Let's Play | Your the GM | What's your plan?

I really thought the first thing you'd do is make a decision about coaches..

I'm less inclined to make any personnel decisions before first identifying a head coach and strategy for a system going forward. Then that coach and I would review personnel to get their take. I'd have them make their position coach hires as quickly as possible so we could get their final input.

I'd have the cap numbers in front of me along with pro-personnel and draft-reports and have that guide me in terms of personnel decisions.

consider the old Seahawks/Redskins GM....the one with the presumed drinking issue.....but that guy has a midus touch.

I don't know what that means, but I hear that a lot. That's also while I'm going to hire an assistant GM that actually knows something about the NFL. Like Gettleman. Or Reese.

I would make very clear that I was committed to building my team from the inside out. I would commit to putting together a strong offensive line, I would be much more aggressive in trying to acquire linebackers. My goal would be to build a team that other teams hate playing against. A physical, aggressive team that plays tough defense.

Hire a coach who is on board with this philosophy and understands how to play physical football and utilize play-action (not just use buzzword terms like "heavy-handed football" the way McAdoo did without actually understanding what it meant)

Draft and acquire players who fit my philosophy and create a culture and an identity.

In comment 13739589 arcarsenal said:

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I would make very clear that I was committed to building my team from the inside out. I would commit to putting together a strong offensive line, I would be much more aggressive in trying to acquire linebackers. My goal would be to build a team that other teams hate playing against. A physical, aggressive team that plays tough defense. Hire a coach who is on board with this philosophy and understands how to play physical football and utilize play-action (not just use buzzword terms like "heavy-handed football" the way McAdoo did without actually understanding what it meant) Draft and acquire players who fit my philosophy and create a culture and an identity.

I think maybe McAdoo knew what heavy-handed football means and even though he's been ripped for it, I like the term as it describes a quality I'd like to have on my team as well.

In McAdoo's case, I think he was overly focused on practices being safe spaces to work in and the result was a soft team on game day.

A new coach will have these guys PRACTICE heavy-handed football if he wants them to play that way.

In comment 13739594 Dan in the Springs said:

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In comment 13739589 arcarsenal said: Quote: I would make very clear that I was committed to building my team from the inside out. I would commit to putting together a strong offensive line, I would be much more aggressive in trying to acquire linebackers. My goal would be to build a team that other teams hate playing against. A physical, aggressive team that plays tough defense. Hire a coach who is on board with this philosophy and understands how to play physical football and utilize play-action (not just use buzzword terms like "heavy-handed football" the way McAdoo did without actually understanding what it meant) Draft and acquire players who fit my philosophy and create a culture and an identity. I think maybe McAdoo knew what heavy-handed football means and even though he's been ripped for it, I like the term as it describes a quality I'd like to have on my team as well. In McAdoo's case, I think he was overly focused on practices being safe spaces to work in and the result was a soft team on game day. A new coach will have these guys PRACTICE heavy-handed football if he wants them to play that way.

To be clear, I think he knew what it meant - but he kept saying it without actually coaching the team in any way that even remotely reflected it. Before he gave up playcalling, he was completely allergic to committing to the run - he also chose to start players on the offensive line who were inferior and less physical than players behind them.

He had a fantastic blocking TE paired with Engram, but refused to run heavy sets.

He handed Paul Perkins the starting RB job without creating much of any competition whatsoever.

He kept talking about "heavy-handed" football, but never actually took measures to put that on the field.

I want a coach who doesn't just talk the talk, but one who actually knows how to put a tough, physical football team on the field and win games.

because I was just texting with some friends exactly what I would do that wouldnt be popular with fans but wouldnt be a bad idea in the long run

And I'm not joking here...
Keep Eli around for one more year to finish out his contract and retire a Giant while having Davis Webb as the #2 guy to hand off the keys to him as the starter in 2019

Trade down out of the top 3 to aquire more picks. At least 2 or 3 2nd and 3rd rounders. Quanity is the key to stock up on high rated talent to restock at OL, a tall WR to replace Marshall, LB, CB, DE. (NO QB in the first round!!!)

Cut Marshall who didn't look like he was interested much in playing this year anyway with his halfassed routes and drops. Trade Apple because the kid has a bad attitude.
Sign or trade him for a bruising younger RB

Thats all I got for now.

In comment 13739601 arcarsenal said:

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To be clear, I think he knew what it meant - but he kept saying it without actually coaching the team in any way that even remotely reflected it. Before he gave up playcalling, he was completely allergic to committing to the run - he also chose to start players on the offensive line who were inferior and less physical than players behind them. He had a fantastic blocking TE paired with Engram, but refused to run heavy sets. He handed Paul Perkins the starting RB job without creating much of any competition whatsoever. He kept talking about "heavy-handed" football, but never actually took measures to put that on the field. I want a coach who doesn't just talk the talk, but one who actually knows how to put a tough, physical football team on the field and win games.

You and I are thinking a lot alike here. You did a better job of pointing out more of his mistakes than I did. Good job.

In comment 13739605 jnoble said:

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And I'm not joking here... Keep Eli around for one more year to finish out his contract and retire a Giant while having Davis Webb as the #2 guy to hand off the keys to him as the starter in 2019

Agree with you - would do the same and it wouldn't be popular. If Webb sucks you get another chance at a good QB down the road. If I were GM though I'd listen to my coaches and staff and be open to taking one of the QB's if they felt strongly enough about it, but my inclination would be to fix OL and LB through the draft and find out where Webb is after another year of Eli.

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Trade down out of the top 3 to aquire more picks. At least 2 or 3 2nd and 3rd rounders. Quanity is the key to stock up on high rated talent to restock at OL, a tall WR to replace Marshall, LB, CB, DE. (NO QB in the first round!!!)

The holes this team has are significant. We could use an upgrade at OL and LB anyway, and they will become bigger with the number of players at those positions who will be FA. Can't fix them all in the draft, but if there was a way to get more talent in here by trading out of the top picks I'd do it.

Having said that I'd be in on Cockrell and Dixon and don't really think that means we're in bad shape at CB.

In addition to OL and LB, we need better options at WR and FS imo.

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Cut Marshall who didn't look like he was interested much in playing this year anyway with his halfassed routes and drops.

Easy to agree with this take.

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Trade Apple because the kid has a bad attitude. Sign or trade him for a bruising younger RB

I'm not ready to give up Apple. He's young and he was more right than wrong when saying the team was a mess. Again, if the coaches are ready to say goodbye I'd be okay with moving on, but I'd prefer not to sell low on him. Definitely wouldn't cut him though. Got to get some return on that investment.

1. Most immediate concern, hiring the following coaching staff:

Head Coach - Mike Smith
Offensive Coordinator - Gary Kubiak
Defensive Coordinator - Jim Tomsula

That's three guys with head coaching experience. I would expect a high level of organization and attention to detail with them running the show. A combined 154-132 record over 186 games of experience.

Smith, a defensive coach, can work with Tomsula on the defense. Tomsula is a defensive line expert that might be able to get more out of Vernon and JPP, and maximize Snacks and Tomlinson.

Kubiak can run the offense, and his offense is PERFECT for Eli Manning. Lots of stretch handoffs, play action, and intermediate to deep passing off that play action. He will emphasize protection and utilize the tight end position, which has the potential to be the best area on our offense.

2. How to address the players currently on the roster.

Generally I would be loathe to re-sign any of our exiting players. I wouldn't pay Pugh or Richburg. The only guys I would be interested in retaining Fluker and Kennard, but I wouldn't consider overpaying for either. IMO on a good team each of these guys is either a specialist spot player or a strong backup.

Eli: Ownership has already sent down the edict that he'll be there next season. After next season I'd be hesitant to give a 37 year old another contract.

Beckham: I would ask around the league about a trade but I doubt we are offered anything significant coming off an injury and entering a contract year. Most likely I'd let him play out 2018 under his current deal and let him walk afterwards. Under no circumstances would I give him another contract. Hopefully he has a great year and we get a comp pick when he signs a mega contract with the Rams or the Dolphins or something.

3. Free Agency

My free agency strategy would be to avoid the top, expensive tier and focus more on strategic mid-level signings. It's tough to come up with any names right now without knowing what the market will be. Spotrac has a good list of impending FAs, but who knows if they'll be FAs in March?

4. Draft

Take the best player at every pick regardless of position. I would do this at every draft for as long as I was GM. I think the best player in this draft is Lamar Jackson. If he's there at 2, I'm taking him.

Does he want to be an oc? I'd love him here in that role.

Re-sign DJ Fluker, Devon Kennard, Ross Cockrell, Orleans Darkwa, Jay Bromley, and Justin Pugh.

Sign Zach Brown, Andrew Norwell, and another CB.

Cut Dwayne Harris.

Trade Eli Apple for a 6th round pick.

Restructure Marshall, cut his salary to 3 mill, game bonuses.

Draft:

1. Josh Rosen
2. Billy Price
3. Uchenna Nwosu
4. Van Smith
4. Sony Michel
5. Auden Tate (trade up with 6th round pick from Apple trade)
6. Azeem Victor

QB Eli Manning, Davis Webb, Josh Rosen
RB Wayne Gallman, Paul Perkins, Sony Michel, Orleans Darkwa
FB Shane Smith
TE Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, Jerrell Adams
WR Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Brandon Marshall, Auden Tate, Roger Lewis
LT Justin Pugh, LG Andrew Norwell, C Billy Price, RG DJ Fluker, RT Ereck Flowers
Brett Jones (C, G), Bobby Hart (G, T), Chad Wheeler (T)

DE Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon, Avery Moss, Romeo Okwara
DT Damon Harrison, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jay Bromley
SLB Devon Kennard, Uchenna Nwosu
MLB BJ Goodson, Calvin Munson
WLB Zach Brown, Azeem Victor
CB Janoris Jenkins, Ross Cockrell, Brandon Dixon, Other FA
Slot Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Donte Deayon
SS Landon Collins, Andrew Adams
FS Darian Thompson, Van Smith

K Aldrick Rosas
P Brad Wing
LS Zak DeOssie

Hire Mike Vrabel as HC. Get an up & coming offensive minded coach. Draft Darnold @ 2 if he's there.

Yup. He wants to come back strictly as an offensive coordinator. That also has the positive that you don't have to worry about him being hired away after a year.
Link - ( New Window )

And better then mine :-).

to come up with a good plan would take more knowledge then I have.
My gut tells me keep Eli for 2 more years.

Draft Barkley. I think he will be the weapon we need to help loosen up defenses for the Passing game.

Focus free agency on quality experienced offensive lineman to protect Eli now without the growing pains of the learning curve.

For the coach I'd would not go with a college guy. Maybe one of the patriots assistants.

1. I really like OBJ's game and would like to keep him. However, you'd be foolish not to listen to offers. Remember though, OBJ has to reestablish his value, post injury.

2. I'm taking a QB with my 1st pick. If my QB guys were rated high enough that I could "settle" for a lesser QB, I'd consider a trade down/haul.

3. I'd shed injured players except Pugh if he's cleared medically and is reasonable in contract discussions. Going after a FA guard and a LB would be priority.

4. Drafting Oline and/or LB would be priority. I might even look for a #2 WR.

5. I'd pay close attention to Avery Moss's development. I'd shed JPP as soon as financially possible.

6. I'd give the rotten Apple 1 more chance.

FA — I sign Travis Swanson at center and John Bostic or Zach Brown at LB. Try to bring back Kennard on the cheap. Let Pugh, Richberg, and the other trash LBs walk. Cut Harris. Let Vereen walk.

Draft — I trade down to Buffalo’s spot for both firsts, both seconds, a third, and two future firsts. I use the picks in ‘18 to restock the OL and front 7 on defense. If Eli falls off a cliff in ‘18, I use the future picks to get a QB in ‘19.

What kind of team the owners want to build; traditional Giants power team.? high powered O?...?.....?
Find a HC that can develop that.
Hire the appropriate Coordinators.and support staff.
Rid the '18 team of players not in that vision as much as practicable..and any other players as necessary.
Look towards FA and the draft to acquire necessary players to fit the vision.
Rinse. Repeat for '19.
Obviously there are sub steps in the process and the above is oversimplified.
What do you want? What's it supposed to look like.? Design it. Get the builders.Get the supplies. Let the builders build. Tweak if necessary. Stay out of the way unless necessary( that means you JM).

In comment 13739615 Dan in the Springs said:

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In comment 13739605 jnoble said: Quote: And I'm not joking here... Keep Eli around for one more year to finish out his contract and retire a Giant while having Davis Webb as the #2 guy to hand off the keys to him as the starter in 2019 Agree with you - would do the same and it wouldn't be popular. If Webb sucks you get another chance at a good QB down the road. If I were GM though I'd listen to my coaches and staff and be open to taking one of the QB's if they felt strongly enough about it, but my inclination would be to fix OL and LB through the draft and find out where Webb is after another year of Eli.

Sticking with the status quo and hoping to get a Franchise QB in 2020 would be an awful started.

BS the man
BS the org
BS the fan base
Retire in a couple years with about 5 Meg
.How am I doing so far?

But, #1 is hire a HC and then an entirely new staff.

I agree with cutting players, but I'm not sure if I cut all of them.

I would include Pugh in the oft injured players NOT to re-sign.

The one point I agree with the most, even though most won't is taking Barkley at #3. I think he is the best player in this draft by a wide margin. That margin is wider once you get past Darnold and Rosen. Mayfield and Jackson are nice players, but not in the same stratosphere as Barkley.

To me, the timing of sucking this year was just as bad as sucking in general. This is not the best year for QBs. I would be OK with Darnold, but less with Rosen. But, I do like the prospect of a couple more years of Eli with a RB like Barkley, especially assuming we get a couple of top tier OL in FA.

I'm sitting down Eli Apple with my new head coach and DC and I will listen. I will tell him to air it all out. After, I'm going to let him know that it's a new day and a fresh start. That I have faith in him, and let him know I believe he has inside of him the ability to be great and that the entire organization is going to help him get there if he trusts us and we do it together.

Because whether you like him or not, you do not let young, cost-controlled talent like him out the door because the previous guys sucked at their jobs and weren't good leaders.

That's just one thing I'm doing. In the draft, I'm drafting Darnold, and I will trade up to get him if needed. And if I can't trade up, I'm drafting Saquon Barkley. And perhaps Mayfield if he lasts to my second round pick.

Yes, there will be an emphasis on the OL in free agency and perhaps the draft after the first round, but mainly interior guys to complement a power run game. We are going to win by running the ball and stopping the run. And I'm going to find me a good FS in the middle rounds of the draft for once. And I will bring in at least one impact DL play disruptor/penetrator, probably in free agency but will trade for one if needed.

In comment 13739579 George from PA said:

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consider the old Seahawks/Redskins GM....the one with the presumed drinking issue.....but that guy has a midus touch.

It's not presumed. It's a fact.

You keep Eli and RTrade Beckham...WTF is wrong with You!!!!????? You're bringing Eli Back, but not his Favorite Target!!!!!!

Go Away Mr. Robustelli!!!!

1) Hire Steve Wilks as HC
2) Keep Eli, with the notion that he'll be the 2018 starter but compete with the rookie and Webb
3) Re-sign Richburg, let Pugh walk
4) Cut DRC, Marshall, Jerry, keep everyone else
5) FA - concentrate on beefing up the trenches on OL and DL. Get some younger, hungry players to come in and compete
6) Try and get Darnold in the draft, if you have to move to #1 to make sure you get him, do it. If they Browns are asking a ransom, take Rosen if there's still conviction with him
7) Concentrate on beefing up the trenches again with the rest of the draft if the value is there. Get some brawling guards to come in and compete.

i think it helps us stink one more year, gets a franchise QB in place, gives us a year to shed some of these onerous contracts, start the rebuild in earnest in 2019 draft. and our young building blocks are all still in place in 2019 anyway. out starters are mediocre and our depth is non-existent. we don't lose much by wasting a year.

have a talk with him about protecting his reputation and brand. if i don't feel good about the talk i see if i can trade him, but my goal is to sign him long term and smooth out his antics. his a passionate player who wants to win. just needs a mirror held up in front of him. he's generational, but he's still just one guy. some team will win the Superbowl this year without him. It happened last year too. and it will happen next year.

build from the inside out, with the exception that DBs still need to be prioritized in today's game. the rules and enforcement tilt the field. so for me it's QB, OL, DL and DBs if I'm building a team from scratch.

before all of this i pick a head coach that has a plan to build a team that can impose it's will, whether through dominant aggressive defense within 15 yards of the line or through team speed. whichever it is, we need a plan so you can pick the right personnel.

i'd pick players that can win. i hate picking projects. these players have played their whole lives, competing to rise to the top through execution and demonstration on the field. if you can't do that by the time you're 21, then i don't want you. i want the guy who has already risen to the top. every time.

i don't pick 20 year olds. game theory tells me the math is against me (because of the short length of rookie contracts). you're throwing away at least a year if you do this with less information.

and lastly i promote Ross. to be the GM of some other team, not this one.

Hire
Steve Wilks as HC (Carolina's DC/Asst. HC)
Eric Washington as DC (Carolina's DL coach)
Gary Kubiak or John DeFlippio as OC

Resign
-Devon Kennard. He does a lot of little things that don't show up on the stat sheet and he'll be cheap.
-D.J. Fluker. Earned a second contract with us to compete at RG.
-Ross Cockrell showed he could be decent depth for us.
-*Justin Pugh depends on his price. He should be cheaper now coming off of another injury plagued season. If he ask for top G money, let him walk.

Release
-Brandon Marshall
-Aldrick Rosas
-Nat Berhe
-Bobby Hart

Restructure
-Dwayne Harris
-DRC

Other Roster Moves
-Move Ereck Flowers to RT
-Move Evan Engram to WR

Trades
Eli Apple to Atlanta for Tevin Coleman

Free Agents:
Donte Moncrief WR
*Jack Mewhort or Andrew Norwell OG (if Pugh isn't resigned)
LaMarcus Joyner FS/SCB
Graham Gano K

Draft
Trade back to Buffalo get both 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd this year as well as OT Cordy Glenn who they were rumored to be trying to trade at the deadline.

I take Baker Mayfield with our 1st pick in the 1st round and with our 2nd 1st round pick I try to get Roquan Smith LB. With our first pick in the 2nd round I'd draft Billy Price C and with our second 2nd round pick I'm looking for the best edge rusher. Too early yet to pick the rest of the draft..
To Be Continued..

for Terps plan with the exception of OBJ. If he comes back from the injury strong then I keep him around - either by tagging or signing depending on the years/dollars a deal would take. If Eli's final year is the year before OBJ's price jumps then you'll still likely have a net positive impact on the cap since OBJ shouldn't take up as much space as Eli and a young QB is usually easy on the cap.

we could get Tevin Coleman for Eli Apple I'd be doing backflips

Names broadly, HC/OC;

Mike Munchack.
Chris Morgan.
Dante Scarnechia.

Two year process.

Both Lines and LBs year one.

That said, if the best move is the QB in 1, OK, fine. But it must be very clear value wise, not 'just because'.

That puts more onus on the free agent market for your main project for 2018. You may need these guys above to sort the chaff.

AND in method. Rbs and lbs work For and with the line, not the other way 'round.

Play action and routes established around line style. Not the other way 'round again.

Hire Riddick/McDaniels
Trade OBJ..thinking SF I want at least their #1 this year. OBJ is young, they have the cap room and his injury was not soft tissue. They are not getting anyone at 2 that will improve them more OBJ. I want more for the pick but will take a their 1st and a sweetner. Not making OBJ the highest paid player in the NFL.
Trade Eli if possible, otherwise cut.
Trade Vernon if possible otherwise cut.
Trade JPP, no takers, can’t cut FUCK
Trade Eli Apple might get something if team believes change of scenery will help(Seattle)
Cut Marshall.
Cut Vereen
Cut Wing
Do not sign Pugh.
Play Engram at WR.
Draft Mayfield and Barkley at the top.
Draft 2 way TE to pair with Ellison for power package.
Move down with other picks and get more picks
Sign Veteran OLs Fluker is Key.
Let Mayfield and Webb Battle it out.
I am not planning on a great 2018. I am planning on run 2019-2029.
2019 dead money off the books, sign players to fill draft misses.
Draft well, big “nasty players”
Build a heavy handed team that can win at home in January. That can win 3rd/4th and short on both sides of the ball.

then find out what kind of offense he wants to run and bring in players who fit the scheme because we surely don't have that right now. One more thing, I wonder if the new HC would want to run a 3/4 defense...