Life without Andrew Thomas got off to a disastrous start for Daniel Jones and the Giants.
With the All-Pro left tackle out for the season after undergoing foot surgery, the Eagles teed off at MetLife Stadium with Jones and reserve Drew Lock, going 3-for-28 with eight sacks. .
“It was terrible at first, I just thought too much and didn't have confidence in myself,” said Joshua Ezeudu, who replaced Thomas in the lineup. “As the days went on, I had to get out of my own head. I know I'm getting better, I'm getting a lot better, and I've got to go out and play. .
“I don't think there's going to be an adjustment period. Now I know I have to get off to a better start. We still have the same line except for one guy. My coach believes in me and my teammates believe in me. And I believe in myself. I just need to keep believing in myself and not overthinking it.”
Former first-round pick Evan Neal lost the starting right tackle spot to free agent signing Jermaine Elemunor this year.
However, the Giants moved El Emunor to the left side and refused to bring in Neal or play Ezeudu on the right side.
Ezeudu, who started five games during last season's injury-plagued season, admitted that allowing eight sacks — seven to Jones and one to Lock — was “too many.”
Center fielder John Michael Schmitz acknowledged that “not having AT is tough,'' but pointed out that the Giants have always operated with a “next man up'' mentality.
“We've got to do a better job of running third downs and continuing our offense. We've got to do a better job of detailing while making sure we accomplish our mission.” “No,” Schmitz said. “Overall, we've got to do better. We've got to do better in the passing game and give him time to make throws and get comfortable. We look at the film and say, We’ll figure out what we can do better and fix it from there.”
