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[SIZE=+2]Giants lay a lot on the line
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]12:30 AM CDT on Saturday, August 2, 2008
[/SIZE]
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/sports/columnists/mugs/mug_rgosselin.jpg
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ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York Giants have the only offensive line in the NFC East without a first-round draft pick. They have the only offensive line in the division without a Pro Bowler. Yet they have the only offensive line in the division wearing Super Bowl rings.
"They are the heart and soul of this team," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.
The Giants showed appreciation to their championship blocking front by spending almost $80 million this off-season extending the contracts of three starters: guards Chris Snee and Rich Seubert and tackle David Diehl.
That assures the Giants they can keep this young line intact for the next five seasons. Only center Shaun O'Hara is over 30.
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-08/0802giants.jpg Getty Images
The Giants gave guard Chris Snee (76) a six-year extension worth $43.5 million.
O'Hara, 31, and right tackle Kareem McKenzie, 29, are under contract through 2012. Left tackle Diehl, 27, and left guard Seubert, 29, are under contract through 2013, and right guard Snee, 26, through 2014. Snee is the best player with the best contract, signing a six-year extension worth $43.5 million.
"We have a saying going into each week – it all starts up front," Snee said. "If we don't win the physical battle, you're not going to win the game. We take pride in that. More and more teams are realizing that. If you have an effective unit, it's best to keep them together."
The Giants were the only team in the NFL that kept its starting offensive line intact the entire 2007 season – all five starters started all 16 games. It showed. New York finished first in the NFC in time of possession and fourth in the NFL in rushing, and it allowed the 12th-fewest sacks in the league.
In the early stages of the salary cap, NFL teams would pay their left tackles because they were protecting the blind side of the quarterback against the game's elite speed rushers.
But centers and guards were allowed to leave, deemed replaceable parts. Elite interior blockers such as Mark Stepnoski, Randall McDaniel, Kevin Glover, Jeff Hartings and Damien Woody all moved on in free agency.
All that changed in 2006, when the Minnesota Vikings signed Pro Bowler Steve Hutchinson away from the Seattle Seahawks in free agency to a landmark $49 million contract. That made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. In 2007, fellow guards Leonard Davis, Eric Steinbach and Derrick Dockery also received $49 million deals in free agency.
"People are realizing you can't just pay one offensive lineman a ton of money, not pay anyone else, and expect to have a great offensive line," O'Hara said. "You have to have a good mixture, a good combination. The interior is just as important as the exterior."
The Giants reinforced the value of offensive linemen by the play of their defensive line last season. The Giants led the league in sacks on the way to their first Super Bowl championship in 17 years. Translation: If you can't block 'em, you can't beat 'em.
It didn't all come from ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Justin Tuck became an inside pass rusher for the Giants last season and had 10 sacks, second on the team, plus two more in the Super Bowl.
Tackle Jay Alford also chipped in a sack in the Super Bowl. Arizona tackle Darnell Dockett had nine sacks last season, Chicago's Tommie Harris had eight, and Detroit's Shaun Rogers had seven.
So there's more to protecting quarterbacks than just sealing the edge. That's driven up the price of the interior blockers.
"Take a look at the guys they are playing against," Coughlin said. "You're looking across at [defensive] tackles who are 330, 340 pounds – guys with tremendous anchor and athleticism. So you've got to have these [blockers].
"Our guys are athletic. They can pull. They are physical, nasty, hard-nosed players. Those guys are the face of our team. Down the stretch we were able to win the physical battles each game."
If the Giants are to repeat as Super Bowl champions, they must continue to win those physical battles up front. By opening the checkbook, the Giants have put themselves in position to do just that.
"Teams realize how much money they are spending on quarterbacks," O'Hara said. "If you're going to spend millions on a home, you'd better invest in a home security system. You don't leave the windows open and invite a free-for-all. We protect the investment."
HOW THEY GOT STARTED
Where the Giants' starting offensive linemen were drafted:
Name Pos. Drafted
Shaun O'Hara C Not drafted
Chris Snee G 2nd round
Rich Seubert G Not drafted
David Diehl T 5th round
Kareem McKenzie T 3rd round
COWBOYS VS. GIANTS
Date Site Time TV Comment
Nov. 2 at New York 3:15 Ch. 4 Cowboys try to avenge playoff loss
Dec. 14 at Dallas 7:15 Ch. 5 NFC East title could be on line
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]12:30 AM CDT on Saturday, August 2, 2008
[/SIZE]
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/sports/columnists/mugs/mug_rgosselin.jpg
• E-mail
ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York Giants have the only offensive line in the NFC East without a first-round draft pick. They have the only offensive line in the division without a Pro Bowler. Yet they have the only offensive line in the division wearing Super Bowl rings.
"They are the heart and soul of this team," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.
The Giants showed appreciation to their championship blocking front by spending almost $80 million this off-season extending the contracts of three starters: guards Chris Snee and Rich Seubert and tackle David Diehl.
That assures the Giants they can keep this young line intact for the next five seasons. Only center Shaun O'Hara is over 30.
http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-08/0802giants.jpg Getty Images
The Giants gave guard Chris Snee (76) a six-year extension worth $43.5 million.
O'Hara, 31, and right tackle Kareem McKenzie, 29, are under contract through 2012. Left tackle Diehl, 27, and left guard Seubert, 29, are under contract through 2013, and right guard Snee, 26, through 2014. Snee is the best player with the best contract, signing a six-year extension worth $43.5 million.
"We have a saying going into each week – it all starts up front," Snee said. "If we don't win the physical battle, you're not going to win the game. We take pride in that. More and more teams are realizing that. If you have an effective unit, it's best to keep them together."
The Giants were the only team in the NFL that kept its starting offensive line intact the entire 2007 season – all five starters started all 16 games. It showed. New York finished first in the NFC in time of possession and fourth in the NFL in rushing, and it allowed the 12th-fewest sacks in the league.
In the early stages of the salary cap, NFL teams would pay their left tackles because they were protecting the blind side of the quarterback against the game's elite speed rushers.
But centers and guards were allowed to leave, deemed replaceable parts. Elite interior blockers such as Mark Stepnoski, Randall McDaniel, Kevin Glover, Jeff Hartings and Damien Woody all moved on in free agency.
All that changed in 2006, when the Minnesota Vikings signed Pro Bowler Steve Hutchinson away from the Seattle Seahawks in free agency to a landmark $49 million contract. That made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. In 2007, fellow guards Leonard Davis, Eric Steinbach and Derrick Dockery also received $49 million deals in free agency.
"People are realizing you can't just pay one offensive lineman a ton of money, not pay anyone else, and expect to have a great offensive line," O'Hara said. "You have to have a good mixture, a good combination. The interior is just as important as the exterior."
The Giants reinforced the value of offensive linemen by the play of their defensive line last season. The Giants led the league in sacks on the way to their first Super Bowl championship in 17 years. Translation: If you can't block 'em, you can't beat 'em.
It didn't all come from ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Justin Tuck became an inside pass rusher for the Giants last season and had 10 sacks, second on the team, plus two more in the Super Bowl.
Tackle Jay Alford also chipped in a sack in the Super Bowl. Arizona tackle Darnell Dockett had nine sacks last season, Chicago's Tommie Harris had eight, and Detroit's Shaun Rogers had seven.
So there's more to protecting quarterbacks than just sealing the edge. That's driven up the price of the interior blockers.
"Take a look at the guys they are playing against," Coughlin said. "You're looking across at [defensive] tackles who are 330, 340 pounds – guys with tremendous anchor and athleticism. So you've got to have these [blockers].
"Our guys are athletic. They can pull. They are physical, nasty, hard-nosed players. Those guys are the face of our team. Down the stretch we were able to win the physical battles each game."
If the Giants are to repeat as Super Bowl champions, they must continue to win those physical battles up front. By opening the checkbook, the Giants have put themselves in position to do just that.
"Teams realize how much money they are spending on quarterbacks," O'Hara said. "If you're going to spend millions on a home, you'd better invest in a home security system. You don't leave the windows open and invite a free-for-all. We protect the investment."
HOW THEY GOT STARTED
Where the Giants' starting offensive linemen were drafted:
Name Pos. Drafted
Shaun O'Hara C Not drafted
Chris Snee G 2nd round
Rich Seubert G Not drafted
David Diehl T 5th round
Kareem McKenzie T 3rd round
COWBOYS VS. GIANTS
Date Site Time TV Comment
Nov. 2 at New York 3:15 Ch. 4 Cowboys try to avenge playoff loss
Dec. 14 at Dallas 7:15 Ch. 5 NFC East title could be on line
