I think there are 3 parts to it.
One is health, he has not been fully healthy during training camp, and the season since being a Giant. Two is technique, in college he could by with his size and strength and never had to have great technique with his hands and feet. Three is attitude, we don't know how driven he is, Some just want to get by with their physical skills, while others are driven to improve every day. We should see signs by the pre-season games one way or the other. He will be given the chance to succeed or fail. If there is not significant improvement, I expect the Giants to make a move and move Elemunor there from guard.
but I think Neal starts camp on PUP list. Just a hunch from all the stuff in the spring. They said they think he will be available for camp. However, I think that's just keeping the reporters off their backs. Time will tell.
So far, another Giant whose injuries have derailed his career
Doesn’t mean he can’t get healthy and perform. Doesn’t mean he will get healthy and perform. Anyone who thinks they know whether he can or can’t is full of it.
I was excited when they drafted Neal, he was the consensus stud, can’t miss, blue goose OT of the draft. Dallas, well known for being skilled/lucky at picking OTs, was known to have Neal as the top rated overall player in the draft. Life was good on draft day.
About 7 games into Neal’s rookie season, I kept seeing an alarming trend…..Neal was literally winding up on the ground. This is an enormous man, 6’7”, blew away all athletic tests, and strong as an ox. And from Alabama whom the giants have a connection with.
I think Sy, whom I greatly respect not only for his dedication and knowledge, but also for his willingness to share, gave us some warning signs in his pre-draft write up. Mostly, it was how Neal bounced around between OL spots and there would be an adjustment settling in at RT.
What I saw the first 6-8 games of Neal’s rookie season was a guy who landed on the ground more often than his measurables should indicate. Technique didn’t fix it. Keep in mind he had a full pre season program and in-season coaching from NFL level coaches.
2 years ago I said Neal was too top heavy, and literally just crumbles to the ground. I was crucified on this board, at one point almost banned, because I was stating my opinion. I would literally replay the games back to focus on Neal (I don’t have access to all-22) and what I saw was unmistakeable and not something that is corrected by coaching.
Yes, Neal has had injuries, I am hoping that is the excuse. I want him to reach his potential, but I am hoping his injuries aren’t because of his body type that are causing him the balance issues and hesitancy. Some may say a 6’7” athletic freak should be immune, dominate against anything. But he is so lean from the waist down. He is definitely NOT a dancing bear. He is built like a ripped giraffe. I don’t know if it’s his genetics or fear or becoming a Meckai Becton, but he does not have a strong immovable base to match his athletic gifts.
I would welcome Sy chiming in on this thread. I want to be wrong in the worst way.
RE: Don’t you have to be on the rails at some point
Staying healthy is key. Much better run blocker but this scheme is going to be pass heavy. Not a great fit.
If the interior is solid along with AT they can manage when/if he struggles. Helps if they run the ball a lot better so they are not as predictable and are ahead of the chains.
If they are often behind the chains and Neal (or others) struggle then they will have to leave extra blocker in which limits threats downfield. SF game was this case.
I think there are 3 parts to it.
One is health, he has not been fully healthy during training camp, and the season since being a Giant. Two is technique, in college he could by with his size and strength and never had to have great technique with his hands and feet. Three is attitude, we don't know how driven he is, Some just want to get by with their physical skills, while others are driven to improve every day. We should see signs by the pre-season games one way or the other. He will be given the chance to succeed or fail. If there is not significant improvement, I expect the Giants to make a move and move Elemunor there from guard.
At this point, please just be serviceable. We don’t need an all pro. Just don’t get your QB killed. Be a good run blocker and we know you will need help with the faster elite DEs. Somehow try to play 10-12 gms. Try and have most of your gms where the refs don’t call your name.
Still pulling for this guy.
RE: RE: Don’t you have to be on the rails at some point
He hasn’t even been able to practice on his deficiencies this off-season?! He’s not going to automatically get better without working on his technical issues. His ability to recover has been very poor and with balance issues, he will not get that fixed without help around him IMHO.
Right now if he can get to his spot he looks like a guy falling out of an airplane. His feet stop moving and his arms are just swinging around hoping for something to hang onto. Can that be fixed? I don't know.
This. All the people here saying he can't play he's a bust may eventually be correct. But the kid was a consenus top level prospect. The piling on of this kid is just so BBI.
Shit how many OL have left here and been serviceable at least. Zeitler was ripped and he's been an above average OL since the day he left People hated Feliciano and he was a solid starter for the Niners.
Trusting the Giants or BBI on how good a lineman may be is like asking a crack head his opinion on international finance and investment strategies.
I think the Andrew Thomas jump is off the table, but I still think with the right coaching he can be a serviceable tackle, if not I think they'll start the process of moving him to guard mid season.
What concerns me the most is that he needs work, but can't practice. I'd feel a lot better if he had a full offseason.
As of right now I think its 50/50 we get a decent season out of him.
his problems are fixable. He is a huge human being, incredibly strong, and a good athlete for his size. He played at an elite level in the top conference in college football.
But his confidence is clearly rattled. In the Schmeelk OL interviews, his body language was completely defensive.
RE: I am curious who will remember and be man enough to admit this….
I was excited when they drafted Neal, he was the consensus stud, can’t miss, blue goose OT of the draft. Dallas, well known for being skilled/lucky at picking OTs, was known to have Neal as the top rated overall player in the draft. Life was good on draft day.
About 7 games into Neal’s rookie season, I kept seeing an alarming trend…..Neal was literally winding up on the ground. This is an enormous man, 6’7”, blew away all athletic tests, and strong as an ox. And from Alabama whom the giants have a connection with.
I think Sy, whom I greatly respect not only for his dedication and knowledge, but also for his willingness to share, gave us some warning signs in his pre-draft write up. Mostly, it was how Neal bounced around between OL spots and there would be an adjustment settling in at RT.
What I saw the first 6-8 games of Neal’s rookie season was a guy who landed on the ground more often than his measurables should indicate. Technique didn’t fix it. Keep in mind he had a full pre season program and in-season coaching from NFL level coaches.
2 years ago I said Neal was too top heavy, and literally just crumbles to the ground. I was crucified on this board, at one point almost banned, because I was stating my opinion. I would literally replay the games back to focus on Neal (I don’t have access to all-22) and what I saw was unmistakeable and not something that is corrected by coaching.
Yes, Neal has had injuries, I am hoping that is the excuse. I want him to reach his potential, but I am hoping his injuries aren’t because of his body type that are causing him the balance issues and hesitancy. Some may say a 6’7” athletic freak should be immune, dominate against anything. But he is so lean from the waist down. He is definitely NOT a dancing bear. He is built like a ripped giraffe. I don’t know if it’s his genetics or fear or becoming a Meckai Becton, but he does not have a strong immovable base to match his athletic gifts.
I would welcome Sy chiming in on this thread. I want to be wrong in the worst way.
I was very psyched after that draft thought we got best tackle and a top tier edge rusher. now? we will see.
I am not sure what "top heavy" means. he is not top heavy from a body build point of view. The reason he ends up on the ground so often (esp. his rookie year) is that he crosses his feet. he gets beat and then rather than sliding, he chases by crossing his feet and then he hits the ground. That is all about technique. Most importantly, he has to kick step back and then power down on the inside move, rather than protecting the inside move at the expense of his outside shoulder, which he then chases. Will he correct it? Many things are easy to see on film and very difficult to fix at game speed.
Have 100% of the analysts projecting them as top 10? I don't recall a single relevant contrary opinion.
He's fixable. Some coach somewhere will ultimately help him sort it out. Hopefully that's Briscillo. Runyan said Briscillo was helping him fix technique errors that he wasn't aware of till now (also said that JMS was huge in helping him pick up the playbook). In Carm we (have to) trust.
his problems are fixable. He is a huge human being, incredibly strong, and a good athlete for his size. He played at an elite level in the top conference in college football.
But his confidence is clearly rattled. In the Schmeelk OL interviews, his body language was completely defensive.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The concern is that he needs reps to hone is technique and build that confidence.
He may not reach fixed level or even good enough but he has to be able to move on from train-wreck status this season.
One is health, he has not been fully healthy during training camp, and the season since being a Giant. Two is technique, in college he could by with his size and strength and never had to have great technique with his hands and feet. Three is attitude, we don't know how driven he is, Some just want to get by with their physical skills, while others are driven to improve every day. We should see signs by the pre-season games one way or the other. He will be given the chance to succeed or fail. If there is not significant improvement, I expect the Giants to make a move and move Elemunor there from guard.
About 7 games into Neal’s rookie season, I kept seeing an alarming trend…..Neal was literally winding up on the ground. This is an enormous man, 6’7”, blew away all athletic tests, and strong as an ox. And from Alabama whom the giants have a connection with.
I think Sy, whom I greatly respect not only for his dedication and knowledge, but also for his willingness to share, gave us some warning signs in his pre-draft write up. Mostly, it was how Neal bounced around between OL spots and there would be an adjustment settling in at RT.
What I saw the first 6-8 games of Neal’s rookie season was a guy who landed on the ground more often than his measurables should indicate. Technique didn’t fix it. Keep in mind he had a full pre season program and in-season coaching from NFL level coaches.
2 years ago I said Neal was too top heavy, and literally just crumbles to the ground. I was crucified on this board, at one point almost banned, because I was stating my opinion. I would literally replay the games back to focus on Neal (I don’t have access to all-22) and what I saw was unmistakeable and not something that is corrected by coaching.
Yes, Neal has had injuries, I am hoping that is the excuse. I want him to reach his potential, but I am hoping his injuries aren’t because of his body type that are causing him the balance issues and hesitancy. Some may say a 6’7” athletic freak should be immune, dominate against anything. But he is so lean from the waist down. He is definitely NOT a dancing bear. He is built like a ripped giraffe. I don’t know if it’s his genetics or fear or becoming a Meckai Becton, but he does not have a strong immovable base to match his athletic gifts.
I would welcome Sy chiming in on this thread. I want to be wrong in the worst way.
He started the first game of his career a rookie. Hasn’t has one full season of healthy games yet. That’s what derailed means.
If the interior is solid along with AT they can manage when/if he struggles. Helps if they run the ball a lot better so they are not as predictable and are ahead of the chains.
If they are often behind the chains and Neal (or others) struggle then they will have to leave extra blocker in which limits threats downfield. SF game was this case.
Actually, he didn’t. Started one year for Washington, then one year for Miami, then back to Washington. Out of football at age 27.
One is health, he has not been fully healthy during training camp, and the season since being a Giant. Two is technique, in college he could by with his size and strength and never had to have great technique with his hands and feet. Three is attitude, we don't know how driven he is, Some just want to get by with their physical skills, while others are driven to improve every day. We should see signs by the pre-season games one way or the other. He will be given the chance to succeed or fail. If there is not significant improvement, I expect the Giants to make a move and move Elemunor there from guard.
Excellent post.
Still pulling for this guy.
Quote:
to suggest you got derailed?
He started the first game of his career a rookie. Hasn’t has one full season of healthy games yet. That’s what derailed means.
Ok, fine. No one more than me would love to see the train wreck, excuse me…train, get back on the rails.
This. All the people here saying he can't play he's a bust may eventually be correct. But the kid was a consenus top level prospect. The piling on of this kid is just so BBI.
Shit how many OL have left here and been serviceable at least. Zeitler was ripped and he's been an above average OL since the day he left People hated Feliciano and he was a solid starter for the Niners.
Trusting the Giants or BBI on how good a lineman may be is like asking a crack head his opinion on international finance and investment strategies.
A) don’t think he will be ready
B) just a backup. Look good? NOT NEVER!
What concerns me the most is that he needs work, but can't practice. I'd feel a lot better if he had a full offseason.
As of right now I think its 50/50 we get a decent season out of him.
But his confidence is clearly rattled. In the Schmeelk OL interviews, his body language was completely defensive.
About 7 games into Neal’s rookie season, I kept seeing an alarming trend…..Neal was literally winding up on the ground. This is an enormous man, 6’7”, blew away all athletic tests, and strong as an ox. And from Alabama whom the giants have a connection with.
I think Sy, whom I greatly respect not only for his dedication and knowledge, but also for his willingness to share, gave us some warning signs in his pre-draft write up. Mostly, it was how Neal bounced around between OL spots and there would be an adjustment settling in at RT.
What I saw the first 6-8 games of Neal’s rookie season was a guy who landed on the ground more often than his measurables should indicate. Technique didn’t fix it. Keep in mind he had a full pre season program and in-season coaching from NFL level coaches.
2 years ago I said Neal was too top heavy, and literally just crumbles to the ground. I was crucified on this board, at one point almost banned, because I was stating my opinion. I would literally replay the games back to focus on Neal (I don’t have access to all-22) and what I saw was unmistakeable and not something that is corrected by coaching.
Yes, Neal has had injuries, I am hoping that is the excuse. I want him to reach his potential, but I am hoping his injuries aren’t because of his body type that are causing him the balance issues and hesitancy. Some may say a 6’7” athletic freak should be immune, dominate against anything. But he is so lean from the waist down. He is definitely NOT a dancing bear. He is built like a ripped giraffe. I don’t know if it’s his genetics or fear or becoming a Meckai Becton, but he does not have a strong immovable base to match his athletic gifts.
I would welcome Sy chiming in on this thread. I want to be wrong in the worst way.
I was very psyched after that draft thought we got best tackle and a top tier edge rusher. now? we will see.
I am not sure what "top heavy" means. he is not top heavy from a body build point of view. The reason he ends up on the ground so often (esp. his rookie year) is that he crosses his feet. he gets beat and then rather than sliding, he chases by crossing his feet and then he hits the ground. That is all about technique. Most importantly, he has to kick step back and then power down on the inside move, rather than protecting the inside move at the expense of his outside shoulder, which he then chases. Will he correct it? Many things are easy to see on film and very difficult to fix at game speed.
He's fixable. Some coach somewhere will ultimately help him sort it out. Hopefully that's Briscillo. Runyan said Briscillo was helping him fix technique errors that he wasn't aware of till now (also said that JMS was huge in helping him pick up the playbook). In Carm we (have to) trust.
If Neal isn't ready, or doesn't look good, then I think Eluemunor is the guy not Exeudu
But his confidence is clearly rattled. In the Schmeelk OL interviews, his body language was completely defensive.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The concern is that he needs reps to hone is technique and build that confidence.