While in most cases it takes years to determine who "wins" a trade, based on last year alone--the quality of play and the availability, the Giants got the better of the Zeitler-Vernon trade. Board was diagnosed with a concussion and sent home from the hospital. A move that signals the Bears believe they have a chance to win now. Kevin Zeitler fits the profile of what the Bears like. He might not be ready for that kind of a gauntlet. Odds are Bars will have provided the Bears a clear answer by then. There's nothing necessarily wrong with an offensive lineman being aggressive, but when he becomes overaggressive, that can work against him. The Giants appear solid at guard. On the backside of the play, a lineman has to stay attached to a man once he engages. On the snap, he retreats to stop the A-gap rusher. Projected to be a second round selection, Zeitler was ranked No. In this final clip, the Giants are running to the right, and Zeitler has a defender in the B-gap. This team needs work and perhaps even some reinforcements for their roster if the price is right. The running back is able to explode off that block and gain yardage. All of that was needed to reach this point. Daniels was the perfect example of this. (Zeitler is No. On the snap, the defender tries to bull rush Zeitler, but he is able to anchor down and stop the defender from pushing him back into the quarterback. Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes Zeitler is on that short list. The problem is he might not be ready for what’s coming. So what about Kevin Zeitler? The scheme has him on the "man" side of the protection, so he is locked up on that 3-tech. By: Dan Benton. Atlanta and Houston have already seen enough to make a move regarding their head coaches and general managers. This next clip is another zone run to the left. Once again, Zeitler has taken on a defense built to stop the running game and is able to make a hole. The good news is they could cut him next offseason for a $12 million cap relief and just $2.5 million in dead money. Register today for free or log in to access this premium article. Yet the Bears don’t seem to have much choice. Zeitler, a 2012 first-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals, was acquired by the Giants in a trade with the Cleveland Browns for Olivier Vernon in March of 2019. Because of how much the defender is pushed back, the back is able to cut off his drive block and gain a few extra yards. For those who aren’t quite following, here is the situation. Board after terrifying injury, Giants-Washington Week 6: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts, Giants vs. Washington Player of the Game: Tae Crowder, Giants defeat Washington, 20-19: Instant analysis, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. His ability to assist multiple teammates is one of the most underrated aspects of his game. There's not much negative in his game, though he did get a little overzealous, which led to some struggles. The play calling was horrendous. In this first clip, Zeitler has a 3-tech lined up against him in an obvious pass situation. Kevin Zeitler is most likely going to be one of the hottest names in the free agency pool for offensive linemen. He is difficult to shake in pass protection when he gets his hands on a defender, and he can be devastating in the run game. So this week, many of the readers who wrote to the mailbag want to know if and when the Giants are going to do the same. Giants is a registered trademark of the New York Giants LLC. A rock-solid presence who strikes the appearance that he has to be dragged off the practice field kicking and screaming, Zeitler's football IQ can serve him well and help get some of these young offensive linemen the team added up to speed. Breaking down some of the numbers in the Giants first win of the Joe Judge era. Click "Follow" at the top right of Giants Country page. Evan Engram is one of the most talented players on the Giants roster, but there is a case to be made in trading him. Zeitler would have to switch to left guard for the first time in his career but he offers stability this offense needs. The defender then tries to adjust outside and is stopped by the Giants guard. This site is neither endorsed, nor sponsored by, nor affiliated with New York Giants or NFL Properties LLC. 4 among guards available in the 2012 NFL Draft by Sports Illustrated. If he had exercised a little more patience with the block and allowed the defender to try and engage to get by him, he would more than likely have held onto the defender throughout the play. Aaron Donald in Carolina? The Bears’ offensive line is hurting. On the snap, he kick-slides, and the defensive lineman tries to make an inside move, but Zeitler was able to post to stop his penetration. Just 30 years old, Zeitler still has plenty of good football left in him. The play was a read play for the quarterback, so there was a chance that the ball could be handed off, or the quarterback might pull it if the backside overcommitted. As a last resort, the defender attempted to jump to knock the quarterback's pass down. Zeitler is considered the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. So while their payroll would take a bit of a hit, it wouldn’t be a devastating one in the long-term. The Giants are running a zone to the left. Zeitler is able to push the defensive tackle a few yards back. The good news is they could cut him next offseason for a $12 million cap relief and just $2.5 million in dead money. So a little over $6 million. The defender tries to go inside, but because Zeitler has such proper hand placement, he is able to clutch the defender and not allow him to escape. Notice when RB runs in the middle, very little gain. Kevin Zeitler was the perfect addition to the Giants’ offensive line in order to bring that number down. Zeitler starts well, but he gets too anxious and tries to take over the defender completely. Notable leftovers from the Giants' 20-19 win over the Washington Football Team on Sunday. He loses balance and eventual contact with the defender who is able to shake him off. Once he feels the center blocking, he turns out and helps with the defender that the right tackle is blocking. Zeitler pulls and is aiming for the first man outside of the right tackle's block. That makes him a sticky blocker for any defensive lineman to get past. When he did, the defensive tackle swims around him and is able to disrupt the run play. A look at the Giants snap counts combined with some performance notables from their 20-19 Week 6 win over the Washington Football Team. The challenge is that contract. He is rarely caught off guard by disguised stunts or blitzes opposing defenses bring. Just 30 years old, Zeitler still has plenty of good football left in him. But I also like to look at the full play. Luckily for Zeitler, the quarterback pulled the ball and gained yardage going opposite the play. Whenever there was a quality run play, you could almost ensure that it involved left guard Will Hernandez or right guard Kevin Zeitler. In this clip, the Giants were running a zone play to the left. If traded at the deadline, the Bears would be responsible for around half that money. The trade deadline is October 29th. However, with the team wallowing at 0-5 it’s felt they might start unloading pricey veterans for cap space and draft picks. Zeitler appeared as if he was looking for a kill shot, and allowed the defender to avoid his block from the inside. Zeitler's initial path allows him to help the right tackle control his block, but then he comes off that block to take the linebacker. From a compensation perspective, this isn’t a big issue. Kevin Zeitler profile page, biographical information, injury history and news “I like his energy. The Chicago Bears are 4-1 but nobody would accuse them of being a perfect team. He also moves his feet well so that the block remains in the framework of his body. Judge says Matt Peart has earned more game reps and that practice this week will sort things out. Or sign up to receive our free daily newsletter. Veteran Kevin Zeitler has been one of the league’s best right guards for years. Can the Bengals afford to bring him back when he … He carried a $12.5 million cap hit into this season. So while their payroll would take a bit of a hit, it wouldn’t be a devastating one in the long-term. ... he seems like a good … Even though "not a nifty or nimble lineman", Zeitler was described as "a solid prospect with the ability to be used in a power running offense." 70 in the clips, which come via NFL Game Pass.). The best way to view this is a sort of double down move on 2020. He allowed one pressure per 58.0 snaps, also the best among guards with a minimum of 450 pass-blocking snaps. In this next clip, Zeitler is on the "zone" side of the blocking scheme. Derrick Brown in Carolina? In this first clip, Zeitler has to handle the Bucs' defensive tackle. That is … The best way to view this is a sort of double down move on 2020. These five players are sure to draw plenty of attention during the Giants' Week 6 game against the Washington Football Team. His intelligence is also something they’d love. During this play, Zeitler effectively helps a teammate but then is able to collect the defender threatening his gap just in time for the running back to use that block as a great place to cut off and gain a few extra yards. They’re quite lucky to have that record at all. Hernandez, the left guard, pulled right, and the center was supposed to replace him. Professional career. It’s More Possible Than You Think, Is Play Calling Matt Nagy’s Biggest Issue? Still, there is a lot to like about this veteran guard's game, so let's look at a few clips featuring the good, the great and the ugly in his game. The Giants offensive line was not a complete mess last season. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Educated to be a writer at the prestigious Columbia College in Chicago, Erik has spent the past 10 years covering the Bears. Veterans with big cap hits — Tate, right guard Kevin Zeitler, linebacker Markus Golden — should be on the market, but the return would likely be minimal for those players.”. “He’s been great. Here’s why. Kevin Zeitler is excited to join the New York Giants and says he'll help bring both consistency and cohesion to an otherwise inconsistent line. Three 4th quarter comebacks. Zeitler is the best OL they have. Kevin Zeitler allowed only 11 total pressures in the entire 2018 NFL season. Welcome to Giants Wire's European Union Experience. He’s passionate.