‘League’s worst O-line’ named Giants’ biggest concern of 2021
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge are completely sold on their offensive line entering the 2021 regular-season.
“It’s really apparent that we have more confidence in our offensive line than you guys do,” Gettleman told reporters this offseason. “We’re happy with the group we have.”
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“I’m encouraged by the guys we have on our roster right now,” Judge added. “We are committed to working with the guys on our roster and improving each one of those guys individually and that should help the unit collectively.”
That confidence is not shared by many outside of East Rutherford. In fact, most believe the offensive line with be a determent to the Giants and third-year quarterback Daniel Jones this coming season.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report is one of those people, naming the “league’s worst offensive line” the biggest concern for the 2021 Giants.
Last year, no team in the NFC sported a worse offensive line than the New York Giants, per Pro Football Focus.
After veteran guard Kevin Zeitler left to sign with Baltimore this offseason, New York’s offensive front is now the worst in the entire league, per PFF’s Steve Palazzolo:
“Giants offensive linemen have combined to produce the fifth-worst overall grade in the league over the past two years, and they rank in the bottom eight in both pass blocking and run blocking. The bottom line is that the Giants’ offensive line is a massive question mark. They need their young players to develop and their veterans to provide career years just to rank in the middle of the pack for 2021.”
As things stand now, New York’s starting line could feature three starters who allowed double-digit sacks in their last season: tackles Nate Solder and Andrew Thomas and guard Zach Fulton.
The Giants are hopeful that Rob Sale — the team’s third O-line coach in a year and a half — will steady the ship, but considering how much they’re gambling with this unit, that’s a tall ask.
In a season that will likely determine the fate of quarterback Daniel Jones and, as a result, the fate of Gettleman himself, the Giants are not exactly playing it safe. But perhaps their confidence will be rewarded and they’ll get the last laugh as everyone else is forced to eat crow.
