EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants seem to know what everybody else already does about their team this season: They're going to be only as good as their offensive line allows.
The Giants struggled badly to score points last season, finishing 26th in scoring. They were 29th in rushing. Their offensive line was a major part of the problem.
General manager Jerry Reese added weapons (wide receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Evan Engram) this offseason but brought back the same five starting offensive linemen. It was a calculated risk.
The Giants were able to make the playoffs last season with an offense that couldn't score points and an offensive line that didn't run block well and struggled to protect off the edges. They didn't win a playoff game.
Like the rest of us, the Giants seem to be aware they must improve in order to do any serious damage this season. They can go only so far, no matter how well the defense plays, if quarterback Eli Manning doesn't have ample time and there aren't holes for the running backs.
"All of the offensive line are determined. We know we're going to go as far as the offensive line goes," offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said. "There has been improvement. We're not where we want to be but we have shown some progress and we're excited to take the next step."
The pressure is on. The Giants offensive line, which has been a weak spot for year, must take its game to an improved level.
The summer has been filled with ups and downs. The Giants starters had decent pass protection but ran for just 8 yards on six carries in the preseason opener. The interior, which is supposed to be the strength of the line, struggled in that contest. Left tackle Ereck Flowers performed adequately but has struggled badly at times this summer.
Flowers is a legitimate concern, as is the entire line and its depth. The Giants ran for 3.2 yards per carry and allowed seven sacks last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's not as if there are quality options waiting in reserve if Flowers falters. The backup tackles are an undrafted rookie and a sixth-round pick. There are reasons to be skeptical about the unit's potential, most notably when considering last season with the same five players.
But the Giants think they have made progress this summer. Right tackle Bobby Hart has looked improved in his third year with the team, and the group has another year of experience together.
"I'm excited about the direction that we're headed in," starting left guard Justin Pugh said. "Just watching the game film, we're doing some good things. It has to transition to the games, though. I'm excited about going out there this week and getting some game action."
There is plenty of room for improvement from last year. Pugh was injured and missed five games. Even when he returned, he wasn't at 100 percent. He's had better years. Center Weston Richburg played through a hand injury and didn't have his best season, either, while Flowers and Hart struggled as pass protectors on the outside.
As a result, the Giants see potential for the line to be exponentially improved. Flowers in particular has the most room to grow, and the team insists he's making gains. The Giants have gone to great lengths to make it known he's doing better.
"Ereck, I thought, was a bright spot in the game versus the first opponent we played," coach Ben McAdoo said. "I think he got his hands inside, had a couple nice strikes and punches. I thought he was bending pretty well, and I look forward to him taking a jump this week."
Sullivan also praised Flowers' performance. He noted a specific play at the 10- or 12-yard line on which Flowers' pass protection was picture perfect. The young tackle followed that up with some rough practices earlier in the week.
But the Giants (at least publicly) have remained confident that Flowers is improving. It has been the same for the offensive line, likely in part because the team is aware just how integral the unit will be to the overall success this season.