On Sunday, amidst an absolutely disgusting loss to Dallas, a Left Tackle was born. This NY Giants blog is not surprised. With a hat tip to Big Blue Banter, we wanted this guy predraft, we got him, we tracked him in preseason and he’s ours- the first late round OL draft pick that is set to survive and (hopefully) thrive in the NFL.
The irony of James Hudson imploding is that we got to see Marcus Mbow come in and pitch a shutout. Is Mbow finished? No. Big Blue Banter notes that his film was not perfect. When he was drafted, Nick Falato evaluated him very well, pointing out “feather feet” with a little bit of nasty. The asterisk was his vulnerability to a power rush. It was that asterisk that made me ask for a half season of pause before possibly getting Mbow inserted into the lineup. Indeed, his first outing was successful with some minor trouble in getting occasionally pushed back toward (but NOT into) the QB.
Mbow is going to now see a steady diet of power rush. That’s ok. For heaven’s sake, even Andrew Thomas took a full year to round into form.
Mbow has the feet.
That element of nasty is going to help him not only succeed but want to dominate.
Brian Baldinger did the cut-ups on Mbow’s snaps. Praiseworthy. Always good for a lineman to get Baldy’s seal of approval.
I passed along the cut-ups to Wonder, who affirmed the view. “He’s got Trent Williams’ body. Assuming Thomas is able to come back from injury successfully, the Giants can be set at Tackle for many years.”
All this, and in Round 5. After Friday night’s Day 2 of the NFL Draft, we eyed Mbow. That was the only OLman left. Only 3 picks from getting him. But the Giants would take Skattebo, another guy who was greatly desired. In the post, we put OL ahead of RB. Schoen did not. Skattebo was the pick. It felt like Azeez Ojulari vs Creed Humphrey for me. I got my #2 choice, but I really wanted the #1 OL. 49 picks later, Mbow was still there! Remember the crazy part- the Giants themselves said if Skat was gone, they were taking Mbow at the beginning of Round 4. It’s a good thing he lasted until the middle of Round 5. I would have been pissed. I still believe Mbow was the pick. Skat or no Skat. Thrilled to have both.
The 5 stages of Cowboy grief:
- Anger. How the F did Bowen F that game up with 25 seconds left and the lead? Don’t let Hudson back on the bus to the airport.
- Denial. We scored 37 points. I cannot believe we lost.
- Bargaining. Can we get the GM that’s been successful in the past 2 drafts but not the one who has botched Hudson, Wilson a year ago, the Jones contract, the first two drafts, and the Daboll hiring?
- Depression. Even when we win, we lose. Chiefs. Chargers. 0-4 is a dark place.
- Acceptance. WE HAVE AN OFFENSIVE TACKLE. His name is Marcus Mbow! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. (I have to believe that else I’m going back to Giants bargaining + depression. )
I don’t know what’s worse, Joe Schoen for bringing in James Hudson ($6.4M cap guaranteed, 12M for 2 seasons), or Brian Daboll for protecting his GM and playing him ahead of Mbow.
Can we have nice things? Like a coaching staff that doesn’t take 4 penalties in a single drive to pull a guy, doesn’t play it’s safeties in Houston when the game is in Dallas, or has its star Left Tackle healthy enough to play football? I said on Sunday, and the BBB said the same thing- if Thomas comes back, move Mbow to RT, Eluemunor to Guard and bench GVR. Your OL will actually be functional. Maybe not vg in run blocking, but just throw the ball first and run it against 6 man fronts when Defenses figure out the Giants are passing otherwise.
This roster is shaping up. We’re a season away from a new coaching staff, barring Dart doing so well that he saves Daboll’s job. I certainly can’t envision any scenario where Bowen is here next season.