Evan Neal Looking to Make a Giant Leap in Second Year
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal had a rough rookie season; there’s no denying that. The former Alabama product tied for third-most pressures allowed (52), which included seven sacks.
He also posted seven penalties in 738 offensive snaps, all numbers that raised concerns among the Giants faithful if the team had misjudged Neal, who also missed games due to a mid-year sprained knee, as a top-10 draft pick.
But that's all in the past, and Neal is looking to take an Andrew Thomas type of leap--Thomas also struggled as a rookie--in Year 2 of his development.
Neal has been hard at work to refine every aspect of his game. After playing left tackle for his final year at Alabama, he had to flip over to the right side in his first season with the Giants, which isn't as easy as it sounds.
But to help the process along, Neal spent time in the off-season training with former offensive tackle and All-Pro offensive lineman Willie Anderson, who worked with the young man to find a stance he'd be most comfortable and effective.
“Working with Willie was cool," Neal said. "Just gaining a lot of his knowledge, him being a Pro Bowl player. We were playing around with my stance, seeing what's comfortable, seeing what's not comfortable. The stance that I can be functional and explode out of and stuff like that.
"You've got to be functional in your stance and move efficiently out of your stance. That's what we were trying to find, find a place that I'm quick out of, that's comfortable for me, a stance that I can get in and repeat rep after rep after rep.”
So far, so good for Neal.
“I feel comfortable, but with anything, you want to refine it to the point where you get better results. It wasn't the fact that I was uncomfortable. I was analyzing my game, and I was like, okay, maybe if I tweak this part of my stance, maybe I'll be able to get to my pass set quicker, or maybe I'll be more balanced whenever I take my pass sets. It's just a refining type of thing,” he said.
Despite his struggles, Neal started in 13 games and has two playoff games. He was exposed to a lot as a rookie, going up against several top edge rushers as the season went on. He knows what to expect now as he heads into his second year.
“Nothing is a surprise now. I know what to expect. I know what an NFL-level game is. Just doing what I can to go out there and perform and play well. So, it's good that I got the experience I did last year, carrying it over into this season,” he said.
The Giants are in the midst of their OTA sessions, which are padless and of the non-contact variety. Despite the lack of physicality, Neal appreciates the opportunity to still go up against guys like outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.
“It's always fun when you go up against another body. It’s easy for me to go out and take pass sets against air, but even those walk-through speeds, you get to go through the feel of how you are feeling, just my balance, my base, my hands, and my feet, how everything is matching stuff like that," he said.
"It's still good to go through the motion. Get the muscle memory and the reps.”
Neal’s rookie season might be forgettable, but there was one silver lining Neal was most proud of: his ability to handle adversity.
“Adversity is a part of everything," he said. "Just battled with some things, whether it be injuries, having to miss time, stuff like that. Playing through bad games and things like that. I just like how I was able to be resilient through it all, finish the year strong, didn't complain or anything. Went out there every Sunday and gave it everything that I had. I was proud of that.”
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