Big Blue Huddle

 We got our QB of the future, now let's help him by fixing the OL. We have really 2 years to do this, as I am pretty sure Dart won't see much of the field this year. So, by opening game NEXT season, let's give him what we all know a good QB needs: protection.
We need to start this year. Even though most feel this will be a 'throw-away' year with two veteran QBs to show Dart the way, as I said, when he is ready to take over, he has to have a good OL to help him survive his first year out there.

This has to be Schoen's next project, and he has to get it right by the opening game next season.

There is not going to be much help, at least not immediate help, at 65 or day three. We might look at the trade market or camp cuts if someone catches our eye. We will presumably look at Neal at Guard and hope he shows something. We have to hope the free agent swing/back-up tackles make a difference in case of injuries.

A lot is going to depend on how JMSchmitz turns out.

Most here believe he's been a lot less than advertised but I view center as one of the toughest job in football and am not surprised it has taken him a while. I believe he's ready to break out. We'll soon know.

Assuming he's okay, they need two guys... a guard and a right tackle. Also, let's see what (if anything other than cutting him) the Giants might try with Neal this year (i.e., maybe at guard, maybe as a step-stool in the locker room for shorter players).

Bob

Just my take but I think the line is solid right now. Spectacular, no, garbage, no, but solid. As I stated before  the line played between the 10-12th best line the first 6 weeks of the season before AT went down. That was with a brand new oline coach and 3 brand new additions to the starting lineup. After a year together, the line should be better even without additions because you are going into year 2 and the guys have reps together. They also have a brand new Qb room with actual nfl starters which should also help a ton. Do we need depth? Yes, we  have a ton of depth but none are + starters. We could use an upgrade at C and RG but they are average right now which is a lot better than previous years.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on April 25, 2025, 02:13:24 PMJust my take but I think the line is solid right now. Spectacular, no, garbage, no, but solid. As I stated before  the line played between the 10-12th best line the first 6 weeks of the season before AT went down. That was with a brand new oline coach and 3 brand new additions to the starting lineup. After a year together, the line should be better even without additions because you are going into year 2 and the guys have reps together. They also have a brand new Qb room with actual nfl starters which should also help a ton. Do we need depth? Yes, we  have a ton of depth but none are + starters. We could use an upgrade at C and RG but they are average right now which is a lot better than previous years.

J: Forgot to say in the other note that really we only need one guy because our current RT can play guard well and he's not ancient by current NFL standards, so maybe the football gods will bless us on Saturday with a day-three pick that pans out. You never know. Bob

I'm actually pretty concerned about Thomas moving forward. The foot issues just seem to derail every other season. As such, I would love a developmental tackle who could maybe replace Eluemenor in a year and then slide to left when Thomas goes down. I love Thomas when he's on the field, but the persistent health problems are glaring.

I was somewhat surprised that the Giants had Jake Majors in for a visit. He's the 2nd best Center in the draft

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 25, 2025, 02:47:09 PMI was somewhat surprised that the Giants had Jake Majors in for a visit. He's the 2nd best Center in the draft

Jolly: Maybe someone on the Giants thinks JMSchmitz would make a terrific pro guard? Bob

Quote from: Jclayton92 on April 25, 2025, 02:13:24 PMJust my take but I think the line is solid right now. Spectacular, no, garbage, no, but solid. As I stated before  the line played between the 10-12th best line the first 6 weeks of the season before AT went down. That was with a brand new oline coach and 3 brand new additions to the starting lineup. After a year together, the line should be better even without additions because you are going into year 2 and the guys have reps together. They also have a brand new Qb room with actual nfl starters which should also help a ton. Do we need depth? Yes, we  have a ton of depth but none are + starters. We could use an upgrade at C and RG but they are average right now which is a lot better than previous years.

Couldn't agree more.

Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2025, 02:06:41 PMA lot is going to depend on how JMSchmitz turns out.

Most here believe he's been a lot less than advertised but I view center as one of the toughest job in football and am not surprised it has taken him a while. I believe he's ready to break out. We'll soon know.

Assuming he's okay, they need two guys... a guard and a right tackle. Also, let's see what (if anything other than cutting him) the Giants might try with Neal this year (i.e., maybe at guard, maybe as a step-stool in the locker room for shorter players).

Bob

Yes. He has been a plug in and slug at center. Done nothing to show you any fire or drive. It has to be an open competition this summer..please..Schmitz like sh** has been the poop we need scraping.

there are a few top 100 IOL left, one at center to push or replace schmitt....who maybe could go to guard.  Neal is the wild card here.  If he could be a B- to C+ guard, we'd be  far better than when he was whiffing at tackle,

Quote from: Bob In PA on April 25, 2025, 03:03:12 PMJolly: Maybe someone on the Giants thinks JMSchmitz would make a terrific pro guard? Bob

JMS and Jake Majors are two entirely different animals, who both play center...pretty much exclusively. One is a staunch bulldog who can blow open lanes for a RB...the other, a cerebral pass protector. Here's a small summary on each. Maybe the Giants are thinking to rotate them for different plays

JMS: "John Michael Schmitz is an outstanding pro prospect - his technique is generally impressive, while his strength and overall power are outstanding for the position. As a run blocker, he is elite and for a run-heavy NFL team, he could quickly develop into a pro bowl level player. In pass protection he is good but his production doesn't match that of his run blocking, which may limit his draft demand."

Jake Majors: "With Majors, I see a scheme-specific prospect who'll thrive with teams that emphasize pass protection over power running. The Chargers with their new offensive system would maximize his strengths, as would Minnesota or Buffalo where protections are complex and quarterbacks need clean platforms. His football intelligence will allow for immediate contribution, especially against the exotic pressure packages teams are deploying on passing downs.

Don't be shocked if Majors outplays his draft position once he lands with a team that understands what he brings to the table. He won't ever be the guy who consistently moves Pro Bowl nose tackles off the ball, but in today's NFL, his pass protection chops and mental processing are worth their weight in gold. I've got a third-round grade on him, but with his pass protection skills and football IQ, some team's getting a potential long-term starter if they can scheme around his limitations in the run game."

My biggest gripe about Schoen and Daboll this past year was their complete unwillingness to try Beal at guard a position he played well his freshman year at Alabama. By the start of last season anyone with common sense knew he isn't an NFL tackle. It would have given them the entire year to decide if they should pick up his fifth year option and would have provided some clarity headed into this offseason. To me that was a clearly an unforced error. Their approach led to him sitting on the bench the entire year without knowing if there was the possibility he could actually contribute to this team.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on April 25, 2025, 02:13:24 PMJust my take but I think the line is solid right now. Spectacular, no, garbage, no, but solid. As I stated before  the line played between the 10-12th best line the first 6 weeks of the season before AT went down. That was with a brand new oline coach and 3 brand new additions to the starting lineup. After a year together, the line should be better even without additions because you are going into year 2 and the guys have reps together. They also have a brand new Qb room with actual nfl starters which should also help a ton. Do we need depth? Yes, we  have a ton of depth but none are + starters. We could use an upgrade at C and RG but they are average right now which is a lot better than previous years.

I really like your overall outlook but, instead of me continously expressing concern over Thomas' short term recovery back to his full ability, I would feel much better if the Giants could pick up a capable depth player to spell Thomas at left tackle without significant drop-off in performance. This would take pressure off him while he rounds out back into complete football shape AND full recovery from the Lisfranc. Thomas should be able to get back in form at some point during the season; however, he needs to be gradually worked back up to full load. The foot will be OK, but remember the hamstrings, which have been an issue in the past, are a risk for recurrence. Same for the ligaments around his knee. That's why having a capable backup for him is critical.

We'll see how it plays out but capable depth is more important than anything else for this season.

Since the Giants drafted Dart, they can forego drafting a top OL until next season or sign one through FA.

The key in 2025 for the o-line is "capable depth."

Peace!