Entering this past Sunday’s game in New Orleans, the vibes surrounding the Giants were higher than they had been all season. Big Blue had won three straight, and Tommy DeVito Mania had taken the Big Apple by storm.
A reality check hit the organization hard on Sunday, as the Saints took care of them with ease, 24-6. The same problems that had plagued New York early in the season — porous offensive line play, non-innovate offensive play-calling, inability to force a turnover, and significant injury issues — resurfaced in the Bayou.
Now at 5-9, New York’s season 2023 is basically over, even though they’re still mathematically alive for a playoff spot. Losing the final three games (at the Eagles, home for the Rams, home for the Eagles) would be very beneficial to their draft position and the franchise’s future.
Thinking beyond this season, if the Giants want to get back to the playoffs in 2024, they must shore up these three key areas…
The Offensive Line
New York has invested premium assets into the offensive line in recent seasons, but the play from the group remains subpar. Andrew Thomas has met expectations, as he has cemented himself as the Giants’ left tackle of the future.
His tackle mate, 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal, has struggled mightily in his young NFL career but will get the chance in 2024 to turn his career around at right tackle. Joe Schoen recently told reporters that Neal will stay at tackle and not move to guard.
John Michael Schmitz has performed well in his rookie season, and it looks like he could be the center of the future. The two players who will line up on either side of Schmitz in 2024 are to be determined.
The current internal options are Ben Bredeson, Mark Glowinski, Justin Pugh, Marcus McKethan, and Josh Ezeudu, but all five have struggled throughout their Giants tenures. Pro Football Focus has all of those players but Glowinski ranked in the bottom seven of qualified NFL players at their position this season.
Giants offensive tackle…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-things-giants-must-fix-200604654.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2023-12-19 20:06:04
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