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One year, you are the fresh-faced kid on the block, and every ounce of effort must be poured into figuring out what to do on the field and how to stay out there without hurting the team.
The next year, with the rookie designation stripped away, no one is calling you the new guy, and expectations rise, sometimes too quickly and too steeply.
John Michael Schmitz arrived without much fanfare, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, and his play and his personality in Year 1 did not make too many waves.
He experienced typical first-year growing pains, had to deal with two injuries and was part of a terrible offensive line that allowed a franchise-record 85 sacks.
In some ways, the best thing about his Giants’ debut is that he survived it and can move on from it.
And now, for his second act, Schmitz wants more. Much more.
“I think the biggest thing for me, when times are tough, you really know who a true leader is,’’ Schmitz said earlier this offseason. “When you hit adversity, you hit a tough time. All the guys look to someone, and I want to be that for our room and take charge.’’
There is no doubt Andrew Thomas at left tackle is the most talented and accomplished member of the offensive line, and he takes to heart his role as a team captain.
Thomas, though, gives off the feel of a businessman in the way he goes about his work, a consummate professional without being a big talker.
Entering his third season with the Giants, right tackle Evan Neal is simply trying to get healthy from ankle surgery and prove he is not a wasted pick (No. 7 overall in 2022).
Two veterans were signed to start at the guard spots, and though Jon Runyan Jr. (26) and Jermaine Eluemunor (29) have NFL pedigrees, they are new on the scene and likely will want to get fully acclimated before they assume guidance roles.
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The starting center should always be a leadership candidate, as that position is charged with the bulk of the group communication during games.
Schmitz was an uncommon rookie in that he was 24 years old and played in 57 games in six — yes, six — years at Minnesota. His voice was loud enough in his 13 starts, but there is room for growth.
“It has really been amazing playing next to John Michael,’’ Runyan said. “If I would’ve come in here not knowing his background, I would’ve thought he was a five-year veteran. He comes in here and he takes it seriously. He is on top of his stuff. He rarely makes a mistake, he gets everybody set on the offensive line. Having a center like that is awesome.’’
Schmitz had his ups and downs.
He graded out in 2023 as the 36th-best center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus, with particular struggles as a pass protector. In 755 snaps, he committed four penalties, allowed five sacks and 30 total pressures.
Looking back, Schmitz realized he needed to refine what he decided to work on because he was worrying about too much too often.
“Every single day, you can’t focus on a million different things,’’ he said. “You’ve got to pick one thing that you want to get better at each and every day, and just hone in on that. If it was footwork one day, if it was hand placement the other day, if it was, I don’t know, ID’ing fronts and just the knowledge of the game, it was a big offseason for me with my football IQ and just continuing to get better with that.’’
It only seems as if it were a revolving door last season to the left and right of Schmitz.
In fact, it was not.
Ben Bredeson started at one of the guard spots in 12 of Schmitz’s 13 games as a rookie. Justin Pugh, signed straight off the couch, hit the field in Week 6 and ended up starting nine consecutive games at left guard alongside Schmitz.
So, it was not as if Schmitz had to go it alone as he navigated through his first NFL season.
This spring, he has a new O-line coach, Carmen Bricillo, and two new veterans on either side of him.
Runyan, 26, was signed away from the Packers with a three-year, $30 million contract and has lined up at right guard.
Eluemunor, 29, was signed away from the Raiders with a two-year deal worth $14 million and is the left guard.
The Giants hope he can stay there and not have to move outside to right tackle if Neal cannot hold onto that spot.
Dome Head Nuts “We made great additions to the O-line room,’’ Schmitz said. “I’m very excited to have those guys here. They’re great guys. Not only on the field, but off the field. They want to be here. They want to get better. Very excited for our O-line room. We’re headed in a great direction.’’