Giants O-line issues: Who's going to play Right Tackle?

The 2009 season exposed a lot of weaknesses that the Giants need to address during this off season, whether it be through free agency or the draft. The offensive line play in 2009 was poor to stay the least especially in the running game.There are a few reasons for the lack of production in the running game.Injuries,inconsistent play calling and bad blocking all played a part.Injuries to Kareem McKenzie and Rich Seubert factored into the overall performance of the O-line last season.

With the 15th overall pick in the first round of this years draft, the Giants may have a chance to get one of the elite tackle prospects.Kareem McKenzie showed a propensity to get injured this year and it might be time to bring new blood into the Offensive line. This years draft class is deep at the tackle position with the likes of Russell Okung, Trent Williams, Brian Bulaga, Anthony Davis and Bruce Campbell rounding out the top five in most scouts mind.

The Offensive linemen took the field on Feb 27 for their combine work outs;the star of the day in terms of work outs was Bruce Campbell. He showed up at  6’6’’, 314 lbs and ran the best time of all line men in the 40 yard dash—his official time was 4.85.Even With his physical condition and performance at the combine, Campbell is still seen as a very raw prospect with a lot to learn in order to be successful at the next level.

Bruce Campbell might have turned in the best performance of all the linemen from an athletic stand point.However,the guy that looked the best overall was Trent Williams from Oklahoma. Trent Williams is a physical 6’5’’ 315 lbs prospect that translates to right tackle at the next level. Trent posted an explosive time in his 40 yard dash with a 4.88 40, second only to Bruce Campbell. Trent showed great lateral quickness and footwork in the mirror and kick step offensive line drills.

Even though Trent Williams had a great combine most scouts see him as the perfect right tackle and not the coveted left tackle,that teams tend to target in the early rounds. If Rolando McClain and the "home run threat" C.J Spiller are off the board before the giants pick, Trent Williams should be the guy Jerry Reese and Co. select.

Some may say,what about Dan Williams or Brian Price? why not take one of them? The truth is,starter quality, young offensive tackles don't come around too often and normally don't last long on draft day.When teams get a chance to take them, they normally do because an offense needs a solid offensive line.Besides there are a lot of other good DT's that the Giants can pick up (Lamarr Houston,Linval Joseph,Auther Jones and others) in the 3rd-4th round.

McKenzie has been a good player for the five seasons, he spent as the starter at right tackle.I think its time for the giants to move in another direction at that position.If things play out like this on draft day,Trent Williams is talented enough to come in and win the starting job.There might be a few bumps in the road for him but that's a given with most rookies.This off season should be interesting for the giants, with all the holes across the board—along with all the different options Jerry Reese has to make the team better.