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2009 Offensive Line Analysis - New York Giants

2009 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: David Diehl
Left Guard: Rich Seubert
Center: Shaun O’Hara
Right Guard: Chris Snee
Right Tackle: Kareem McKenzie

2008 Injuries:
None

2008 Statistics:

ALY (Adjusted Line Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per carry developed by Football Outsiders that takes into account various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent.
Source: www.footballoutsiders.com

Overview:
The New York Giants led the NFL with 5.0 yards per carry in 2008 and have now had above 4.5 yards per carry for an astonishing five straight seasons. The offensive line is not as good in pass protection but it still ranks above the league average and has not allowed more than 28 sacks since 2004. This group of five is one of the best in the NFL and it is no surprise that they have played every game together in the past two seasons and four of the five have played 61 of the last 64 regular season games together.

At tackle, the Giants are looking very strong with 2003 draft pick David Diehl and 30-year old Kareem McKenzie who was acquired as a free agent from the Jets in 2005. Diehl is a very versatile lineman who can play any of the guard or tackle positions and who has not missed a single game in his NFL career. The 27-year old, 6'5" and 320 lbs lineman struggled with speed rushers in his first season as a left tackle because he does not have particularly quick feet but has stepped up his game in the past few years. He is a very smart player who is above average in run blocking and slightly below average in pass protection but should still be considered a good NFL starting left tackle. McKenzie is one of the best right tackles in football and although he may get beat to the outside occasionally because of his lack of speed, he is very strong and will create big holes in the running game. McKenzie has however had to deal with back problems and had to miss a number of plays last season. He will continue to be a very good tackle in this league, especially as a run blocker, for a few more years as long as his back holds up. Guy Whimper is the main backup at tackle and surprised in limited action but he has struggled with injuries since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The Giants also added William Beatty in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, a two year starter at left tackle at Connecticut. Beatty might need to get a little stronger in order to be a good lineman in the NFL but he has quick and agile feet. He also has to improve his technique but he has the physical abilities to be a starting left tackle in a few years.

The guard position is also in very good shape with Rich Seubert on the left and Chris Snee on the right. Seubert was an undrafted free agent picked up by the Giants in 2001 and was quickly developing into a Pro Bowl caliber guard until he suffered a career threatening injury in 2003. Seubert battled through five surgeries and managed to regain his starting job. He is a versatile lineman and although he has lost some speed, his intensity makes up for it and he is a very ferocious run blocker. The 6'3" and 310 lbs guard is probably the weak link on the line but his intensity and hard work are a very good example for the other players on this team. Chris Snee was the Giants second round pick in 2004 and has not missed a start in four seasons with the team. He has a good frame for a guard at 6'3" and 320 lbs and has the strength to be effective as a run blocker. Snee is athletic enough to pull out and block on the second level and also has excellent awareness which is important for a pulling guard. He is vulnerable at times in pass protection against athletic linemen who can take advantage of his slower feet but he remains an above average guard.  The main backup at guard is fourth-year veteran Kevin Boothe who was McKenzie’s backup at right tackle last season but he struggled in pass protection and has been moved back inside to guard for the 2009 season.

Shaun O’Hara has been the starting center for the Giants since 2004 and although not the most powerful run blocker, he is a good pass blocker who can also play both guard positions. O'Hara has average size for a center and could add more strength to become a better blocker in the running game. Nonetheless, he is very smart and has good intensity so does a good job as the starting center. 6’5” and 300 lbs Adam Koets is expected to be the backup at center this season if he shows he can make the transition from tackle in training camp.

2009 Outlook:
The Giants have been the best example of consistency for an offensive line in the past four seasons. All five starting linemen will return this season but durability might be more of an issue this season with McKenzie’s back. Nonetheless the Giants have more depth at tackle with Beatty and Whimper and should be in decent shape even if they have to deal with an injury or two for a few games. Overall, the Giants have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, especially in run blocking, and there’s no reason to believe that they would average below 4.5 yards per carry this season.

See all of our 2009 Offensive Line Analysis Articles