Some New York Giants fans would root for Charles Manson if he donned Big Blue.
That’s a personal choice, however. It also does not dictate that all Giants fans have to tow the company line, especially when the company line appears to be highly questionable. That narrative applied to both former general manager Jerry Reese and former head coach Ben McAdoo when supporting left tackle Ereck Flowers last season.
Both Reese, and to a lesser extent, McAdoo staked their reputations to the fact that Flowers would blossom. It was a faulty narrative then, and it continues to be a faulty narrative today.
Right now, the biggest difference comes from the fact that newly signed Nate Solder will protect quarterback Eli Manning‘s blind side. As for Flowers, he will compete for the right tackle position.
If he happens to win the job in camp, that isn’t good news for the New York Giants. As new general manager Dave Gettleman opined upon his hiring, he’s looking for professional football players. Flowers simply hasn’t shown much on or off the field in his tenure with Big Blue.
Line Dance
Now some social media mavens have vocalized that Flowers was actually right tackle out of college. The implication is that he was miscast as a left tackle – thus excusing his inferior play. So switch Flowers to the right side, and problem solved.
Well, Justin Pugh, Flowers former linemate was asked on WFAN about the big tackle. Per the New York Post, here’s what Pugh had to say:
"“It’s definitely tough, coming from a guy that played left tackle all throughout college, he played for three years in the NFL, going over to the right side, it’s gonna be a big adjustment for him. I can speak just from personal experience. He’s got to look forward to the challenge. He’s got to go into it and embrace it, because if he goes into it with the attitude ‘This isn’t fair, that’s not what I signed up for,’ he’s gonna dig himself into a deeper hole. I know Ereck is going to be working his butt off in the offseason. I wish him nothing but the best and the rest of the offensive line.”"
Implied in Pugh’s word are the idea that Flowers cannot mentally make the transition. Physically, he may not make the transition either. Those are the cold hard facts.
New York Giants
Supporters should at least concede that this player has continually been treated with kid gloves. It’s clear from several standpoints that he cannot handle adversity or criticism.
Sorry, shoving a reporter who dares critique your play doesn’t cut it in my book. And the only reason he’s still around is: 1. Gettleman has been unable to find a trade partner; 2. Cutting him saves no salary cap dollars.
Worst case scenario, Flowers is a highly paid back-up on the 53-man roster.
Miscast or Outcast?
Well, the best indicator of future performance is past performance. When selected with the No. 9 pick, he was drafted to solve an offensive line problem. Over the course of three seasons, he didn’t.
People can slice and dice it all they want. Teams don’t draft someone nineth to be serviceable, or not bad. Those equivications are what get teams to 3-13 records.
So instead of taking the word of a social media maven, who maybe watches the game, and usually doesn’t read the entirety of my article, here’s the real skinny on Flowers.
Per Jordan Raanan of ESPN during last season’s training camp:
"“[Flowers] had three bad reps in pass protection. That’s on 11 pass plays. One could’ve easily been a hold, when he was beaten by defensive end Devin Taylor. Another likely would have subjected Manning to a big hit when Vernon beat him clean off the edge.”"
In a summer where major improvement was needed, he didn’t improve. Instead the defenders created a narrative that he improved. And then when he wasn’t the worst performing player on the offensive line, those folks claimed victory.
In terms of being a professional, this quote from Raanan really struck me:
"“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.”"
Call it what you will but there never seems to be any urgency in Flowers’ game. Urgency to protect Manning, or urgency to improve. Hopefully he sees the writing on the wall – that the only reason he’s still around is his rookie contract.
Due to Jerry’s folly, Flowers gets to collect another $4.6 million this season (Spotrac). Hopefully after this campaign (if not before), the Giants can print a “paid in full” stamp on this contract.