Remmers, Zeitler mesh smoothly on Giants’ o-line
EAST RUTHERFORD >> Declaring Kevin Zeitler and Mike Remmers as the next Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie would be premature. The Giants’ offensive line has much to prove before it starts invoking shades of Super Bowl XLII and XLVI.
But for the first time in years, there is firm evidence that New York has a chance to be stout again up front thanks to two key offseason acquisitions.
Zeitler, the right guard, and Remmers, the right tackle, have started a combined 167 games in their NFL careers. The veterans began meshing in the spring.
“We both have a lot of experience, and we’re both able to use that experience out there on the field,” Remmers, who signed a one-year deal in May, said Tuesday after practice. “It all started in OTAs. I wasn’t practicing (offseason back surgery), but we were talking everything out — every play. He’d come off the field and we’d kind of discuss what we would’ve done in that scenario, but it’s been nice in camp being able to actually get real physical reps at that. He’s a tremendous player, and I’m really looking forward to playing next to him.”
The two have played virtually every first-team snap together in training camp. They round out a unit that also features returning starters left tackle Nate Solder, left guard Will Hernandez and center Jon Halapio.
“We’ve just been grinding out here on the field and just trying to improve every day,” Remmers said. “We’ve been hanging out a lot outside of here. The whole team’s been at a hotel, so we’ve been hanging out pretty much every night, playing Nintendo 64, playing video games and stuff. That just helps boost the chemistry on the field.”
Zeitler earned Pro Football Focus’ top pass-blocking grade among guards last season while with the Browns. The eighthyear pro came to New York in the blockbuster trade that sent Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon to Cleveland.
Remmers spent the past two seasons in Minnesota, and prior to that was a starter on Carolina’s Super Bowl 50 team.
“I’m very hyper-focused, a ‘let’s get this done’ type, and he takes a little lighter focus,” Zeitler said earlier in training camp. “He likes to joke around and have a good time out there, so I think it’s a nice balance and keeps us both kind of level.”
There were growing pains throughout 2018 on the left side of the offensive line as Solder, a veteran, and Hernandez, a rookie, sought to build chemistry. But Remmers feels the circumstances are different this year.
“It’s very rare that a rookie can just come in and know exactly what he’s doing,” Remmers said. “Not saying he’s perfect or that I’m perfect because we’re veterans, but he doesn’t make rookie mistakes. He knows what he’s doing out there, and I have total confidence in him next to me.”
Remmers said from a personal standpoint, the transition has been smooth. Former teammates raved to him about New York, and expectations have matched reality. There is also comfort in playing again for Pat Shurmur, who was the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2017, and well-versed veteran line coach Hal Hunter.
The offensive line’s most significant test before the regular season will be Thursday in Cincinnati. Generally speaking, the starters see their most extensive preseason action in the third game. The first-team line played 11 and 17 snaps, respectively, against the Jets and Bears.
When Week 1 in Dallas arrives, will the unit begin erasing the stigma that has haunted Giants offensive lines in recent memory?
“I think when we’re gelling and everything’s going right, I think that we can move the ball really well,” Remmers said. “I don’t know what happened last year, but we’re just focused on this year and we’re not really worried about what other people are thinking. We’re just going to do everything we possibly can in our power to help the team win.”