Tag: Andrew Thomas

Giants restructure contract of LT Andrew Thomas

The New York Giants have restructured the contract of Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Thomas, clearing some extra cap space.

The New York Giants have restructured the contract of Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Thomas, freeing up approximately $3.3 million in salary cap space.

Thomas signed a five-year, $117.5 million contract extension last July that included a $15 million signing bonus with $67 million in guaranteed money.

Thomas’ average annual salary over the life of the contract is $23.5 million. He is the second-highest-paid player on the Giants’ roster after quarterback Daniel Jones ($40 million AAV).

Yates is estimating that the Giants will have approximately $18 million in available cap space after the move, but Over The Cap and Spotrac are reflecting much less than that — about $10 million.

That will still give New York the flexibility to make a move or two before the beginning of the regular season, whether it be via free agency or a trade.

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Halfway through training camp, Giants’ offensive line still unsettled

The New York Giants are still shuffling players around along their offensive line after a major overhaul this past offseason.

New York Giants third-year general manager Joe Schoen has been on a quest to rebuild and establish the team’s offensive line. He’s done a lot of work and expended a load of resources in the process.

Now the question is, as we enter the third week of training camp, has Schoen’s efforts made any difference? The line is still in transition and the coaches are still trying to find the right mix.

From Dan Duggan of The Athletic:

With the Giants nearing the three-week mark of camp, questions still linger about the line. The five projected starters for the season opener have not taken a single practice rep together. One of the projected starters, Greg Van Roten, signed a week into camp.

Those five projected starters for new unit coach Carmen Bricillo are from left to right: Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Jermaine Elumunor, and Evan Neal.

This summer the issue has been (as usual) injuries, except for left tackle Andrew Thomas. All of the other projected starters have been either banged up or playing out of position.

Neal, the right tackle, began the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery. He had to be replaced at tackle by Eluemunor, who had to be replaced by Van Roten. Neal came off PUP this week and is slowly being ramped up, so that side of the line could be ready for the regular season.

Schmitz has another shoulder issue that has him working lightly until further notice. Van Roten and another veteran free agent — Austin Schlottmann — have been spelling Schmitz at center. He appears to be improving and could be ready for the season opener as well.

Runyan was signed to play right guard but is now on the left side next to Thomas. This week, he injured his shoulder, and his understudy, Jake Kubas, was held out also. Van Roten was called upon to fill in again.

“The whole flip-flopping thing is tough going from one side to the other, left to right,” Runyan said early on in camp before being flip-flopped back to the left side.

“So (you’re) trying to build some cohesion with whatever side you’re going on. It’s tough going from the left side to the right side. Your whole body has to change. Everything’s just reflected and your whole eyes and feet and hands, it’s all different. It’s nice being able to stick on one side.”

Eluemunor and Van Roten are veterans who have seen a lot of NFL snaps in their careers, many of them under Bricillo, who coached them most recently last year in Las Vegas with the Raiders.

Elumunor played right tackle in Las Vegas last year and Van Roten can play any of the three interior spots. That’s good news for the Giants, who can’t seem to keep Neal and Schmitz healthy.

Van Roten was an 11th-hour signing and may end up being the unit’s linchpin this year. As stated, he’s a plug-and-play vet who can fill in anywhere — especially at center.

“Carm has a lot of confidence in his ability to do that, and it’s good for him to get in, get all the calls,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Van Roten.

“That will help eventually when he gets to guard. But he’s done a good job of picking our stuff up in a short amount of time, and some of it there’s some similarity with it. But good leadership, good communication, and JMS is not in there. We’re going to put him in there right now and let him go.”

The Giants certainly have options along the line they have not had in years past but the stability is still an issue. They are hoping to have a clearer picture by training camp’s end.

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Giants’ Andrew Thomas won an interesting offseason competition

The New York Giants apparently had an interesting offseason competition that LT Andrew Thomas claims he won.

New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas told reporters on Wednesday that he won the most body fat competition this offseason.

Head coach Brian Daboll might have something to say about that, but perhaps this was players-only.

“I’m feeling great. Obviously, I had the hamstring last year, but I feel really well. Doing a lot of rehab stuff, a lot of Nordics and stuff like that, just to build that strength up, but I feel pretty good,” Thomas said. “I won the competition this year for the most body fat loss and stuff like that, building muscles, so I’ve been doing a good job, I feel great.”

The former Georgia product had a rough start to his career as he struggled allowing the most pressures in the league (57) in his rookie year. But he really came into form after this as he allowed 56 pressures over the next three seasons combined.

Thomas even earned Second-team All-Pro in the 2022 season. He was also insanely disciplined that year with no holding penalties or false starts and only allowed 21 pressures and 3.0 sacks all season.

Thomas was having a decent 2023 season before it got riddled with injury. However, he is feeling a lot better this offseason both physically and mentally.

For the offensive tackle, this can potentially translate into a dominant run game for the Giants.

“Yeah, for sure. I would say the first thing is just be dominant in the run game. I think that opens the offense up so well when you can consistently run the ball for four or five yards, and then in the pass game, just protect (Daniel Jones),” he said. “Last year we had, I think it was the most sacks ever, so our job this year is to protect DJ, give him an opportunity because we have skill guys so give him time, he can make plays.”

The Giants will need to drastically improve the offensive line if they want any chance to compete in the NFC East with the likes of the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles edge rushes. It will need to begin with Thomas staying healthy and losing the most body fat is a great start.

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Giants will have one of NFL’s most expensive offenses in 2024

In an effort to turn their fortunes around, the New York Giants are allocating 58 percent of their salary cap resources in 2024 on offense.

The NFL salary cap was raised to $255 million per team this offseason, which led to clubs going on mini-spending sprees.

For the New York Giants, they allocated their space all over the board, but in the end, the offense is where the biggest investments were made.

In a recent analysis of each team’s financial makeup of their roster, stat guru Warren Sharp revealed the Giants are spending $149.8 million — or 58 percent — of their cap resources on their offense in 2024.

That is the sixth-highest in the NFL and it’s without re-signing star running back Saquon Barkley, who left for Philadelphia via free agency.

Leading the way, naturally, is quarterback Daniel Jones with a cap hit of $47.8 million followed by left tackle Andrew Thomas at $23.3 million. Together, they take up nearly 28 percent of the Giants’ total cap space.

The Giants have had little to show for their money on offense but hope the development of their young core of skill players combined with some strategic free agency signings this season along the offensive line.

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Giants’ Andrew Thomas among PFF’s 50 best players ahead of 2024 season

Pro Football Focus has named New York Giants LT Andrew Thomas one of their 50 best players ahead of 2024 season.

The New York Giants will report to training camp in one week’s time and do so with a — stop us if you’ve heard this before — revamped offensive line.

The unit will feature two new starters in Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor, as well as the returning John Michael Schmitz, Evan Neal, and Andrew Thomas.

Thomas remains the anchor of the group even after an underwhelming, injury-plagued season in 2023. He’s healthy once again and hopes to return to the dominant force that he was in 2022.

Currently, Pro Football Focus is releasing their 50 best players ahead of the 2024 season and despite last year’s hiccup, they still view Thomas as a top player.

29. T ANDREW THOMAS, NEW YORK GIANTS

The loss of Andrew Thomas to injury last season was a devastating blow to an already weak offensive line. Thomas ended up playing just 576 snaps, a little more than half of his 2022 total. He has elite pass-blocking chops and had brought his run blocking to a similar level in 2022 before injuries derailed him in 2023. If Thomas bounces back and enjoys a healthy season, while having some better players alongside him on the Giants’ line, he is well worthy of this ranking.

Neal will be under significant pressure this coming season but Thomas will face plenty of his own. The Giants are banking on him to return to his All-Pro form because if not, the team’s spiral will likely continue and jobs will be lost.

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AFC executive: Giants’ Andrew Thomas could reach Trent Williams levels

An AFC executive believes New York Giants LT Andrew Thomas has the potential to become a Trent Williams-like anchor.

Where does the New York Giants’ Andrew Thomas rank among the NFL’s top offensive tackles?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has Thomas ranked eighth among his peers heading into the 2024 season. The former Giants’ first-round pick has dipped in the rankings after missing half the season to injury last year, but he has a ton of upside as he is still just 25.

A hamstring issue cost Thomas seven games in 2023, thus stunting his growth on this list. But he got several top-three votes due to his major ability. Thomas signed a five-year, $117.5 million extension just after our list was published last season.

“Trent Williams has been the standard, but I think Thomas, if he puts together a stronger body of work, has enough upside to be the top guy,” an AFC executive said.

A healthy season will surely jettison Thomas back up in the rankings. The Giants suffered greatly without him in 2023, surrendering a league-high 85 sacks and allowing their top two quarterbacks to miss time with injuries.

“That would be a dream come true, (the game) that we play,” Thomas said in April when asked what staying healthy would mean to him. “A lot of things are out of your control, but I am just doing my best to have a positive mindset and do all the rehab and stuff I can to prevent injuries as much as possible.”

Thomas, the fourth overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft, struggled early in his career but the light went ton in Year 3  and he was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2022.

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Giants fall in ESPN’s under-25 talent rankings

The New York Giants have dropped seven spots in ESPN’s under-25 talent rankings ahead of the 2024 regular season.

The New York Giants have fallen in ESPN’s under-25 talent rankings. They are ranked 13th for the upcoming season. They were sixth in 2023.

Analyst Aaron Schatz noted Big Blue has three blue-chippers (outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, cornerback Deonte Banks, and wide receiver Malik Nabers), three of their four first-round picks over the past three years.

Notables mentioned were left tackle Andrew Thomas and center John Michael Schmitz.

Let’s start with the good: Thibodeaux, who had 11.5 sacks last season, doesn’t turn 24 until December. Cornerback Banks, last year’s first-round pick, allowed just 6.6 yards per pass in his rookie season and is also 23. So is Banks’ partner, 2022 third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott. And Micah McFadden has developed into a starting linebacker at age 24.

On offense, receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, 23, stepped up with 525 receiving yards and one touchdown last season, and tight end Daniel Bellinger (also 23) averaged 10.2 yards per catch. And we also have this year’s top draft picks who both will likely start: wide receiver Nabers (21) and safety Tyler Nubin (23).

Giant fans are optimistic and are hoping the young core blossoms in general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll’s third season.

Schatz explained why the Giants dropped seven spots from 2023:

The Giants dropped from last year’s ranking because some of their recent high draft picks were disappointing in 2023. Evan Neal ranked dead last among qualifying right tackles in pressure rate allowed. And edge rusher Azeez Ojulari had just 2.5 sacks. But both players still have growth potential, with Neal at age 23 and Ojulari at 24.

Neal was an early first-rounder along with Thibodeaux in 2022 and Ojulari was a second-round selection the year before. Both have had injury issues that have stunted their development.

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PFF remains unimpressed with Giants’ O-line after offseason upgrades

Despite the New York Giants’ offseason upgrades at guard, Pro Football Focus remains unimpressed with their offensive line entering 2024.

The story has already been written and many New York Giants fans do not need a refresher. The team’s offensive line was among the worst in football last season, allowing 85 sacks.

While injuries largely factored into that futility, their troubles ran much deeper than that. Evan Neal failed to progress, then-rookie John Michael Schmitz wasn’t the “plug-and-play” prospect the Giants had hoped, and even when healthy, Andrew Thomas struggled at times.

In an effort to combat those issues, general manager Joe Schoen made the offensive line a focus of his during free agency, adding Jon Runyan Jr., Jermaine Eluemunor, Matt Nelson, Austin Schlottmann, and Aaron Stinnie to the fray.

Despite those additions, Pro Football Focus still views the Giants’ O-line as one of the worst in football.

29. NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants’ offensive line was among the NFL’s worst in 2023, partially due to injuries. While they brought in a couple of new players in Jermaine Eluemunor and Jon Runyan to start at guard, they need their returners to improve drastically.

Center John Michael Schmitz Jr., a second-round pick in 2023, and right tackle Evan Neal, a top-10 pick in 2022, have been disappointing so far. Even left tackle Andrew Thomas staying healthy and getting back to his 2022 form wouldn’t make up for poor performances from the other young players on the line in 2024.

Eluemunor and Runyan should help significantly on the inside but the unit still depends on Neal, who may be up against his final chance at right tackle. If he continues to struggle — contrary to what the team says publicly — he’ll likely be benched or moved to guard in favor of Eluemunor.

No matter what, the Giants’ offensive line can’t be worse than it was in 2023. Right?

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Sports Illustrated names Giants’ Andrew Thomas a potential first-time Pro Bowler

Sports Illustrated has jumped on the bandwagon and pegged New York Giants LT Andrew Thomas as a potential first-time Pro Bowler in 2024.

New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas has turned out to be one of the team’s best pieces in recent years and is arguably the best player on the current roster.

Although the Giants have been attempting and failing to fix the offensive line for years, Thomas was one choice the organization got right.

After a rough rookie year, when he was selected fourth overall in the 2020 NFL draft, Thomas has blossomed into one of the Giants’ best pieces.

Sports Illustrated has pinpointed the Giants’ left tackle as a possible first-time Pro Bowler for the second straight year.

Andrew Thomas, offensive tackle, New York Giants, fifth season

Thomas was on my list last year. Rarely do you see a stalwart anchor tackle in a big market who has had second-team All-Pro honors not have a Pro Bowl to his name. Thomas, unfortunately, was injured last year and the Giants’ offensive line suffered massively from an optical standpoint due to a few really bad performances. Like the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense, I think the Giants’ offensive line is in for a big perception shift thanks to a coaching change. Evan Neal and John Michael-Schmitz Jr. are highly drafted young players who need a lifeline and must collectively improve in order to buoy this offense. If that happens, a lot of the credit also needs to go to Thomas.

This isn’t the first time or place that Thomas has been tabbed as primed to grab his first Pro Bowl this offseason.

The Giants’ offensive line is expected to be much improved this season but health will go a long way toward the unit’s success. Thomas is no different as injuries held him to just 10 games played last season.

If he can stay healthy this season, maybe — just maybe — Thomas will finally get that very first and well-deserved Pro Bowl nod.

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Giants’ Andrew Thomas, Azeez Ojulari named NFLPA community MVPs

New York Giants LT Andrew Thomas and LB Azeez Ojulari have been named NFLPA community MVPs for their recent charity work.

Current New York Giants teammates Andrew Thomas and Azeez Ojuari, who were also college teammates at Georgia, have been named NFLPA Community MVPs for their work with kids in New Jersey.

From the Giants:

Thomas and Ojulari recently hosted children and their families from the Boys & Girls Club of Newark and Secaucus Parks & Recreation for an advance screening of the movie “IF”, which led to the two players being named NFLPA Community MVPs.

Over 100 local children attended the event as the two members of the Giants posed for photos with the kids and their families.

Thomas was selected fourth overall by the Giants in 2020 and signed a five-year, $117.5 million extension with Big Blue last July.

Ojuari, a second-round pick in 2021, is in the final year of his rookie deal and must overcome his injury history to earn a second contract with the club.

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