Neal was obviously a monumental disaster in pass protection last night. I'm not going to claim to grade OL or watch "film", but i try to focus on Neal for a fair number of snaps and to me he looks to have real talent in run blocking.
I've seen the innate raw power that top OL have where defenders either bounce backwards off him or collapse under him. Even bigger defenders.
If this is true - and it may or may not be - we would really benefit from pairing him with a powerful RG next year. We probably won't have a good passing game next year, but if we can have right side that buries the defense, at least we'll have a foundation for a competent offense.
As I mentioned weeks ago, Bobby Johnson said Evan Neal is learning a brand new method of pass protection, something he didn't learn in college. He said it's going to take time for him to adjust.
Combine this with the regular learning curve of an OL (see almost all of the 1st round OLs the last few years, including Andrew Thomas) and you guys need to realize this is going to be painful.
This is not me saying this after the fact... I've been saying this since the spring.
You know what? Any rookie we draft on the OL in 2023 is going to go through the same growing pains.
Evan Neal is going to be alright. I'm not worried about him.
In 2021, fans on this site were saying, "Explain to me why Andrew Thomas sucks and other offensive linemen just drafted don't?!"
Neal's pass pro will take some time, he's got to react quicker to his man and move his feet in order to stay square and use his hands. Speed of the NFL game is what he needs to adjust to and speed up his game.
As I mentioned weeks ago, Bobby Johnson said Evan Neal is learning a brand new method of pass protection, something he didn't learn in college. He said it's going to take time for him to adjust.
Combine this with the regular learning curve of an OL (see almost all of the 1st round OLs the last few years, including Andrew Thomas) and you guys need to realize this is going to be painful.
This is not me saying this after the fact... I've been saying this since the spring.
You know what? Any rookie we draft on the OL in 2023 is going to go through the same growing pains.
Agreed. Evan Neal needs this year to get acclimated with new techniques. He's going to have a lot of downs this year and people need to accept that. This was never supposed to be a competitive year for the Giants. If they compete for a playoff spot that's playing with house money in my opinion.
The good news is, part of what made Neal a great pick is he projected as a kick ass G if he didn't cut it at T. It isn't the end of the world if he has to move inside, as long as he's a + G.
As I mentioned weeks ago, Bobby Johnson said Evan Neal is learning a brand new method of pass protection, something he didn't learn in college. He said it's going to take time for him to adjust.
Combine this with the regular learning curve of an OL (see almost all of the 1st round OLs the last few years, including Andrew Thomas) and you guys need to realize this is going to be painful.
This is not me saying this after the fact... I've been saying this since the spring.
You know what? Any rookie we draft on the OL in 2023 is going to go through the same growing pains.
Missed this detail ... "Bobby Johnson said Evan Neal is learning a brand new method of pass protection, something he didn't learn in college. He said it's going to take time for him to adjust."
Thx
The good news is, part of what made Neal a great pick is he projected as a kick ass G if he didn't cut it at T. It isn't the end of the world if he has to move inside, as long as he's a + G.
Do you still believe NYG could be a #1 seed in the NFC? grin.
He definitely will be a work in progress, as Bill Raftery likes to say in basketball, 'needs to move those puppies'.
He needs some bend too. He is a huge human being...