Rookie minicamp and offseason workouts are typically a time for coaches to offer safe, PR-friendly responses regarding their newest players. After nearly 20 years as an NFL head coach, the New York Giants’ John Harbaugh has his own routine.
Speaking with reporters last weekend, Harbaugh offered extensive praise for No. 10 pick and All-American offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
Although Mauigoa played right tackle at Miami, the 20-year-old will instead line up at right guard for the Giants.
“Looked like a natural at guard,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh confirmed that Mauigoa took “pretty much every rep” at right guard during the two-day workouts.
“Sometimes, things happen a little quicker [at guard],” Harbaugh added. “You have to get out of your stance a little quicker. We’ll see when the pads come on; that will be another thing for him. To see him playing at guard for the first time, I thought he did really good.”
Giants fans should be ecstatic about John Harbaugh’s early thoughts on Francis Mauigoa
As a top-10 pick and projected Day 1 starter, Mauigoa enters the NFL with more eyes on him than one would expect for an interior lineman.
That’s why it’s especially noteworthy when a coach with a decorated résumé like Harbaugh lauds a rookie in this fashion.
“Playing at tackle, you have all the space, where at guard everything happens so fast,” Mauigoa said. “It’s not something I really need to work on [and] it’s something that I need to get used to.”
Mauigoa has his work cut out for him, and his most pressing task will be keeping second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart as far away from the blue medical tent as possible.
Dart was evaluated for concussions at least five times last year and missed two games in November.
Harbaugh and the Giants understandably addressed the offensive line this offseason, drafting Mauigoa and signing veteran right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
The Giants also recently added former Ravens guard Daniel Faalele. However, Faalele — who started all 34 games at right guard the last two years in Baltimore — could open the season in a backup role.
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