Almost as if the Giants had just been waiting to sign the paperwork, veteran offensive linemen Shaun O’Hara and Richard Seubert were cut immediately after the lockout ended. Two staples on the line and two locker room favorites, the moves came as a big surprise to many, but a lack of loyalty has always been a part of the business of football.
Though it may be hard for fans to accept, the Giants will be without both O’Hara and Seubert in the coming season and will instead see newcomers Stacy Andrews and David Baas stepping onto the field. Andrews is not an unfamiliar name as his younger brother, Shawn, was a New York Giant prior to be waived this offseason, leaving open a spot on the line.
Andrews was signed by the Giants on Wednesday, and hops to be able to compete for a starting job this season. As the team is shorthanded on the offensive line, it is very likely that Andrews could be that guy.
Pat Flaherty, the Giants’ offensive line coach, said of Andrews: “This is a guy that just came aboard, and he is going to be catching up every day even though he has played and he is a veteran. I am excited to see him in pads. Right now, he has the veteran knowledge to be able to go back and forth between right and left. He’s going to be the compass of this team.”
The hole left at center following Shaun O’Hara’s departure is a big one, but Flaherty believes that the newly acquired David Baas is the right player to take over. After spending five years with the San Francisco 49ers, mostly playing special teams and guard, Baas will get a chance to be a starting center with the Giants this season.
Baas had not been able to contribute in training camp as of late last week due to the new CBA not yet being ratified, but Flaherty is looking forward to seeing him in action once he gets on the practice field. “There are going to be some things that won’t be as smooth as you want,” Flaherty said, “but he’s going to be the guy that is snapping balls and making calls.”
“You’ll have David Diehl on one side on the other so there is two guys that have been in our system that will be a lot of help to him. From what I can tell right now from being around David Baas, he’s an intelligent guy and an extremely hard worker. He’s a veteran and takes things home with him and he does study. I’m excited and looking forward to him.”
It may take some getting used to for Giants players and fans alike to see new faces on what was a long-lived offensive line, but Baas and Andrews are both looking to contribute whatever they can to the team and try to fill some pretty big shoes. With some work during training camp, this new line should be able to find some rhythm.
