New York Giants: Team Must Rethink Offensive Line
When talking about the New York Giants offensive line there are a few things that can be fixed and a few things that simply cannot be. The Giants are going to have to play Ereck Flowers at the left tackle position; he may be a rookie but he is the best option they have. But in no way shape or form should the Giants have Marshall Newhouse start at the right tackle position.
Currently the Giants plan seems to be starting this line up:
LT: Ereck Flowers
LG: Justin Pugh
C: Weston Richburg
RG: Geoff Schwartz
RT: Marshall Newhouse
Newhouse starting at right tackle is something that just cannot end well for the Giants. We know what Newhouse is at this point in his career. He is a guy who has all the physical tools you need but he just isn’t good enough to keep the job. He is like a handsome actor who can’t act. They look the part but they fail to deliver strong performances.
The Giants problem at right tackle is completely fixable with the players they have, but it is something that can be improved. It would make more sense to play Pugh at right tackle and play John Jerry as a guard. Pugh struggles on the right side but it isn’t as bad as Newhouse. Secondly Pugh still has time to develop a little more, we forget that he is still a young player.
The Giants could bring in another offensive lineman. Evan Mathis is still available and at this point you think his price would drop on a short term contract. Mathis would be an upgrade at the guard position, freeing Pugh to play right tackle. For a one year deal with Mathis the Giants would essentially rent an offensive line solution.
I never really was all that interested in Jake Long because he is a fraction of the player he once was. That being said I’m not sure he can be worse than Newhouse at the position of right tackle. Chances are that the Giants haven’t made a move for the offensive line yet for a reason and they aren’t going to make one at all.
My argument isn’t that Pugh at right tackle is an ideal situation. My argument is that he is leaps and bounds better than Newhouse who was available as a free agent for a reason. Newhouse was a problem for the Packers and Bengals, why would the Giants let him be their problem?
Next: Giants Get Safety Help; Sign Brandon Meriweather