4 NY Giants who can't see significant playing time moving forward
By Zak Musso
2. Giants OT Josh Ezeudu
You have to feel for Joshua Ezeudu. The Giants drafted Ezeudu, McKethan's college teammate, in the third round of last year's draft to be a guard, but he has been forced to play tackle due to Giants injuries, and the results have been ugly. Ezeudu has started the last four games and played 257 snaps at left tackle, allowing 11 pressures and five sacks. He is also tied for most penalties among Giants linemen, with six, three of which happened Sunday, including consecutive false starts.
Ezeudu was given a dreadful 34.8 PFF grade (out of 100) for his performance Sunday, including a 24.2 blocking grade, dragging his season grade down to 43.4. Of the 20 NY Giants players involved in blocking Sunday, PFF has Ezeudu ranked 19th.
Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson deserves some blame for Ezeudu's struggles and the collective struggles of the offensive line. Unlike the other struggling linemen, mainly Evan Neal, Ezeudu received zero reps in the preseason at his current position. Ezeudu exclusively played guard this summer, which, in hindsight, was a disastrous decision by the Giants coaching staff.
Considering Matt Peart is the only backup tackle on the roster, it's a crime they didn't add another tackle or give Ezeudu reps on the outside of the line. If Andrew Thomas is healthy this Sunday, he will start over Ezeudu; if not, it may be Peart time in Buffalo.