Giants center John Michael Schmitz is determined to improve his performance as he begins his third season as a starter, emphasizing important technical adjustments. Schmitz shared with the New York Post that reviewing game footage has revealed specific areas where he can sharpen his skills, particularly in pass protection and run blocking.
He highlighted challenges such as maintaining proper extension and positioning during long pass protection plays and avoiding overaggressive moves that can put him out of position. In the run game, Schmitz aims to keep his hands tight and maintain strong leverage by running off the ball. He expressed confidence that while he has made progress, there is still substantial room for growth, especially in focusing on details even when fatigued.
“I watched back the game film and saw a couple areas I need to work on,”
Schmitz said.
“It was just playing long in pass pro, playing with extension. Getting square in my sets rather than being overaggressive sometimes and putting myself in bad position. In the run game, keeping my hands tight and running off the ball. I know I can be better. I feel like there is a lot left on the table for me as a player. I took strides last season to where I want to be. It’s just honing in on the little details even when you are tired, and making sure you are locked in mentally. When you get to the pros, you can be as strong as you want, you can be as smart as you want, but it all comes down to your technique.”
Giants Head Coach Praises Schmitz’s Growth and Consistency
Giants head coach Brian Daboll expressed confidence in Schmitz’s continued development and valuable contributions to the offensive line. Daboll highlighted the complexity of the center position and the importance of experience in mastering the responsibilities that come with it.
Daboll noted that Schmitz’s health and the consistent repetitions he is getting in practice, especially against top-tier defensive competition such as Dexter Lawrence, are key factors in his steady improvement. He described how Schmitz has grown since joining the team and suggested that his foundational development is solid.
“I’m confident in JMS,”
Daboll said.
“He has grown since we’ve been here. He does a good job of setting the table. There’s a lot of things on a center’s plate, and steadily he’s improved. I think he’s in a good spot…His big thing right now is he’s healthy and he’s getting a lot of reps, and he’s been in the system for three years now. You can’t really [overstate] enough how valuable it is for him to be getting these reps against one of the best nose tackles [Dexter Lawrence] in the NFL in a long time.”
Supporting Players Across the League Show Promise in Preseason Action
While Schmitz works on his development, other NFL teams are also observing key performances during the preseason that could shape their rosters. For instance, the Dallas Cowboys have been closely monitoring the progress of recently acquired quarterback Joe Milton. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed enthusiasm about Milton’s contributions following his performance in the team’s early games.
“I really have to pinch myself that we got him after the last game that he had up there, starting there for New England,”
Jones remarked.
“I’m just excited that we had a chance to get him. And he hasn’t disappointed. He’s actually — we’re just more and more encouraged by what we’re seeing.”
Meanwhile, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged the ongoing evaluation process surrounding Milton‘s role as a backup quarterback, emphasizing the need for patience before making final roster decisions. Schottenheimer praised Milton’s second-half performance, noting his ability to stay calm and execute effectively.
“We don’t have to decide that today. … I need to get to learn him as the play-caller. … I’m not going to say who the backup running back is right now, who the backup quarterback is right now, because I don’t have to make those decisions yet.”
“Our plan all along has been that we need to find out about Joe Milton. Under no circumstance am I panicked or worried about Joe Milton. Joe Milton played really well in the second half. He did some really good things. He calmed down. He figured it out.”
Injuries also affected the Cowboys, with tight end Jake Ferguson sustaining a back contusion and running back Jaydon Blue dealing with an ankle bruise, while offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley is recovering from a high ankle sprain.
Eagles Defensive Strategy Focuses on Growth Through Challenging Preseason Matchups
The Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, has taken a strategic approach to player development during the preseason, particularly for cornerbacks Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson. Fangio praised the intense learning experience these players faced against the Cincinnati Bengals’ high-powered offense, recognizing the value of competing against elite receivers and quarterbacks.
“Obviously, they had some tough assignments in that game going against that quarterback and those receivers,”
Fangio commented.
“But I think it’s a great learning experience for both of them and hopefully they’ll both come back. Obviously, Kelee had more balls thrown his way than Adoree’ did, but I think it’s great that happened and we’ll see how much they can grow from that.”
Fangio also discussed the use of a zero blitz in the preseason to place players like Ringo in high-pressure situations as a method for evaluation, even though such tactics would be rare in realistic game settings. He stressed the importance of exposing players to challenging circumstances in order to prepare them mentally and physically for the regular season.
“Yeah, there are a lot of times in the preseason where you’re calling stuff for the purpose of evaluation, whereas during the season in a real game, you’re calling stuff to stop anything that you can to help your guys,”
Fangio explained.
“But during the preseason, a lot of times you’re calling stuff to get a good evaluation of everybody. [I like] to put them in stressful situations, which are going to happen during the season and games. We played Cincinnati last year, and there was no cover zero because of Chase and their receivers and their quarterback, but it’s a good evaluation.”
The Eagles have also added cornerback Jakorian Bennett to increase competition among the secondary, with Fangio stressing that everyone must earn their role through performance in the upcoming weeks.
“We’re going to find out here soon,”
Fangio said.
“Just throw him into the action and see what he’s got.”
“Possibly. I mean, everybody’s got the right to compete out here. I think we need to get his feet under him and get our eyes on him and see what happens over the next few weeks.”
Fangio additionally emphasized the need for depth behind the starting edge players, noting the encouraging progress of players like Uche and Ojulari, who continue to adapt to the defensive schemes in both run and pass situations.
“Yeah, we need some guys to surface behind the first couple and I think some of them are making good strides,”
Fangio added.
I think Uche is getting better. He’s just got to keep learning how we want to do all the little details both against the run and the pass. Ojulari, same. Then the other guys we’re looking for somebody to surface to say, hey, maybe we need to keep this guy.”
Giants’ Front Office Encouraged by Preseason Performances of Young Players
The Giants‘ general manager Joe Schoen shared his positive impressions following the preseason debuts of first-round outside linebacker Abdul Carter and quarterback Jaxson Dart. Schoen noted Carter’s ability to pressure opposing offenses and praised Dart’s command of the offense, particularly during the two-minute drill, signaling confidence in their ongoing development.
“I thought both of those guys did a good job. I saw Abdul. He looks like he got a couple pressures. … And then Jaxson did a good job operating the offense, and I was glad he was able to get the two-minute drill in there in the end. I’m happy with where both of those guys are.”
John Michael Schmitz Development to Play a Vital Role in Giants’ Success
John Michael Schmitz’s focus on refining his technique and building on steady progress is a crucial aspect of the Giants’ preparations for the upcoming season. His growth, as acknowledged by coach Brian Daboll, provides the offense with stability at the center position, one of the most demanding roles on the line. Schmitz’s continued improvement, combined with strong competition throughout the league, signals a highly competitive environment this year.
The lesson taken from other teams, such as the Cowboys and Eagles, is that the preseason serves as a testing ground for players to develop under pressure and adapt to the demands of the NFL. As Schmitz and others enhance their skills, these efforts are likely to positively impact their teams’ performances and depth during the regular season. The Giants and their fans will be watching closely to see how these technical improvements translate on the field.