The past couple of years as a Giants fan have been horrible to watch/experience. But, as fans we know we are not going anywhere when it comes to the support of our beloved team(s) so I am choosing to look at 2018 as a mega opportunity for the G-Men.
If prior to the last draft I were to tell you that in the next two years we would have an All Pro RB and a Top 5 QB without giving up a single pick you would have said I'm crazy - but that's the probable reality of where things are going.
Eli should be forced out, a veteran should be brought in to compete and groom Lauletta/the Rook, and we develop for the future. Even if next year is another wasted year, 2020-2022 where we have Odell, Saquon, Engram, Shep, Hernandez etc all signed. Having the free money (thanks Eli) to re-sign Collins and other. And new FAs to lock down both lines - would carry huge optimism and opportunity.
Chiefs, Rams, Eagles, the Seahawks of old (along with others) have one thing in common, good teams built on the back of a cheap rookie QB - the best way to succeed in the new NFL.
Again, this year sucks, but my fanhood for the Giants is going nowhere, so I will at least used it to think positively about where this can take us instead of the shithole we are currently standing in.
Josh McCown is costing the Jets $10M.
Bradford - $20M
Keenum: $18M
Tyrod Taylor - $15M
Foles - $14.5M
etc
Agreed on Engram and Collins. Collins hasn't really resurfaced since his incredible 2016 season. Engram is an enigma to say the least. He is clearly talented, and you hear a lot about that talent, leading him to be mentioned in the same breath as Barkley or Beckham. However, I really haven't seen that talent materialize into a high quality NFL tight end. He may always be a guy based on potential and nothing more.
In the dictionary next to "quarterback hell" should be this picture:
Josh McCown is costing the Jets $10M.
Bradford - $20M
Keenum: $18M
Tyrod Taylor - $15M
Foles - $14.5M
etc
That true but you almost have to do it as changing from Eli mid season is difficult. A lot easier to do with a player the fans arent attached to.
If Eli is on the roster next year I feel like the plan will be to play him all year.
I'd rather they pursue the best available center (either via free agency or the draft) than try to find the next Aaron Rodgers in a sea of Ryan Tannehills.
I liked him in the draft even though it never occurred to me that the Giants would select him. If they were going to draft a QB, I figured it would be one of the big four with their #2 pick or not at all. Instead I thought the Patriots were going to select Lauletta with their pick at the end of round one. Or at some point on Day 2.
In fact, that's what gives me the most pause when it comes to Lauletta. If he's as good as I think he is, why didn't Belichick grab him? The Patriots had a need at the position and Belichick is no stranger to taking QBs with Day 2 picks. He was doing it even when Brady was in his prime years.
So until we see otherwise on the field, you are what your draft pick status says you are, meaning Lauletta is an early 4th round pick. But Gettleman and Shurmur must've seen more than just a career backup in him, or they wouldn't've spent even a 4th round pick on him. Too many other needs to make that pick unless you thought he was capable of winning Super Bowls.
Quote:
Lauletta doesn't
I won't pretend to know what the cut off is between "enough" and "not enough" when it comes to arm strength in the NFL. I think he is a low-ceiling, high-floor guy (but by low-ceiling I only mean that he won't be the next Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, or Aaron Rodgers).
I liked him in the draft even though it never occurred to me that the Giants would select him. If they were going to draft a QB, I figured it would be one of the big four with their #2 pick or not at all. Instead I thought the Patriots were going to select Lauletta with their pick at the end of round one. Or at some point on Day 2.
In fact, that's what gives me the most pause when it comes to Lauletta. If he's as good as I think he is, why didn't Belichick grab him? The Patriots had a need at the position and Belichick is no stranger to taking QBs with Day 2 picks. He was doing it even when Brady was in his prime years.
So until we see otherwise on the field, you are what your draft pick status says you are, meaning Lauletta is an early 4th round pick. But Gettleman and Shurmur must've seen more than just a career backup in him, or they wouldn't've spent even a 4th round pick on him. Too many other needs to make that pick unless you thought he was capable of winning Super Bowls.
I've thought about this as well. One possibility that occurred to me was that Belichick may now be resigned to the fact that he'll go once Brady goes. After the reports about how pissed he was about Garoppolo and all of the negativity that came out this offseason regarding former players, he may have made up his mind. After McDaniels spurned the Colts and signed a big extension, it seems even more likely.
I fully admit that this could also just be wishful thinking and he didn't see it with any of the QB's they were in a position to draft.
Josh McCown is costing the Jets $10M.
Bradford - $20M
Keenum: $18M
Tyrod Taylor - $15M
Foles - $14.5M
etc
How about Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has a cap hit of 3.3MM this year with TB? That would allow the Giants to still free up essentially 14MM by releasing Manning to use to upgrade the O-line and defense. Let Fitzpatrick and the rookie/Lauletta battle it out to start.