Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum sees promise in the New York Giants and believes they are extremely close to turning it all around and becoming legitimate playoff contenders.
But what is holding them back? Well… The same thing that has been holding them back for nearly a decade — their lacking offensive line.
“I don’t see any reason why they can’t turn this thing around pretty quick,” Tannenbaum told NJ Advance Media. “It comes back to the offensive line. You need to be able to control the game. And if you can run the ball and pass protect, that will hide other deficiencies, like front-seven pressure players or corner play, because you’re playing keep away.”
Like Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, Tannenbaum places a substantial emphasis on building a strong offensive line, which not only aids the quarterback, but the defense as well.
“You’re limiting the number of drives your opponent has,” Tannenbaum said. “That’s why I feel like when you get the offensive line right, it really becomes a true force multiplier. It allows you to control the game, knowing that you’re going to have substandard players at some positions. Not everyone is going to have the perfect player at each position. If they get the offensive line fixed, that will buy them time at other positions.”
The Giants have attempted to build and rebuild their offensive line multiple times in recent years to little or no success. Nate Solder has regressed substantially and may be in line for a positional change, Mike Remmers is a pending free agent, Jon Halapio will once again be coming off of a major injury and Will Hernandez took a step back as a sophomore.
An offensive tackle may be in play for the Giants in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, but they also have a substantial number of needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Ultimately, New York may still be a year or two away from compiling the type of offensive line that will propel them forward, but they need to take that first big step this offseason and land some sort of anchor, whether that comes through the draft or free agency.
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