Giants’ Evan Neal feels ‘more comfortable’ in No. 73
New York Giants rookie tackle Evan Neal might be the biggest thing to hit the Giants, well, ever. At 6-feet-7 and somewhere around 350 pounds, the former Alabama standout is ready to cast a long shadow in East Rutherford for the foreseeable future.
“I’m a big guy, I’m strong, I’m long, and a lot of times when I get my hands on somebody, I can shut it down right now,” Neal told reporters on Tuesday at training camp. “My job is to keep guys off of the quarterback, so whatever way possible, whatever way works best in that moment that’s what I’m going to use. Whether I’ve got to aggressively set a guy or I’ve got to be more patient and take an angle set. Whatever way I need to get the job done that’s how I’m going to get the job done.”
Neal, who the Giants selected seventh overall in this year’s NFL draft, is lining up at right tackle with another former first-round pick, Andrew Thomas, manning the left side.
Neal has gotten compliments from the veterans along the line about how he conducts himself like a veteran and the way he takes care of his body.
“I want to feel my best going out there to practice and put my best foot forward every day to get better,” said Neal. “I can’t do that when my legs are constantly feeling heavy or I’m just not doing the necessary things to continue to maintenance my body. Whether it be my joints, my ankles, or my flexibility and things like that. So, I want to take the time to be proactive so that way when I do go on the field, I can play fast.”
Thursday will be Neal’s NFL debut when the Giants head up to New England to take on the Patriots in their preseason opener. Neal is ready.
“I definitely know I belong, and I can play at this level. Camp has been getting me better. I feel like I have been getting other guys better as well. I’m just excited, the time’s going to tell. It’s exciting to go out there and continue to compete, get better with my teammates, and hopefully win some ball games,” he said.
Neal switched his uniform number from No. 70 to No. 73 this week after the Giants parted ways with Matt Gono. He had won No. 73 at Alabama. He saw the switch as more significant than most.
“You know when Michael Jordan wore number 45 but had to switch back to 23. It doesn’t really affect the way that you play by any means, a number can’t play for you. Just feeling more comfortable with your number,” Neal said.
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