The New York Giants may or may not have solved their offensive line issues this offseason through the draft, free agency and a coaching change.
Then again, they may not have. Outside of two staples they have at the guard positions, the rest of the line is fluid at the moment, and with no preseason games and limited practice time in camp, they may not have time to put a cohesive group on the field.
What’s new
Joe Judge, the latest consigliere to Bill Belichick in New England takes over as head coach. He knows his life as a first-timer in this league will be difficult so he surrounded himself with a veteran staff, mainly offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who just came off a decade-long stint as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Garrett adroitly hired Marc Colombo, his offensive line coach in Dallas (where he coached three Pro Bowlers) to the same position here with the Giants. Colombo, a massive, intimidating lineman in his day, knows the ropes and will turn this unit into the band of tough guys Giant fans have been yearning for.
Here are the members of that band general manager Dave Gettleman hopes will make him proud:
Nate Solder
With the salary cap getting pinched next year, Solder’s $20.5 million cap hit is untenable, so this is his swan song unless the Giants ink him long-term and tear up his current deal. Don’t count on that.
The former Patriot’s game is in decline, which is why the Giants used two of their top three draft picks this year on tackles. Solder is not guaranteed anything as camp nears, so he’ll have to show marked improvement if he is going to be at left tackle again this year.
Kevin Zeitler
Kevin Zeitler is cast in stone at right guard for the foreseeable future. Zeitler is top player at his position, playing both the pass and run very well and is a leader in the O-Line room and on the field. He could be poised for a Pro Bowl year.
Spencer Pulley
Right now, Pulley is the center. Jon Halapio is rehabbing from an Achilles injury and is not on the roster any longer. The Giants may still sign him should they feel the urge but no overtures have been made as of yet.
Pulley is serviceable at best, one of the reasons the Giants are seeking alternatives.
Will Hernandez
Will Hernandez is the left guard of the present and the future. He had a bit of a sophomore slump last year, but Hernandez is a solid guard with a nasty edge that you just know Colombo will exploit.
Another possible Pro Bowl candidate.
Nick Gates
Nick Gates will be on the roster and likely see quite a bit of playing time as the team loves his versatility. Gates could end up at center or at right tackle to start the season. Gates can play all three positions and Colombo will use that to his advantage.
Cameron Fleming
A below-the-radar signing that could turn out to be a key addition. Cam Fleming played in New England and Dallas so he is well-known to the coaches. He will likely be used as a swing tackle until the rookies get up to speed.
Andrew Thomas
You don’t draft a tackle with the fourth overall selection and stick him on the right side. The Giants will hope that Andrew Thomas takes the fast track into the starting lineup, preferably on the left side. By all accounts, Thomas should be able to do that — displace Solder early on and be a steady force for the Giants for a decade.
Matt Peart
The Giants’ third rounder is said to be a bit of a project. We’ll see about that. The talk is that Matt Peart could end up at left tackle in the future, shifting Thomas over to the right side.
The Giants would be in great shape if that happened because it would mean they solved their biggest issue of the decade in one weekend’s work. No one expects Peart to be a starter in 2020, but he’ll play some type of role this year.
Shane Lemeiux
The tough kid out of Oregon played strictly at guard for the Ducks but has been working out at center. The Giants are hopeful he can make the transition smoothly and quickly.
Shane Lemieux reminds scouts of former Giant lineman Rich Seubert, a fan favorite and Super Bowl champion. That would be a win for Gettleman if Lemieux brings those traits to the Giants.
Others
There could be room for a 10th lineman on the roster. Halapio is a possibility as Gettleman has said in the spring. Kyle Murphy, an undrafted rookie out of Rhode Island can play guard and tackle. Other players in camp are veterans Chad Slade, Nate Wozniak and Eric Smith and undrafted free agent Tyler Haycraft.
