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2010 Offensive Line Analysis - New York Giants

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: David Diehl
Left Guard: Rich Seubert
Center: Shaun O’Hara
Right Guard: Chris Snee
Right Tackle: Kareem McKenzie

2009 Injuries:
T Kareem McKenzie: Weeks 7, 15-17
G Rich Seubert: Weeks 16-17

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
The New York Giants missed the playoffs for the first time in five years but it’s hard to blame the offense which ranked in the top ten in both points and yards in 2009. The running game averaged less than 4.5 yards per carry for the first time since 2003 but the injuries to McKenzie and Seubert certainly didn’t help.

Starting at left tackle for the eighth consecutive season will be 2003 draft pick David Diehl. 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 29-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 but is probably slightly below average in both pass protection and run blocking for a starting left tackle. Kareem 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 various injuries in the past two years and may be approaching the end of his career at 31 years old. 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 body holds up. The Giants added William Beatty in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, a two year starter at left tackle at Connecticut. He still has to improve his technique but he has the physical abilities to be a starting left tackle in the NFL and could even get his chance this year. Guy Whimper, a fourth round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, adds depth at tackle and could compete for the starting job at left guard.

Starting at left guard should be Rich Seubert who 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. The 6'3" and 310 lbs guard is still 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 five 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 has been named to two straight Pro Bowls because of his run blocking abilities, which easily rank amongst the five best for NFL guards. Kevin Boothe started the final two games of the regular season at left guard after the injury to Seubert. The 27-year old lineman wasn’t bad when he played but is a better fit as a versatile backup than as a starter. 2010 fifth round pick Mitch Petrus adds depth.

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 is pretty small, even for a center, but makes up for it with his technique and awareness, two skills which allowed him to be named to a second straight Pro Bowl in 2009. Despite being 33 years old, O’Hara is still amongst the NFL’s best and will continue to be a very good starter for a few more years. 6’5” and 300 lbs Adam Koets is the backup at center after making the transition from tackle last off-season.

2010 Outlook:
The Giants offensive line was pretty average in 2009 after being amongst the best for a number of years. Part of that may have been due to the aging linemen but we also have to consider the injuries they had to deal with. In the ten full games that the starting five played together, they allowed only 15 sacks and allowed the running game to average 4.3 yards per carry. This would have ranked them in the top five in pass protection and above average in the running game. Seubert and McKenzie are the two linemen who missed time due to injuries in 2009 and their durability will continue to be a concern as they are now 31 years old. Despite his lack of experience, William Beatty should be able to step in adequately at tackle and Diehl could move inside to guard if there were any injuries inside. Overall, the Giants offensive line should be above average in both run blocking and pass protection once again but they are not as safe a pick as they were in the past few seasons.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles