New York Giants veteran center Jon Halapio staying positive and optimistic through his battle to earn the starting job.
One of the bigger practice battles for the New York Giants leading up to the regular season will be at the center position. Last year, Big Blue had Jon Halapio as their starting center before lower leg injuries ended his season after Week 2. Spencer Pulley then played 13 games at center, starting in nine.
Although it makes camp that much more stressful for either one, Halapio is staying positive and getting to work in the midst of the competition.
“It’s my job to lose, for sure,” Halapio said, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I’m out there to improve my craft, first and foremost, and try to get all five of us on the right page.”
Halapio and Pulley were both re-signed this offseason, opening the doors for competition at that position. The Giants gave Halapio a one-year, $645,000 deal. They then gave Pulley a three-year, $8.025 million deal. Despite Pulley getting a lot more money, Halapio is staying motivated as the preseason games approach.
“He signed after me; I didn’t for sure know where I stood,” Halapio said. “You just look at the numbers. He’s getting paid more and I’m not. He’s younger and I’m older. He’s made starts and I don’t have that many. For sure, those things started to play in my head, but I just kept my head down and kept working.”
An additional offensive line battle will include Chad Wheeler and Mike Remmers for the right tackle position. It seems Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, and Kevin Zeitler have the left tackle, left guard, and right guard spots, respectively, on lock.
The Giants play their first preseason game this Thursday against the New York Jets.
