Giants rookie tackle Ereck Flowers starting to blossom

CINCINNATI - Rookie left tackle Ereck Flowers appeared to do OK in his first action against an opposing team, holding up against Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap in pass protection during team drills. Flowers' development is a key to the Giants offense this season as he was thrust into the left tackle spot after Will Beatty (pec) was injured.

"He seemed to be good," Manning said. "We did some cadence stuff and changed some plays and he did a good job understanding what was going on and understanding the looks and what his assignments were. It seemed like he had a good day."

The Giants have been waiting for this opportunity to judge Flowers since they drafted him. As an offensive lineman, it's been difficult to get a handle on just what he's capable of doing when he spent all spring without any pads on and most of training camp going against teammates.

No one doubts Flowers' size is his biggest asset at 6-6, 329 pounds. But his technique seemed stable, as well. He kept square against the pass rushers and was able to keep the pocket generally clear.

The rest of the offensive line also seemed to hold up. Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg were out in front of a screen pass to Shane Vereen at one point and Manning's passing space was generally uncluttered.

"I thought the offensive line did well," Manning said. "It seemed like we had some good runs and protection seemed to be good on most of the plays. I'll go back and look at the film, but sitting right here right now, it felt like we had a good practice."


(newsday.com)