After reading a lot of opinions and articles, watching a lot of Pre-Season games, and arguing with some posters here.... I am going to express what I think is going to happen in the upcoming year.
There have been a lot of optimism for the defense, some negative opinions on the defense, and a lot of head shaking by Coughlin/Reese. However not everything is bad, and not everything is great.
Offense:
A lot of people say the season depends on Eli Manning... it doesnt (more on him in a little). IMO, the seasons depends on the OL. We dont have a lot of great OL, we have very litle depth, but there is reason for optimism. We ran the ball extremely well in the preseason, and being able to run the ball gives you such an advantage that it needs to be taken advantage of right off the bat. Jennings looks to be a very solid RB, who can pass protect and catch the ball. Andre Williams looks to bring you, enthusiastic legs. So if our OL, can run block it will take the immense pressure off of Eli. One of the keys this year will be keeping drives alive. If we can run the ball on 3rd down and 3 yards or less, it would be huge. Now as far as pass blocking, we may need to pray. Pugh really has to solidify the RT protection for Eli to roll to his right, where he throws a better ball IMO. Richburg seems to be improving with each game. Mosley has the athleticism to be good but needs consistency. Walton has the leadership qualities, and I have a feeling he will get better as the year goes on. Beatty? Lets hope for 2011-2012 Beatty and not last years Beatty. Schwatz will be back soon and Brewer can fill in for a pinch.
Now as far as Eli, this year he has truly been an enigma. Forget last year, it was a disaster on all fronts. Time to move on. This preseason wasnt the most spectacular for him. He had a couple INTs overturned, missed a few WRs high, miscommunication with randle, and then a great 2:00 drive. I think he is going to really struggle early on. Not to the point where he is throwing 2-3 INTs a game, but more along the lines of 175-225 yards passing and a TD/INT type game. His feet are still a mess, he doesnt trust anyone outside Cruz/Jennings. Until he starts building a trust with randle, it may look ugly at times. But hopefully with McAdoo's offense, both of them get better as the year goes on.
As the WRs go, Cruz looked better this preseason than he did last year. He was getting open on all type of routes. He is going to have to have a 90-100 catch year if this offense is going to take off. As stated earlier with randle, he has to be more consistent. He cant have 1 great play, then 2 bad ones. JJ just has to make catches that move the chains. I dont see him as a downfield threat or an endzone threat, but he could be a guy that makes those 3rd and 4-5 to move the chains. Parker, Washington will play at times this year, so they need to show that they belong. Tights ends? Not even worth discussing. Just hope they block.
As far as defense, I am not as optimistic as many here. I have never been a huge Fewell fan, but he has produced the last few years. I worry about the DL. While other teams may not have scored, they have moved the ball at will at times. Our pass rush was very suspect as the only timed we seemed to get pressure was when we blitzed. If JPP isnt a 12-14 sack guy, the defense can be in for a big year. Kiwi looks a step worse than he was last year, so hopefully Moore replaces him in pass rushing situation. Hankins has been good and will surprise people this year. Jenkins and Patterson really need to step up against the run. 2nd/3rd and longs can be a lot of fun this year.But it all starts and end with JPP, he needs to be great. There are no more excuses.
Linebackers will look better once Beason gets back on the field. I thought McClain was one of the worst Giants in the entire preseason. If he is going to see the field, I hope its in run situations only. Let Williams and Kennard take command in nickel sets. Williams and Kennard were all over the place this preseason, and I expect them only to get better. Steady LB play would be such an improvement over what we have seen in years past.
The secondary looks like it has nothing but studs. DRC was a beast this preseason, Prince looked very comfortable. Rolle will be his usual steady to all pro self. Hopefully Brown will be an INT machine like he was 2 years ago. Bowman and Thurmond provides excellent depth.
As far as the kicking game, Brown will be steady, and Weatherford looked really good. The return game is meh, but if ODB can come back and return punts, we may have a game changer.
As far as ODB, I hope he gets back ASAP. We need that deep threat, game changing WR. We may not see him until after the bye, but if he does come back when the offense clicks, we can have a really fun offense to watch.
Just like most seasons, we will 4 games easily, lose 4 games easily, and then the season will come down to the other 8. I see us going 9-7, sneaking into the playoffs as a divisional winner.
And once we get into the playoffs.... Its Eli time!
A good run game, good specials, great secondary, and better LB play is not 4-12. It may start off rocky, but I think as the year goes on, and the offense gets better - it could be a lot better than people think.
And that's mainly because they can't pass protect.
Teams will stack the box, load and blitz and the Giants cannot run block through the blitz like 2008, and they won't be able to stop the pass rush.
the offense will be the worst with Eli at the helm except maybe last year.
the defense will generate 0 pass rush, so even though the secondary is the best I've seen with the Giants, it won't matter, you can't expect them to cover forever and the Giants still don't have a LB who can either cover a TE down the seam or a RB on a screen pass (that includes J-WIL - not sure about Kennard, but not optimistic).
I think 6 - 10
If the line falls apart the season is over. But if they hold up, and god forbid even improve a little as the year goes on, I think the team will be as good as any other team under the El/Coughlin era. This team has talent and the defense will be one of our best in the last decade or so if everyone stay healthy. I think we are 9-7 team right now and that could swing in either direction depending on what the o-line does.
The team should improve its play and its record as the year unfolds. But not like last year. Rather, as a steady progression. Expect different players to show up each week and surprise. The leadership is there, so is the will, and there's some talent. Granted, they've had to plug holes with whatever was available, so it's not perfect; not even close. No team is.
It really boils down to who's left standing, after they beat the shit out of each other for 4 months. I doubt it, but it could be us.
I look forward to watching these guys grow and get better, even if it takes a year or two. True Blue!
The team should improve its play and its record as the year unfolds. But not like last year. Rather, as a steady progression. Expect different players to show up each week and surprise. The leadership is there, so is the will, and there's some talent. Granted, they've had to plug holes with whatever was available, so it's not perfect; not even close. No team is.
It really boils down to who's left standing, after they beat the shit out of each other for 4 months. I doubt it, but it could be us.
I look forward to watching these guys grow and get better, even if it takes a year or two. True Blue!
Nice post except I don't see it taking a few years..
I suspect we start to gel around the 1/3 mark and finish strong..I do not plan on reading this board all that much during the "mesh period."
I'm hoping they kept a lot of that stuff in moth balls until the regular season starts. I like the defense. Are they a great defense? No. Are they a good defense I would say yes. Very good. But saying it is one thing showing you are is another.
As for the running game if teams are going to stack the box to stop it maybe we will see the effectiveness of those short three step drops. That's what teams always tried to do to minimize the Giants pass rush. It's hard to get to the quarterback on those quick passes. We didn't see a lot of that in the preseason either.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I believe the talent is there. I also believe if the offense can find it's rhythm they may surprise a lot of people. I hope I'm one of them.
Clearly, if everything goes "right" for the Giants, they can break out of this range with 10-12 wins... and conversely 4-6 wins if everything goes "wrong".
My concern about this current Giants team... It's a lot easier to imagine the latter downside scenario. 10-12 wins is a pipe dream. 4-6 wins is not. (:-(
8-8 is lookin' real good right now in a re-building year!
I'm hoping they kept a lot of that stuff in moth balls until the regular season starts. I like the defense. Are they a great defense? No. Are they a good defense I would say yes. Very good. But saying it is one thing showing you are is another.
As for the running game if teams are going to stack the box to stop it maybe we will see the effectiveness of those short three step drops. That's what teams always tried to do to minimize the Giants pass rush. It's hard to get to the quarterback on those quick passes. We didn't see a lot of that in the preseason either.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I believe the talent is there. I also believe if the offense can find it's rhythm they may surprise a lot of people. I hope I'm one of them.
The Giants used to run that damn bubble screen quite often to Nicks and Manningham and very effectively. But they had a decent OL back then.
I'm a huge fan of Eli. I know last year was bad but I think he had one NFL quality player on offense last season. My only concern is that Eli may have been so battered, and so successful, over the years, that now he's "hearing footsteps". But this season he has real NFL running backs, and maybe a couple more viable wide outs and linemen. The offense was so terrible last year, its bound to better this season. Lets hope the line gels, ODB finds the field and RR figures out the playbook.
I agree with others that TC sets the floor at 8-8. TC is a great head coach. He'll get this team ready to play every week. With a good run game and a good defense, anything is possible. I'm thinking 11-5.
robbieballs2003 : 9/2/2014 10:52 pm : link : reply
I don't see how we get in with teams like SF, SEA, ARI, GB, CHI, DET, NO and even MIN or ATL.
If we are going to give positive credit to teams like ARI, CHI, DET, MIN and ATL who have as many question marks as the giants, then it is going to be a rough year for BBI.
Why is it that every other team is looked at as having potential, but mention that about the giants and people say, "this is a 4-12 team" or some other happy horseshit? Apparently there is no problem in thinking that Matt Ryan will bounce back after losing Gonzo and having an older roddy white, but eli can't possibly do the same? MIN with Cassel is a team to look out for? there's reason for optimism in Detroit and Chicago, who have choked as bad as the Giants in recent years, yet for us it is doom and gloom?
I really do feel like sometimes I'm trapped in a nursery with 2-year old's who can miraculously talk, but still whine like they have a diaper load.
This.
I've been reading a lot of predictions and analysis of the Giants on this board during the past month, and am surprised at how few of them have mentioned turnovers. This team went 7-9 last season with an absolutely horrendous turnover/takeaway ratio. Correcting that will add at least three wins, maybe more.
There are a lot of teams with bad offensive lines in the NFL, and quite a few of them even make the playoffs. Why? Because they employ an offensive scheme which minimizes their weaknesses, which is exactly what the Giants are trying to do with Macadoo and the new offense. But the one thing you can't minimize or mask is a bad turnover ratio.
This defense and running game should be the best in the division this season, and that's enough to be competitive IF the offense doesn't turn the ball over. I'm pushing my chips to the center of the table. 10-6, division title.
Quote:
If we dont win the division
robbieballs2003 : 9/2/2014 10:52 pm : link : reply
I don't see how we get in with teams like SF, SEA, ARI, GB, CHI, DET, NO and even MIN or ATL.
If we are going to give positive credit to teams like ARI, CHI, DET, MIN and ATL who have as many question marks as the giants, then it is going to be a rough year for BBI.
Why is it that every other team is looked at as having potential, but mention that about the giants and people say, "this is a 4-12 team" or some other happy horseshit? Apparently there is no problem in thinking that Matt Ryan will bounce back after losing Gonzo and having an older roddy white, but eli can't possibly do the same? MIN with Cassel is a team to look out for? there's reason for optimism in Detroit and Chicago, who have choked as bad as the Giants in recent years, yet for us it is doom and gloom?
I really do feel like sometimes I'm trapped in a nursery with 2-year old's who can miraculously talk, but still whine like they have a diaper load.
I've missed you on here, despite your bacon ice cream/shake
or you looking at the teem and thing everything is going to be a disaster..
My only issue is. looking at this very optimistically, one fails to look at the dynamics of a new offense, new RB's, pretty much new OL, new Wr's..It going to take a good while for it all to come together..This doesn't just come together in a few weeks..And even then, it may still not come together..
This is a wait and see year. Nobody knows what this team is going to look like in 8 weeks.
As for the OP, dep, seriously you been Eli and JD Walton's advocate this whole off-season, so it's not surprising of the comments you made re: those two..
Man, you're completely wrong about that.
Not like it isn't any other season..
or you looking at the teem and thing everything is going to be a disaster..
My only issue is. looking at this very optimistically, one fails to look at the dynamics of a new offense, new RB's, pretty much new OL, new Wr's..It going to take a good while for it all to come together..This doesn't just come together in a few weeks..And even then, it may still not come together..
This is a wait and see year. Nobody knows what this team is going to look like in 8 weeks.
As for the OP, dep, seriously you been Eli and JD Walton's advocate this whole off-season, so it's not surprising of the comments you made re: those two..
Lol I love responses like this, because I havent said a word about Walton since we signed him since I dont even remember him playing in Denver.
But as BBI tradition, people make things up just to beat their own drum. A Walton advocate. I would be curious to see what if you can even quote me saying on anything about him cause I dont even remember mentioning him ever.
Seems like pretty low expectations, but hey I guess I need to make things up too.
The offense is an unknown. I have no idea if McAdoo's system will be effective. It should be better than what we ran last year that didn't work for a variety of reasons. The Oline is better on paper, the RBs are better and the TE non-position is about a wash with last year.
The safe pick is an 8-8 season. With some luck & a healthy Beckham, they should be able to win the division at 10-6 if they can beat the Eagles.
Your statement about his leadership qualities, where did that come form or just form your observation..
A lot of people say the season depends on Eli Manning... it doesnt (more on him in a little). IMO, the seasons depends on the OL.
Eli has been playing farely average to under average the last 2 years..So what you're saying is, that it's been the OL fault?
Your statement about his leadership qualities, where did that come form or just form your observation..
You might have me mixed up with another person, cause I swear I dont even remember talking him up. If anything I may have said this was a nice low cost signing, but talking him up preseason? Not a chance buddy. Again, the archives are there, if you can find all the things I have said about him, Ill man up... but you are just making shit up.
Eli has been playing farely average to under average the last 2 years..So what you're saying is, that it's been the OL fault?
I have no problem saying the OL has been worse than Eli last year. And I have no problem saying the key is the OL this year. If we can run the ball with success, it will give the team a dimension it hasnt had for years. And Eli has proven time and time again, with protection, he will win you a lot of games. Are you saying that its ok for the OL to play like shit because Eli should be good enough to overcome it? Ridiculous.
Football hasnt changed. The game comes down to both OL and DL.
I remember going back and forth with someone and i thought was you..again my apologies..
But i will say that even in 2011, the OL was that exceptionally good and he had a great season..The Ol wasn't great but there was a lot of plays that he missed on big time..we can can massage it to say the WR's ran wrong routes, he was just trying to make a play, etc. but Eli has not been very good since 2011..
That being said, the Ol has played like crap and i so no reason to believe it's going to get better in 4 - 6 weeks..i say this because, if they can't establish a running game, we are going to see a repeat of last year..
I think our run game will be better. Jennings and Williams already look better than anything we had last year. I think Eli will struggle to start this year, no doubt about it. But, for reasons unknown to man, I think he is going to be better this year and play better as the year goes on. Would be nice if ODB is back and producing soon too.
The running game is going to be better, but I wonder about the durability of Jennings. Can he play 16 games?..If not, they are relying on a rookie to carry the load. Hillis to me is a short yardage back. This is why I was advocating of getting a Evan Royster or another capable back..
Cruz is the only option at WR right now. My confidence if Randle is not good and the rest of question marks..If Randle doesn't perform, defenses are just going to key on Cruz, double him up, and the passing game is going to be neutralized until a ODB, Washington or whoever steps up..
Right no, I'm not that optimistic. If Randle gets it together, then the offense will probably loosen up some defenses.
The OL has been beaten to death. No sense in talking about it..
The defense is going to be better with Beason staying healthy and I love the secondary..Fewell can blitz frequently because the secondary, IMO, can hold their own..
The running game is going to be better, but I wonder about the durability of Jennings. Can he play 16 games?..If not, they are relying on a rookie to carry the load. Hillis to me is a short yardage back. This is why I was advocating of getting a Evan Royster or another capable back..
Cruz is the only option at WR right now. My confidence if Randle is not good and the rest of question marks..If Randle doesn't perform, defenses are just going to key on Cruz, double him up, and the passing game is going to be neutralized until a ODB, Washington or whoever steps up..
Right no, I'm not that optimistic. If Randle gets it together, then the offense will probably loosen up some defenses.
The OL has been beaten to death. No sense in talking about it..
The defense is going to be better with Beason staying healthy and I love the secondary..Fewell can blitz frequently because the secondary, IMO, can hold their own..
Is this a black thing?
Our D may be decent enough to keep us in the hunt until the end of the season, but overall I do not see us much better than 8-8.
Fortunately, I am usually pretty wrong about these things!
:)