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New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh addressed the surprising re-signings of offensive linemen Evan Neal and Joshua Ezeudu during the NFC coaches' breakfast on Monday morning.
Both moves, which came on one-year deals, caught many observers off guard, given the players' limited production since entering the league as part of the 2022 draft class.
Neal, a former first-round pick, had struggled significantly at tackle before a positional shift, while Ezeudu, a third-round selection, battled injuries and saw inconsistent playing time.
Harbaugh expressed optimism about the pair, drawing from his earlier evaluations in Baltimore.
"I'm excited about those two guys. You know, from the beginning — I remember as far back as the draft process — those two players were guys we felt really good about in Baltimore. We had them highly graded," Harbaugh said. "They haven't broken through yet, but why can't they?
"What George Bernard Shaw said: Some men see things as they are and ask why. We see things as they aren't and ask why not? And that's kind of what I say with those two guys.
"Why not give them the opportunity? They're motivated. They came in the office, they sat down, and they laid out a plan and a vision for what they want to accomplish and the type of players they want to be. And they showed us what they're doing to make that happen right now.
"So, let's give them a shot. Let's give them an opportunity. They're talented, they're tough, and they have big dreams. If they're going to dream big, I'd like them to do it right here in our building and try to realize those dreams with us. We'll give them a shot to do that."
The coach described the offensive line, much like the team overall, as a "work in progress" and indicated that the Giants are not finished building the unit.
The comments reflect a new regime's willingness to offer fresh starts to talented but yet-to-fulfill prospects rather than discarding them outright. And Harbaugh is still sold on the potential of both Neal and Ezeudu.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' John Harbaugh explains re-signing Evan Neal, Joshua Ezeudu
Continue reading...
Both moves, which came on one-year deals, caught many observers off guard, given the players' limited production since entering the league as part of the 2022 draft class.
Neal, a former first-round pick, had struggled significantly at tackle before a positional shift, while Ezeudu, a third-round selection, battled injuries and saw inconsistent playing time.
Harbaugh expressed optimism about the pair, drawing from his earlier evaluations in Baltimore.
"I'm excited about those two guys. You know, from the beginning — I remember as far back as the draft process — those two players were guys we felt really good about in Baltimore. We had them highly graded," Harbaugh said. "They haven't broken through yet, but why can't they?
"What George Bernard Shaw said: Some men see things as they are and ask why. We see things as they aren't and ask why not? And that's kind of what I say with those two guys.
"Why not give them the opportunity? They're motivated. They came in the office, they sat down, and they laid out a plan and a vision for what they want to accomplish and the type of players they want to be. And they showed us what they're doing to make that happen right now.
"So, let's give them a shot. Let's give them an opportunity. They're talented, they're tough, and they have big dreams. If they're going to dream big, I'd like them to do it right here in our building and try to realize those dreams with us. We'll give them a shot to do that."
The coach described the offensive line, much like the team overall, as a "work in progress" and indicated that the Giants are not finished building the unit.
The comments reflect a new regime's willingness to offer fresh starts to talented but yet-to-fulfill prospects rather than discarding them outright. And Harbaugh is still sold on the potential of both Neal and Ezeudu.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' John Harbaugh explains re-signing Evan Neal, Joshua Ezeudu
Continue reading...
