Evan Neal played guard for the New York Giants in Saturday’s 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.
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.
“I 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’t perfect, but I was pleased,” Neal said after the game. “It’s been a while since I played guard. For my first showing as a guard in the NFL, I think it was solid.”
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.
There were good reps, like this one where Neal created on opening for Jaxson Dart on a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown:
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’t easy for a guard:
It wasn’t, as Neal said, perfect. Here, Jets defensive tackle and Neal’s former Alabama teammate Phidarian Mathis gets the best of him to create a pressure:
Neal knew he made a mistake on that play, saying the hit Dart took was “on me.”
“I went too far inside,” Neal said, which is something you can clearly see in the video above. “He capitalized by going outside.
“I really put that on me, just making a mistake. I played college ball with Phid. I’m happy for him, happy for his success in this league. He made a good play right there.”
For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus was not thrilled with Neal’s 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’t appear to match up with that.
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 “mild AC joint” injury.
“I had that thing padded,” Neal said. “I had layers and layers and layers of padding on it, so it fared pretty good, and I was pleased.”
“It wasn’t perfect, but I was pleased.”
— Evan Neal
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.
“In college, I’ve played all over the place,” Neal said. “Since I’ve been in the league, this is the most continuity that I’ve had. I’ve played on the right side for three years. I can say for that fact, maybe I’m just a bit more comfortable at right. I’ve been playing it since I’ve been in the league.
“I’m comfortable playing both sides of the ball. Whichever side the coaches want to line me up, I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m going to do the best I can with it.”
Neal was pleased with the workload, and wants more.
“I plan on getting better with time,” Neal said. “So, any reps the coaches decide to give me, I’ll make the best of those reps. And, just continue to get better and better and better.
“Whatever they give me, I’m happy to take it, you know what I’m saying? It’s football.”
Think what you will of the Pro Football Focus score. This qualifies as a successful guard debut for Neal.
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