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2023 Training Camp

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Notebook: Giants continue guard rotation

MARK-GLOWINSKI-FORD

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – As they have for a while, the Giants rotated their first-team guards in practice on Wednesday.

During one team period, Mark Glowinski was at right guard, Ben Bredeson on the left side and Joshua Ezeudu stood behind the offense. After two plays, Ezeudu stepped in at left guard, Bredeson moved to the right side of rookie center John Michael Schmitz and Glowinski trotted off. Two plays later, Glowinski replaced Bredeson.

When the next 11-on-11 period began, Bredeson was the spectator for the first two plays. In the following period, it was Glowinski.

In addition, Glowinski – who started 18 games at right guard last season - has taken reps this week at left guard, while Ezeudu, who most frequently lines up on the left side, has practiced a bit on the right side.

"It's just part of being an interior guy," Bredeson said. "You have to be able to play all three spots (including center). It keeps it interesting for sure, moving that quick, you got to be on top of things. It's something we have gotten used to during camp. We've been doing it for a couple of weeks now."

All three players said the guard shuttle is no big deal.

"It's not new to me," said Ezeudu, a second-year pro. "In college, I played all four (guard and tackle) spots. I would play to the different sides in the same game, the same practice, so I've done this before."

"When I was at the Colts (2017-21), I had a little bit of this even where I was at center," Glowinski said. "So, I kind of have an understanding if there's guys that can be ready for all positions, you got to make sure that you're at least getting those guys warmed up. Because you never know if one guy goes down that maybe there's a shuffle of not just only the inside guys, but I've seen in the past where tackles have to move from one side to the other and then bring another guy in and stuff like that. You have to make sure that everybody is ready and available."

And the coaches want players who can play multiple positions.

"I ask all my guys to have versatility," offensive line coach Bobby Johnson said. "You ask any of my guys, I told them in the room it adds value. If you are not (tackles) Andrew Thomas or Evan Neal, you better be able to play more than one spot. That's just the nature of offensive line throughout the league. If you are not a clear cut, bona fide everyday starter, you have to have versatility because you're going to need that as a group during the season."

Johnson touched on the other reason for the rotation. None of the three has solidified a starting job for the regular season, which begins Sept. 10 vs. Dallas. The Giants conclude their preseason Saturday night vs. the Jets.

"There's competition," Johnson said. "With competition, it all depends on who capitalizes on the opportunity and who accepts the challenge and who comes out on top. I think all the guys that are involved in the competition are really rising to the challenge. They're all putting their best foot forward. I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe that anybody's falling too far behind, or anybody's really blown away. I think it speaks to the guys' character. They all accepted the challenge and they're all coming out every day on the practice field and putting their best foot forward in the meeting rooms, they're handling themselves like pros."

View the best photos of all the action at the Giants' 2023 training camp.