Ultimate Fantasy Football Strategy - Offensive Line Analysis

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New York Giants

2008 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: David Diehl
Left Guard: Rich Seubert
Center: Shaun O’Hara
Right Guard: Chris Snee
Right Tackle: Kareem McKenzie

2007 Injuries:
C Shaun O’Hara: Weeks 16 and 17

2007 Statistics:

Left End		Left Tackle		Mid/Guard		Right Tackle		Right End		Passing
ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	ALY	Rank	Sacks	Rank
4.85	7	4.37	14	4.7	3	4.46	12	4.87	3	28	12

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.
� [2007] Football Outsiders, Inc. All rights reserved.

Overview:
The New York Giants offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL for a number of years and allowed Tiki Barber to rush for over 1,500 yards in three consecutive seasons. There were question marks entering into the 2007 season about whether or not the rushing game would be as effective without Barber. Luke Petitgout was released in February 2007 mainly due to his frequent injuries and was replaced by David Diehl at LT who was the starting LG in 2006. In 2007, this line once again proved it was one of the best in the league as it blocked very successfully for Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw and the Giants rushed for over 2000 yards.

At tackle, the team is in very solid shape with 2003 draft pick David Diehl and 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. He remains a very smart player who is above average in run blocking but is below average in pass protection as a 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 was acquired from the New York Jets as a free agent in 2005 and has not disappointed. The 6'6" and 330 lbs will continue to be a very good tackle in this league for a few more years, especially as a run blocker. Guy Whimper is the backup tackle and although he lacks experience at the position, he is improving very rapidly and should be able to fill in adequately if either Diehl or McKenzie were to be injured.

The guard position is also in very good shape with Chris Snee on the right and Rich Seubert on the left. Snee was the Giants second round pick in 2004 and has not missed a start in three 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 also athletic enough to pull out and block on the second level and also has excellent awareness which is important for a pulling guard. Snee 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. Rich 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.

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 an adequate job as the starting center. Grey Ruegamer is a backup center and guard who was drafted in 1999 and since then has played for four different teams. He provides depth on the line and showed he is a very capable backup in the first round playoff game against the Buccaneers in 2007. This line is much better at rush blocking than pass blocking but some of those weaknesses are countered by the good pass blocking abilities of running back Brandon Jacobs.

2008 Outlook:
There should be no changes to the Giants offensive line in 2008 as the five starters from 2007 will be returning. Shaun O’Hara was the only lineman who missed action in 2007 late in the season and was adequately replaced by Ruegamer. David Diehl also had to play through a thumb injury all season long so his play should improve in 2008 but overall the line was very healthy in 2007. The Giants line was impressive in both pass and run blocking in 2007 and that should once again be the case in 2008. The Giants have little depth at offensive line since Ruegamer and Whimper are the only two capable backups. However, because many of the offensive linemen can play various positions, the lack of depth should not be a problem. As long as the line remains relatively healthy and 26 year old Madison Hedgecock continues his solid play at fullback, the Giants should be able to rush for over 2,000 yards for a fourth consecutive season.

Updates:
August 4, 2008 - The Giants signed Shane Olivea to provide depth at tackle. Olivea is a former starter with the Chargers who had an addiction to painkillers. Olivea is very talented and will provide more depth to this already very good Giants line.