NFT_ PFF Grades for the Lions game

[Bob In PA]

The Giants need a swing tackle.  Could Ezudu handle that role?

Rich: That's what I was getting at (indirectly). Somewhere else, I posted my view that Ezudu would HAVE TO make the team because he is/was their current "best hope" at swing tackle (which I define as tackle number five; instead of carrying six tackles, you carry five... LT, RT, backup LT, backup RT, and swing).

After yesterday's performance, though, I believe they see him as THE backup LT, with no consideration being given to using him as the swing tackle. That would mean they either see someone else already on the roster as filling the swing tackle role or they intend to grab a veteran at the last minute who has serious experience on both ends of the line.

It is also possible the uncertainty about Evan Neal is playing into the equation, so the Giants at this time are still planning for two scenarios, one in which Neal is the swing tackle (recall that he did play on both sides of the OL at Alabama) if you see my point.

Bob

PS. Lost in our "group disappointment" in Evan Neal is.... he made All-American at LEFT tackle.

[Puffy]

I haven't seen backup O-line play that well in years

We spent a whole offseason talking about bad oline play causing Jones/Tyrod/DeVito to look bad last year and how we need to be cautious that upgrades Schoen made could be fools gold - I was always of opinion that Bobby Johnson (and before him Hal Hunter and Rob Sale) were the real problem.  Especially Johnson.  In his 2 years here the Giants could not pick up a stunt nor a blitz (its why Dallas has dominated us in Daboll's tenure).  They can now that we have a real oline coach.  Carl Banks talked repeatedly on Thursday about "connected" - that is what an oline needs to be.  That is how you adjust to stunts, to blitzes, to commotion. I can guarantee you the Giants will not be 31st in the league this year in offensive line grading (barring massive injuries to Thomas and Elumeneor).  They probably won't be Top 10 either but they will be league average - which is a huge, HUGE, upgrade from where we have been