Big Blue View
Good morning, New York Giants fans!
As the right tackle for the New York Giants, Jermaine Eluemunor knows how to measure the loyalties and passions of a fan base. He works for a flagship NFL franchise in the league’s biggest market, and he just got a close-up look at how the Knicks’ historic NBA title moved an entire region. But if his home country, England, finally goes the distance in the World Cup for the first time in six decades, Eluemunor believes that nobody in or around sports will come up with a worthy precedent.
“If England wins the World Cup, there’s no celebration in the history of the world that could compare to how that celebration would be in the U.K. I promise you that,” Eluemunor told The Athletic on his ride to his home field, MetLife Stadium, where he watched The Three Lions defeat Panama, 2-0, to win their group on the way to the round of 32. “It will be the Knicks times a hundred, that’s how committed fans are in England.”
Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State. Reese looks the part. Even on an NFL field, he stands out physically with his size (6-foot-4, 241 pounds), especially at inside linebacker where he’s playing. The Ohio State product impressed with his ability to cover and run with running backs. Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns said he was surprised by that part of his game and that he didn’t know it existed. The Giants were also happy with how Reese handled the mental aspect of the spring.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami. Mauigoa plugged in immediately at right guard next to tackle Jermaine Eluemunor with the first-team offense in the spring. Mauigoa’s desire to learn and impressive physical talent stood out to Eluemunor. It’s hard to imagine, considering his size and body composition, that Mauigoa isn’t immediately a plus run blocker from the start during his rookie season.
Abdul Carter showed some encouraging signs throughout spring practices, but with contact not permitted during OTAs and minicamp, his performance must be taken with a grain of salt. Once the pads come on at training camp, though, it’s a whole other story. While speaking to the media back in early April, the team’s new defensive coordinator shared his excitement about coaching both Carter and Brian Burns and their versatility within the defense.
“They were so attentive in the room, talking about the style of ball, how we’re going to play...
