New York Giants RT Marshall Newhouse Gets Top Grade; Is His Job Secure?

New York Giants RT Marshall Newhouse got the top grade for his position by Pro Football Focus. After an impressive Week 1 performance, does he have job security? Jerry Reese signed Will Beatty just two weeks ago to compete with Newhouse.

New York Giants right tackle Marshall Newhouse was the target of much scrutiny during the offseason, but during the Week 1 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, he more than held his own.

Pro Football Focus not only had the Giants offensive line as the top-rated unit on the team, they had Newhouse with the highest grade at his position in the NFL for the week at 83.6. Here’s PFF’s writeup:

Maybe the most unlikely name to make the team of the week, it seems that all the Giants needed for Newhouse to dominate at RT was to face the Dallas pass-rush. Newhouse gave up just one hurry and run blocked well.

Aug 20, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse (73) against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Bills beat the Giants 21 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Newhouse, and fellow whipping boy John Jerry, both had an exceptional week against the Dallas defensive line. PFF showed Justin Pugh some love as the top-rated guard, as well.

Granted, the Giants were facing a Cowboys front seven that’s missing three starters, DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and Rolando McClain, all to suspension. Even with those three players, Dallas doesn’t have the most potent pass rush.

It’s easy to overreact after one week of good offensive line play, but the situation was quite different just a few weeks ago. Giants fans were calling for Bobby Hart, or any tackle off the street, to replace Newhouse on the offensive line.

Beatty vs. Newhouse

In fact, Jerry Reese went out and signed a familiar face to compete for the starting job. Will Beatty was signed on August 31, but was inactive for Week 1. Beatty was a second-round pick in 2009 and spent his entire career with the Giants before being released after last season.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan called the Beatty reunion a “sign of desperation.” After Reese watched that unit in the preseason, he “realized they needed help badly.” Beatty hasn’t played right tackle since his rookie season and he still needs to prove he’s healthy, but the situation was bad enough that Reese felt the Giants needed him.

So after Newhouse’s Week 1, does he actually have job security? Or should he be looking over his shoulder waiting for Beatty to take his starting job?