It’s Black Monday, a day for house cleaning in the National Football League (NFL), and the New York Giants have been doing their chores with its offensive line. Head Coach Brian Daboll has also already made several changes to his coaching staff,
Special team’s coordinator Thomas McGaghey, who has been with the team through three head coaching changes has beendismissed as is offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.
The Giants dominated the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday, 27-10, as they finished the season playing hard. The win does not sweep away a season of disappointment, initially marred on the opening drive of the opening game of the season to multiple injuries that included quarterback Daniel Jones and left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Offensive Line inadequacies
The biggest disappointment of the season has to have been the offensive line. The O-line gave up a few more sacks yesterday, allowing the second most sacks (85) in league history. The Eagles hold the dubious distinction of allowing the most sacks in a season, 104, in 1986. Ron Jaworski, started nine games that season, Randall Cunningham five, and Matt Cavanaugh also started two games for Philadelphia that year.
It was Jaworski’s last year, and if one searches for Giant highlights of the year, one can see Jaworski, under center, calling time out as he was unable to locate Lawrence Taylor. On that particular play, Jaws would have difficulty locating the edge rusher, as he was on the sidelines. A highlight that brings fond memories of the Giant championship season.
The offensive line faced a multitude of injuries this year, one of the key disappointments was the lack of development. Right tackle Evan Neal, a top draft choice just two years has too often looked out of place. To suggest that it is against a particular defender that may emphasize a particular move (speed versus power rushers) just doesn’t hold up upon inspection. Poor footwork and worse body mechanics make one suspect to being beat too frequently.
That Johnson was not able to have Neal improve in second year was a major reason for his dismissal. Neal, who missed multiple games with multiple injuries this past season faces a questionable future with the team. The idea of moving Neal inside to guard has been flouted multiple times.
Joshua Ezeuda remains on Injured Reserve
Other linemen have disappointed as well. Joshua Ezeuda a highly touted 3rd round draft choice has been injured most of the year and is currently on Injured Reserve. Tackle Marcus McKethan has at times looked good at various positions on the offensive line, but one wonders if he is the future at right tackle. Matt Peart, who has played ahead of McKethan this season when healthy is a former third round pick himself who has not developed into the player the Giants had hoped for.
The offensive line woes impacted the wide receiver group. Is Darius Slayton a WR1? Is he not? Slayton finished the season with 62 receptions for 770 yards. Good numbers. Imagine if the quarterback had time to have the play develop as Slayton ran down the field? The same holds for Jalin Hyatt, who had just 23 receptions this season. This past season’s 3rd round pick is a work in progress, and hopefully will warrant seeing more playing time next season. One can’t teach 4.24 speed.
Looking at another LSU receiver
Many draft pundits have already linked Malik Nabers, a wide receiver from LSU with the Giants, who currently hold the 6th overall draft spot. Part of the Nabers bromance is a reminisce of Odel Beckenham, who also came from LSU. Developing the wide receiver talent within the Giant house may be more appropriate instead of accumulating more talent than from the outside.
There are several top-rated offensive tackles available in the upcoming draft: Joe Alt, Notre Dame; Olumuyina Fashanu from Penn State and Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State are some of the early top prospects. When Evan Neal was drafted, he was one of three top tackles at the time as well. The Giants got it wrong; Charles Cross has developed into a top flight pass blocker in Seattle. The Giants can’t afford to be wrong again.
Barry Schustermann
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