Ranking the New York Giants Coaching Staff: Ben McAdoo’s First Crew
By Mike Luca
6. Mike Solari (Offensive Line)
McAdoo’s biggest change is unquestionably Solari taking the o-line from Flaherty. At first glance, it’s his most questionable move, too.
Through the effort to rid the Giants’ pantry of Coughlin staleness, Flaherty’s departure proved easy to predict. He’s been respectably coaching for 37 years, 12 of them highly regarded in Coughlin’s platoon. By association a new voice is necessary for an underachieving yet undervalued line on the verge of breaking out.
The answer? A 28-year tenured coach instead…not exactly a blatant difference if the goal was to infuse youth into the position. Still, respect and results are both there.
Solari shares in common with McAdoo a pit stop with the Green Bay Packers, whose 2015 unit ranked seventh according to Pro Football Focus. Other notable gigs include paving lanes for Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson with the Kansas City Chiefs and coaching Mike Iupati and Joe Staley to multiple Pro Bowls before being run off of the San Francisco 49ers with Jim Harbaugh.
Suggesting 61-year-old Solari is miles better than 59-year-old Flaherty (now with San Fran) or vice versa is splitting hairs. New York’s success is more predicated on Ereck Flowers, Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg staying healthy together as they blossom into one of the premier left sides in the NFL, regardless of who coaches them toward the distinction.
It’s almost a change for the sake of making a change, but ultimately at no fault of Solari. He can do wonders for his stock by cashing in on the potential of Bobby Hart and whoever else fills in on the right side. In Green Bay this past season, Solari helped manage stalwart right guard T.J. Lang while nurturing the forced versatility of fill-in Don Barclay.
More than anything, the beard is winning everyone over.
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