It will likely only be a small boost, but the New York Giants might just get a bit better on the offensive line. Blocking is what the Giants need right now. It doesn’t even matter if it’s run blocking or pass blocking, they need both. Especially going into a game against the Houston Texans and their defensive line that is anchored by J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
Giants address full-back position after disastrous Shane Smith performance:
They’ll have some help with that, however, in the form of a new fullback that was signed yesterday from the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals. This fullback is Elijhaa Penny, and if that last name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the brother of Seahawks draft pick Rashaad Penny.
While he plays the less glamorous position, Elijhaa is actually the older of the two brothers and has spent his entire career until now with the Cardinals, after starting his college football career at a community college and eventually making it to the University of Idaho.
He made it onto the Cardinals team as an undrafted free agent, but his rookie year wouldn’t see him escape the practice squad. He did, however, finish last season with two touchdowns, representing some progress. Penny, a fullback, isn’t being signed to rush the ball, though. His main job will be to block, and that’s an important task given the terrible performances of the offensive line through the first two weeks of the season.
The addition doesn’t seem like a big one at first glance, but having another blocking specialist who can buy some extra time for Eli Manning is something that can make a big difference in games like the upcoming one. Additionally, it seems that Penny will fill roster space left by recently injured center Jon Halapio, whose injury further decreases the performance of the offensive line and creates a need for more blocking players.
It’s an interesting move that, whether it ends up showing much of an impact or not, shows that the team is at least trying out different options to address the ongoing problems that have plagued the Giants from the start of the season.