1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:04,280 Speaker 1: It's time to get inside the Giants Huttle on Giants 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: dot Com, the Giants Podcast Network. Welcome to the latest 3 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 1: edition of the Giant Huttle Podcast. Lance Medal with you. 4 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: The Giants had two picks in the top ten of 5 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: this year's draft. They used the first one on Oregon 6 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: pass rusher cave on Thibodeaux, and then address the trenches 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: again on the other side with Alabama offensive lineman Evan 8 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: Neil and again more into Nil and what he'll bring 9 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: to The Giants were joined by a man who coached 10 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: him for two years at Alabama as his offensive line 11 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: coach is now the offensive coordinator and old line coach 12 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: at Texas, and that is none other than Kyle Flood. Coach. 13 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: First of all, greatly appreciate the time. Thanks so much 14 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: for joining me. If anyone knows about the development of 15 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,919 Speaker 1: Evan Neil, you certainly applied because you saw him right 16 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 1: as his freshman year began at Alabama. I know you 17 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: were only there for two years, you didn't see him 18 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: in his final year, But how much growth did you 19 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: see out of Evan Neal considering he played multiple acusations. Yeah, 20 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: it was quite a bit, and I will tell you. 21 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: So I got hired down there probably about a weekend 22 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: after Evan enrolled in school. He was a midyear in 23 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: ROW League. And I remember taking the job and being 24 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: in my office and you know, doing you're doing these 25 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: one on one meetings with all the new guys, and 26 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 1: I met him and I knew. I knew he was 27 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: one of the top tackles in the country coming out 28 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,479 Speaker 1: of high school. And I knew we had two really 29 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: good tackles at the time, you know who ended up 30 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: being first round picks. And I said him, I said, 31 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:28,559 Speaker 1: listen to Evan, I said, I, you know, I don't 32 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,120 Speaker 1: know ultimately if you're gonna play tackler guard as a freshman. 33 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:34,039 Speaker 1: I said, I, but it's my job to get the 34 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: best five players on the field. And you know, we'll 35 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: see it. We'll see how this plays out in the spring. 36 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 1: And he said, hey, coach, don't worry about it. Yeah, 37 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: I just want to play. I just want to get 38 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: on the field. And it was interesting because that I 39 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 1: heard an interview as he was going through the draft process, 40 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: and I guess somebody had mentioned something him about playing guard, 41 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: and he said, I'll play anywhere, and it was perfect. 42 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: That's exactly his attitude. I can tell you that was 43 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: his attitude as a freshman college and it's it doesn't 44 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: surprise me one bit that it's still his attitude. Well, 45 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: speaking of that, you saw him play left guard year one, 46 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: then he moved to right tackle year to The Giants 47 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 1: have already announced their initial plans are to start him 48 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: off at right tackle because they have Andrew Thomas on 49 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 1: the left side. But to you, does he have a 50 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: strength at a specific position or even on the NFL level? 51 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 1: Can he essentially fit in just about anywhere? I think 52 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:22,920 Speaker 1: you can fit in justest about anywhere. I don't know 53 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: that I would make him staff the ball, and I think, uh, 54 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: you know, I haven't seen him do that, so you know, 55 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 1: maybe maybe that would be the one thing I wouldn't 56 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: have him do. But I will say this, he's a 57 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: very unique combination of size, flexibility and explosion, and I 58 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,080 Speaker 1: think that's why he can play both because when you 59 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 1: when you play guard, you really need to be like 60 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: a short area explosive player to win the line of scrimmage. 61 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: Inside everything kind of happens faster and there than doesn't tackle, 62 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: but a tackle you have to have the spatial awareness 63 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: you have to have the length, you have to have 64 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 1: the ability to stop and start stop your body in space, 65 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,640 Speaker 1: and he does that really it well too. So you know, 66 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: left side, right side, you know, he could play either side, guard, tackle. 67 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: He could be a really effective player, I think at 68 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 1: any of those four spots, and I think the Giants 69 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 1: will find that as they worked with him through minicamp 70 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: and training. Going back to your point about Alabama trying 71 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,799 Speaker 1: to get the best five offensive linemen on the field, 72 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: how much were you moving him around to maximize the 73 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 1: other players as opposed to saying, hey, we need to 74 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 1: see him at this given position. Well, for me, you know, 75 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: we had Jed Wills and Alex leather Would they were 76 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: both returning starters, a plane tackle whenever it got there, 77 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: So I felt I felt pretty good about those positions. 78 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 1: So really, to me, it was just a matter of Okay, 79 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 1: is he gonna really fit in left guard or right guard? 80 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: And I thought having him at left guard to start 81 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: it was a good place for him to start in 82 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,119 Speaker 1: the anticipation of Alex potentially leaving early, and I could 83 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 1: slide him out to left tackle. Because I will say 84 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 1: this as as a true friend, had we had an 85 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: injury at tackle, Evan would have been the next tackle 86 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 1: we were Fortunately we didn't have to live through that 87 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: that scenario, but he was the third tackle as a freshman, 88 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: and then when Alex decided to come back his sophomore year, 89 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: the natural thing was to just slide them over the 90 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: right tackle where jediting. Don't miss your chance to experience 91 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,840 Speaker 1: a premier hospitality experience watching Giants games, world class concerts 92 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: in two as a Giant Sweet partner, limited full season 93 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: locations are available, or plays a deposit for individual games 94 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: called n y his Giants dot com slash suites for 95 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 1: more information. Well, you brought up right tackle, and I 96 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 1: mentioned that the Giants do plan to start him out 97 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 1: there as an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator. If 98 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: you put yourself in the shoes of the Giants coaching staff, 99 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,719 Speaker 1: how beneficial is it that the position they're actually going 100 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 1: to start him out on is where he's had double 101 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:50,719 Speaker 1: digit starts on the collegiate level, as opposed to throwing 102 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 1: him into a spot just to maximize the rest of 103 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 1: their offensive lineman. I think I think there's definite advantage 104 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 1: to it. I think somebody who has played at the 105 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,599 Speaker 1: biest level of college football at that position, already has 106 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 1: the muscle memory to go back and do it again. 107 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: And I'm sure through his training, getting ready for the Combine, 108 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 1: getting ready for the draft, get every for me camp, 109 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:13,799 Speaker 1: I'm sure he's been doing things right side and left side, 110 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: because that's seven s. Evan's always going to prepare himself 111 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 1: to be as valuable as he can to the team. 112 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: So I'd be shocked if he wasn't already prepared to 113 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: do that. You brought up his size, and when you 114 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: look at the numbers, it certainly jumps off the page. 115 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: I'll blown away, coach by the fact that a he 116 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: supposedly carried three pounds of weight in high school, he said, 117 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 1: and then when he was at Alabama, you got him 118 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 1: to slim down a little. But he keeps emphasizing that 119 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: he carries his weight very well. I'm curious what you 120 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: notice over the two years you were with him in Alabama, 121 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:50,599 Speaker 1: because when you see him to the naked eye, he 122 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 1: doesn't come across as this big, wide body guy. He's 123 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 1: very slim for a player that actually is going to 124 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: play in the trenches a lot of human There's a doubt, 125 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 1: no doubt about that. And and I think initially as 126 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: a freshman we got him down about three seven, and 127 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:09,720 Speaker 1: then I think his sophomore year he probably was in 128 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: the load three fifties. But the interesting about it, and 129 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: he's telling you the truth point says that even in 130 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: like the mid to load three fifties, his body comp 131 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: was around body fat, which for offensive lineman is on 132 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: the low end of what you would really have as 133 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: a goal. Most most guysure between twenty two and twenty 134 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: six if they were doing it right. So he he 135 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: was in the right space. But I always said to him, 136 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: and this is a true story now, I reminded him 137 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: of this after he went to the combines. He got 138 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: down to three forty, and I told him his sophomore 139 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 1: year that his best weight would be three forty. And 140 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 1: I thought it would just be beneficial for him over 141 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: the long haul because he would still be as explosive 142 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: as he was he would, but he would he would 143 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 1: move even better. And I just thought for his career 144 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: that was gonna be the best way. So I kind 145 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: of got a little bit of a chuckle out of 146 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 1: it when he went to the combine and that picture 147 00:06:58,240 --> 00:06:59,839 Speaker 1: surface where they took him without his shirt on and 148 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: and he was three forty and he looked great. And 149 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: I got a kick out of reminding him that I 150 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: told him that a couple of years ago and just 151 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 1: taking some time to get there. Well, speaking of conversations 152 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: that you had with him when he first met the 153 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: New York media, and it was interesting because he was 154 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: right next to Cavon Thibodeaux, who's a very big personality 155 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: and is going to be quite the fit in New York. 156 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: But you know Evan Neil very well. He doesn't say 157 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 1: a lot. He doesn't come across as a very talkative guy. 158 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 1: And the reason I'm bringing that up is a you've 159 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 1: been in the New York market, the New York New 160 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: Jersey region. What do you think about how will adapt 161 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: to that, and why perhaps you shouldn't overlook an offensive 162 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: lineman even though he isn't very talkative. You know, here's 163 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: what I would say, I think, you know, having been 164 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: that media market, I really believe he's gonna have a 165 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: great relationship with the people that follow the team in 166 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: the media. And here's why he is maybe not as 167 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: vocal or his outgoing verbally is maybe some of the 168 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: other players you may have on the team. But he's 169 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: not shy either. He's just very thoughtful and he's very 170 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 1: serious about what he does. You know, Evans a guy 171 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 1: who has other professional athletes that are in his family 172 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: that he has grown up being around that, And that's 173 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: was one of the things I always appreciate about Evan, 174 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 1: even as a freshman, that none of the moments were 175 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: ever too big for him. He never really had that 176 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 1: freshman moment because I just feel like he was raised 177 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 1: to be ready for those moments. And I do think 178 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 1: obviously there'll be a transition going to the NFL. There's 179 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 1: no question. Now you're playing against the best players in 180 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: the world, not just the best players in your conference. 181 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: So there'll certainly be a transition. But but he'll make 182 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 1: that transition really smooth because he has been preparing himself 183 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 1: to be a professional athlete for a long time. And 184 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: I will say this, You know he is he is 185 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 1: certainly maybe a little more reserved in how he will 186 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,599 Speaker 1: he will speak at times, but when he speaks in 187 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: that locker room and in that position, I promise you 188 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: that those other players will listen to him because they 189 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: know it will come from the right place. One player 190 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 1: already in the locker room that has familiarity with him 191 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 1: is Davian McKinney, who you cross paths with at Alabama. 192 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: You mentioned Listen, it's the nature of the beast. He's 193 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 1: gonna have to make a transition to the league. But 194 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 1: how beneficial is it that he does already have a 195 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 1: college teammate with him as he navigates that New York, 196 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: New Jersey area. I think that always helps. X was 197 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: a great teammate and and for me, he's an offensive coach. 198 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 1: X was a lot of fun to compete against in practice. 199 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: He just just a really great human being first and 200 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 1: certainly an excellent football player and somebody that you always 201 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: want that guy in your locker room. I think that helps. 202 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 1: And I'm sure the other lineman, you know, I've been 203 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: in a lot of offensive line rooms over the last years, 204 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 1: and I'm sure those other linemen are gonna kind of 205 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 1: take him under under their wing as well, and and 206 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: kind of showing the ropes of the areas. But they 207 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: have a guy like Xer said, Hey, you know where 208 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: do you live? You know, show me where you live. 209 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 1: Let me see if this is the direct place for me. Yeah. 210 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 1: I think those kind of things always help. The transition. 211 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: Speaking of transition, on a related note, one of the 212 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 1: things that Evan Neil brought up, Coach was the fact 213 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 1: that even though Brian Dable I know, didn't cross pass 214 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:01,839 Speaker 1: with you, he was the offensive coordinator in Alabama in 215 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 1: two seventeen before you came in, and Evan seemed to 216 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: think that the language is somewhat similar to what they've 217 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 1: continually run at Alabama. I know you don't necessarily have 218 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: that as a means of comparison, but based on working 219 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,839 Speaker 1: with Nick Saban and the other coordinators that you've been 220 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: with what he's run at Alabama, how much do you 221 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 1: think that will help him based on the fact that 222 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 1: Alabama is modeled after a lot of what the NFL 223 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 1: does at the next level, Yeah, that that will make 224 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: the transition certainly, uh smoother for sure. I think when 225 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 1: you work in that pro style system, so our our 226 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:39,680 Speaker 1: our system is very similar, and I think when you 227 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 1: work in a pro style system, you learn how to 228 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: do all the things that you're gonna ultimately have to 229 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,319 Speaker 1: do in the NFL. That's the advantage of playing in 230 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 1: an offensive system like that. Whether it's Brian day Ball, 231 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: Steve Sargation, you know, you're in an offensive system, so 232 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: that helps. And then ultimately, really what happens for the 233 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: player is, you know, they learn a certain player say oh, okay, 234 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:58,320 Speaker 1: well this is what we call that play that play, 235 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: and in your mind to make the core elation between 236 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: what you used to call it and system the system. 237 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: The names may change, but he's gonna run inside zone, 238 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 1: he's gonna run outside zone. I'm sure they're gonna run 239 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,319 Speaker 1: gaps games. I'm sure they're gonna run pin poles teams. 240 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 1: He's done all that at a very high level. It'll 241 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,200 Speaker 1: be just a transition, a little bit of a transition 242 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 1: learning language. But if what you're saying is correct, that 243 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 1: it will only speed that process. Of the physicality of 244 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: the game always comes to mind when we're talking about 245 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: players in the trenches on the offensive line, and we 246 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 1: were talking about his versatility. The other thing that I 247 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,199 Speaker 1: think is important to not overlook is his durability. Coach, 248 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 1: and for the two seasons you were there, I think 249 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,839 Speaker 1: he missed one game due to COVID. He played every 250 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: game last season as you moved onto Texas, double digit 251 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 1: starts at three different positions. What impressed you the most 252 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: about his ability to stay on the field and be 253 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 1: that reliable option weekend and week out, and perhaps what 254 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: that says about how he took care of his body. 255 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,320 Speaker 1: There's no question I think that I will start with 256 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: this stuff. Guys that have that kind of durability have 257 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: that kind of durability because they want to Now you can. 258 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,440 Speaker 1: You can always have a freak accident at some time. 259 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: But Evan is a guy that does not like to miss. 260 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: He doesn't miss practice, he doesn't miss games, and even 261 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: the game he had to miss because of COVID my 262 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: second year there, he ended up starting the SEC Championship 263 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:24,679 Speaker 1: game without ever practicing. Wow, because he became he became 264 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: kind of eligible after that window. He had to sit 265 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: out the day before the game, so all he had 266 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,319 Speaker 1: was one walk through and he had to play in 267 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: the SEC Championship game and played really well that game. 268 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: So you know, Evan absolutely can can fight through discomfort, 269 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 1: which in that league, for alignment, you're gonna have to 270 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 1: do that, but that's somebody's already trained. Giant season tickets 271 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: are on sale now for the season. In addition to 272 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: ticket savings, membership benefits include access to exclusive events, experiences, 273 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: pre sales, and more. You can lock in your seat 274 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,959 Speaker 1: starting at just one hundred bucks. N y is a 275 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:59,200 Speaker 1: Giants dot com slash tickets for more information. Well, and 276 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 1: on a related note, in terms of his outlook at 277 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: the next level and his approach to games, which you 278 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,720 Speaker 1: were just alluding to, is there any particular performance coach 279 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,439 Speaker 1: that jumps out to you, because in the SEC your 280 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 1: battle tested, week in and week out, you're going up 281 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 1: against elite pass rushers that then transfer that to the 282 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,319 Speaker 1: NFL level. I'm just curious if there was a particular 283 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: matchup that jumped out to you, or is he the 284 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: type of guy that gets amped up when he knows 285 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: he's going to be tested in asserted regard. Yeah, I've 286 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 1: coached players that you know would play maybe at a 287 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: higher level when they played against what they perceived to 288 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 1: be in a lead player or a player maybe you 289 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:38,560 Speaker 1: had a little more pressed than somebody else. I would 290 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 1: tell you that the most important, the most impressive thing 291 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 1: about Evans game is this consistency. It was he never 292 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: needed the opponent. It wasn't about the opponent, It was 293 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,960 Speaker 1: about his level of play. And you try to get 294 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 1: every player to that space, and you can't always do it. 295 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 1: Some players just need the opponent to get them to 296 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 1: play at the highest level or to get the most 297 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: emotion out of them. But that's not Evan. Evan plays 298 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 1: to his level all the time. He does not need 299 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 1: the opponent for that, And to me, that's that's the 300 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: most impressive thing about him as a player is his 301 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 1: ability to play on that consistent basis at a really 302 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:17,679 Speaker 1: high level with great emotion, and those are things as 303 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 1: a coach you're constantly looking forward, constantly trying to strain 304 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 1: into your players. Well, he clearly has all the ingredients. 305 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: So I'm curious you've seen, like I said, your fair 306 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: share of offensive lineman. When a team takes a player 307 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: as high as they did with Evan Neil at number seven, 308 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: certainly expectations come with that type of territory. Where do 309 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 1: you see his ceiling in terms of what he can 310 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 1: map out with respect to an NFL career. Well, I've 311 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: said this for a long time. I'm not in the 312 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: prediction business. I'm really in the production business. You guys 313 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 1: in the media are a little bit more in the 314 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 1: prediction business than I am. But just from being in 315 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: that league, when you draft somebody at the space where 316 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: Evan got drafted. You're drafting him to be a sart 317 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: and think that's what the expectation level is. And you're 318 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: not just drafting to be a starter. You're expecting play 319 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 1: at a high level. And I don't think there's any 320 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 1: doubt in my mind that he'll do that. I was 321 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: fortunate to coach that league for a couple of years, 322 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: so I got a chance to be around some good players, 323 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 1: and I really believe Evans. Evans got a really, really 324 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 1: high ceiling in that league, and it's it's much more 325 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 1: about the person than it is anything else. He's wired right, 326 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: He's got the right direct work ethic already built into him. 327 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: I just think he's gonna be great in that league, 328 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 1: and I told him that, and I know he's He 329 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: couldn't be more exciting. Coach beat. Before I let you go, 330 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 1: I want to just branch out a little bit more 331 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: to the Giants offensive line because you actually have another 332 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: connection to a player they added this offseason in veentering 333 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: Matt Gono from the Atlanta Falcons, because you were the 334 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: assistant offensive line coach there for two seasons. I know 335 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: Gono didn't get on the field in team, but he 336 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 1: was on the active roster. He didn't dress, I think 337 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: until the very end of the season, so you did 338 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: maybe see him in practice a little bit. What perhaps 339 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: were your observations and what do you think he could 340 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 1: perhaps add from a depth perspective to the Giants offensive 341 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: line this year. Well, that's a great question. You probably 342 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: didn't know this when you asked it. I was the 343 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: person that worked Mad out before the dray Lea. Yeah. 344 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: So I went down there to West and I worked 345 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 1: him out, And you know, I played Division three football 346 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 1: and Matt Gono played Division three football and I played 347 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: offensive tackle, and so did he. And I don't look 348 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 1: anything like him that so, you know, but when I 349 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 1: worked him out, I literally I'm literally saying myself as 350 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: I'm working him out, like this guy could play, could 351 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 1: have played at the highest level of of Division one 352 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: college football. I had no doubt about it. And he's 353 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: He's a very physically talented galg. There definitely was a 354 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 1: transition for him because of the level of competition that 355 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: he played against in college. I did have friends on 356 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 1: that staff in Atlanta when I left U when I 357 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 1: when I moved on, so I followed him because I 358 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: had kind of a vested interest in him because I 359 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: was the one who worked him out, and I was 360 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: the one who said, listen, we gotta take this guy, 361 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: we gotta work with him, we gotta development because physically 362 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: he's got all the attributes of what an NFL offensive 363 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: lineman would be if you were building one. And I'm 364 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:07,560 Speaker 1: really excited for him. I actually didn't know he was 365 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 1: with you guys now, so that gives me even another 366 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 1: reason to kind of keep track of the Giants this year, 367 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: for sure. But I think Matt Dolan has got a 368 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 1: really high ceiling. He's got a really high ceiling because 369 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,439 Speaker 1: he's powerful and he's long, and I think those two 370 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 1: things always give you a chance. That week just goes 371 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 1: to show you what a small world in his coach 372 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:28,879 Speaker 1: between Evan Neil and that gon No. Now, you extremely 373 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: have a rooting interest in the New York Giants, and 374 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,439 Speaker 1: it's only appropriate considering you're a New York City native 375 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:36,880 Speaker 1: and obviously you were well established at Rutgers for many 376 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 1: years and and a lot of a lot of friends 377 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: in that Try State area that are giant fans that 378 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: we're calling me for tickets when Evan got drafted, and 379 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 1: I said that you're calling the wrong guy. Evan's gonna 380 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: have enough request he doesn't need him for me. I 381 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: can only imagine absolutely. He is Kyle Flood, former Alabama 382 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:56,360 Speaker 1: offensive line coach and coach Evan Neil for two seasons there. 383 00:17:56,520 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: He's now the offensive coordinator old line coach at Texas Well. Coach. 384 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,719 Speaker 1: Can't thank you know greatly, appreciate the time of the insight, 385 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 1: looking forward to following Evan Neil at the next level, 386 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:10,200 Speaker 1: and best of luck at Texas moving forward with the program. 387 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: You got it. This is the latest edition of the 388 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 1: Giant Tuttle podcast, which you can find on giants dot com, 389 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 1: the mobile app, and your favorite podcast platform.