BLOOMING FLOWERS
O-line coach: Ereck ‘better than last year’
There is no definitive way to know right now, not with players, sans shoulder pads, taking the field with no contact allowed. But Mike Solari, the Giants’ offensive line coach, sees a difference in Ereck Flowers that will lead to an improved performance for the beleaguered left tackle.
“I think Ereck has shown his commitment by what he did so far in the offseason,’’ Solari said Wednesday. “Ereck has shown that it’s important to him, and Ereck has shown he’s better than he was last year.
“How can you say that? Well, what he’s done in the weight room. He’s leaner, quicker, stronger. He’s better. Now, let’s see the football.’’
The football is where Flowers has struggled, and he enters his third NFL season with a target on his broad back. The 2015 first-round draft pick was a weak link in 2016. He responded to his regression by nearly living inside the Giants’ facility, working daily with Bobby Hart, the starting right tackle. Both look leaner than they were a year ago. Both will line up as the starting tackles this summer, Flowers, 23, and Hart, 22, are key players when it comes to allowing the firepower on offense to ignite.
“There’s no doubt in my mind we will be better,’’ Solari said of the offensive line.
In his second NFL season, Landon Collins established himself as a star, making his first Pro Bowl and gaining serious consideration for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
On a scale of 1-10, safeties coach Dave Merritt gives Collins a “7” for his 2016 performance. Clearly, Merritt is a hard marker.
“I think he can get up to playing at an 8 ¹/₂ or 9 consistently,’’ Merritt sa i d. “Then you’re ... always in the running for a possible Player of the Year, constantly making Pro Bowls and things like that, being All-Pro.”
Quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti on Geno Smith: “Tremendous work ethic, tremendous passion for the game, smart .’’… Coach Ben McAdoo already has named Paul Perkins the starting running back. “I thought he was ready at the end of last year when we put him in,’’ running backs coach Craig Johnson said. … TE coach Kevin M. Gil bride’ s first impression of firstround pick Evan Engram asa blocker is a positive one. “He’s very functional in that area,” Gilbride said. … CB Eli Apple has gained 10 pounds since his rookie year. “His movement skills are more explosive,’’ CB coach Tim Walton said.