Giants LT Andrew Thomas gets top grade at his position
Andrew Thomas, Giants offensive tackle, speaks with the media after a day of training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Aug. 14. Credit: James Escher
It took two years and two weeks to get here but Andrew Thomas is now the top left tackle in the NFL.
At least that’s according to Pro Football Focus and their sometimes suspect evaluation system. Thomas had a grade of 87.5 against the Panthers on Sunday which was highest in the league among those at his position and through two games his 89.1 grade is also the best. In those two games he has allowed just four pressures and zero sacks. Even without those numbers it’s been easy to eyeball a different level of play from Thomas so far this season.
Not bad for a player who was once considered by some to be a bust of a first-round pick and who struggled through his rookie season allowing a league-high 57 pressures with 10 sacks.
Brian Daboll wasn’t with the Giants for the start of Thomas’ pro career but said he is not surprised by the leaps Thomas has made.
“Playing offensive line in the National Football League is tough, particularly playing tackle,” Daboll said. “You’re going against some dominant edge rushers usually. The speed of the game is quicker even though he played in the SEC [at Georgia] at the highest level.”
Now, though, Daboll and the Giants get to see this polished version of Thomas each week.
“I’d say experience helps,” Daboll said. “You’re going to go through some growing pains. I’m certain that he did. We all do. I think that his mindset is that he’s a very consistent, dependable person. And that kind of translates to the field.”
Notes and quotes: LB Kayvon Thibodeaux said he made “a lot of progress” in Wednesday’s practice. “Was able to open it up and do a lot of things,” he said. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but we’re taking the right steps.” The first-round pick has been sidelined by a knee sprain since Aug. 21 but seems to be on track to make his NFL debut Monday against the Cowboys. Fellow LB Azeez Ojulari, who has missed the first two games with a calf injury, may be back Monday as well. “They’re getting close,” Daboll said. “I’d say they’re still day-to-day even though they’re on the close side” … DL Leonard Williams (knee) was not at practice Wednesday but Daboll was not ready to rule him out for Monday’s game.“He tells me he’s a quick healer so I’m not going to put it past Leo to be ready to go,” Daboll said. “Would it shock me either way? No” … CB Aaron Robinson is still recovering from last week’s appendectomy but Daboll called him “a wild card” to see action Monday … WR Kadarius Toney did not practice due to hamstring soreness and WR Sterling Shepard sat out as a maintenance day coming back from a torn Achilles. Despite missing most of the preseason Shepard has played more offensive snaps than any receiver on the team through two weeks.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
