Tag: Nick Gates

Nick Gates vows to bring toughness to Giants

Offensive lineman Nick Gates vows to bring “blue collar toughness” to the New York Giants in 2020.

The New York Giants would love to get back to the days when they had the toughest and most consistent offensive line in the NFL with guys like Chris Snee, Shaun O’Hara, Rich Seubert, Kareem McKenzie and David Diehl.

General manager Dave Gettleman’s affinity for “hog mollies” was supposed to get them back there, but thus far the transition has been a slow one. Yes, he did draft left guard Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has been tooling around with free agents and veteran pickups, but it wasn’t until this April that Gettleman decided to add some more young talent to his weakest unit.

Gettleman used the fourth overall pick to select Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas and then grabbed UConn tackle Matthew Peart in Round 3. To top things off, the Giants took Oregon guard Shane Lemieux, a throwback to those lineman of yesteryear, in Round 5.

But that doesn’t mean the Giants were totally devoid of talent on the line. They have Hernandez and veterans Nate Solder and Kevin Zeitler, but there is one other valuable man in the group that has gone unsung.

Nick Gates, an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska the Giants inked back in 2018, is entering his third season with Big Blue and intends to be very much in the mix. The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Gates played multiple positions last year on the offensive line for Pat Shurmur’s team.

“The thing you love about Nick is just how tough he is, because it’s a fist fight in there,” Gettleman said. “History tells you that the toughness of your team is really, really indicated by the toughness of your offensive line.”

And Gates is a tough guy. He attributes that to his upbringing in Nevada where he grew up in a construction worker environment.

“My toughness comes from that,” Gates told The New York Post. “We used to go at it and I had to hold my own. I was the youngest [for a long time], so everybody kind of picked on me. You have to be tough when you are the youngest. Playing football or wrestling, one of us gets mad and it starts off from there.”

This year with the new talent at tackle and the guard roles pretty much sealed up, Gates will be tried at center. He is looking forward to the challenge plus playing for a new unit coach in Marc Colombo.

“Colombo is a really good coach,” Gates said. “I like that he played [in the NFL] for 10 years. He understands that sometimes, when it gets tough, you just have to get the block — and that’s kind of how it happens. He loves teaching technique.”

Gates is not sitting around waiting for the Giants to convene to start his transition to center. He’s out in Las Vegas working out with Hernandez and some other Raiders players, where he is working out snapping the football to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. He is wide open to the position change.

“If that’s where the team needs help, I’m ready to step up. The mental aspect is really the main load of center. It’s mostly a help position, but you have to point out where everybody goes and make sure everybody is on the same page. We’ll see when I get live reps with guys lined up three inches from me,” he said.

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NFC scout offers optimistic take on Giants’ offensive line

An NFC scout recently offered a very optimistic take on the state of the New York Giants’ offensive line.

When Dave Gettleman took over as the New York Giants general manager in late 2017, he vowed a return to the dominating offensive lines of the past. The Giants had won four Super Bowls with a collection of “hog mollies” leading the way in the trenches.

Gettleman immediately sought to upgrade by signing left tackle Nate Solder in free agency and then drafted guard Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The next offseason, he acquired guard Kevin Zeitler in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade with Cleveland.

This offseason, Gettleman continued his overhaul by using three of his first five draft picks on the offensive line (Andrew Thomas, Matthew Peart and Shane Lemieux), while also signing veteran swing tackle Cam Fleming in free agency.

That has led some critics to re-evaluate the status of the Giants’ line, which has been mired in the bottom half or bottom third of the league the past few years.

“In a short time, this has gone from a bottom-five offensive line that should rank in the top half of the league with a ceiling even higher due to the presence of (first-round pick Andrew) Thomas,” said a former NFC Scout as per SI.com. “In a short time this has gone from a bottom-five offensive line that should rank in the top half of the league with a ceiling even higher due to the presence of Thomas.”

There’s still a lot of tweaking to be done. Guards Hernandez and Zeitler are the only names cemented in going into training camp. The tackle positions are up for grabs with Thomas expected to displace Solder at left tackle at some point which would slide Solder over to the right side to compete with a slew of others, including Fleming, Peart and Nick Gates.

The center role is still very much in flux with Spencer Pulley the only experienced hand on the roster. The Giants intend to pit Lemieux and Gates against Pulley in camp along with last year’s starter, Jon Halapio, who is currently unsigned and rehabbing from an Achilles injury.

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Could Shane Lemieux be Giants’ hidden gem?

Could rookie offensive lineman Shane Lemieux turn out to be the New York Giants’ hidden gem in 2020 and beyond?

The NFL Draft is a crapshoot. That’s for certain, but in reality, it’s an opportunity for the smart teams to take advantage of the not-so-smart teams.

Players are always overdrafted and underdrafted and in watching how things unfold, we are always left scratch our heads about why some players were taken too early or too late.

Every year, teams walk away from the draft as if they’ve just completed some type of coup having selected players of great value in the later rounds.

In this year’s draft, each team has such a player — or two — that they are beaming about. Brett Sobleski of Bleacher Report complied a list of each team’s “surprise rookie gem” to look out for.

For the New York Giants, it’s Oregon guard Shane Lemieux, selected in the fifth round with the 150th overall pick in April’s draft.

Spencer Pulley is the New York Giants’ projected starting center, but he’s not guaranteed a spot despite Jon Halapio’s departure.

Incoming fifth-round pick Shane Lemieux could snag a starting role if he undergoes a smooth transition from guard.

“He’s a guy that’s going to have interior swing value,” Giants head coach Joe Judge said, per NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo. “We’re going to cross-train him guard and center. It’s going to be something he has been working on out at Oregon, and we’re going to keep on building with that, as well.”

Lemieux started 52 consecutive games at left guard for the Oregon Ducks. The transition might be difficult.

But the Giants wanted to revamp their offensive line and did so with multiple draft selections. Each will compete to play sooner rather than later.

As high as the Giants are on Lemieux, he will simply not be handed the job. There are other forces at play in East Rutherford.

The Giants are closely monitoring Jon Halapio’s rehab from his Achilles’ injury and if he can pass a physical may be re-signed. The team has also said publicly that Adam Gates, who has played both guard and tackle, will also be tried at center.

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Giants, Dave Gettleman have ‘faith’ in Nick Gates

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman says the team has “faith” in Nick Gates, who is in play at both right tackle and center.

The New York Giants have struggled at the offensive tackle position for years and knew it was an area that must be addressed entering the new league year, but to date, the extent of their repair work has consisted of the signing of Cameron Fleming.

That’s not necessarily a knock on Fleming, but it’s no different than what the Giants did with Mike Remmers a season ago when they signed him to a one-year band-aid deal.

While holding a conference call with reporters on Monday, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman acknowledged the work done at the position appears underwhelming, but maintains that the team has faith in both Fleming and Nick Gates, whom the team signed as an undrafted rookie in 2018.

“At the end of the day, we signed Cameron Fleming. He was with Dallas before and obviously there is that connection and with the Patriots before, there’s a double connection,” Gettleman said. “We have faith in Nick Gates, the kid we signed two years ago, a free agent we signed out of Nebraska. He missed his rookie year on IR, but last year he made a lot of progress. We are excited about him.”

Gates finished the 2019 season having taken 290 offensive snaps — 203 at right tackle, 77 at right guard and 16 as the jumbo tight end. He surrendered just one sack, did not commit a penalty and recorded a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.1.

In fact, Gates played so well that the Giants may consider him a starting option at both right tackle, where he’ll compete with Fleming, and at center, where he’ll compete with Spencer Pulley.

“You know, just for what it’s worth, we’ve talked about Nick doing that. He did do some of that last year in practice, so it’s not completely new,” Gettleman said. “Nick is smart. The thing you love about Nick is just how tough he is, because it’s a fist fight in there. There’s no doubt about that. History tells you that the toughness of your team is really, really indicated by the toughness of your offensive line. So, we’re always looking for that kind of piece. Nick would be in consideration at center, absolutely.”

While the Giants are still likely to target both a right tackle and center in the 2020 NFL Draft, expect to see Gates firmly in the mix at both positions whenever it is that football returns to East Rutherford.

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Giants’ Mike Remmers, two tight ends out vs. Eagles

The New York Giants will be without RT Mike Remmers (concussion) and two tight ends on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The New York Giants will be without starting right tackle Mike Remmers (concussion) on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, meaning reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates (shoulder), who is also a little banged up, will earn another start.

In addition to Remmers, tight ends Rhett Ellison and Scott Simonson were unable to clear concussion protocol in time to receive the green light and have also officially been ruled out.

With Simonson out, it would make sense for the Giants to promote Garrett Dickerson off of their practice squad. Kaden Smith will, of course, draw the start.

Meanwhile, the Giants could also be exceptionally thin in their already weak secondary as cornerbacks Sam Beal (shoulder) and Corey Ballentine (back) are listed as questionable.

Veteran linebacker Alec Ogletree (back), who was unable to play last week after injuring his back pre-game, is also listed as questionable.

Linebacker Lorenzo Carter (knee) and wide receiver Darius Slayton (knee) did not receive an official designation and are expected to play in Week 17.

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Giants injury report: Mike Remmers, Corey Ballentine not practicing

New York Giants RT Mike Remmers and rookie CB Corey Ballentine were not practicing on Thursday.

The New York Giants returned to East Rutherford on Thursday after a short holiday break, and got right back to practice as they prepare for a season-ending showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team released a projected injury report on Wednesday that did not reflect well, listing four players as “did not participate” and another four as “limited participant.”

Things were a bit more encouraging on Thursday as only two players — right tackle Mike Remmers (concussion) and cornerback Corey Ballentine (back) — were not participating during the portion of practice open to the media.

Linebackers Alec Ogletree (back) and Lorenzo Carter (knee) were warming up, but may turn out to be limited. Additionally, rookie cornerback DeAndre Backer (knee) and tight end Scott Simonson (concussion) were added to the injury report.

The official injury report with designations released by the Giants can be found below:

Did not participate: RT Mike Remmers (concussion), CB Corey Ballentine (back)

Limited participant: CB DeAndre Baker (knee), CB Sam Beal (shoulder), LB Lorenzo Carter (knee), TE Rhett Ellison (concussion), OL Nick Gates (shoulder), LB Alec Ogletree (back), TE Scott Simonson (concussion), WR Darius Slayton (knee)

Full participant: N/A

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Giants injury report: Mike Remmers, seven others banged up

The New York Giants released a projected injury report on Wednesday and eight players were listed, including RT Mike Remmers.

The New York Giants held a walkthrough that was not open to the media on Tuesday, giving players and coaches the day off on Christmas Day instead.

Not so for us reporters.

Despite the building in East Rutherford being empty, the Giants released a projected Wednesday injury report, summoning those of us who cover the team back to our tablets and laptops.

Unfortunately for the Giants, said injury report was not very merry with eight players listed in total, four of whom were projected non-participants.

Among them was right tackle Mike Remmers, who left a Week 16 win over the Washington Redskins with a concussion, and linebacker Alec Ogletree, who suffered back injury before even taking the field last Sunday.

Additionally, rookie cornerback Corey Ballentine is now listed with a back injury, while linebacker Lorenzo Carter, who had a career day against the Skins, was also added to the injury report with a knee injury.

Four others were projected as limited, including reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates, who is listed with a shoulder injury.

The entire projected injury report released by the Giants can be found below:

Did not participate: CB Corey Ballentine (back), OT Mike Remmers (concussion), LB Alec Ogletree (back) and LB Lorenzo Carter (knee).

Limited participant: OL Nick Gates (shoulder), TE Rhett Ellison (concussion/non-contact), CB Sam Beal (shoulder) and WR Darius Slayton (knee).

Full participant: N/A

The Giants will return to practice on Thursday ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium.

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Nick Gates proving to be a valuable asset for Giants

He can play tackle, he can play guard and OL Nick Gates may be a long-term answer for the New York Giants.

New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates has been in the building for two seasons now. He was an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska in 2018 who spent his rookie season on injured reserve.

When he got to camp this year, Gates was a dark horse to crack the roster, but he did after an impressive summer and has been serving primarily as a sing lineman all season for Big Blue.

Gates is versatile, as illustrated in his ability to play both tackle and guard. In Week 10 against the New York Jets, Gates played all 69 offensive snaps at right tackle in filling in for the injured Mike Remmers.

This past week versus Miami Gates subbed for Kevin Zeitler, the right guard, again starting and playing very snap. His had coach was pleased with his performance.

“He did a nice job, and I’m not surprised by it,” said Pat Shurmur on his Monday conference call.  “When he played against the Jets, his man didn’t touch the quarterback, he was productive in the run game, and he played at tackle. He went and played guard this week for (Kevin) Zeitler and had a very, very productive game.

“He’s a good, solid football player. He’s a little bit like (Sam) Beal, he’s here for the second year, but last year was like year zero because he was hurt, and he’s done a good job. He’s a steady performer and he’s got a bright future.”

Every team finds productive players in the UDFA market bu the Giants haven’t been so lucky the past few seasons. The 6-foot-6, 318 -pound Gates was a fine a pickup it appears and his emergence means that there’s one less hole to fill on this Giants’ roster that is full of them.

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PFF: Sterling Shepard, Nick Gates highest-graded Giants in Week 15

New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard and OL Nick Gates were the team’s highest-graded players courtesy of PFF in Week 15.

The New York Giants finally broke their lengthy losing streak on Sunday, defeating the Miami Dolphins, 36-20, in what may turn out to be Eli Manning’s last ever game.

Unfortunately for Manning, who had three interceptions, he was not among the team’s highest-graded players courtesy of Pro Football Focus, although he should tip his cap to wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who was.

Shepard played exceptionally well after a rough start that included a brutal drop that not only cost the Giants a first down, but potentially cost the team points. However, he rounded nicely and became a critical target for Manning in the second half.

Manning should also tip his cap to reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates, who filled in for an injured Kevin Zeitler (ankle) and played above expectations — something he’s making a habit of.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Dalvtin Tomlinson stood out, each earning PFF grades of 82.

Lawrence got an addition shout-out in the ReFocused segment alongside rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker, who has placed noticeably better of late.

Rookie defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence had one of the best games of his young career against Miami. Lawrence collapsed the pocket on multiple times and wreaked havoc in the middle of the Dolphins offensive line. In addition, while he did not record a sack in the game, he made his presence felt in rushing the passer as well.

Rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker continued his recent form and played well against the Dolphins. Baker got the best of Miami wide receiver DeVante Parker and also made multiple pass breakups on the day.

A quality showing by several up-and-coming Giants in Week 15.

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Giants’ Nick Gates hoping to build on strong debut

New York Giants OL Nick Gates is hoping to build on his strong debut and believes he could help the team going forward.

One start into his career, New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates is being talked about as a future piece on the line as one of general manager Dave Gettleman’s “hog mollies.”

Gates started last Sunday’s game against the New York Jets at right tackle in place of the injured Mike Remmers (back) and played well for the most part. He is what is known as a swing lineman, which means he works out at more than one position which adds to his value.

In training camp, Gates played both tackle and guard and last week, with Jon Halapio out, he was taking some reps at center just in case the Giants needed him in a pinch.

Unlike Eric Smith, who entered the game in the first half to spell left tackle Nate Solder, who was knocked from the game with a concussion, Gates had the benefit of a full training camp. In fact, Gates has been in the building for two years and does not consider himself a rookie.

“Listen, he’s a tough, competitive guy,” head coach Pat Shurmur said of Gates. “We were looking forward to seeing him play because we feel like he has a chance to be a good player. He battled. One thing about Nick Gates, he’s tough, he’s competitive and he tries to do things the right way. He had a lot of really good plays out there.”

The Giants signed Gates as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska after the 2018 NFL Draft. He did not make the 53-man roster out of camp. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the season. This year, he impressed to the point where the Giants could not ignore him and made the 53-man roster.

“I think just communicating and being on the same page is big,” said quarterback Daniel Jones on how things will work with Gates and Smith at tackle. “I thought those guys stepped up and played well on Sunday for us. We have a lot of confidence in them. Just to communicate and be on the same page going into the game, I think we’ll feel confident with whoever is out there.”

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