do the additions of Marshall and now Engram make the Giants the team to beat in the NFC (or at least one of the top 2-3)? Don't get me wrong, they still have needs to fill at DT, OL, LB, DB, RB. And, I'm sure they will address at least some of those spots.
The D last year was a top 5 D and certainly playing well enough to win it all. Their offense was the problem. So, they add a legit #2 WR and a #1 TE who both should excel in the red zone. They should open things up for OBJ outside and Shepard underneath, as well as Perkins. If the offense takes that big step up, which I think it will, they could be poised as the best all around team.
Am I nuts to think so?
... we lost Johnathan Hankins, so by definition our defense is probably a tad weaker than last year's rendition.
On offense, a very nice weapon was added last night, and when you include Marshall as a Free Agent... very impressive receiving corp.
But I'm not sure what all that means if Eli still has the jitters behind a weak offensive line, or when he's on his back throwing the ball up a chimney?
I would love to see a couple O-Linemen added, both inside and outside. Next offseason, I think at least one of Pugh or Westburg will walk in free agency, so having an interior guy in the hopper would be nice. A tackle to throw in the mix at RT to compete with Hart and Fluker would be nice as well.
They also need a #2 RB. They'll be plenty available in the middle/late rounds to compliment Perkins.
With this O-line can we really say our RBs wouldn't be effective if there was better blocking? I think Perkins and Vereen make a decent enough 1-2 punch, especially with the addition of Marshall and now Engram. The problem is if the O-line doesn't play better do any of these additions matter?
Last year folks said, we have a Top 10 O, we just need the D to be middle of the pack.
Way too many factors to assume the team, the O, or the D, will play "the same or similar" as they did the previous year.
Last year folks said, we have a Top 10 O, we just need the D to be middle of the pack.
Way too many factors to assume the team, the O, or the D, will play "the same or similar" as they did the previous year.
He did say "If"
Should the offense be better? Well, you would think so.....
Will Marshall continue to play at a high level. or will he suddenly be another year older?
Will Engram just step in and play, or will it be a learning process?
Will Ellison, be that blocking TE we have needed, and can he overcome past injuries and play full time?
I know it sounds a little like Debbie Downer, but there is no such thing as plug and play, in the NFL or sports for that matter......how many World Series did the Yankees win with Alex?
I just mention the possibilities....
If everything goes to plan, Marshall and Engram make this offense scary....Ellison seems to be the forgotten man around draft time, but he can be huge for this offense.....
There are a lot of good players that weren't picked in the first round, and I hope Reese trades up to get them.....
As for Hankins, he was a solid player, but with the three other DLmen surrounding that position, he is replaceable, in the draft, a late cut, and worse comes to worse, we get to see what Thomas and Bromley can do.....
Our offense goes as far as Eli can take them.....there are a couple good OLmen still out there that might help this line, and give Eli more time.....
Unless there is something physically wrong with Eli, I am looking for a big bounce back year from him....with more weapons, this offense becomes less predictable.....there are still some good offensive players out there, but we have needs on defense(CB, FS, LB, DT).....like I said, I would not be surprised to see a trade up for someone we really want.....
All that said, I like the Engram pick, and if they can get some DL and OL help over the weekend they should have a more talented roster than last year.
... we lost Johnathan Hankins, so by definition our defense is probably a tad weaker than last year's rendition.
On offense, a very nice weapon was added last night, and when you include Marshall as a Free Agent... very impressive receiving corp.
But I'm not sure what all that means if Eli still has the jitters behind a weak offensive line, or when he's on his back throwing the ball up a chimney?
We now have the horses to come out in 2 TE sets and be a credible threat to defenses.
With Ellison lining up at FB, they can also come out in 2 WR, TE, RB, FB sets and be a threat.
All that said, I like the Engram pick, and if they can get some DL and OL help over the weekend they should have a more talented roster than last year.
You forgot about Darian Thompson, who went out after, what, a game and a half? Getting him back is like having an additional draft pick this year.
However, your basic point is valid. For the most part, our defense stayed remarkably healthy relative to the last few years. Was that a "one-off" or the beginning of a new, much more favorable trend. Time will tell.
Quote:
... we lost Johnathan Hankins, so by definition our defense is probably a tad weaker than last year's rendition.
On offense, a very nice weapon was added last night, and when you include Marshall as a Free Agent... very impressive receiving corp.
But I'm not sure what all that means if Eli still has the jitters behind a weak offensive line, or when he's on his back throwing the ball up a chimney?
But, our OL is really no worse than it was when McAdoo came and Eli thrived the first 2 years in that system.
Are you sure about that? Ereck Flowers regressed in year 2, and our Center played worse (maybe due to an injury, not sure.) Eli needs a fairly clean pocket; otherwise we get the "Ugly Eli."
Quote:
In comment 13447997 M.S. said:
Quote:
... we lost Johnathan Hankins, so by definition our defense is probably a tad weaker than last year's rendition.
On offense, a very nice weapon was added last night, and when you include Marshall as a Free Agent... very impressive receiving corp.
But I'm not sure what all that means if Eli still has the jitters behind a weak offensive line, or when he's on his back throwing the ball up a chimney?
But, our OL is really no worse than it was when McAdoo came and Eli thrived the first 2 years in that system.
Are you sure about that? Ereck Flowers regressed in year 2, and our Center played worse (maybe due to an injury, not sure.) Eli needs a fairly clean pocket; otherwise we get the "Ugly Eli."
Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram are going to be MASSIVE upgrades over Victor Cruz and Will Tye in the pass game.
I also wouldn't sleep on TK becoming a guy who makes some plays for us. Obviously with OBJ/Marshall/Shep/EE it's going to be hard for him to see the field- but there were some really encouraging flashes late last year and depth in this league is crucial.
All of the C2 we saw last year - teams aren't going to be able to do that anymore. A player like Engram will destroy it.
I really don't know how you game plan to stop what the Giants have right now. Teams are going to have to get to Eli quick - and if they decide to blitz to do it, there's a good chance it's going to cost them big chunks of yardage.
September can't come soon enough.