They see a big leap in year 2 from Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal. Both guys were top 10 picks, playing crucial postions, had uneven rookie seasons. Kayvon started showing major glimpses toward the end of last season. Now we need to see more consistency out of him, and be the dominant 12+ sack guy he was drafted to be. Hopefully this offseason he works on getting stronger, and just reacting out on the field.
Neal had a very disappointing rookie season. He seemed to really struggle with NFL speed. He was a big part of the games we lost last season.(First Dallas game, both Eagle blowouts). Hopefully with good coaching and more experience, he turns into the dominant tackle he was at Alabama. Solidify the right side of the O-Line will only help Jones and the passing attack.
that's false. Neal showed steady improvement and was coming on before he got hurt. Seemed like he lost his confidence when he came back and wasn't the same. I'm not worried about him.
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He didn’t show a lot of progress throughout the season. Thibs just needs to continue his upward trajectory.
that's false. Neal showed steady improvement and was coming on before he got hurt. Seemed like he lost his confidence when he came back and wasn't the same. I'm not worried about him.
Nor am I
We are such a "gotta have it now" society it's almost sickening. We judge players even on draft day, before they take a single snap in the NFL.
He's not high up on my list of concerns for this season, that's how confident I am he will me SIGNIFICANTLY improved!
I feel pretty good about Thibodeaux, unless he turns out to have a lazy streak (which I don't think is the case). If teams weren't allowed to hold him with impunity last year, he would have been a wrecking crew. I expect that adding some moves to his arsenal will only help him.
Those two have to "hit".
He has trouble getting his third step down consistently, but has the athletic ability to get to his mark quite easily. Seems like a confidence issue to me, which is understandable in year 1.
Those two have to "hit".
If we wasted two top 10 picks, this is not going to be a good time for us in the next few years--I don't care how good the coaching is. You can't have that opportunity and waste it. Not sold on either.
+1
Neal and Thibs will be fine. Neal because he's a special talent who by all accounts is working his ass off this offseason. A rookie at LT is a tough jump; starting is less about playing great than other than accelerating his learning curve. Thibs late season showed he can be dominant; with better DL depth and Okreke he'll be that much better.
As always, team health is the key for everyone.
Guys in the trenches usually need more time to learn the positions. On defense look at guys like Dexter Lawrence and Quinnen Williams. It took them several years to show their ability
We are such a "gotta have it now" society it's almost sickening. We judge players even on draft day, before they take a single snap in the NFL.
He has natural physical ability and he works his ass off
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He didn’t show a lot of progress throughout the season. Thibs just needs to continue his upward trajectory.
Guys in the trenches usually need more time to learn the positions. On defense look at guys like Dexter Lawrence and Quinnen Williams. It took them several years to show their ability
Exactly. Neal has farther to go than Thibs. Sometimes a player needs an offseason to step back and address his weaknesses. I wasn’t implying that he was a bust, or lacked talent or effort.
Im not as worried about Waller, I think they'll draft another tight end, there will better depth than last year.
The Giants had 2 top 10 picks last year. There's your improvement. If they land "as advertised" the team will take a step forward on both sides of the ball.
KT needs to produce to match his personality, he has been extremely disappointing.
Health will also be important but at least we are a deeper team than last year; key guys like Waller, Jones and Barkley are the key guys to keep healthy.