Evan Neal played guard for the New York Giants in Saturday\u2019s preseason game against the New York Jets, the first time he has played there since starting 13 games at left guard for Alabama in 2019.<\/p>\n
Neal replaced starting right guard Greg Van Roten while front-line players were still in the game for the Giants at the beginning of the second quarter. He played 32 snaps at that spot with the first- and second-team offensive lines, and acquitted himself well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just have to continue to just work hard and keep the main thing the main thing. But, I was pleased with the night. It wasn\u2019t perfect, but I was pleased,\u201d Neal said after the game. \u201cIt\u2019s been a while since I played guard. For my first showing as a guard in the NFL, I think it was solid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neal is transitioning to guard after the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft failed to solidify himself as a quality right tackle in his first three seasons with the Giants.<\/p>\n
There were good reps, like this one where Neal created on opening for Jaxson Dart on a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown:<\/p>\n
And this one, where he was tasked with pulling from right guard to the left side to stymie a pass rusher. This play is a sack unless Neal does his job on a block that isn\u2019t easy for a guard:<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t, as Neal said, perfect. Here, Jets defensive tackle and Neal\u2019s former Alabama teammate Phidarian Mathis gets the best of him to create a pressure:<\/p>\n
Neal knew he made a mistake on that play, saying the hit Dart took was \u201con me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI went too far inside,\u201d Neal said, which is something you can clearly see in the video above. \u201cHe capitalized by going outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really put that on me, just making a mistake. I played college ball with Phid. I\u2019m happy for him, happy for his success in this league. He made a good play right there.\u201d<\/p>\n
For what it\u2019s worth, Pro Football Focus was not thrilled with Neal\u2019s guard debut. PFF gave Neal an overall 47.6 grades (48.5 pass blocking and 47.5 run blocking). Neal was charged with allowing just the one pressure in 22 pass-blocking snaps, so at least the pass-blocking grade doesn\u2019t appear to match up with that.<\/p>\n
Neal did not play in the preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills, and has missed some practice time recently. He said he has been dealing with a \u201cmild AC joint\u201d injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had that thing padded,\u201d Neal said. \u201cI had layers and layers and layers of padding on it, so it fared pretty good, and I was pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t perfect, but I was pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Evan Neal<\/p>\n
Neal has worked at right and left guard during training camp, though he is obviously challenging for the starting job on the right side that currently belongs to Van Roten.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn college, I\u2019ve played all over the place,\u201d Neal said. \u201cSince I\u2019ve been in the league, this is the most continuity that I\u2019ve had. I\u2019ve played on the right side for three years. I can say for that fact, maybe I\u2019m just a bit more comfortable at right. I\u2019ve been playing it since I\u2019ve been in the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m comfortable playing both sides of the ball. Whichever side the coaches want to line me up, I\u2019m grateful for the opportunity, and I\u2019m going to do the best I can with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neal was pleased with the workload, and wants more.<\/p>\n
\u201cI plan on getting better with time,\u201d Neal said. \u201cSo, any reps the coaches decide to give me, I\u2019ll make the best of those reps. And, just continue to get better and better and better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever they give me, I\u2019m happy to take it, you know what I\u2019m saying? It\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Think what you will of the Pro Football Focus score. This qualifies as a successful guard debut for Neal.<\/p>\n