I think Neal will be up and down (like most rookies) early in the year, but will round into form soon enough.
All of it premature from people barely understand OL play. He's not perfect as a rookie after two weeks of camp, color me shocked. Thomas was abysmal as a rookie at times and look at him now. Panic this early is nothing but idiocy.
We should be careful not to make Thomas' rookie struggles seem routine
I think Neal will be up and down (like most rookies) early in the year, but will round into form soon enough.
I'm not concerned about Neal all. He could pass protect like Walter Jones in his prime... it still won't suddenly turn the QB he's protecting into a good player.
that looked like #94, Elerson Smith, who was driven into the endzone.
Yup, it’s Smith. The clip reinforces the positive about Neal (“Once he gets his hands on you, it’s over”) and the biggest knock on Smith (“That Jason Taylor body is going to get overpowered if he gets beat on the first step, or if his technique isn’t near-perfect”).
By all reports KT has been an absolute beast and that can only help the OTs down the road. The trash that the Giants have been running out there the past several seasons in practice at edge has left the OTs woefully unprepared for game time against the elite pass rushers in the league
More aggressive punching out in PB sets. I would think some differences for Neal as well.
The vast majority of players have to adjust to the speed of the NFL.
The other consideration is Wink. Some HC's might build slower and build confidence and advance over time. It appears BD wants the kitchen sink thrown at the O. I favor this overload approach as it speeds up the learning process imv. But in addition to speed you now have the mental challenges and they are not preparing for practices and scrimmages like they will for games. Of course you have to contend with the much more limited full contact nowadays as well.
Ten Ton Hammer : 8/6/2022 9:56 pm : link : reply
That first year was bad. It's not normal to be that bad. You don't want your 5th pick playing that poorly.
There are in-betweens. You don't expect rookie tackles to dominate, but you also shouldn't present it as okay when they're bottom of the league bad.
Hurt his ankle in camp his rookie season. He played his rookie season on a bad ankle. We all know that ankle has required a few surgeries. His latest was this offseason.
...When the player has not been a puncher they often lose posture and will tend to lean and overcommit while learning.
I'd bet Neal will be fine.
Certainly a consideration. I am still holding out hope that BD is going to go a little differently offensively than Buffalo and the run will be more emphasized. I will be happy if Neal is good working towards outstanding in run blocking with some ups and downs but trending to the positive over the season in pass sets.
Positive for Evan Neal, demonstrating his power in the run game. Negative for Elerson Smith, which really concerns me in the running game. He may be one dimensional.
and in fact probably a bit nasty. Pass Pro needs tons of work and it should be expected with 5 new starters of which one is a rookie tackle and another a Guard with very little starting experience, as well. Neal has all the requisite qualities to be a very good olineman in the NFL. Need to be patient.
...When the player has not been a puncher they often lose posture and will tend to lean and overcommit while learning.
I'd bet Neal will be fine.
Certainly a consideration. I am still holding out hope that BD is going to go a little differently offensively than Buffalo and the run will be more emphasized. I will be happy if Neal is good working towards outstanding in run blocking with some ups and downs but trending to the positive over the season in pass sets.
I'm not worried.
At Bama, he likely faced 1 or 2 guys like KT, and even the guys that aren't A+ pass rushers (did you notice I just suggested that KT is an elite NFL pass rusher ?...I know, I'm just excited), he'll face are likely better than what he faced, sans for a few. No games off.
He'll need to kick/anchor quicker and he'll need to recognize the need to post quicker. The mental part will come.
But this video should help dial those fears back.
I think Neal will be up and down (like most rookies) early in the year, but will round into form soon enough.
But this video should help dial those fears back.
I think Neal will be up and down (like most rookies) early in the year, but will round into form soon enough.
There are in-betweens. You don't expect rookie tackles to dominate, but you also shouldn't present it as okay when they're bottom of the league bad.
Giants Twittersphere has been trying to keep itself together for a week now
Quote:
Its the 2nd week of August practice. He's going to be really good
Giants Twittersphere has been trying to keep itself together for a week now
Just as it was at the end of last preseason when people were declaring Andrew Thomas a bust.
But this video should help dial those fears back.
I think Neal will be up and down (like most rookies) early in the year, but will round into form soon enough.
I'm not concerned about Neal all. He could pass protect like Walter Jones in his prime... it still won't suddenly turn the QB he's protecting into a good player.
Is anyone with any knowledge really in any sort of panic mode regarding Evan Neal?
But this video should help dial those fears back.
I think Neal will be up and down (like most rookies) early in the year, but will round into form soon enough.
Anyone who judges a player before the first preseason game of their career is a moron. Probably the same dopes that called Andrew Thomas a bust...
The hyperbole on both sides (bust or All Pro), is silly. He’s an ascending player who’s missed a bunch of games and been hobbled in others.
Hopefully Neal doesn’t have to overcome injuries and can just learn the NFL this year.
One beat tweet that stood out was Duggan saying that Roche put him in a blender.
I thought Justin Penik had a good point about how his sets are different than at college and he's fighting through muscle memory.
Wasn't Thomas scouted has having balance issues and then came into the league and had balance issues?
Is anyone with any knowledge really in any sort of panic mode regarding Evan Neal?
Good one.
And, no...
The vast majority of players have to adjust to the speed of the NFL.
The other consideration is Wink. Some HC's might build slower and build confidence and advance over time. It appears BD wants the kitchen sink thrown at the O. I favor this overload approach as it speeds up the learning process imv. But in addition to speed you now have the mental challenges and they are not preparing for practices and scrimmages like they will for games. Of course you have to contend with the much more limited full contact nowadays as well.
I'd bet Neal will be fine.
That first year was bad. It's not normal to be that bad. You don't want your 5th pick playing that poorly.
There are in-betweens. You don't expect rookie tackles to dominate, but you also shouldn't present it as okay when they're bottom of the league bad.
Hurt his ankle in camp his rookie season. He played his rookie season on a bad ankle. We all know that ankle has required a few surgeries. His latest was this offseason.
I'd bet Neal will be fine.
Certainly a consideration. I am still holding out hope that BD is going to go a little differently offensively than Buffalo and the run will be more emphasized. I will be happy if Neal is good working towards outstanding in run blocking with some ups and downs but trending to the positive over the season in pass sets.
Quote:
...When the player has not been a puncher they often lose posture and will tend to lean and overcommit while learning.
I'd bet Neal will be fine.
Certainly a consideration. I am still holding out hope that BD is going to go a little differently offensively than Buffalo and the run will be more emphasized. I will be happy if Neal is good working towards outstanding in run blocking with some ups and downs but trending to the positive over the season in pass sets.
At Bama, he likely faced 1 or 2 guys like KT, and even the guys that aren't A+ pass rushers (did you notice I just suggested that KT is an elite NFL pass rusher ?...I know, I'm just excited), he'll face are likely better than what he faced, sans for a few. No games off.
He'll need to kick/anchor quicker and he'll need to recognize the need to post quicker. The mental part will come.
I'm excited to see it play out.