New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas, a cornerstone along the team’s offensive line, reflected on a season of marked improvement on Tuesday, crediting continuity for silencing years of criticism.
“I would say I think we’re playing well, but obviously not well enough to get the results that we want at the end of the day. It’s a team sport. It takes everyone. If we have to do more, we have to find a way to do more to get the wins,” he told reporters.
Thomas highlighted the unit’s veteran cohesion, with minimal absences since his return from early-season injury.
“It helps a ton. We have a veteran group, and getting more snaps together, just watching film, getting more practice reps, I think it helps us. We communicate a lot better, our combinations and passing off games and stuff like that. I think it’s important,” he said.
Thomas pushed back on perceptions of lacking physicality.
“I wouldn’t say just smart — I think we’re physical up front. I think we use good technique, and I would say we’re pretty athletic too,” he said.
Yet, despite a strong showing in Detroit, Thomas remains his harshest critic, embodying the relentless drive that defines elite linemen.
“I’m grateful to be out there. Obviously, I missed a lot of ball, so it’s fun being out there with my teammates, but the other part of that is obviously I hate losing, and then I would say just personally I’m not at the level that I want to be at, so I’m striving every day while I do film, trying to figure out what I can do more on the practice field just to get to the elite level,” he said before addressing his frustation following another loss.
“I would say it’s just the nature of the position. It’s not just one play where you make a splash play, and you’re a top player. You have to play, you know, 60, 70 snaps, being consistent each and every down. To be one of the best to play, you have to do that over a long period of time. Each game, I go through the film. With Detroit, I knew before watching the film that there are some things that I need to clean up, be better at. I expect to play better, and I’m going to play better.”
As the Giants limp into Week 13 with a record of 2-10, Thomas’ return to elite play and the offensive line’s improvement provide a very thin silver lining, even as he demands better.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Andrew Thomas: New York Giants’ OL finding groove, but LT demands more
