The New York Giants augmented the inside of their offensive line this week in free company with the signing of guard Jon Runyon Jr., a former starter for the Inexperienced Bay Packers by means of Michigan.
A lot of the questions tossed at Runyon had been about his well-known father, Jon Sr., a ruling offensive sort out who performed 14 years within the NFL and was a standard foil for Giants’ Corridor of Fame defensive finish Michael Strahan.
That’s an important story, and we’ll get to that, however first — what can Runyan the youthful do for this Giants’ miss-mosh of an offensive line? Will he play proper or left guard?
“I’ve type of break up either side left and proper my complete profession,” Runyan advised reporters at his introductory press convention this week.
“If I had been to decide on, I in all probability would say left, however I really feel snug on either side of the ball. It doesn’t actually matter. My complete profession I’ve simply all the time wished to get on the sector and keep on the sector and play soccer, and that’s what I’m right here to do.”
That can all be straightened out in coaching camp this summer time. The best way issues have been going for this unit the previous few years, it will be sensible for Runyan to arrange to play a number of roles alongside the road.
Nevertheless it was the Strahan angle reporters wished to learn about. Runyan Sr. battled Strahan for a few years as a member of the Eagles from 2000-2007 and their matchups grew to become must-watch TV.
Runyan Jr. is aware of the importance of the rivalry and is now ready to expertise it from the opposite aspect.
“My dad performed for the Eagles for 9 years. I grew up in South Jersey. I type of perceive the entire NFC East rivalry between all these groups right here. It’s some robust, gritty soccer,” he mentioned. “Watching my dad and Michael go at it twice a 12 months was all the time enjoyable rising up, watching it go down on Monday evening or Sunday Night time Soccer. I’m simply pleased to be a part of it. It’s a particular a part of my childhood, and excited to go ahead and implement my very own story.”
Runyan Jr. mentioned he hasn’t spoken to Strahan straight but however mentioned his dad in all probability has. He mentioned they converse usually in retirement.
“My dad and Michael, despite the fact that on the sector they had been bitter rivals, after the sport I bear in mind for years and years yearly Michael would all the time be ready exterior the workforce bus. He and my dad would all the time chat it up after the video games. I’d be standing proper there. Clearly, on the time I used to be an enormous Eagles fan. At all times an enormous fan of Michael, despite the fact that he and my dad had such exhausting and bodily battles all through the years. Nevertheless it’s actually superior. It sort of feels prefer it’s coming full circle,” he mentioned.
“I bear in mind Michael being beneficiant sufficient to ask me and my household to his Corridor of Fame induction in Canton. That was actually particular, too. I do know Michael is laughing and seems like he has a leg up on my dad that he was in a position to pull me right here to the Giants. It’s a extremely superior second, and I’m certain Michael is giving my dad plenty of stuff for that. I’m so fired as much as be right here and be a Large and be over right here in New York.”
The Giants are getting a category act in Runyan Jr. He’s dependable and gifted and may carry some much-needed stability to the Giants’ offense.
“I haven’t missed a recreation in my skilled profession. That’s one thing I take plenty of delight in,” he mentioned. “My versatility, dependability, that’s what I’m excited to return right here and convey to New York.”
