Former Dawg Andrew Thomas is a talented leader for the Giants

Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn is blocked by New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn is blocked by New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andrew Thomas and his New York Giants are in London this week for a cross-divisional match-up against the Green Bay Packers. It’s an early morning kickoff for the Americans tuning in for the game, but it should be a good one.

The Giants are optimistic about a good result in London, a city that has been kind to previous Giants visiting teams. New York has gone 2-0 in London, with wins over Miami in 2007 and the Rams in 2016. This optimism is built on a 3-1 start to the season and also a highly-rated offensive line.

At the heart of that success is a name well-known to Georgia football fans, Andrew Thomas. Georgia fans were well used to Thomas dominating against rival defenses to the point that he was easily a first-round draft pick for the Giants.

Thomas has continued this dominance into his NFL career, albeit after a slow rookie year. This year after three games, he was the highest-rated offensive lineman per PFF. It is Thomas’ performance alongside his offensive line colleagues who have helped the Giants have the best rushing performance through four games, averaging over 192 yards per game.

Former Georgia football offensive lineman Andrew Thomas is a dependable teammate for the Giants.

This impressive, consistent output has led to the resurgence of star running back Saquon Barkley, which is long overdue after working through a few injuries at the start of his Giants career.

Speaking in London ahead of the game against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, Barkley acknowledged the positive impact that “Drew” Thomas had on his performance this year,

"“Credit to the offensive line, they have been tremendous,” Barkley said. “(Against Green Bay) we’ve got to continue what we’ve been doing — adapt and adjust, trust in guys like Drew and the others on the O-line”."

The one dark spot on the Giants’ schedule so far was the ugly loss to Dallas, a game in which the offensive line an,d in particular ex-Alabama tackle Evan Neal came under some heavy criticism. Thomas, now a team captain, had some gentle words of advice for Neal. Words that should sound familiar — it’s all about the process, not the result. This advice paid off, with the Giants returning to winning ways against the Chicago Bears.

The Giants’  offensive line will have its hands full against the Packers at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium on Sunday. Thomas will have a particularly difficult assignment facing off against another young defensive star, Rashan Gary. He will also have to take on former Dawgs Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker, two of the newest Georgia football NFL rookies.

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Given that Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is likely to return from injury for this game, keeping his quarterback upright and out of the medical tent will be uppermost in Thomas’ mind. Winning the contest against Gary is going to be one of the key points to getting the Giants a victory. We will all be rooting for Drew Thomas to bring home the win.