New York Giants: Does Team Brass Trust Offensive Line?

The New York Giants seem to have a need on the offensive line, yet Evan Mathis remains a free agent. This either means that the team doesn’t want to work out the hefty contract that Mathis would get or that they are content with the offensive line as is. Do the Giants as an organization trust the offensive line?

The offensive line was a problem in the 2014 season. Its easy to forget that injuries played a huge role in that struggle. Having Geoff Schwartz on the sideline didn’t help the offensive line at all. The unit was forced to be shuffled a several times during the season.

The Giants struggled to run the football, and pass protection was inconsistent at best. If it were not for the robotically quick release offense that Ben McAdoo runs for Eli Manning than the Giants offensive line woes would have been even more apparent.

Jun 8, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tackle Ereck Flowers during organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY

That’s why the offensive line was the priority general manager, Jerry Reese and the Giants front office. The Giants drafted Ereck Flowers with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. They signed Marshall Newhouse and re-signed John Jerry. The Giants even signed Brett Jones from the Canadian Football League.

The offensive line figured to be substantially better this season and there was a little more depth. Everything looked good until the Giants left tackle, Will Beatty suffered a torn pectoral muscle that puts him out 5-6 months.

Now it seems that the Giants are planning to start Flowers on Manning’s blind side. The rookie offensive tackle has the physical tool set to dominate in the NFL; now all eyes are on how he transitions into the all important role on the offensive line. If Flowers is successful the Giants don’t really have to switch things up too much.

Now Evan Mathis is incredibly and unbelievable available for any team to sign. You would think that this would be where the Giants would swoop up and help ensure that their massive offensive talent doesn’t get wasted. While Mathis is not a cheap commodity, the Giants need to make it work. Yet Mathis remains a free agent.

The Giants must have an awful lot of faith in Flowers. If they didn’t they would be desperate to see Mathis in a Giants uniform. If they are right with Flowers, the Giants will survive without Beatty. But even if they can get through, why wouldn’t the team want to sign one of the best offensive guards in the game of football?

The Giants can use any excuse that they want. They can say that they didn’t have the cap room. They can say they were focusing on other options and they can say that they believe in the guys they have. They Giants brass can say anything they want but one thing is for sure. If the Giants pass up on signing Mathis they will always regret it.

Next: New York Giants: 5 Things They Are Counting On

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