Time and again DG stated the selection of Barkley 2nd overall wasn't a condemnation of the available QBs at that slot, but rather a decision not to pass on a likely HOF type talent. Plus DG and PS studied tape of Eli and put faith in his continued ability.
Clearly the faith in Eli extended to him being the obvious starter in 2019, the talk of the "Kansas City model", and Eli's recent payout of a 5 mil roster bonus. To some extent, Eli in fact bounced back when the OL improved, and tons of his completions were to his super star RB within 10 yards of the LOS.
We've discussed all of this before. What we haven't discussed is whether or not LAST YEAR at the time of selecting Barkley, did the Giants already have their eyes on a QB matriculating to the NFL for the 2019 draft? They knew the extent of Eli's contract (which they have not extended, or even talked about extending to the media or Eli's agent).
We fans regularly discuss the merits of the 2020 QB class relative to the 2019 class, is it even possible the Giants FO DIDN'T think about the 2019 QB prospects when deciding to take Barkley rather than Darnold, Allen, or Rosen? For all we know, the Giants FO thought before the 2018 draft that the QBs available in the 2019 draft were every bit as good as the 2018 prospects, and maybe even better "fits" for PS, the Giants, and NYC.
Which leads to my last point here. If that was their thinking last year, which QBs were among those considered as part of the 2019 class? Not Kyler Murray or Drew Haskins, the 2 QBs most pundits consider the likely 1 & 2 QB selections in the upcoming draft. Those two weren't on anyone's radar in 2018. The QBs the Giants would have been considering would have been Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Will Grier, Jarrett Stidham, Ryan Finley, etc...
The most obvious being Jones cause of Cutcliffe and the Mannings' association and Lock because of his great JR year, the SEC parallel to Eli and Peyton, and now his agent, Tom Condon, Eli's agent.
Just some food for thought during the slow days leading up to the draft.
Absolutely my bad. The Giants had heavy interest in Herbert reported by several sources. Dropped out of my thoughts because he didn't declare as everyone anticipated.
I mean there can't be a talent in this 2019 class like Josh Allen and his 52% completion percentage. Or Josh Rosen and his 66.7 QBR. Or the immortal Sam Darnold. Or RB Lamar Jackson.
If I had to guess, I would predict we will end up giving up our second round pick (35th overall) for Rosen, or maybe even the 17th pick in the first round.
Just a strong hunch. No real basis for it other than a feeling.
Giants won 4 games against a few sub-500 teams (SF, TB, Chicago backup and Wash) and Eli threw more TDs than first 8 games, but he was still getting sacked a lot and turning the ball over. His passing yards and completion percentage also don't show any definitive improvement over the second half of the season:
http://www.nfl.com/player/elimanning/2505996/gamelogs
It was better than the first 8 games, but that is not saying much of anything. I understand why Giants want him for 2019 if they draft a rookie QB who is not ready to play, but let's not kid ourselves Eli was at best a mediocre QB last year.
Now we've got Barkley in place and a good RG in Zeitler and a LG/LT combo in Hernandez and Solder. Is that enough in place? Given an in all likelihood atrocious defense?
If I had to guess, I would predict we will end up giving up our second round pick (35th overall) for Rosen, or maybe even the 17th pick in the first round.
Just a strong hunch. No real basis for it other than a feeling.
JonC doesn't see any Giants interest in Rosen. Perhaps they think since he's. already started a year in the NFL, he'd be less willing to sit a year behind Eli.
The fact that they watched tape of the 2017 season and thought they could still win with Eli Manning already proved they have no clue how to assess QB talent. Which is also why I’m confident they’ll end up selecting Daniel Jones.
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anything any team could ever want heading into the draft and the Giants were no where near having anything in place you want in place when adding a highly drafted QB. Absolutely nothing. Barkley pick was a no brainer.
Now we've got Barkley in place and a good RG in Zeitler and a LG/LT combo in Hernandez and Solder. Is that enough in place? Given an in all likelihood atrocious defense?
It looks better than a year ago.
Line looks improved or heading that way.
Barkley is a fantastic asset to give a young QB.
The head coach, G.M., offensive scheme and establishing a new culture are no longer in year 1.
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anything any team could ever want heading into the draft and the Giants were no where near having anything in place you want in place when adding a highly drafted QB. Absolutely nothing. Barkley pick was a no brainer.
Now we've got Barkley in place and a good RG in Zeitler and a LG/LT combo in Hernandez and Solder. Is that enough in place? Given an in all likelihood atrocious defense?
Nope. Solder's best days are behind him. We don't have a competent Right Tackle or Center or any kind of quality depth. The only "place" Barkley is going to be in is behind the line of scrimmage when he's hit, and it doesn't matter who's playing QB. Joe Montana would struggle behind that O-Line.
A good agent would be calling DG weekly.
Giants won 4 games against a few sub-500 teams (SF, TB, Chicago backup and Wash) and Eli threw more TDs than first 8 games, but he was still getting sacked a lot and turning the ball over. His passing yards and completion percentage also don't show any definitive improvement over the second half of the season:
http://www.nfl.com/player/elimanning/2505996/gamelogs
It was better than the first 8 games, but that is not saying much of anything. I understand why Giants want him for 2019 if they draft a rookie QB who is not ready to play, but let's not kid ourselves Eli was at best a mediocre QB last year.
Eli has always been a mediocre regular season QB but he's very good in the playoffs. Problem is we need a lot of talent around him to make it to the playoff and we haven't had that in a long time and probably don't have that now.