Three New York Giants Who Need to Improve in Week 3

LT Ereck Flowers

What is there to say about Ereck Flowers’ struggles that hasn’t been said already? We’ve been dealing with this for three seasons now.

I don’t know what the New York Giants should do with Flowers. Move him to right tackle? Inside to guard? Relegate him to the bench?

He was Big Blue’s first-round pick in 2015, selected ninth overall. After investing such a significant resource in Flowers, the Giants need him to play better. Unfortunately, his technique is downright terrible.

One thing that’s for sure is that New York cannot leave Ereck Flowers on an island to block pass rushers one-on-one anymore. He needs help from tight ends and running backs every play.

That hurts the Giants offense as the TEs and RBs can’t go out on routes as quickly or even at all. However, protecting Eli Manning needs to be priority No. 1.

Ereck Flowers allowed three sacks against the Lions in Week 2 and received a 47.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. However, for better or worse, Ben McAdoo is sticking with Flowers as his left tackle in Week 3.

It should interesting to see Flowers attempt to block the likes of Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, and Derek Barnett on Sunday. Since he entered the NFL in 2015, no offensive tackle has allowed more pressures than Ereck Flowers, per PFF.

Ereck Flowers, please block someone.

Dishonorable Mention: The Rest of the New York Giants Offensive Line

Ereck Flowers was bad Monday night but he’s not the only lineman who played poorly. Since Flowers has been struggling his whole career, he gets most of the blame. However, everybody needs to step up in Week 3.

Bobby Hart’s injury didn’t help anything. His absence forced the Giants to shuffle their offensive line around.

After a solid Week 1 performance at left guard, Justin Pugh was forced to move to right tackle to replace Hart and he struggled at a position he hasn’t played in years. Brett Jones took Pugh’s spot at left guard but he did not play well either.

Weston Richburg was solid at center, despite giving up his first pressure in five games, including playoffs, according to PFF. And John Jerry bounced back from a tough Week 1 to earn Pro Football Focus’ top overall grade on the entire New York Giants team.

New York Giants fans are hanging their hopes on the fact that the 2007 Super Bowl championship team also started 0-2. However, that team had a great offensive line with David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, and Kareem McKenzie. If the 2017 New York Giants are going to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive, their entire offensive line with have to play better.

Next: New York Giants: Why Is Ben McAdoo Still Calling Plays?

Let’s hope that improved offensive line play starts in Week 3 and allows Eli Manning, Brandon Marshall, and the rest of Big Blue’s offense to get going.