One huge question mark hovering over the New York Giants' offense as we enter preseason concerns the state of the offensive line.
After attempting to settle the position in the offseason, injures have re-jumbled the group. Tackle Ereck Flowers, right guard Geoff Schwartz and center Weston Richburg all sat out earlier this week -- Will Beatty is also out with a pectoral injury.
Former Big Blue offensive line stalwart and current NFL Media analyst Shaun O'Hara fired a shot at the group's toughness:
On Friday, O'Hara doubled down on his statement on NFL Network:
"...They have some unbelievably explosive weapons and the offensive line, frankly, they've been holding this team back for the last couple years," he said. "They've been hurt, they've been banged up, there's a million excuses. I was frustrated to see that many guys missing practice because Mooch, you know, it's so hard to get a unit to come together and get that chemistry. Yet they're over there riding the bike, and they're standing over there and watching practice."
While some locker room's bristle at former teammates calling them out, the message wasn't lost on Giants players.
"There is definitely -- obviously if you put something out there like that, there is some seriousness behind it. I respect Shaun," Pugh said of the initial tweet, via NJ.com. "In a way, he's like one of the captains on this team because he's around the building. (David) Diehl, (Chris) Snee, (Rich) Seubert, when they say something, I definitely take it as 'Hey, we have to get those guys out there.'"
The message from O'Hara was simple: It's go time.
"...Listen, this shoe doesn't fit for everybody, but if it fits you, you know who you are, you know who I'm talking to," he said. "Get your butt out here, let's go, it's go time, the clock is ticking, the season is here, there's no time for icing on the sideline, let's go."