Many of us seem to be expecting the team to start slow as the young guys adjust and the o-line gels and we're hoping the team ends strong.
They probably won't make the playoffs but could be in the hunt, which would be an improvement.
That said, what do you think is this team's upside? Playoffs? Win a game in the playoffs? Something more?
I think if things break their way they could make the playoffs and win one game. How about everyone else?
Until proven otherwise though, I still think this is a 4-6 win team.
2018 Floor - 49ers
Either a young team that really starts to gel and push for a playoff spot at the end of the year with a lot of hope for the next season. Or a young team that flashes and struggles with consistency with a lot of hope for the next season.
It also wouldn’t shock me if everything clicked and they go 10-6, splitting with DAL/PHI
Most likely something in between, 7-9/8-8 type season. I like where this team is heading, 2020 is my year for legit playoff contention with another solid draft and a splash or 2 in free agency (Clowney, Daryl Williams/La’el Collins) + a stud WR for Jones in round 1.
I sat out in that Titan game in the rain (which was the worst weather game I have ever sat through in going to games since 1987). The Titans just pounded the ball over and over and over. Played conservative offense and physical defense. It was throwback football to the 1980s Giants.
The Giants are not talented enough to make noise in the playoffs, but if things break right, they can get to the playoffs and get bumped in the Wild Card.
I sat out in that Titan game in the rain (which was the worst weather game I have ever sat through in going to games since 1987). The Titans just pounded the ball over and over and over. Played conservative offense and physical defense. It was throwback football to the 1980s Giants.
The Giants are not talented enough to make noise in the playoffs, but if things break right, they can get to the playoffs and get bumped in the Wild Card.
The possibility is the 1984 Giants who squeaked into the playoffs, beat the favored Rams at LA and lost an actual struggle with the Niners
I think the upside is a lot higher than most as a result.
Ballin'!
Defensively can we get some pressure and will we stop the run. I am confident in the latter.
Question is will be able to play make minimal mistakes on offense. We will be a plodding O for most of the year with calculated deep strikes...ie set up the pass with the run. Eli can not be inaccurate nor throw dumb picks.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Ding ... and that Bills D coming to town is no joke
- I expect the Giants to win, but it’s going to be a lot closer/uglier than people want to admit. Their pass defense is elite.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Seriously? They lost some of their best players. A lot of question marks remain. It is perfectly reasonable to expect they will not be better this year.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Less talent at WR and ER, key positions in pro football.
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More games than last year.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Seriously? They lost some of their best players. A lot of question marks remain. It is perfectly reasonable to expect they will not be better this year.
The only “loss” that will be felt is Odell
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the past few years. They are going to limit the QB play to short passes and focus on pounding the ball. They are going to build a physical offensive line to control the ball and hope the defense gels and plays well. This is probably a 6-10 or 7-9 team right now, and with the right breaks can go 9-7 and be in the playoff hunt.
I sat out in that Titan game in the rain (which was the worst weather game I have ever sat through in going to games since 1987). The Titans just pounded the ball over and over and over. Played conservative offense and physical defense. It was throwback football to the 1980s Giants.
The Giants are not talented enough to make noise in the playoffs, but if things break right, they can get to the playoffs and get bumped in the Wild Card.
The possibility is the 1984 Giants who squeaked into the playoffs, beat the favored Rams at LA and lost an actual struggle with the Niners
I'd love to see it. The obvious difference in 1984 was that Giants defense started to gel as all their young top players all came together (LT, Marshall, Kinard, Banks and Reasons were rookies who were playing). And Simms took control of the team finally and the Giants actually threw the ball a ton, Joe Morris didn't really establish himself until later in the season.
I can actually see a 1984 type occurrence more in 2020 as Jones takes over, the defense with all these young guys starts to gel and the light goes on finally.
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In comment 14454864 Ivan15 said:
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More games than last year.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Seriously? They lost some of their best players. A lot of question marks remain. It is perfectly reasonable to expect they will not be better this year.
The only “loss” that will be felt is Odell
I think that the loss of OBJ is well balanced by...well, balance. But also by bigger receiving roles for Engram and Barkley.
I can't see them doing any better than that, and even that would take pretty much everything going right.
Even better in 2020.
Even better in 2020.
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More games than last year.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Less talent at WR and ER, key positions in pro football.
In his three-year stint with the Giants, Olivier Vernon played an average of 13 games per year (16, 12, 11), starting every game he played in. He averaged 43 tackles and 7 sacks per year. In those three years he also had 1 interception, 2 passes-defended, and he forced 3 fumbles.
In his rookie year, Lorenzo Carter appeared in 15 games with 2 starts. He racked up 43 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 passes-defended. Presumably, with the absence of Vernon, Carter's role will be expanded this year. The addition of Golden aside, are we really losing that much production off the edge going from Vernon to Carter? Sure, stats don't tell the whole story, but they do tell part of it. As with Landon Collins, Vernon has regressed every year since 2016. I don't think we'll miss him all that much.
As for WR, no question we traded away our most talented guy, and I doubt any single WR on the roster now will come close to matching Beckham's production. However, it's not up to any individual WR to try and make up for Beckham's absence. It's up to the corps as a unit to make the most of their opportunities when they're called on to do so, the same way the RB's made up for the absence of Tiki "60% of the offense" Barber a dozen years ago.
Lack of talent at WR and EDGE is definitely a valid concern. I think they can potentially break even this season but these two glaring holes are what will keep them out of playoff contention.
I expect that to be a different story in 2020 though.
We will score points, but can the Defense stop the other teams. That was the case last year.
either way I just hope were playing meaningful games late into the year rather than hanging on the edge of being mathematically eliminated from contention by week 6.
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More games than last year.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Less talent at WR and ER, key positions in pro football.
How are they worse at ER? Everyone here hated Vernon when he played and he missed virtually half the games last year. The team was scoring points with Beckham doing more work on Instagram than on on the field, in December.
If we get 14 games out of Tate and he does what he does we aren’t worse at wr. We’re actually better since Beckham missed around 16 games over the last 2 seasons. We aren’t replacing 2015 Beckham. Let’s not forget that.
We’re a better, deeper and more cohesive team going into 2019. And we’re facing a manageable schedule.
I should have said Rams 1999, Pats were 2001
It's not like the team has gotten any better this offseason.
It's not like the team has gotten any better this offseason.
Really?
I fell like it's gotten waaay better. Biggest weak points from last season to me were OL and secondary. OL had people who should not be playing in the NFL plus rookie feeling hsi way plus a tackle learning a new team and playing next to a rookie. They already showed signs of gelling. Now you add two established vets with one being arguably a star and that seems way improved to me.
Last year's secondary was playing only journeymen at best or UFDa's. This year they have high draft picks. Seems much better to me.
I'm expecting a much improved run game and much better coverage (secondarily more "coverage" sacks) at the very least.
If the team plays to there potential 11-5 is not beyond reason. Last season the secondary was a liability, this season I can see 49er like turn around with all the young additions. The Giants are the great unknown to the pundits because all they see is no OBJ, Vernon and Collins. What will be revealed is that they are a team not a group of a few stars.
Watch for the rise of the new beast in the east. Only then will those who laugh at DG having no plan will be proved foolish forced to eat crow.
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In comment 14454864 Ivan15 said:
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More games than last year.
The o-line is improved and the secondary can’t be any worse.
Less talent at WR and ER, key positions in pro football.
How are they worse at ER? Everyone here hated Vernon when he played and he missed virtually half the games last year. The team was scoring points with Beckham doing more work on Instagram than on on the field, in December.
If we get 14 games out of Tate and he does what he does we aren’t worse at wr. We’re actually better since Beckham missed around 16 games over the last 2 seasons. We aren’t replacing 2015 Beckham. Let’s not forget that.
We’re a better, deeper and more cohesive team going into 2019. And we’re facing a manageable schedule.
Which of the edge rushers we have now was better than Vernon though? Do you think that Vernon required double teams at times? Which of our edge rushers now will command that kind of attention? I don't see any.
Same with Beckham. Who's double or triple-covering Tate or Shepard? Who is game-planning for them? Who is our bonafide deep threat? We don't have one. And yes, while they scored a good deal of points in three games without Beckham in the fold, they were also shut out in one. You can spin that in a few different ways but lets not pretend like it doesn't matter.
Maybe Shurmur and Bettcher will find a way to make it work without these pieces. Maybe Golden will return to form. Maybe Lorenzo Carter and Evan Engram will take a big step.
These are all maybes though. As it stands right now, WR and EDGE are holes and its hard to win without them - unless you can figure out some way to over-compensate elsewhere.
On offense, the revamped OL and SB will create more offense including in the red zone. But, there's no WR back there now that puts fear in the defense and keeps the DC up at night trying to gameplan.
On offense, the revamped OL and SB will create more offense including in the red zone. But, there's no WR back there now that puts fear in the defense and keeps the DC up at night trying to gameplan.
Yet in Shurmurs system and with Barkley garnering much attention the passing game was quite good without OBJ. Now add Tate and they aren't all stars per se but steady vets who gain separation and should continue to be productive.