Now that the first part of Free Agency and the Draft is over this off-season - what is your biggest concern going into the 2016 Season?
As for myself, I think the FO has done a pretty good job adding pieces to the Defensive Line and Backfield, took a stab a linebacker that remains to be seen, has taken a credible step to adding a piece to both the WR & RB corps, took a stab at TE, and as we all know they have not really taken much of a swing at the tight side of the Offensive line.
I am concerned about depth, the right side of the Offensive line, I am also concerned with injuries and how the new coaching staff will do.
The right side of the Oline was an issue that didn't stop the Offense from producing last year and the Offense was given a few new weapons. They arguably have replaced Ruben Randle with Sterling Sheppard, and they have added a new RB that may help eclipse last year's running game. Eric Flowers has a year of experience under his belt- and a year in a professional training regime and presumably will improve.
Since you can't put marquis talent at every position, it is apparent to me that besides the talent, coaching is the single biggest factor in having a successful team, and successful team chemistry. The Coaching staff's ability to coach up and game plan, their ability to keep the team involved and buying into the product they put on the field. When players go down they have to send in the replacements and continue to field a team. The teams that make it to the Superbowl all have strong coaching behind them to make a difference in their product. So while I feel positive about the coaching changes they are still a big unknown.
I am also concerned with the Giants injury rash of the past three years. The team has been decimated with injuries - will there be less injuries this year - and can the new PT staff make a difference, or is it the Giant's facilities themselves that is the problem?
So what is your biggest concern - The Offensive Line, The Coaching Staff, Injuries, Depth, Linebackers, TEs or something else?
hope that Wellman knows what he's doing
A major issue on D for the first month will be gelling new players. The talent is upgraded but this defensive team has never played together. I think they will have this sorted out by October, but what will their record be in September? Can they pull off two wins?
Despite the FA acquisitions, the defense still has to be a question mark until proven otherwise. Will Vernon turn out to b everything the team expects? Will JPP prove that he can be effective even with a mangled hand. Can the defense close out he game.
Its always exciting to have a new coaching staff.However there is going to be a lot of uncertainty. Is McAdoo really ready for this responsibility
Lastly, can we beat the fuckin Eagles. It seems to me that as long as we continue to lose to the Eagles twice year on a routine basis, it will be hard to make the playoffs let alone win the division
Nobody has LBs that can cover TEs.
How will the new guys perform? How are Hankins, OO and JPP post-injury?
A high proportion of unknowns.
Why health? All teams have health risks so on average it shouldn't be a concern competitively.
In that order.
They have new players we will see if the results are better.
Honestly - in terms of concern:
WR - it's still OBJ, an uncertain Victor Cruz, Harris and rookies. I'm excited at the possibility of Shepard being Steve Smith II, but that's a lot to ask of a guy who hasn't taken an NFL snap. For right now, the only known quantity is OBJ.
DE - JPP, Vernon, ... and I mean ... OO is practically a rookie, and there's nothing else. Would really like to add another body there, even if it's nobody spectacular.
TE - Eli is at his best when he has a functioning TE. Again - some promise from the rookies here, but in terms of what we really have, it's Tye and more ...
Otherwise, I think we're much improved on the roster end this year over last, and I'm hoping that we have some health/luck on our side.
Again, why health, unless you think the Giants are likely to have more injuries than the average team which implies you believe they're still doing something wrong strength and conditioning wise.
No, in my opinion, the defense should be improved over last year - and while we haven't seen them play yet -- I think the moves were mostly very smart well-calculated moves that should have an impact.
1. Right side of Oline, if I'm Reese I am doing what I have to do to sure up the right side so guys like newhouse and jerry or hart provide good depth. a trade for davis or joeckel would be really nice. Maybe a solid june 1st cut.
2. i feel that guys like hankins and OO will bounce back from injury. OO is still a question mark but hankins will return to form. hoping one of the UDFA becomes a solid 4th or 5th DE as we could use some DL depth
3. the chemistry is something that needs work but i have no doubt it will be there come opening day.
I have a lot less question marks about the defense than I did going into last season. I think we really filled a ton of holes this offseason and I think we are going to get a lot of contribution from the draft class. you could see 4 of the 6 making immediate impacts on the field.
UConn -- trying to be funny - or do you have a legitimate concern -- if so what is it?
We might as well concede.
Btw -- before FA and the Draft the defense was my number one concern -- WR was my second biggest concern, so the Giants have, with their moves, effectively shifted my focus
As far as positions go, I'd really like to see the Giants find a quality LB in free agency. I don't think our LB crew is as bad as some make it out to be, but adding a high quality veteran would really shore things up in a hurry.
Getting nit-picky here, but I'd love to have another high motor defensive end to add to the mix.
I'm really not worried about the right side of the offensive line which has been much maligned. It would be nice to add a stud RT, but they don't grow on trees and even if we mortgaged the farm to bring in a big name, the improvement would probably be negligible to the average fan. It's not worth flushing our luxury cap space down the crapper IMO
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UConn -- trying to be funny - or do you have a legitimate concern -- if so what is it?
Mostly trying to be funny. To answer the question at hand and taking things like health out of the equation since every team wants to be healthy, i'd say my biggest concern would be moving the focal point of the offense away from Beckham. Whether that's with a better run game, or Cruz/Shepard stepping up, i'd like to rely less on our best player.
That doesn't mean less targets or less production, it mainly means that someone has to capitalize on all the chances Randle had last year.
Actual positions I don't get hung up on. Its easy to sit back and say right side of the OL or FS is a concern but I just don't know. Players step up all the time for various teams and every year you hear "wow, how did this guy last until the 6th round?". Camp should be fun this year.
2) Inexperience: The team seems to be the youngest I've seen it in many years (I could be wrong). New HC with only 2 years as an OC, new OC, several other new coaches, DC in his 2nd year, lot's of FA (new) players on defense, and many draft picks (UDFA included). Rookies that will probably be needed to play big roles in an unfamiliar system at the next level.
Note on both 1) and 2); The whole team feels almost brand new or has a question mark hanging over their head. There are only a few notable exceptions; Eli, OBJ, DRC, Pugh, Richburg, etc.
3) OL: It's kind of the one big need they couldn't get filled thus far. I'm not disappointed that it didn't get filled because they filled many other needs. Most disagree but I really would have loved a good to great LT to move Flowers to the RT. Flowers would beast the hell out of the right side of the line to open some great running lanes. The depth on the OL scares me a bit as well but then again, there are depth concerns all of the roster really. This concern is at the bottom for me because, since they still haven't pushed too hard to address it, the team doesn't seem too concerned. I'm not sure if they have a plan to improve the line or intend to work around the limitations.
For the most part though, Reese was looking to fix the defense, which I believe he has, and he also added a solid RB, WR, and TE to the mix on offense. One more solid offseason, and this team will be good to go from top to bottom.
Whatever they roll out for the opening day O-Line will be adequate, be it with Jerry/Newhouse or a variation that uses Pugh at RT - whatever - it will be good enough.
BIG RED FLAG if one or 2 linemen go down injured.
If this team can't score points, we'll have very high draft picks next May.
But if we do not change being the worse injured team......we can not over come that
This by a long shot.
- Eli age
- organizational dysfunction, bungling of the first round pick this past draft
- transitioning from a loser mentality to a winning mentality. Do our players have the will and has our front office selected talent that is durable.
- is MacAdoo really ready to be an HC?
Despite the improvements we don't know how this will start, if they win a couple of games then lose a few tough ones, how will they react? If they start off terrible, how will they react?
I am not sure how talented this team is, but I am more concerned with the leadership on this team then anything. There will be tough times, that is a fact, so time will tell if this team comes together and has what it takes, talent became a huge problem here, now leadership is going to be tested out and we just don't know if and how much we have.
The offense was good last year, and they will be good again this year. If Cruz can stay healthy and return to something close to his previous form, they will be a lot better, with Sterling Sheppard as a 3rd weapon. I like Will Tye, but if this Adams guy can play, that would be great too.
I am not thrilled about Newhouse and Jerry as most here also are not, but I am hopeful like some that Bobby Hart can be an improvement at RT.
I am a little worried about their ability to run the ball, since the R side of the line is a weak link, but I think McAdoo won't repeat what happened last season with rotating Jennings, Williams, and Darkwa to the point where no one got a rhythm running the ball. Hopefully Williams is cut and Jennings gets the majority of snaps and Darkwa or Perkins spell him.
The defense and offense being better of course is still dependent on reducing the outrageous amount of injuries. Hopefully that will be the area of the most improvement for the Giants moving forward.
The roster has improved in quality. Of course there are holes and depth issues remain. I think the Giants might be more of a middle-of-the-pack team right now in terms of overall talent and depth. If the injury plague continues next year, the Giants will effectively be, once again, at the bottom of the league in terms of talent and depth that is available to play.
If the new strength and conditioning regime can get the Giants to at least middle-of-the-pack in terms of injuries, then the Giants are a competitive team. With Eli, I believe anything is possible. We've seen it with two Super Bowl wins (and MVP awards).
If the Giants have a real change in the injury situation, Giant football in December will once again be exciting and meaningful.
It sucks when the season ends in November (or earlier).
I'm no expert, but that's the simple way I see it.
Then #2 WR. Hate counting on rookies and can't count on Cruz.
Then FS, maybe the FS is on the roster, maybe not need someone to fill that role
then LB, still an underwhelming LB group and not much drop off from the best to the worst.
then TE still have all UDFA TE's and 6th round pick Jerell Adams
then coaching. Who knows what kind of HC McAdoo will make
that's it.
2) Right side of the OL. My only guesses are: 1) they fully expect a vet to shake free after June 1st or 2) they will employ a very quick, short passing game where the right side of the OL will matter less.
3) LBs. Will we still see receivers, TEs and RBs running wild in the middle of the field?
4) First year HC. Does he have what it takes?
2. #2 WR
3. FS
4. TE/blocking
5. Head Coach
Then #2 WR. Hate counting on rookies and can't count on Cruz.
Then FS, maybe the FS is on the roster, maybe not need someone to fill that role
then LB, still an underwhelming LB group and not much drop off from the best to the worst.
then TE still have all UDFA TE's and 6th round pick Jerell Adams
then coaching. Who knows what kind of HC McAdoo will make
that's it.
Holy hell, I didnt read yours before posting. Nice job.
Not much other than that ;-)
Out side of the that....Seeing that a new coaching staff is able to create a decent team out of all the new pieces that have been acquired. Will the performance of the team exceed the sum of the parts or will it fall short. We have all seen Philly, Dallas and Washington acquire lots of shiny new parts only to have it all fail spectacularly.
I'm concerned that the front office may be trying to recreate past successes whose sustainability is questionable, as opposed to focusing on a longer term comprehensive plan for building the team through and beyond the remaining Eli years.
At RT Newhouse talent level is strictly a backup swing tackle and at RG Jerry's play vacillates between JAG and total bum.
Eli was consistently harassed, moved off his spot in the pocket and under duress delivering the football. His ability to get the ball out quickly and maneuver compensated to a degree for some of the pass protection problems on the right side.
Factor in their total inability to establish a consistent running attack and it's clear the talent there must be upgraded.
I'm praying Reese isn't bamboozled by last seasons low 'sack' numbers into thinking this offense can reach it's full potential with these slags starting.
There is still time and several players potentially available to address the problem.
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then OL depth in general. Pugh has a concussion history, the right side can be upgraded and has no depth other than Hart and he's a big unknown.
Then #2 WR. Hate counting on rookies and can't count on Cruz.
Then FS, maybe the FS is on the roster, maybe not need someone to fill that role
then LB, still an underwhelming LB group and not much drop off from the best to the worst.
then TE still have all UDFA TE's and 6th round pick Jerell Adams
then coaching. Who knows what kind of HC McAdoo will make
that's it.
Holy hell, I didnt read yours before posting. Nice job.
LOL, probably typing at the same time. I read the thread after posting my list too and it seems a lot of people are hitting the same things.
Secondly...the depth on the OL is worrisome. You have to assume, law of averages-wise, a couple injuries will arise at some point. The backup OL on this team are not good. Sure you can say most franchises around the league can say the same thing...but I've looked up and down every depth chart in the league so many times over the past year...NYG has a bottom 8 (at best) backup group of OL.
At RT Newhouse talent level is strictly a backup swing tackle and at RG Jerry's play vacillates between JAG and total bum.
Eli was consistently harassed, moved off his spot in the pocket and under duress delivering the football. His ability to get the ball out quickly and maneuver compensated to a degree for some of the pass protection problems on the right side.
Factor in their total inability to establish a consistent running attack and it's clear the talent there must be upgraded.
I'm praying Reese isn't bamboozled by last seasons low 'sack' numbers into thinking this offense can reach it's full potential with these slags starting.
There is still time and several players potentially available to address the problem.
Certainly the right side could stand some upgrading and perhaps they believe Hart is part of that upgrade. But we can take solice in the fact that Eli's sack numbers or lack thereof were indeed based on decent to good line play and his ability to maneuver out lf danger..Unless you believe all CONTENDING teams have near perfect OLs, then THEIR QBs abilities to manueuver and avoid "danger" also help their OLs flawed productions. It's not JUST the Giants. It's most if not ALL CONTENDING teams..That's what is..
One thing I will say, it seems like this has been a very purposeful off season. To me it seems the Giants are rebuilding in a smart way ...
On the field, I'm concerned about Mcadoo as the unproven head coach, the right side of the OL, and seeing a culture of winning: consistency, crisp performances, and a "just being here isn't good enough" attitude to become infectious.
-DL Depth - Solution: Pray
-RB has too much depth that another 4 rb committee is very likely - Solution: Ride Jenning early on and the feature back with vereen. Bring in perkins in the second half of the year to phase out Jennings
-Rookie head coach -Solution: Remember he is a rookie HC
-DB Depth. After the top 3 guys, we have a bunch of guinea pigs for opposing qbs to pick on. - Solution: Sign Leon hall)
They have made significant upgrades to the roster and should get a better performance from unclubbed JPP.
With that said, several questions remain and first is the right side of the OL, better players are needed - period. Also, another VET DE would be nice, someone like FA Jason Jones from Detroit would be a great add now.
Offensive Line Starter .
#2 Big FA Acquisitions Need to Impact on Defense
#3 Draft Picks Have Produce Early and Bump There Way
into Starting Roles .
Does Ben Mcadoo have the Ability to Motivate the
Entire ? Team TC Fathered the Team and got the Most
out of some Borderline NFL Players .
Parcells the Great Button Pusher .
I have some Doubts of him more or less his demeanor
Many times when the camera panned to him he seemed
like he was searching for answers . I don't doubt
his knowledge but wonder of his in-game management .
I am Excited more this year than ever with a fresh
start and Look . On Paper a Decent draft that
I don't Quite think it fell perfectly for us
and The Biggest One Would be Apple any Pick at #10
should be a Pro-Bowl Player or Close to It.
My next concern is whether the Oline can force their will and establish an effective run game.
Rookie HC
Nothing solid at MLB other than an injury prone player
Offensive Line depth.
No weapon opposite OBJ
Too many what if's
Can Newhouse and Jerry hold down right side of line ?
Can Cruz come back and be good ?
Can the coaching staff get it done ?
JPP will he be able to tackle ?
Veronon ? Will he reach double digit sacks as the primary guy ?
Where will Eli Apple play and why didn't we get an obvious day 1 starter at 10 ?
Will injuries improve ?
Offensive Line Starter .
#2 Big FA Acquisitions Need to Impact on Defense
#3 Draft Picks Have Produce Early and Bump There Way
into Starting Roles .
Does Ben Mcadoo have the Ability to Motivate the
Entire ? Team TC Fathered the Team and got the Most
out of some Borderline NFL Players .
Parcells the Great Button Pusher .
I have some Doubts of him more or less his demeanor
Many times when the camera panned to him he seemed
like he was searching for answers . I don't doubt
his knowledge but wonder of his in-game management .
I am Excited more this year than ever with a fresh
start and Look . On Paper a Decent draft that
I don't Quite think it fell perfectly for us
and The Biggest One Would be Apple any Pick at #10
should be a Pro-Bowl Player or Close to It.
Well said. My questions are similar however, one thing is true its going to be one hell of an interesting season.
Lots of "storylines" to play out, New HC, Cruz, JPP, big FAs signed
Goodson was praised widely draft weekend by the TV "experts", but I still worry about the Giants sideline to sideline ability with their LBs and most importantly, their coverage ability.
While the talent level might be improved at free safety, they still have a complete and total lack of experience.
Good one - spewed coffee out my nose. Thanks a lot!
1. If someone is hitting on the players wives at work what legal or violent action they should do?
2. Should players circumcise their kid or have them forever be teased and feel weird whilst comparing their junk to their dad's
3. If there are serious injustices between the fat linemen and the thin skill positions and the thin privileges the skill positions enjoy
4. How will anyone know if they played well without Ray Lewis breaking down their play on tv?
5. Would Ghandi approve of the racial complexion of the current roster?
6. Does anyone like the Irish people and should they be tolerated anywhere?
The best teams are usually solid on their lines, and the Giants still have so
E question marks especially with their depth.
If I look at NYG we have Odell, obviously. We also have Eli, but it is not like there aren't a number of other teams with QBs who are at the same level, or not terribly far off. As good as he is, he is not an Aaron Rogers, Brady, or Peyton a few years back kind of difference maker.
Although happy with our drafts the past two years, picking in the top 10 I was sort of hoping we would come out with that kind of a player. We still may, but where we stand today I don't have that kind of expectations. Although some players on the roster with the potential, I'm not sure there is anyone outside of the two mentioned who I feel very confident will be that sort of difference maker.
Given that this is so clearly a passing league now both safeties have to be able to cover on every down
Collins is more of a lb then a safety and we have a bunch of unknowns at FS
Now is the time for optimism of course but we have two really big holes IMO in a critical position
2. Right side of OL.
3. Inexperienced HC.
We might be able to live with one of these. But if two or more crop up as major problems, we'll be headed for a six win season.
Spags I have faith in. But he needs some brains and intensity on the field, and I'm not even sure who the candidates are to do that. Maybe Kennard. But he's often not on the field...
Not getting off the field is a mix of many issues including, but not limited to, lack of pass rush, poor LB play especially in coverage, open spaces in the middle of field and also poor decisions/penalties from the guys.
Spags I have faith in. But he needs some brains and intensity on the field, and I'm not even sure who the candidates are to do that. Maybe Kennard. But he's often not on the field...
Glad someone said leadership on the field... its needed on Defense in a huge way.
There were no vocal leaders on offense until Richburg decided to do so. You might argue Beckham is in a leadership position.
On defense, you have guys that other players have said the D gravitates to. Thomas and JPP. Thompson might have that quality too.
I'm confident JPP can do it. My concern is about Vernon being close to the guy they paid and the lack of anything else to help with the pass rush.
He's part of the equation.
I'm not as worried about RT as others, but I'd like to see Hart seize the reigns here and push Newhouse to the bench. That would help out with our depth. We can get by with Newhouse for a few games, but an entire season is something I'm not entirely comfortable with.
I'm pretty confident that someone will step up at FS. Law of averages say that we'll get a little luck at this position, and get to see what the young kids have to offer.
Last but not least, HEALTH. With a name like Wellman, we are due to not get completely devastated by injuries.
Goodell is in bed with Jerrah.
1. RT/RG
2. #2 WR
3. FS
4. TE/blocking
5. Head Coach
2) Right side of the OL. My only guesses are: 1) they fully expect a vet to shake free after June 1st or 2) they will employ a very quick, short passing game where the right side of the OL will matter less.
3) LBs. Will we still see receivers, TEs and RBs running wild in the middle of the field?
4) First year HC. Does he have what it takes?
This + does Spagnuolo still have the fastball. He's had some historically bad defenses on his resume and the lack of talent reason will no longer be there.
I think the Giants themselves are painfully aware of this. I'm very sure they were going to take Floyd with their #1 (till the Bears leap-frogged them).
So, they went to the next best BPA/Need option in CB Eli Apple.
There no good choices left. The only thing they can do, at this time to alleviate the bleeding is the "Deon Grant" option - go to a three safety set (on passing downs) and hope they can find a safety (among the many candidates in camp) that can cover the middle of the field.
First up is Landon Collins (a terrific player, but with a history of cover inadequacies); after him, who knows.
Davis doesn't want to play with San Francisco, so he "retired". It might take a #2 or #3 draft choice, but the Giants have to be very careful not to be accused of interfering in the 49ers business.
Jerry has said Newhouse is a "back-up" solution, and yet the silence to fix that hole is deafening. There's something going on.
On the contrary they mask the problem which is the pass protection wasn't good. It benefited from the scheme and the QB's pocket awareness. This is highlighted by the lack of downfield completions which has been a hallmark of Eli's career.
Most of the coaches are unknown -- none have lots of experience and none have a big rep in terms of success and or top A ( other than perhaps the OL coach when he was with 49ers ).
Yeah, McAdoo is unproven as a HC.. the right side of the OL is a bit of a question mark. How will the defense mesh?
But we're still going to be running the same offense and Spagnuolo is still here on the other side of the ball for better or worse (although the majority of the defense will be new faces) so at least there won't be a major learning curve for the players who were already here. Most importantly, Eli.
On the contrary they mask the problem which is the pass protection wasn't good. It benefited from the scheme and the QB's pocket awareness. This is highlighted by the lack of downfield completions which has been a hallmark of Eli's career.
I think you're overstating the "lack of downfield completions".
Only Desean Jackson has more 50+ yard plays over the last two years than Odell. 11 for Jackson, 9 for Odell.
Eli's yards per attempt is consistent with his career
Yards per catch is too
If you're an advanced metrics guy, he's rated above average in all the yards per attempt, Average, Net, and Adjusted.
Optically, yes, he is going to have fewer deep passes because that's what the offense is compared to what Coughlin wanted.
Oline(RT) --101 - 29%
Injuries ------68 - 19%
Coaching --- 49 - 14%
Defense -----22 - 6%
Chm/Gel ----16 - 5%
Depth --------16 - 5%
Safties -------14 - 4%
Wide R ------13 - 4%
PassR/DL--- 11 - 3%
LB/Org/RB -10 (ea) - 3%