“I probably saw so many train wrecks, he was like an oasis,” Dan Shonka said of former Nebraska Cornhuskers tackle Nick Gates. “The No. 1 thing an offensive lineman has to do in the NFL is pass protect, and he can do that. And God knows we need tackles.”
If you’re wondering why Gates, who started a Huskers-record 26 straight games at left tackle, elected earlier this month to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft, start there. It’s simple math: Weak Tackle Class + Good Film = Opportunity.
“I’ve looked at the tackles in the country, and quantity doesn’t mean quality,” chuckled Shonka, a longtime NFL scout and now the general manager at Ourlads.com. “And the tackles out there are not very good, really. But hey, you’ve got to play with what’s there — or, rather, the NFL has got to play with them.
“He might get kicked into a guard. I’d put a third- or fourth-round grade on him.”
In other words, there’s a damn good shot that the 6-foot-5 Las Vegas native will be the first Big Red player off the board in April. In fact, the last time Shonka felt this good about a Huskers tackle was more than two years ago — and Alex Lewis worked out like gangbusters for the Baltimore Ravens.
Im high on Wheeler but Him and UDFA Evans may provide legit competition for RT and C.
Nick Gates - (
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Actually, we are in better shape than you may think . Only RT has the potential for a glaring weakness and that's only if Wheeler disappoints. The rest of the OL is known quantities or a high draft pick (Hernandez)
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On paper we're in trouble. Hopefully Wheeler and/or Gates surprise.
Actually, we are in better shape than you may think . Only RT has the potential for a glaring weakness and that's only if Wheeler disappoints. The rest of the OL is known quantities or a high draft pick (Hernandez)
Jones is a known quantity. He's not a guy you want starting full time.
Omameh came from a solid line last year, but he was replaced. He's on his fourth team in 6 years in a league that is starving for offensive lineman.
I like Solder, I like that we invested early in offensive line, and even though I'm not as high on Omameh as most, I think he can be part of a good overall unit. However, I think the expectations should be tempered greatly.
This place, every offseason, has a tendency to overrate the offensive line and we've seen the results in season. "If rookie A turns out to be a solid starter." "If player B plays much better than he has ever shown in his career." Too much wishing and hoping. I've read more of that this year, perhaps because everyone just assumes Saquon will just run wild without much help.
Flowers
Wheeler
Gates
I’m sure one of them will rise up. I’m not worried.
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In comment 13955421 widmerseyebrow said:
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On paper we're in trouble. Hopefully Wheeler and/or Gates surprise.
Actually, we are in better shape than you may think . Only RT has the potential for a glaring weakness and that's only if Wheeler disappoints. The rest of the OL is known quantities or a high draft pick (Hernandez)
Jones is a known quantity. He's not a guy you want starting full time.
Omameh came from a solid line last year, but he was replaced. He's on his fourth team in 6 years in a league that is starving for offensive lineman.
I like Solder, I like that we invested early in offensive line, and even though I'm not as high on Omameh as most, I think he can be part of a good overall unit. However, I think the expectations should be tempered greatly.
This place, every offseason, has a tendency to overrate the offensive line and we've seen the results in season. "If rookie A turns out to be a solid starter." "If player B plays much better than he has ever shown in his career." Too much wishing and hoping. I've read more of that this year, perhaps because everyone just assumes Saquon will just run wild without much help.
While I understand your point, we have gotten boned pretty good in the past few years on making OL a priority in FA and the draft. It was like that every stinking year with that GM of ours that looked like an earth worm. Geoff Schwartz had a very promising year in KC but came here and was hurt all the time. I dont think anybody was particularly excited about John Jerry. Maybe a little bit from Fluker, but really thats it. I think we reached out to Mitchell Schwartz but didnt make him a very serious offer. We were blase about Whitworth too. Our draft picks have ALL been whiffs in terms of building a consistent line. Flowers, Pugh (wasnt really bad per se, just hurt and looked to cash in somewhere else), Brewer, Mosley, as well as the greatest RT in the league, Bobby Hart.
I have not gotten the impression that Giants fans have been particularly positive about our OL in about the last 5/6 years. Yes, many were more optimistic that Flowers would improve enough to lock down LT, that Fluker would improve RG somewhat and some misguided faith in Macadoo's system for Eli getting the ball out early enough to cover up warts on the line. But for the most part, BBI has been an ugly place to find positive discussions about our OL.
Bite your tongue with this John Jerry stuff. He just won't go away, He is like that little doll in the Alfred Hitchcock episode with Telly Savalius where he tried to cut its head off with a table saw, tried to burn it with a blow torch, drown it and finally throw it out in a trash can. Then it came back to trip him down the stairs in his house and killed him
All kidding aside, JJ not a bad option as a bench guy.
You’re funny. But, not really. If this piece of garbage is starting at any position, there will be problems.
Who signed him? He is not on the Roster ... on this site.
I am hoping for steady....do your job!
Anything more would be a blessing...the roster have big guys....who is Mama? 342....
https://pledgeit.org/gates-nebraska
Now a brief rant. My dad is from Omaha. His relatives are all huge Nebraska fans. We used to get excited when the Giants drafted or signed a Husker. “You’re gonna love this guy”, “You got a steal”, blah, blah. After forty years of Larry Jacobson, Jamie Williams, Rob Zatechka, Phillip Dillard, and Prince Amukamara - punctuated by an occasional, productive domestic abuser like Christian Peter or Josh Brown - my enthusiasm has been muted.
Of course, the history has no bearing on the chances of any one player. Maybe 2018 is the year to break that particular hex.
Yes, from what I’ve read guard may be his future.
Cap savings 2.5 mill I believe. You could cut Jerry and resign DRC.
I’m sure DG watched his tape and determined he’s only worth a weak one year deal.
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After going through the previous regime, it seems like a lightning strike to find a gem in a late round pick or FA, but DG has a knack for finding them, especially oline men.
Fingers crossed.
Again, I’m not disputing your view of the player - just putting his salary in context.
Again, I’m not disputing your view of the player - just putting his salary in context.
That’s a reasonable take but Jones turns 27 in July. If DG thought he was the goods, wouldn’t he at least try to extend him on a team friendly multi year deal? Everything screams “stopgap” to me.
In a perfect world, Solder will play at his current level........Hernanadez will play adequately....Jones is Jones(maybe his play elevates with better guys to the left and right of him)....Omameh steps right in and solves the other guard position.....that leaves RT with everyone of the contenders with huge question marks.....have to hope we get lucky, and one of these guys clicks...it will be the weak link of the line, and the side that will be attacked....
If this line even resembles an almost average line, and with the weapons Eli has, he could have a huge year...under TC and Mac, the Giant offense has been held back.....it never was an offense that went for the jugular......Shurm may be the guy that does....
Jones--sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. So many here are quick to write Jones off, but when he replaced Richburg, once in 2016 and again in 2017, the lines, what there were of them, became more cohesive. Yes, he lacks ideal height, weight, raw power and anchor, but he knows his assignments, is quick on pulls and traps, and surrounded by better than Pugh and Jerry, or whoever replaced Pugh (was it Halapio), I think he'll be solid enough.
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John Jerry at RT. We are 100 % set with Hernandez and Omameh at guard.
Bite your tongue with this John Jerry stuff. He just won't go away, He is like that little doll in the Alfred Hitchcock episode with Telly Savalius where he tried to cut its head off with a table saw, tried to burn it with a blow torch, drown it and finally throw it out in a trash can. Then it came back to trip him down the stairs in his house and killed him
The Twilight Zone, not Alfred Hitchcock.
Living Doll.