New York Giants: Eagles game will serve as a test for O-Line

Last year, the New York Giants got blanked by the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. Connor Barwin and company disrupted the Giants and completely exposed the holes among the offensive line.

It was ugly to watch, as the game against the Eagles shined a bright light on New York’s offensive line struggles. It wasn’t a stellar group, as J.D. Walton was a below-average center, and John Jerry proved to be well, John Jerry.

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This year, the Giants can’t seem to remember what occurred in Philly a year ago.

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“I don’t even remember what happened last year,” Center Weston Richburg said, according to Giants.com. “We’ve got some good momentum. It’s up to us to get better, we have a lot of things we need to work on.”

It’s a completely different story this year, as the offensive line is a pleasant surprise for the Giants. The reformation started when the team brought in Ereck Flowers to man the right tackle spot. Obviously, things changed due to a Will Beatty injury, so Flowers has been playing on the left side of the line. Flowers hasn’t been tremendous, but he’s displayed attributes that coaches, teammates and fans love to see.

Flowers has played hurt, smart and gritty for the entire season. Essentially, the rookie has been playing like a veteran.

In addition to the addition of Flowers, the team did some re-shuffling. Weston Richburg — who saw all of his action in 2014 at guard — move inside to his natural position of center, while Justin Pugh, AKA this generation’s version of David Diehl, moved inside to guard, which is a better fit for him.

The team also has Geoff Schwartz back and healthy, and he’s proved to be a huge part of the line. And while Marshall Newhouse is a bit of a liability at right tackle, one would assume Beatty would take over that spot once he returns.

Basically, while the offensive line doesn’t receive a lot of mainstream recognition, it’s a vastly improved unit from last year, and it’s a main reason why the team is sitting at 3-2.

With that being said, the line needs to do its best to try to avoid another embarrassment at the hands of the Eagles.

The Eagles boast one of the best front sevens in the NFL, and it’s certainly the best unit in the NFC East. Bennie Logan, Cedric Thorton, Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, DeMeco Ryans, Jordan Hicks, Vinny Curry and Fletcher Cox cause a lot of trouble for offensive lines, and it’s easy to see why.

It’s such a diverse group that features a combination of speed, power and technique. Philadelphia runs complicated stunts, and it’s a big reason for its success this year.

Since the pass rush has been generating so much pressure, the re-tooled secondary has been playing well too, as Philly has hauled in six interceptions this year.

Game planning to stop the Eagles’ front seven should be New York’s main concern. It’s not an easy task, since Cox is the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the NFC. Like I said earlier, though, this offensive line is head-and-shoulders better than it was a year ago.

So far this year, the line has only allowed Eli to be sacked four times. Still, the group hasn’t been perfect, and there are still obvious weak points.

Philadelphia is obviously a tough place to play, especially for rookies. Ereck Flowers should be all right though, as he’s shown poise beyond his years thus far.

If the Giants want to avoid another humiliating defeat at the hands of the Eagles, the offensive line needs to bring it come Monday night. The unit seems ready for the challenge.

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