Marshall Newhouse

Giants offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse was used as an extra blocker against the Eagles. (William Perlman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Giants coach Ben McAdoo decided that size matters after watching the Giants' offensive line struggle to run-block for the first seven games.

McAdoo inserted offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse as an extra blocker in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Eagles. With the 6-foot-4, 328-pounder lining up alongside tackles Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart, the Giants had five carries for 22 yards and two passes for 31 yards and a touchdown in Newhouse's seven snaps.

"There's a lot of stuff we can do out of it," Newhouse said. "It's just to bring an extra physical presence on the field. But there's different ways our coaches can scheme it up. They're smart. We'll see where they go from here, but it was fun while we did it this game."

Newhouse was the Giants' starting right tackle for the first two games of the season before suffering a calf injury. He missed the next five games before returning as an extra blocker on Sunday.

Newhouse was used as an extra blocker in jumbo packages earlier in his career in Green Bay and Cincinnati.

"It's a blast," Newhouse said. "I don't think there's a lineman in the league who wouldn't love doing that stuff. It's fun going into the huddle and looking at five other linemen. They see me like, 'OK, it's that time.' It was fun and we'll see where it goes from here."

Using Newhouse as an extra blocker was one of many wrinkles McAdoo instituted after the Giants' bye week.

"You've got to be able to adapt in the league and we'll continue to do that," Newhouse said. "We'll stick to what we're really good at, but you've got to be able to adapt. As these games get further along and we start playing division teams twice, you've got to be able to throw some different stuff at them. It was new, but everybody was like, 'Oh, OK. This is what's going to be.' "

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.