Giants to Field Another Starting Offensive Line
The New York Giants spent all of summer training camp rotating different guys in and out of various offensive line spots to find the right combination before finally settling on Andrew Thomas at left tackle, Ben Bredeson at left guard, John Michael Schmitz at center, Mark Glowinski at right guard and Evan Neal at right tackle.
Unfortunately for the Giants, a combination of injuries (Thomas/hamstring) and performance (Glowinski) following the Week 1 debacle against the Dallas Cowboys led to a shakeup of the line in Week 2. That was followed by more injuries (Bredeson/concussion) in Week 3.
Now, in Week 4, the Giants have yet another configuration planned. Thomas is on track to return from his hamstring pull, which would mean next Monday night against the Seahawks would be his first appearance in a line that includes second-year man Marcus McKethan at right guard.
McKethan has been an inspiring story. He missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL, which he continued to rehab late into summer camp this year. When he was activated off the PUP list on August 7, the coaches gave him work at guard and tackle, but the thought process was he might have ways to get up to speed to contribute anytime soon.
McKethan, the team's fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina last year, had other ideas. He got up to speed quickly and has done well enough to where the coaches still trust him to man the right guard spot.
In two games this season, the 6-foot-7, 337-pounder has been charged with allowing six pressures for a 95.6 pass-blocking efficiency rating.
In his NFL debut as a starter in Week 2, McKethan consistently used his big body to swallow up his man, reacted well to several stunts and blitzes, and did well with several double-team blocks with Neal. He also moved well in small spaces, and he absorbed power easily.
Against the 49ers, a faster defense, McKethan had his share of hiccups, as he's not especially quick off the snap. Thus, he struggled to handle Arik Armstead's athleticism, speed, and power. While Armstead won the night, McKethan battled in the run game, showing an ability to move with the short pull and hit his man square.
"I think he’s done a good job," head coach Brian Daboll said of McKethan. "Big body, moves well, so again, the experience he’s played in the first couple of games will help him."
The Giants and Thomas are optimistic that he'll be able to suit up for Monday's game against Seattle.
“I am, but we haven’t practiced yet,” he said when asked if he would be good to go. “So, we’ll see once I get out there, but I am feeling good.
“I didn't do much in a walkthrough last week. So, I haven't got to block anybody, so we'll see once we practice.”
If Thomas returns, Joshua Ezeudu, who filled in at left tackle during Thomas's two-game absence, becomes the first man off the bench at guard or tackle; if he doesn't, Ezeudu will remain at left tackle.
“That’s why we move guys around a bunch during the preseason and training camp months because you can,” Daboll said. “If you’re not starting five, you better have some position flexibility to play multiple spots, so certainly an important aspect for us.
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