Tag: Jermaine Eluemunor

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’ Evan Neal impressed in his return to starting role

New York Giants right tackle Evan Neal impressed in his return to the starting role, earning the team’s highest offensive grade.

Right tackle Evan Neal, in his first start since November 5 of last season, was the highest-graded offensive player for the New York Giants in their 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany on Sunday.

Neal was inserted at right tackle this week after Jermaine Eluemunor was moved from there over to the left side as the Giants continue to find the right mix in the wake of the season-ending injury to Andrew Thomas.

Neal played all 75 offensive snaps on Sunday and graded well in all phases of the game.

“It felt good to get back out there and play again after a year,” Neal said, via the New York Post. “I’m just grateful. Not every play was perfect. I didn’t play a perfect game. I’m sure there’s going to be things I’m going to back on tape and see and correct. But I think it was a solid overall outing for my first outing.”

Eluemunor made it known that he was not in favor of the switch, preferring to stay at right tackle, but the team has been reluctant to put Neal on the left side. So, it was Eluemunor who had to make the move.

“It’s hard to switch sides like that. It’s not the most comfortable thing,” Eluemunor told The Post. “I tell people it’s like you’ve been writing with your right hand for a long time and out of nowhere they tell you, you gotta write an essay with your left hand and it’s due on Saturday and you have three days to freaking learn how to write with your left hand.”

In the end, Eluemunor had a rough go in his first action at left tackle this season allowing seven pressures, four hurries, two QB hits, and a sack but that was likely expected.

Eluemunor has played left tackle in recent years with his previous team, the Las Vegas Raiders. Last year, he played 125 snaps there and 66 in 2022.

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Report: Giants will start RT Evan Neal vs. Panthers in Week 10

The New York Giants will start embattled right tackle Evan Neal against the Carolina Panthers in Germany on Sunday morning.

The New York Giants traveled to Munich, Germany on Friday in preparation for their Week 10 international matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

The Giants’ offensive line has struggled mightily since the loss of Andrew Thomas at left tackle. They have cycled through multiple line combinations since then and will debut a new one on Sunday morning.

Evan Neal, who started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a foot injury, lost his starting spot to Jermaine Eluemunor. Now, though, it appears that Neal will re-enter the starting lineup this week against the Panthers.

Neal has struggled to acclimate to the NFL since the Giants drafted him in 2022. But he’s doing everything that’s asked of him, according to offensive line coach Carmen Briscillo.

“I think Evan’s doing a great job of just working at the right tackle position and getting himself in the position to help the team,” Briscillo told reporters in October. “He does everything we ask. He’s been doing extra, which we enjoy. He seems to be in a good spot. I’m pleased with where he’s at.

“I think his natural position is tackle, and I think that’s what we’re emphasizing. . . Why not just see what he can be at right tackle, which I think he feels comfortable at, as do I.”

Neal’s return to the starting lineup means Eluemunor will move to left tackle in place of Chris Hubbard, who missed practice this week with an illness.

Hubbard did travel with the team and does not have an injury designation, which indicates this is strickly about personnel and performance.

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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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Giants injury report: Tyrone Tracy Jr. advances in concussion protocol

New York Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. advanced in concussion protocol and has a chance to play against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll delivered a positive injury update, revealing that all but two players — punter Jamie Gillan and wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton — would return to practice.

Daboll also stated that rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. advanced in concussion protocol and would wear the red non-contact jersey.

“Trending in the right direction,” Daboll said.

In further good news, Daboll said there’s a strong chance veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson returns for Sunday’s game against Washington barring a setback.

“Good to go,” he said of Jackson

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

Did not participate: P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)

Limited participant: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin), CB Tre Hawkins (groin), OL Jake Kubas (abdomen), OL John Michael Schmitz (calf), LB Ty Summers (ankle), OL Joshua Ezeudu (knee), WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (ankle), OL Jon Runyan Jr. (foot)

Full participant: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip), LB Brian Burns (groin/biceps), LB Matthew Adams (knee), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest)

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Giants’ Jermaine Eluemunor claims victory over T.J. Watt

New York Giants RT Jermaine Eluemunor believes he locked T.J. Watt down on Monday night: “He didn’t do a damn thing.”

New York Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor has been a colorful interviewee since signing with the club in free agency this past offseason.

This week, he may have gone a bit too far with his opinions after the Giants’ 26-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

Leading up to the game, Eluemunor, who was nursing a hip injury, had his competency questioned as he prepared to face Steelers All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt.

Eluemunor answered those critics by saying that he had faced Watt before and was ready for the challenge.

“I want to be on an island with T.J. Watt all day,” Eluemunor told reporters last week.

The game, naturally, told a different story. Although Eluemunor played fairly well in the game, Watt was able to wreck the Giants’ hopes with two second-half sacks and a fumble recovery to help pin a loss on the Big Blue.

Eluemunor, in his spot on WFAN radio on Tuesday, believes he still got the better of Watt on the evening.

“I was on an island with him for a majority of the game. And he didn’t do a damn thing. I’m not gonna sit here and fricking sing his praises,” Eluemunor told hosts Sal Licata and Brandon Tierney.  “He didn’t do anything for three-and-half quarters and had one impact play.”

Yes, but that one impact play is the one people will remember. As we all know, offensive linemen only get shoutouts when they mess up.

Watt took the situation in stride and didn’t address Eluemunor by name.

“I mean, I have a lot of respect for every single player in the NFL,” he said. “Everybody works hard, and I’m just trying to get my opportunities when I get ’em and make the most of ’em when they happen.”

Watt’s official line on the night: six pressures, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. All were impactful as the Giants’ offense sputtered again.

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Giants injury report: Tyrone Tracy Jr. in concussion protocol

New York Giants rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. is in the “early stages” of concussion protocol and may not be available in Week 9 vs. Washington.

The New York Giants returned to the practice field on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

On short rest, the Giants had a lengthy injury report with several veterans and stars sitting out, including nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Head coach Brian Daboll revealed that Tracy, who left Monday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, was in the “early stages” of concussion protocol. He is 50-50 to play against the Commanders.

Lawrence, who has been battling a hip injury for most of the season, was given a veteran rest day.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Joshua Ezeudu had his knee drained and missed practice, paving the way for veteran Chris Hubbard to start at left tackle for the second consecutive week.

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

Did not participate: RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion), NT Dexter Lawrence (rest), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), OL Joshua Ezeudu (knee), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles), WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (ankle), LB Matthew Adams (knee)

Limited participant: LB Brian Burns (groin/biceps), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip), CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin), CB Tre Hawkins (groin), OL Jake Kubas (abdomen), OL John Michael Schmitz (calf), LB Ty Summers (ankle)

Full participant: None

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Giants’ Jamie Gillan out, Jermaine Eluemunor questionable vs. Steelers

The New York Giants have ruled three players out, including punter Jamie Gillan, one as doubtful and OL Jermaine Eluemunor as questionable.

The New York Giants wrapped up their week of practice on Saturday afternoon in East Rutherford and despite some players taking a step forward, the team will be shorthanded against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.

The good news is that linebacker Brian Burns (groin/Achilles), who is as tough as they come, returned to the field and head coach Brian Daboll indicated he will play in Week 8.

Daboll also expressed optimism that right tackle Jermaine Elueminor would suit up on Monday night despite missing his second straight day of practice.

“He did a walkthrough. I think he’ll be okay. But I can’t guarantee it,” Daboll said.

But that’s about where the good news ended and the bad news began.

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson will not play again this week and the Giants could also be without several of his counterparts, Tre Hawkins and Cor’Dale Flott.

“He’s still got the neck. I don’t think he’ll make it,” Daboll said. “The other two guys, not sure if they will.”

Punter Jamie Gillan will also sit this one out.

Full injury reports for both the Giants and Steelers can be found below:

Luke Hales/Getty Images

New York Giants

Out: P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), LB Ty Summers (ankle)

Doubtful: CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin)

Questionable: CB Tre Hawkins (ankle), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip)

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Steelers

Out: WR Roman Wilson (hamstring), OL Dylan Cook (foot), OL Zach Frazier (ankle), LB Nick Herbig (hamstring), LB Tyler Matakevich (hamstring)

Doubtful: WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle)

Questionable: None

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Giants’ Jermaine Eluemunor vows to play vs. Steelers

New York Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor insists he will start on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The New York Giants offensive line is reeling from the loss of All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas and now, as they head to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers and sack master T.J. Watt, could be without their right tackle, Jermaine Eluemunor, as well.

The free-agent lineman, who has played every offensive snap for the Giants this season, missed Friday’s workout with a hip injury and could possibly miss the game.

Eluemunor isn’t going down that easy. He told reporters on Friday that he would be “ready to go” come Monday night and that he was ‘”just sore.”

“Hell no,” the veteran lineman said when asked if would miss the game, per NJ Advanced Media.

Eluemunor would be the player that will see Watt the most in the game as he primarily lines up over the right tackle. If he can’t play, that responsibility will fall to former first-round pick Evan Neal.

Neal has not played a live snap in a game since Week 9 of last season. He injured his ankle and has been brought along slowly. He claims he will be ready when his number is called.

“My hunger never went anywhere,” Neal told the New York Post, tapping his chest with a closed fist. “But I understand that I can’t control a lot of my situation right now — I can’t sub myself into the game. I’m just ready. I’m not going to be too antsy. I’m not going to get in my head about it too much. If called upon, I’ll be ready.”

If Neal has to step in, the Giants claim they are confident in his ability.

“I’m confident in Evan,” Mike Kafka, the Giants’ assistant head coach and offensive coordinator told reporters on Friday. “Each day he’s continued to get a little bit better each day. I think that’s what we’re looking for, just consistent improvement, whether it’s his feet, his set, staying square, the punch, the finish, downfield with the run block and stuff. All of it, just like core fundamentals that we talk about.”

Neal will need all of those tools — and more — to fend off Watt and company but it doesn’t look like Eluemunor is ready to step aside.

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Giants injury report: Jermaine Eluemunor misses practice

The New York Giants have added right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (groin) to the injury report after not practicing on Friday.

The New York Giants took the field on Friday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll delivered some unfortunate injury news and revealed that right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor would not participate as the result of a groin injury.

Although Daboll wouldn’t rule Eluemunor out for Monday night, embattled offensive tackle Evan Neal stepped in and assumed first-team reps on the right side.

Joshua Ezeudu continues taking first-team reps at left tackle.

“Hopeful,” Daboll said when asked if Eluemunor would play against the Steelers.

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

Did not participate: LB Brian Burns (groin/Achilles), CB Adoree’ Jackson (neck), LB Ty Summers (hamstring/ankle), P Jamie Gillan (hamstring), OL Jermaine Eluemunor (hip)

Limited participant: NT Dexter Lawrence (hip), CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin), CB Tre Hawkins (ankle)

Full participant: WR Jalin Hyatt (ribs), WR Byrce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles)

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