New York Giants: Ereck Flowers may be getting better

Much-maligned New York Giants left tackle Ereck Flowers has a long ways to go, but he is quietly improving during the 2017 season.

Death, taxes, the sun setting in the west and New York Giants fans criticizing left tackle Ereck Flowers. You can set your watch to all. Flowers, the ninth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, has largely disappointed throughout his NFL tenure. Some would say he’s gotten worse from his first training camp experience up through October 2016. He seemed headed toward the bench less than one month ago.

Flowers’ lackluster performances left fans blaming general manager Jerry Reese for not addressing the position earlier this year and, as a result, for the Giants losing five straight games to open the campaign. Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo repeatedly placing trust in Flowers proved to be a failed experiment, more often than not, and some are ready to run both men out of town before Halloween.

Don’t look now, but Flowers actually enjoyed a solid outing during New York’s surprising victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. The 23-year old expected to be torched by Denver’s Von Miller won multiple one-on-one battles versus the All-Pro, and he appeared more confident in his ability to match up with opponents than in previous games. While the Broncos accumulated three sacks on the evening, one notched by Miller, those could be blamed on the Giants missing several playmaking wide receivers as much as on the line.

It was clear, from the opening half of play, that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth planned on watching Flowers throughout the contest. Collinsworth had high praise for the tackle during the first half, spotlighting multiple instances where Flowers displayed improved footwork and blocking techniques. That wasn’t the first time Collinsworth came to the defense of Flowers over the past week:

Much can be said about Collinsworth’s comments, Pro Football Focus evaluations and the Giants, in general. To begin with, New York has started five different offensive line combinations in six games. That says plenty about the team’s overall struggles up front, and such a lack of chemistry does zero favors to a left tackle attempting to salvage what, if anything, is left of his career.

Those who have watched the Giants throughout the season probably noticed quarterback Eli Manning is doing all he can to get rid of the football as quickly as possible on pass plays. Adjustments were needed, but not only because of Flowers. The entire line, from left to right, has been a liability more so than any quarterback, let alone one who owns two Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVP trophies, deserves.

Critics and fans hesitant to praise Flowers may suggest McAdoo starting D.J. Fluker at right guard against the Broncos is the biggest reason the line looked like one worthy of playing at the highest level on Sunday. That’s fair. For example, Fluker made the key block that allowed running back Orleans Darkwa to gain 47 yards on a carry early into the second quarter of the contest, as explained by Dan Benton of Giants Wire.

Offer Fluker credit he deserves, but don’t ignore what having faith in those around him can do for a lineman who is facing a crisis of confidence himself. It’s fine to say Flowers wasn’t the best protector or gap-creator versus Denver, but all must also be fair and admit he isn’t the biggest problem hovering over the roster today. Flowers hasn’t surrendered every sack or hit on Manning. He isn’t to blame for the injuries that will sideline wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall for the rest of the season.

Related Story: Victor Cruz not right for the Giants

Admittedly, the bar is about as low as it can be without touching the ground as it pertains to expectations for Flowers’ play. Remember, also, that we in the football community have mythicized the left tackle position. All-time greats such as Joe Thomas and also lesser players cause individuals to type columns about how starting a great left tackle is a must for any championship-caliber team.

That’s a lie. Plenty of franchises have won Super Bowls with capable, at best, tackles. The Giants don’t need Flowers to be Thomas or anybody else who is or will be enshrined in Canton. Merely repeating his performance against the Broncos when the Giants host the Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday would be another positive step, albeit a small one, in the right direction.