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Creating the 2017 New York Giants offensive juggernaut

By Derek Laffin

Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; The New York Giants line up for a play during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; The New York Giants line up for a play during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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A 2017 New York Giants offensive juggernaut can happen, but first we have to look to the past.

Any true New York Giants fans can sit back and reminisce about the days of Chris Snee being selected to numerous Pro Bowls, which seemed to become an afterthought. Or center Shaun O’Hara calling out line adjustments and picking up blitzing linebackers.

Oct 21, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants guard David Diehl (66) congratulates running back Peyton Hillis (44) after scoring touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants guard David Diehl (66) congratulates running back Peyton Hillis (44) after scoring touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports /

David Diehl had seemingly endless versatility. While Kareem McKenzie constantly caved in defenses on the right side of the line. You knew it was summer and training camp had started when you read reports of Rich Seubert starting (and likely finishing) a fight with a defensive lineman.

These players represented a Golden Age of hard-nose, smash-mouth football. A horse shoe pocket always seemed to appear for Eli Manning to step up and deliver passes. One thing that was evident every time this unit stepped on the field was just that, a unit.

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Each player looked out for the man next to him. Double-teams were more often than not executed to perfection. O’Hara and Snee split their man equally and moved onto the second level defender.

This kind of unity is what is lacking from the current New York Giants line. This have been played together for a couple of years now. However, they do not consistently play as a well-oiled unit.

The 2007 Super Bowl championship team, is the team with which I choose to make a comparison. With Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Jeremy Shockey as receivers, some may argue this was the most dynamic and talented group that Manning has played with.

I use this group for another reason, with Burress peaked in his career at this time, Toomer was wily veteran and Shockey was a consistent mismatch for defenses.

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