Tag: Spencer Pulley

Titans part ways with 3 players in Tuesday roster moves

The Titans parted ways with three injured players on Tuesday.

The Tennessee Titans parted ways with three players on Tuesday, per the league’s transactions wire, releasing center Spencer Pulley and defensive back Greg Mabin, and waiving tight end Donnie Ernsberger.

Pulley was signed by the Titans on July 30 to provide some depth competition at center but he landed on Injured Reserve on Aug. 5.

Mabin, who spent time on the Titans’ practice squad in 2020 and was re-signed by the team back in May, was also placed on IR the same day as Pulley. Both players were released with injury settlements.

Meanwhile, it was an even shorter stay in Nashville for Ernsberger, as the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer was signed on Aug. 5. He suffered an injury during practice on Monday.

The Titans will hit the practice field on Wednesday evening starting at 5 p.m. CT for what will be their final session before the preseason opener in Atlanta against the Falcons on Friday.

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Titans signing former Giants center Spencer Pulley

Pulley didn’t see any action in 2020 while serving as a backup for the Giants.

The Tennessee Titans are reportedly adding to their offensive line room as the team is in the midst of training camp.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Titans are signing veteran center Spencer Pulley, who has spent time with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers during his five-year career.

Pulley has appeared in 49 games over four seasons, but wasn’t called into action in 2020 while serving as a backup for Big Blue.

Pulley has a good amount of starting experience. In 2017, he started in all 16 games for the Chargers, and in 2018 he started in nine of 13 games for the Giants. He’ll be a solid depth piece for the Titans if he can make the cut.

The move comes on the heels of the Titans placing 2020 UDFA and standout, guard/center Aaron Brewer, on the NFI list to start camp.  Veteran Daniel Munyer was the only other true center behind starter Ben Jones on Tennessee’s roster.

Report: Giants’ Spencer Pulley takes a pay cut

The New York Giants recently renegotiated the contract of OL Spencer Pulley, who ultimately takes a pay cut.

Before the 2019 season, the New York Giants signed center Spencer Pulley to a Spencer Pulley signed a three-year, $8,025,000 contract — $2,325,000 of which was guaranteed.

That was based off Pulley’s 2018 performance where he played 13 games at center, starting nine after starter Jon Halapio was lost to a broken leg. But in 2019, Pulley fell out of favor as Halapio returned to form. Pulley played just 95 snaps and his only start was when Halapio got hurt again.

This year, the Giants decided to keep Pulley on the roster but wanted an upgrade and converted guard/tackle Nick Gates to center and selected Shane Lemieux of Oregon in the fifth round of the draft.

Gates started the season opener against Pittsburgh and was exposed, while Pulley was on the bench. The Giants reaffirmed their commitment to Gates, and all five of the starters who played every snap on Monday night, after the 26-16 loss to the Steelers.

“The only way we can improve on any of that is really by going out there every day in practice and putting our players in positions they’re going to have to play in in the game,” said head coach Joe Judge. “We have to do a better job as coaches of giving them the looks they’re going to see. Pittsburgh is a good team, they make adjustments, they’re not going to stay in one front throughout the game, they’re going to give you different looks. Chicago is going to be much of the same story. So, we’ve got to do a good job, starting with myself, of making sure our players see everything they’re going to face possible.”

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports that Giants renegotiated Pulley’s contract recently.

As Raanan alludes, Pulley essentially took a pay cut and lost a year on the deal, but converted the remainder in a fully guaranteed salary here in 2020.

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Giants’ Marc Colombo thinks Matt Peart is the (f) bomb

New York Giants offensive line coach Marc Colombo is a big bleeping fan of rookie tackle Matt Peart.

The New York Giants coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Joe Judge, is extremely intense. And perhaps no one better exemplified that intensity than retired offensive lineman and current offensive line coach Marc Colombo.

From his violent style of play to his love of death metal, Colombo doesn’t dial things down for anyone — his players or the media who cover the team.

That was evident during Colombo’s Zoom conference call on Wednesday when he dropped the very first f-bomb of training camp when discussing rookie offensive lineman Matt Peart.

“There’s just a lot to work with as an offensive line coach. We like what we’ve seen so far,” Colombo said, adding that Peart is a tremendous athlete. “He just looks like a [expletive] football player.”

The 6-foot-7, 318-pound Peart, who was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, was expected to be a long-term project for the Giants, but he arrived to training camp in remarkable shape and has looked every bit the dominant lineman experts projected him to be down the road.

That doesn’t necessarily means Peart will start, however. Similar to what Judge has said previously, Colombo anticipates the “best five” will start — whoever they may be.

One of those starters could very well end up being veteran Cam Fleming, who has already earned the trust of Judge.

Meanwhile, as Judge previously alluded to, the battle at center is in a dead heat between Spencer Pulley and Nick Gates, who is making the transition from his previous role as everyman.

It’s been a long time since the Giants had a formidable offensive line, but like Colombo, you’ve got to be happy and excited with the way things are shaping up if you’re a Big Blue fan.

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Giants’ center battle: Spencer Pulley, Nick Gates are ‘scratch even’

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge says Spencer Pulley and Nick Gates are “scratch even” in the race to start at center.

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One of the New York Giants’ most intriguing training camp battles this year comes at the center position, where incumbent Spencer Pulley is working to fight off Nick Gates, the team’s Swiss Army Knife.

Pulley filled in for the injured Jon Halapio a season ago and played admirably, but not spectacularly.

Meanwhile, Gates has bounced all over the offensive line and filled in wherever the team needed. This year, that could come at right tackle or center, but at least early on, center seems to be where it’s at.

And to Gates’ credit, he’s made the transition smoothly — almost unrealistically smoothly.

“Nick’s doing a tremendous job. He never played the position before. He’s the alpha male that you want at the position. He owns it,” offensive line coach Marc Colombo said earlier this month. “That’s what you love about Nick. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s versatile. He can play any position on the offensive line, which is a huge plus for this organization. Just love the kid so far.

“He’s done a good job. We have a ways to go. Again, we’re just getting started here, but love a lot of things we’ve seen from him so far. He’s getting a good share of reps at center. We’ll see soon. Again, we haven’t put on the pads yet. Once we put on the pads, a lot of things are going to reveal themselves.”

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think center was Gates’ natural position. But despite that, he hasn’t completely leap-frogged Pulley, who remains very much in the race to start.

“[They are] scratch even,” head coach Joe Judge said on Tuesday.

“Nick’s a guy that when we got here, we knew he had a lot of flexibility position wise. He had to learn the center position. I think he’s definitely a guy who’s just locked in to doing anything he could to give himself a chance. He’s improved in the short amount of time we’ve been able to be together. He shows a good command out there in terms of understanding the offense, communicating the calls. He has a toughness about him that you like inside.

“Spencer brings the same qualities. Spencer’s a tough dude, he’s a smart guy, he can run the show out there, he understands what we’re trying to do, he understands what the defense is trying to do, he’s a great communicator on the line of scrimmage and in the huddle. Both those guys have done a tremendous job competing.”

The Giants have just 18 more days to figure out who will start at center against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.

For now, it’s a toss-up. But Gates is ascending and Pulley rode the bike during Tuesday’s practice, so that’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

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Darius Slayton among several Giants players dealing with injury

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton missed practice on Monday and is among several players suddenly dealing with an injury.

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton spent a good portion of Monday’s two-and-a-half-hour practice inside working with trainers. And even when he did emerge, he did not join his teammates on the field.

“Trainers are kinda dealing with [it],” head coach Joe Judge said, adding that when there’s more information, the team will release it.

In addition to Slayton, linebacker Ryan Connelly, who suffered a torn ACL last season, also missed practice. He has now missed several in a row.

Connelly was joined by fullback Eli Penny, who spent Monday’s practice on the side working with trainers after also missing Sunday’s walkthrough.

Meanwhile, center Spencer Pulley, guard Shane Lemieux and safety Jabrill Peppers all left practice according to media reports, but Judge seemed to imply they were cramp-related issues and not something more serious.

Tight end Rysen John also left practice after going down and grabbing his left thigh following a 1-on-1 drill against safety Montre Hartage, but he later returned.

Finally, cornerback Prince Smith returned to practice after sitting out on Sunday.

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Kevin Zeitler open to playing center if Giants ask him

New York Giants veteran guard Kevin Zeitler says he’s open to playing center if that’s what head coach Joe Judge needs.

The New York Giants are in the process of retooling their offensive line. They used three of their first five selections in this year’s NFL Draft on two tackles (Andrew Thomas, Matthew Peart) and an interior lineman (Shane Lemieux) and added veteran swing tackle Cam Fleming in free agency.

The Giants plan on putting those pieces around four returning linemen — guards Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez, center Spencer Pulley and the versatile Nick Gates.

With veteran left tackle Nate Solder (opt-out) sitting the 2020 season out, Zeitler, 30, becomes the top vet on the line. He’s been one of the top guards in the NFL since coming into the league in 2012 as a first round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals.

This season, with training camp and the preseason hindered by the coronavirus restrictions, Zeitler, although considered a constant, is back to the drawing board under new head coach Joe Judge and offensive line coach Marc Colombo.

“I say right off the bat, very detail oriented,” Zeitler said of his new coaches on a video interview on Tuesday. “They’re keeping us on track, they’re making sure we’re doing the things we need to do and they’re making sure we’re getting better every day. They’re not hoping, they’re making sure.”

Zeitler will play right guard, we believe, but he dropped a hint that the coaches want the line to be versatile, and that shows with the personnel they have in camp.

“The coaches came in and made it very clear, everyone is possible to play any position. We’re going to work hard to put the best five guys out there,” Zeitler revealed. “The way we look at it, no matter who we play next to in practice, there’s always the possibility that could happen at any given time during a game. It’s great to work with everyone and it’s great to build continuity with everyone so it’s never an issue.”

The Giants are still seeking an alternative to Pulley at center. Gates has been mentioned and it’s common knowledge that Lemieux is being trained for the job, but Zeitler revealed on Tuesday that he’s also in the mix.

“The way I see it, if coach wants me to, I’ll be ready to go. We’re working hard right now, and whatever happens, happens,” said Zeitler. “Back in the day I worked at it. I think I could pick it up if it’s needed.”

Meanwhile, Zeitler has been impressed with Thomas, the fourth overall pick in the draft back in April. Thomas is the leading candidate to replace Solder at left tackle.

“The biggest thing I’d say is, obviously, he’s naturally gifted right off the bat,” Zeitler said of Thomas. “But the way he approaches every day. He comes in to get better every day, he’s working hard, he’s taking in coach’s advice. Day by day, whether no helmets, helmets, or pads, he’s been getting better.”

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Is O-Line now the Giants’ biggest liability?

The New York Giants have worked hard to repair their offensive line, but does it remain their biggest liability headed into the season?

Every NFL team has their assets as well as their liabilities and for the New York Giants, their offensive line has been a liability for quite some time.

In his latest piece on each team’s biggest liability going into this season, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identifies the O-Line as the Giants’ most glaring question mark this summer.

We agree, even though the defense was probably the biggest concern coming out of the season last December. The Giants have just one known entity on their offensive line at the moment — right guard Kevin Zeitler — after left guard Will Hernandez endured a disappointing second season and left tackle Nate Solder opted out due to coronavirus concerns.

The Giants have, however, taken steps to address the unit through the NFL Draft and free agency, along with bringing in Dallas Cowboys line coach Marc Colombo to head the group, but it’s a huge ask for this bunch to form some cohesiveness in such a short period of time.

“The Giants will now likely rely on some combination of rookie fourth overall pick Andrew Thomas, rookie third-round pick Matt Peart and former Cowboys and Patriots backup Cameron Fleming at tackle,” writes Knox. “Could this group of tackles prove capable of protecting quarterback Daniel Jones? Sure. With no preseason, however, it could take them some time into the regular season to jell. Given Jones’ struggles with pocket awareness and fumbling—he had 18 fumbles in 13 games last season—this could be a major issue in 2020.”

That is the fear. Too many rookies and new faces on the line could prove to be too challenging at the outset but many see it as a step in the right direction.

Thomas and Peart were both coveted by many teams in the draft and Fleming, having played for Colombo last season in Dallas should help make for a smoother transition.

In addition, the Giants are looking to make a change at center where veteran Spencer Pulley will face challenges from Nick Gates and rookie Shane Lemieux.

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2020 Giants training camp: Position battles to watch

As the New York Giants ready themselves for padded training camp practices, here are some key positional battles to watch.

Every summer brings NFL training camps and every training camp has their share of roster battles.

With a new coaching staff and a load of new faces to pit against some unproven old faces, the New York Giants’ camp will have quite a number of battles for key positions this year.

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Offensive tackle

Nate Solder was going to have to prove that he was still left tackle timber this summer before he opted out for the season. So, left tackle was very much in play. Now, it’s their priority.

The Giants are hopeful that first round pick Andrew Thomas slides right in and starts from Day 1. That could still happen. He’ll have plenty of company, though. Third round pick Matt Peart will now be thrust into the mix for the left tackle spot as well.

Right tackle is even more wide open. The loser of the left tackle role will have to fend off veteran free agent Cam Fleming and the Giants’ everyman, Nick Gates. These are the two biggest question marks of the summer.

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Giants roster outlook: Upgrades, downgrades or lateral moves on offense

Giants Wire examines the New York Giants offense and the changes made this offseason, offering a verdict on each unit.

The New York Giants are excited about their prospects on offense this season. There’s an interesting mixture of old and new faces converging within the unit.

The team used first-round draft picks on offensive players the last four years and have supplemented those players with other high round picks and select free agents.

Here’s a quick outlook of the Giants’ 2020 offense.

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Coaches

Gained: Joe Judge, Jason Garrett, Marc Colombo, others

Lost: Pat Shurmur, Mike Shula, Hal Hunter, others

Jason Garrett, a former Giants backup quarterback and head coach of the Dallas Cowboys the past 10 years, is the new offensive coordinator.

Garrett will bring a balance and some semblance of structure to the offensive game plan. He is a creative, aggressive play caller who has both the experience, temperament and talent to turn the Giants into a high-powered, respectable offensive team.

The staff is full of familiar faces: Marc Colombo (offensive line), Tyke Tolbert (wide receivers), Jerry Shuplinski (quarterbacks), Burton Burns (running backs) and Freddie Kitchens (tight ends) bring a legacy of success and experience to the Giants.

Verdict: Substantial upgrade

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