Giants LT Andrew Thomas gets top grade at his position

At least that’s according to Pro Football Focus and their sometimes suspect evaluation system. Thomas had a grade of 87.5 against the Panthers on Sunday which was highest in the league among those at his position and through two games his 89.1 grade is also the best. In those two games he has allowed just four pressures and zero sacks. Even without those numbers it’s been easy to eyeball a different level of play from Thomas so far this season.

Not bad for a player who was once considered by some to be a bust of a first-round pick and who struggled through his rookie season allowing a league-high 57 pressures with 10 sacks.

Brian Daboll wasn’t with the Giants for the start of Thomas’ pro career but said he is not surprised by the leaps Thomas has made.

“Playing offensive line in the National Football League is tough, particularly playing tackle,” Daboll said. “You’re going against some dominant edge rushers usually. The speed of the game is quicker even though he played in the SEC [at Georgia] at the highest level.”

Now, though, Daboll and the Giants get to see this polished version of Thomas each week.

“I’d say experience helps,” Daboll said. “You’re going to go through some growing pains. I’m certain that he did. We all do. I think that his mindset is that he’s a very consistent, dependable person. And that kind of translates to the field.”

By Tom Rock

tom.rock@newsday.com@TomRock_Newsday

Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.