Earlier in the month, the New York Giants traded linebacker Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, and Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is excited about the move:
“He’s been a steady, solid performer at right guard and moving forward, you add a veteran presence at that position,’’ said Shurmur, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I think of the uncertainly this time last year with the offensive line and I think about how that line grew, the players that are still here, how they grew as the season progressed and they developed. I thought [offensive line coaches Hal Hunter and Ben Wilkerson] did a good job of developing them.’’
The Giants have certainly done a lot of work on their offensive line over the last year, signing tackle Nate Solder to a massive deal last March and drafting guard Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Now, with the addition of Zeitler, New York's offensive line is looking whole lot better than it did a couple of years ago:
“When you add a solid, veteran player that’s established himself and he’s consistent and tough and has all the attributes you’re looking for in an offensive lineman to add to that crew, we got better,” Shurmur said.
Shurmur also appreciates Zeitler's business-like attitude:
“It’s a refreshing concept, isn’t it?’’ he said. “Because that’s what you want. You want guys who want to take care of their families. He’s got a wife, young family, take care of your family and do your job. It’s very refreshing.’’
The Giants went 5-11 last season and will be looking to turn things around after a busy offseason.
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