Overall, it was an overwhelmingly good preseason for the New York Giants. Talk about a night and day difference from last year. And while the games won't count in the standings, they did still serve a purpose.
After going 3-0 and outscoring opponents by 60 points (107-47), the team is ready to roll into the regular season and shock some people.
Related: 5 biggest winners (and 3 losers) from Giants' unprecedented preseason
However, one player who won't necessarily shock anyone is the team's center, John Michael Schmitz. This preseason was his time to show he was ready to take the next step after a rough first two seasons in the league. Unfortunately, he did anything but, taking home the award for New York's biggest preseason loser.
John Michael Schmitz is Giants' biggest preseason loser
JMS is the biggest loser, and we aren't talking about the TV show. The 26-year-old entered his third offseason with a lot to prove after being selected in the second round of the 2023 draft. Once considered the second-best center of the class, he's been anything but through two years. That was supposed to change this year. But plans change.
The worst part of it all for Schmitz is that no one is coming to save him. Evan Neal proved he wasn't ready for starting guard duties, unofficially declaring Greg Van Roten the starter at right guard. The thing is, GVR has some experience at center, so unless Austin Schlottmann makes the roster, JMS is on an island all season long, with zero help to save him.
That's week in, week out, potential embarrassment and disaster coming from the interior line, and the last thing the Giants and his morale needs.
The center's struggles have been well-documented, but this offseason, it's felt like there's been a regression. Training camp exposed his play early and often. Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter threw the center around as if he doesn't have friends or family who care about him. That was followed up with one of the worst practices imaginable, with three errant snaps during drills. At some point, enough is enough.
And if camp revealed some major concerns, the preseason only reinforced his lack of readiness.
After leading all centers in sacks allowed last season, his preseason hasn’t done much to ease concerns about his pass protection. While his run-blocking remains respectable, he’s clearly a poor fit for the Giants’ pass-first scheme under offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, especially when his best reps seem to come when the ball is out before the defense can even touch him.
Big Blue is going to need a capable and reliable offensive line if the offense is going to build off of its impressive preseason showing. Things are clearly looking up in East Rutherford. But if there’s one thing that can derail all that momentum, it’s pressure immediately in the QB's face. And right now, JMS is the one cracking the foundation.