Now that the New York Giants have trimmed their roster to the mandatory 53 players, their offensive line can get down the business of playing together and creating some cohesion.
On Tuesday at practice, the Giants’ projected starting offensive line took the field together for the first time this summer. Head coach Brian Daboll commemorated the moment by posing for a picture with the group.
“Yeah, I did,” Daboll laughed when asked if he really took a photo. “I took a picture of those guys in walk-through. The five of them out there doing their first drill together. Walk-through drill.”
The five players being left tackle Andrew Thomas, left guard Jon Runyan Jr., center John Michael Schmitz, right guard Greg Van Roten, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
Tackle Evan Neal is also back on the field after being largely limited over the summer.
The line has been shuffled around this camp due to various injuries to Neal, Schmitz, and Runyan. In their places have some very competent backups in Aaron Stinnie, Yodny Cajuste, Joshua Ezeudu, Austin Schlottmann, and rookie Jake Kubas.
Thomas laughed when asked if he noticed the group was lining up together for the first time on Tuesday.
“I noticed, yeah,” said Thomas. “It was kind of funny. We joked on John Michael a little bit just because he’s young and missed some time. It’s great to have everybody back. We need these reps. I think we have seven or eight practices before the first game so we need every rep we can get.”
Thomas was asked if there was enough time for the group to come together and gain some traction before the season begins in 11 days.
“I think so. I think we have a good group,” he said. “A lot of veterans which I think that helps with the group. And then John Michael, it’s his second year in this system, so just making the MIKE points. I think he’s going to do a good job for us.”
Thomas and quarterback Daniel Jones will be the offensive captains this year. Neither is an extrovert but their backs are against the wall. It’s Thomas’ turn to take the leadership reins.
