is us getting a feel for the new offense and how our personnel will be utilized in general. But given how he ended the season, he will surely be given every opportunity to stick and play. Worse-case, we have a solid guy on the bench.
of last season with JJ is the type of catches he made. Some were against tight coverage, some he had to go up and get, others were against the sideline or down the seam, and a few were very clutch when we needed a first down or score.
This Offense is going to need JJ because the all the receivers are going to get banged up running shorter routes and taking hits. Even as a non-starter, he will get plenty of chances to impact a game...
mostly be on the bench. With Cruz, Randle & ODB ahead of him, he'd really only see time if someone gets injured. It's a shame. Maybe he could be traded to another team that needs a slot guy. I'd think he'd have to show something in the practice games to get another team interested.
I won't be shocked if JJ starts the season over Beckhum. Yes, it's a new offense and this offense is easier to pick up but he's still a rookie. If he doesn't have the offense down pat yet he could start the season behind JJ on the depth chart.
If Eric had asked for my two cents I would taken the analysis in a bit of a different direction. In fact what the Giants do with Jernigan could very well be the #1 indicator of just how different the new offense is going to be. The hallmark of the Giants offense under Coughlin is that 'we did what we did because that's what we do!' They basically ran the same plays out of the same schemes in 2013 as they did when TC first arrived in 2004. If you didn't fit the scheme you didn't play. It worked for awhile but other teams eventually caught on and for the past three years the base offense really struggled and Coughlin's only response was to try and 'execute' better. And while just about everybody has put a happy face on it, the fact is that the Giants stripped Coughlin of the authority to run the offense - his unit - this off-season in large part because of his refusal or inability to adapt and his refusal or inability to incorporate the special skills of young players into the scheme. It would simply boggle the mind if McAdoo came in here with mandate to juice up the offense and didn't play a guy like JJ 'because he didn't have a position!'
My guess going down the road is that the biggest change from the TC era is that the Giants are going to run an offense the essence of which is going to be put their playmakers in a position to make plays whatever their position. in that context I always like to play the game what would Bill Belichek do (much as I dislike BB personally nobody in the NFL is more innovative) and my guess is that if BB had two slots like Cruz and JJ he'd put them both on the field and make you try and cover them along with two wideouts. Good luck with that!
JJ's role is limited. His primary spot is stuck behind Cruz.
Disagree with Vacchio (sp?) that ODB's draft status is an indictment on JJ. ODB is an indictment on Randle. They're the outside guys. JJ has never been groomed as an outside guy.
JJ's employment status depends entirely on the guys behind him. If a youngster shows that he can be a backup AND do specials, JJ is in trouble. IF JJ can show that he's better value overall than the youngsters, he's safe.
The bottom line is that JJ is stuck in a secondary or tertiary role on this team. After a few years, he 'flashed' for 3 straight games. He's earned a chance. The proof is in what he does now. Just because he had a good streak doesn't mean he's arrived.
I'm a bit mixed, but, gun to my head, I say JJ is not on the team in 2 years.
if McAdoo is as innovative as we think he is, he'll find a way to get Cruz and Jernigan on the field at the same time. Four WR sets on a regular basis, different formations, what have you. Gilbride struggled to find a way to make two slot WRs mesh, hopefully McAdoo will have more luck.
JJ was Maras quotes after the season. I think Ben M. will find a way to use him in different personnel groupings. He can play inside or outside. I think BM will move JJ around depending on the different personnel packages.
I won't be shocked if JJ starts the season over Beckhum. Yes, it's a new offense and this offense is easier to pick up but he's still a rookie. If he doesn't have the offense down pat yet he could start the season behind JJ on the depth chart.
They don't really play the same WR position. Beckham is an X, Jernigan is a Z/slot receiver.
if McAdoo is as innovative as we think he is, he'll find a way to get Cruz and Jernigan on the field at the same time. Four WR sets on a regular basis, different formations, what have you. Gilbride struggled to find a way to make two slot WRs mesh, hopefully McAdoo will have more luck.
I'd throw Wilson into that mix as well. If McAdoo is as good/innovative as we are hoping, he'll find ways to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers. We know what Cruz can do with some space. And we've seen small glimpses of what what Wilson & JJ can do with the ball in the open field. Now it's up to McAdoo/Eli to create the mismatches and find ways to take advantage of their explosive playmaking ability.
To me there are also questions about Randle, Manningham, and others Â
Randle has made big plays for us for a couple of years. But, he's also been terribly inconsistent. Does this new offense suit him and help change that? Is Randle in danger of losing his starting position outside right out of the gate to Beckham? It's nice to project a starting 3 WR package with Randle, Cruz, and Beckham. But, there should still be a decent enough amount of snaps with a traditional 2 WR set. Will this set include Randle or Beckham opposite Cruz?
As for Manningham, what is he capable of and how soon will we know it? Is he in serious danger of not making the team? For that matter with Wilson now cleared and Beckham on board, as well as Demps and others, is Holliday guaranteed a spot mostly as a return man if other WRs produce in the offense during camp?
Jernigan, as most of the writers indicated in their responses, is tough question, but a good one to have. Mara was not fair to the coaching staff with his veiled shot at them after the season regarding Jernigan's play. It took 3 years because Jernigan failed to show anything for almost the entire span of his career. He didn't even show very much as a return man, which should have been his specialty and a ticket to dress every week. On the flip side, the 3 games he had to close the season were not just outstanding for the production, but for the manner. He played a lot outside, ran great routes, and made tough catches. He showed real talent for the first time in his career as a complete WR. all that said, just like the writers articulated, with the drafting of Beckahm, Jernigan is going to place 4th on the depth chart at best. Is he in danger of not making the team at all? does he need a great summer to ensure his spot? Can a strong showing perhaps get him into more of a rotation in the slot, so they can rest Cruz a little bit during a game?
We have hopes, dreams and speculations. Every once in a while, reality creeps in.
Colin, your analysis may be spot on, but I would advise you to go out and buy a wheelchair, so you can be at the door when TC calls it quits. Until his team wins another SB or at least goes deep into the playoffs, he's not going anywhere. The Giants as constituted right now are one of 20 teams that could yo-yo between 7 and 9 and 9- and 7 for a couple of years. The only Assistant who has come in during the last decade who lived up to the potential was Spags, and he left while he could. Payton was more of an innovator than anyone else we have seen, and he couldn't last for a number of reasons, including the lack of will to provide him with play-makers.
Mac may be, and he may not be- it's a roll of the dice. The only receiver who scares any defense in the League is Cruz. Until someone else steps up, the O will not challenge for the top , regardless of who plays where. Tje critical component is the front line. Eli has greatness written all over him--when he is comfortable;e. He is getting older and comfort is critical or he will be out injured. The RBs are not impressive anywhere but on paper. Wilson could be something the Giants have not had in many years, or he could be a China Doll, Potential is meaningless until activated. The D is another question mark. Good Giants teams thrive on D, to stop the opposition and to get the O the ball.
The Coaching will be insecure UNLESS the team comes out of the gate with a 5 game winning streak. If they don't, TC will clamp down tight and if John Mara interferes, the whole thing will fall apart. Too many variables here. 9 and 7 will be a success, but a lot is riding on the shoulders of Lady Luck.
Just an opinion and not meant to be critical of any other poster here, many of whom have vast knowledge and know how to analyze. I wish I could get up to Camp this year, but I remain a captive in the Kingdom of the Mouse. To all who do go, have fun and review everything with a critical eye. I look forward to the photos and reviews.
Or maybe he's not had much of a chance to prove himself as a slot WR in an offense that already had a great one and rarely went 4 wide?
It's possible the end of last year was a fluke but he sure showed some real playmaking ability and flashed the exact types of things we had heard he was capable of when he came out of Troy. He's going to get more opportunities this year. We'll see how he does. It's entirely possible his best ball is yet to come.
in general, I don't put much stock in three good games by a WR during a stretch when the team is already out of playoff contention
but the guy also never had a chance. most of us probably didn't put much stock in Victor Cruz at first either
my own GUESS is that he probably would be a below average starter, but he will be a very dynamic 4th WR. I can see him catching 30 passes this year, with a few big gainers along the way
Victor Cruz had a nice following from the start. He had a very strong first camp and many were upset when he was placed on IR for a hamstring injury to break camp as a rookie.
Has he had a ton of shots? No. But, he has had chances to prove himself prior to the end of last season. He has had camps and pre-season games to try to climb the depth chart. He has had some isolated games to do so. He has had chances as a KR where he either underwhelmed or couldn't control the ball. It's not like the Giants haven't seen his skillset in action for 3 years.
That said, how many chances do you expect a WR to get when you are on a team that has had Cruz and nicks starting and then a variety of Manningham and Randle behind them? Given how guys like Barden and others have done, it says a lot that he never jumped up the depth chart prior to the end of last year.
Right now, I think we know he doesn't suck. the talent is there or he wouldn't have done what he did to close out the season as a true wideout. How much of his lack of prior success was work ethic? Determination? Luck? How confident can we be that he can continue to provide the level of production we saw in the final 3 games when he gets on the field this year? We just don't know.
The real reason this is a "problem" or even being discussed is that we drafted Bekcham, which should instantly make our WR corps a lot better, if he is, as advertised, truly ready to come in and play. Too much talent at a position is never really a problem.
TC just had a major shakedown imposed upon him. How can you say he's safe til he decides to hang it up? He needs to return to the playoffs and to be competitive. middle of the road and falling on the wrong side of the fence isn't going to keep him employed forever.
There seems to be a consensus that as a receiver the end of the season performance was no fluke and he is best as a slot receiver.
Do they expect Cruz to be on the field 100% of the time? And if not, only Randle to spell him? In that case, the outlook for him is grim. I wonder if they might showcase him in meaningless preseason games for trade value?
Has he had a ton of shots? No. But, he has had chances to prove himself prior to the end of last season. He has had camps and pre-season games to try to climb the depth chart. He has had some isolated games to do so. He has had chances as a KR where he either underwhelmed or couldn't control the ball. It's not like the Giants haven't seen his skillset in action for 3 years.
That said, how many chances do you expect a WR to get when you are on a team that has had Cruz and nicks starting and then a variety of Manningham and Randle behind them? Given how guys like Barden and others have done, it says a lot that he never jumped up the depth chart prior to the end of last year.
Right now, I think we know he doesn't suck. the talent is there or he wouldn't have done what he did to close out the season as a true wideout. How much of his lack of prior success was work ethic? Determination? Luck? How confident can we be that he can continue to provide the level of production we saw in the final 3 games when he gets on the field this year? We just don't know.
The real reason this is a "problem" or even being discussed is that we drafted Bekcham, which should instantly make our WR corps a lot better, if he is, as advertised, truly ready to come in and play. Too much talent at a position is never really a problem.
Some players just take some time to get it going and get comfortable. It's entirely possible that it's really as simple as that.
why can't we have two slot receivers on the field at the same time?! Is there a rule against it?! This could be a very fun offense to watch, if McAdoo gets creative with it. Add in Jennings, Wilson - now and Holliday, for a few plays a game, and you've got a pretty explosive offense IMO. The whole key, again, will be getting the ball out quickly into the receivers hands.
was a "do it all" guy in college and I think with some offensive creativity he could be that in the NFL. Line him up in the backfield on 3rd down, we are talking about a guy that rushed for almost 900 yards in college 6.8/attempt. He can be a lot more than just a slot receiver he can be a weapon that can be used anywhere with a little imagination by the O.C. LINK - ( New Window )
WRs means that JJ will always be a backup. Even without Eli's preference for tall receivers JJ is a backup. He was drafted with an eye towards his being a starter as a kick returner. He is only good enough to be a backup kick returner.
I think he is good enough to make the team as long as he never starts and as long as he is not the first off the bench if, Cruz, Randle, or Beckham come out of the game.
RE: The combination of his small size and Eli's lack of success with short Â
WRs means that JJ will always be a backup. Even without Eli's preference for tall receivers JJ is a backup. He was drafted with an eye towards his being a starter as a kick returner. He is only good enough to be a backup kick returner.
I think he is good enough to make the team as long as he never starts and as long as he is not the first off the bench if, Cruz, Randle, or Beckham come out of the game.
Totally disagree. If what he showed near the end of last year was legit, I would have absolutely no problem whatsoever with him replacing Cruz if Cruz were to (god forbid) get injured again.
He made some really nice plays and looked like he belonged. You're basically saying he should only be on the team if he's buried on the depth chart and should never see the field ever. That's silly. I think he earned the chance to be a bigger part of the offense this year and could absolutely be the 4th WR in 4WR sets or the first guy to replace Cruz if need be.
You hit on semething that i've been wondering about for a few years now. The playbook has been the same practically since 2004 and it seems it didn't matter who was on the field, they would run the same plays..
They did it with Hixon with Plax got hurt, and with Jacobs when Ward left. It seems that instead of tailoring the plays to the talent on the field, they made the players run what was in the playbook..very rigid..
Being stripped of his very offense is something that no one seem to talk about..
JJ is going to have that break out season and produce big Â
That being said, I think JJ would be more effective than RR because he's faster, quicker and has better instincts. I see JJ as a starting caliber player and RR as a career backup.
I think RR is going to take a pretty big step forward. Â
I don't think Gilbride's offense was such a great fit for him. I'm hoping McAdoo will be able to utilize his ability in a way where he can just play without needing to think as much.
Fact is, JJ had a big game against a poor tackling Washington team... Â
While the more experienced Wrs like Jernigan and Randle surprise.
If ODB blows up in his rookie year it's gonna impact the entire group. Cruz will always get his but there are only so many balls to go around. I just don't think the rookie has a huge year. But who knows...
I like Jernigan. He wasn't just making plays by accident in December of 2013. His play was legit. He was making plays in a dysfunctional offense and a lot of the plays showed off some serious yac ability. You don't fake yac.
So, no.. it was not just "poor tackling" vs. Washington. One of the games was against the best defense in football and the other was against a desperate Lions team in Detroit playing for their season. Jernigan definitely flashed.
A good fourth receiver is a first-world problem. Â
My biggest complaint about him is his insistence in fitting players to the system, and not tweaking the system to take advantage of his players' unique talents.
That is not to say that there are many good things about TC. After all these years, I have had to admit that he is an outstanding leader, but just a little too rigid for my taste.
Today we said goodbye to Chris Snee, and one Giant era has ended. Perhaps we are saying welcome back to another outstanding player, in Wilson. And, isn't this ebb & flow what makes life spicier for Giants fans?
are very good reasons we didn't put two slots on the field last season.
First and foremost is our protection was piss poor.
We couldn't keep our QB upright with a TE and a RB on the field to block and yet the question is asked why we didn't go 4 wides?
I can anticipate the "yeah but" response is that you can go 3 step with 4 wides. Anybody remember where the most heat came from?
The middle is the elusive answer and the three step game is destroyed by pressure up the middle.
If our interior has improved as much as I think it has, we will be using Jernigan and Cruz at the same time, both in the slots. But it wasn't happening last year and that was not by coaching choice. It was by necessity.
A great deal of shallow analysis on this thread, including mine. I could write pages on this subject, but my point is to raise the level of awareness of why a certain decision is made, is not always as obvious as it seems.
about how the Pats started useing a, Erhartd-Perkins terminology (not the plays and emphasis, the way of organizing and talking about plays) that boiled down the lingo into single word statements:
''For many years, the Erhardt-Perkins offense was known as the original ground-and-pound, a conservative, run-first offense summed up by Erhardt’s mantra, “You throw to score and run to win.”
With the help of his assistants, Belichick’s primary innovation was to go from an Erhardt-Perkins offense to an Erhardt-Perkins system, built on its method of organizing and naming plays. The offense itself would be philosophically neutral. This is how, using the terminology and framework of what was once thought to be the league’s least progressive offensive system, Brady and Belichick built one of the most consistently dynamic and explosive offenses in NFL history. From conservative to spread to blistering no-huddle, the tactics — and players — have changed while the underlying approach has not.2''
This Offense is going to need JJ because the all the receivers are going to get banged up running shorter routes and taking hits. Even as a non-starter, he will get plenty of chances to impact a game...
Too bad he can't catch punts & kickoffs.
Ahhh, the days of MiS..
My guess going down the road is that the biggest change from the TC era is that the Giants are going to run an offense the essence of which is going to be put their playmakers in a position to make plays whatever their position. in that context I always like to play the game what would Bill Belichek do (much as I dislike BB personally nobody in the NFL is more innovative) and my guess is that if BB had two slots like Cruz and JJ he'd put them both on the field and make you try and cover them along with two wideouts. Good luck with that!
Disagree with Vacchio (sp?) that ODB's draft status is an indictment on JJ. ODB is an indictment on Randle. They're the outside guys. JJ has never been groomed as an outside guy.
JJ's employment status depends entirely on the guys behind him. If a youngster shows that he can be a backup AND do specials, JJ is in trouble. IF JJ can show that he's better value overall than the youngsters, he's safe.
The bottom line is that JJ is stuck in a secondary or tertiary role on this team. After a few years, he 'flashed' for 3 straight games. He's earned a chance. The proof is in what he does now. Just because he had a good streak doesn't mean he's arrived.
I'm a bit mixed, but, gun to my head, I say JJ is not on the team in 2 years.
They don't really play the same WR position. Beckham is an X, Jernigan is a Z/slot receiver.
I'd throw Wilson into that mix as well. If McAdoo is as good/innovative as we are hoping, he'll find ways to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers. We know what Cruz can do with some space. And we've seen small glimpses of what what Wilson & JJ can do with the ball in the open field. Now it's up to McAdoo/Eli to create the mismatches and find ways to take advantage of their explosive playmaking ability.
As for Manningham, what is he capable of and how soon will we know it? Is he in serious danger of not making the team? For that matter with Wilson now cleared and Beckham on board, as well as Demps and others, is Holliday guaranteed a spot mostly as a return man if other WRs produce in the offense during camp?
Jernigan, as most of the writers indicated in their responses, is tough question, but a good one to have. Mara was not fair to the coaching staff with his veiled shot at them after the season regarding Jernigan's play. It took 3 years because Jernigan failed to show anything for almost the entire span of his career. He didn't even show very much as a return man, which should have been his specialty and a ticket to dress every week. On the flip side, the 3 games he had to close the season were not just outstanding for the production, but for the manner. He played a lot outside, ran great routes, and made tough catches. He showed real talent for the first time in his career as a complete WR. all that said, just like the writers articulated, with the drafting of Beckahm, Jernigan is going to place 4th on the depth chart at best. Is he in danger of not making the team at all? does he need a great summer to ensure his spot? Can a strong showing perhaps get him into more of a rotation in the slot, so they can rest Cruz a little bit during a game?
Colin, your analysis may be spot on, but I would advise you to go out and buy a wheelchair, so you can be at the door when TC calls it quits. Until his team wins another SB or at least goes deep into the playoffs, he's not going anywhere. The Giants as constituted right now are one of 20 teams that could yo-yo between 7 and 9 and 9- and 7 for a couple of years. The only Assistant who has come in during the last decade who lived up to the potential was Spags, and he left while he could. Payton was more of an innovator than anyone else we have seen, and he couldn't last for a number of reasons, including the lack of will to provide him with play-makers.
Mac may be, and he may not be- it's a roll of the dice. The only receiver who scares any defense in the League is Cruz. Until someone else steps up, the O will not challenge for the top , regardless of who plays where. Tje critical component is the front line. Eli has greatness written all over him--when he is comfortable;e. He is getting older and comfort is critical or he will be out injured. The RBs are not impressive anywhere but on paper. Wilson could be something the Giants have not had in many years, or he could be a China Doll, Potential is meaningless until activated. The D is another question mark. Good Giants teams thrive on D, to stop the opposition and to get the O the ball.
The Coaching will be insecure UNLESS the team comes out of the gate with a 5 game winning streak. If they don't, TC will clamp down tight and if John Mara interferes, the whole thing will fall apart. Too many variables here. 9 and 7 will be a success, but a lot is riding on the shoulders of Lady Luck.
Just an opinion and not meant to be critical of any other poster here, many of whom have vast knowledge and know how to analyze. I wish I could get up to Camp this year, but I remain a captive in the Kingdom of the Mouse. To all who do go, have fun and review everything with a critical eye. I look forward to the photos and reviews.
Or maybe he's not had much of a chance to prove himself as a slot WR in an offense that already had a great one and rarely went 4 wide?
It's possible the end of last year was a fluke but he sure showed some real playmaking ability and flashed the exact types of things we had heard he was capable of when he came out of Troy. He's going to get more opportunities this year. We'll see how he does. It's entirely possible his best ball is yet to come.
but the guy also never had a chance. most of us probably didn't put much stock in Victor Cruz at first either
my own GUESS is that he probably would be a below average starter, but he will be a very dynamic 4th WR. I can see him catching 30 passes this year, with a few big gainers along the way
That said, how many chances do you expect a WR to get when you are on a team that has had Cruz and nicks starting and then a variety of Manningham and Randle behind them? Given how guys like Barden and others have done, it says a lot that he never jumped up the depth chart prior to the end of last year.
Right now, I think we know he doesn't suck. the talent is there or he wouldn't have done what he did to close out the season as a true wideout. How much of his lack of prior success was work ethic? Determination? Luck? How confident can we be that he can continue to provide the level of production we saw in the final 3 games when he gets on the field this year? We just don't know.
The real reason this is a "problem" or even being discussed is that we drafted Bekcham, which should instantly make our WR corps a lot better, if he is, as advertised, truly ready to come in and play. Too much talent at a position is never really a problem.
Do they expect Cruz to be on the field 100% of the time? And if not, only Randle to spell him? In that case, the outlook for him is grim. I wonder if they might showcase him in meaningless preseason games for trade value?
That said, how many chances do you expect a WR to get when you are on a team that has had Cruz and nicks starting and then a variety of Manningham and Randle behind them? Given how guys like Barden and others have done, it says a lot that he never jumped up the depth chart prior to the end of last year.
Right now, I think we know he doesn't suck. the talent is there or he wouldn't have done what he did to close out the season as a true wideout. How much of his lack of prior success was work ethic? Determination? Luck? How confident can we be that he can continue to provide the level of production we saw in the final 3 games when he gets on the field this year? We just don't know.
The real reason this is a "problem" or even being discussed is that we drafted Bekcham, which should instantly make our WR corps a lot better, if he is, as advertised, truly ready to come in and play. Too much talent at a position is never really a problem.
Some players just take some time to get it going and get comfortable. It's entirely possible that it's really as simple as that.
LINK - ( New Window )
I think he is good enough to make the team as long as he never starts and as long as he is not the first off the bench if, Cruz, Randle, or Beckham come out of the game.
I think he is good enough to make the team as long as he never starts and as long as he is not the first off the bench if, Cruz, Randle, or Beckham come out of the game.
Totally disagree. If what he showed near the end of last year was legit, I would have absolutely no problem whatsoever with him replacing Cruz if Cruz were to (god forbid) get injured again.
He made some really nice plays and looked like he belonged. You're basically saying he should only be on the team if he's buried on the depth chart and should never see the field ever. That's silly. I think he earned the chance to be a bigger part of the offense this year and could absolutely be the 4th WR in 4WR sets or the first guy to replace Cruz if need be.
They did it with Hixon with Plax got hurt, and with Jacobs when Ward left. It seems that instead of tailoring the plays to the talent on the field, they made the players run what was in the playbook..very rigid..
Being stripped of his very offense is something that no one seem to talk about..
We have to hope Robinson also comes on at TE this year so we are totally well rounded and ready to attack anyone.
If ODB blows up in his rookie year it's gonna impact the entire group. Cruz will always get his but there are only so many balls to go around. I just don't think the rookie has a huge year. But who knows...
I like Jernigan. He wasn't just making plays by accident in December of 2013. His play was legit. He was making plays in a dysfunctional offense and a lot of the plays showed off some serious yac ability. You don't fake yac.
His December play was legit.
So, no.. it was not just "poor tackling" vs. Washington. One of the games was against the best defense in football and the other was against a desperate Lions team in Detroit playing for their season. Jernigan definitely flashed.
Greg Jennings REC: 76 YD: 1265 TD: 12
Donald Driver REC: 51 YD: 565 TD: 4
James Jones REC: 50 YD: 679 TD: 5
Jordy Nelson REC: 45 YD: 582 TD: 2
2011 Packers
Jordy Nelson REC: 68 YD: 1263 TD: 15
Greg Jennings REC: 67 YD: 949 TD: 9
James Jones REC: 38 YD: 635 TD: 7
Donald Driver REC: 37 YD: 445 TD: 6
(Finley added 55-767-8 from the TE spot)
If the talent is there, McAdoo will get the WRs on the field. It's not as though taking snaps away from our TEs and FBs is any great loss.
That is not to say that there are many good things about TC. After all these years, I have had to admit that he is an outstanding leader, but just a little too rigid for my taste.
Today we said goodbye to Chris Snee, and one Giant era has ended. Perhaps we are saying welcome back to another outstanding player, in Wilson. And, isn't this ebb & flow what makes life spicier for Giants fans?
First and foremost is our protection was piss poor.
We couldn't keep our QB upright with a TE and a RB on the field to block and yet the question is asked why we didn't go 4 wides?
I can anticipate the "yeah but" response is that you can go 3 step with 4 wides. Anybody remember where the most heat came from?
The middle is the elusive answer and the three step game is destroyed by pressure up the middle.
If our interior has improved as much as I think it has, we will be using Jernigan and Cruz at the same time, both in the slots. But it wasn't happening last year and that was not by coaching choice. It was by necessity.
A great deal of shallow analysis on this thread, including mine. I could write pages on this subject, but my point is to raise the level of awareness of why a certain decision is made, is not always as obvious as it seems.
...and rbs that are harder to bring down and can do pass protection
''For many years, the Erhardt-Perkins offense was known as the original ground-and-pound, a conservative, run-first offense summed up by Erhardt’s mantra, “You throw to score and run to win.”
With the help of his assistants, Belichick’s primary innovation was to go from an Erhardt-Perkins offense to an Erhardt-Perkins system, built on its method of organizing and naming plays. The offense itself would be philosophically neutral. This is how, using the terminology and framework of what was once thought to be the league’s least progressive offensive system, Brady and Belichick built one of the most consistently dynamic and explosive offenses in NFL history. From conservative to spread to blistering no-huddle, the tactics — and players — have changed while the underlying approach has not.2''