Jermaine Elemunor was having the best season of his NFL career when the Giants asked him to change positions last week.
After trying two other short-term solutions to fill in for injured left tackle Andrew Thomas, the Giants ultimately moved El Emnor from right tackle to left side on a few days' notice.
It was certainly a move the versatile El Emnor wanted to avoid for the third season in a row, but he ultimately accepted.
“I didn't expect it, but I think I'm in the position I'm in now because I was able to prove that I can play both,” Elemnor said. “Obviously, I think I've been making the right tackles at a high level this season, but I really believe that left tackle can play at a high level in a league where tackles are sorely needed, and I think that's important for not only myself but the rest of the league,” he said. I showed it to the guys and who said you can’t do that at left tackle?”
Thomas is out for the season as the Giants enter their bye week, and he was not told whether El Emnor's move is permanent.
But it's certainly a possibility, as former first-round pick Evan Neal returned from nine weeks off the bench and played perhaps the best game of his three-year career at right tackle against the Panthers on Sunday. It seems so.
The Giants previously tried to insert Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard at left tackle without interfering with El Emnor.
“It's more important to take it one week at a time and see where you are most needed,” Elemnor said. “It's not really matchup based. It's just what line [configuration] Give your team the best chance to win. The left tackle is the most important position on the field. That's where I'll be because that's where I'm needed right now. ”
El-Emnor distributed 150 turkeys and other Thanksgiving foods to families on Wednesday morning courtesy of donations to NNJ's American Eagle Food Pantry in Lodi.
The North Jersey native grew up in housing with government assistance because both of his parents worked.
“I always wanted to give back, especially to the place where I grew up,” Elemnor said. “It's part of the NFL's job to be a part of the community and help those in need. We know it's hard to make ends meet and put food on the table during this time. So if I can help eliminate one of those problems and make things a little easier, that would be really great.
El Emnor, 29, is a solid mid-major player who was acquired by the Raiders in free agency (two years, $14 million).
He didn't miss an offensive snap all season, allowing 27 pressures and three sacks (one in his left tackle debut) on 429 pass-blocking opportunities.
“I'm trying to do everything I can on and off the field to show that I'm worthy of being on this team long-term,” Elemnor said. “And be one of the solutions to turn this situation around and get us into the position we need to win.”
Rookie teammate Marcellus Johnson also reached out to help with food insecurity, but the benefit was Elemnor's own idea.
“I've dreamed of doing something like this all my career,” Elemnor said. “This is not a one-time thing for me.”
