New York Giants position breakdowns: Offensive line

and I agree with your 2010 lineup.

Seriously though, i like that scenario for the flexibility it can have if injuries arise. As for a FA or draft prospect, i would be more inclined to go the draft route. A veteran may seem logical for the experience, but a rookie would be logical for the future. Though i guess it could depend on the veteran himself? O’Hara and McKenzie were FA additions at one point, but they were put into the lineup immediately. So would this vet be servicable for a few more years while we search for the long term solution? Either way, i’m comfortable with it!

I like McKenzie… a lot… but his back is a liability and I can’t say I’d be sad to see him gone. I was thinking perhaps they put Beatty at LT and Diehl at RT (with Seubert still at guard). Diehl seems better suited to the right side where he’ll have less pure-speed rushers and I like the thought of running behind him and Snee on the right because he’s always seemed to be a good road-grader. Ed, do you have Diehl’s splits between run blocking and pass blocking like you did for McKenzie? It’s the little, fast, DEs he seems to have the most trouble with.

Signing a FA RT is probably a better idea then drafting someone high, just to compete and possibly beat out McKenzie. Gives and extra pick to re-tool the D or allows a luxury pick for a weapon (**ahem..Jahvid Best..)

Maybe Boothe gets booted too if they find a gem later round OL who can line up anywhere.

This draft is pretty deep all around (save for maybe QB….)

I dunno if this is the best time to go and start developing the backup to O’Hara…but this draft is stock full of centers.

Makes me think that while they had a down year with some injuries included, that they can remain a very good group with some tweaks.

I think the two new tackle they bring in has to be able to contribute and even be ready to start right away though, in case of injury to McKenzie. Wouldn’t want to have to shift everything back around into a last year style line-up. That means picking up an at least good if not very good FA veteran, or lifting the draft priority up a notch or two to 1 or 2 (in know we got LB and DB issues too but we gotta keep protection and blocking intact up front).

I think Beaty HAS to have a very good camp to get the starting nod at LT. And even if he does I don’t think he’ll be a major upgrade compared to Deihl at LT in 2010. Down the road sure but there is going to be a learning curve with this kid.

With that said if he’s at least adequete puting Diehl back at guard might really jumpstart the running game and there were times this year were the Giants struggled with pressure up the middle which is something I’ve rarley seen over the past 4 or 5 years and Diehl will help that tremendously.

A vetern tackle would be nice to supplement in if Beaty does not work out or to backup McKenzie but guys like that are tough to find. (Bob Whitfield anybody!) So I would not be adversed to the G-Men drafting an O-lineman early in the draft. I know I’ve been advocating D, D, D early on but if you have to go O another stud tackle would not bother me at all.

on the giants web discussion video before.. and i agree witth you both. Deihl at his natural position will be a boost to his already increasing talent. and at rg. our strength in rushing up the middle is better.

richie s will take the demotion as a vet and will work even harder.. proving his worth as the goalline lineman. and maybe as you stated ed, the fullback in short yardage plays, he has the speed to do so.

the main question is beatty.. he should/ and has to work hard this offseason. increase his strength and he will be fine imo.

mckenzie is still ok. i know he has had the issues with his back in the past.. but with a mediocre veteran backup. i dont see this line tacking much of a hit if kareem goes down again.

I think one thing to consider is that, while the Giants OL wasn’t up to the level it’s been at the past few years, it’s still an above average offensive line. This isn’t a position that needs anything close to a major overhaul. I like the OL Ed suggested, and I love the idea of keeping Seubert around for depth – if McKenzie gets hurt, worst case scenario is we slide Diehl back to tackle and put Seubert back in at guard. I just finished reading “The GM” (great book), and Seubert seems like the type of guy who would do pretty much anything for the Giants.

I also wouldn’t mind seeing us take another project OL in the draft, somewhere in the 4-7 rounds. David Diehl was a 5th rounder and both O’Hara & Seubert were undrafted FA’s, so it’s definitely possible to find a good OL that late in the draft.

I am not sold on. He came from an Ivy league program [Cornell], so we’ll give him the smarts, but the curve against pro competition may be too great.

Your suggested starting OL is on the nose Ed. Diehl needs to stay on the left side of the line at LG.

Is there a FA RT out there we can go after? McKenzie came to the Giants that way. If not, keep him and draft a RT high and see who wins in camp.

Boothe as a back up guard is OK but Seubert should fill that need.

Agree with FB that a center for grooming makes some sense in a center rich draft

And draft some depth.

Hopefully by moving Beatty to LT and Diehl to LG you are upgrading 2 spots on your OL without using any upcoming draft picks or spending money on a FA. This will allow the Giants to spend more draft picks and FA dollars on fixing the defense. Beatty will be much better than Diehl in pass protection so he wont need as much help. Mckenzie struggles in pass protection but with Beatty holding his own on the left side the Giants can focus on giving Mckenzie help.

Since Elway retired Shanahan has won 1 playoff game in 10 years and missed the playoffs 6 times.

I was comparing the offense stats from 2008-2009
QB Sacks 28 each year
QB Hits 27 in 2008 and 34 in 2009
very similar,but QB pressures went from
81 in 2008 to 119 in 2009
with Diehl being responsible for 27 and Mckenzie responsible for 25
Mckenzie played about 350 less plays than Diehl

I was thinking the same thing as Ed. Beatty doesn’t have the girth to be a RT in the league. But he does have the athleticism to be a LT.

I’d like the Giants to draft someone like Ciron Black from LSU in the 2nd or 3rd round to learn for a year behind McKenzie.

Will beatty be ready to handle the most important position on the line in his 2nd year?

Thanks, Ed. We ain’t getting this kind of thing anywhere else. You’re the best.

was encouraged to leave and pretty much disappeared. It is hard to know when to separate from a player but knowing before it becomes necessary is key to good team management. KM is there. AP is there. They have been great but time to say goodbye.

Yes, Seubert is breaking down a bit and yes Diehl will be a top 6-8 LG in the league. Book it.

Yes, Beatty has more to learn and more to grow but by season’s end 2010 we will all be wondering why the GMen did not get him on the field sooner.

while it may not be the position of most need right now, I am never, ever adverse to drafting linemen, especially good ones early. This draft looks like one of the most loaded tackle drafts in a long time. I have no problem using a 2nd or even a first if a stud like Davis or Williams falls to us in the first round. Keep the line solid for years is the surest way to success.