Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal has not played well during the early portion of 2023. New York struggled across the board during the first four games, but a lot of the offensive issues start with the line.
Daniel Jones has been sacked 22 times this season. Half of them came against Seattle last weekend.
Although there is a lot of room for Jones to improve, the blame does not fall entirely on his shoulders. He has had very little time to throw the ball and opposing defenses are eating his protection alive.
Especially Evan Neal.
The former No. 7 overall draft pick has been the subject of much criticism from Giants fans in recent weeks. A lot, if not all of it, has been warranted. He’s been bad.
Neal heard all of the chatter and responded to the disparagement with a not-so-great comment about the New York fanbase. It did not go over well, and one local radio host went so far as to call him a “piece of human trash,” which was definitely way too far.
Neal ultimately issued an apology after Saquon Barkley offered his young teammate some advice.
In the end, though, Neal made his bed. He must lie in it.
Every single play will draw even greater scrutiny after his public outburst. And he did not do himself any favors in pass protection against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Jones was sacked early in the first half. It was entirely Neal’s fault.
Neal is a very good offensive lineman. There is little doubt that he will get things sorted out with time.
Unfortunately, there is no time like the present and completely whiffing on a crucial block that allowed his quarterback to get rocked after calling out the fanbase for calling him out is… not great.