John Michael Schmitz Set to Roll Up Sleeves, Get to Work for Giants
After several years of having a different starting center for Kickoff Weekend, the New York Giants hope they have finally found their center of the future in Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz.
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Schmitz, who projects as the Giants' Week 1 starter, has used his wrestling background to help him succeed in football.
“Understanding as an offensive lineman, your weight positioning, your body movement, your force, where you need to be, your hand placement, the grappling technique -- that's all important stuff to have, and it’s benefitted me,” said Schmitz when asked how wrestling has helped him on the football field. “I still talk to my wrestling coach today, and he's a great guy.”
Wrestling is oriented around facing off one-on-one against an opponent in a taped ring on a mat while abiding by a set of strict moves. That’s applicable in football, particularly for offensive linemen restricted to certain blocking techniques.
“Yeah, you definitely have that one-on-one battle, especially (from) an offensive line perspective,” said Schmitz. “At the end of the day, you have to win your battle, and that goes across the board – offense, defense, no matter what position you are.”
Although the wrestling background has prepared Schmitz with his talent development and overall success so far, Schmitz knows he also has to win the trust of his teammates by showing up for work and knowing his assignments.
“You’ve got to earn their trust, and that’s by how hard you work,” said Schmitz. “When you come in every day with a mindset that you're going to get better, and at the end of the day, trust is earned over time – with time, consistency, and proof. Those three things don't happen overnight. So obviously hard work on the field and in your playbook, with your body, taking care of yourself, being a part of that team, and getting close with one another.”
However, the biggest question for any rookie stepping into the NFL is how quickly he can acclimate to the skill level they will face and the role they need to fill. For a position like a center, being vocal with one's guidance and confident in one's ability to lead by example is paramount to success.
“I would just say, to be that voice, to connect that group, and to set the tone,” said Schmitz. “As I said before, set the tone from the start and be that tough offensive line that we want to be.” That said, Schmitz knows that transitions are a process and that establishing the tone a new offensive line is after is something he will have to develop in time.
Developing that voice is nothing new for Schmitz, who had to find it at Minnesota and did so successfully.
“I definitely, over time, developed,” said Schmitz. “I feel like I had a voice early on, but you always keep changing. You always keep getting better. You always keep growing every day.”
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