The NY Giants have brought in offensive lineman Jake Long in for a free agent visit after the team lost Will Beatty to an injury, which has pushed Ereck Flowers into a starting spot on the offensive line as a rookie and now Jerry Reese could look at bringing in the Pro Bowl tackle on a deal and this comes as Victor Cruz is getting ready to return from his knee injury.
The Giants lost Beatty to an injury last week and it likely will keep him out for the majority of the season. According to NFL.com, the team brought in Long as a free agent for a workout, as the team wants some stability at the tackle position. Beatty was slotted to start and Flowers likely would have been the right tackle, moving Justin Pugh to guard where he is more comfortable. Now Flowers may have to jump into the fire right away and Pugh may have to start at tackle again.
Long could be a solid option to bring in, as he has experience and is a former Pro Bowl player who was with the Dolphins and the Rams. Long is coming off of past knee injuries and is 30 years old, but the Giants now need some help on the line. Flowers started off in OTAs at left tackle, according to Dan Graziano at ESPN.com and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said the best five players would start on the line.
Beatty tore his pectoral while working out this offseason and he likely will be out for the season. The Giants have projected Flowers as a starting tackle, but the team did not want to use him at left tackle right away this season. Beatty could return by the end of the season, but he will be out for at least five months. Long has issues with injuries in his past, as he suffered biceps and triceps tears in 2011 and 2012 and also has had knee issues. Long was with the Rams and he was released in March after playing two seasons in St. Louis.
Even if Long doesn't start right away, adding him would give the Giants some flexibility at tackle as the offensive line comes together. Long would have to pass a physical before signing and he could help push Pugh to guard, where he is considered to be a better option than at tackle. The Giants have had issues at the offensive line over the past couple years and they are hoping for stability moving forward.
Victor Cruz is coming back from an injury and he is hoping to join Odell Beckham in the starting lineup once the season starts. Cruz reportedly is on track to be ready for Week 1 and he said to the New York Post that he is 80 percent back. Cruz is hoping that he has no issues with cutting and running and the Giants are into that as well. Having Cruz and Beckham together could be huge for Eli Manning and the offense next season after the year that Beckham put up last year. Cruz played in six games and had 23 catches last season.