It took awhile, but Giants’ O-line isn’t the worst anymore
The Giants have been burned for the second-most sacks in the NFL this season, but coach Pat Shurmur believes their overhauled offensive line has put together three solid games in a row entering Sunday’s test against Khalil Mack and the Bears.
The Giants have totaled 87 points in winning two of those three games, averaging 129 rushing yards while allowing just seven sacks of Eli Manning.
“I think our team, we’re starting to develop an offensive line that’s playing better, which allows us to do more things. Couldn’t say that was the case earlier in the year,” Shurmur said Friday. “I think it’s safe to say our last three games were our offensive line’s best three performances.”
The Giants have allowed 38 sacks through their 3-8 start, leaving Manning just one shy of matching his career high with five games to play (2013). But the O-line no longer ranks last in the league in Pro Football Focus’ weekly rankings, moving up to No. 25 overall.
Line coach Hal Hunter said he believes $62 million left tackle Nate Solder “has been playing really, really good” since a rocky game against Atlanta in Week 7, when he was dealing with “an unbelievable burner” in his neck.
“We hang him out,” Hunter said. “We don’t do anything to help him. It’s, ‘You’re on your own, big boy. We’ll help these other guys but not you.’”
Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, in 2016-17, coached Carolina’s Graham Gano, who kicked a 63-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Giants in Week 5. McGaughey said he believes Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas, who has made all but one of his 24 attempts this season, “absolutely” has that kind of range.
“I coached Graham and Aldrick’s leg is every bit as strong as Graham’s, if not stronger. That’s definitely in his wheelhouse,” McGauhey said. “This kid can hit it, just my personal opinion. I’ve seen him hit it from 65, and barely miss it from 68. Just a nice, smooth, easy swing. He’s a talented kid and has a really strong leg and his upside is tremendous.”
Tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) and linebacker B.J. Goodson (neck) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game, while linebacker Lorenzo Carter (hip) has been listed as questionable.
“We’ve just been trying to progress it and it hasn’t progressed far enough,” Shurmur said of Goodson.
