Tag: Ben Bredeson

Giants’ interior offensive line was worse in 2023 than you realize

The New York Giants’ interior offensive line surrendered more sacks than the entire offensive line of 20 other NFL teams in 2023.

The New York Giants’ offensive line has been one of the league’s worst over the past decade and one of the main reasons they have sunk to the bottom of the NFL standings.

Many thought the team had taken care of the line by using major resources in the draft and in free agency in recent years but to little avail.

If anything, the line has gotten worse.

Last season, the Giants allowed 85 sacks, the second most in NFL history behind the 1986 Philadelphia Eagles (104) and 20 more than any other team allowed.

More specifically, their interior offensive line surrendered more sacks than the entire five-man unit of 20 NFL teams.

The Giants have an All-Pro left tackle in Andrew Thomas, but he missed seven games in the first half of the season due to a hamstring issue. Right tackle Evan Neal, another top-10 draft pick, was also hampered by injuries and has been largely inconsistent.

The Giants drafted a top center last year in John Michael Schmitz, but he injured his shoulder on a poorly executed version of the ‘tush push’ causing him to miss four games.

The Giants’ guards were also in flux. Ben Bredeson got the most playing time and injuries to others led them to pull veteran Justin Pugh “off the couch.”

The results showed as the Giants were clearly dominated in the offensive trenches last season. This year, they believe they’ve cauterized the wounds by signing veterans Jon Runyon Jr., and Jermaine Eluemunor to fill the guard roles.

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Giants’ Jason Pinnock among NFL leaders in performance-based pay

New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock was among the NFL leaders in performance-based pay for 2023.

New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock is among this year’s leaders in performance-based pay, amassing an additional $817, 224 in 2023.

Guard Ben Bredeson, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after signing a free agent deal last month, earned $764,130 in performance-based pay.

According to NFL Communication: “Under the Performance-Based Pay program, a fund is created and used as a supplemental form of player compensation based upon a comparison of playing time to salary. Players become eligible to receive a bonus distribution in any regular season in which they play at least one official down. In general, players with higher playtime percentages and lower salaries benefit most from the pool.”

Bredeson led the Giants with 1.014 snaps on offense (91.85%) while Pinnock played on 89.63 percent of the defensive snaps.

To get a full rundown of how PBP works, visit the NFL Communications website.

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Buccaneers agree to terms with ex-Giants OL Ben Bredeson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to terms with former New York Giants offensive lineman Ben Bredeson.

The New York Giants acquired offensive lineman Ben Bredeson in a 2021 trade with the Baltimore Ravens. He went on to start 24 games over the last two years, both at guard and at center, but he will no longer suit up in blue as he agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday.

The Giants’ offensive line was awful last season. Changes needed to happen along the line, the Giants have to strengthen the wall protecting Daniel Jones.

Was Bredeson the weakest link? Not remotely, but his loss is just the beginning. The entire line needs an overhaul and general manager Joe Schoen has made that a focus this offseason.

John Michael Schmitz will be around to play center, provided he can stay healthy, but the Giants will have to find additional resources to ensure Jones can remain under center.

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Bucs sign free agent OL Ben Bredeson to 1-year deal

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing free agent offensive lineman Ben Bredeson to a one-year contract

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adding some depth to their offensive line, agreeing to a one-year contract with free agent guard Ben Bredeson, per multiple reports.

Bredeson’s deal with the Bucs is worth up to $3.5 million for the 2024 season, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

A fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL draft, Bredeson started 16 games for the New York Giants last season.

The former Michigan Wolverine will likely compete for the starting job at left guard, though the Bucs are also expected to invest an early pick in this year’s draft at the position, as well. Either way, Bredeson gives them depth and starting experience at one of their biggest positions of need.

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Giants’ biggest needs headed into the offseason

The New York Giants are headed into a potentially turbulent offseason and these are their biggest needs — yes, including a QB decision.

The New York Giants finished 6-11 on the season and failed to follow up on their 2022 playoff performance leaving behind questions of whether or not they are headed in the right direction.

The Giants had breakdowns and failures in just about every unit and now must seriously evaluate what needs to be addressed and in what order.

Here are the Giants’ five biggest needs heading into the offseason.

Giants injury report: 7 players limited in practice

The New York Giants listed seven players as limited in practice on Thursday and 13 on the total report.

The New York Giants returned to the field on Thursday for their first full practice ahead of a Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Rams — one day removed from a walkthrough.

The injury report was lengthy to open the week and that trend continued 24 hours later.

While everyone practiced on at least a limited basis, several key players remained limited — seven in total with 13 players listed on the official injury report.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participant: CB Detone Banks (shoulder), TE Lawrence Cager (groin), NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DT A’Shawn Robinson (back), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee) P Jamie Gillan (groin/knee), OL Justin Pugh (elbow)

Full participant: RB Saquon Barkley (elbow), OL Ben Bredeson (quad), CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (quad), OL John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), TE Darren Waller (knee)

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Giants injury report: Dexter Lawrence, 4 others miss practice

New York Giants coach Brian Daboll said everyone would participate on Wednesday but five players, including Sexy Dexy, ended up sitting out.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday ahead of a Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium.

Because the Giants played on Christmas Day and are on a short week, head coach Brian Daboll limited the team to a walkthrough. They will conduct full practices on both Thursday and Friday.

Coming out of Monday’s game, the Giants were relatively healthy despite a few players (Darren Waller, Justin Pugh) getting banged up. Daboll said everyone would participate on at least a limited basis.

“We’re doing a walkthrough today so everybody will be participating in the walkthrough,” Daboll said.

The lie detector test determined that was a lie.

Several players sat out on Wednesday and several more were limited, including punter Jamie Gillan, who suffered a groin injury two weeks ago and a knee injury in the Giants’ loss to Philadelphia.

“We’ll see tomorrow but trending in the right direction,” Daboll said of Gillan.

The Giants’ full (projected) Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Detone Banks (shoulder), TE Lawrence Cager (groin), NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DT A’Shawn Robinson (back), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee)

Limited participant: RB Saquon Barkley (elbow), OL Ben Bredeson (quad), P Jamie Gillan (groin/knee), CB Adoree’ Jackson (ankle), OL Justin Pugh (elbow), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (quad), OL John Michael Schmitz (shoulder), TE Darren Waller (knee)

Full participant: N/A

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Ben Bredeson praises Giants’ culture after New Orleans embarrassment

After an ugly offensive showing in Week 15, OL Ben Bredeson praises the New York Giants’ culture: ‘It’s a very process-oriented mindset.’

The New York Giants’ offensive line has had a tough year, to say the least. They have been ravaged by injuries which has led them to basically start a new lineup every week.

The injuries have disrupted any traction and continuity the unit was hoping to forge this season. As a result, the offense has sputtered and the Giants have come up short on the scoreboard in nine of their 14 games.

One constant along the line has been journeyman Ben Bredeson, a versatile player who has been asked to play all along the line. Bredeson has started 13 of the Giants’ 14 games and leads all offensive players in snaps this season with 810.

The line had been holding up — barely — during the team’s three-game winning streak until they ran into a buzzsaw of a defense in the New Orleans Saints this past weekend.

The Giants’ line was completely overwhelmed and overmatched by the Saints’ defensive front. Quarterback Tommy DeVito got tossed around and pounded way too frequently and Saquon Barkley and the running game went nowhere.

Bredeson was asked what happened down in the Big Easy on Sunday.

“We just didn’t execute well enough,” he said. “You know there are things to improve that we’ve addressed in the film and things were looking forward to correct heading into Philly.”

The Giants face the Eagles on Christmas afternoon, a team that has beaten them in 12 of their last 14 meetings, including the most recent four.

But the sins of New Orleans are on display for all to see. The communication was poor and the talent level was too low of rhyme to compete. Justin Pugh, a former first-round pick who the Giants signed this season ‘right off the couch,’ looked completely washed and perhaps should return to said couch.

Bredeson said it seemed that the line was ‘one piece off’ on run plays and wasn’t able to adjust to the stunts and movements of the Saints defensive line.

“It’s part of the job and you’ve got to block guys and they’re allowed to move so we just have to work in tandem and work as unit and handle the movement and get on our guys and get Saquon through there,” he said.

Bredeson said the unit was not discouraged and will continue to work to improve.

“We have a great culture here. It’s a very process-oriented mindset, that’s something that (Brian Daboll) preaches all the time,” he said. “We’re looking to improve from the last week and correct the mistakes and move forward to the next week and go win a game one week at a time.”

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Giants vs. Jets: 5 biggest storylines for Week 8

The New York Giants face the New York Jets in Week 8. Here are the five biggest storylines to follow for this contest.

The New York Giants (2-5) play host to the New York Jets (3-3) this Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.

Here are five storylines we are following ahead of the Week 8 clash.

Giants preparing for pivotal showdown with rival Jets

The New York Giants are readying themselves for an important game against the trash-talking Jets, who always treat this like the Super Bowl.

Every time the New York Giants and New York Jets meet on the field, sparks are certain to fly.

For one team, the game means more than it does to the other team. For one, it’s a Super Bowl. For the other, it’s their most important game simply because it’s the next one.

“Honestly, throughout my career, no matter what coach I played for, they try to let you know that it’s a big game to the people of New York and the fans of both teams,” defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who played for the Jets from 2015-2019, told reporters on Monday.

“I think it’s a big one because it’s two New York teams. We also play in the same stadium. I think for the fans, they love to see it. This area is known for the blue-collar type of people, so it’s a gritty, type of old-school football per se. I think fans love to see it.”

Although Williams spent four-plus seasons with the Jets, it’s no longer a game he circles on the calendar. He has no hard feelings for his former team but really doesn’t reminisce about them, either.

“I think I’ll forever be grateful to the Jets for giving me my first opportunity in the NFL by drafting me there, but I’ve been with the Giants so long now that the Jets almost feel pretty distant to me at this point. Like when I see the Jets on the schedule, it’s not like something I’m like ‘woah, I used to play there’ you know? I kind of just see them as another opponent on the schedule at this point,” he said.

Although the Giants seem to be keeping things low-key, you can bet the Jets won’t follow suit. They aren’t afraid to talk and love to hear themselves, but Big Blue isn’t going to engage.

“My focus is to just get ready to get started on these guys. Got a tremendous amount of respect for (Jets) coach (Robert) Saleh. Understand the history behind it,” head coach Brian Daboll said.

“I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect, like I said, for Coach Saleh. He’s a heck of a football coach. They’re a dynamic defense, obviously. I think they’ve given up one touchdown – it’s early in my preparation right now – one touchdown in the second half. So, they take the ball away, they play fast, they’re a good defense.”

For many players on each team, this will be their first true taste of the rivalry. They did meet in the preseason but this one will count, and the result will be of significance to both.

“In terms of the Giants-Jets rivalry, I know that this is going to be a game that’s near to a lot of people’s heart,” offensive lineman Ben Bredeson said. “I’m looking forward to it, I’m very excited to be a part of it. They have a good defense. They have a good defense, and we need to be prepared and ready for that.”

Things are relatively quiet right now but that’s just the calm before the storm.

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