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The New York Giants have fielded four different offensive line combinations over the first four weeks of the regular-season, but that hasn’t stunted their growth.
One of the team’s primary weaknesses a season ago, New York’s O-Line has made some significant strides in 2021. Case in point: left tackle Andrew Thomas playing at an All-Pro level.
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There are still several areas of concern and the group aren’t exactly world beaters, but from where they were to where they are is a tremendous improvement. And as the line goes, so go the Giants.
Entering a Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys, Big Blue’s offensive line is now facing mounting pressure and mounting expectations.
“Well, [good offensive line play] really makes a difference, that’s where it starts. The game is won and lost on the line of scrimmage every week in the NFL,” offensive coordinator Jason Garrett told reporters on Thursday. “I thought our guys did a good job in that environment the other day against New Orleans, against a good front in a hard place to play. Crowd noise is typically a factor there and I think they handled all of that really well. I thought the protection throughout the game was really good.”
Quarterback Daniel Jones was not sacked a single time in Week 4 and often had a solid pocket to maneuver in. The results were a career-high 402 yards passing and a 27-point output for the offense. They also found their ground game in the second half and looked like a complete unit for only the second time over the past 20 games.
But now the Giants need to repeat and that will start upfront.
“I don’t think anything we ran in [Week 4 that] was anything different, to be honest with you. Sometimes you call those plays and the ball has to go somewhere else for a variety of reasons. We had some opportunities to start with, the protection to hold the ball a little bit, and drive the ball down the field a little bit more than in the past. Again, a tribute to those guys going against a good front in a tough environment,” Garrett added.
“They’re real pros up front. We’ve had some guys that have been with us for little bit, but then we’ve had some guys who are new. There have been some moving parts up there, but their approach is outstanding. They come to work, their preparation mentally and physically is really, really good. They work hard to develop that chemistry in a short period of time.”
A part of the credit is owed to Rob Sale, who came in this offseason and took over the dysfunctional line. And along with several other assistants, he’s turned them back into a representable unit.
“Rob is a good coach. He really is. He’s done a good job with our guys,” Garrett said. “We put the system in place last year and I think the guys that have been around are understanding more and more of what we want to do, but he’s certainly added a lot. He’s helped those guys individually and collectively across the board.”
If Sale’s line can continue to give Jones time and open lanes for Saquon Barkley, the Giants can win some games even with their defense underperforming.
