though it took Cruz less times to get his head out of his ass. Cruz also had Stokley brought in to push him to sharpen up. Gilbride was quoted as saying "Cruz giveth and taketh." I'm optimistic Reuben cuts down on the miscues in the 2nd half of this season.
is a problem if TC stays. Randle is in his second year, and he and Eli are still not on the same page. Even if the Giants use a high pick on a WR, Cruz may be the only WR on the team next year who has a full grasp of the offense.
problems right now. This guy is a player its obvious. He's still wet behind the ears. Eli can make sure the kid knows where to be. Any team in the league would take Randle if he were being dealt. The Giants have much BIGGER fish to fry
I'm not sure Nicks is always on the same page either
there is still plenty of time for Randle to show growth before we have to be worried about what happens to Nicks. There is a lot of football left to be played here. And you learn best by doing.
Really kinda of what I was talking about yesterday (see link)
Randle is not the only WR making mistakes out there, but there is little doubt he is boom or bust right now. The fact he has been the intended target on 6 of Eli's pick (2 the other night) is the clearest proof that:
1. This offense is hard to learn, especially for a young WR
2. Even the slightest error in route running results in a negative play
3. A big error (running the wrong route) is often a disaster.
Despite his ups and downs, I am high on Randle. I think by the end of the year will have noticeably cut down on the mistakes. Even so, I still believe the Giants need to retain Nicks for at least 1 more year. Not because I think Nicks is so critical (I think he has underperformed), but because it will take a new WR 1-2 years to learn the system and get in synch with Eli. Keep Nicks, Cruz, and Randle together for another year, draft a WR in the top 3 rounds and groom him to take Nick's spot if that is what must be done. Passing Game is Falling VIctim to the Blitz - ( New Window )
It's not as simple as Randle and Eli having meetings together, the type of synchronizing we are talking about here takes time and game day experience together. There isn't much that can be done about it. Eli and Reuben literally have to see the same thing pre-snap and post snap. Nothing but time and repetition makes that happen. Reuben has the ability to be a very very good WR for the Giants, we need to be patient. These are growing pains.
Also, we need to stop thinking of Reuben as the potential replacement for Nicks because it's not that simple. Sure, by next year I expect that Randle can step in for Nicks should Nicks depart via FA. The question is, who steps in for Randle?? That man is not on this roster. Last year Hixon could fill in until Randle was ready. It's certainly not Jernigan or Murphy, so the Giants will have to go find a 3rd WR again. If Nicks walks, and you want 3 WRs for Eli next year (and you do!) you have to hope Hixon or Manningham are available in FA for a reasonable price (they might be...) because 99% of rookies are not coming into this system and playing any meaningful minutes before late November.
if they repeatedly allow these communications problems to continue at the expense of turnovers and an 0-6 record. You would think the coaching would eventually decide to simplify matters to actually win some games instead exacerbating the problem and taking losses and the usual multi-year excuse of "communication" problems.
how if there is miscommunication between Eli and the receivers, the receiver the one who read it wrong. I guess when Eli throws the ball too high, the receiver didn't get deep enough on his pattern.
I realize ur being snarky, but that seems to be exactly the case. My bet 9 out of 10, is on the longtime vet, 2 time superbowl MVP, bookworm QB from a QB family over the 2nd yr WR or new to the system TE.
Very rarely read the coverage incorrectly. It may be hard for some to understand or believe, but it is likely Myers didn't run his route deep enough. Even so, the ball was a little high...but every receiver knows the cardinal rule. If you get your hands on it, you should catch it.
On the pick 6, a QB will never (at least rarely ever) throw the ball deep down the sideline against COVER 3. Not a wise move as the CB has responsible for the deep 3rd. You can say what you want about the CB jumping the route once he saw the pass, but every analyst since Thursday night has identified the coverage as COVER 3, indicating Eli went to the right spot and Randle didn't.
On the first pick, the blitz came from Eli's right. The WR to the right (top of the screen) did not adjust to the hot route. Eli is forced to go backside to Randle, who did not adjust his route to account for the blitz either. Eli throws to where Randle should be, not where Randle is. You can say Eli never should have thrown it, should have thrown it away or taken the sack, but the fact remains two of his WRs did not adjust their routes properly.
Also, the QB is the field general and what he reads is what the offense runs. Besides what's is more likely, the 9 year veteran, 2 time Superbowl MVP reading the coverage wrong (not saying that he doesn't at times) or the the 2nd year WR playing in one of the most complex passing schemes in the league?
I'm with you on Tally, but I see him as more of a slot guy (Z and Y type). Nicks and Randle are X (Flankers) WRs, and in my opinion they are the only two pure X WRs on the roster.
Phil Simms made a comment the other day on WFAN that it's up to the
coaches to make some changes. I'll paraphrase what he said. He said that every team has in it's play book plays that are explicit on the exact spot where WR's are to be on a given play.He said they need to help Eli out by calling more of these plays to get him going and to help his confidence.
I did not hear the Simms comment, but I think he is 100% correct. Giants coaches need to adopt that approach, particularly early in the game. Also, would be nice to see this team effectively execute a screen pass for once.
Maybe they should just do what they did last year in the couple games
where they had no choice but to rely on Randle and simplify things for him, taking away almost all of the option routes from his plate.
It's not ideal, but realistically, I don't see him suddenly mastering the offense he has yet to or getting fully on the same page with Eli in-season, especially with all the other issues on offense.
But I feel Randle is the type of talent that you simplify things for instead of forcing him to understand the complexity. Perhaps it is not possible but sure seems as it should be.
I look at that pick six and while it is easy to pick on him for the error, which clearly it was, the other side is he had his man dead to rights. The guy is talented, up to the coaches on how to waste it.
context and understanding of what the defensive set is. Decisions are made in a split second. What is clear is Eli and Randle are not on the same page regarding routes the 3rd WR is expected to run.
If anyone questions whether the pick 6 in the Bears game was on Randle, then they don't understand COVER 3, how a CB plays it, and how a QB reads it. Of course the CB broke on the ball once he saw the throw, he's looking at the QB the whole time, it's his job. The point is Randle is supposed to be in the path of the ball, in the correct position with his body to shield the oncoming defender, then catch the ball and turn to the outside.
6 of Eli's picks have come on passes intended for Randle.
I'd be more impressed if they said whether if he played Z on all those plays or where he was.
randles a nice player but if nicks leaves, we need to draft his replacement.
What do they do in meetings all week?
Randle should do whatever he needs to do to make sure he is on same page as Eli. It's absurd
Reason why he fell to second round is that he can't pick up the play book. He is extremely talented and hope he picks up the offense soon!
Randle is not the only WR making mistakes out there, but there is little doubt he is boom or bust right now. The fact he has been the intended target on 6 of Eli's pick (2 the other night) is the clearest proof that:
1. This offense is hard to learn, especially for a young WR
2. Even the slightest error in route running results in a negative play
3. A big error (running the wrong route) is often a disaster.
Despite his ups and downs, I am high on Randle. I think by the end of the year will have noticeably cut down on the mistakes. Even so, I still believe the Giants need to retain Nicks for at least 1 more year. Not because I think Nicks is so critical (I think he has underperformed), but because it will take a new WR 1-2 years to learn the system and get in synch with Eli. Keep Nicks, Cruz, and Randle together for another year, draft a WR in the top 3 rounds and groom him to take Nick's spot if that is what must be done.
Passing Game is Falling VIctim to the Blitz - ( New Window )
Also, we need to stop thinking of Reuben as the potential replacement for Nicks because it's not that simple. Sure, by next year I expect that Randle can step in for Nicks should Nicks depart via FA. The question is, who steps in for Randle?? That man is not on this roster. Last year Hixon could fill in until Randle was ready. It's certainly not Jernigan or Murphy, so the Giants will have to go find a 3rd WR again. If Nicks walks, and you want 3 WRs for Eli next year (and you do!) you have to hope Hixon or Manningham are available in FA for a reasonable price (they might be...) because 99% of rookies are not coming into this system and playing any meaningful minutes before late November.
On the pick 6, a QB will never (at least rarely ever) throw the ball deep down the sideline against COVER 3. Not a wise move as the CB has responsible for the deep 3rd. You can say what you want about the CB jumping the route once he saw the pass, but every analyst since Thursday night has identified the coverage as COVER 3, indicating Eli went to the right spot and Randle didn't.
On the first pick, the blitz came from Eli's right. The WR to the right (top of the screen) did not adjust to the hot route. Eli is forced to go backside to Randle, who did not adjust his route to account for the blitz either. Eli throws to where Randle should be, not where Randle is. You can say Eli never should have thrown it, should have thrown it away or taken the sack, but the fact remains two of his WRs did not adjust their routes properly.
Also, the QB is the field general and what he reads is what the offense runs. Besides what's is more likely, the 9 year veteran, 2 time Superbowl MVP reading the coverage wrong (not saying that he doesn't at times) or the the 2nd year WR playing in one of the most complex passing schemes in the league?
Bill,
I'm with you on Tally, but I see him as more of a slot guy (Z and Y type). Nicks and Randle are X (Flankers) WRs, and in my opinion they are the only two pure X WRs on the roster.
It's not ideal, but realistically, I don't see him suddenly mastering the offense he has yet to or getting fully on the same page with Eli in-season, especially with all the other issues on offense.
I look at that pick six and while it is easy to pick on him for the error, which clearly it was, the other side is he had his man dead to rights. The guy is talented, up to the coaches on how to waste it.
You be the judge.
Eli and Randle "miscommunications" - ( New Window )
If anyone questions whether the pick 6 in the Bears game was on Randle, then they don't understand COVER 3, how a CB plays it, and how a QB reads it. Of course the CB broke on the ball once he saw the throw, he's looking at the QB the whole time, it's his job. The point is Randle is supposed to be in the path of the ball, in the correct position with his body to shield the oncoming defender, then catch the ball and turn to the outside.