Articles

By: Marco Imperati

Starting Left Tackle Will Beatty was lost this week for up to 6 months with a torn pec. While weightlifting, it is not known how or when this was done.

Aside from Eli Manning, this is arguably the toughest loss to overcome for the offense. Yes, Odell Beckham Jr. is a phenomenal talent. Yes, Shane Vereen was a premier free agent that the team brought in to diversify the offense. However, Beatty is the cornerstone lineman at a high profile position with very little depth behind him.

Thankfully Jerry Reese has prided himself over the years in bringing in versatile offensive linemen. With Weston Richburg, Geoff Schwartz and Justin Pugh, Reese has starting linemen that can line up at different positions and play well. Can any of these players line up and play at a high level at Left Tackle?

Ereck Flowers was drafted by the Giants with the number 9 pick. Reese said the team views Flowers as a future left tackle in the league, but all signs indicated he would be in line to start at right tackle with Justin Pugh sliding over to guard.

A rookie drafted as high as Flowers shouldn’t be held back. When Reese says they view Flowers as the future left tackle, I don’t think he imagined that could happen so soon. He will no doubt have his growing pains anywhere he lines up. Asking a 21 year old rookie to grow up right away while protecting the franchises biggest asset, Eli Manning, is a tall order.

The other tough aspect of this Beatty injury is the timeline he is projected to be out for. Returning in 5-6 months has him back in November. The team would be forced to make a tough decision. They could designate him as a PUP or short term IR. However doing that forces the team to use that flexibility before training camp or OTA’s have even kicked off. It handicaps the team from losing any major player for a short period of time. Fans should be hoping for no injuries but if you have been paying attention to the Giants for the last two years, you know it’s wishful thinking.