Our “Countdown to Kickoff” series continues with a look at New York Giants center Weston Richburg, who dons the No. 70.
Related Story: What was the greatest rookie season in NFL history?
Though Justin Pugh deserves a shout, there’s no doubt that the best offensive lineman on the New York Giants is Weston Richburg. Outside of those two players, the Giants don’t have much else up front, and that makes Richburg’s status as the glue in the middle all the more important.
All the offseason talk surrounding the Giants offense focuses on a potential wide receiver trio of Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Victor Cruz. If Shepard is as good as advertised and Cruz’s knee isn’t totally shot, then you can pit this wide receiver group against anybody else’s in this league.
However, the Giants playoff hopes don’t ride on the success of the passing game, because even without Cruz and Shepard last year, the Giants were sixth in points per game and first in passing touchdowns.
More from New York Giants
- New York Giants deliberately disrespecting Saquon Barkley at this point
- 2023 NFL Season: Saquon Barkley signs silly deal with Giants
- New York Giants make big move with star RB disgruntled
- NFL: Which Giant deserved a contract extension – Barkley or Jones?
- 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023
No, the Giants offensive success will depend on kick-starting a running game that was nowhere to be found last season, and whether it’s Paul Perkins or somebody else who does the trick, they need to find production from somewhere.
In order for the running game to get on the page and for the passing attack to remain a top-ten unit in this league, the Giants need the blocking up front to match. The Washington Redskins front seven is the strength of that defense, the Philadelphia Eagles pass rush will be hungry under Jim Schwartz, and I would think twice before writing off the Dallas Cowboys up front.
Protecting Eli Manning is important, but I’m not as worried about his ability to deal with less-than-ideal blocking as I am with the running backs.
Richburg is key in this sense. Yes, he’s the best pass blocker on the Giants, but centers really establish their value in the running game. Few interior offensive linemen do a better job of paving the way for backs than Richburg, and he’s only getting better with experience. When he first came into the league as a second-round pick out of Colorado State, Richburg was a good player, but he’s now easily a top-five center.
The above tweet introduces a key reason why Richburg is always improving. He has the finer points of the game down from a technical standpoint, and the best way to build on that physically is to get stronger every offseason. That’s the foundation of improving offensive line play, particularly at the center position.
Richburg’s constant strive for strength gains could help him receive mass praise as one of the NFL’s elite players, regardless of position, in 2016. Additionally, Richburg keeps learning more each offseason, synthesizing his tape from the previous season, and this should be a scary prospect for even experienced defensive linemen like Cedric Thornton.
Richburg said he learned a lot about leadership last year that he can build on moving forward.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) April 21, 2016
This is another aspect of Richburg’s game to watch for in 2016, because as he heads into his third season, he will be counted on as a leader on this team. Aside from the fact that he’s unquestionably the best offensive lineman on the team, his unparalleled work ethic is an example for all. He puts in the work, so he is in a position to send some tough love toward his teammates in order to get them to put in the effort, too.
Richburg said that John Jerry doesn't get enough credit. Added the same about Newhouse.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) April 21, 2016
And like any good leader, Richburg pays it forward to the players around him, even if it seems awfully kind of him to call Marshall Newhouse underrated.
Players like Newhouse and second-year tackle Ereck Flowers will need to step up this season (Eugnee Monroe is mulling his options in free agency), as offensive line play takes a team effort. But if you want to watch individual greatness on this Giants team, don’t overlook Richburg’s weekly excellence, which stems from his willingness to spend the offseason doing grunt work.
Related Story: Who was the greatest RB in NFL history?
Just 25 when the season opens up, Richburg is a candidate to become the best center in the NFL, though it will take a special year to throw Travis Frederick off that perch.