John Michael Schmitz

[Brooklyn Dave]

In last years draft , Schmitz and Joe Tippman from Wisconsin were considered the two top centers in the draft and many pundits lauded them as future all pros.

In evaluating Schmitz' performance last year , he was not given a very good one.

I am not an offensive line judge , far from it , but can someone whose knowledge of offensive lineman and their performance is far, far greater than mine please tell me what were Schmitz' shortcomings, what does he have to improve in, is he still in the conversation of a possible All Pro and our center for years to come and might be considered a poor draft choice, ( too early ?) ? . Centers seem to have lengthy careers in the NFL.

[kingm56]

In last years draft , Schmitz and Joe Tippman from Wisconsin were considered the two top centers in the draft and many pundits lauded them as future all pros.

In evaluating Schmitz' performance last year , he was not given a very good one.

I am not an offensive line judge , far from it , but can someone whose knowledge of offensive lineman and their performance is far, far greater than mine please tell me what were Schmitz' shortcomings, what does he have to improve in, is he still in the conversation of a possible All Pro and our center for years to come and might be considered a poor draft choice, ( too early ?) ? . Centers seem to have lengthy careers in the NFL.

JMS first year struggles were completely predicable; in short, he needed a full year of strength training/growth to handle the massive DTs that populate the NFC East. 

[londonblue]

He also had a revolving cast either side of him and injury issues. We'd hope to see a significant step forward year two but unless and until it happens we just don't know.

[Gman329]

I dunno.....I hope we're not whistling past the graveyard with this guy.  His poor first year went under the radar because all our attention was focused on how bad our RT was.  Just as we assumed (hoped) Neal would make a year 2 jump, we're in the same position with Schmitz.  I'm very worried he's not what we hoped for and even more worried that due to his high draft pedigree, we'll stick with him longer than we should. 

[Philosophers]

I don't know.  Minnesota has a top notch weight training program.  He clearly was not strong enough.  Does he get more time in the NFL to weight train than in college?

He is a concern from my standpoint.

[Ed Vette]

Let's not focus on all the negatives. He did play well on many snaps too. It's an adjustment and a learning process. I wouldn't label him a Will Hernandez just yet, who btw went on to have success elsewhere.

[MightyGiants]

The book on JMS, when he was drafted, stated that he was an older prospect who was a high-floor/lower-ceiling type.   His play last season was disappointing.  I agree with @londonblue. What sort of player he ultimately becomes is to be determined.

[kartanoman]

The offensive line has to work as an integrated team. They have to be coached to execute blocking schemes which enable offensive plays to yield their greatest potential.

Having said that, knowing the issues between the head coach and the offensive coordinator, how well would you think Kafka and Johnson's planning of the offensive line blocking schemes into the offensive game plan went? We witnessed it first-hand in the water-logged 0-40 whooping Dallas put on them. Did our new center even have a hope or a prayer in that game? Did any of them on the line, for that matter? Then add the injuries and Schmitz is playing with new lineman on either side of him. How can anyone judge a rookie in that cataclysmic environment and dare to suggest they are concerned about him, apart from his general welfare.

Have most of us here forgotten that, going into last season, many were touting this young man as a mature, responsible leader who would, one day, be wearing a captain's C on his uniform? What's changed about him that is so concerning?

If I were JMS, I'm counting my blessings I survived that experience, can turn the page and look forward to a new coach in Bricillo, and new and experienced linemen, who will help me get back on my development track and allow me to show the Giants, and their fans, the skills I have which made them want to draft me in the first place.

I'm not the least bit concerned. Quite the contrary, I'm excited for the young man, as well as the tackles that they have a professional coaching them now with a track record for development and success.

Peace!

[kartanoman]

Let's not focus on all the negatives. He did play well on many snaps too. It's an adjustment and a learning process. I wouldn't label him a Will Hernandez just yet, who btw went on to have success elsewhere.

Very true, Ed. Living in Cardinal country, Hernandez had a near Pro Bowl season. He is a southwestern kid and probably didn't adapt well to the northeast. He loves it here in Arizona and he's close to his family in New Mexico. It could have been something as simple as that, sad as it may seem.

Peace!

[Brooklyn Dave]

The offensive line has to work as an integrated team. They have to be coached to execute blocking schemes which enable offensive plays to yield their greatest potential.

Having said that, knowing the issues between the head coach and the offensive coordinator, how well would you think Kafka and Johnson's planning of the offensive line blocking schemes into the offensive game plan went? We witnessed it first-hand in the water-logged 0-40 whooping Dallas put on them. Did our new center even have a hope or a prayer in that game? Did any of them on the line, for that matter? Then add the injuries and Schmitz is playing with new lineman on either side of him. How can anyone judge a rookie in that cataclysmic environment and dare to suggest they are concerned about him, apart from his general welfare.

Have most of us here forgotten that, going into last season, many were touting this young man as a mature, responsible leader who would, one day, be wearing a captain's C on his uniform? What's changed about him that is so concerning?

If I were JMS, I'm counting my blessings I survived that experience, can turn the page and look forward to a new coach in Bricillo, and new and experienced linemen, who will help me get back on my development track and allow me to show the Giants, and their fans, the skills I have which made them want to draft me in the first place.

I'm not the least bit concerned. Quite the contrary, I'm excited for the young man, as well as the tackles that they have a professional coaching them now with a track record for development and success.

Peace!

Thanks

[Bob In PA]

The offensive line has to work as an integrated team.

kart-man: Please re-post this sentence about once per week until the season starts. lol

[Sem]

kart-man: Please re-post this sentence about once per week until the season starts. lol

And then twice a week during the season. 

[kartanoman]

And then twice a week during the season. 

It's bad enough I have to preach it to engineers integrating components and subsystems into a system. That's another story I'll share in depth when I retire in a decade and change.

Peace!

[MightyGiants]

The end result requires teamwork, but I think there is enough individual performance by linemen than they can be evaluated individually

[Bob In PA]

It's bad enough I have to preach it to engineers integrating components and subsystems into a system. That's another story I'll share in depth when I retire in a decade and change.

k-man: Does your final sentence mean you're going to change after you retire in ten years -or- you're going to retire in slightly over ten years?  Bob