Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll (right) and general manager Joe Schoen (left) talk before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Preseason-New York Jets at New York Giants
(East Rutherford, NJ) – The New York Giants offseason is underway.
And General Manager Joe Schoen has already made a couple of moves. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey has been let go. And perhaps more notably, offensive line coach Bobby Johnson has been fired, after a season in which the Giants allowed the second-most sacks in the NFL.
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Giants brought Johnson back, as he spent the past two seasons overseeing the Giants beleaguered offensive line.
While left tackle Andrew Thomas has largely blossomed into one of the league’s best during that time, it seems that would have likely happened either way. That’s based on what else has happened during Johnson’s tenure. Evan Neal has flopped at right tackle despite being considered the consensus best tackle when he was drafted. Center John Michael Schmitz showed some flashes during his rookie season, but has also endured plenty of struggles – as well as injuries – and allowed 5 sacks, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. The teams guard play was subpar for most of the season, and actually improved when veteran Justin Pugh was brought in midseason. Pugh was also praised for what he brought to the group as a veteran with experience – hardly an endorsement of the coach who was supposed to be providing that.
Now, the Giants will look to find a replacement for Johnson in the hope he can bring more out of Neal and Schmitz. It’s also likely New York will use some draft capital to bring in more linemen, who will require coaching up.
McGaughey, ousted as the special team’s coach after six seasons, served under three different head coaches (Brian Daboll, Joe Judge, Pat Shurmur).
His tenure was similarly up and down but included an extended period of top level place kicking from Graham Gano, and much-improved punting from Jamie Gillan. The Giants also saw their return game improve significantly this year as the campaign went on – notably once Gunner Olszewski was signed.
Prior to his acquisition the team routinely got nothing out of its return game – and even has issues securing punts when players like Eric Gray and Sterling Shepherd handled return duties.
