OH, WHAT THE CURRENT TEAM WOULD GIVE FOR THE 2008/09 OFFENSIVE LINE
The Giants' offensive line has faced a lot of criticism recently, but back in 2008 and 2009, it was one of the best units in the league. Over that two-season stretch, all five starters — Chris Snee (92.6), Kareem McKenzie (90.2), Rich Seubert (89.8), Shaun O'Hara (85.8) and David Diehl (76.4) — graded above 75.0, with four of those players surpassing the 85.0 mark.
The unit gave up pressure on just 23.0% of passing plays over the 2008 and 2009 seasons. From 2022 to 2023, the Giants offensive line gave up pressure on 33.0% of passing plays.
And let's remember how those OLs were with a very complex and downfield passing game. Since then, we have tried to change the system to get the ball out quicker and all that has happened is we have gotten worse.
RE: Steve Smith as the 3rd WR seems way off to me.
People forget how good Steve Smith was for a couple of years. He wasn’t much for YAC and was almost the definition of a “possession receiver,” but he was so smart, so reliable…
Cruz was better in a lot of ways but I’m not surprised that peak Steve Smith had better analytics.
Interesting but PFF was really a small company back
then so I wonder how much different their processes are today. The '08 OL was outstanding and one of the great Giant OL's in the run game. That is a big help to the QB and makes PB'ing easier.
Agree with Robbie's point about changing systems; Giants never returned to being a upper tier running team via the RB's again. They lost the physical identity. I hope someday the Giants get that back and if they do things will look better on the field. Whoever is the QB will benefit.
Damn that team was fun to watch the first 12 weeks or so. Aside from a typical prime time Goose egg at Cleveland that team was stomping people. Such a fun stretch of foot all.
Damn that team was fun to watch the first 12 weeks or so. Aside from a typical prime time Goose egg at Cleveland that team was stomping people. Such a fun stretch of foot all.
DL was running on fumes at the end. We missed Strahan (retired) & Osi (torn ACL that summer) so much. And Plax loss hurt too. The late Jimmie Johnson said our offense was so much more different-and, while he never said this publicly, I'll imply it-easier to defend with no Burress.
That said, I still think if we beat the Eagles in the divisional round, we get to the Super Bowl. We would have hosted the Cards @ home. I think we win that. I don't know if we beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl-we did that fall in Pittsburgh-but it would have been fun to know.
Also seeing Bobby O right next to Blake Martinez is gonna give me nightmares as I was equally impressed by the first year play of them. Please keep it up Bobby
I would absolutely take Tiki in any uear between 2004 and 2006 over Saquon and any year he has played. 2005 in particular.
Only 2006 Tiki is in the numbers. Not hard to argue that SB's 2018 was better than Tiki 2006. Indeed if SB had fulfilled his 2018 promise, he would have been the greatest RB in team history and probably top 5 all time.
The Giants' offensive line has faced a lot of criticism recently, but back in 2008 and 2009, it was one of the best units in the league. Over that two-season stretch, all five starters — Chris Snee (92.6), Kareem McKenzie (90.2), Rich Seubert (89.8), Shaun O'Hara (85.8) and David Diehl (76.4) — graded above 75.0, with four of those players surpassing the 85.0 mark.
The unit gave up pressure on just 23.0% of passing plays over the 2008 and 2009 seasons. From 2022 to 2023, the Giants offensive line gave up pressure on 33.0% of passing plays.
And let's remember how those OLs were with a very complex and downfield passing game. Since then, we have tried to change the system to get the ball out quicker and all that has happened is we have gotten worse.
Not sure on Cruz but Plax had a low catch % and drops, he was likely dinged pretty good for those.
Also was surprised to see Barkley and not Tiki, but I suppose it's a 'best year' comparison as opposed to 'best career as a Giant.'
Cruz was better in a lot of ways but I’m not surprised that peak Steve Smith had better analytics.
Agree with Robbie's point about changing systems; Giants never returned to being a upper tier running team via the RB's again. They lost the physical identity. I hope someday the Giants get that back and if they do things will look better on the field. Whoever is the QB will benefit.
Tiki is the best Giants RB I've seen. And it isn't close. He was a machine.
Smith had a super efficient year but yea, Cruz would be way ahead with explosive plays in any reasonable grading system.
DL was running on fumes at the end. We missed Strahan (retired) & Osi (torn ACL that summer) so much. And Plax loss hurt too. The late Jimmie Johnson said our offense was so much more different-and, while he never said this publicly, I'll imply it-easier to defend with no Burress.
That said, I still think if we beat the Eagles in the divisional round, we get to the Super Bowl. We would have hosted the Cards @ home. I think we win that. I don't know if we beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl-we did that fall in Pittsburgh-but it would have been fun to know.
Also seeing Bobby O right next to Blake Martinez is gonna give me nightmares as I was equally impressed by the first year play of them. Please keep it up Bobby
I would take Tiki, Joe Morris, OJ Anderson and Hampton before SB.
Only 2006 Tiki is in the numbers. Not hard to argue that SB's 2018 was better than Tiki 2006. Indeed if SB had fulfilled his 2018 promise, he would have been the greatest RB in team history and probably top 5 all time.