New York Giants OTA No. 3 Takeaways
In Bobby Johnson, the New York Giants are currently on their sixth offensive line coach since 2018.
Johnson is somewhat aware of some of the more recent issues with the offensive line and the attempts by his predecessors to fix it. So is he feeling the pressure yet?
"To be honest with you, no," Johnson said Thursday.
Johnson, who helped mold the Bills offensive line into a functioning unit, said he views his current job as a privilege, and with that comes the responsibility to do whatever it takes to maintain that privilege.
One of the ways Johnson plans to ensure he lives up to the responsibility he's taken on is to manage the pressure on his players, specifically youngsters like Evan Neal, one of two Giants first-round draft picks who projects as the team's starting right tackle.
"That's a delicate balance," Johnson said of managing the pressure for Neal. "Those kids already have enough pressure on them. He was drafted in the top 10. He came to New York City. That alone is enough pressure to crush a player.
"My job is to develop him. My job is to help him exceed his expectations and everybody else's. So I will stunt his development If I try to exert any more pressure that's already there.
"With Evan, he puts a lot of pressure on himself--I've learned that in a short period. One of my keys with him is, 'Hey, my job is to coach you. If you need any pressure applied, let me do it. Don't do it to yourself because you're too young. You won't know when to turn it off. I know when to turn it on, turn it off.'"
That thinking aligns with the responsibility Johnson says exists in his new position.
"Do I feel a responsibility? Yes, I do," he said. "The unit hasn't performed to the expectations. My responsibility is to get them to do that. There's no pressure in that. It's just what comes with the job. If you feel pressure to get a guy to perform, you shouldn't take the paycheck every other Friday.
"That's what's been my approach. I've had the benefit of having some really good jobs, and this is another really good job. So I don't feel the pressure; I just feel responsible for getting 'em to perform to expectation."
Here are some more takeaways from the Giants' third OTA.
OTA No. 3 Takeaways
Kadarius Toney, Kenny Golladay, and Sterling Shepard Among Those Wearing Red
Giants Hoping to Be Full Strength for Start of Training Camp
Giants Auditioning Returners
About those Other Receivers
Post Script to the James Bradberry Fall-out
Other Notes
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