Ronald Lukoff asks: I see that the Giants have resigned Chris Manhertz. If I read his stats correctly, in 10 years he has 29 catches, wh\u00ecch is not exactly great production. I understand that he is in mainly for blocking, but here is my question. If he is not a receiving threat, why would the Giants not use a true offensive lineman who would obviously be a better blocker for the run and better option for pass protection. I\u2019m sure there is an answer, but I can\u2019t think of it.<\/p>\n
Ed says: Ronald, Manhertz has stayed in the league for a decade now because he has one job \u2014 block guys bigger, stronger, and faster than he is \u2014 and he does it as well as any tight end in the league.<\/p>\n
Some teams \u2014 ones without good blocking tight ends \u2014 do use offensive linemen in that role. It is an awkward spot for an offensive lineman because the angles, the spacing, the timing, the movements are all different than playing a \u201cnormal\u201d offensive line spot. It isn\u2019t something a lineman practices on a regular basis.<\/p>\n
An offensive lineman is even less of a receiving threat than someone like Manhertz.<\/p>\n
Now, I will say this. It drives me absolutely nuts when offensive coordinators scheme up plays that put a tight end, sometimes one who is not a good blocker, into a one-on-one matchup with the best edge defender on the opposing team. Invariably, the OC will say something like \u201cwe had a hat on a hat.\u201d Well, you can\u2019t put a terrible blocker on a great rusher by design and then blame the player when it doesn\u2019t work.BBV mailbag<\/p>\n
Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to bigblueview@gmail.com and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag.<\/p>\n
Henry Mildener asks: Since the World Cup is at Metlife Stadium and I believe the World Cup must have natural grass, will the Giants play on grass during the season?<\/p>\n
Ed says: Henry, no the Giants will not play on grass. Yes, FIFA insists on grass for all playing surfaces.That will be taken up as soon as the World Cup games conclude at MetLife Stadium, and FieldTurf will be re-installed.<\/p>\n
Richard Repasky asks: How did it happen that fullbacks appear to be an endangered species in the NFL? Is it because \u201cNFL football is a passing game\u201d? I remember when players like Jim Brown and Larry Csonka were some of the biggest stars around.<\/p>\n
Ed says: Richard, I am old enough that I also have a soft spot in my heart for fullbacks, and I love to see today\u2019s teams use them well. That said, have you paid attention to the game for the past 20 years?<\/p>\n
The game is more spread out now. More matchup-oriented. More movement-oriented. Teams value the versatility of a tight end who can also lead block, and the reality is most fullbacks have a narrower skillset than tight ends.<\/p>\n
I still think fullbacks have value and every team should carry one. Obviously, a lot of NFL coaches disagree.<\/p>\n
Florian Cortese asks: Hi Ed, with all of the initial great news, IMO, of the Giants initial moves in the FA market, word drops of the Tisch family, Steve, Jonathan and Laurie, asking that their shares of ownership of the NY Football Giants are to be transferred to trusts for their children. My question is how does this affect the running of the Giants organization? Does this mean that Steve will have no further input in ownership decisions. It\u2019s now the Mara\u2019s running the organization?<\/p>\n
Ed says: Florian, no, that is not what it means. First and foremost, there is a process that has to be followed and the NFL has to approve the transfer. The Tisch family will still own 45% of the team. It\u2019s just that Steve, Jonathan, and Laurie will be stepping out of the group that has ownership of the team. It will be their children.<\/p>\n