Following the news that the Giants waived G Wes Martin Monday, we learned about 36 hours later that a waiver claim was put in by Jacksonville, and that Martin was now a Jaguar.
What wasn't widely mentioned in almost any reports was that the LA Chargers and the Washington Commanders had also put in claims. Because of their poor record, the League awarded Martin to the Jaguars, though 3 teams wanted him.
Giants fans saw Martin play last year and lets just say it wasn't pretty.
Why would 3 teams put in a claim for him?
Perhaps there is no better example of just had bad the current shortage of OLs in the NFL really is. Its a major problem that effects most teams in the League, not just the Giants.
The Giants have made some significant investments this offseason in search of OLs. Certainly Roy Mbaeteka and Marcus McKethan come to mind as players that could develop in the future, but likely can't contribute in 2022. Seeing what happened this week with Martin makes it clear that if you waive an OL, there is a high chance that player will not make it thru waivers and join your Practice Squad.
For me the solution is to determine at the end of camp which single player has the highest potential to develop. Let that player make your roster as your 9th OL. We know most NFL teams keep only 8 OLs on the final 53, but with the current shortage of OLs, that player is likely lost.
Last year we saw Joe Judge keep 2 fullbacks, a rugby player that only played Specials, and traded a 2023 6th round pick just to acquire another "special teams only" player. Surely the new management can find a way to build a final 53 roster that includes 9 OLs.
The shortage of NFL OLinemen is real. The Giants have spent the offseason searching and adding to their OL. When you read about players being waived throughout the League, it seems 90% pass thru waivers without a claim. The exception is OLs.
What happened with Martin this week provides a crystal clear view of just how thin the talent is at those OL positions. The Giants need to not only decide who are the best 5 OL starters, but also strategize how to protect the roster if they have a player with a strong ability to develop further down the road.
It's getting harder to field a quality offensive line as these guys are seeing less and less actual physical reps on the field at the college level and in camps and practices.
But good point Yankee... it also shows our OL situation has immediately improved.
Oh..and by the way...Matt Peart couldn't beat out Solder.
That OL was horrendous.
Always seek to replace someone on the roster whether a starter or depth player.
Hopefully this OL is really good.
Other than the former Colt we signed, the other 2 positions C (Feliciano 1 year deal) and G, need to be developed.
Good teams are filled out with lower draft picks. Guard and Center are definitely positions that are best filled that way.
Regardless, if Neal and Thomas are the bookends for the next 10 years - we can’t spend on other OL and keep a balanced roster.
Other than the former Colt we signed, the other 2 positions C (Feliciano 1 year deal) and G, need to be developed.
Good teams are filled out with lower draft picks. Guard and Center are definitely positions that are best filled that way.
Regardless, if Neal and Thomas are the bookends for the next 10 years - we can’t spend on other OL and keep a balanced roster.
I generally agree with you line of thought. If they reset the QB position it gives them more time to allow the drafting to catch up but your vision is best for long term competitiveness.
Yesterday now we are cutting an OL that is not just getting claimed, but by three times.
My how times have changed!!!!
My understanding was that he is not. I could be wrong but they signed him to a multi year deal and I understood that meant he’s not an international exception.
My lord Joe Judge was a regular jackass.
Question ref Roy M ... can you explain more on why Big Roy does not qualify as an international exemption? And if the Giants had an option to this in the way they signed him? I
It seems he would be the perfect example of why the program was created and certainly be a candidate to be protected for a couple of years as he developed. If the Giants did knowingly sign him in such a way that voided this option, maybe they feel he’s further along in the picture ??? Cheers.
*Lemieux vs. Ezeudu at LG. Terrific battle. Almost identical athletically, and both are the type of guys who are almost impossible to keep out of your lineup. I wouldn't be surprised if Ezeudu moves to C either, because of that.
*Mbaeteka, McKethan and Baer. Legit developmental types. Baer has plans of being the starting C! You've got to at least be a little bit intrigued by all 3 of these guys.
On top of that, they've got experienced depth like Peart (who I still like as a backup swing T), Max Garcia & Bredeson. I thought Sale's public comments on Peart were bush league last year, he's back where he belongs in the college game.
The Giants are not one of the 8 teams this year.
Regarding Platzgummer, the League granted all prior teams with the same international players slot (rollover) an extra year. My guess-because of COVID.
Some on this site have mentioned that Platzgummer could be cut and the international exemption be given to Big Roy instead. That is not an option.
That said. If we connect on Neal and Thomas continues to improve/stay healthy, that affords the Giants the luxury of trying to identify interior guys later in the draft. That doesn't mean you can't take one earlier but you can safely lower the priority on that position imo. You do need to apply a volume approach though, which is where Gettleman was severely lacking. He simply did not draft enough OL over his 4 drafts. He took some big swings to plug holes and a couple of midround guys (not nearly enough) then just assumed it was fixed without creating depth or competition. I think we focused way too much on STs in Day 3 and didn't take enough developmental OL talent.
I'm hoping one of this year's guards or our young incumbents emerge as reliable starting options for next year. Glowinski and Feliciano are bandaids, so you need to develop behind them.
That would make the most sense. Hope would be give him a yr to acclimate, 2nd yr he hopefully develops and makes team as 3rd OT
if he actually looks good, u got an interesting dilemma with A Thomas if he can’t stay healthy. Way ahead of myself and unlikely, but sure would be nice problem to have.
The Giants are not one of the 8 teams this year.
Regarding Platzgummer, the League granted all prior teams with the same international players slot (rollover) an extra year. My guess-because of COVID.
Some on this site have mentioned that Platzgummer could be cut and the international exemption be given to Big Roy instead. That is not an option.
Thank you sir.
Oh..and by the way...Matt Peart couldn't beat out Solder.
That OL was horrendous.
That sounds like the Giants didn't know what they had on the roster. Sounds like this guy should've been starting at some point last year.
That said. If we connect on Neal and Thomas continues to improve/stay healthy, that affords the Giants the luxury of trying to identify interior guys later in the draft. That doesn't mean you can't take one earlier but you can safely lower the priority on that position imo. You do need to apply a volume approach though, which is where Gettleman was severely lacking. He simply did not draft enough OL over his 4 drafts. He took some big swings to plug holes and a couple of midround guys (not nearly enough) then just assumed it was fixed without creating depth or competition. I think we focused way too much on STs in Day 3 and didn't take enough developmental OL talent.
I'm hoping one of this year's guards or our young incumbents emerge as reliable starting options for next year. Glowinski and Feliciano are bandaids, so you need to develop behind them.
The bold right there, let me address it.
This is one of the reasons our OL got bad in the first place. Diehl and Snee hit the wall way earlier than you'd expect from offensive linemen. It seems like the team didn't move to truly replace them soon enough because they felt like "these guys should still have 3-4 more years of high level play left, this past year was just an aberration."
*Lemieux vs. Ezeudu at LG. Terrific battle. Almost identical athletically, and both are the type of guys who are almost impossible to keep out of your lineup. I wouldn't be surprised if Ezeudu moves to C either, because of that.
mittened, difficult for me to reach same assessment that you do.
- we do not know status of Lemieux's rehab, whether he is limited in any way from stress on knee from football activity
- you are looking at last year's 5th rounder through last year's Staff's eyes; Dabs may not have him that high.
- Don't get me wrong: I thought Lemieux was instant improvement in the run game when he knocked Hernandez out of the LG position, but his pass pro was very shaky, and Daboll is a passing offense guy. Maybe if his scheme always tries to get the ball out within 3 seconds or less, it's less of an issue?
- among Ezeudu and the FA signings, Lemieux could be outside looking in.
Yesterday now we are cutting an OL that is not just getting claimed, but by three times.
My how times have changed!!!!
If this OL problem continues for 900 more years, I'm officially giving up on the Giants.
Obviously, if an OL has potential, extra consideration should be placed on keeping him on the roster. If there's a shortage, though, that probably means the bottom tier of them probably are limited on potential. As bad as last year's squad was, was there really anyone additional worth keeping?
Last year's allocation of roster spots show that keeping an extra OL can be done. Doesn't mean it should be done.
Yep, every single year it needs some investment.
And maybe...just maybe, you wouldn't have to start every draft process with the desperation that a premium pick should really go to the broken OL.