Post by BamaBlue on May 21, 2018 8:42:28 GMT -5
To turn a phrase, 'as the offensive line goes, so goes the Giants.' With little argument, the biggest problem with the Giants over the past 6 years has been the quality of the offensive line. Right or partially right, the OL has been the lightning rod for all the Giant's offensive problems from dropped passes, Eli's regression, a poor running game, etc. Is 2018 the year the Giants OL becomes average or (dare we hope) better than average?
I think the starting OL is pretty set (tell me if you disagree)...
LT -- Nate Solder
LG -- Will Hernandez
C -- Brett Jones
RG -- Pat Omameh
RT -- Erick Flowers
The rest of the pack:
Chad Wheeler (OT)
Nick Becton (OT)
Tyler Howell (OT)
Jon Halapio (OG)
John Jerry (OG)
John Greco (OG)
Nick Gates (OG)
Chris Scott (OG)
Malcom Bunche (OG)
Ethan Cooper (C)
Evan Brown (C)
Since we have yet to see the starters (much less most of the backups) play as a unit, this is a 'paper drill'. Eliminating the most obvious variable, injuries, the starting 5 appears to be a 'marginal improvement' from last year. The biggest and most important upgrade is Nate Solder. He's the strong base the 2018 line needs. With Hernandez on that side of the line, it looks like Eli's blind side is going to be better than it has... well, maybe ever?!
Aside from the left side, the questions begin to mount... Brett Jones is at least a push with Richburg's performance when healthy. Omameh is (depending on your view of Flowers) the weak link on the OL. He's at best, average and will not be getting a lot of extra help from his left or right. Flowers at RT is MUCH better suited in this role. He's been struggling badly at LT and moving to the right side won't solve his foot speed problems, but it's going to be easier for him to be productive. As much as he won't have a lot of extra to give to Omameh, he won't be getting a lot of help from his left side either...
So... is the 2018 OL going to be better? Answer: Yes
Is the 2018 OL going to be average or better? Answer: Yes, but realistically average is the best I think we can hope for.
Are any of the backups going to surprise us? Answer: Maybe. I can see Chad Wheeler starting at RT on opening day. I don't see him as a big improvement over Flowers, just a better attitude (a green checkmark for chemistry).
As a reminder, this was the OL for most of last year:
LT -- Flowers
LG -- Pugh
C -- Richburg
RG -- Jerry
RT -- Hart