Tag: Carmen Bricillo

Giants climb in Pro Football Focus’ offensive line rankings

The New York Giants offensive line has stabilized in the wake of the season-ending foot injury to All-Pro LT Andrew Thomas last month.

Pro Football Focus recently ranked the New York Giants offensive line the most improved in the NFL this season, up 23.4 points in the rankings.

They were ranked 32nd — dead last — in 2023.

This past week, PFF ranked the Giants 25th in the NFL after their Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, up four spots from the previous week.

The Giants moved Jermaine Eluemunor to left tackle and had former first-round pick Evan Neal start at right tackle for the first time this season. Neal put forth an encouraging performance in the loss to the Panthers, garnering a 93.4 PFF run-blocking grade that ranked second among all offensive tackles in the NFL this week.

Since Week 2, guard Jon Runyan has allowed a knockdown — sack or quarterback hit — on just 0.5% of pass plays, which is tied for the 14th-best rate among 73 qualifying guards.

PFF rated the best player to be right guard Greg Van Roten who, “let up one pressure against Carolina, and his 84.4 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked ninth among guards for the week.”

All five linemen — Eluemunor, Neal, Runyan, Van Roten, and center John Michael Schmitz — played all 75 offensive snaps in Sunday’s game.

If anything, the line, under the direction of first-year unit coach Carmen Bricillo, is getting traction, which is a good sign after the devastating blow it took in left tackle Andrew Thomas’ season-ending foot injury back in Week 7.

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Giants’ offensive line more consistent but still not quite where they need to be

Four the five New York Giants starting offensive linemen have played every snap this season, but the unit is still rated among the worst.

As we enter Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season, the New York Giants are still dealing with substandard play along the offensive line.

Pro Football Focus is ranking unit coach Carmen Bricillo’s group 29th out of 32 teams even after all of the changes they’ve made this past offseason.

All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas is out for the season after having foot surgery several weeks ago and former first-round pick Evan Neal has played just two offensive snaps this season.

Neal was supplanted by free agent Jermaine Eluemunor in training camp while on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and never regained his starting right tackle spot.

This week, the Giants are scheduled to start just one player who started at this time last year — center John Michael Schmitz. Eluemunor will be at right tackle again with recently signed free agent Chris Hubbard on the left side.

Veteran free agent pickups Jon Runyan Jr. and Greg Van Roten will be at the guard positions as they have been all season.

Schmitz, Van Roten, Runyan, and Elumunor have played all 614 offensive snaps this season, so it appears there is some continuity there, but PFF does not see the quality — or the results.

In Week 9, the unit allowed just six pressures on 29 dropbacks against the Commanders. As a result, they earned an 87.9 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked 13th in the NFL.

Schmitz allowed pressure on 6.6% of pass plays as a rookie but has done so on just 4.9% of pass plays this season. Van Roten was the only Giants offensive lineman to earn a 60.0-plus PFF overall grade in Week 9 (67.0).

With the team dead last in points per game (15.4) and red zone offense (40.0 percent), the line will be under constant scrutiny but there are some areas where there has been marked improvement.

The Giants are still allowing 3.1 sacks per game (7th overall) but it is way down from last year when they allowed 5.0 sacks per game — a full sack per game more than the next-highest team.

The rushing game is actually performing slightly better at 114 yards per game. Last year, with Saquon Barkley in the lineup, they averaged just over 110 yards per.

Three years into the Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll era, the line is still in flux but things appear to be looking up as they continue to tweak to find the right combination.

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Trend supports Giants’ offensive line being much better in 2024

The New York Giants allowed the most sacks in the NFL in 2023 (85) but the historical trends favor them cutting that number in half in 2024.

Will the New York Giants’ offensive line be better in 2024?

The answer is that they would have to be after allowing the second-most sacks (85) in NFL history last season.

Per Sharp Football Analysis, “The Giants had a -51 sack differential versus their opponents last season, the worst differential for any team in the 2000s.”

Ouch.

The Giants countered by shoring up the interior of the line by signing several veteran guard/center types (Jon Runyan Jr., Jermaine Eluemunor, Greg Van Roten, Aaron Stinnie) while adding undrafted rookie free agent Jake Kubas and hiring a new unit coach in Carmen Bricillo.

But there are statistical trends that favor the Giants as well. Per Action Football, seven teams have allowed 70 or more sacks in a season:

The Giants did so last year, second-most all-time. Here is how those O-Lines performed the year after the historically bad season. Four of six allowed 50+ sacks again, with all six teams allowing 35+ the next year.

  • 104 – 1986 Eagles –> 72
  • 85 – 2023 Giants –> ???
  • 78 – 1997 Cardinals –> 50
  • 76 – 2002 Texans –> 36
  • 72 – 2006 Raiders –> 41
  • 72 – 1987 Eagles –> 56
  • 71 – 2014 Jaguars –> 51

The trend is encouraging. Teams usually attack their weaknesses and the Giants appear to have done that with the offensive line.

But it goes further than that. Sure, there are times when the quarterback has no chance and has to take a sack. Then there are those instances where the quarterback misses his checks and holds on to the ball too long.

The Giants had a lot of both last year. They had three different quarterbacks start at least five games. They led the NFL in sack percentage (14.1) and the line was clearly a huge part of the issue as it was riddled with injuries.

This year, things promise to be different. The stats and trends support it.

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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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Greg Van Roten feels Giants were a ‘natural fit’ for him

Veteran guard Greg Van Roten is happy to be home and feels like the New York Giants were a “natural fit” for him.

It took several weeks to get done, but the New York Giants were finally able to sign veteran guard Greg Van Roten on Wednesday.

“They called a few weeks before training camp, said there was interest. We’re just trying to hammer out like the finer details and then reach an agreement,” Van Roten told reporters. “Nothing exciting, just kind of figuring out contract.”

For Van Roten, who was born in Rockville Centre, New York, he’s just happy to be home, having elected to play for the Giants over several other suitors.

“I’m happy to be back in the Northeast, close to home. Excited to be a part of this organization and add value where I can,” he said.

Location helped close the deal, but so did the presence of offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who he was with last season as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. And his tackle mate during that time? Jermaine Eluemunor.

That familiarity made the Giants a natural fit.

“I had my best year of my career with Carm. So happy to be back around him. He’s a great like X’s and O’s coach, really does a good job of marrying like the run game with the pass game schematically,” Van Roten said. “So, you’re never at a disadvantage as an offensive lineman so it’s a good system to play in. He does a really good job communicating like the expectations. Obviously, him being here, Jermaine being here, familiarity, a little bit, with the system it just felt like a natural fit for me.”

Van Roten also has no real preference on where he plays. He’s seen time at left guard, right guard, and center throughout his career but expectations are that he’ll man the right guard spot, shifting Jon Runayn Jr. over to left guard.

“That’s why I have that value, is my versatility. It’s just one of those things where you could put me in anywhere and I can kind of figure it out. I think that’s a big reason why I’m here,” he said.

And don’t let his age (34) fool you. Van Roten believes he’s still got plenty of juice left in the tank.

“I got a few years left in me. We’ll see how this year goes and then hopefully stack a few more,” he said.

With Evan Neal seemingly a ways off from returning, Van Roten is poised to play a very important role for the Giants early this season.

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Giants’ offense sluggish in first training camp practice

The New York Giants’ offense opened training camp on Wednesday with a less-than-impressive showing.

The good news about the first day of New York Giants training camp practices is that quarterback Daniel Jones took every first-team snap and moved with no limitations.

The bad news is that was about the only good news. Jones, who last played on November 5 when he tore his ACL, looked a bit rusty in his first workout since the injury in 11-on-11’s.

Jones got his first taste of playing with the team’s top draft pick — wide receiver Malik Nabers — and didn’t quite connect with him on a deep corner fade as Nabers uncharacteristically dropped the ball.

Jones, who admitted his work with Nabers up until now has basically been “good” and didn’t seem worried.

“We spent some good time this summer together,” Jones said. “It’s the first day, and he made some plays, you haven’t seen that (drops) much, but he’ll be a big time for us. He’s played well, played well in the spring, and it has been good to be with him this summer. I’m sure he’ll have a good camp. So, we’ll continue to grow and build chemistry, and the more time out there together, the better.”

It was a whirlwind day of constant substitutions and an increased use of pre-snap motion. All of this with a slew of new faces along the offensive line and at the skill positions.

“I think that’s always a big part of camp,” Jones said of the newness. “What do we do well, or what do we do not as well? How can we emphasize our strengths and play to that? You’re always working to figure that out, which will be a process throughout camp. But, as I said, I’m excited about where we’re going. I’m excited about who we have, and we’ll grow, build chemistry, and continue to develop.”

The offensive line has new guards and a new unit coach in Carmen Bricillo, who Jones has thus far been impressed with.

“He’s done a good job. It’s been fun working with him,” Jones said of Bricillo, “He obviously has deep roots in (Brian) Daboll’s system and where he comes from, so that’s been good. Starting at square one and building it back up through the spring. But he’s a good communicator and a good teacher, and I’ve enjoyed working with him.”

The Giants won’t succeed unless the offensive line comes together as a unit. Right now, they’re already experiencing some issues.

Starting right tackle Evan Neal (ankle) is on PUP and working on the side for the time being. Free agent guard Jermaine Eluemunor then left practice with a rib injury on Wednesday.

“I think that’s important,” Jones said. “The chemistry of those guys together, playing together, getting on the same page, communicating, me communicating with them, and them communicating with me is important. Injuries are part of the game, and I understand that, but obviously, you want to stay as healthy as possible, and the health of that group can help everybody. So that’s important, but I know those guys are working hard to get back.”

Most of Jones’ passes on Wednesday were under 10 yards. Meanwhile, Drew Lock tossed an interception after the ball was tipped and his only long pass downfield, which went to tight end Lawrence Cager, was out of bounds.

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Giants’ John Michael Schmitz improving footwork, second-level blocking

New York Giants center John Michael Schmitz is focused on improving his footwork and second-level blocking this offseason.

New York Giants second-year center John Michael Schmitz is determined to realize the potential the team saw in him last spring when they selected him in the second round of the NFL draft.

Schmitz was thrust into the middle of a unit that was decimated by injuries and lacked the necessary cohesion to succeed. This year will be different as Schmitz has some new faces around him plus a year of service under his belt.

On Thursday, at the team’s offseason workout, Schmitz was asked what he zeroed in on this offseason to improve his game.

“A lot of it was my footwork and that second-level blocking for me, maintaining blocks,” he told reporters. “At the end of the day, at the center position, take leadership and take control of the leadership role.”

And the Giants need leadership along the line. They would like that to come from Schmitz going forward and added two veteran guards — Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor — to bolster the interior of the line.

“I’m very excited to have those guys here. They’re great guys. Not only on the field but off the field. They want to be here. They want to get better. Very excited for our O-line room. We’re headed in a great direction,” he said. “They help me out. They help me understand certain situations, what to be aware of, what they’re seeing on film. It can be a different view of what I’m seeing because they’ve had more experience.”

Also new this season is unit coach Carmen Bricillo, who hopes to bring a new attitude and better execution to the line.

“Coach Carm has been a great addition to the O-line room,” Schmitz said. “He has a great amount of knowledge of the game and has helped every single one of us out to be better players and holds us to a high standard each and every day. We go out there and compete and get better each and every day.”

But it will likely be the maturation of Schmitz himself that will dictate the success of the lien this year. He knows he needs to pick up the leadership baton and run with it.

“I think the biggest thing for me when times are tough, you really know who a true leader is when you hit adversity, you hit a tough time. All the guys look to someone, and I want to be that for our room and take charge,” he said.

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Giants had dinner with Duke’s Graham Barton, Jacob Monk

The New York Giants had dinner with Duke offensive linemen Graham Barton and Jacob Monk before their Thursday pro day.

The New York Giants have been busy scouting and working out quarterbacks on the pro day circuit, which has routinely stolen the headlines. But quarterbacks haven’t been their only focus.

General manager Joe Schoen & Co. have also done a significant amount of work on wide receivers and offensive linemen.

After watching Notre Dame’s Joe Alt earlier this week, the Giants shifted their attention to Duke University, which held their pro day on Thursday.

Long-time NFL draft expert Tony Pauline reports that Giants offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo was on hand to watch Graham Barton and Jacob Monk, whom he met for dinner the night prior.

Among those at the workout are Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as well as offensive line coaches for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. Barton and Monk had dinner with the Giants last night.

The versatile Barton, who had a good showing at Duke’s pro day, is projected as a late first-round, early second-round pick. He obviously not on the Giants’ radar at No. 6 overall but if he slides a bit in Round 2, he becomes a more realistic option.

Monk, a five-year starter and two-year team captain, is a bit undersized and is projected as a Day 3 pick or priority undrafted free agent.

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Giants kept close eye on Joe Alt during Notre Dame Pro Day

New York Giants OL coach Carmen Bricillo attended the Notre Dame Pro Day and kept a very close eye on tackle Joe Alt.

NFL scouts and executives are on the road these days, attending the seemingly endless college pro days, many of which are being rendered useless as more prospects are opting out of the workouts.

One player, Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, did not opt-out on his pro day on Thursday in South Bend. He had the full attention of all in attendance, including New York Giants offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo.

Alt is a surefire top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft in which the Giants hold the sixth overall selection.

The first three teams — Chicago, Washington, and New England — are all expected to address the quarterback position while the teams selecting fourth and fifth (Arizona, L.A. Chargers) are open to all possibilities, including trading back.

The Giants are basically at the mercy of the five teams ahead of them in the draft but should end up with a stud player at No. 6 regardless.

Alt has been mocked by many experts to the Chargers at No. 5 but could be available should they trade out to a club seeking a quarterback.

The Giants are set at left tackle with Andrew Thomas but could use an upgrade on the right side, where Evan Neal has struggled in between stints on the IR.

The Giants could use recent free agent addition Jermaine Eluemunor — who played right tackle under Bricillo in Las Vegas last season — on the right side if Neal busts out again.

But Alt would be a longer-term solution that the Giants could regret passing on down the road.

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James Madison looking to poach Giants assistant OL coach Chris Smith

Holy Cross is looking to hire New York Giants assistant offensive line coach Chris Smith to oversee their OL.

Editor’s note: Art Stapleton of USA TODAY reports that Smith is being hired by James Madison.

If you thought the New York Giants and head coach Brian Daboll had their staff set ahead of the 2024 season, think again.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports and CBS Sports reports that James Madison is looking to hire Giants assistant offensive line coach Chris Smith to oversee their OL.

Smith had been serving as the Holy Cross offensive coordinator when hired by the Giants last March. It was a position he held for five seasons.

Prior to that, Smith served as their offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and recruiting coordinator.

During his time at Holy Cross, Smith helped develop several offensive linemen who went on to receive All-Patriot League honors. Among them are James Murray, Brett Boddy, Brian Foley, and Nick Olsofka.

Smith was part of a staff that has led the Crusaders to three consecutive Patriot League championships. They also earned an NCAA football championship subdivision berth in 2019, which was the first for the program in 10 years.

In addition to his time with Holy Cross, Smith, who played center for the school before graduation, also had stints with New Haven, Northern Colorado, and Buffalo.

Unfortunately, that success didn’t carry over with the Giants. Smith joined offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and the pair oversaw a unit that surrendered 85 sacks, the second-most in NFL history.

Johnson was fired on Black Monday and replaced by Carmen Bricillo.

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