The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports
There is a saying among fans of the New York Giants that has been used to describe roster moves, “In [Jerry] Reese we trust.” That has worked well as the Giants have won two Super Bowls since the 2007 season. However, the Giants’ current struggles must be placed at his feet.
For the last couple of years Jerry Reese has acted like a kid with boatloads of cash. When he went to the store he bought the fancy sports cars and flashy jewelry in wide receivers, running backs and the like. However, he ignored the groceries, the very basics needed to survive in the form of offensive linemen. When Reese drafted Justin Pugh in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft he was just the second offensive lineman taken in the first three rounds. Will Beatty was the other, selected in the second round of the 2009 Draft.
Reese has made 53 draft picks since becoming general manager in 2007. Of those 53 picks only eight have been on the offensive line. The offensive linemen Reese has drafted are Adam Koets in 2007, Beatty in 2009, Mitch Petrus in 2010, James Brewer in 2011, Matt McCants and Brandon Mosely in 2012 and Pugh and Eric Herman in 2013. Only Pugh, Beatty, Brewer and Mosely are still on the team with Brewer and Mosely on the bubble.
Reese has had to look to free agency to fill those holes on the offensive line and has brought in David Baas and Sean Locklear. Locklear replaced free agent right tackle Kareem McKenzie who came over from the New York Jets before Locklear went down with an injury. Kevin Boothe was taken by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Chris Snee is a holdover from the 2004 Draft.
Reese has pretty much ignored the offensive line in the early stages of the draft until this season. Even when he selected Beatty in the second round it was the Giants’ third pick in that draft. Reese has ignored the offensive line and the Giants are paying that price right now.
It will be up to Reese to fix the issues. He began by drafting Pugh in the first round but more work needs to be done. That will need to happen in this off-season.
Chris is a Senior Writer as well as the Hiring and Recruiting Manager for Rant sports. Follow Chris on Twitter and “Like” his page on Facebook.
