I really like the addition of a competent back up center. If the Giants have injury at guard or tackle, or if one of the young players does not measure up Gates can fill in at guard or tackle. day 4 - ( New Window )
If they also add Austin Reiter then they truly have the option of moving Gates to guard if they wanted.
They could let Looney, Reiter, Harrison, and perhaps Fulton battle for the starting center position. If none of them earn it or struggle with the job they could always just insert Gates back.
Gates' value is immense because he can play all 5 OL spots. They just need a viable alternative at center if he has to move.
I know Gates played RG well but I'm not sure I'd move him off C
he looked like a real plus player there last year and it's an important position for chemistry which will make it somewhat hard for any vet off the street. And what do they do when Lemiuex is healthy? Move him back to C?
If there's a really good C out there fine but I'd think it should seemingly be easier to get Boothe level guard somewhere than finding a C as good as Gates. Looney is a solid backup but not sure he (or Reiter) are as good as Gates at C.
Unless the O-Line is decimated by injuries, God forbid. It's important that he and Daniel Jones build and maintain a rapport. A capable backup in necessary, along with an OG like Fulton who can play there in a pinch, but that's all. A guy like Heggie can find a home on the PS for now.
RE: There's no good reason to move Gates from OC...
Unless the O-Line is decimated by injuries, God forbid. It's important that he and Daniel Jones build and maintain a rapport. A capable backup in necessary, along with an OG like Fulton who can play there in a pinch, but that's all. A guy like Heggie can find a home on the PS for now.
that's how I see it. If there was a pro bowl C on the market and they brought that player in on a multi-year deal, sure put Gates at RG. Let Hernandez/Lemiuex compete for LG. But Looney isn't a pro bowler, he's a solid backup with experience who is probably being signed because Fulton may need to start at G while Lemieux is out.
RE: I know Gates played RG well but I'm not sure I'd move him off C
he looked like a real plus player there last year and it's an important position for chemistry which will make it somewhat hard for any vet off the street. And what do they do when Lemiuex is healthy? Move him back to C?
If there's a really good C out there fine but I'd think it should seemingly be easier to get Boothe level guard somewhere than finding a C as good as Gates. Looney is a solid backup but not sure he (or Reiter) are as good as Gates at C.
Could not agree more with this (or Klaatu's) stance.
RE: RE: There's no good reason to move Gates from OC...
Unless the O-Line is decimated by injuries, God forbid. It's important that he and Daniel Jones build and maintain a rapport. A capable backup in necessary, along with an OG like Fulton who can play there in a pinch, but that's all. A guy like Heggie can find a home on the PS for now.
that's how I see it. If there was a pro bowl C on the market and they brought that player in on a multi-year deal, sure put Gates at RG. Let Hernandez/Lemiuex compete for LG. But Looney isn't a pro bowler, he's a solid backup with experience who is probably being signed because Fulton may need to start at G while Lemieux is out.
I agree with this thought.
That said I will always defer to those Who are with these players on a daily basis.
Maybe that is an improvement over the past few reports that the passing game hasn't looked sharp. keeping my hopes up that one of these days we'll read how good the offense is looking. I know the defense always seems to look better at the beginning of camp but we really need Danny to be all he can be this year.
Everyone will need to earn it.
Everyone will need to earn it.
This is important. If there is competition all around, even in backups, they are improving.
They could let Looney, Reiter, Harrison, and perhaps Fulton battle for the starting center position. If none of them earn it or struggle with the job they could always just insert Gates back.
Gates' value is immense because he can play all 5 OL spots. They just need a viable alternative at center if he has to move.
If there's a really good C out there fine but I'd think it should seemingly be easier to get Boothe level guard somewhere than finding a C as good as Gates. Looney is a solid backup but not sure he (or Reiter) are as good as Gates at C.
that's how I see it. If there was a pro bowl C on the market and they brought that player in on a multi-year deal, sure put Gates at RG. Let Hernandez/Lemiuex compete for LG. But Looney isn't a pro bowler, he's a solid backup with experience who is probably being signed because Fulton may need to start at G while Lemieux is out.
If there's a really good C out there fine but I'd think it should seemingly be easier to get Boothe level guard somewhere than finding a C as good as Gates. Looney is a solid backup but not sure he (or Reiter) are as good as Gates at C.
Could not agree more with this (or Klaatu's) stance.
Quote:
Unless the O-Line is decimated by injuries, God forbid. It's important that he and Daniel Jones build and maintain a rapport. A capable backup in necessary, along with an OG like Fulton who can play there in a pinch, but that's all. A guy like Heggie can find a home on the PS for now.
that's how I see it. If there was a pro bowl C on the market and they brought that player in on a multi-year deal, sure put Gates at RG. Let Hernandez/Lemiuex compete for LG. But Looney isn't a pro bowler, he's a solid backup with experience who is probably being signed because Fulton may need to start at G while Lemieux is out.
I agree with this thought.
That said I will always defer to those Who are with these players on a daily basis.