We all know that converting on third down has been quite an issue for the Giants over the years.
Whether it's related to a lack of:
~A power back being able to convert on short yardage
~Eli not having enough time to find an open receiver
~Our TEs having big drops
~Lack of a physical, tall receiver to make a catch in tight, over the middle coverage
In 2016, the Giants were ranked 30TH in the league on 3rd Down conversion - 34.44%. In the last three years they've averaged 38%.
Drafting Engram will hopefully take us to the next level.
Engram last year on Third Down was a force with Ole Miss:
Situation: 3rd Down, 1-3 To Go
Games: 4
Receptions: 4
Yards: 30
AVG: 7.50
TD: 0
Long: 18
Situation: 3rd Down, 4-6 To Go
Games: 2
Receptions: 2
Yards: 46
AVG: 23
TD: 1
Long: 33
Situation: 3rd Down, 7-9 To Go
Games: 2
Receptions: 3
Yards: 41
AVG: 13.67
TD: 0
Long: 25
Situation: 3rd Down, 10+ To Go
Games: 4
Receptions: 5
Yards: 122
AVG: 24.4
TD: 2
Long: 39
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Like many of you have posted in the last day, Engram provides a safety valve for Eli (even if he doesn't have much time) to throw a quick out or a pass across the middle to convert on third down.
His hands are fantastic, and he has the size to either box defenders (CBs) out or out run them (LBs).
Matchup nightmare!
Situational Stats - Engram - (
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lots of draft to come, but it will be a close call now.
True, and now they have two options (Marshall and Engram) who can do a quick slant or hook to pick up a first down.
We can have Engram at TE, and Ellison at FB.....then Eli reads the defense....
He can keep Ellison in the backfield as a lead blocker, or pass protector, or move him up to the other TE position.....the Giants will have multiple options to run the ball or pass it......this is something Eli did not have last season....
I disagree. The biggest issue has been the lack of a running game that could consistently get 3-4 yards on 1st/2nd down. For his career, here are Eli's conversion rates (when passing) on 3rd:
3rd and short: 206/386 (53.4%)
3rd and 4-6 yards: 250/517 (48.3%)
3rd and 7-9 yards: 157/470 (33.4%)
3rd and 10+ yards: 142/598 (23.7%)
If they can run the ball more consistently and/or convert more short passes on 1st/2nd down, their 3rd down efficiency will improve.
The move to BMac's offense was a big one. Not that OL isn't important, but getting the ball out quick & taking more easy short completions helps mitigate blocking issues. Iirc KG's offense was overall middling if that for 3rd's & RZ most yrs b/c of it's deep ball focus
And pickups like Vereen, Shep, now BMarsh all fall in the same line even b4 the EE pick
That said, iirc BMac's O had 1 good year in the RZ...the rest has been shaky overall. As good as our offense was 2 yrs ago it was pretty poor last year. For me it's way too soon to talk "weakness to strength." But yes EE seems a good pick for this purpose...
people start going wide 9 and fucking up your pass protection, even on short D and D.
Thus the obsession with a heavier, better G-C-G trio.
That, and the emphasis on the GCG within Mac / Packers ball.
ok. fine, if it works it works.
But, this might be why Flowers is scared of his own shadow right now. At some point you have to give the line back its man - card. run quick hits from under center, make the DL earn its keep when they face you, keep them in close to center, old school.