The New York Giants have struggled at the offensive tackle position for years and knew it was an area that must be addressed entering the new league year, but to date, the extent of their repair work has consisted of the signing of Cameron Fleming.
That’s not necessarily a knock on Fleming, but it’s no different than what the Giants did with Mike Remmers a season ago when they signed him to a one-year band-aid deal.
While holding a conference call with reporters on Monday, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman acknowledged the work done at the position appears underwhelming, but maintains that the team has faith in both Fleming and Nick Gates, whom the team signed as an undrafted rookie in 2018.
“At the end of the day, we signed Cameron Fleming. He was with Dallas before and obviously there is that connection and with the Patriots before, there’s a double connection,” Gettleman said. “We have faith in Nick Gates, the kid we signed two years ago, a free agent we signed out of Nebraska. He missed his rookie year on IR, but last year he made a lot of progress. We are excited about him.”
Gates finished the 2019 season having taken 290 offensive snaps — 203 at right tackle, 77 at right guard and 16 as the jumbo tight end. He surrendered just one sack, did not commit a penalty and recorded a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.1.
In fact, Gates played so well that the Giants may consider him a starting option at both right tackle, where he’ll compete with Fleming, and at center, where he’ll compete with Spencer Pulley.
“You know, just for what it’s worth, we’ve talked about Nick doing that. He did do some of that last year in practice, so it’s not completely new,” Gettleman said. “Nick is smart. The thing you love about Nick is just how tough he is, because it’s a fist fight in there. There’s no doubt about that. History tells you that the toughness of your team is really, really indicated by the toughness of your offensive line. So, we’re always looking for that kind of piece. Nick would be in consideration at center, absolutely.”
While the Giants are still likely to target both a right tackle and center in the 2020 NFL Draft, expect to see Gates firmly in the mix at both positions whenever it is that football returns to East Rutherford.
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