The New York Giants have spent the better part of the past 15 seasons attempting to build a competent offensive line, with All-Pro Andrew Thomas to show for those efforts, but if Week 1 is any indication are as far away as ever from being able to win up front.
Sunday, Thomas was out due to injury, and former first-round draft choice Evan Neal was a healthy scratch, despite making a position change to guard and playing well throughout training camp, there.
A season that carries the pressure of the offense needing to show significant progress in order to save head coach Brian Daboll’s job began with a listless 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders, that saw New York’s offensive line surrender two sacks and eight quarterback hits while paving the way for just 74 rushing yards.
Sunday underscored Thomas’ value, with the former first-round draft choice inactive, but also the lack of quality depth at the position assembled by general manager Joe Schoen while casting a pall over expectations that Wilson and the offense can improve this season.
“The bulk of the ground production came from Wilson himself,” according to Pro Football Focus’ Mark Chicester. “Who scrambled six times for 39 yards and added four yards on two designed runs.
“All five starters on the Giants’ offensive line graded below 66.0 on first review, underscoring the across-the-board struggles in pass protection and the run game.”
New York’s inability to run the football is particularly concerning, given that the offense was built around explosive plays in the passing game being set up by a physical ground attack led by rookie Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy.
“I’d say the big part was early downs throughout,” Daboll told reporters after the game. “Just getting some positive momentum plays, so it’s not third down after third down after third down. Four of 16, I think on third down. Oh-for-two in the red zone, and not good enough on early downs. That pretty much sums it up.”
The problem for the Giants is that there are no easy solutions.
Short of Thomas returning fully healthy and returning to form, New York’s best opportunity to upgrade is scouring the waiver wire or plucking potential diamonds in the rough off practice squads around the league.
Moreover, if the offensive line continues to be a sieve in front of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, it becomes harder for Daboll and staff to justify playing first-round rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, even for the package of plays that was reported to be in the game plan against Washington in the opener.
New York’s offensive line has played a starring role in the firings of Pat Shurmur, Joe Judge, and former general manager Dave Gettleman as an organizational failure to upgrade since the franchise’s most recent Super Bowl championship, back in 2011, and might be primed to claim its next victim.
Brian Daboll Explains Giants Not Using Jaxson Dart
Scott Taetsch | GettyGiants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart did not play in New York’s opener, despite being elevated to the No. 2 quarterback spot.
Despite being active, and supplanting veteran Jameis Winston as Russell Wilson’s top backup, and the Giants‘ No. 2 quarterback Sunday afternoon, Dart held the clipboard for the entirety of the festivities in the shadow of the nation’s capital.
Multiple reports surfaced Sunday morning that the Giants had a package of plays at the ready, to get Dart some live action in Week 1.
Daboll, though, was emphatic afterwards about what went into the decision to stick with Wilson.
“I did not,” Daboll told reporters, when asked if he considered playing Dart.
The No. 25 pick, out of Ole Miss, was stellar during the preseason which Daboll said helped him “earn” the No. 2 role going into the season. But, despite the Giants‘ offense being stuck in neutral, the opportunity simply never presented itself to get him snaps in the opener.
“Well,” Daboll said. “We were right there until the end. Until we got down there, and missed on that, so … Again, it’s a collective deal. We can do better.”
Giants Have Problem With No Easy Fixes That Could Torpedo 2025 Season