It should take sweat, however no sweat.
That's Shane Lemieux’s take, after taking each snap of each recreation for 4 years at Oregon at one spot — left guard — going through the truth of coming to the Giants and coaching not solely at guard, however at middle. It's a spot he has by no means performed however might very effectively wind up, given the state of the place together with his new group.
“I feel I’m an offensive lineman,’’ Lemieux mentioned Tuesday on a Zoom name. “I’m a soccer participant that performs offensive line. Irrespective of the place the coaches need to put me to finest assist the group, that’s the place I’m going to go.’’
Good reply.
Lemieux shouldn't be the primary offensive lineman to return out of the draft and discover himself lined up in unfamiliar environment. This transition, although, is greater than the same old “the extra you are able to do’’ mantra almost each massive man hears. If Lemieux is ready to present he can deal with himself at middle, he might be in line for a beginning function, maybe instantly. That's getting forward of the state of affairs, after all, however it isn't far-fetched.
The choices ready on the roster aren't superb. Veteran Spencer Pulley has expertise — 26 NFL begins at middle, together with 9 with the Giants in 2018 — however is taken into account a fallback. Undrafted Nick Gates, a sort out, will get reps this offseason at middle. Jon Halapio is unsigned following surgical procedure to restore a torn Achilles tendon, although he might return in some unspecified time in the future this summer season.
Lemieux by no means missed a recreation at Oregon, beginning all 52 and amassing 3,611 profession snaps, each single one at left guard. Aside from taking a seat when the Geese have been far forward, he mentioned the one snap he missed in his total profession got here as a sophomore, when his shoe got here off in a recreation in opposition to Wyoming. He additionally by no means missed a follow.
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This hearkens again to a different Giants fifth-round choose, David Diehl, taken 17 years in the past. Diehl was an extremely sturdy workhorse who began video games for the Giants at left sort out, proper sort out, left guard and proper guard. However he was by no means requested to play middle.
Lemieux mentioned his coaching previous to the draft consisted of working at each spot on the offensive line.
“As a rookie there’s probably not a guard that simply performs guard,’’ he mentioned. “Versatility is the largest issue on this recreation. Coaches need to have the ability to put you into a number of spots.’’
It's no shock Lemieux talked about Professional Bowl guard Marshal Yanda, who lately retired from the Ravens, when figuring out an offensive lineman he most seems as much as. Why Yanda? Lemieux was taken with how Yanda managed to stroll off the sector as soon as regardless of having fractured his ankle.
“When individuals ask me who the hardest participant on our group is, I say Shane Lemieux,” tight finish Jake Breeland, a teammate of Lemieux’ at Oregon, mentioned on the NFL scouting mix. “He comes into therapy whereas I’m in there and he’s all banged up however he nonetheless toughens out practices each week.’’
The Giants are set at guard with starters Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez. Zeitler is heading into the ultimate yr of his contract. New head coach Joe Choose mentioned Lemieux gives “inside swing worth’’ and was impressed when he watched Oregon tape that Lemieux “performs with nasty. You flip the Auburn recreation on, and proper from the primary snap he’s tossing our bodies round.’’
The body-tossing now should switch over to middle.
Lemieux mentioned he tried snapping in school, simply because, and has intensified the training course of whereas coaching in Arizona at LeCharles Bentley’s famend offensive line faculty.
“I really feel like with middle there’s much more accountability on you to know the offense and to know extra of the protection and to simply be extra sound with what’s happening round you,’’ Lemieux mentioned. “And clearly you’ve bought to snap the ball.’’
Clearly. And simpler mentioned than accomplished.
“He has to be taught to step and punch, as that snap comes up, he’s bought to have the ability to get his arms on that defender immediately, and that takes just a little adjustment for those who haven’t accomplished it,’’ Dan Shonka, common supervisor and nationwide scout at Ourlads Scouting Providers, informed The Put up. “You’re snapping, stepping and punching. It’s form of simultaneous. Earlier than whenever you’re at guard you don’t should snap.’’
Now he has to snap.
“I feel I’m a pure offensive lineman,’’ Lemieux mentioned, “the place I can play any place I’m requested.’’
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