Tag: Ben Bredeson

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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Brian Daboll praises Giants’ makeshift offensive line

The New York Giants’ offensive line has been far from great in recent weeks but they have been better, drawing the praise of Brian Daboll.

The New York Giants snapped their four-game losing streak on Sunday with a gritty, 14-7, win over the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants improved to 2-5 on the year and quite possibly saved their season in the process.

Head coach Brian Daboll has taken a ton of criticism this season but he has not taken his eye off the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’ve said this before, it’s an up-and-down league. It’s a humbling league, but if you can stay consistent with your approach,” Daboll told reporters after the game. “You make slight adjustments and your belief in the players. It’s not for everybody, you gotta be able to do that. It’s not gonna be perfect all the time and there’s definitely gonna be some struggles and again, one week has nothing to do with the next week.

“So, whether we lost a close game to the Bills, we won this close game tonight, it really has no bearing on what we do next week to keep a consistent attitude, to work with great intention. That’s what’s important to get ready for a game that’s gonna be difficult every week regardless of who you play and focus on your job and putting the team first. Again, it’s not always easy, but that’s what the job requires.”

One of the biggest challenges has been along the offensive line, where seven of the nine players that made the final roster out of training camp are either on IR, off the roster, or on the sidelines nursing an injury.

The makeshift offensive line has been holding up despite the loss of both starting tackles (Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal) and stud rookie center (John Michael Schmitz).

On Sunday, the Giants went with Justin ‘straight off the couch’ Pugh at left tackle and Tyre Phillips — signed off the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad last week — at right tackle.

Ben Bredeson filled in again at center with Mark Glowinski and Marcus McKethan at guard.

“They’re pros, the guys that were out there tonight, and they worked extremely hard during the week and a couple of days at practice, we were moving guys around and we settled on it say Thursday of how it was gonna go and if (tackle) Evan (Neal) could go, and if he could go, then we had another kind of line up change, if you would. But (offensive linemen coach) Bobby (Johnson) has met with those guys early and late, and he have a kind of revolving door there. Tough competitors,” he said.

Daboll was asked how he settled on the configuration of the line.

“It’s something we talked about as a coaching staff. I think the communication was better. Just having Pugh, a veteran, Bredeson and Glow(inski) kind of opposite because they worked together as well,” he said. “With Tyre back and he was only back for a week, some code words and things like that, even though he picked up, I’d say almost all of it on the way back, it’s still helpful to have someone right next to him that’s been out there and done it, veteran wise.”

Thomas is likely to return this week at left tackle, which will send the line into yet another iteration — the eighth in as many games. We’ll find out later in the week if Neal and Schmitz will play as well.

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Ben Bredeson has faith Giants, offensive line will turn a corner

New York Giants OL Ben Bredeson has faith the team and his offensive linemates will get it together and turn things around.

New York Giants offensive lineman Ben Bredeson has gone from a backup player and an afterthought to one of the integral pieces in just a few months.

Bredeson has been thrust into a primary role along the line, at multiple positions, thanks to injuries and the slow development of the group of young players. It has not gone well. The Giants’ offensive line is currently in the worst shape it’s been in recent memory.

On Monday, as the Giants licked their wounds from yet another distressing loss where quarterback Daniel Jones was tossed around, Bredeson put a bit of perspective on things.

“I think there are issues that we need to correct on the field, and we are working through correcting those issues, and we believe in one another and it’s a tight-knit group,” he said. “It’s one that is driven to do the right things, and play for one another and have results, so I have faith in the room I have faith in all the guys, that we are coming together. Just like I said before, working to improve off the issues, and correct them and build a stronger unit moving forward.”

The issue is the Giants are being forced to play many of their young linemen at the same time and usually in positions that they are not familiar with. Add in the fact that they haven’t played together that long, and you are going to have cohesion issues.

Bredeson notes that they are missing two key starters in left tackle Andrew Thomas and center John Michael Schmitz but didn’t make any excuses.

“It’s no secret that Andrew is an exceptional player,” he said. “I think everybody recognizes that. He’s the leader in our room; he’s the one that everyone looks to, and we want Drew to get healthy and get back as fast and safe as possible. He’s a big impact on the field anytime he’s out there.”

The line appears to be defeated for the moment but Bredseson believes there’s a way out.

“Just faith in each other. Believing in the people that we have in this building, the team that we have — coaches, staff, players, and we’re working every single day to continuously improve and go out there and win games,” Bredeson said.

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Giants clobbered by Dolphins, 31-16, in latest embarrassment

The New York Giants were smacked around by the Miami Dolphins, 31-16, in Week 5 and lost QB Daniel Jones (neck) in the process.

The New York Giants faced off against the dynamic Miami Dolphins down at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Sunday afternoon in hopes of pulling off an upset that could rejuvenate their sagging season.

The Giants entered the game as 12.5-point underdogs to the Dolphins, who lead the NFL in offensive yards gained and total points through the first four weeks of the 2023 regular season.

The Giants played without Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) for the third straight week and were also missing left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder).

Needless to say, there was no upset and there was no rejuvenation. Instead, the Giants were smacked around and lost quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) in the process.

Giants report card: How we graded Big Blue in Week 4 loss

The New York Giants fell to the Seattle Seahawks, 24-3, in Week 4 and the Giants Wire team grades reflect that comeback performance.

The New York Giants were blown out once again in prime time, this time on Monday Night Football to the Seattle Seahawks.

Big Blue fell, 24-3, in a home loss to Seattle. This was once again a game where the Giants failed to get anything going. The team came out flat and never improved.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we saw during the game and how we graded the Giants in this loss.

Giants vs. Seahawks: 5 biggest storylines for Week 4

The New York Giants face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4. Here are the five biggest storylines to follow for this contest.

The New York Giants (1-2) host the Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Monday Night Football in Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season.

Here are five storylines we are following.

Giants injury report: Andrew Thomas misses practice

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll wouldn’t call it a setback but LT Andrew Thomas (hamstring) missed practice on Friday.

The New York Giants were back at practice on Friday, this time working inside the field house with Mother Nature dumping buckets of water on the northeast.

The concerning development for the Giants was the status of left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring), who appeared to take a step backward. He did not participate on Friday after being limited in practice on Thursday.

However, head coach Brian Daboll refused to say Thomas suffered a “setback” and wouldn’t address his chances of playing on Monday night.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Daboll said of Thomas not practicing, adding that the left tackle received treatment.

In more positive injury-related news, running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) practiced for the second consecutive day, as did linebacker Azeez Ojulari (hamstring).

The Giants’ Friday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring)

Limited participant: LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), DL Davidson (elbow)

Full participant: OL Ben Bredeson (concussion)

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Giants injury report: Saquon Barkley, Ben Bredeson return to practice

The New York Giants did not have anyone miss practice on Thursday with RB Saquon Barkley and OL Ben Bredeson returning.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field for the first time (save for walkthroughs) in more than a week on Thursday and it provided an opportunity to see where several of the team’s injured players are at.

As head coach Brian Daboll alluded to earlier in the week, left guard Ben Bredeson has cleared concussion protocol and appears to be a go in Week 4. Left tackle Andrew Thomas also appears to be on the mend.

They weren’t alone as the entire team practiced in some capacity, even running back Saquon Barkley, who is nursing a high-ankle sprain.

“So, everybody will practice today. Some in a limited role, but we’ll see where they go from individual, team, but they’re all practicing today,” head coach Brian Daboll said.

Things appear to be trending in the right direction and that’s something Big Blue needs as they head into a must-win game against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

The Giants’ Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participant: LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring), OL Andrew Thomas (hamstring), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), DL Davidson (elbow)

Full participant: OL Ben Bredeson (concussion)

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