New York Giants

Giants' OT Flowers continues to show progress

Published Aug. 24, 2015 7:43 p.m. ET

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New York Giants' rookie offensive tackle Ereck Flowers was thrown into a tough spot. After incumbent starting left tackle Will Beatty was injured while lifting weights in May, Flowers was named the team's starting left tackle. It's a position that he has held since.

After impressing coaches throughout training camp, Flowers has translated some of his success to live game action. Through the first two preseason games, Flowers has more than held his own.

The Giants have been generating yards on the ground, and Flowers had played a big role in that.

Flowers has played 65 offensive snaps this preseason, and according to Pro Football Focus, he has graded out as one of the best run-blocking offensive tackles in the entire NFL this preseason. During Saturday's game against the Jaguars, Flowers helped spring running backs Shane Vereen and Andre Williams for gains of 10 and 11 yards, respectively, off of the left tackle behind Flowers.

Flowers still needs work in pass protection, however. He has allowed two quarterback hits and one quarterback hurry on just 44 pass block snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Flowers' technique was said to be raw entering the NFL, and so far opposing defensive ends have had success beating Flowers for pressure.

Flowers' pass protection should improve moving forward, but if he continues to struggle through the third preseason game, the Giants could consider using a tight end to chip of Flowers' side or shifting the protection accordingly.

(h/t Pro Football Focus)