Has Will Svitek Already Overtaken Sam Baker?

So I’d say the answer is yes. Baker never grew into his role, and always looked like a scared rookie. Between his penalties and t-rex arms, I think he’s done. But even though Svitek has done well so far, it doesn’t mean he should be our permanent starter; he’s given us plenty headaches in the past. I still think we need a true starting LT. As far as team needs go at this point, I’d say in order: TE, RG, LT DE, and C.

That’s the problem some teams have when the starters come back from injury. Svitek could be the next great UFA. Just think, what if Lou Gehrig had to go back to the bench when the guy he replaced got better (sorry, that’s the only reference I could think of off the cuff).

And it seems the football gods are showing favor to us. Hopefully we can get past the Texans 3rd stringer for a W.

You lose

Svitek has been lights out at LT. His play against Jared Allen should have made the “competition” one sided. Matt just looks way more comfortable with Svitek protecting him. I would seriously question Smitty’s decision making if he messes up an O-line that finally looks like it has found its groove.

Has Will Svitek Already Overtaken Sam Baker?

…..Yes!!

that is all

And he’s going ba!!s out to show that. I wanted Baker to succeed but they would be complete idiots to switch now. Svitek played lights out w/the guy he’s trying to replace standing right on the sidelines just waiting for him to screw up.
     It’s not unheard of for an UDFA to become a solid lineman so let’s start showing Baker that guard playbook. It’s not like RGGR, Johnson or Hawley have been anything to write home about.

I think Baker’s last game was against CAR, so he was on the bech starting with the DET game. To be fair Baker is not, or was not the only weak link in the OL but there is an interesting trend starting with the DET game. Look at this stat:

http://nationalpost.stats.com/fb/protection.asp?type=team&year=2011&team=1

Before the DET game the Protection Index for the OL was pretty bad with very good performances against SEA and TB but pretty poor against everyone else. Starting with the DET game the Protection Index has improved substantially and has been pretty consistent. There aren’t numbers for the MIN game yet but I’m guessing the value was pretty good.

Now, this is another “proprietary” stat and might not be a good indicator of real OL performance but it does show a trend in OL play. It is interesting that about the only major change in the OL starting with the DET game was that Baker wasn’t in the line up.

Go Go Giants, tonight!

Meier is the emergency QB. I bet someone like Palmer is a backup long snapper.

Terence Mathis was our emergency QB when he was here. Why I know that, I have no idea.

Will Svitek was drafted in the 6th rd by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. I have always thought Baker was an NFL guard more so than tackle. Next season Hawely will probably move to starting center maybe we resign McClure to a 1 yr deal as a backup. Baker then moves into a competition with Mike Johnson for the guard spot as well as compete with Svitek to get his spot back. He will fail to gain his LT spot back but will be and upgrade over Johnson at RG. Garrett Reynolds probably ends up on WWE beside his father “Hacksaw” Reynolds.

He played DE in college and threw shot put? He was born in Prague? He was a two-time National Decathlon Champion in High School?

This guy rules.

for the Giants

But he’s definitely done enough in this stretch to deserve the starting job undoubtably.