John Jerry

John Jerry had a much different offseason than anything he's experienced in the past.

(John Munson | NJ Advance Media)

EAST RUTHERFORD - Entering his seventh professional season and on the verge of turning 30 later this month, Giants offensive lineman John Jerry thinks he's finally found the magic antidote. He's convinced what he did this offseason is about to take his game to an unforeseen level.

Jerry spent eight weeks training earlier this year in Arizona (along with Giants center Weston Richburg) at LeCharles Bentley's O-Line Performance. It was there Jerry experienced what he called a "career-changing" experience fixing flaws and improving his game.

"Best decision I ever made since I've been playing in the NFL," Jerry said. "I spent two months not just working out. I spent two months getting in a three-point stance and doing drills and doing technique things. That is something you rarely do in the offseason anywhere else that I've worked out.

"The past couple years it's mostly lifting and conditioning, not getting in stances and working on pass sets and run blocking and not giving away things whether you're on the front or back side of plays."

The hope is that working on these nuances and intricacies improves Jerry's performance. The Giants could use it. They currently have Jerry penciled in as their starting right guard.

It's not that Jerry needs a massive jump in his seventh season to be a capable starter. He's already proven he can start at the NFL level, with 69 starts (including eight last year) with the Giants and Dolphins.

Jerry allowed no sacks, two quarterback hits and 12 hurries in 413 pass protection snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. But he also recorded a -16.2 run block grade and there was admittedly room for all-around improvement. That's what he tried to achieve this offseason, with the help of Bentley and his team.

The way Bentley conducts business is somewhat unique. His facility doesn't allow just anyone to train at their Scottsdale, Arizona facility. They vet prospective clients. Richburg had to vouch for Jerry before a fact-finding phone conversation to make sure he was serious about improving his craft at this point of his career.

"Weston was VERY adamant about the type of person that John Jerry was," Bentley told NJ Advance Media in a telephone interview. "I reached out to him, it was a good connection and it all made sense. He came out and really bought into what we do. It has been working so far."

Bentley demanded at least a six-week commitment. Jerry, who brought his wife and young son to Arizona, was there for eight weeks. He'll return next month for another pre-training camp block that includes six days of work each week.

As he does with all his clients, Bentley started with a complete assessment of Jerry's play. Bentley provided harsh criticism, and they went about ways to fix the flaws that were discovered.

Even at this stage of the process, Bentley already sees a "pretty dramatic difference." Jerry has made significant progress and changes.

"It was a little of everything. Finding out ways to get out of my stance quicker. Finding ways to get my second step into the ground quicker. Hand placement whether in the run game or the pass game," Jerry said. "Just a lot of little things about football."

It's only the spring but Jerry feels like a different player. It won't be until the summer when the Giants actually put on pads and start hitting until anyone really knows whether there will be a discernible difference this season.

But if Jerry can take his game to the next level, it would ease some of the concerns about the right side of the Giants offensive line. The Giants tried to upgrade right tackle and guard at different points this offseason, but were (as of late spring) unsuccessful in their attempts.

It wouldn't be the norm to see an offensive lineman all of a sudden thrive this late in his career, but it's not out of the question considering the circumstances.

"John Jerry has tremendous ability inside of him," Bentley said. "That is what kept him in the league so long. But it's always just the little dots that, when they connect, sometimes a player says, 'Ah, that's what it is. That's what it is I'm trying to accomplish.' Then you've got something."



After seeing the work Jerry has put in and the immediate results, Bentley expects big things. The Giants coaches and players have also been impressed with what they've seen, showing public support of the embattled guard any opportunity possible.

It's not as if Bentley was working with a completely blank canvas. Jerry may have simply been a portrait in need of some final touchups.

"You're already talking about somebody who has started 60+ games in the NFL. So we know he can play. And we know he can play at a high enough level to be an NFL starter," Bentley said. "With that being said, there has always been more left on the table.



"This year I believe will be a bit unique because I believe you will begin to see the true potential he's always had throughout his career."

And the Giants will be a better team and offensive line because of it.

TALK IS CHEAP, Ep. 55: Giants OTAs, Snapchat and hair gel

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Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.