Giants shuffle offensive line — Patrick Omameh out, Spencer Pulley in

The New York Giants are continuing to shuffle their offensive line. Dan Duggan of The Athletic was first to report on Saturday that struggling right guard Patrick Omameh will be removed from the lineup Monday night vs. the Atlanta Falcons. In his place, Spencer Pulley will move to center and John Greco will slide from center to his natural guard spot.

Omameh, signed to a three-year, $15 million contract with $5.5 million guaranteed per Over The Cap, has been a disappointment. He signed as a left guard but moved to the right side when the team drafted Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Omameh’s performance, as you can see from the graphic below, has been far below his career standards. He has allowed 21 quarterback pressures in six games after allowing 22 in 13 starts last season.

Pulley, 25, started all 16 games at center for the Los Angeles Chargers last season. The Chargers signed veteran Mike Pouncey to play that spot this season, cutting Pulley at the end of the preseason. He was awarded to the Giants via waivers.

Greco, 33, has started four games at center since Jon Halapio went on IR with a broken right ankle. The 11-year veteran has spent most of his career at guard, so switching spots with Pulley allows both players to be in their natural spots.

Prior to the news breaking that Pulley would start Monday, offensive line coach Hal Hunter hinted at the possibility.

“He’s [Pulley] really smart. The first thing I did when we got him I called Phillip Rivers to ask about him and Phillip gave me great insight into the guy and so based on that it helped me coach the guy a little bit,” Hunter said. “He’s tough and he’s athletic. I think he’s got a good grasp of the offense and I think he is pushing toward perhaps maybe being one of the first five.”

Now Pulley is exactly that.

The Giants began the season with an offensive line of Nate Solder (LT), Will Hernandez (LG), Halapio (C), Omameh (RG), Ereck Flowers (RT).

On Monday they will line up this way: Solder (LT), Hernandez (LG), Pulley (C), Greco (RG), Wheeler (RT).

The Giants have surrendered 20 sacks this season, with only four teams giving up more. The right side of the line has continued to be a problem. Omameh didn’t play well. Flowers was benched after two games, then released. Wheeler has allowed 18 pressures in four starts and has the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of any tackle in the league who has played at least 100 snaps.