Right guard Kevin Zeitler is entering his ninth season in the NFL, but this offseason has been unlike anything he has ever experienced.
Zeitler, who was acquired in a March 2019 trade with the Cleveland Browns, and the rest of the Giants have been forced to install the new coaching staff's playbook virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of hitting the fields at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center for OTAs, the team has relied on video conference calls to learn under first-year head coach Joe Judge.
Despite the strange and unfortunate circumstances, Zeitler believes the Giants were able to get a lot accomplished.
"It's definitely different from the norm, but we were able to take advantage of it," Zeitler told the Giants Huddle podcast. "We got good work in, our coaches did an excellent job setting everything up where this wasn't just a waste of time. It was great work and we're definitely a lot further along than when we started."
Most players did not get the opportunity to meet the staff prior to the facility being closed in mid-March. However, the team has been participating in video conferences with them four times a week throughout the offseason program, giving players a good sense of their coaches' personalities and expectations for the season.
Zeitler has gotten to know Judge well over the last few months. Although the veteran can't wait to greet Judge in person at training camp, he has already bought in to his Judge's vision for the team.
"He knows where he's trying to take this team," Zeitler said. "He's going to make sure he emphasizes that. That's great. That's what you want in a head coach. I can't wait to experience it all in person."
The 30-year-old lineman has also been impressed with new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Garrett joined the Giants after spending 13 years with the Cowboys, 10 of which he served as their head coach. During his time in Dallas, the Cowboys' offense finished in the NFL's Top 10 in yardage eight times and in the top half all but twice. Dallas also was among the top seven teams in scoring seven times. And over the past four seasons, the Cowboys' rushing total ranked second, second, 10th and fifth.
"I like him [Garrett] a lot. He seems like a great guy," Zeitler said. "He puts [in] great energy. When the offense is together, he has a great focus in getting us to the point of what the meeting is. Great first impressions."
A big reason for Dallas' recent success has been the performance of its offensive line. Last season, the Cowboys and line coach Marc Colombo – who joined the Giants in January - sent center Travis Fredrick, left tackle Tyron Smith and right guard Zack Martin to the Pro Bowl.
Colombo had a 10-year NFL career as an offensive lineman. Garrett hired him as assistant offensive line coach with the Cowboys in 2016, and Colombo was promoted to offensive line coach midway through the 2018 season.
Despite not being able to physically work with his new linemen, Colombo has the unit ready to roll.
"He's been great. He's obviously worked with a lot of good O-linemen, O-line coaches in his career," Zeitler said. "I like his energy. He's passionate. I think we're ready to get to work … He knows there is no time to waste. He's going to keep the energy up and he's going to get us going."
View photos of Giants veteran guard Kevin Zeitler.
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler blocks against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday Dec.1 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) lines up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Chicago. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) reacts during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday Dec.1 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks a defender in an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) gets set before a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) talks with New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers (21) during an NFL football preseason game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, August 28, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) pass blocks during a NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday November 24, 2019 in Chicago (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks a defender in an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday December 1st, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) pass blocks during a NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) gets set at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler blocks against the New England Patriots during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
G Kevin Zeitler (Perry Knotts via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) runs onto the field during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday September 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday September 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) shakes hands with offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday September 8, 2019 in Arlington,Texas. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler (70) lines up during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) blocks during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
G Kevin Zeitler (70) at New York Giants preseason game vs New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. (Jack Tumen / New York Football Giants)
New York Giants G Kevin Zeitler (70) during a Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Jack Tumen / New York Football Giants)
New York Giants G Kevin Zeitler (70), G Will Hernandez (71), C Jon Halapio (75) and LT Nate Solder (76) during a Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Jack Tumen / New York Football Giants)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during a preseason Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus / New York Football Giants)
New York Giants guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during a preseason Week 1 game against the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus / New York Football Giants)
New York Giants G Kevin Zeitler (70) and OL Nick Gates (65) during a regular season Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Jack Tumen / New York Football Giants)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) is shown before a NFL football game Thursday August 8, 2019 against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. (Scott Boehm via AP)
And that's just another reason Zeitler is optimistic heading into summer training camp.
"I think it's a challenge, but I think we have the type of guys and coaches on this team that we're just going to embrace it," he said. "We're not going to worry about what we've missed. We're just going to move forward and figure it out …
"I think our biggest focus is we just need to make sure everyone knows what we're doing. We know because we haven't been able to work out on the field, training camp is going to come at us quickly. The focus is everyone needs to know what to do, because we're not going to have a lot of time. We want to try to stay ahead of the game and take advantage of when we can out on the field."
Zeitler believes his unit can achieve those early objectives in part because he and the other returning starters have a familiarity with one another. In addition to Zeitler at right guard, left tackle Nate Solder and left guard Will Hernandez were in the first unit last season. Center Spencer Pulley and the versatile Nick Gates have also seen time in the starting lineup over the past two years.
"Anytime O-linemen get to work more together, having guys return, that's big," Zeitler said. "We know each other's personalities, we know the things we do well. Even though the offense and the system is changing, we'll be able to figure it out real quick."
There are also some new faces competing on the depth chart. Veteran tackle Cameron Fleming was signed after playing the last two seasons in Dallas, while three of the team's first five draft picks were spent on what general manager Dave Gettleman loves to refer to as "hog mollies."
The Giants selected Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick. Thomas is coming off a junior campaign in which he was a unanimous All-American and received the Southeastern Conference's Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the league's top offensive lineman.
"Overall impressions, he's smart," Zeitler said of Thomas. "I know he's working hard off the field, but he's also been getting the stuff in the meetings. That's a good start. That's really all you can do. You can come in physically and mentally prepared, and that's the best start you can have."
Zeitler also said he's gotten a good feeling about third-round tackle Matt Peart (Connecticut), whom he referred to as "big, real big" and admires the rookie's attention to detail, as well as fifth-round guard Shane Lemieux (Oregon), a two-time second-team All-Pac-12 selection who always brings a ton of energy to the table.
"Energy will take you very far in this league," the veteran said of Lemieux. "On top of that, I know he's working hard and he wants to be good, too, just like all of them. That's a great start again."
For a young team that has already put the struggles of last year behind them, the opening of the 2020 season cannot come soon enough.
"Overall, everyone is excited," Zeitler explained. "We're ready to put last year completely behind us. I think we already have. We can't waste our time about that. It's all about building up with this new staff, this new experience, and we're excited to get it going."
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