RT Cameron Fleming
Grade: D
It’s easy to pick on a lineman when they do bad, and I’m not above doing just that.
Despite the Giants playing a team that has just two wins, who’s playing with a backup quarterback, and despite more than doubling that team’s total yards and out-possessing that team by nearly a full quarter, the Giants almost lost to the Bengals. One big reason was penalties.
Fleming was called for offensive holding on the second drive in the game. The Giants ended up punting that drive. He was called for a false start on the Giants’ third drive, which again resulted in a punt. Then on the Giants’ final drive Fleming was again called for holding, which you guessed it, resulted in a punt.
But that final drive also gave the ball back to the home team, with enough time left on the clock for a game-winning score. Don’t forget, the Bengals started that drive around midfield. If they didn’t fumble on the very next play, it’s likely the Giants lose that game.
Fleming would have been directly responsible for Cincinnati’s comeback. Even dodging that bullet, he made up three of the Giants five penalties. Not a great outing under his new offensive line coach.