Giants add veteran OT

by Ed Valentine on Jul 11, 2008 7:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

In one of those under-the-radar moves GM Jerry Reese has become known for, the Giants added some depth to their offensive line Thursday. Four-year veteran starter Shane Olivea has agreed to a deal with the Giants.

I know nothing about Olivea, but this sounds like it might be a coup for the Giants. Here is the New York Post's Paul Schwartz on the move.

Olivea was a starting right tackle for the Chargers for four years but was released last February. The NFL hit him with a four-game suspension (to be served at the start of this season) for violating the league's Substance Abuse Policy but yesterday that suspension was rescinded because of what his agent, Kenny Zuckerman, called "a clerical issue.'' That cleared the way for the Giants to reel Olivea in.

The 6-4, 312-pound offensive lineman was originally a seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State. He was born in Cedarhurst and played at Lawrence High School. After starting 57 of 60 games for the Chargers, Olivea adds considerable depth to the Giants line, which was devoid of any proven reserve strength at the tackle position. The primary backup, tackle Guy Whimper, G played sparingly in his two seasons. Adam Koets, a rookie last year, did not play at all.

As always, in Reese we trust.

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Fantastic

by george cronin on Jul 11, 2008 7:40 AM EDT reply actions

More competition

during training camp is certainly a good thing. I hope the kid can keep himself clean and perhaps learn to play both tackle position, should we get an injury at either spot. Just ask the Eagles what happens when you throw in a tackle that doesn’t have field experience.

by rzor on Jul 11, 2008 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

Very good news

The O-line is becoming this team’s meat and potatoes. Exactly what you want in a champion.

by potroast on Jul 11, 2008 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

O-line

I’ve said before that Reese has some George Young in him. Young believed in stockpiling offensive linemen w/out using (wasting?) high draft picks on them. This is a George Young kind of move, albeit in free agency.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 11, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I wonder how the new player limits will affect who goes to camp

by TerraByte on Jul 11, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

I think the Giants still have to release 3-4 guys before camp starts. They are still a few players above the 80-man limit. It will be interesting to see who goes.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 12, 2008 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

sounds like a good move

but im wary of using lines like ‘in reese we trust’ this early in his tenure. i know its all coming up roses so far, but people were saying the same thing about omar minaya after one year in with him (they even made T-Shirts!) and things didnt exactly turn out so great.

by kendynamo on Jul 11, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions