New York Giants Football: Fixing the Giants (part one) 5 moves that should be made at GM & the coaching staff
By Matt Clark
5. Hire Dave DeGulielmo as the new offensive line coach
It is no secret that the Giants offensive line has been absolutely atrocious for years now. Having struggled through the times of Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart as the starting tackles through today’s issues with overpaid Nate Solder and aging Mike Remmers at the tackle position, the offensive line needs more than an overhaul. Bringing in an offensive line coach of Dave DeGulielmo’s caliber would likely help rectify these issues.
DeGulielmo would be a familiar face to Giants fans, as he began his NFL career with the Giants, serving as the assistant offensive line and quality control coach from 2004-2008. During his tenure, the Giants had formidable lines with players like Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, David Diehl, Luke Petitgout, Rich Seubert and Kareem McKenzie protecting Eli Manning. DeGulielmo would leave the Giants following their 2008 Super Bowl victory, to take over as the offensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins & the Giants line would struggle mightily since not long after his departure.
Since leaving New York, DeGulielmo has served as the offensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins (2009-2011), New York Jets (2012), New England Patriots (2014-2015), San Diego Chargers (2016), Dolphins again (2017) and presently serves in that position for the Indianapolis Colts. During his ten years as an offensive line coach in the NFL, five seasons he has boasted a top 10 offensive line according to PFF, with four of those occasions being ranked in the top 3.
Adding someone familiar with the Giants organization with a rich history of success as an offensive line coach, would bode well for a team that has lacked continuity and effectiveness on their offensive line for many years. Perhaps DeGulielmo can get his former left tackle with the Patriots, Nate Solder, to revert back to his previous abilities, while getting Kevin Zeitler back to his former Pro Bowl self and helping young talent like Will Hernandez and Nick Gates improve. If the Giants can convince DeGulielmo to come back to New York, it will go a long way in helping to improve the line.