Prematurely Projecting The New York Giants Depth Chart And 53-Man Roster
By Neal Lynch
LEFT TACKLE
ERECK FLOWERS
How much improvement will Flowers make in season 2? He was rated as one of the worst tackles by Pro Football Focus as a rookie, but that was on a bum ankle. The Giants are looking for continued growth after demonstrating grit and toughness in his 15 games last season. Big Blue’s offensive line is looking to prove its doubters wrong after the team neglected to select an O-lineman in the draft for the first time in franchise history. And Ereck Flowers is the most critical part of that line as protector of Eli Manning’s blind side.
RIGHT TACKLE
MARSHALL NEWHOUSE
Newhouse is out to debunk his critics. He appreciates teammate Justin Pugh blocking out his critics. He’s even asked “How could I play this long if I stink?” Well, if Marshall duplicates his 2015 season, in which he had only one positive grade from Pro Football Focus all year, the offensive tackle position won’t just be “a glaring roster hole” it will be a cataclysmic black hole.
BYRON STINGILY
I give the nod to Stingily as a reserve lineman only due to his experience. In reality, if Newhouse or Flowers went down, odds are the Giants would shift Pugh to tackle and insert Adam Gettis at guard.
LEFT GUARD
JUSTIN PUGH
The Giants thankfully picked up the 5th year option on Pugh this offseason, which was considered a “no-brainer“. Pugh also added mass in the offseason to be a better left guard. When he’s not defending his much-criticized linemates, he’s trying to convert Eagles fans.
ADAM GETTIS
Gettis gets the nod simply because he’s the most familiar. Though, he could be supplanted by Dillon Farrell.
CENTER
WESTON RICHBURG
Richburg rocked the boat a little with his answers in this CBS Sports article “In the line of fire“. Weston essentially crapped all over Pro Football Focus – who gave him positive grades and named him a breakout player – then called out his offensive line for their work ethic. However, Richburg quickly rectified his corrosive comments by saying his line “could do great things together“. I suspect the majority of Giants fans err on the side of interpreting Richburg’s tenacity as a good characteristic, similar to former Giants center Shaun O’Hara.
BRETT JONES
I put Jones in the same category as Stingily and Gettis – guys that have experience and are making the roster by default. Until I see or hear more about the other reserves, the guy who won awards in Canada has the advantage.
RIGHT GUARD
BOBBY HART
What? Yes. I have Hart starting over John Jerry. Bobby is ready for a starting job and has dropped 25 pounds to get quicker. And though Hart is getting reps at right tackle, the sleeper has an opportunity for an increased role and, in my opinion, that chance is at right guard in 2016 and possibly right tackle down the road.
JOHN JERRY
Not much to say. Jerry might begin the preseason and possibly the season as the starting right guard, but Bobby Hart has too much heat to not steal the position away from him.
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