Until I read about the free agents the Giants acquired, I really didn't know who they were. I am not a casual fan, I watch every Giants game, and almost all the other NFL games during a week. (With the NFL Sunday ticket, Sunday has become an all day viewing.)
So I have to admit I am amazed when I read on BBI the critiques of the players acquired both negative and positive.
But I can't help but wonder if some or even many of the perceptions shared are just fans overreacting because the Giants didn't address the needs they identified.
Here is my question: While I understand that this is what fans do, and that it is fun and what this site is for...... do we really believe we know more than the guys running this team? (I really believe some do.)
I ask because I remember not so long ago when there was overreaction to Reese not addressing the receiver position on this team. I remember how he was criticized for thinking his receivers were better than most think. If I recall correctly those receivers were: Nicks, Cruz, and Manningham.
I also remember that the Giants have built two championship offensive lines, with mid level guys like Diehl and Seubert.
For me, I'm happy with the free agents acquired.
They might have added a return guy that can change the course of a game, a half-back that can do some of what Tiki used to do as a receiver, and maybe a starting linebacker.
Also they have 7 more players to add to this team in the draft.
I get the criticism, that is what fans do, but the arrogant tone in some of the criticism, at least for me, makes them seem transparent in that they are overreactions to the latest development and a disregard for what has transpired previously.
They definitely haven't hit it out of the ballpark, but relative to what it costs to go after the big prizes, I'd rather they stick to their value board and hunt accordingly.
The part that concerns me is the biggest weaknesses on this team aren't being addressed significantly. Building via the draft was slowed due to a few consecutive poor drafts, and UFA hasn't proven very fruitful in its stead. The DL needs a DE, DT, two safeties, slot CB, and some futureminded prospects at LB. The defense, and finishing the OL, are two big issues with this personnel.
WAHHH!!!!
They definitely haven't hit it out of the ballpark, but relative to what it costs to go after the big prizes, I'd rather they stick to their value board and hunt accordingly.
The part that concerns me is the biggest weaknesses on this team aren't being addressed significantly. Building via the draft was slowed due to a few consecutive poor drafts, and UFA hasn't proven very fruitful in its stead. The DL needs a DE, DT, two safeties, slot CB, and some futureminded prospects at LB. The defense, and finishing the OL, are two big issues with this personnel.
Ok, I admit I am a glass half-full kind of guy. With that being said, the OL kept Eli upright late last season for the most part and Pugh had the 1 terrible game where Eli was sacked, I believe 5 times, were his fault while playing injured. We have Schwartz coming back, assuming he is fully recovered, Herman will have a chance to prove he is the answer at an OG position, we added Jones who could pan-out and the giant NY giant, Michael Bamiro, who appears to be fast and strong enough for ROT. With the return of Spags, I expect top defensive talent per the draft, UDFA's and possibly more FA moves. All we can do is hope for the best.
I think it is a bit unrealistic to expect everyone to say, "I was wrong, Reese clearly knows more than I do, so these players must be more important than a starting safety." At this point it is hard to see what his plan is. I try to keep a level head and hope for the best.
They did do well..Perhaps if you amend to this: "Last year I thought they did very well only to watch their acquisitions fall by the wayside due to season ending injuries. Once the season progressed, we had lost Nickle back Thurmond, Jennings, Schwartz, and half-crippled DRC gamely playing the good soldier but it was obvious his skillset was clearly affected.."
I think Vereen is going to be huge for the offense. Thomas will most likely get plenty of playing time on defense especially in the likely event that Beason suffers another injury. There is alot of pressure on Tom Quinn now because the Giants have beefed up special teams and he has no more excuses for them not being a top unit.
I think the fact that they haven't added a DL or starting caliber OL is more disturbing.
Add to that a possible high draft pick or two and another depth signing, and I really don't think we are that far off from having an above average OL.
I must say I was worried at first with all the "no-name" guys we signed outside of Vereen, but after looking into each one more, I liked them. JT Thomas seems like he has the potential to be a good sleeper signing. Harris could finally help the crappy ST play. Casillas will battle with JT, worst case improve specials.
All these players with the exception of Harris should be making near the minimum and Harris not much above the minimum. The contracts handed out do not appear to match the BBI anticipated roles of these players.
I think we also thought we'd get one premium addition, whether that is OL or S or a DL. That has not happened.
We know Tom and Eli don't have much time left and we as fans feel the urgency to win now.
There is still time to fill needs. Signing Coefield (or someone similar), Miles, a veteran OL to be the 5th starter, maybe still sign Ron Parker will go a long way towards appeasing everyone, so there is still time, but it's scary looking at this defense as assembled as it counts on so many things that are not proven:
1 - Can D. Moore be a full time player or a part time impact player?
2 - Will Ayers be ready for training camp and the season
3 - Will Bromley develop
4 - Will Cooper Taylor finally stay healthy
5 - Are Cooper Taylor and Nat Behre players?
Also, I think people really have their hearts set on drafting Cooper or White in Rd 1 and with so many holes still open, people are getting scared that drafting a WR there may not be a luxury this team can afford.
1) the state of the team yields legitimate doubts about Reese's personnel judgments; and
2) in 2013 we went 7-9, had a lot of free agency money to spend, signed more players than ever before in team history, and went 6-10 in 2014 which could shake faith in Reese's skill at this; and not much in the resumes of these signings inspires optimism that this year's crop will help us more than last year's.
However, I agree with another thread begun this day about is the money spent a big deal. The conclusion is not if it doesn't inhibit the Giants ability to make moves going forward.
I don't think it will.
With the exception of Shane Vereen who was drafted in the second round, the other free agents were drafted after the 5th round; Dwayne Harris (6th), Johnathan Casillas (Undrafted), Marshall Newhouse (5th), and J. T. Thomas III (6th).
None of the free agents were full time starters. Vereen was the most accomplished player with (6) starts and his role as the third down back for Patriots, Harris was the primary returner for Dallas but was a backup wide receiver, Casillas started (3) games for Tampa and (3) games for New England last year, Newhouse started (5) games last year and (2) the year before, JT Thomas started (2) games in the last two years for Jacksonville.
All of the players entered the NFL between 2009 -2011, (1) in 2009, (1) in 2010 and (3) in 2011.
So why did the Giants have to expend their resources on creating depth?
One explanation could be a lack of depth due to ineffective drafting.
There is (1) player William Beatty left on the Giants from the 2009 draft, there is (1) player JPP left on the Giants from the 2010 draft, and there will be (1) player left on the Giants from the 2011 draft Prince.
This is unacceptable.
The Giants are signing free agents to create depth and fix the problems created as a result of poor drafting.
Refuse to get too excited about safety and OL needs at this point...it's way too early to panic and even if it was Sept 1--why not let the games play out before proclaiming that a young position isn't going to deliver. You just never know.
I'd like to get a safety and an OL before the draft and I suspect that the Giants do too...but I can't get excited. We just don't know enough.
I liked some of the moves made last year and most NYG fans were giddy that about a dozen new names were brought in. We were giddy in the 09 off-season too.
I said it before the off-season began that the key to the 2015 season would be the maturation of 2nd and 3rd year players and some of the FAs brought in last year--notably Jennings, Schwartz and of course DRC. Of course i'd like to see some of the holes filled but if the young core of talent on this team takes a step forward, this team will win a lot of games. I firmly believe that. And you can bet that the smarter organizations of the NFL believe that too...It's all about the drafted players.
Then you have the OL and guys like Pugh, Richburg and even the kid from Canada...what's their ceiling? The RBs...Williams...the WRs...Randle and even BEckham and Donnell..
This team has a lot of question marks but they are very interesting question marks. There's athletic ability on this team....but how good these guys are remains to be seen. I think Coughlin is a very good football coach--the guy knows how to mold a team and build football prospects into football players...so this should be fun. The last time this team was very young and somewhat unproven was 2005. We can only hope things turn out in similar fashion.
FA can be exciting and when used properly can help a team take the next step but it's not the end all be all...
All that is,is an attempt to bring people back over the line.They crossed it when they questioned Reese,and now we gotta bring them back.
But I maybe stating something that's already known.This post may have a nicer tone,but it has a similar message.
Anyway you cut it, the positions of biggest need are still not addressed.it's not a good look, analysts say so, the majority of fans say so. JR may be an evil genius, but to date it doesn't look like it.He's blown too many drafts to be a Genius.
I criticized Fewell his entire tenure with the Giants.
But there was never one time I felt I knew more football than him.
I get your perception of my post being just another version of "Don't criticize Reese"
But that is not where this was coming from. I was just wondering if those who are so critical of Reese, really believe that going forward they could make better decisions for this franchise or are they just criticizing past mistakes.