Tag: Justin Pugh

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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Justin Pugh defends Saquon Barkley: ‘No Giants fans can be mad’

Giants pending free-agent OL Justin Pugh says fans shouldn’t be mad at Saquon Barkley for going to the Eagles.

New York Giants free-agent offensive lineman Justin Pugh is telling Giant fans on social media to not blame running back Saquon Barkley for his departure to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Barkley, who did not receive a contract offer from the Giants in free agency, agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the rival Eagles on Monday.

Pugh says it’s just business.

The Giants did not elect to use the franchise tag on Barkley this year as they did in 2023. Instead, they allowed him to test the market and the Eagles swooped in and bowled him over with a deal worth well more than the Giants were willing to offer.

Barkley, as stated in the X post by Pugh, did indeed give everything he had for Big Blue in his six seasons after being selected No. 2 overall out of Penn State in the 2018 NFL draft.

It remains good business for NFL teams to not “overpay” running backs who are on their second or third contracts. Many teams are opting for a “running back by committee” approach to their rushing attacks, a strategy that has worked in places such as Kansas City and previously, Philadelphia.

Pugh, who will be 34 in August, is not likely to be re-signed by the Giants after returning to the team last season and starting 12 games after New York suffered another unusually high spate of injuries along the offensive line.

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Justin Pugh wants to remain with Giants, thinks they should add an edge rusher

Justin Pugh would like to return to the New York Giants and believes they should focus on beefing up the defensive line this offseason.

Long before the New York Giants signed offensive lineman Justin Pugh this past season, the 2013 first-round pick was open about his desire to return to East Rutherford.

Pugh was waiting for the right opportunity after a season-ending knee injury concluded his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.

When the Giants called, Pugh looked to make the best of the opportunity in his second stint with the team.

Pugh prefers to remain with the Giants for the 2024 season but expects to have interest from other teams.

“Fortunately, I had some friends get hired elsewhere in the NFL this year,” Pugh told the New York Daily News. “My former coach Kliff Kingsbury and former offensive line coach [Bobby Johnson] are in Washington right now. Ben McAdoo, my former head coach, is in New England right now. The Cardinals are obviously in my backyard [living in Arizona].

“I love New York. I want to be back in New York. But if they have no ‘want’ to have me back on the team, I obviously can’t just wait around like I’m at the prom with no date. You want someone to dance with.”

Pugh has always had a love for the franchise, but it’s unclear if the Giants have a spot for him on the roster moving forward.

Whether he returns or not in 2024, one area Pugh believes the Giants must address is along the defensive edge.

“Getting a guy to pair with Dexter and Thibodeaux that is a closer, a certified threat. I would spend the most money on that position,” Pugh proclaimed. “Go get a guy that’s done it before at a high level. You look at Josh Allen, the defensive end from the Jaguars. I know he’s a free agent. I think you build from the D-line.

“If I was putting a priority on positions in the NFL, quarterback clearly is one, defensive line is two. And I would have eight of ’em. That’s how the Giants won all their Super Bowls. They had the best defensive line in football. That should be the top free agent priority for the Giants is to get another edge rusher. You need to have a guy that makes offenses lose sleep on Monday or Tuesday when you’re getting ready to play them.”

The Giants had depth on the defensive line when they won their last two Super Bowls. With Azeez Ojulari struggling to stay on the field, the Giants do have a need for another edge rusher to play opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The Giants have plenty of work to do this offseason retooling a roster full of positions needing upgrades. It will be interesting to see both how much of a priority they make adding an edge rusher and if there is a fit to bring Pugh back.

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7 Giants who could be playing their last game in blue vs. Eagles

The Giants wrap up the 2023 regular season on Sunday against the Eagles and these 7 players could be wearing blue for the final time.

This Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles will be the New York Giants’ 2023 season finale.

It will also be the final time many of the players on the current roster will wear the vaunted red, white, and blue of the Giants.

Here are seven players who could be playing their last game for the Giants this Sunday.

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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Giants bench Tommy DeVito, fall to Eagles, 33-25, on Christmas Day

The New York Giants failed to deliver a Christmas miracle on Monday, benching QB Tommy DeVito in a 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The New York Giants failed to deliver a Christmas Day miracle on Monday afternoon, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles, 33-25, at Lincoln Financial Field.

The loss officially eliminates the Giants from the playoffs, effectively ending another disastrous season for the organization. And in the process, head coach Brian Daboll benched quarterback Tommy DeVito, who had been the toast of the town.

However, to their credit, the Giants fought and clawed for four full quarters but could not overcome both the Eagles and NFL officials, who were atrocious throughout the game.

With the loss, the Giants fall to 5-10 on the season.

Giants injury report: Dexter Lawrence continues to miss practice

New York Giants NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) was a projected non-participant in practice on Friday and was joined by three others.

The New York Giants enjoyed an off day on Friday with their final practice scheduled for Saturday ahead of a Christmas Day game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

With most players away from team facilities, that meant little change in terms of injury status. However, the Giants still moved forward with a projected injury report.

Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence was a projected non-participant due to a hamstring issue that has plagued him for several weeks.

“He’s still working through his hamstring,” head coach Brian Daboll told reporters this week.

Even with an extra day off this week, Sexy Dexy seems unlikely to suit up on Monday afternoon against the Eagles.

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

Did not participate: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee), OL Evan Neal (ankle), TE Lawrence Cager (groin)

Limited participant: DT A’Shawn Robinson (back), RB Matt Breida (hamstring), LB Carter Coughlin (neck), P Jamie Gillan (groin), S Xavier McKinney (illness)

Full participant: OL Justin Pugh (calf/neck), TE Darren Waller (hamstring), RB Gary Brightwell (hamstring), OL Matt Peart (shoulder)

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Giants injury report: Dexter Lawrence, Xavier McKinney not practicing

The New York Giants have released their official Thursday injury report.

The New York Giants were back on the practice field Thursday ahead of a scheduled day off and were down a starter.

Kicker Randy Bullock has been placed on season-ending injured reserve (IR) with a hamstring issue. He will be replaced by fellow kicker Cade York, who is currently on the practice squad, for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, all eyes were on the Giants’ trio of defensive tackles — Dexter Lawrence, A’Shawn Robinson, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, all of whom are banged up.

Lawrence and Nunez-Roches continued to sit out while Robinson was limited.

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

Did not participate: NT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), S Xavier McKinney (illness) DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee), OL Evan Neal (ankle), TE Lawrence Cager (groin)

Limited participant: DT A’Shawn Robinson (back), RB Matt Breida (hamstring), LB Carter Coughlin (neck), P Jamie Gillan (groin)

Full participant: OL Justin Pugh (calf/neck), TE Darren Waller (hamstring), RB Gary Brightwell (hamstring), OL Matt Peart (shoulder)

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Giants’ Justin Pugh owns up to ugly Week 15 performance

New York Giants guard Justin Pugh had a rough game against the New Orleans Saints but he’s not hiding from it, owning up to his mistakes.

The New York Giants had so many injuries to their offensive line in October that they needed to find viable players in free agency in order to field a team. That isn’t an easy thing to do as most viable players are already on the roster of another NFL team.

But the Giants took a chance that former first-round pick Justin Pugh, who had played the last five seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and was rehabbing from an ACL tear suffered last October, still had something left to offer.

So, “straight off the couch” came Pugh, the Giants’ top pick in the 2013 NFL draft. And into the starting lineup he went in hopes of steadying a wobbly offensive line.

Pugh has added some experience and, at times, has filled the role the Giants needed him to fill. That was until last week when the Giants — and Pugh — got steamrolled by the New Orleans Saints defensive front.

Now, there are questions about whether or not Pugh is washed and perhaps should have stayed on the couch. The Giants are on the verge of challenging the NFL’s single-season mark for sacks allowed.

On Wednesday, Pugh spoke to the media about his performance and what he plans on doing to improve going forward.

“There’s probably four plays I want back from the game: the sacks. You can’t give up sacks. It kills drives, kills momentum,” he told reporters. “The first one I got beat, it kind of forced a sack on the play. The next one I got edged on a play, and then they had some twist stuff that we just didn’t pick up. We didn’t do our job. We got better as the game went on, but there are no make-ups. Once you get down in the game like that, and you’re down a couple of scores.

“But this is the perfect time — and I talked about this in my podcast, I go in-depth on it — to show who I am as a man, who I am as a player. You’re going to have bad games. People are all in my comments saying things. Like, I didn’t come here to not help the team. I didn’t do my job on Sunday, but it’s how you fight back from that adversity and that’s what I’m going to do and that’s why I’m here. So, I’m looking forward to playing on Sunday and kind of getting that behind me.”

On Christmas Day, the Giants will face a reeling Philadelphia Eagles team on the road. The Giants have only beaten the Eagles twice in their last 14 meetings. The atmosphere will be loud and raucous and Pugh is preparing for the experience.

“It’s going to be intense. Probably my gym teacher and the people I grew up with are going to be in the stands booing us,” Pugh said. “It’s a great environment. It’s the environment you want to play in in football and we’ve got a job to do, and they have a three-game skid. They’re going to be looking to get right and we just lost. We’re both going to have that bad taste in our mouths. So, two teams looking for a win.”

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