The New York Giants have been in need of a center for years. One that plays every snap and plays them well.
So far in 2023, they are getting that from this year’s second round selection out of Minnesota, John Michael Schmitz.
Schmitz is the only Giant to play on 100 percent of the team’s 188 offensive snaps thus far this season. In just three games, he has become the anchor of the Giants’ offensive line.
“I was always told just to live in the moment,” Schmitz told reporters on Tuesday when asked how he felt about one month of his career already under his belt.
Schmitz is being tasked with solidifying a mish-mosh of a line that has underperformed for the better part of the last decade. He is the bridge to the future but that future seems to have rushed up on him more quickly that expected.
The Giants have started three different lineups in the first three games this season along the line due to injuries. The only anther lineman to start all three games is right tackle Evan Neal.
But it is Schmitz the Giants are banking on to make the operation run.
“It’s my responsibility to communicate on the line, making sure everyone’s on the same page. We’re seeing five as one, know who we’re blocking, know who we’re going to, our assignments,” he said. “When you get on the sideline, you talk about it, you say, ‘This is what they did,’ and at the end of the day, we want to get things fixed. There are no pointing fingers. Not saying anyone did anything wrong, we just want to get it fixed so we can get things rolling.”
The Giants face the Seattle Seahawks this coming Monday at MetLife Stadium, and most likely will be without star running back Saquon Barkley against the NFL’s third best rushing defense.
“Really good defense,” Schmitz said of the Seahawks, who are allowing just 2.9 yards per rushing attempt this year. “The games I’ve watched already, we’re going to have a tough battle against them. Just ready to go compete and put our best foot forward.”
The Giants have scored just six points in the first half of their their three games this season while allowing 63. Schmitz knows what needs to be done to rectify the problem of falling behind early in games.
“We’ve just got to start fast. That’s it. We’ve just got to start fast. We’ve got to come out with great energy. We’ve got to execute at a high level. We’ve just got to go,” he said.
Saying that has been the easy part. Actually doing it… Well, that’s a different story.
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