New York Giants' position battles: Backup Offensive Linemen

by Ed Valentine on Jul 21, 2009 8:29 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Who will be the New York Giants' backup offensive linemen in 2009? It isn't a sexy topic, but we have spent time looking at other positions, and this is one where I do believe there are some questions.

T Guy Whimper
T/C Adam Koets
T Andrew Carnahan
G/T Kevin Boothe
T Cliff Louis
G/T Terrance Pennington
G Tutan Reyes
G/T Orrin Thompson
T Will Beatty.

We know that, when the starting five is healthy, the Giants have one of the best offensive lines in football. In fact, some people will tell you that it is the best in the NFL. Knock on wood the line has been healthy the past two seasons. A key injury or two, though, and all bets are off.

So, if any of the starters go down, who will the Giants be turning to in an effort to plug the gap, and continue to create holes for running backs and keep Eli Manning in one piece?

Beatty, of course, is a lock to make the team. He was drafted in the second round, and the Giants hope he is their franchise left tackle of the future. They also hope he doesn't have to play much, if at all, as a rookie.

Boothe was the primary fill-in at tackle last season after Whimper was put on IR with a foot injury. He is probably serviceable at guard, but the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder showed last season he is overmatched at the tackle slot. Because he has experience at multiple positions, though, Boothe should make the team.

Reyes is a 10-year veteran the Giants signed to replace veteran backup Gray Reugamer, who was not re-signed. Unless he shows that he has nothing left in the tank, he will make the team.

Koets has been working as the backup center throughout the spring and summer, a new position for him. If he can handle center that, theoretically, means Koets could play anywhere on the line in an emergency. The thought of Koets, a sixth-round pick in 2007 who has played in one meaningless game, playing center gives me agita. Right now, you would think Koets makes the team. I am hoping for the Giants to pick up a proven backup center near the beginning of the regular season, however.

Whimper is the only other player you would think has a real shot at making the team. Before he missed last season with a foot injury the Giants were hoping he might one day develop into a starter. Now, unless the Giants somehow keep 10 linemen he likely has to beat out Boothe or hope for an injury to give him a shot at a roster spot.

As for the rest of those guys, they are likely pretty much just training camp bodies. If any of them impress maybe one or two could sneak on to the practice squad, but that's about it.

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I believe last year the Giants only kept 8 OLine

That makes it a little more interesting. Withour more- than- normal amount of quality DLine, there is no way they can keep 9-10 OLine AND 6 WR. There are going to be some hard cuts and/or practice squad guys this year. So of those five up there, say only three are kept? I say Beatty, Reyes, and Boothe/Whimper (I honestly couldn’t decide, neither players fills me with any sort of confidence).

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by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 21, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

I think you're right

They kept 8. But, I would prefer to see 9 if they can. Or, they have to keep a couple guys on the practice squad.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 21, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I looked it up, finally

This is the group the Giants went with last season.

Offensive Line: (8): Shaun O’Hara, Rich Seubert, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, David Diehl, Kevin Boothe, Adam Koets, Grey Ruegamer.

If they only go w/8 again this year that is bad news for Whimper, I think. Maybe for Boothe, too, if Koets can be adequate at center.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 21, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

What's wrong with Reugamer?

I thought he did a pretty good job as a backup interior lineman. He seemed to develop a good on the field rapport with the other lineman, which seems to be the key to success for this line.

by mymanren on Jul 21, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

Nothing

He simply wasn’t re-signed.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 21, 2009 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

I think he's asking why he wasn't re-signed

Which is a good question due to the lack of quality backups.

by potroast on Jul 21, 2009 11:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

True

That was a bit of a surprise. I don’t recall an explanation ever having been given.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 21, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Reyes

If he is to replace Reugamer then he must play center and guard- right? If yes, he is a lock.

As much as I think he is ordinary, Boothe may stay because he can play guard and tackle.

Leaving the back up tackle to Beatty. IF Giants keep 9 then Koets might stay as a project.

Coaches seem to be out of patience with Whimper ( can you say Wilkerson and Moss?)

by MSP Giant on Jul 21, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

Reyes

does not play center. Koets has been working as the backup center. Otherwise, the backup center is probably Seubert.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 21, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

didn't Whimper only play one season at Tackle in college

It was a big deal when they drafted him, he had played like TE and Safety of all things. He was supposed to be a project, but he was supposed to be ready two years ago.

by queler on Jul 21, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll go ahead and sound stupid

What’s the big difference between the skill set involved with tackles and guards that makes it difficult to play both?
I always thought it was like a shortstop/2nd base situation where maybe your SS has more range but that they were essentially the same job — maybe your tackles need better speed to handle outside rushers or your guards have more size…
Anyway why can’t one pos. sub adequately for the other?

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Jul 21, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

I liked the Tutan Reyes signing

He’s a nice backup.

Then I think Whimper makes the squad, he’s still young and Id think he still has some potential. He only wasn’t the backup T last season b/c he was on IR. Tho with Beatty on the roster I don’t know if they take him, or maybe they take Boothe over him.

Koets shoul still be there too.

I guess if anyone needs to stay on the practice squad, Id leave Boothe on there.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 21, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions