When the New York Giants acquired guard Kevin Zeitler in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, they did so knowing he would shore up a long-standing weakness along the offensive line and help stabilize the unit in 2019.
However, the Giants also knew that Zeitler brings a little something extra to the table — something beyond his on-field success.
Zeitler, a seven-year veteran, is as football savvy as they come. Some might even call it obsessed, but that’s good news for some of the younger players such as 2018 second-round pick Will Hernandez.
“He’s been phenomenal, not only as a player but as a teacher, too,” Hernandez said, via Giants.com. “He’s taught a lot of young guys, including myself, a lot of technique. He was one of the top pass protectors in the league last year, so he definitely has a lot to offer and he’s passing it on to the young guys, myself also, and we’re really glad to have him.”
If the Giants are to improve offensively — which seems like a tall order without Odell Beckham Jr. — much of that will fall squarely on the shoulders of both Hernandez and Zeitler.
While it’s far from a certainty that the offensive line will make a drastic improvement from years past, it’s hard not to feel at least a little excited about this group — particularly at guard with Hernandez and Zeitler.
