Matt Lentz is on the verge of his first National Football League training camp.
Lentz, 23, a Brandon High School and University of Michigan graduate, will report to the New York Giants? training camp in Albany, N.Y. Thursday, July 27. A two-time All-Big Ten selection as an offensive guard at Michigan, he signed with the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent in April.
After signing with the Giants, he attended the team’s rookie minicamp in May and their mandatory minicamp in June. In addition, Lentz attended a rookie orientation session after the rookie minicamp, which he said dealt with life skills, managing money and dealing with the NFL lifestyle.
Lentz said the Giants? coaching staff had good things to say about his work ethic, while noting he needs to work on his footwork and balance.
He said he appreciates the direct approach of Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty. ‘I like him as a coach,? he said. ‘He tells you how it is up front. He lets you know what he thinks.?
Lentz also said Giants? head coach Tom Coughlin is a ‘hard-nosed, disciplined guy.?
During the June minicamp, Lentz said he has seen practice time with the second team offensive unit, working at both guard and center. The Giants? Web site (www.giants.com) currently lists David Diehl (a fourth-year player out of Illinois) as their starting left guard, Chris Snee (third year, Boston College) as their starting right guard, and Shaun O’Hara (seventh year, Rutgers) as their starting center.
He said the Giants? offensive linemen have all been good to work with, and also said fellow U-M alumni Jay Feely (the Giants? placekicker) and Amani Toomer (one of the team’s starting wide receivers) have been supportive as well. Ironically, the Giants? other starting wide reciever is Plaxico Burress, an alumnus of U-M archrival Michigan State,, but Lentz said Burress has also been cooperative.
‘Pretty much, the offensive linemen are there to help,? he said.
The Giants are scheduled to open their preseason schedule Friday, Aug. 11 when their travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens. Their other scheduled preseason games are Thursday, Aug. 17, when they host the Kansas City Chiefs; Friday, Aug. 25, when they play the rival New York Jets (both teams play their home games at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.; the Jets are listed as the home team); and Thursday, Aug. 31, when they host the New England Patriots.