The New York Giants have been one of the worst teams in football for years, but recently have shown some signs that they are finally getting their act together. Their offensive line is a big part of this success, and it’s looking like strength in numbers could finally fix the problems on offense.
The new york giants roster is a blog that covers the New York Giants. It is a team that has been struggling with offensive line play for years now.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A youthful offensive line led by multiple voices from one of the NFL’s biggest coaching staffs is leading the latest attempt to improve the New York Giants’ offensive line. The thinking process here seems to be one of strength in numbers.
Since 2013, the offensive line has been a focus for the Giants, and they have four guys working with the unit at training camp. And if last season (when New York switched offensive line coaches in the middle of the season) taught anybody anything, it’s that coach Joe Judge isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty in the classroom, no matter what position he’s teaching.
When compared to the conventional arrangement of an offensive line coach and one assistant, that’s a lot more influence. The players seem to be enjoying it thus far. The coaches’ messages have been uniform, according to all four Giants offensive lineman contacted for this article.
“A lot of coaches,” said Will Hernandez, the expected starting right guard. “They all spend a lot of time coaching us. Various stuff. They all pitch in to assist each other.”
The New York Giants: What You Need to Know
The New York Giants: What You Need to Know• Questions about the Giants’ training camp » • Proposed 53-man roster » | More NFL » • Blake Martinez is a Pokemon card collector » • Justin Tuck: In 2011, I was on the verge of retiring» • Mannings to appear on a different MNF broadcast » • Giants’ schedule for 2021 » | All games »
From the outside, this unconventional arrangement is regarded with suspicion. Keyshawn Johnson, a former NFL wide receiver, believes this team will continue to struggle.
“You’ve got four people speaking to a single unit. Everyone has a unique approach. Everyone has an opinion on which leg should be used, how to pull, and when to wrap around “Johnson, an ESPN commentator, agreed. “When I say anything, you have to pay attention. Let me know in Week 7 if you have any questions.”
Rob Sale is in charge of the position group that will determine whether or not this club can achieve the results it desires after adding many flashy offensive toys this summer. Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates, Hernandez, and Matt Peart are expected starters from left tackle to right tackle, with Nate Solder as a veteran swing tackle. The second seasons of Thomas, Peart, and Lemieux are underway.
After three seasons as an offensive line coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Sale is in his first year as an NFL offensive line coach. His assistant is Ben Wilkerson.
Pat Flaherty is a consultant who has been coaching at training camp on a regular basis. From 2004 until 2015, he was the Giants’ offensive line coach, during which time the club won two Super Bowls.
Then there’s Freddie Kitchens, the former Cleveland Browns coach who is now a Giants assistant for the second season. Last season, he was the tight ends coach. Under Jason Garrett, he is now a senior offensive assistant working with the offensive line, essentially as a run-game coach and assistant offensive coordinator.
“It’s really gone pretty nicely,” Judge recently said. “I believe all four of them do a fantastic job.”
The Giants’ starting offensive line is led by Nick Gates, left, and Will Hernandez, both in their fourth season. USA Today Sports/Vincent Carchietta
Gates stated: “I consider them all to be on an equal footing. They’ve all come to the same conclusion. Before they go to meetings, they all chat. If one doesn’t know the answer, they go to the next person for help before telling us.”
This is in keeping with Judge’s Giants’ tradition of having 25 coaches listed on their website. That doesn’t include Flaherty, who Sale values as a resource.
“I’d be foolish not to employ that guy with all that expertise and knowledge,” Sale added. “He’s been a Giant for a long time, and we share similar beliefs.”
Sale’s gang is still in charge. Judge, with whom he served as an assistant at the University of Alabama under coach Nick Saban, has his confidence.
Sale is the main instructor and is in charge of the installation times. Wilkerson is in charge of the tackles during practice, while Flaherty is in charge of the guards and centers. Sale steers the ship and keeps an eye on everything.
On ESPN, more people play than anyplace else. Join or start a league in the world’s most popular fantasy football game! Sign up for a free account >>
“We do have two young line coaches in Sale and Wilkerson who are extremely educated and capable of running a room and making changes,” Judge said. “However, having a man [like Flaherty] who can share his knowledge with two young men and assist them never hurts.”
Sale will delegate short-yardage, goal-line, and third-down strategy to his assistants.
“Everyone’s eyes are on the game plan,” Sale added. “We’re all talking and saying the same things, so it’s not like you’re hearing it for the first time when you’re presenting it to the players.”
The Giants seem happy with the arrangement, but the criticism will increase as the season progresses.
Which of the four coaches should one of the young tackles (Thomas or Peart) contact if they have a technical question? Is it taught in a different way by each coach?
This is the thin line that this team will have to tread.
“The more the merrier for us,” Hernandez added. “The more assistance we get, the more eyes on us, and the more coaching points we earn. That’s all there is to it.”
Related Tags
- new york giants record
- new york giants logo
- 2007 new york giants
