Facts are facts, when you see smoke there usually is a fire. And when you see the flames, well, it's time to figure out a way out of the house, swiftly and with conviction.
From a macro, broader perspective, the set up is poor for the Giants.
-there is nothing currently in OL free agency that would help us right now. I do think we need to continue to explore that option, if at minimum to appease the fans.
-We passed on not one, but perhaps two or three future Pro Bowl caliber QB's. Yes, Barkley is a great kid, a dynamic player, but we need a QB more than we need Saquon moving forward. Pains me to say that, because I love the player. What a talent. On a team with a line, he would run for 2k in a season. At least at some point in his career.
-Next year's draft is very weak on QB talent. We overreach there and it could set us back even further.
-Free agency is weak and even mediocre talent will go for $20 million plus. Nick Foles? 25 million plus. Ugh.
So how do we get out of this mess? From my seat, this year, focus on not getting Eli killed first and foremost. And i mean that. Last night was the first time I saw real fear in his face. He's cooked, deservedly so given the beatings for a half decade. He's an all timer for us. So if that means a TE literally protects him on every play, so be it. Regardless, we are no better than 7-9 this year, and that could be generous. More likely 5-11, 6-10. Unbelievable after a 3-13 year, we have this schedule. It's awful. Just adds to the misery.
Looking mid to longer term, I would prefer Eli goes elsewhere. We are in need of a change of scenery. With that said, if they give him one more year, you need to rid Vernon, Jack Rabbit and a few other big contracts and get REAL o line help. Stars. Guys that dominate. At least one. Preferably two. A RT and a stud guard.
If you don't keep Eli, you have to absolutely be sure you are not reaching for the wrong guy in the draft. Holy crap, that would set us back a decade. Whiff on Sam Darnold and then a year later draft the wrong guy. Ooof, that's nightmare stuff.
Open to other ideas, but approaching this from a reality based scenario, things need to change and we are not good, these are facts. I'm hard pressed to think outside of Solder and Hernandez, any other of these linemen will suddenly see the light. They are just so limited in skill. Won't happen.
How do we unwind and fix this mess?
Sterling, you haven't been watching if you think this is all on the OL. Eli wilts like a dead flower at the mere sight of pressure lately. In 2011, hell even 2015, he was still slinging it without fear and could improvise. He can't move back there.
We are now in need of drafting the trenches AND drafting a QB. Lauletta might be the guy, but it's a long shot.
Darnold would not have had to start right away. And he has mobility, unlike Eli.
As a 35 year Giants fan, this is the worst I've felt about the Giants future in a very long time.
Darnold would have performed better because he's mobile. And even if he equally sucked but flashed, we would be fine with it.
Quote:
than average oline? He would get beat to hell and you would be screaming he's a bust and why didn't we draft Barkley.
He wouldn't. Had the Giants drafted Darnold, he would have been a non-factor as Eli would still be the starter, and he would either be the backup or third string (and no shirt on game day). With Barkley, you have the best player in the draft contributing immediately.
And you’re 0-2 with 28 points scored.
Who is our QB moving forward. Do you draft or pay for one? And if you draft a mediocre qb, will there be enough in the tank with picks to get a stud OL in second or fourth round (we have no third next year).
This could be a very tough fix for the Giants. Very tough
The way the Giants do things now doesn't seem to be in accordance with best practices elsewhere in the league. The head coach position should work on the same level as the GM, and be more influential in personnel and establishing team culture.
Before anything can be done, a critical and objective eye needs to be turned inward on how the Giants operate.
for xtra picks and get some get some OL talent earlier in the draft. Barkley cant do it without any blocking. Cant neglect the trenches. Could have gotten a back later on.
Todd Mckay said the top two this year would be behind the top 5 last year.
I guess very near term, as a fan, I want to see Shurmur get the OL more help via Rhett Ellison. Via Barkley blocking
Not sure Mara or Getty will even consider it.
I think the defensive back from ND is still waiting for that pass to land that he threw against Vanderbilt, where the receiver literally ran out of the back of the end zone waiting for the ball to land. He’s not an nfl qb.
additionally they have to accept a real rebuild and actually stockpile picks. they had a perfect chance to trade down this year and ran to the podium with their pick? no more homage to past accept the rebuild.
that means no lurching for free agents. Build in trenches and accept being bad for a while.
This might be the year if QB sucks in draft to trade down and load line.
We have to accept that there is a very real chance Eli is our QB through the end of next season. There may be no better option.
My long winded point/question is how many QBs really develop into franchise QBs? Aren’t they mostly drafted high and the expectation is that they will be franchise QBs?
additionally they have to accept a real rebuild and actually stockpile picks. they had a perfect chance to trade down this year and ran to the podium with their pick? no more homage to past accept the rebuild.
that means no lurching for free agents. Build in trenches and accept being bad for a while.
Agreed should have traded down and loaded up for future. Build up the trenches.
and for those who said we should have kept Phew -- the Cardinal's, QB Bradford, got sacked more times than Eli did yesterday -- he was running for his life on every play - and Phew was a major part of the reason for it
But longer term, it would have been huge. I think most would agree, the fear is less in where we are today. Frankly, I thought 8-8 would have been a successful year coming off 3-13.
My fear is the future. They talked QB hell. We are heading directly into the inferno my friends.
I went back and watched "highlights" of last night. When Eli had time he zipped some balls including a nice one to Cody.
The plays he was sacked were jail breaks, not one guy bending off the corner.
Need to give him protection
The way the Giants do things now doesn't seem to be in accordance with best practices elsewhere in the league. The head coach position should work on the same level as the GM, and be more influential in personnel and establishing team culture.
Before anything can be done, a critical and objective eye needs to be turned inward on how the Giants operate.
The can’t stop at the GM. They need to look at the college scouting and pro personell departments. Chris Mara has his job for one reason.
Longer term knowing if Shurmur has what it takes to be a successful head coach, if Lauletta is a successor at QB and fixing the right side of the line
are all things that need to be evaluated
Heck plenty of people didn't even want him starting this year behind our own porous line even though he won the job.