Snap decision
Versatile Halapio shuffling along on revamped O-line
What initially appeared to be a spring and summer battle to stick on the Giants roster as a backup guard may be much more than that for Jon Halapio, who has a new position and, quite possibly, an updated goal: to emerge as a starter.
“Right now I’m trying to focus on center and do my best to compete,’’ Halapio said Monday after organized team activity practice No. 7. “All I ever wanted was an opportunity and I have it.’’
The opportunity is here, but not without a caveat. Halapio on this day lined up as the starting center, which is indicative of a position change and, at this point, not much else. But you never know.
“I wouldn’t over-evaluate who is getting the first-team reps,’’ head coach Pat Shurmur said, “but I think if you’re talking about Pio specifically, he has really sort of opened his eyes that he has a chance to play.’’
In the near-total makeover of the offensive line, the one holdover returning to the same position is Brett Jones, who started 13 games at center last season when Weston Richburg went down and took full advantage of the playing time. The new coaching staff assessed the situation, new general manager Dave Gettleman reviewed the tape and the determination was made the Giants could move forward with Jones as the center, a huge vote of confidence for the former Canadian Football League player. Jones has certainly not been unseated, but it appears as if Halapio, a guard turned center this spring, has a shot to not only make the team as a backup interior offensive lineman, but also to push Jones for the coveted spot with the first team. If so, this will be a friendly battle waged between the pair of 26-year olds. “The competition brings out the best in him, and me,’’ Halapio said. “It’s important we both get these reps and split ’ em with the first team because ultimately, we’re trying to compete for that starting role.’’
Following the draft, Hal Hunter, the new offensive line coach, approached Halapio with a question: “Can you handle playing center?’’ In the second round, the Giants selected Will Hernandez, bolstering the guard position — they also signed Patrick Omameh in free agency — and there was no road to the roster at guard for Halapio. He had previously only toyed with snapping the ball but knew better than to balk at this career crossroads.
“They asked me if I can handle it and I said ‘Yeah, I can handle it,’’ Halapio said. “I said ‘ Absolutely’ and haven’t looked back since.’’
Halapio was a 2014 sixth-round pick of the Patriots, but did not get in his first NFL game until last October. He kicked around with the Broncos, Cardinals, back to the Patriots and hit the Giants’ practice squad last September after he failed to make the team. When injuries decimated the offensive line, Halapio made his NFL debut Oct. 22 against the Seahawks and ended up starting the last six games at right guard.
“He has done a very good job,’’ Shurmur said. “Pio is very smart, he’s got good instincts. … He’s very competitive and he knows how to play the game. I think Jonesey is doing the same thing. They’re just in there competing.’’
Without a job in football in 2015, Halapio was training in Florida with Mike Alstott, the former Buccaneers’ fullback, when a piece of advice hit home.
“He’s like, ‘If it’s not working for you at guard you ever thought about snapping the ball?,’ ’’ Halapio recalled. “I was like, ‘No.’ He was like, ‘If you want to play in this league, you got to play more than one position.’ So, I started snapping.’’
On Monday, he was snapping to Eli Manning, grateful he did not get swept away in the offensive-line makeover.
“I think everybody could see all five guys weren’t on the same page last year,’’ Halapio said. “Change is good, though. Change is refreshing. Especially after last season, all the struggles. Change is good. You can see the energy coming back in the locker room, everybody has that urgency to get everything fixed.’’