Eli Manning happy to have top draft pick Ereck Flowers on board

NFLU2009
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Any time a team drafts a mammoth offensive lineman with their top pick, chances are the quarterback is going to be thrilled. That was exactly Eli Manning's reaction on Monday to the Giants' selection of offensive tackle Ereck Flowers with their top draft pick.

Manning was in White Plains for a sponsor recognition party for 38th Annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic — a charity that provides guide dogs to people with vision loss as well as service dogs to children with autism. While clutching a puppy named Otis in his arms, Manning weighed in on the Flowers pick.

"Anytime you get a big 330-pound offensive lineman, the quarterback is usually pretty happy about that," Manning said. "I didn't get to meet all the draft picks, but I got to meet a couple of them, and say hi, and get on the field and work with them."

The Giants' top pick should get an opportunity to protect Manning right away. Flowers saw reps at left tackle throughout rookie minicamp, the position he projects at long-term, and he is expected to compete for one of the tackle spots in training camp.

Flowers has built a reputation as a mauler in the running game, but he performed solidly as a pass protector also, giving up zero sacks and 10 total pressures in 2014, the latter of which was the third-lowest in this draft class, according to Pro Football Focus.

At 6-6, 324 pounds, Flowers' sheer size also leaves quite an impression. Not surprisingly, it was one of the first things that Manning noticed when they were introduced.

"Big man, big man," Manning said.


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(nj.com)
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