MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
vs.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Dare I say this season the offense appears capable of generating some excitement. Health and development will go a long way. Lest we forget this is still a work in progress. But key pieces continue being put into place. Dave Gettleman has so far conducted three drafts in which he's assembled a young core featuring Saquon Barkely, Daniel Jones, Darius Slayton, Will Hernandez and hopefully Thomas Andrews joins the list.
And so the rebuilding continues ..
Andrew Thomas Will Hernandez Nick Gates Kevin Zeitler Cam Fleming
Everything starts at center. Nick Gates will be making his first NFL start at the position after playing all of last season at guard. He was hurt two seasons ago, making this his second full season with the Giants. Much of my attention on Monday night will be focused on him. The center is the play caller for the offensive line and he's going up against a Steelers defensive line that needs little help getting to the quarterback. That means Daniel Jones will be throwing into a crowded field. It'll be up to Gates to make sure he and the line keep Jones standing upright.
Luckily Gates will be sandwiched between two very solid guards. To the left of center will be Will Hernandez. He's been a fine addition to the line since being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft. He's started every game since. Right of center will be Kevin Zeitler, acquired last March from the Browns (as part of the Odell Beckham trade). In 2017 the Browns made him the NFL's highest paid right guard. Last season Zeitler demonstrated reasons why. The line was improved immediately upon his arrival and he now makes for a great on-field coach next to Nick Gates.
The more troublesome issues exist at tackle. Nat Solder back in July opted out of the upcoming regular season over family and personal health concerns. This means first round draft selection Andrew Thomas gets thrown into the fire. Drafted out of Georgia, the 21-year old (6'5" 315 pounds) is being charged with protecting Daniel Jones' blind side, on Monday Night Football, in front of a national audience, against a ferocious Steelers front seven. At right tackle Mike Remmers is out. In his place is free agent acquisition Cameron Fleming. The 28-year old six year veteran sports a nice resume: six years in the league, two Super Bowl titles in four years with the Patriots, and two seasons with Dallas. He arrives with an ally in offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Daniel Jones enters his sophomore season and his first full season under center. In taking the baton from Eli Manning he appears in thirteen games and makes twelve starts as a rookie, throwing 284/459 for 3,027 yards with 24 touchdowns and twelve interceptions. An otherwise fine debut if it wasn't for 18 fumbles! If nothing else, Jones needs to rectify that with haste. Thirty turnovers are way too high, but they're within his control. Better ball security - that number must absolutely come down.
If the offensive line provides enough time, Daniel Jones starts the season with a full complement of receivers at his disposal. Evan Engram returns after making just eight appearances and six starts last season. He rejoins Sterling Shepard and second year favorite Darius Slayton and Golden Tate, if and when available. Slayton won over many fans last season with 48 receptions and 740 yards in fourteen games and just nine starts.
The star of the offense is obviously Saquon Barkley. In 29 career games he has thus generated 3,469 total yards from scrimmage. He is selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie with over 1,300 yards rushing and over 700 yards receiving. Last season Saquon missed three games but still rushed for 1,003 yards and caught 52 passes for another 438 yards giving him a net of 1,441 yards for the season.
All this is being put in the hands of new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Very interesting ...
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