Watching over the first 3 weeks, the biggest positive to me is that the team is talented enough to win. There are no huge talent deficiencies that will cripple the team (barring injury of course).
There are weaknesses at TE and the right side of the OL, but so far I haven't seen them being so exploitable as to derail a season.
However, the Giants have some scary abilities. And Reese has wisely piled them in the same place. The WR core is a nightmare cover. With the OLs strength being pass pro, that bodes well for the offensive output. This is a passing league and they can do it as well as anyone.
On the defensive side the DBs look outstanding. DRC, Jenkins and Apple can blossom into one of the best trios in the league. I thought Jackson's TD was as well covered by DRC as you could get. I love the idea of putting Apple on a move TE like Reed and replacing him with Hall in the slot. The matchup versatility will payoff this season. Collins also has matured into a better player. Collins, Berhe and Thompson bring more range and big hitting than I can remember.
The DL can stone the run. Hankins and Harrison have looked tremendous upfront. JPP and Vernon have also been stalwarts vs the run.
Most importantly they pass the eye test. They are not getting dominated in any one phase with some miracle recovery needed off of a prevent defense. They can move the ball well and they can stop the run. That alone makes me optimistic for the season.
They have been making mistakes in turning the ball over and untimely penalties which as bad as they are, are mental errors which can be corrected. The Giants can do that. They wouldn't be able to infuse new talent. So as disappointed I felt with the loss, the arrow is still pointing up for me on this team. Let's watch if the staff can get the mental aspect working which should let the talent take over.
Yes. It's all well and good to feel that "hey, if they just clean up the mistakes they're in good shape", but it's starting to become a legit question as to whether they can actually do that.
OBJ
Richburg
Jerry
Pugh
Hankins
Jenkins
Vernon
Jennings
Obviously any first or 2nd yr player on the Giants is still figuring out how to win in the NFL.
Yesterday I saw a team that lacked maturity and poise. Players getting ejected, melting down/crying on the sidelines and then players declining to talk to the media.
We'll find out a lot about this team in the next few weeks.
Jim, if Forest Hills weren't three states away from my home, we could be drinking buddies. Thanks for the thread.
That's why it's hard to expect composure in a tight game and it's the reason we may be susceptible to meltdowns. There's a general angst to the team that stems from the players' inexperience.
OBJ
Richburg
Jerry
Pugh
Hankins
Jenkins
Vernon
Jennings
Obviously any first or 2nd yr player on the Giants is still figuring out how to win in the NFL.
Yesterday I saw a team that lacked maturity and poise. Players getting ejected, melting down/crying on the sidelines and then players declining to talk to the media.
We'll find out a lot about this team in the next few weeks.
not acceptable but to be expected a bit for a home game, against the division winner, who we normally rape, with Norman there now. Just have to make up for it down the road.
^This. Yesterday's game would have fit very nicely in last year's losses, as another way we invent ways to lose.
I'd be curious to see who led that category the last few years so we could see the success rate. Any chance you have that info?
Quote:
in yards per play differential
I'd be curious to see who led that category the last few years so we could see the success rate. Any chance you have that info?
2015
1. Cardinals
2. Broncos
3. Seahawks
2014
1. Broncos
2. Seahawks
3. Packers
2013
1. Seahawks
2. Broncos
3. Eagles
2012
1. 49ers
2. Broncos
3. Seahawks
Quote:
In comment 13143239 jintz4life said:
Quote:
in yards per play differential
I'd be curious to see who led that category the last few years so we could see the success rate. Any chance you have that info?
2015
1. Cardinals
2. Broncos
3. Seahawks
2014
1. Broncos
2. Seahawks
3. Packers
2013
1. Seahawks
2. Broncos
3. Eagles
2012
1. 49ers
2. Broncos
3. Seahawks
Not surprising to see those teams. Talent laden playoff teams for the most part.
Quote:
the mistakes are habitual, a few years running, in fact.
^This. Yesterday's game would have fit very nicely in last year's losses, as another way we invent ways to lose.
yeah but you can see how much better talent wise they looked compared to any game last year.
Nice to see some common sense
And another poster had a good point: We're "only" making "mental mistakes" that can be corrected -- yet they DON'T get corrected. I feel like that's been echoing since the early TC days.
Seems we're regressing since game #1. Then we played pretty solidly and got out with a W away. Next we dropped passes left and right but somehow didn't beat ourselves; escaped with a W at home. Now, we don't play particularly well, continue the turnovers, and make "mental errors"; L at home. No, this is not DOOM, I believe we'll even out and it is still early in the season. But McAdoo needs to talk to the team.
ALL that said...yes, the receiving corps is the best I can remember on any Giants team (so is the QB). And in general we are better on paper than we have been in a long time. If we execute, we can compete with anybody.
Quote:
In comment 13143239 jintz4life said:
Quote:
in yards per play differential
I'd be curious to see who led that category the last few years so we could see the success rate. Any chance you have that info?
2015
1. Cardinals
2. Broncos
3. Seahawks
2014
1. Broncos
2. Seahawks
3. Packers
2013
1. Seahawks
2. Broncos
3. Eagles
2012
1. 49ers
2. Broncos
3. Seahawks
Thanks. Reassuring.
Eli has also fumbled more than any other QB the last X amount of years. Simply put Eli has one glaring flaw in turnovers but we're gonna have to just deal with it. His good far out-weighs the bad but there's no denying his penchant for turnovers even taking into account the lower INT totals 2014-2015.
Gotta improve in the TO department or the Giants will find a way to fuck up a good team once again. Last time it happened was 2010.
The dreaded grip strength issue rears its ugly head again.
Speaking of heavy hands, I think OV might be a lot worse off than he's letting us know. His play has not been as spectacular lately.
Finally, wrt the uneven play, it seems to me that we've had that almost all my life, and so do other teams. In fact, it's the Belichick teams that have been the absolute exception to the rule. I'm not sure what his magic potion is, but would love to get a hold of it. His teams must be practicing differently, because they sure as heck play differently than the rest of the league.
The hell? Are you kidding? In what way did they look like "they didn't belong on the field" with the shitbag Redskins????
Quote:
this team lost yesterday, but they didn't look like they didn't belong on the same field with the Skins.
The hell? Are you kidding? In what way did they look like "they didn't belong on the field" with the shitbag Redskins????
You're reading me wrong. I said they "didn't" look like they didn't belong.
I shouldn't have used a double negative perhaps.
Not too worried about Spags. It looks like he was using the same strategy that worked for him against the Cowboys - give up the field underneath but no long plays. Limit the other team to field goals.
The team actually executed this fairly well with two exceptions.
Take a look at the two TD's that were scored. What happened? The second one was obviously not on Spags. Players were in place to make a big play, and just didn't make it happen. That's not by design and doesn't fall on the DC.
The second one looks like Berhe might have got caught cheating, or maybe he just underestimated DJ's speed. If there was a blitz on the play then you could blame the design, but it looks like the error again was on the player.
It's important as you assess the DC's performance that we look not just at the score but also look closely at why the other team was able to score. While the buck always stops at the HC, I'm not so sure this loss falls on the coaches. The coaches put the players in position to win the game. The players made mistakes at critical moments which allowed the Skins to take advantage and win.
It is a bit concerning to see the mental mistakes (tho I believe it was mostly due to GN so a 'just against WAS' issue if not the last time). OBJ's hissy fits shouldn't effect others, but in a game that we proved so undisciplined - OL repeatedly screaming in GN's face downfield / getting ejected - I can't help but think he should do better. If nothing else it IS a distraction for those calming him down vs focusing on the field. But at worst it fed into our lack of composure. TBH - knowing the refs planned on kicking him out for anything he should have been more under control, but it is what it is. I don't think it will continue but was disappointed to see it again after the CAR game & lead in to this one (was he really crying? why?)
I never expect any season to be easy whether it's because it's NYG, the NFCe or just parity in the NFL / randomness of health etc. I mean, 2 rook QBs are 3-0 & 2-1, w/ Phi basically being penciled in for last no less
The entire complexion of the D changed without Apple and DRC. You don't lose two good man press cornerbacks without having to make concessions. Lots of off coverage and soft zones were the result.
Know what you mean, but I see another side
Among the top QBs last year (w/ Brady out), Palmer just threw 0TDs/4INTs, Cam 0/3, Wilson & Rodgers hadn't played well til this week. Cousins not playing great (neither completely awful) given he had top #s in 2015. After that the usual suspects - Roethlisbergers, Staffords, Flaccos, Ryans, Rivers-ises all doing that tweener inconsistency thing whether due to their own play or their team's (like Eli)
So while for the sake of argument we can say it's Eli (in part it is), what are fair expectations? For my part, a little improved decision making and decent uptick in short-mid area accuracy would make him a HOF QB guaranteed. But looking at those names, who even has all these traits (maybe Brady, tho we know BB's effect)? And I bet he's worked on them for years so I'm not sure how one goes about expecting to 'fix' it vs just approaching each example as they come up. The fumbling is huge, pressure aside...but not really new either
I think going in five years qualifies as a tradition.