My brain is scrambled from listening to so many podcasts, videos, and shorts. I spend too much time on them and get brain overload. Regardless, here are a few tidbits I've picked up from at least a dozen clips about offensive lineman, and also about our team's OL
1) Historical statistics show an incredible increase in an offensive lineman in their third year. It's the toughest position to step in as a rookie and immediately gel. First year, they overthink everything until they are getting beat because they're thinking instead of instinctively doing. I saw that in my brother, who was a tremendous wrestler in school, although he had no training. The coach saw him in school and noticed his big shoulders and bulging arms. He didn't know any moves, but he was a strong as an ox farm boy who simply muscled opponents into submission, once he got his hands on them. As his record became good enough for scouts to notice, he started getting detailed information on what he should do at the college level, and it had little to do with muscle, and more to do about out thinking and out maneuvering the opponent, and using leverage against themselves. As he concentrated on what he needed to change, he started getting beat on a regular basis. Anyway...that's what happens when you try to change who you are to do something the way a coach wants you to do it...and apparently, that's common among offensive lineman when they enter the NFL and appear to be busts
2) JMS suffered that rookie symptom in spades. The good news is, is that by year two, he was starting to do many of the right things naturally, without over thinking everything. According to at least one analyst, he expects JMS to have a much bigger year in his third year at the position. That would be very welcome
3) The unheralded Eluemunor is considered one of our best lineman because he does the job without any fanfare or recognition, and gets the job done. When he took over for Neal, the RT position was much better - not "All Pro", but above average and kept the pass rusher off the QB. And when Thomas went down, Eluemunor flipped sides and did the same on the other side, giving above average pass protection on the left. His versatility across the line and to also play either guard position (his natural position) makes him a very valuable asset to the team
4) One of the guys discussing a good RT to a bad RT was all about the shoulders. He mentioned, the second the tackle turns his shoulder to stop a pass rush, he's already beat...hence, Neal's problem. The tackle MUST remain in front of the pass rusher, shoulder's square on at all times, and move his feet to adjust to the angles the pass rusher is using to get around him. Personally, I always thought a tackle is best if he's tall (6'6"-6'9" with long arms), and that is not necessarily true if he can't move sideways without twisting and turning his shoulders. It's all about the ability to quickly shift left or right instantly, whilst staying square and not twisting the torso. The "dancing bear" euphemism we often use on this board. Seems like common sense to me now, but it never really hit me, I guess
5) I still don't know what to call Mbow. I've heard that the "m" is silent and does not get pronounced and it's supposed to be "Bow", like a dog "Bow Wow", but I've heard it called "Bah" like the ba in "rhumba" "bow", like in bow and arrow, and commonly, something along the lines of, "baw". But even more discouraging, nearly all the talking heads call him "M-bah" or "M-boo" or "M-bow", clearly saying the letter "M" first. I wish the Giants would release a soundbite to clarify it. Please...somebody school me
You got it right the first time about Mbow. It's the bow-wow type of "bow" and the m is silent. I did notice on the podcast you posted with Schmelk and Baldinger that they both said "bow" as in bow tie, so maybe the kid says it that way to "Americanize" it. But the correct pronunciation is as in bow-wow.
As for Neal and OL play, as they also noted in the podcast, it's all about the feet and the head (mental).
Mbow is noted for his footword, and they both think he'll be a starter before the end of the season. I don't agree with that (putting injury to a starter aside) because, as you said, there's a lot to learn and you've also got to learn how to fit into the "unit" because an OL must operate as a unit or they'll fail in pass protection.
Bob