I'm going to put on my Big-Blue-colored glasses and say no, I don't think it will be. Naturally, a lot of things have to break right, but who's to say they won't? As woeful as the Giants were last year, on both sides of the ball, I think the chances are that they can dramatically, and quickly, become one of the better teams in the league if they make the right moves heading into the 2019 season. As a famous man once said, "Believe it and it will happen." Well, I choose to believe.
First things first: The newbies. I love the acquisition of Jabrill Peppers. He's an ascending player who should thrive in Bettcher's defense, and even though Antoine Bethea is in the twilight of his career, he's still a big step-up in talent for the Giants at FS, and he's familiar with Bettcher's system. Bethea is a savvy veteran who can still get it done.
Markus Golden is another player who had great success playing for Bettcher before getting derailed by a torn ACL. Now, two years removed from that injury and on a one-year "prove it" deal, he has a...ummm..."golden" opportunity (pun intended) to show that he's fully recovered and can still be a pass-rushing force to be reckoned with for a team that needs all of the help it can get in that department.
What's not to love about Kevin Zeitler? Throughout his career he's been one of the best pass-blocking Guards in the league (and his run-blocking hasn't been too shabby, either). He won't solve all of the Giants' offensive line woes all by himself, but he's a huge step in the right direction for a unit that desperately needed a guy with his talent.
Golden Tate? I'll let PFF speak for me:
Tate, 30 years old, is not Odell Beckham Jr., but he has historically been one of the league’s most efficient wide receivers. In fact, by two metrics, he’s arguably been the NFL’s best wide receiver:
In each of the past eight seasons, among all wide receivers with at least 50 targets, Tate has ranked top-four in missed tackles forced per reception.
In five of the past six seasons, among all wide receivers with at least 50 targets, Tate has ranked top-four in yards after contact per reception. |
Tate is no "savior," but the Giants are not asking him to be one. They're asking to be efficient, reliable and productive, and that's what he's been for the past ten years. I have no doubt that that's what he'll be for the Giants.
This is getting much longer than I anticipated, so, maybe I'll save the second and third-year guys for another post. Suffice it to say that they'll all have their opportunities. It will be up to them to make the most of them. Ditto for the draft (and the QB situation). I'll save my thoughts for another post or two, or three.
Bottom Line: I don't think things are as bleak as some folks make them out to be. I think this team is poised to shock their doubters and silence their critics.
We'll see if believing can really make it happen again.
Don’t expect good football until there is a change at quarterback.
And let's also not forget, that as projections currently stand, the Giants will be the # 1 team in 2020 with available CAP space.
I like to take a cautiously optimistic approach each year or why even bother caring. Maybe it has to do with getting older and life seeming shorter but why wallow in the negativity?
I’d still like to see them get a bigger bodied receiver or TE in the draft If possible.
Don’t expect good football until there is a change at quarterback.
New regime. New focus. New philosophy on how to build a team. It's really not that hard to believe if you want to. If you want to wallow in misery, go ahead.
We should get 3 to 6 new starters from those 12 draft picks. While the strength of the draft is in the front 7, I'm going to echo Eric and say I'm also concerned about CB depth, especially if JackRabbit is out for any reason.
Hopefully, the Giants will be mentioned as one of many teams "In The Hunt" around Thanksgiving and beyond this season.
Eli could rebound this season, maybe even play offs, it would be a fun year, then what?
Another solid draft and we will see a team really coming together to fight for the division and the playoffs.
Barkley, Hernandez, solder, Hill, Peppers, Tate, Zeitler, Golden and Bethea
But I follow the Giants for entertainment; my desire is that they are competitive every game.
Championships are exhilarating, but the main thing for me is to root for a team who has a good chance to win every week.
And if they don't; "there's always next week."
Interesting reality check by one commenter about Eli having one more successful season by getting to the playoffs. Then what?
Out of range to get a QB in 2020. Better get one in 2019. Ride Eli for as long as he can hold on to his spot. Competing is the name of the game.
One more thing (which I was going to save for a post on the second-year players), and this is purely from my gut: I don't think they've given up completely on Kyle Lauletta just yet. Sure, when he got a little playing time last year he looked horrible. Clearly, he was not ready for prime-time. However, last year was a perfect storm of suck all across the board, and Shurmer's comments notwithstanding, I believe the Giants feel that he's still worth developing.
NFC....NO and the Eagles? Not sure about Chicago/Viking/GB....SF? Atlanta does nit scare anyobe.
I have been clear, this draft could be the most important draft in Giants history.
And this schedule is nothing like that gaunlet that the Giants started the season last year....when OV got that high ankle sprain....i senser the doom.
Do, I agree.....sure, if things bounce well for the Giants.....they can make the playoffs.
I think we are going to be just good enough 2019 to take us out of running for the top QB prospects in 2020.
But I don't want to take a QB this year. I think they're all meh. We can get meh next year picking 2nd tier. Plus, NO Eli OVERLAP - it's a disaster waiting to happen.
With 4 top 70 draft picks, and spending over 100M dollars the Giants netted 6-7 good players last time around.
Barkley, Hernandez, Hill, Carter, Solder, Ogltree.
So far the Gianys have added three guys who project without any qualifiers to be good Zeitler, Tate, and Peppers.
I expect them to add 4 good, right away players in the draft, but one might be a QB who sits. Say that nets RT, DE, and WR.
Then there is a bunch of guys penciled in that you have to genuinely hope you luck out on -- Beal, Golden, Halapio, Martin, Coleman, Mcintosh, Manning.
How hard is it; I'd call it slow and developing. With reasonable luck 6-7 wins, with extraordinary luck 8-9 wins.
Tate is not as good as Beckham - that's a step down.
Zeitler is an upgrade over Brown.
Bethea is an upgrade over Riley.
As of right now, the Giants are probably about as good as they were at the end of last season. Now, it's reasonable to assume that the draft helps us and, if we do sign Remers, that should help. The Giants have a star rb in Barkley. If they give him the blocking he needs, we can dominate on the ground.
So, we should be better than last season, but I wouldn't be investing in Super Bowl tickets.
Will need to be good/lucky with this draft and the next in terms of numerous immediate defensive starters, and also find a starting QB over the next 13 months.
not so easy...
Don’t expect good football until there is a change at quarterback.
Anyone is entitled to negativity at the results or healthy skepticism, but it's made many completely unable to judge any move the org makes as anything other than incompetent.
Anyone is entitled to negativity at the results or healthy skepticism, but it's made many completely unable to judge any move the org makes as anything other than incompetent.
The biggest idea you hit on is future cap space -- and one of the primary reasons there is that space is because Gettleman moved away from good players either getting or demanding great compensation.
That will be of tremendous benefit the following offseason. Not this year, but a very wise decision on his part.
Bottomline -- I believe at 1-7 Gettleman truly saw just how bad this team was, and knew it wasn't a quick turn.
The Giants were 6-10 in 2015, brought in some high-priced free agents on defense in 2016, and went 11-5, with no running game and no offense, really, besides OBJ.
I honestly think that with the talent they have now, plus a very good draft, that 10-6 is not out of the realm of possibility.
The overriding factor will, of course, be health, as it is almost every year, for the Giants and for their opponents.
1-7 put a lie to that attempt, and the fire sale tear down rebuild began in earnest. it wasn't a complete waste of a year, but we could have done better with an honest approach of realizing just how bad the team was.
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8-8? 9-7. 12-4? I think with a great draft they could be around .500 but they are a very long way from sniffing 12-4.
The Giants were 6-10 in 2015, brought in some high-priced free agents on defense in 2016, and went 11-5, with no running game and no offense, really, besides OBJ.
I honestly think that with the talent they have now, plus a very good draft, that 10-6 is not out of the realm of possibility.
The overriding factor will, of course, be health, as it is almost every year, for the Giants and for their opponents.
The Giants spent in excess of 100M guaranteed dollars and brought on a 3 premium players who were all first or second team All Pro, Collins came into his own, and JPP returned to form.
If the defense improves to 2nd in the league in scoring, 10 wins is not out of the question.
Eli is 38. Even if he has a good year can he do it again in 2020? If not who's the QB?
Bethea is 35 and likely to retire or hit a wall
Golden is a big question mark. But if he does have a big year he will test the market so no guarantee he will be a Giant in 2020.
Tate is 31 and one team dumped him and another showed no interest in re-signing him. He may already be on the downside but if not how many years does he have left?
I just don't see a ton of progress here. Now if we add a stud edge or DL at 6 and get a franchise QB at 17 then it's a whole new ballgame especially with an improved cap situation but at this point we don't know who they're going to draft much less how good they will be.
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In comment 14384805 Steve in ATL said:
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8-8? 9-7. 12-4? I think with a great draft they could be around .500 but they are a very long way from sniffing 12-4.
The Giants were 6-10 in 2015, brought in some high-priced free agents on defense in 2016, and went 11-5, with no running game and no offense, really, besides OBJ.
I honestly think that with the talent they have now, plus a very good draft, that 10-6 is not out of the realm of possibility.
The overriding factor will, of course, be health, as it is almost every year, for the Giants and for their opponents.
The Giants spent in excess of 100M guaranteed dollars and brought on a 3 premium players who were all first or second team All Pro, Collins came into his own, and JPP returned to form.
If the defense improves to 2nd in the league in scoring, 10 wins is not out of the question.
The Giants had virtually no offense in 2016. The defense carried the team, with damn near every victory a nail-biter, right down to the wire. That should not be the case in 2019, even with Eli under Center. The defense has to improve from last year, no doubt, but it doesn't have to resemble the '85 Bears for the team to be successful this year.
The 2015 Giants went from a -1.3 points f/a difference to +1.6 in 2016.
The 2018 Giants were -2.7. Not a perfect analysis by any means, but just an indicator of how much worse the 2018 were than the 2015 Giants.
Eli is 38. Even if he has a good year can he do it again in 2020? If not who's the QB?
Bethea is 35 and likely to retire or hit a wall
Golden is a big question mark. But if he does have a big year he will test the market so no guarantee he will be a Giant in 2020.
Tate is 31 and one team dumped him and another showed no interest in re-signing him. He may already be on the downside but if not how many years does he have left?
I just don't see a ton of progress here. Now if we add a stud edge or DL at 6 and get a franchise QB at 17 then it's a whole new ballgame especially with an improved cap situation but at this point we don't know who they're going to draft much less how good they will be.
You draft with an eye towards the future beyond just next year. You draft guys who you hope can replace your aging veterans. And you've accumulated enough free agent cash to keep the guys you want and also bring in some veteran talent.
Don’t expect good football until there is a change at quarterback.
The Giants are a younger, much more financially sound team. With Shepard signed, the Giants have basically no significant UFA going into 2020.
They have a 4 premium draft picks, and the money to be players in UFA next year.
This is the best shape the Giants have been in a decade.
There are a few moves a disagree with, namely Solder and Tate, but by and large I love the direction of the roster.
Tate is 31 and one team dumped him and another showed no interest in re-signing him. He may already be on the downside but if not how many years does he have left?
Ah, the old "if he was a free agent he must suck" argument. Scraping the bottom of the barrel with that nonsense. Players are let go for a variety of reasons.
The Giants are a younger, much more financially sound team. With Shepard signed, the Giants have basically no significant UFA going into 2020.
They have a 4 premium draft picks, and the money to be players in UFA next year.
This is the best shape the Giants have been in a decade.
There are a few moves a disagree with, namely Solder and Tate, but by and large I love the direction of the roster.
That's all I'm saying. There's reason for hope. To me, a lot more reason for hope than despair. As I said in my OP, a lot of things have to break right, and no doubt the Giants still have a lot of questions to answer, especially at QB, but I think they're going to be a hell of a lot better than most folks think they'll be.
We have a dinosaur at QB. They have two studs in their mid-20s. This isn’t difficult math.
Right now, we are third best in our own division...at best.
We have a dinosaur at QB. They have two studs in their mid-20s. This isn’t difficult math.
Right now, we are third best in our own division...at best.
"Right now" isn't the issue.
I'm not going to be revisionist -- I think last year was a total failure. I thought it then and know it now. But that's done, and Gettleman got out of most of the bad decisions.
I will say this -- if the Giants in successive years have the no. 2 then no. 6 and no. 17 overall picks, and go into 2020 without a skillsy QB, that's alarming.
Don’t expect good football until there is a change at quarterback.
Wow.
I’ll never be able to forgive giants fans for the ridiculousness that occurred during most of Eli’s career here. I thought Simms was over scrutinized and that fans would learn. The old timers may have....
Don't ever change. You make life much more enjoyable just the way you are.
Turn things around, to respectability, yes. That’s counting on Eli playing well and having enough around him. But in terms of sustained success, the key piece is the QB, obviously.
With 4 top 70 draft picks, and spending over 100M dollars the Giants netted 6-7 good players last time around.
Barkley, Hernandez, Hill, Carter, Solder, Ogltree.
So far the Gianys have added three guys who project without any qualifiers to be good Zeitler, Tate, and Peppers.
I expect them to add 4 good, right away players in the draft, but one might be a QB who sits. Say that nets RT, DE, and WR.
Then there is a bunch of guys penciled in that you have to genuinely hope you luck out on -- Beal, Golden, Halapio, Martin, Coleman, Mcintosh, Manning.
I think you nailed it with your last bit. We have been SO unlucky over the years be it with FAs or draft picks panning out, we may be due for some luck. These players turning out to be pluses probably accelerates the process. But to what end? Are we just looking at the playoffs, or actually making noise in them?
For that reason, I think we need to grab at least TWO playmakers on defense. Whether its Allen and D. Lawrence in round 1 or if its Q Will and Burns or Oliver and Bush. We need to make our defense really tough again. We have some players there and some good youth. We need that scary Blue defense again where our line gets push and some speedy 2nd level players can run around.
I’ll never be able to forgive giants fans for the ridiculousness that occurred during most of Eli’s career here. I thought Simms was over scrutinized and that fans would learn. The old timers may have....
No one ever say this, and yet you bombard every thread with this. Manning isn't the single factor the Giants have sucked.
The Giants have been plenty bad on offense and defense in equal parts or the last many years.
This is very doable given the current state of the roster and the caliber of players who project at 6, 17, and 37 — and DG would still have 9 picks to get lucky and hit on other players.
A quality RT will solidify the OL and allow Barkley and the offense to flourish.
2 pass rushers, with one being of the ER variety, will solidify the front 7 and finally get the defense off the field when they need a stop.
Very excited for this draft. If it breaks the Giants way there’s going to be a lot of people eating crow in the media and on this site.
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Never mind the terrible defense and OL the last 7 years. And these are slam dunk facts. But never mind those facts...
I’ll never be able to forgive giants fans for the ridiculousness that occurred during most of Eli’s career here. I thought Simms was over scrutinized and that fans would learn. The old timers may have....
No one ever say this, and yet you bombard every thread with this. Manning isn't the single factor the Giants have sucked.
The Giants have been plenty bad on offense and defense in equal parts or the last many years.
No one ever says that Eli is the most important thing wrong with the giants ?? Are you kidding me? That’s all I’ve heard and seen the last year or two.
I’ll stop bombarding when every single nyg discussion goes back to Eli and the giants failures in addressing the qb position. It’s my duty. Sorry.
But by and large the Eli narrative is overstated total horse crap.