[jwplayer REySUQa3-ThvAeFxT]
New York Giants rookie offensive tackle Andrew Thomas had a rough start to his professional career, leading some to question general manager Dave Gettleman’s decision to draft him with the No. 4 overall pick.
However, as the season wore on, Thomas demonstrated a steady incline culminating with his most dominant performance of the year against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
Still, whether it’s fair or not, Thomas will forever be compared to the other members of his draft class — Tristan Wirfs, Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Becton. But it’s not something Thomas gives much thought to, telling reporters on Tuesday that he’s running his own race and beating to the sound of his own drum.
“For me, I look at it as running my own race,” Thomas said. “I want all those guys to be successful, but for me I want to be the best player I can be, the best player I can be for the Giants, for my teammates and that’s what I’m working to be. If I’m focused on what’s going on outside of me, that takes away from being the best player I can be, so I’m just focusing on myself.
“[I’m] not paying attention to what’s going on in the other lanes, just focusing on what Andrew has to do, what he has to do to get better and that’s what I’ve been doing.”
If the four are in a race, Thomas is currently trailing based on multiple metrics. But it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish and Thomas is gaining.
“Obviously, it didn’t start out the way I wanted it to but being a rookie player, left tackle in the NFL, it’s a tough deal,” Thomas said. “So it just took time. Continued to work, just keep my head down, try not to pay too much attention to the media, obviously there’s social media and things like that.”
Those who have gone to battle with Thomas this season have the utmost faith in him. Prior to his firing, Marc Colombo offered hefty praise for Thomas. So did Colombo’s replacement, Dave DeGuglielmo.
“He’s got talent and he’s playing obviously at a premier position in this league. It’s not [easy] to do. I couldn’t do it. Never could, never be able to, but I see the competitiveness that’s going to take him to have a solid career,” DeGuglielmo said in December. “Now, he’s a rookie. Rookies and kickers, they all go in the same bucket with me, you know they’re all over there. They’re their own little grouping of individuals. You need them, they’re necessary and they’re important to your program but it always takes time for a rookie, any rookie to elevate his game to what the others will be.
“He’ll get there. He’ll get there. I promise you this guy will get there, one way of another he’ll get there.”
Head coach Joe Judge and Thomas’ teammates believe that as well. Slow and steady wins the race.
[lawrence-related id=663019,663007,663005]