Abdul Carter: See video of NY Giants rookie during practice
Get a closeup view of Abdul Carter during Giants practice in East Rutherford.
EAST RUTHERFORD – Marcus Mbow had plenty of doubt about the direction he was headed when he walked inside MetLife Stadium for the first time last month.
Not on the field, mind you – just the literal directions to get the rookie offensive lineman for the New York Giants from the parking lot and down the correct hallway to the locker room.
“Am I going the right way?” Mbow asked, uncertainty reigning still in the early stages of his NFL career.
The answer: yes, he was – and still is.
Truth be told: the Giants’ fifth-round pick has been finding his way just fine ever since.
Mbow went out and proved Sunday in front of 90,000-plus inside AT&T Stadium is that he is ready for the next step after getting his first extended action – save for a handful of plays as an eligible lineman in Week 1 – in the Giants’ eventual 40-37 overtime loss to the Cowboys.
James Hudson has been serving as the Giants’ starting left tackle with Andrew Thomas still sidelined as he recovers from Lisfranc surgery, but he committed four penalties – including two personal fouls – on the opening possession, costing his team dearly. He also gave up a sack earlier on the drive.
The Giants settled for a field goal, and Hudson never left the sideline after that with coach Brian Daboll instead going to Mbow, who held his own and then some. That gives the Giants an option now if Thomas is not ready to go Sunday night in the home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Either way, it’s obvious that Mbow has earned a spot, either as the swing tackle if Thomas returns or as the starter until he does. Thomas was expected to take most of the first-team reps at left tackle Wednesday, a sign that the Giants believe he is much closer to rejoining the starting lineup and returning to action.
The only certainty right now about what’s next is that Mbow has earned his place in the conversation already and, at the very least, he should be the next man up for Thomas upon his return and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who has had a strong start to the season, especially in pass protection.
Mbow played 50 of the Giants’ 66 offensive snaps and allowed just two quarterback pressures on 36 pass blocks, the fifth-lowest rate in the league this season, per NFL Pro.
“The guys were telling me to not make it any bigger than it is, it’s just football,” Mbow said in a quiet locker room Sunday night. “I’m here for a reason, they were trying to instill confidence in me and it was pretty crazy. It was cool seeing all the throws and all the big plays being made, but it sucks coming out on the losing side.”
Mbow promised this summer that he may be reserved and focused, but don’t be fooled: he can also run hot with the best of them if pushed to his limit.
“That fire is there,” Mbow told NorthJersey.com and The Record. “That fire is always there, trust me.”
What the Giants have learned quickly since the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Mbow got here is that, not only is he a fast learner, his physical gifts are matched by his growth in the technical aspects of the game.
His footwork and technique has been exceptional, but early in training camp, he was overpowered at times by Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. That gave Mbow something to prioritize and improve, and he’s done just that.
Back in the spring, the Giants were openly questioned about the decision to start Mbow out at tackle. There was so much pre-draft speculation about how he would have to kick inside to guard. But the Giants, perhaps with an eye on next season when starter Jermaine Eluemunor is a free agent, pushed forward with the plan to see what Mbow can do on an island.
They worked him at right tackle with the third team throughout the spring and at the start of camp. He earned reps at left tackle with the second team, and wound up becoming a trusted player on both sides and across multiple units.
By the time the preseason opener against the Bills arrived, Mbow was flipping sides and doing so smoothly from series to series as the game went on. The Giants have been impressed not just by how well he moves, but his smarts.
“He’s level-headed for sure, and I think that that’s one of his strengths,” rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart said of Mbow. “Because as a rookie you’re going to make mistakes, and there’s a lot of learning that you have to do, and I think that it’s kind of just shown his maturity. He makes a mistake, he doesn’t get flustered, he’s able to come back and answer. He’s been thrown into a lot of different situations … I know that he’s hungry, and he wants to do the best of what he does.”
In the Giants’ season-opening loss at Washington, Mbow checked in as an eligible lineman – a jumbo tight end – and on the first play from the goal line, the ball actually went to him. Russell Wilson’s throw went incomplete with the Commanders not fooled at all; they actually covered Mbow, both to his surprise and his dismay.
“Man, I was hoping they’d forget about me,” Mbow said last week with a smile.
Giants offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said using Mbow in that role initially helped a young player concentrate on the process of getting ready to go play a football game, rather than wondering on the sideline throughout whether he was going to hear his number called.
“Mbow is smart, he’s versatile, he’s got great feet, he has pride,” Bricillo said this summer. “And the fact that he wants to be good, it’s a good motivator. A lot to like. Young player, but he’s got a lot of potential.”
The former Purdue star is also unafraid to show that nasty side, as he did during the second of two joint practices with the Jets last month. The action in team drills went beyond the “thudding” anticipated in those sessions when the Jets’ Will McDonald knocked Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to the ground, and Mbow took exception. He rushed past teammate and starting right guard Greg Van Roten, leaping at McDonald as if he were trying to secure a pinfall at WWE SummerSlam, held across the parking lot at MetLife Stadium two weeks prior.
“It’s there,” Mbow said afterward. “The nasty’s there.”
During Senior Bowl week, Mbow showcased his ability to play center and he offers five-position versatility, which obviously appeals to the Giants. If Thomas returns to the lineup for Sunday’s game, Mbow will likely take a step back into a reserve role, on the ready if and when he’s needed.
It’s hard envisioning a scenario where Hudson reclaims that spot from Mbow after his performance against the Cowboys. And if Thomas is still unavailable, Mbow should be in the starting lineup at left tackle against the Chiefs in prime time Sunday night.
On the night he was drafted, Mbow revealed what has become his football mantra.
“Putting people on the ground, winning reps, demoralizing people,” he said. “It’s always fun.”
The Giants can only hope that, with what Mbow has shown so far, that’s exactly where this is headed.