ESPN’s Raanan still skeptical about New York Giants Flowers
By Curt Macysyn
On offense, we often hear that everything starts “up front”.
In layman’s terms, that means the offensive line. This applies universally, except for the New York Giants apparently. I’m going to interrupt this summer’s offensive line lovefest with a nice bucket of cold water.
I apologize in advance to some of you.
Yesterday, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan penned an article that was right on the money. Unfortunately for the rose-colored glasses crew, Jordan gets taken off their Christmas card list.
I, for one, appreciate his honesty. Not only that, I also appreciate that he took time to review the matter in detail. In an age where everyone and everything is great, we don’t see this type of reporting much anymore.
New York Giants
In fact, there’s one beat writer who might as well be stationed in the New York Giants public relations office.
But we digress.
Hitting the nail on the head.
You should always lead with your strongest punch, and that’s what Raanan does. His opening paragraph captures my sentiments totally.
"“The Ereck Flowers concerns are real. The New York Giants can cross their fingers, pray and hope for the best, but it’s not going to mitigate the risk they’re taking by throwing Flowers out as their left tackle for a third straight season. The first two did not go so well.”"
Bingo.
This gets to the “things are better because I say so” mindset revolving around the offensive line. Factually, the team brought back every player from the weakest link on the team. For good measure, they brought on another weak link discarded by the Los Angeles Chargers. These are the facts, and they are indisputable.
Last week’s offensive performance was underwhelming at best. The takeaways from that game were that Josh Johnson held the ball too long, and Paul Perkins couldn’t read blocks.
Oh, and the offensive line did some “good things”.
Not for a minute do I blame Ben McAdoo for supplying us (fans and media) with coach-speak. That’s his job. That’s why beat writers and analysts have to hand out the straight dope.
McAdoo can spin things his way, but the fact remains that there are three games for this offensive line to pass the eye test.
Passing the eye test
For those folks who can and will delve into the intricacies of the game, they understand that scheme and play-calling only go so far. In many, if not most cases, football remains a series of one-on-one battles.
We get the running back into space, so he can win a one-on-one battle with a linebacker. Heck, even McAdoo criticized Perkins for not winning a one-on-one battle with a safety on Friday night.
Due to turnovers, the Giants had a short field at least twice. The team converted four field goals all evening. And I have never seen so many people rush to defend an offensive lineman on a sack as I did on Friday night.
Must Read: New York Giants: McAdoo curiously unloads on Perkins
What the “committee to defend Flowers” fails to understand is very simple. Whether or not Flowers was the responsible party, the sack actually occurred. In fact, there were seven quarterback sacks on the evening, which by any measurement is not good.
It’s an offensive unit.
The New York Giants offensive prowess was largely stymied last season. Much of the blame was heaped onto Eli Manning, but there was acknowledgement that the rushing attack was sub-par.
Exit Rashad Jennings. Enter Paul Perkins, Orleans Darkwa and a healthy Shane Vereen on Friday night.
Did we see any progress in the rushing attack?
Did the offense look like a newer version? Or was it déjà vu all over again?
I claim the latter. So when will all of these “good things” start to translate into first-downs and touchdowns?
Predicting the future for the New York Giants
Several aspects of Raanan’s article were telling, but none more than this:
"“The team is running wind sprints (or timed interval striders) in the rain late in practice. They’re divided among the three fields by position groups. The offensive line is running together. Flowers is almost always one of the last to finish. Hart is beating him easily each run. Flowers, guard D.J. Flukerand center Jon Halapio were generally the three toward the back on most of the sprints.”"
Isn’t left tackle supposed to be your most athletic offensive lineman?
I think Raanan has definitely put some meat on the bone with his evaluation. Now,some fans can get angry with him for being critical. I say that a good friend is one who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
It all begins up front. The season depends on it.