New York Giants To Hire O-Line Coach Mike Solari

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants tackle Marshall Newhouse (73) and guard Geoff Schwartz (74) talk during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants tackle Marshall Newhouse (73) and guard Geoff Schwartz (74) talk during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ben McAdoo is set to hire Mike Solari as offensive line coach completing his offensive staff, according to Tom Rock of Newsday. Solari spent 2015 as the assistant offensive line coach for McAdoo’s former team the Green Bay Packers. Solari has 28 years of NFL coaching experience; one of the high marks on his long resume was in Kansas City as the O-line coach that helped Chiefs running backs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson thrive.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

According to James Kratch of NJ.com, Solari is, “the most important hire McAdoo will make for his first staff.” The New York Giants are a franchise that loves to build and win from the trenches. While the defensive line needs tons of help and additions from free agency and the draft, the offensive line has a strong young core. For all the criticism of Jerry Reese, he has drafted Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg in the past three years.

The offensive line was rated 20th in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, so there’s certainly room to improve. The running game averaged just 100.6 yards per game on the ground and only the Chargers had fewer rushing touchdowns on the year.

Solari was no doubt brought in for his expertise coaching offensive lines that can open up holes for the running game. In addition to his success with the Chiefs, in his final three years with the 49ers, they finished in the top five in rushing each of his final three years in San Francisco.

Under McAdoo, this offense will surely be centered around Eli Manning and the passing game. But if the Giants abandon their four-man rotation and let Rashad Jennings be the feature back, they could have a formidable running game as a complement to Manning. Also, if the running game develops, the Giants may be able to run the ball late and finish games, something they were unable to do in 2015.