Geoff Schwartz impressed by Rookie OL Ereck Flowers

It’s one thing for an average person to call someone a “big dude.”

It’s another for a 6-foot-6, 340-pounder to say it.

But things are different in the land of Giants. After spending some time with the new draft class, Geoff Schwartz, one of the largest humans on the roster, came away with that impression -- and others -- of ninth overall pick and fellow offensive lineman Ereck Flowers.

“Ereck Flowers is a big dude,” Schwartz said of the 6-foot-6, 329-pound rookie during an interview on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM The Team. “He is strong. We lifted together. He is a strong kid that I look forward to seeing.

“He’s a quiet guy kind of feeling his way in. I get it, I remember being a rookie. It’s tough, especially since I was a seventh-round pick, he’s the ninth pick overall. But it’s nice to have those guys in and start working with them and try to get them acclimated to the group. I’m excited to kind of see them in camp with the pads on.” 

Last week Flowers put on the Giants uniform for the first time at rookie minicamp, which included his fellow draft picks, undrafted rookie free agents and dozens of tryout players. The camp got his feet wet before organized team activities start Wednesday, May 27.

That’s when all eyes will be on where he lines up.

Coach Tom Coughlin hasn’t committed to anything yet, but Flowers is a tackle and is expected to work on the right side initially.

Flowers’ stature has drawn comparisons to Kareem McKenzie, the Giants’ former starting right tackle in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.

“I’ve seen Kareem a couple times, I don’t know if [Ereck] is that big,” Schwartz said. “Kareem has a big chest, big shoulders. [Ereck is] 330. He’s a big man, but he’s very proportionate. Like you wouldn’t think he’s 330. That’s what makes him impressive, a guy who looks that lean and is that strong and big.

I definitely think that they hope that he comes in and plays like Kareem did and kind of holds down a tackle spot for a long time and kind of brings that nastiness, that run-blocking style that we need to get back to.”


(giants.com)mai