Evan Neal has been horrendous this season. The second-year right tackle has consistently allowed his quarterback to be pressured and sacked over the last two years, and has drawn comparisons to epic NY Giants first-round bust Ereck Flowers.
That comparison isn't fair to Flowers. Don't get me wrong, Flowers was downright terrible, but Neal has been so much worse than that. Flowers allowed 10 sacks through two seasons. Neal has already allowed 14 through 17 games. Neal's career PFF grade is 20 points lower (42.15) than Flowers' (62.15) through two seasons.
On the precipitous of being the biggest bust in Giants history, Neal should not be mouthing off to the media right now, but apparently, he can't help himself. When asked about criticism he has received for his poor play, Neal responded to Darryl Slater of NJ.com by saying, "Why would a lion concern himself with the opinion of a sheep?” He added, "The person that’s commenting on my performance, what does he do? Flip hot dogs and hamburgers somewhere?”
Neal's comments are some of the most tone-deaf and asinine you'll ever hear. Don La Greca, the famous co-host of the Michael Kay Show on ESPN New York, went on a monstrous rant about what the lineman had to say. He absolutely torched Neal:
ICYMI on @TMKSESPN:@DonLagreca had some thoughts on @ENeal73’s comments about New York Giants fans.
— 98.7FM ESPN New York (@ESPNNY98_7FM) October 4, 2023
LISTEN HERE ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ADqenR210l
Don La Greca's Evan Neal rant should put him in his place
Few things are more refreshing than when La Greca, who wants Neal to be released, goes on a lengthy rant after a New York athlete says something stupid. What on earth is Neal thinking? Giants fans go to work and spend their hard-earned money to root for their favorite team. The Giants right tackle clearly does not care about the fans.
La Greca is right when he says he hates when professional athletes do this. Why do they think they are better than the common human? Neal is certainly not a lion as a member of society, and he's undoubtedly no lion on the football field.
Calling Giants fans hamburger flippers is also highly distasteful, and if he was trying to make a joke, well, it was terrible. To Neal's credit, he consistently takes it on the chin from the New York media after every game, and is respectful and owns his poor play. Understandably, he is frustrated by his poor showing in '23, but why is he taking it out on the fans?
Fellow 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux called Giants fans out for booing during the Arizona game, a game New York was down 20-0 in. This is all a terrible look from some of these Big Blue youngsters. Neal should be ashamed of himself.