Giants 90-Man Roster: Will Ereck Flowers Reward Giants’ Patience?

Since the 2016 season ended, we have used a lot of words and spent a lot of time discussing New York Giants left tackle Ereck Flowers. It’s time to discuss Flowers again as we continue our player-by-player profiles of the Giants’ 90-man roster.

I’m going to try not to do an in-depth profile, an intricate technique breakdown, or a rehash of the struggles Flowers has had during his first two seasons in the NFL. Rather, I’m going to ask a simple question.

Knowing what we know about Flowers — the fact that he is still only 23, that he spent his off-season at the Giants’ facility working to get better, that he is going to be the left tackle provided he is healthy — are you optimistic that Flowers can at least become an average to above-average left tackle during the 2017 season? Yes or no?

2016 Season In Review

Flowers allowed five sacks for 34 yards and committed 12 accepted penalties that cost the Giants 102 yards in 2016. Flowers was flagged 13 times overall, tying Donovan Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for most penalties in the league by an offensive tackle. Flowers’ Pro Football Focus score of 48.4 placed him 57th among 78 qualifying tackles graded by PFF. In 2015, PFF gave Flowers a score of 32.5.

2017 Season Outlook

“Ereck did everything that we asked him to do in the off-season. He's in tremendous condition, he looks quick on his feet,” said head coach Ben McAdoo. “He spent a lot of time in the weight room, spent a lot of time conditioning, spent a lot of time on air.”

We know that Flowers and Bobby Hart spent their off-seasons training together in East Rutherford. We know that Flowers is in better physical condition.

What we don’t know is whether or not that work will translate into better movement, better technique and, ultimately, better play from the 2015 first-round pick. That simply isn’t a question we are going to be able to answer until we see real games. As I said the other day, though, all we can do is take it as a positive sign that Flowers appears to recognize the need to improve.

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