Mine are based on these following premises (in order of importance):
1. Coaching is truly improved in all 3 phases.
2. Health. Always a huge wild-card. Our key guys will need to remain on the field this year and not drop like flies.
3. OL has been greatly improved and will play better in a cohesive system/offense. The 2 wild cards: Hernandez proves to be plug and play and one of Wheeler or Flowers play at least adequately at RT
4. The defense quickly adapts to a new system (the good news here is Bettcher has been called a great teacher and someone who gets guys playing at a high level very quickly in his system)
5. With the loss of JPP and DRC the talent on D is not as good as it used to be but can still be pretty high-level if a couple 'wild-cards' fall favorably our way. Some of the top ones: Eli Apple has his head back on straight and plays up to his draft position (he has flashed so it is possible), Zo Carter and or one of the drafted DLs can make an immediate impact as a pass rusher to make up for JPPs loss, and we find a suprise nickel corner who emerges from the bunch on the roster (or we bring back DRC).
6. The rumors of Eli's demise have been greatly exaggerated. There was a stat about Eli's 'tight window' throws last year were still very high level and there is still plenty of velocity on his ball. A new system with probably the best QB friendly HC we have ever had could very likely rejuvenate his game.
If the majority of these things fall our way, and I don't think any are un-realistic or out of the realm of possibility, I could see a 10+ win season and a possible strong playoff run.
There are only 2 'swing' positions that could possibly derail the season if they prove to be glaring weaknesses. RT and CB. Janoris is one of the best CBs in the game, but we will need to get at least adequate play from Eli Apple as the 2nd CB. The OL has shaped up enough that our RT will need to be just decent for us to get by, but he can't be Bobby Hart level.
Last year we were not as bad as 3-13 but had other issues which the new HC and GM have addressed held us back.
Giants are not ready to challenge the Eagles.
But did anyone think the Eagles were that good last year? Doug Pederson?
The NFL is wide open, the best case scenario is everything works. The Giants have made some major organizational upgrades:
*Dave Gettleman over Jerry Reese is big improvement. Rumors were Reese (and Ross) were arrogant and grew more and more lazy (and thus incompetent) over time. Gettleman turned around the Panthers quickly and made all the right moves in Giants Pro Personnel.
*Saquon Barkley. Adding one of the most talented RBs ever to the worst backfield in the NFL is a huge net gain for the Giants. Barkley will be featured in Shurmur's run heavy offense and take a massive amount of heat off Odell, and set up Shurmur's notorious play action game perfectly.
*Nate Solder over Ereck Flowers is a field-tilter. The Giants had to do all sorts of things to hide Flowers poor play at LT and he was single-handedly responsible for Eli's internal clock going wonky. (Imagine actually playing QB as a pocket passer with Flowers protecting your blindside? You have no idea what's going on behind you and if you're about to get crushed by an NFL linebacker. Solder isn't Anthony Munoz, he just provides Eli peace of mind. He is also an excellent fit in their zone running scheme, especially outside stretch plays where Barkley also excels.
*Hernandez over the joke G's on the field the last few years. The Giants had nobody on the interior that could get any push. They do now.
*Alec Ogletree over a rookie B.J. Goodson, Jonathan Casillas and any other 3-down LB they've had since Michael Boley in 2011. They got their QB of the defense.
*Getting rid of Tom Quinn, Brad Wing, Dwayne Harris from PR and the rest of a bad group and replacing them with McGaughey and a renewed commitment to special teams.
*Pat Shurmur over Ben McAdoo may be the biggest upgrade any team in the NFL made anywhere. McAdoo was that bad and ran this team into the ground. I wasn't even a huge Shurmur guy but he is a proven commodity with a proven scheme, and he'll earn the respect of the lockerroom. The Giants will be a well-coached team, that will be a HUGE difference why they could have a massive turnaround. Shurmur has the brains and experience to integrate Saquon, OBJ and Engram for maximum impact.
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These aren't just minor moves, these are game-changing organizational moves that should provide a significant swing in play.
But did anyone think the Eagles were that good last year? Doug Pederson?
The NFL is wide open, the best case scenario is everything works. The Giants have made some major organizational upgrades:
*Dave Gettleman over Jerry Reese is big improvement. Rumors were Reese (and Ross) were arrogant and grew more and more lazy (and thus incompetent) over time. Gettleman turned around the Panthers quickly and made all the right moves in Giants Pro Personnel.
*Saquon Barkley. Adding one of the most talented RBs ever to the worst backfield in the NFL is a huge net gain for the Giants. Barkley will be featured in Shurmur's run heavy offense and take a massive amount of heat off Odell, and set up Shurmur's notorious play action game perfectly.
*Nate Solder over Ereck Flowers is a field-tilter. The Giants had to do all sorts of things to hide Flowers poor play at LT and he was single-handedly responsible for Eli's internal clock going wonky. (Imagine actually playing QB as a pocket passer with Flowers protecting your blindside? You have no idea what's going on behind you and if you're about to get crushed by an NFL linebacker. Solder isn't Anthony Munoz, he just provides Eli peace of mind. He is also an excellent fit in their zone running scheme, especially outside stretch plays where Barkley also excels.
*Hernandez over the joke G's on the field the last few years. The Giants had nobody on the interior that could get any push. They do now.
*Alec Ogletree over a rookie B.J. Goodson, Jonathan Casillas and any other 3-down LB they've had since Michael Boley in 2011. They got their QB of the defense.
*Getting rid of Tom Quinn, Brad Wing, Dwayne Harris from PR and the rest of a bad group and replacing them with McGaughey and a renewed commitment to special teams.
*Pat Shurmur over Ben McAdoo may be the biggest upgrade any team in the NFL made anywhere. McAdoo was that bad and ran this team into the ground. I wasn't even a huge Shurmur guy but he is a proven commodity with a proven scheme, and he'll earn the respect of the lockerroom. The Giants will be a well-coached team, that will be a HUGE difference why they could have a massive turnaround. Shurmur has the brains and experience to integrate Saquon, OBJ and Engram for maximum impact.
----------
These aren't just minor moves, these are game-changing organizational moves that should provide a significant swing in play.
Best post yet. Obviously any team winning a Super Bowl a bunch of things have to fall right including health. But if health works out and we find at least viable players at RT and CB (Apple? Wheeler?) there is no telling what this teams ceiling could be.
1-3 v NFC north
2-2 v AFC North
1-1 remainder
5-11
4-2 in division (turns out dallas sucks)
1-1 vDC
1-1 vPhilly
2-0 v dallas
Rest is same.
8-8
IDK, seems the answer was fairly obvious.
Saquon Barkley - 1,200 Rush yards, 600yrds rec. 15 TDS
OBJ - 93 catches, 1,150 yards 11 TDS
Shep - 71 catches 850 yards 7TDs
EE - 68 catches - 750 yards 6 TDS
Eli - 3, 500 yards 28 TDS 13 INTs
I agree this is possible (in a perfect world), but the one thing I will say is I think the rest of the roster will have more than just 150 yards receiving if our stars put up this kind of production. OBJ, Barkley, Shep, and EE all performing well will make it easier for lesser-known guys like Lewis, Latimer, and Ellison to get open and make some plays here and there. If the O-Line can hold up and be half-way decent and our "Big 4" all bring their A game, I think Eli throws for over 4,000 yards and 30+ TDs.
Then, if Bettcher can even just find a way to put together an average or slightly above defense (i.e. ranked #15 or slightly better in yards and points against), then we have a real shot at grabbing a WC spot in the playoffs.
My honest (yet admittedly optimistic view) is that we will start the season 4-4, but then go 5-2 from there, leaving us with a win-and-in game against Dallas in week 17 in the Meadowlands.
1-3 v NFC north
2-2 v AFC North
1-1 remainder
5-11
4-2 in division (turns out dallas sucks)
1-1 vDC
1-1 vPhilly
2-0 v dallas
Rest is same.
8-8
So in both your worst and best case scenario, we go 4-6 against non-divisional opponents? That's set in stone? But we could either go 1-5 OR 4-2 in our division? That is a really strange prediction.
Non-divisional teams on our schedule, I'll divide into two groups (shitty and good) :
SHITTY:
49ers
Bucs
Texans
Colts
Bears
Titans
GOOD:
Jags
Saints
Panthers
Falcons
So even in your "best-case" scenario, we lose to all four "good teams" lose to two of the "bad teams", but then somehow we beat Dallas twice and also beat Philly?
I don't get it.
Quote:
1-5 in division
1-3 v NFC north
2-2 v AFC North
1-1 remainder
5-11
4-2 in division (turns out dallas sucks)
1-1 vDC
1-1 vPhilly
2-0 v dallas
Rest is same.
8-8
So in both your worst and best case scenario, we go 4-6 against non-divisional opponents? That's set in stone? But we could either go 1-5 OR 4-2 in our division? That is a really strange prediction.
Non-divisional teams on our schedule, I'll divide into two groups (shitty and good) :
SHITTY:
49ers
Bucs
Texans
Colts
Bears
Titans
GOOD:
Jags
Saints
Panthers
Falcons
So even in your "best-case" scenario, we lose to all four "good teams" lose to two of the "bad teams", but then somehow we beat Dallas twice and also beat Philly?
I don't get it.
Also, we only play one NFC North team (NFC South is our full NFC division to play) and we don't play the AFC North, we play the AFC South. Why am I even wasting my time responding to you? Damn it.
Saquon Barkley - 1,200 Rush yards, 600yrds rec. 15 TDS
OBJ - 93 catches, 1,150 yards 11 TDS
Shep - 71 catches 850 yards 7TDs
EE - 68 catches - 750 yards 6 TDS
Eli - 3, 500 yards 28 TDS 13 INTs
If we stay healthy or relatively healthy, then 3,500 yards is conservative for Eli.
Quote:
But a Pitts offensive scheme led by their really good OC rung up 42 pts on them in the playoffs.
We have talent that matches theirs now. Now Im not saying 42 pts and the team has to gel but if think the 2 year streak of not scoring 30 points under Mac goes by the wayside early this season.
Looking at the point total is one thing, but when you realize how Pitt scored on 14 of the points, you'll temper your enthusiasm. 2 of their touchdowns came off 4th down and forever where with blown coverage/excellent passes.
I think Jax will be a good test for both sides. Assume that both sides are completely healthy. I would give the conditioning edge to Jax. Doug will have his team working in the heat/humidity of Florida like last year. Their defensive front will be a challenge for our revamped OL. Ramsay will matchup against OBJ. Our run D gets a healthy Fournette to stop with their OL getting better with Norwell.
It might be proverbial grudge match with special teams deciding it. The deciding edge would have to go to Jax as Lambo can kick it from 60 yards out.
With the overall Jax/Giants record sitting at .500, I don't see any favorite.
We may have a slight advantage in that, there is no tape on this team. With this being a new coach and new system we my surprise the first two or three teams we play.
Quote:
In comment 13956177 Giantslifer said:
Quote:
1-5 in division
1-3 v NFC north
2-2 v AFC North
1-1 remainder
5-11
4-2 in division (turns out dallas sucks)
1-1 vDC
1-1 vPhilly
2-0 v dallas
Rest is same.
8-8
So in both your worst and best case scenario, we go 4-6 against non-divisional opponents? That's set in stone? But we could either go 1-5 OR 4-2 in our division? That is a really strange prediction.
Non-divisional teams on our schedule, I'll divide into two groups (shitty and good) :
SHITTY:
49ers
Bucs
Texans
Colts
Bears
Titans
GOOD:
Jags
Saints
Panthers
Falcons
So even in your "best-case" scenario, we lose to all four "good teams" lose to two of the "bad teams", but then somehow we beat Dallas twice and also beat Philly?
I don't get it.
Also, we only play one NFC North team (NFC South is our full NFC division to play) and we don't play the AFC North, we play the AFC South. Why am I even wasting my time responding to you? Damn it.
My bad. I read schedule wrong. But either way
NFC South
1-3
AFC South
2-2
NFC East
1-5( depends on dallas, some "experts" think dallas is going to regress this year)
Best case NFC East
4-2 ( because dallas implodes, split with home wins)
Worst
5-11
Best
8-8