New blood transfusion on Giants' O-line

When the Giants released longtime offensive line stalwarts Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert last week, it was a clear indication that the team intended to get younger along the front five.

Enter David Baas, the 29-year-old center signed to replace O'Hara at center after spending the first six seasons of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. With the NFL labor agreement precluding newly signed free agents from practicing until Thursday night, it will take time for Baas to get acclimated to a new system.

"You want to be out there with your teammates and like I said, get that jell, get that timing and cadence and all of those different things," Baas said. "You want to be able to do that, but you understand they have to finish what they have to do to get us out there.

"You hate watching from the sideline."

As for what Baas needs to do in order to be ready for the Sept. 11 opener against the Redskins?

"Just kind of get my head into the books and transfer over what I know from former playbooks. Get the calls down, all that stuff."

His learning curve will have to be short, as he is expected to pick up where O'Hara left off.

"We're going to put him right in, and there is going to be some things that aren't going to be as smooth as you want," Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty said. "But he is going to be the guy. He's going to be in there, snapping the ball, making calls."

Baas will be placed in the middle of a new-look offensive line. Will Beatty is expected to start at left tackle with David Diehl moving from left tackle to left guard.

Tackle Stacy Andrews, older brother of former Giant Shawn Andrews, was also brought in to add some depth. The Giants released Shawn Andrews last week, but he encouraged his older brother to join his former team.

"He spoke highly of them from what he got out here, day one," Andrews said. "When he found out I had the opportunity to come here, he was very excited."

In seven NFL seasons with the Bengals, Eagles and Seahawks, Andrews has started 46 games and can play tackle or guard on either side of the line. Listed at 340 pounds, Andrew says he showed up to camp at 318, his lightest weight since his freshman season at Ole Miss.

"I just basically hit it hard this offseason and feel like I'm in tiptop shape," Andrews said.

Andrews played in a summer basketball league to shed excess poundage, and Flaherty could not be more impressed with the results.

"The more years you play and the leaner you are, you know you are taking care of your body," Flaherty said. "And that's what impressed me about him."

For the past four seasons, Kevin Boothe has been the offensive line's "utility man," filling in whenever a hole needed plugging. Last season, he started five games at left guard after Seubert took over at center for an injured O'Hara.

"You always prepare to play, and wherever the Giants need me, whether it's guard, center or tackle, it doesn't matter," Boothe said. "The goal is to do whatever is needed."