Big Blue Huddle

Nick Falato
@nickfalato
·
1m
The #Giants benched Josh Ezeudu - their original plan for swing OT - after one poor performance in Week 7.

Chris Hubbard received the start in Week 8; he surrendered 12 pressures and 6 QB Hits against the #Steelers.

It's a tough spot for Hubbard, who was signed off the 49ers practice squad 10 days before the game.

So...

What the hell is going on with Evan Neal? New York spent a top-10 pick on him in 2022. He's been healthy for months, and he only finds the field on a botched 2-point conversion attempt?

New York is without Andrew Thomas. They're in trouble at OT, and a former renowned prospect can't sniff the lineup, and practice squad players are starting over him. NOT GOOD!

https://x.com/nickfalato/status/1851260746253971684

As much as I would like to see Neal get a shot at LT, the line has been much improved under Bricillo. I would have to think that he has the most input as to who plays LT.

Neal, Jalin Hyatt and now maybe Deonte Banks are MIA.

What does this say about their player evaluation?

Quote from: Philosophers on October 29, 2024, 10:09:51 AMNeal, Jalin Hyatt and now maybe Deonte Banks are MIA.

What does this say about their player evaluation?

Not good

Simply consider this.  How many draft picks have exceeded the expectation set by their draft slot and how many have underplayed or contributed based on where the Giants drafted them?

Hubbard had no business starting and should have been benched after the 2nd series. As poor as Ezeudu played a week ago he wasn't nearly this bad was he?

Neal is an utter bust. No question.

In defence of the regime, I don't recall a single report that this was a reach or a gamble. I remember him being described as oven-ready NFL tackle.

Such a shame that this was an absolute miss. 

Quote from: EDjohnst1981 on October 29, 2024, 11:41:46 AMNeal is an utter bust. No question.

In defence of the regime, I don't recall a single report that this was a reach or a gamble. I remember him being described as oven-ready NFL tackle.

Such a shame that this was an absolute miss. 

There were warning signs

1)  I remember looking at college tape.  One thing I was taught is you don't want to see O-linemen on the ground.  Neal was on the ground a lot.

2)  Neal refused to participate in the Combine

3)  Alabama O-linemen have a higher than average bust rate

Quote from: TDToomer on October 29, 2024, 11:17:32 AMHubbard had no business starting and should have been benched after the 2nd series. As poor as Ezeudu played a week ago he wasn't nearly this bad was he?

Hubbard- 9.2 Pass Blocking, 91.0 Run Blocking

Quote from: Ed Vette on October 29, 2024, 12:02:17 PMHubbard- 9.2 Pass Blocking, 91.0 Run Blocking

That... is possibly the wildest PFF grade I've ever seen.

Quote from: H-Town G-Fan on October 29, 2024, 12:03:58 PMThat... is possibly the wildest PFF grade I've ever seen.

I had to look at his size, thinking maybe he was one of those 350-pound road graders who could run block, but could be easily run around.  Instead, he has a listening of 6' 4 and 295 pounds

Evan Neal has only started 20 games... so he's basically still a rookie.

Seriously though, for Neal to not get a shot to play at this point, there has to be an off the field issue... in addition to his terrible on field performance. I thought I heard whispers a while back that the coaches were unhappy with Neal's work ethic. I don't know if that's true and/or if that's the reason he doesn't get to play, but there has to be something else going on.

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on October 29, 2024, 02:02:52 PMEvan Neal has only started 20 games... so he's basically still a rookie.

Seriously though, for Neal to not get a shot to play at this point, there has to be an off the field issue... in addition to his terrible on field performance. I thought I heard whispers a while back that the coaches were unhappy with Neal's work ethic. I don't know if that's true and/or if that's the reason he doesn't get to play, but there has to be something else going on.

It is odd that his leash is so short considering our experiences with Thomas and his growing pains.

Also odder still that seemingly some players get a far longer period of games to fully examine their development.

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on October 29, 2024, 02:02:52 PMEvan Neal has only started 20 games... so he's basically still a rookie.

Seriously though, for Neal to not get a shot to play at this point, there has to be an off the field issue... in addition to his terrible on field performance. I thought I heard whispers a while back that the coaches were unhappy with Neal's work ethic. I don't know if that's true and/or if that's the reason he doesn't get to play, but there has to be something else going on.

When I was hanging out with Bobby Skinner at camp he told me he heard from one of the beat reporters that the team was unhappy that Neal didn't rehab with the team in the offseason.  Although, in fairness, the team misdiagnosed his ankle fracture so it's not like Neal wasn't justified in avoiding them.

Quote from: MightyGiants on October 29, 2024, 03:16:41 PMWhen I was hanging out with Bobby Skinner at camp he told me he heard from one of the beat reporters that the team was unhappy that Neal didn't rehab with the team in the offseason.  Although, in fairness, the team misdiagnosed his ankle fracture so it's not like Neal wasn't justified in avoiding them.

That's an interesting tidbit. But as to a point you've raised a number of times (not verbatim, granted) but how much can players trust Barnes et al?

tHE DOWNFALL OF sCHOEN and his regime will be the result of his clear ineptitude in O line talent recognition.