Giants Huddle | O-Line talks new offensive scheme

Published Jul 12, 2022, 3:36 PM
John Schmeelk sits down with the Giants offensive linemen to discuss how they are building chemistry in this new offensive scheme. SUBSCRIBE NOW: [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/giants-huddle-new-york-giants/id1457847008) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0tplKEwbeQKWk7iqskbKQu) | [Google](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9uZmxnaWFudHMuY2FjaGVmbHkubmV0L2NvbnRlbnQvZ2lhbnRzL3Byb2R1Y3Rpb24vZ2lhbnRzLWh1ZGRsZS1nb29nbGUtcG9kY2FzdHMueG1s?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwiYhp7_-ZvwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQCA) | [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/new-york-giants/big-blue-huddle-new-york-giants) | [iHeartRadio](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-giants-huddle-new-york-gia-79840354/) :31 - Andrew Thomas 8:41 - Jon Feliciano 12:57 - Nick Gates 18:45 - Shane Lemieux 21:43 - Jamil Douglas 26:46 - Matt Peart 34:27 - Josh Ezeudu 37:54 - Marcus McKethan 40:46 - Max Garcia

It's time to get inside the Giants huddle on Giants dot com where we're going on the Giants Moblet, part of the Giants podcast network. Welcome to another edition of the Giants Huttle Podcast. From now until training camp, we'll have a series of player interviews. We've split them up by position to kind of give you a feel of where this Giants team is heading in the training camp of two. Just as a reminder, you can find the Giants Huttle Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms, on the Giants Mobile app and the Giants dot Com Slash podcast. Today, we're gonna chat with the Giants offensive line and start with their third year starting left tackle Andrew Thomas. I know we're joined by Giants starting left tackle Andrew Thomas. Andrew, how are you man? Now? I know you're kind of in the process here at the end of the off season program in the spring, trying to come back from that injury that really nage all all year last year. Where you at and do you think you'll be ready to go for training camp? Yeah, rehabs coming along pretty well. Um doing everything the trainers asked me to do. Um, definitely moving a lot better and our definitely, Um, I'm prepared to be ready for training count. What was it like trying to deal with that last year because it just seemed like every week foot ankle, Andrew's gonna play, Andrew's gonna play that. Eventually I need to take a little bit break here to get this thing right. What was it like trying to just fight through that really going back to camp throughout the year. Yeah, definitely frustrating, but it's it's part of the business, um, learning how to navigate, you know, being injured because you're never going to feel a hundred percent. But um, I felt like last year I started to make some strides and it's a little frustrated sometimes we can't be on the field with your teammates. Do you feel like now the work you did last year and then this offseason where it's finally going to be right now and eventually this is gonna be an issue that's not gonna pop up anymore. That's the goal. Making sure I'm taking my time, would it not rush, um and make it the shortest, you know, close to when I'm back on the field now. Has that prevented you from doing a lot of the off season you would work? You would like to do on like your technique and stuff like that. Have you been able to do that along with the rehab in the beginning? Not really, But I'm starting to do a little bit more indie um, stuff like that, just to work my technique as stuff like that. What were some of the things technique wise that you really want to try to improve on and get better outd on this offseason? Um, Just consistency, um in my set, making sure I'm taking the right angle, making sure of my post for squad to the line of scrimmage, things like that, and then just working in my hand placement and then also just learning the new scheme and how our new coaches you know, want things to be done. Well, how much different is what Bobby Johnson's asking you is based on what you've done in years past. Yeah, the technique is a little different, Um. He likes a little more of an angle set um squared to the line of scrimmage. He wants us to take, um be the aggressives and price pro you know, get into the defensive it and making them you know, make a move, you know, as quick as possible, things like that. So looking forward to it, um, But I've definitely been working on those things, so rather than getting really deep in that set, it's for sure it's more short set stuff like that exactly or in an angle. Do you think that fits more your skill set? I think I can do both. Um. I think having to change up is good because if you do the same thing all the time, they can time it up. But having a good change but change up is good. You know. The narrative of you, Andrew is that you know something kind of clicked for you at the end of your first year. Do you think that's accurate? Do you think that that that too much is made of that? How? How did you see your own progression since you've got here? Yeah? Um, early in the season, my rookie year definitely has some struggles. Some things have to work on, like with my post food and standing inside out not oversetting things like that. Um. And then around the bye week is when I started to understand it a little better. And I think you can see that on film absolutely. Now. Last then last year, where do you think you where do you think you made a jump from year one to year two? Was it just consistency or were there specific things you think you got better at. I think it was one of consistency, and then just understanding um, the position a little more like as far as like understanding what Russias are looking at if that makes sense, like if their time and if their time and Russias are there, you know, reactive Russias, things like that, Understanding how um, how leverage works, as far as hand placement and depend on you know, who you're going against. What are some of the things you've learned about playing left tackle in the NFL week two week different rushers, their strategy, like you said, kind of reading their emotions. What are some of those little things that you really think you've learned and you're still trying to continue to get better at. Yeah, Like, if you put someone on film that's not good, it's going to come up again if you don't fix it. That's one thing I learned really quickly. Um, if you don't you know, if you don't fix something, they're going to take advantage of it. And the next thing is just how much of a chess game it is? Um. A lot of times, you know, we look at measurables, you know, how fast or how strong someone it is, But when you really get down to it, it's like it's the technique that that makes the biggest different difference. I think, how much will it help you if this season they do get a consistent left guard next to you, so you're actually playing next to the same guy every week. Yeah, across the whole offensive line, continuity is is a huge thing, and this year we have some vets come in that you know, we're in the system buffalo, so that I think that will help us, you know, just picking picking up the system and learning it, but playing together, getting snapped together, it makes a huge difference. I think I we get the health part right, and you get you know, the experience obviously is there, and you continue improved. Do you think this could be a Pro Bowl caliber year for you? Um? The goal is is to be as best as I can. Um. Obviously, you know I have some personal goals, but like you said, being healthy for the whole season it's definitely, UM, top of my priority list right now and hopefully, you know, after that, all those accolades come later. What are some of the different things that this offense and Bobby Johnson's maybe having your group do that you haven't done quite as much of the last couple of years. UM, we do a lot of Nascar. That makes sense. It's like basically one word plays and we know the formation and everything, but it's basically to put stress on the defense. Um. And that's something that we're learning a little bit, but I think once we get it down, we could be explosive. And the one thing you guys didn't do a ton of the last two years was running a lot of outside zone just knowing what the Chiefs did and what the Bills did. That's where Captin Dable are from. That was a huge part of what they did. Is that something you guys are working a lot more this offseason. Yeah, we're working outside zone as well. But um, I think we'll see what type of runs him we're gonna be in camp because it's kind of hard right now without without pass on and right now we're installing everything. But um, we'll see you know, wants to pass the more. What have you been to learn about your group without the pads on, you know before you play you know, real football. Um. I think we have a pretty tight knit group already. We haven't been together long, but I think everyone, um seems humble. Everyone is working hard. Um, we're kind of like putting the way in the pass like, whatever happened where you're from, that's that's over where we're starting fresh and I'm looking forward to it. What has been like working with young Evan Neil coming in? Yeah? Um, Evans comes to work every day so far. You can tell he's eager to learn, he's asking questions. Um, you know, strange is good in practice. You can tell he's gonna be a good player, big kid, Huh for sure, that's crazy. Have you reminded him about the National Championship game this year? A couple of times since you showed up and so, but it's coming. Hey, it's not often you get bragging rights over Alabama. What you do? You gotta take advantage of it, right? Are you excited about what this offense can show? Like just what you've seen in the practice field, Like, what do you think fans should be prepared for when they kind of watch this offense this year? Yeah, I'm definitely excited. We have so many talented guys. Um, if we can get the ball to them in space, I think we can, you know, have a pretty special offense. So I'm looking forward to it. Is it gonna be you think power run game? Is it gonna be more pass oriented, Like what's your feel for what it's gonna look like. Um, I'm not really sure right now. I'm still trying to get a fil on it. Like we throw the ball a lot, but we also have our runs and then our pos and stuff like that. So, um, I think we'll be pretty balanced. Like whatever we do well, I think that's what we'll do a lot of that. Can you can you guys really get a feel for that yet or is it, like you mentioned, is it really you have to get the camp when the pads get on, when you can really start figuring out what this team is gonna be. That's tough to figure out figure out the identity right now, especially as the offensive line. Um, just because we can't you know, we can't come off the ball right now. So we'll see and train to camp. So what were your goals and what did you guys accomplish as an offensive one without the pads in the spring so you are ready to hit the ground running in the summer. Just technique and understanding communication at the line of scrimmage, like the mic points, um, the different you know, combinations and stuff like that at different short calls. That's the biggest thing right now. What has it been like going up against these crazy fronts that the defense has been showing you guys in practice? Has that been fun? Is that I could just gonna help you guys be ready for the season, and that was definitely gonna have prepared because many teams don't blitz like you know, winking that defense does. We've already had to make some adjustments to you know, some of our past pro and things like that, just to pick it up. But um, you know, seeing that weekend and week out when we play other teams, there's nothing that they're on the show us that we haven't seen. Does it drive you guys that you can't put hands on these guys as they're coming after your quarterback? And practice in the spring? For sure? I imagine Andrew good stuff, man, I really appreciate it. That's luck this year. Man. Now we're joined by Giants center John Feliciano. John, how are you? Man? I'm great man? How you doing? It's good to see again. So how has it been being a full time center? I know that was your goal when you came here. It seems like that's what you're doing. So how has it been? It's been great? Man? Um? You know, I know a lot of this offense already. Uh So just picking up where I left off, where I was before and helping the guys here to to get this offense down. You know, there's a lot of things, a lot of code words, a lot of one words. Uh and I think we're doing a good job so far. So I'm excited to be here and I'm excited of how things are going so far. You talk about the code words in the one wards, So is that just a lot of memorization that these guys have to do. Yeah, there's a lot. There's a lot. There's a I mean, shoot probably over three. Yeah, we gotta play fast, I imagine. So how has it been? Have you been almost like part teacher with this offensive line group a little bit the last three months? Definitely a little bit um But you know, these guys have done a great job of really honing in and and and and learning these things. You know, it's a it's a it's a little easier for a linement. You can put a couple of plays in the box, and these plays, these plays mean this play for us. We don't have to worry about where to line up. We're gonna be in the same spots every time. Uh so it's a lot easier for the old lineman, a lot harder for the receivers and tight end. You have that blue collar attitude and toughness to you. Do you sense that from the rest of this offensive line group? Are you guys are gonna play with that edge that you need you to to to be an effective group? Um? I think so. I mean I know I knew Mark me and Mark him out the same year. We were in the East West Shrine game together, and uh me and him are very similar type people. Chane is too, I think, right, Yeah, a little French. He's like a little chi wah, you know, he's him and that mustache. Uh but yeah, he's a he's a little fiery guy. How about how about the kid Evan Neil? He seems like kind of like the quiet giant type. But do you sense an edge there too? Yeah, definitely he's a he's doing a good job being a rookie, just doing the work. And I'm not talking too much, you know what I'm saying. Um, But now he's a he's been, he's been a dude. That dude is so big and uh he don't you don't look three fifty three sixty or whatever he is. I tell the story all the time. I'm indeed the combine. I see this dude walk up to the podium and they're like he measured ads. I'm like, he looks to ninety. It's ridiculous. His upper bodies, like I tell him he has Grandma legs, but everywhere skinny except around his knee area upper that he got Grandma legs. I'm sure he likes that. What have you guys been able to accomplish? Are you happy with where the group is here at the end of the off season program. Look, I know you can't hate. You just don't pads yet, so you can only do so much. But do you where you think this group needs to be so you're ready to rock and roll when you've been training camp in August? Yeah, I mean there's always room for improvement. Um, I think we we've done a good job getting the drills that Bobby's coach and get him down so, you know, so when you're in practice, you're not wasting time learning a drill. It's you don't get too too much time an individual, so you kind of need to make sure we get the drills right and so you're practicing the right stuff, um and learning the offense. I think I think we're we've done a good job of learning the offense as a group. Um. Like I said, there's always room for improvement. Um, but I believe we're doing a good job so far. And then the fund starts when you actually start hitting all these blitzers in August, right, because you can't touch him now, but in all you do something about Yeah, you know, Wink is Wink. He's gonna bring everywhere everyone from everywhere. Um. But that's been good work for us. Uh for me as a center. I talked to Wink a lot before every practice and I'm just like, what do you got for me today? Um? It's just this is probably gonna be the hardest things we see all year, uh winks defense. Um. So it's been great, John, good stuff. I appreciate it. Thank you. Giant season tickets are on sale now for the season. In addition to ticket savings, membership benefits include access to exclusive events, experiences, pre sales, and more. You can lock in your seats starting at just one hundred bucks. Called e n y a Giants dot com slash tickets for more information Now we're joined by giants offensive lineman Nickate's how are you man? I'm doing good. How are you now? You were with Paul a few weeks ago. We talked all about Youria but everything, so we're not gonna that's what we get into that. What has it been like working with you know, Bobby Johnson and this new offensive line group. It's awesome. I haven't really got to work with him much, just because I've been you know, rehabbing and doing that that process. I haven't. Right, I'm in meetings and in there, and it's it's good. I like him. He's a he's a he's a good coach. I liked what he's coaching so far and what he brings the table and things like that. Seems like a pretty energetic guy. Huh oh No, definitely, No, he's definitely. He's uh he's young enough to run around and do it all that, but old enough to you know, respect him and everything like that. How has this group come together? It seems like, you know, just talking to you guys individually, it seems like it's a good mesh of personality. Yeah, no, I really feel like I mean, at first, you know, there's always that little like you first come in for OT is a little weird just because we had like a basically almost a whole new room. I think I'm the oldest guy in the room right now, or like oldest like tenor guy, and that's been with the giants. Funny how fast it goes all right, and it's only been going on here five but so it was weird. You know, it's kind of like a whole brand new room. But you know, it is what it is. I ain't probably getting good long good. Everybody's kind of figing each other out. It's it's going good. What are Mark and Max and John and all those new guys like that you've been working with on the inside, they're good there. It's good to have them in the room there. I think they're what year sevens and eights and stuff like that. So it's always good to have those older guys. And you know, they bring they bring more stuff to the table. They just have more knowledge of the game. They've seen everything. They just you know, they can answer your questions. I feel like because just because they've seen everything, I feel like John's the guy that might start the first fighting training camp based on his toughness at his attitude, right, Maybe I don't know. I think I mean he's like that, but I don't think he's he's too like with it to two out there with no He's definitely gonna be there if something is that I can tell you that. It's just you know, I've seen him play before and the way he plays, he plays I feel like we kind of play the same way. So what are the responsibilities like for a center in this offense? Is it more or less than what you've done before in terms of protect what are they asking of that pass? The same? You know, it's the same. You just gotta you know, tell the five guys what they're the four other guys what to do, and just kind of be on the same page as a quarterback. And you know, it's a lot more memorization to share and things like that. But once you once you get that stuff, it's pretty you know, not too difficult. Just the different looks you see and stuff. I thought Matt was here in Shane was here and they were telling me how Bobby tries to make it simple, simpler for for your group and to understand what you have to do in each play. But the wide receivers are taught me like, man, this is complicated. Oh no, no, they have to what the wide receivers have to learn compared to what we have to learn, it's crazy, like they just it's it's I can see how it's difficult for them. So just it's it's a lot they have to memorize. Is the playbook fund though? No, definitely, I mean so far when I've seen it's, you know, coaches stable and or you know, they're really creative and they you know, they definitely want to score points, and that's there there. As long as we have the football, we're gonna try to score points no matter what it is. Now you mentioned it, this is your fifth year. Surprisingly, that means you've been through three different head coaches before this year. So another new year, another new feeling and vibe in the building. But what has it been like with with coach table here and kind of getting a feel for how he wants to go about things. It's good, It's uh, that's good. You know. So everybody's still trying to use to each other and see everybody reacts to certain situations and thinking things like that on the field. But you know, we're still still learning each other, still trying to get used to each other. But it's good so far. I like it. I like what I've seen. It seems like it's a good balance between being relaxed and having fun. But when you do work, you better get it right. Or that's right. That's a nice thing about him. He just you know, you could have fun, you can do what you do you want, but when it's time to do on the field and you know you got to do your job, you gotta you know, I know what you You've got to know what you're doing, and you've got to know your job. If not, you're gonna he's gonna get in your butt. But you know, as long as you know what you're doing, he's he's fine with it. Nick, before we say goodbye, just kind of give the fans an idea of just what the sole process has been for you personally trying to get through this injury and obviously slowly make your way back, just you know, from a personal emotional standpoint, however you want to attack it, just it just seems like a really harrowing or deal, Like, have any surgery. I don't know how many surgeries I need that more than one, But just how this whole thing is kind of gone for you know, it's been tough. So I had a seven surgeries altogether. Yeah, so I've been going through it. Uh, it's been tough. You know, it's definitely learned a lot of patients learned to just you know, it kind of is what it is. It was a freaky injury. There's nothing I could do about it. I mean maybe if I get hit with the move I got hit with, and you know, maybe it was probably a little bit better the second before, but I really can't control what happened. And I mean, it is what it is. I just gotta, you know, keep fighting, keep being stronger and trying to get back on the field. Have there been some tough moments for you to like keep going where you have to push yourself like, no, I can't give up it, you know, But no, definitely, there definitely is. You know, it's tough. There's you know, I always think the next step is harder, and you know, it keeps just getting harder and harder. Just the closer you're getting into you know, you just seem so far away, it kind of seems sometimes and you just you just gotta you know, you're gonna have bad days, You're gonna have good days and just kind of just gotta push through it sometimes, and it just is what it is. Is the light in the tunnel getting a little bit brighter at this point. I think so a little bit, Yeah, I think so. It's just ind of hard to tell. It's just it's just been a slow process and you gotta take it just one step at a time. You can't look too far forward and you can't look behind, and you just gotta keep going. It's basically and it's almost valuing the process, right because you might not see you might be doing the exact right thing and not see the results for two or three weeks, right, So it's just a matter of trusting what they're telling you to do and just doing it exactly. You know. Right now, I'm just trying to get strong and get back to where my base line was, which I feel like I'm almost there. And then I get there, I just gotta feel like it kind of turn on and just start doing you know, drills and just starting to get the football movements and things like that and learning how to do them again almost and just you know, just coming strong again in my legs. I know you've talked about this but you know, we had Richie Cyberd here. He's a guy that did it. We saw him came back, he was great. So or rooting for you. We know you can do it and we hope to see it back on the field. I appreciate, Thank you, Thank you man, Nick Gates. And now we're joined by Giant's offensive lineman Shane Lemieu. Shane, how are you man? Good? Good? Good to be back. So I know offensive linemen have kind of a love hate relationship with the spring session because you get to get on the field, which is great. You get to build chemistry. It's great, but I can't really hit anybody. Yeah, so how's it been. It's been good. You know, it's uh obviously missing last year. It's good to get you know, my feedback underneath me and get rolling um doing football movements again. But at the same time, o ts doesn't you know, it doesn't involve shoulder pads, so it's not real offensive line stuff. But at least we get to work on like fundamentals and stuff that we can do without pads and without contact and just being around the guys is the biggest thing right now. Getting another new teammates and getting to learn the new scheme. Can you get into some details to what some of those specific fundamentals are that you guys can work on together so you're ready to go when training can't come in the past do come on. Yeah, the biggest thing right now is coach Bobby. He wants us to be aggressive and to set the pace. You know, we want to we want to be the aggressors, especially in past protection. We want to play physical and nassy and all that kind of stuff. So it's you know, it's pretty similar techniques from my previous you know, old line coaches and all that. But the biggest, the biggest emphasis, I guess is just being more physical and you know, take take the charge rather than you know, not be patiently waiting. Were you able to work on the football fundamental stuff you wanted to this offseason while rehaving the injury or or did that set you know, it's something I really didn't get to do football stuff until I got here. I was honestly just trying to My goal was to get to this point for O t S and be healthy and be ready to go. UM, so I wasn't really able to do much the less, you know, the last half month or so before O t S I was able to start running a little bit and doing stuff just to be able to you know, I just wanted to make sure that by the time I got here, I was ready to roll. No, and that makes and that makes perfect sense. So what were some of the technique things and fundamental things you were trying to work on to become a better offensive line than ye you know, just having hands, just having your hands right in the past, protection, uh, low pads, you know, stuff that stuff that you know from day one is a little fool player. You you get your tie, you know, pad level, striking people, you know, running your feet, staying balance, all that kind of stuff. So it was really just go back to the fundamentals for me because I haven't played football, and you know, I'm at sixteen games last year, so really I just kind of want to start from scratch and you know, not really um have any bad habits or anything like that. Now, obviously we don't know what this year is gonna look like. But if you look at what the Bills were in the Chiefs were Brian Dable and my Cafka came from It's gonna be a lot of passing at the Giants. So pass pro is going to become a big factor for you guys. So where some of the things in pass pro where you're really trying to take that next step, I'd really just want to be able to be um confident in my past set and be able to throw my hands and land them, you know, and uh just just um just being really detailed in my approach every single day. And the biggest thing with that too, with passing that much is we have to be really in sync as an offensive line and really be on the same page with our set angles and all that. So, yeah, Jane, good stuff. My friends appreciate. Remember, folks, go check out Shandle music. Then interview pulled the Tino a couple weeks to go check that out one a lot more detail. But we're happy to have to get a picture you guys. Now we're joined by Giants offensive lineman Jamil Douglas. Jamil, how are you men? Doing great? How about two? I'm doing great. So what has it been like, you know, getting used to this offense and learning it over the course of the spring. It's been fun. Um. Obviously, I have history. I was with Buffalo for a good amount of the season. Last year with day Ball and Bobby Johnson. So it's been fun, uh, you know, messing with these guys here and you know, seeing the progress that we've made since we've been here in April. How helpful has it been to you know, you're here, you would experience here, so did John Feliciano. Right, you guys trying to get this offensive line up to speed to exactly what you're trying to do. Yeah, it's been good. I mean that room is full of smart guys, um, you know, and and a lot of guys that worked worked their tell off. So it's been good to you know, like I said, since we've been here in April, guys, seeing the progress that we've made in the offense and seeing how guys are communicating and picking things up, it's been a fun time. What do you think you made the most progress? Because obviously, look it's offensive line play. You're wearing past you can't hit. Yeah, So what have you accomplished over the past few months? Um? I think the biggest thing for me was, you know, coming in and getting something out of this offseason. Um, you know, whether that's in the weight room, uh, in the classroom, or applying it to the field. That was my thing. I wanted to, you know, make sure that I'm making progress. So every day I came in with three things that I wanted to improve on. And you know, at the end of the day, I could sit down and say, Okay, did I do this, Whether it's communicating with certain people or um, you know, being a hund percent on my assignments. That was my biggest thing. So every day I tried to come in and improve on something. How about the group, how have you been able to build? And we talks about oh, the offensive line you have to work as well. And it's continuity, it's chemistry, all those buzzwords that everyone throws out there, right, well, how do you build that? And and in the spring when you're still not doing like really big football stuff, I think it's it's through you know, whatever you may be doing at the time. If it's working out you know, offensive linement or working out together, if it's running, we're running together. Um, you know in the in the meeting room where no one you've got to have that environment where no one's scared to speak. And um, that's been the biggest thing, like a lot of it. Even the young guys have been, you know, very attentive in the meetings and it's a fun group to be around. A lot a lot of guys that work hard and a lot of guys that have played a lot of football, and the young guys are catching on quick and that's exciting to see. How would you describe Bobby Johnson's coaching style? Um? I love Bobby Johnson's coaching style. To be honest. Uh, it's um He's gonna challenge you, and that's what you want from a coach. Uh. He's gonna, you know, every day, he's gonna challenge you to improve on something. He's gonna challenge the group to come together as an offensive line and to to beat those guys that that lead. Whether it's a good day or a bad day, he wants us to, you know, come out and and beat those guys. So I love his coaching style that brings the best out of players, and I'm excited to work with him this year. Does he nickname for you? I know he's been throwing nick names out. He's got a couple of nick names. He's been calling me. He's been calling me hang time lately because he sees them trying to grow. Dreads out, so he calls me hang time, but he's got a couple of nicknames for me. I won't saying right now. We got a basketball, but I thought I thought I thought maybe back at two pounds earlier. Yeah, not nowadays. Now you've been working mostly at center, right, Yes? Have you been doing some stuff a guard too, or has it been primary? Has center been your primary? I've been working a little bit of both. Um. You know, that's a big thing that they preach, is versatility. So I've been doing a little bit of both and spending time at center and guard and um, just trying to come out and compete and get better at it every day. Technique wise, what are you trying to kind of improve that and and trying to refine your game. It's really to me, it's about fine tuning the things that I feel like I do well and you know, understanding what I've struggled with in the past, and and trying to correct those things, whether it may be hand placement or you know, being efficient with my feet. Um. So those are the things that that I've been focusing on the spring. Anything specific to this offense that offensive lineman really need to be effective at in order to be successful. Well, just the mental aspect of it. Honestly. You know, there's a there's a ton of tempo uh play calls in it, and when you're physically exhausted, that's when your mental tends to go. So you know, got a lot of guys got to be able to lock in mentally and fight through those times. Yeah, why were series telling me something? Just one or two words? You gotta know everything, right, Yeah, yeah, for sure, it's uh the verbiage is is definitely um. It's different than most offenses I've been a part of. But like I said, we got a lot of smart guys in this building that have been picking it up pretty well. Jimmie, good stuffing man, Thank you appreciate it. Jimmial Douglas, thanks for being with us. Don't miss your chance to experience a premiere hospitality experience watching Giants games world class concerts in two as a Giant Sweet partner. Limited full season locations are available or plays a deposit for individual games called n y g is a Giants dot com slash suites for more information. And now we're joined by Giants offensive tackle Matt Parent. Matt, how are you man? I'm good, I'm good. Thank you for having me. I'm seeing you walking around, I don't see a brace. How's the rehab going, NAB's going great. Um. I'm liking the progress that we're making. But you know, it's taking everything by the day, step by step, and let's making sure that do what I need to do to get back. Now, your injury was later in the year obviously, so I'm sure you're you're anxious to try to get back as quickly as possible. And I know you don't want to put a date on and things like that, but what are you thinking about timetable? Where we thinking start of the year, maybe a little bit longer than that in your head? What what's kind of your goal? I mean, for me, I'm so anxious, especially you know with O, T, A. S and everything going on. You see the guys flying around, you just really just want to go out there and be with your brothers all day. UM. For me right now, it's just um, every just every day as it's its own battle. I'm really just trying to conquer each day, making sure that optimized the day so I can make that time UM shorter in the long run. I'm sure you talked to a lot of people about what rehabing an A c L was gonna be like didn't match the description. How has the process gone for you? Very true? I mean, uh, you know, talking to guys that have previously had the injury, like you know Blake, He's been helping me through this, t J. Brunson and even um R Darius, Like you know how talking to those guys, like having them like, you know, give me what worked for them. Just taking bits and pieces and fine tuning my own rehab process. It's been instrumental to me to where I'm at right now because, um, I feel good. I feel I feel really good for where I'm at right now, and I'm just looking forward to it. I'm not there yet, but like I said, every day it's just it's own little battle and I'm just trying to make sure I, you know, conquered those days. Have you been able to work on technique stuff while you're doing the rehab? Has the need prevented you from working on some of the football technique stuff? I Have you been able to kind of balance those two parts of your off season? So I'm not a full go, but within rehab because you know, playing offensive linemen, it's described as what one aquaposition to another acquaposition. So within our rehab, we've kind of embedded, like, you know, movements that would simulate an offensive line movement, kick stuff like that, you know, power moving, twisting and torking, all that type of stuff. So from that stand point, that's what I'm saying. I feel good for where I'm at right now, and like I said, not there yet, but we're working on it and I feel very confident. Now. You've got a lot of playtime last year, you had a lot of reps. Where did you want to try to make the most improvements coming off last year so you would become a better offensive overall? Just wherever I got my opportunity to go in the field, This is o case my skill set in nobility. Um, you know, first it was initially at right and then the movies are left and then right, then from right there and there, it was just like I just wanted to make sure that when I got in the field that it went out there and this dim out show that I could compete anything specially anything specifically technique wise this offseason that you were looking forward to working on and fine tuning a little bit. Um overall, is I mean, just becoming a better stument of the game. Um. You know, like we have a new coaching staff and it's a new set of knowledge and wisdom when it comes to, you know, the game of football, and like it's just that's why I'm so so anxious because like, you know, you have this wealth of knowledge and experience in the room and with you know, vets coaches, and it's just kind of like you just want to put it all together. Put your pads on like I have on right now. I'm getting generly mean, like you got me my pads right now, and this is want to go out there and it's gonna go play and just have a good time, you know with my brothers, you know, because there's nothing like old and play. Honestly, nothing like it. And seems like Bobby Johnson's a lot of fun huh character Yeah O G Bobby. Yeah, Now he's a he's a great guy, um, great coach. Um. You know, he coaches just hard. But you know, at the same time, it's just like it comes from a place of such love and care because you know, first day walking in you could tell that he really just cared about everybody in the room and that's just a testament to him to show that how much he wants us to just how much he wants to see us have success. So what has it been like getting then? Neil? Evan? Neil, that was a little quiet you kind of an old soul. It's kind of like you know, like like he's kind of very very old soul, Like there's a lot of old school music. Um, you know, we haven't had much time to really spend time with them because you know, the rookies, they end up staying here a little bit later from playing the rookie player development and stuff like that. But on the field, like you know, he's he's working at it. You could tell that he has a passion to desire and want the will to to get everything done, make sure you get everything right. And um, yeah, he's a great great great great great good. Now you're a big guy, So maybe you didn't have this reaction. But when when we went to Indie to cover the combine and Evan you walked up to the old him to do with media availability and I look at him, I coast, how is this guy threety pounds? He's built like an NBA Power four right, Like he doesn't he carry it? Well, it's pretty crazy he does. He definitely does. You can kind of see that that's shaping the new way of the league, This this new air of like big skinny dudes that you are past him. You never know. He's like, you know, three forty, but he looks like he's won three hundred, you know what I mean. So, yeah, it's testiments to him and how he holds himself and how he works. You know, now you've been through a couple of different offensive line coaches since you've been here, anything different in terms of how they're teaching you guys your technique on their Bobby than maybe what you've done the last couple of years. Yeah, every online coach has what um, you know, what they believe in and what they really want to harp on and what they feel like, you know, what works for them schematically. Um from Bobby is kind of like he tells us what he wants see and practice in individually, kind of showcases like this is what I want to get done, and it's up to you as a player to take what you did in individual and in the meetings still going to playing field and he's uh, yeah, every line coach has a different ones. Now. The one thing you guys didn't do a ton of last year was run a lot of outside zone. But if you look at what the Chiefs did last year with my caft, right when the Bills did last year with table, they did run a lot of outside Is that something you guys have been working a lot on this off season to try and incorporate more than into the offense. Yeah, that's what I was kind of talking about. With the wealth and knowledge of everything's like, you know, you kind of see you know how East coach views different things when it comes to playing football, and it's just kind of like, um, you know, having that is just like really really you know, exciting and new um, and it's it's fun. So it's gonna Yeah, by the way you're hearing it, we're recording this mini camp week and what this is where they do all the stuff of the video boards at the stadium. So guys said, let's go Blake. I think that's Blake because Blake's very loud all the times. I think that's Blake. It's It's okay. So if you guys already grunts or cries in the background, no one has been harmed. In the recording of this podcast, don't worry about everybody's Okay, I was gonna ask you about just like, just how much fun do you think this offense is gonna be? People talked about the tempo and all that stuff, like do you think it's just gonna be a lot of fun to play? Oh? For sure, you can see it. I mean me, you know, not being able to go like I'm on the sideline watching you can see it's just a whole new energy. Um. You know, guys are just really willing and ready to compete because you know, everything is from a competitive nature and I really think that we're just getting back to that. Um. And you know, it's it's fun to watch. Um. That's why I said, I'm so anxious because I want to be a part of it so bad. Um, you know, saying we get there for sure. But yeah, new energy, new vibes, everything is beautiful. Now. I had a couple of wide receivers you're talking to me, and they said thick And it's like one word we got in the like three different concepts or just one word. Is this the same way for the old line? Is Is it like a real complicated thing for you? Guys too or is it a little bit? I can see how the receivers will get that a little bit for sure. I mean I'm not in their room, but I definitely can see how you know, for them, it's it could be like uh like they have to be on it seven, especially for the offensive line for us. Um, like I said, with a coach, um o G. He kind of keeps anything very simple for us. Um, you know something that could be very complex. He tries to break it down to like this the ABC so like you know, we're able just to go there and play fast. So for for us, for me, from how coach Johnson has done, it doesn't seem as complex and it's complex, but it's it's he keeps it simple for us. It's a sign up a good coach. Matt great senior man. I appreciate it. Now we're joined by offensive lineman rookie Joshons you do, Josh, how are you? Man? It's good to meet you. Hello, I'm doing um good, sir, I'm doing good. How about you? I'm even fantastic, man. It's it's great to be with you. So how great has it been to have your running mate Marcus with you as you guys try to learn life in the NFL, you know, together. Coming from u NCA first, it was crazy that we are here still, and it's very fun and it's and it's just like, I'm just thankful to you to like have you know someone I know that we we talk a lot, We're real tight, so I'm just happy. It's funny. We were talking to him and he said, you know, you guys are almost trying to translate together, right, You're trying to take what they're teaching you here. And you say, all right, well what does this mean in tar Heel language? Yes? Yes, is that kind of what the process has been like, yes, oh yes, And it's it's like it's also good for us all becaucause like we have like two minds, you know and one so like if he has issues and like I can like explain it to him in a way he would um know, and like he can also do the same thing too for me. So it's very good to have. Yeah, it's almost like he makes the mistake, but you learn from it, right, You make the mistake and he learned from that. It's almost like you have two eyes working the same problems at the same time, which I imagine probably speeds up the learning process. Yes, yes, it does a lot, and it does a lot like we are starting to, like, um learn it like more faster. Now, what how is it like learning from Bobby Johnson. He's a great coach and he's a great on teacher too, Like anytime we have a cool question, like he knows how to explain it in a way that like we would, I'm under their stand and that like helps us a ton, So it's it's nice to um have him mom too. Final question, then, what are you And I don't know if you're gonna go back with him, but what are you going to work on with Marcus and the rest of your guys in these six weeks from the end of the spring program where you know your offensive lineman and just killing you can't hit anybody, got no pads, you're just running around, so you're ready to go so when you can actually why your trade and do your thing in August, what are you trying to do over the next six weeks to make sure you're ready to go? First of all, be more more um comfortable with the book, and then after that, do all of the drills that we've been uh learning uh, now, work on the new tech technique we have learned, like every day, just more reps and rips and reps because the only way you can like start to feel more um comfortable with something is by just continue you and to do it. So more reps at it and just stay in shape, especially football shape. Two, Josh states, nice thing you do appreciate. Welcome to Big Blue. Yes. Now we're joined by Giants rookie offensive woman Marcus mckith and Marcus. How are you man? I'm doing pretty good. Today's a great day. I'm glad to be here. All right. So you're almost through the off season program here in the spring. How is it gone for it? What has it been like being in the NFL. I've just been a great learning experience. Getting connect with so many guys you odolize as a kid, so he's getting to talk to them, learn more about the games. Has been a great experience. Was anyone here when you guys reacted like, I want to meet this guy. This is gonna be awesome, just like Superstar, he just gotta meet him. What he was great dude? Right? Yeah, exactly, just a real trail and just nice gotta So, how is the offensive line meeting room and you have some nice, grizzled, tough veterans because they didn't show you the ropes a little bit. Yeah, definitely they're looking out for the young guys. They're definitely trying to teach us and when like teaching us how to be a professional. So I'm just trying to stick up all and all of that I can coming out of college. What do you think your greatest strength is that you feel most comfortable due and heading into the press um off the um. I feel like just being able to move people in the run game. So I like that's gonna be one of my biggest strengths. How good has it been having Josh with you coming out where you guys can kind of compare notes and learn these things together because you're both are kind of trying to translate the language is the same way, right, trying to figure out what you did it unc applies here, So I felt we kind of talk, I guess the same language before you see, so coming here, we're just trying to like bouncing it off each other and helping each other learn this this new system. So it's helping a little bit. Yes, what's been the biggest challenge for you in terms of trying to get this new system down. I probably this is a little bit more complex than what I'm used to, so just learning that. It's just getting used to it. So it's just not having to think so much and just be able to play on instinct. Now in college, I imagine you guys are hitting a lot more in the spring than you are here. So as it been weird trying to do all this stuff where you can't actually touch anyone, I guess it was at the thing we said a lot in college, but it really becomes apparent now, Like as a professional is just learning how to practice. I just know how to take care of you guys, how to stay up and how to do things the right away. Where do you think you've made the most progress since you stepped in the building to where you are right now? Technique just definitely just technique in general, just learning how my coach wanted us to do it and just applying it. What's Bobby Johnson like? Just for words, go out to guys, you know, just get on them, be aggressive. You enjoying it a great experience. Like I said, like I can't say that performance have the have the vets had you're do any rookie hazing yet or not like nothing yet? You know, just to be respectfully, don't go get the bag stuff like that. You know, I thought that's not too bad at all. What are your plans now for the next six weeks before you come back to make sure you're ready for training camp? Let me just keep preparing, keeps being in my playbook condition, and just just make Sean prepared and ready. Tom what town camp? Tom camp comes? Let me look forward to seeing it. Marcus, good stuff, man, We appreciate it. Thank you. Then, now we're joined by Giants offensive woman Max Garcia. Max. Nice to meet you, man. How are you nice as well? I'm I'm fantastic having a great day, all right. So what is the last few months been like for you? And what do you think your group is accomplished throughout this offseason program getting ready for training camp. Man, these last two months have been so productive. I can honestly say it's the most productive, efficient offseason program that I've ever been a part of. Um. Yeah, just coming in the whole new system. Everyone pretty much learned the offense. I feel like it's been night and day since when we started. So I'm really really excited about what we have going on as an offense and as a team in general. What is it about the way Brian Dable and Bobby have gone about Bobby Johnson d line coach have got about their business that's made it so efficient. Um, you know we come in every day, Well they come in every day and everything is so goal oriented. Everything has a focus and a mission, and we know exactly what we're learning that day. We know exactly what the goal is for that day, um, and what we're gonna be practicing. And I think that's something that you know, you don't see everywhere. You know, the details really matter. So for them to be able to you know, kind of emphasize that and to be able to coach it and then for us to go execute it as players, I mean, it says a lot about them and their coaching styles and just their ability to to to coach us. So much of offensive line play is is great chemistry, attitude, toughness, and a lot of that is stuff that's it's hard to put into a guy. Guys to have that inside of them, right, do you think this group has those intangibles inside of them to be a very effective unit. Definitely, definitely. I think we have a different a lot of different characters on on the offensive line. Um, a lot of different personalities. But I think when we all come together, I think we all play you know well, and we still don't you know, have everyone you know, all our guys and you know, we still don't know what the what the mix is gonna be. Um, but I can tell you whoever it's gonna be out there, it's gonna be dependable. They're gonna be smart, and they're gonna be tough. It's gonna be tough as nails. So um, that's the Father's gonna be out there. But you know what I'm saying, whoever is backing them up, they're gonna You're gonna get the same thing. So Um. That's the kind of coaching, that uh style that he has, you know, and that's what he emphasizes on his players. You know, it's tough, smart and dependable. Max. Good stuff, man, We appreciate it. Thank you, Thank you man, and go back to more more from Max, and go listen to the interview with pauled the Tino a few weeks ago. It's on the John Subtle Podcast. Thanks. I appreciate it. Great conversations. We thank the guys for joining us on this episode of the Giant Subtle Podcast. I'm John Schunk. Remember to stay tuned, folks. Make sure you go back into the archive find all. The episode is really good insight from all these players. They give you a really good feel for what this Giant's offensive and defensive systems are going to be and where the team is heading into training camp. I'm John Schmilk. Stay tuned to the JOHNT Subtle Podcast. We'll see you next time.

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