Justin Pugh on confidence in Evan Neal, Giants needing another closer, NFL Combine tales, '24 plans

Veteran NFL guard Justin Pugh returns for Ep. 90 of Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard, the New York Daily News’ NFL columnist and Giants beat writer. Pugh, an 11-year NFL veteran of the Giants and Arizona Cardinals, plans to continue playing in 2024. But will he re-sign in New York? The host of the ‪@NetWorthShow‬ with Justin Pugh podcast – who was accepted recently into the ‪@NFL‬'s Broadcast Boot Camp – sits down to talk about the business of football, how teams should scout and redshirt offensive linemen, where Evan Neal might work in Year 3, the Giants’ top areas of need, the importance of social media and leverage in contract negotiations, his NFL Combine memories, his career plans and more on the ‪@Bleav‬ Network. Topics include: :40 On fatherhood 1:30 On ‪@LoveSacHQ‬ and ‪@BetOnlineag_ag‬  3:30 On NFL broadcast boot camp and the Athlete Podcast Network 5:45 On protecting NFL player salary privacy and educating the public 12:05 On hilarious and unforgettable 2013 NFL Combine memories about the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Giants 15:45 On how Pugh would advise NFL teams to scout, develop and redshirt college and rookie offensive linemen, especially in big markets 19:50 On not being surprised if the Giants work Evan Neal at both right tackle and left guard, and Neal having a good chance to bounce back 21:30 On how the pressure to win now sometimes impacts GMs’ and coaches’ abilities to execute the best plan for players 24:45 On harnessing social media as a tool and using leverage to a player’s advantage, as Pugh did during contract negotiations with Giants GM Joe Schoen 28:00 On choosing the Giants over several other teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, and earning respect after being ‘thrown to the wolves’ into an unfamiliar offense 29:00 On advising players and NFL head coaches to ‘fully embrace’ the media in New York 31:00 On Pugh being healthy this offseason and planning to play in 2024 31:30 On whether Pugh thinks he will be back with the Giants 33:20 On some of Pugh’s other potential free agent options 34:30 On Pugh’s Super Bowl picks 36:00 On Pugh’s 3-Step Plan to get the Giants back on track, including commentary on Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and the importance of adding a ‘closer’ to a defensive line that already includes Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux. SUBSCRIBE to the @PLonNFL YouTube page to get the latest Giants updates and news delivered directly to you, and to participate in regular LIVE Q&A chats with Pat. Purchase a Super Chat or Super Sticker to have your comments elevated to the top of the feed and have Pat answer your question FIRST! Listen to the audio of this podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts. Find Pat also on Twitter (@PLeonardNYDN), Instagram (@PLonNFL) & TikTok (@PLonNFL). ‪@Bleav‬ ‪@BetOnlineag_ag‬ ‪@drinkestate98‬ #nfl #giants #nyg #nygiants #football #sports #justinpugh #danieljones #saquonbarkley