am with you in that I think we might see some improvement with JJ. On the other hand, MN has probably shown his ceiling already.
I also agree that Flowers must improve. I was also disappointed with his performance, even before the injury. On the bright side, he's young, strong, and should take to coaching well. It has also been shown by several posters that a young, admittedly raw rookie, rarely does well right away when thrown into a starting role at LT.
WRT matchups - one thing going in our favor is that the offense can succeed even if Eli isn't given a ton of time in the pocket. He's very good at avoiding the sack and our offense does not require time for vertical passing routes to develop in order to move the chains. Also our WR's are good and possibly great (OBJ) after the catch.
New coach....better blocking options from HB, TE, FB.....
I still feel hopeful that Reese gets us another OT.
Haha, i don't think it will be a top unit or anything, but I'm guessing its going to be a lot better than last year (barring injuries).
Yeah, we'd all like it if that player was here for training camp but he isn't.
This notion that all these teams have OL depth is fantasy. The majority of NFL teams can't field 5 OL they are comfortable with
I am so optimistic that I'm inventing things that might stop us from being a dominant team.
Pugh and his history of concussions heads the list. Hankins not performing well, Mac's performance as HC, D. Thompson as a training camp fraud -those serve as my personal worry chamber.
That's not to say those are the only things that can sabotage a projected great year but those are the potential trouble zones.
We have had a merry go round of offensive linemen the last 3 seasons....there has been no stability.....we waited too long to replace aging/injury prone/bad players......
Look at the starters last season....a rookie playing LT, a RT playing LG, a second year player at center(who played guard the previous season), Schwartz was moved back to RG, and and Newhouse was inserted at RG because of the Beatty injury, which means, there was not one starter from the previous season, that was in the same playing position.....
So what kind of continuity did this OL have.....as the season went on, Schwartz went out.....Flowers missed time....Pugh missed time.....so Jerry a backup was inserted at RG, and once again, we have added another new player....
But this season, that OL that finished the season, will be the starters.....was it the ankle or lack of talent, that gave Flowers problems with outside edge rushers? Can Pugh stay concussion free? Richburg is the rock of this OL....Jerry played well in pass protection, sucked at at run blocking.......Newhouse is the weak link of the line....he is a backup, being forced to start, because there is no one else...can he lift his game, even a little?
There is talk of Davis.....but he still has not asked for reinstatement, possibly trying to force the 49ers to trade his rights....but what kind of shape is he in? and what is his motive for coming back? Dollar signs or actually wanting to play?
Other teams know the Giants are looking for a RT.....they will be careful not to release one, without trying to make a trade first....
This OL should play better after a season together.....if a veteran RT becomes available that is better than Newhouse, great....otherwise, I think the Giants are poised to start the season with these guys....
One more element needed is a blocking TE....can one of these guys step up?
If this OL can start to convert short yardage better, it makes play calling for Eli much simpler, and also we make play action more effective.....a year together should make the the pass blocking better, especially with a TE chip block on Newhouse's side.....running the ball better, is what this OL needs to work on.....and just like the defense, the OL has to stay healthy, due to lack of adequate backups.....
In my book, it's not fixed yet. I'm hopeful we will see improvement this year but I can't say we saw any improvement last year. Yes, some pieces were upgraded but we had a few serious holes that resulted in Eli being on his back often and a very inconsistent run game. So even though we had a few upgrades the line performance was not much better than the previous years.
It will not be fixed in mind until we can consistently run the ball without being tackled at the line of scrimmage and Eli can consistently take three steps and pass without being shoved to the ground. I prefer 4 or 5 steps but that is asking for too much these days.
I liked what I read about Jerry going to that camp because I'll always route for a person who knows he needs to improve and is doing everything he can to improve and that camp was a very positive step for Jerry who previously played at "he sucks" level. It will be interesting to see what dividends it can pay in a game.
So now, I just hope they plug the giant hole at RT and hopefully with someone well under 30.
He may always be the weak link so some will never be satisfied as long as he is the RT.
He will have to be replaced before the wolves are happy - even if his replacement is only marginally better.
Quote:
who ELSE has quality depth on the OL around the league?
The problem with our OL is that they don't match up well with 2 teams in our division that have good front 7s and can bring the heat - Redskins & Eagles.
As for OL depth, if we had a better option to start at RT and Newhouse became the backup swing tackle, we'd likely be fine.
But why don't they match up well Lou? Is there something special those teams are doing or are you just saying they are better players? I am not sure I agree with Redskins dominate us (other than Kerrigan seems to do well against our RT), but clearly the Eagles D-Line controls the LOS when we play them.
i dont get the hate for flowers on this board his play was a good thing from a bad year last year,as a rookie playing thru injury and starting on the second hardest position on offence (after QB obviously) i was impressed with flowers
he is clearly a tough guy,lesser players would have gone on IR for the year and as a rookie facing every teams number one passrusher every snap and every game he was solid,yes we would have liked him to be better but the experience he got last year,with a full offseason and more comfort will make him improve this year
its newhouse and jerry the two weak players manning the same side and its effect on the running attack that is the greater concern i hope that hart can replace newhouse at RT or they can shuffle pugh back there and use hart at pughs LG spot so we dont need to see newhouse and jerry on the right side of the OL again and another poor rushing attack as a result that will limit what could be the best offence the giants have had possibly ever
an improved running game will also improve the defence if they can control the clock better and keep the defence off the field as long as possible aside from the upgrades on the DL and secondry particularly if goodson can push his way into a starting role by midseason and robinson can stay healthy they could be vastly improved at LB too
there is a chance this team could be a 2007 or 2011 level team again,there is also the chance they could be another 6-10 disappointment again too but the signs for the former are encouraging
As others have posted, Pugh gives us flexability, but not depth. If we can't find an RT, it might make sense for this team to add a solid G as depth incase an LT/RT goes down so Pugh can slide in and then the depth G can move into LG. We might already have that in Hart.
Hart is one of the guys I'll be looking at a lot in preseason.
Okay -- so much for that idea
Ahh. I see. You're revisiting Jonestown and drinking the john jerry Kool-Aid.