Heading into training camp, the 2014 Giants offense has a lot of big questions surrounding it -- new system, new playcaller, Eli, new o-line, new skill position players, etc. For each question, I can envision a plausible scenario in which it's answered affirmatively...except for one.
I just don't see where production is going to come from Robinson, Donnell, Davis, Fells, and Grimble. Do I just not know enough about these guys? Will the tight end position have a minimized role in this offense? Is it wise in today's NFL to go into a season so (apparently) thin at tight end? People may downplay the importance of the position, but look at how the dreck from Brandon Myers affected the offense last season.
Do you think we can get two solid contributors from this group? Especially without Pope? I have my doubts. And I really hope we're all not saying sometime in November, "This team's lack of a tight end has really hurt this offense."
Hopefully another Ballard emerges out of nowhere.
I was shocked at how big Fells arms are. Massive...
It's a discussion about whether the current tight ends are go enough. That it mystifies or bothers you is really odd.
It's a discussion about whether the current tight ends are go enough. That it mystifies or bothers you is really odd.
Seriously. A week before camp opens, and you want to discuss some of the Giants players? What nerve.
As long as we have a good blocking TE for a ball control running game, the rest will take care of itself.
The team is a work in progress, and unless a whole lot comes together quickly, I expect lots of argitta early in the season until whatever necessary adjustments are made and enacted. Loving the 5th p-s game just when we need it most.
But can a revolving door of mediocre/unproven tight ends really sustain itself? Losing Pope and going back to the "unknown/unproven" well just seems a bit dangerous to me in the 2014 NFL. A decade or more ago, I wouldn't be as concerned. But it seems like most teams have a big, athletic receiving threat at tight end now, and it's critical for sustaining drives.
Now, of all teams, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks did not really have that threat. But with that defense, they could have fielding 10 guys on offense and still won games!
It is not a great group unless someone breaks out, but it should be better than last year and could even end up being better than average.
My main concerns with this team are OL, OL, OL, and a little bit if Eli can bounce back or will he still be shell shocked from last year.
Donnell caught all of 3 passes and Robinson was in on one play all last season, the opening kickoff versus Detroit and got injured and was done.
So no, not likely to be worse...
Here's another encouraging thought, from our new OC's history: In Super Bowl XLV, McAdoo's TEs caught two passes for six yards. In the Packers' six-game title run, the troika of Quarless, Crabtree and Lee averaged two catches for under seventeen yards per game. Would the offense have been better with Finley? Maybe, but it didn't need him.
The Packers scored 100 points in those three games. The total contribution of their TEs? Four catches for 20 yards and zero TDs.
Small sample, obviously. The point is, there's more than one way for Ben McAdoo to skin a cat. If a Jermichael Finley doesn't emerge from the Giants' tight ends, there's still the possibility that Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham, Rueben Randle and Jerrel Jernigan (or others) might follow in the footsteps of Greg Jennings, James Jones, Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson.
There is an obvious lack of NFL caliber talent here...established NFL talent anyway. The guy I feel most confident in from a catch AND block perspective is Davis. I liked him in Chicago and there are tools to work with here. Former basketball player that has the feet and body awareness in traffic when going after the ball. Physical guy as well that used to be a defensive player in college. He has the blend of tools and physicality that you want in there all three downs no matter the situation.
NYG is hoping they get lucky on Robinson/Donnell/Grimble trio. It worked out for them in the past, but odds are none of them make a legit difference. I'll be curious to see how they work within this offense. None of them are particularly quick-twitched...an asset I would think is necessary for a receiving TE in this offense but I could be wrong. None of them can get up the seam with speed and I haven't seen the ball skills in traffic...but I don't get to watch practice either.
Out of the guys above...I have always thought there is some upside in Donnell that a lot of other guys don't have. He can be explosive and he just moves like a guy that could create mismatches. Would love to see him get a shot.
It should not take the Giants more than a week of training camp to determine if any of the current group is an NFL caliber blocker/receiver. My guess is that one or more will be replaced after the first week and that the Giants will be actively searching the waiver wire or looking to trade a draft choice to get a decent player.
I think KG Jr establishes his own reputation, we get regular season contributions from Robinson, Donnell and Davis. And we're much improved over 2013.
I believe JR and the project has had two years to learn. Barring another injury we have a star and from the other crew emerge players at least the equal of Ballard.
. This is a position of strength.
. The Grizz nose.
The TE position is the way it is because the Giants prioritized their greatest needs. They put $ into the Oline and RBs. WR is improved. You can't fix everything in 1 off season.
Kellen Winslow JR. is still available if the Giants want to take a whack at him.
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Donnells and Robinson will likely be better than they were last year, not likely to be worse.
Donnell caught all of 3 passes and Robinson was in on one play all last season, the opening kickoff versus Detroit and got injured and was done.
So no, not likely to be worse...
We just have to make sure Donnell has his shoes tied tightly and wearing the right cleats.
Stay in bounds please on the touchdowns...