Giants' Evan Neal Leaning on All-Pro Teammate to Improve
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New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal appeared in 13 games last year, surrendering seven sacks and accumulating seven penalties in 738 offensive snaps.
Neal was trending upward as the season went along, but an MCL sprain in Week 7 kept him out four consecutive weeks, pausing his development. Neal ended the season strong, starting the remaining eight games, including both playoff games, with inconsistent performances from week to week.
With his rookie year behind him, Neal feels like he's made improvements but admits that while he's growing more confident, he still has a lot to clean up.
The improvement, such as in his balance, technique, and overall conditioning, has NEal encouraged him to be on the right track.
He's also been trying to find the sweet spot for a comfort level in his stance, a process he worked on over the off-season with former All-Pro offensive tackle Willie Anderson.
“That’s the nature of the game at offensive tackle. You get off, getting to your spot. I feel like I did a pretty good job of that," Neal said. "I feel like it’s been back to me finding a comfortable stance I can get into and get out of.
"Friday night, I did that well, but that’s a preseason game, so I am not going to harp on that as much; I have a lot more work to do. I have to continue to get out my stance for the duration of the season, so I am going to focus on that.”
On Monday, Neal and most of the Giants starting offensive line had a rough go at practice against the Giants defense. But rather than let himself become discouraged, Neal tapped into teammate Andrew Thomas's knowledge base for reinforcement.
Thomas, you'll recall, famously struggled during the first half of his rookie year. Thomas ended the 2020 season by allowing ten sacks in just under 1,000 offensive snaps. Many had already written off Thomas at that point, but he flipped the script the following year and continued that trend until now. Thomas’ play earned him a five-year, $117.5 million extension, cementing him as the team’s long-term left tackle through the 2029 season.
“I’m in Andrew’s ear all the time, just talking ball, just chopping it up," Neal said. "He’s a great resource to have in the room. I am thankful for him.
“Our conversations are our conversations, but he is definitely in my ear, and I am in his ear. We have a lot of dialogue, and I appreciate all the tips he may give me.”
Neal, who nursed a concussion most of this month, returned to game action on Friday night against Carolina and had a mostly solid showing. He was excited to be back out there and get his rhythm back after being out briefly. The Giants’ starting offense put on a clinic for one drive only, marching 75 yards down the field for a touchdown in under five minutes. Neal played a solid role in making that happen.
“It was a solid showing, for sure. They are just good reps for our offense and our team. Still have a lot of work to do and a long way to go, but it was a solid showing.”
Most starters were pulled, but Neal played a few more offensive series. On one, he threw a key block that led to rookie running back Eric Gray’s first touchdown. Neal reached the second level and drove the defender back for Gray to maneuver his way through traffic for a nine-yard score.
“Sure, it was a good block. I got to the second level, squared him up, and drove him to the end zone. Thankfully, we scored for sure. But everybody in the play did their job, that's why it was successful. So yeah, it was a good play.”
Stacking those good plays is part of Neal growing his confidence. The bad plays are what he needs to work on limiting. Luckily, Neal is mature in that aspect of the game and knows he needs to have a short memory when playing tackle.
“I feel like that applies to everybody on the football field. Sometimes you will have bad plays; everybody out there gets paid; everybody is elite. Sometimes you are going to give up a bad play. You’ve just got to turn the next page. You can’t harp on the past because if you harp on the past, that will affect your play in the future, so just turn the next page and keep it pushing.”
Evan Neal is one of the ‘X-factors’ on the Giants this year. Of course, the interior of the offensive line needs to improve as well. However, the offense is expected to take a leap this season with improved weapons and an expanded playbook. Neal will be a big part of the unit's improvement from last year.
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