Nick Gates, the New York Giants’ swing lineman who arrived as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska in 2018, is a typical story of success of how an unheralded player can become a core member of an NFL franchise.
Gates spent his rookie year on injured reserve and came into camp last year to prove that he belonged. The 6-foot-5, 307 pounder was ready to play anywhere the Giants needed him to and then proved that he could do it.
In 2019, Gates earned a roster spot and played in all 16 games, starting three. He played tackle and guard and this summer, the Giants confirmed their commitment to him by inking him to a a two-year, $6.825 million contract extension.
Except now, Gates is not going to be that wing lineman any longer. He’s likely the starting center after beating out Spencer Pulley for the job this summer.
Gates will debut as the Giants’ center on Monday night when the team opens the 2020 regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who led the NFL in sacks last season.
The Steelers have a formidable front seven with Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu and Stephen Tuitt up front, Devin Bush and Vince Williams as the inside linebackers, and T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree on the outside.
Gates will have to make the offensive line calls against that group and the Giants need him to be right more often than not.
“I’ve just been watching a lot of film,’ said Gates. “Me and Spencer go in as the centers, we have to watch more film than most of the other guys and do the scheme and everything like that. Me and Spencer came in on Tuesday on our off day and probably watched film for about two, three hours extra, just kind of talked through a couple things. ‘If they run this, what are we going to do? What are our calls?’ Vice versa, things like that, just kind of pick each other’s brains.”
Joe Judge is making his debut as the Giants head coach in this game, expanded on Gates’ role.
“Here is the thing, if you overplay T.J. Watt, you have Bud Dupree on the other edge and he’s just as fierce,” Judge said. “We have to play smart as a team, we have to call it the right way as coaches, put them in the right position. This all ties into game planning and how we’re working together. The simple answer, do you have to account for really good players, obviously we have to account for really good players. Watt, Bud Dupree, go down the whole list of those guys, they’re all really good.”
That’s true. First thing first, though. Know your assignments and follow through. That is where this line is at with three new starters (tackles Cam Fleming and Andrew Thomas) and the fiercest pass rush in the league coming to town.