Big Blue Huddle

Giants can't really let him play guard this season if for no other reason than they don't have a lot of bodies to even stand out there at tackle right now.  The time to try him at guard was training camp/preseason to at least get a look but of course they outright refused to do that.  It's still unclear why.

This offseason I hope they do, starting at minicamp, force him to learn the position.  He doesn't seem able to play tackle.  So let him try guard.  Failed tackles have thrived at guard before, we've seen it multiple times.  Give the guy a shot for god's sake!  Could it possibly go any worse than tackle has gone?

I've been advocating for this move for a year and a half. He has no business playing tackle in the NFL. There's only chance to recoup any value out of the 7th pick overall is to see if he can play guard. Predictably the bright lights in the front office will refuse to consider it before waiving him next year, only to watch someone else do it to great success. There's a reason why we are one of the four worst franchises in the NFL for the last decade.

I'm usually not a big "question the coaches" guy - but Evan Neal is such an obvious G I have no idea what they're doing. I have to believe it's a political save face move by Schoen.

This guy literally has the tools to be a great G. So frustrating. Not sure why that would be such a bad thing at 7 either.

Quote from: 4 Aces on December 03, 2024, 07:59:13 PMI'm usually not a big "question the coaches" guy - but Evan Neal is such an obvious G I have no idea what they're doing. I have to believe it's a political save face move by Schoen.

This guy literally has the tools to be a great G. So frustrating. Not sure why that would be such a bad thing at 7 either.

Maybe it's because we have a obvious need at tackle with both guards making every start? Which guard is moving to tackle?

This is a brutal review of Evan Neal by Brian Baldinger. Thinks Neal against Dallas was the worst OT performance he's seen this year. Doesn't believe Neal can play Guard. Keep in mind Baldinger called Evan Neal his favorite player in the draft a few years ago.

Quote from: 4 Aces on December 03, 2024, 07:59:13 PMI'm usually not a big "question the coaches" guy - but Evan Neal is such an obvious G I have no idea what they're doing. I have to believe it's a political save face move by Schoen.

This guy literally has the tools to be a great G. So frustrating. Not sure why that would be such a bad thing at 7 either.

I agree. To not try him at all at G does raise questions.

Also, is it possible he is too tall for Guard in terms of the QB making throws over him?....im asking because I have no idea.

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on December 03, 2024, 10:27:39 PMThis is a brutal review of Evan Neal by Brian Baldinger. Thinks Neal against Dallas was the worst OT performance he's seen this year. Doesn't believe Neal can play Guard. Keep in mind Baldinger called Evan Neal his favorite player in the draft a few years ago.

I've maintained that I don't see him at Guard either, but if they want to give him one last shot next season, then let him train and compete for Guard spot. Van Roten isn't getting any younger but I would still offer him a contract for a year more.

I'll bite.

What makes him worse at G than T?

Toomer - yes - he's needed at RT now. My argument is he should've been switched to G a long time ago. Possibly right after being drafted. That's what he is. They should've known it when Oshane Ximines (who never won a pass rush rep in his life) was kicking his butt rookie training camp.

To me, he's clearly demonstrated he can't block ER's in space. That's where it all spirals.

Part of the reason he was such a "sure thing" in the draft was his ability to play T or G. But we just "can't" because people "know" he can't play G. I like Baldinger, but I just can't get behind someone hemming and hawing that he MAY not be good at G either when he's literally the worst OT in the league. Didn't we just go through this with Ereck Flowers who turned out to be a serviceable G? Did PHI care when Shawn Andrews had to play G? Did the Cowboys care when Zack Martin did? Did the Giants with William Roberts?

The league is full of ex-college T's who had to kick inside due to lack of athleticism. There's no shame in it.

Quote from: 4 Aces on Today at 03:26:45 PMI'll bite.

What makes him worse at G than T?

Toomer - yes - he's needed at RT now. My argument is he should've been switched to G a long time ago. Possibly right after being drafted. That's what he is. They should've known it when Oshane Ximines (who never won a pass rush rep in his life) was kicking his butt rookie training camp.

To me, he's clearly demonstrated he can't block ER's in space. That's where it all spirals.

Part of the reason he was such a "sure thing" in the draft was his ability to play T or G. But we just "can't" because people "know" he can't play G. I like Baldinger, but I just can't get behind someone hemming and hawing that he MAY not be good at G either when he's literally the worst OT in the league. Didn't we just go through this with Ereck Flowers who turned out to be a serviceable G? Did PHI care when Shawn Andrews had to play G? Did the Cowboys care when Zack Martin did? Did the Giants with William Roberts?

The league is full of ex-college T's who had to kick inside due to lack of athleticism. There's no shame in it.

He's top heavy and leans and needs nore lower body strength. He is slow to the punch and can easily be pulled down or bull rushed because he will lose the battle of getting his hands under the pad level. He's big but lacks power to drive block at that position, and I don't think he has the feet to Pull and get out to block at the next level.

I support giving Neal reps at Guard. I just think we need to be realistic about what the tape shows, which is exactly what Ed described in his post and Baldinger described in his interview.

Quote from: Doc16LT56 on Today at 06:04:00 PMI support giving Neal reps at Guard. I just think we need to be realistic about what the tape shows, which is exactly what Ed described in his post and Baldinger described in his interview.

He's getting paid either way, so why not.

Quote from: Ed Vette on Today at 04:59:10 PMHe's top heavy and leans and needs nore lower body strength. He is slow to the punch and can easily be pulled down or bull rushed because he will lose the battle of getting his hands under the pad level. He's big but lacks power to drive block at that position, and I don't think he has the feet to Pull and get out to block at the next level.

Plus how often have we heard how much QBs find dealing with pressure from the middle much more troublesome than that from the edge? I'm open to giving him a shot next year at guard but I have little hope he'll succeed

Quote from: Trench on Today at 10:04:09 AMI agree. To not try him at all at G does raise questions.

Also, is it possible he is too tall for Guard in terms of the QB making throws over him?....im asking because I have no idea.

3 inches taller than Lock and 4.5 over Tommy. And we know what that means. Larger gloves and bigger shoes. And another step drop.

Quote from: Ed Vette on Today at 06:09:07 PMHe's getting paid either way, so why not.

Exactly right. And the games are meaningless now.

Well, not exactly meaningless. Wins are meaningless.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on Today at 06:36:10 PMExactly right. And the games are meaningless now.

Well, not exactly meaningless. Wins are meaningless.

No, next year. Let's not get Drew and Tommy killed.