The New York Giants look like they’ll have an offensive line on one accord in 2024.
Per Ed Valentine of Big Blue View, Jon Runyan Jr. recently raved about his fellow offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz and his value to the team at OTA’s:
“It has really been amazing playing next to John Michael,” Runyan said. “If I would’ve came in here not knowing his background, I would’ve thought he was a five-year veteran. He comes in here and he takes it serious. He is on top of his stuff. He rarely makes a mistake, he gets everybody set on the offensive line.”
“Having a center like that is awesome. It helps everybody out, the five across.”
Giants: John Michael Schmitz gets recognition from his teammate during spring workouts
Schmitz is only 25 years old and entering his second season in the NFL. To garner such praise from Runyan Jr. is a testament to the former No. 57 overall pick’s work ethic, leadership, and production on the field.
The Giants desperately need those qualities out of not only Schmitz but everyone on their offensive line after the abysmal outing they had in 2023. In order to protect quarterback Daniel Jones, prevent him from suffering another career-altering injury, give the offense enough time to grease its wheels, and avoid leading the NFL in sacks allowed (85) again, the O-Line will need to move to the step of the Minnesota product.
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Schmitz’s improvement will be paramount to the Giants’ offensive success in 2024
Schmitz’s precision in practice will hopefully go a long way in helping him improve from his performance as a rookie, where he earned a 41.4 player grade from Pro Football Focus. Runyan Jr.’s rave remarks about the Illinois native will be word until Schmitz makes it bond throughout the course of the 17-game slate this year. For now, the recognition could pay major dividends for camaraderie building and morale as the Giants approach mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
