As a season ticket holder, I had the opportunity to again attend this year's Giants Town Hall. The event was again emceed by Bob Papa and Dave Diehl from the iconic Beacon Theater in Manhattan's Upper West Side and here are some highlights from each of the segments:
The first segment was with Giants President & CEO John Mara. This segment was a bit underwhelming, as it featured much of the same lip service and fluff as in previous years ("no one is more upset than me", "this year is going to be different", "I'm ready for the Giants to start winning again", etc.). He also made a few jokes that fell flat and were quite frankly a little pathetic (a self-deprecating remark comparing him to James Dolan). Unlike in recent years, there were actually a couple hecklers in the gallery calling for less talk and more results, which showed the fanbase is restless and the heat is on management more than it has been in a long time. With that said, Mara was extremely humble, gracious and expressed his deepest appreciation for the Giants fanbase and continued support. Papa and Diehl lobbed him a few softball questions and he took off before they opened the floor to questions from the fans.
The next segment was with GM Dave Gettleman and Head Coach Pat Shurmur. I found it interesting that Shurmur was received quite warmly while there was a significant contingent who booed and hissed at Gettleman. A couple nuggets I found worthy of recognition:
- When asked about players who have surprised/stood out in mini camp, Shurmur again praised rookie WR Darius Slayton and how he's impressed thus far
- Someone raised the obvious question/concern about the Giants pass-rush and how they will get to the QB this year and Gettleman was blunt/realistic that there probably isn't a 10+ sack guy on the roster this year but that doesn't mean they can't register a lot of sacks as a team. He said they are counting on Markus Golden, Lorenzo Carter, and X-man to be the key guys applying pressure.
- A young lady asked Gettleman "how do you expect us to buy into the future of the Giants when many of us felt Odell Beckham WAS the future". Gettleman was very serious but animated in his response in that trading Beckham was the best decision at the time to make the team better now and going forward. He reiterated that they did NOT sign Beckham to trade him (per the 2018 quote) but given where the team was coming out of this season and the offer the Browns put on the table, it was a no-brainer/easy decision he'd make over and over again.
The next bit was a Q& A session with the Giants draft picks:
- Daniel Jones has a calm, comfortable and mature presence. You can see the other rookies really look up to him and he has the quiet, gracious exterior but can also see there is a fire inside him
- The best part of this segment was when this one guy asked DeAndre Baker about his swagger and confidence as a rookie, even commenting how he liked his "cockiness", which got the rest of the rookies laughing and ribbing Bajer. The fan pointed out how it's good to have a chip on your shoulder to play cornerback in the NFL and asked Baker about where he gets it from and his style of play. I couldn't quite hear it, but the fan said something pointing out the gaudy diamond watch Baker had on, which had Baker and the whole room roaring with laughter.
- I found Julian Love to be the most impressive draft picks, just in terms of his presence, his character, and how he speaks. Not just as a Giants football player, but as a person. An extremely impressive, determined, and composed young man.
The last segments featured veterans from the defense (Alec Ogletree, Markus Golden, B.J. Hill and Antoine Bethea):
- B.J. Hill has really blossomed and grown up fast. He is a MAN and you can easily tell he has emerged as one of the young leaders on this defense. We are lucky to have him on the Giants
- Bethea appears to be a very solid veteran acquisition, even if just for a year or two. You can tell he relishes the role of the older leader/teacher and came here to win. He's taken some of the young DBs under his wing and epitomizes the "culture" Gettleman is looking for.
- Golden acknowledged that he may have signed just a 1-year dear but wants to be here for the long-term and that he has a lot to prove this year. Another "character" guy that Gettleman added to hopefully help this team win
The final segment was with offensive veterans Eli Manning, Saquon Barkley, Golden Tate and Sterling Shephard.
- The place was absolutely raucous when Eli was introduced and walked out to an extended standing ovation
- Tate was marveling about about how good Eli has looked and how he "still has it" at this age
- Someone asked Eli if he lost any arm-strength and Eli quipped: "Not at all, I still have no trouble over-throwing these guys", which drew laughter
- Saquon pointed out that Eli can be both funny and a fiery leader at the same time. He told a story about how Eli called a play in which Saquon would normally run a curl-route but told him in the huddle to run a flat-route. Saquon was confused and said "but Eli, I'm supposed to run a curl on this". Eli barked back "If i tell you to run a flat, you run a flat. If I tell you it's Easter tomorrow, you go home tonight and paint eggs"
- A fan asked Eli what the best prank he ever pulled was. Eli told a hilarious story from the 2008 season when rookie QB Andre Woodson missed a QB meeting. Eli went and cleared out Woodson's locker and left a note saying "Andre, please come see me. - TC". Woodson ran to Eli all nervous asking what he should do and Eli told him to go apologize to Coughlin and beg for his job and just before Woodson could walk into Coughlin's office, Eli grabbed him and told him it was a joke and he was behind it, much to Woodson's relief.
- Someone asked Eli which wins were the most fulfilling/meant the most to him and he said obviously the two Superbowl MVP performances were the ultimate victories but the games he is most proud of were the two NFC championship games (putting on a clinic w Plaxico in the subzero temperatures of Lambeau and taking a beating but toughing it out in San Francisco).
All-in-all another nice event by the Giants for the fans. I hope you guys appreciated these notes. For those who also attended, feel free to share anything else I left out!
He looked like a deer in the headlights, you could feel the nervousness he had, it was palpable. He walked to the wrong chair and had to be pointed in the direction of the right chair.
Lawrence was the captivating guy. The guy the others respected as a rookie. He had a presence.
Eli barked back "If i tell you to run a flat, you run a flat. If I tell you it's Easter tomorrow, you go home tonight and paint eggs"
And see Eli put on a show of pure courage, that day. The Niners, how many times did they pick him up and slam him to the ground ?
It was the NFC Championship, the refs, just let it go.
A bus-full of 49er fans, (after the game) that's all they could talk about, not their loss but the admiration they had for Eli. Never seen that before, probably never will, again.
Was it well attended?
Eli barked back "If i tell you to run a flat, you run a flat. If I tell you it's Easter tomorrow, you go home tonight and paint eggs"
Yes he did. Funny comment.
Eli seemed more relaxed and comfortable with himself. Maybe he went in thinking this was his last event, and he was going to enjoy and take it in. The standing ovation was well deserved....nice to see.
I agree with Ira's comment about Julian Love. Well spoken, smart, sort of cerebral.
This is always an interesting event. Surprised no questions for Mara from the audience, just from questions submitted prior to the event.
DG in answering the woman's question about the trade of OBJ avoided any criticism of Odell. He gave a very politically correct answer....just make the team better.
Eli barked back "If i tell you to run a flat, you run a flat. If I tell you it's Easter tomorrow, you go home tonight and paint eggs"
Yes, isnt it amazing when media driven narratives repeated over and over again by fans for 15 years turn out to be false?
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Eli barked back "If i tell you to run a flat, you run a flat. If I tell you it's Easter tomorrow, you go home tonight and paint eggs"
Yes he did. Funny comment.
It was mentioned by Saquon during his rookie year. I linked to it last year.
"He looked like a deer in the headlights"
That's GREAT news for all of us who hope he is Eli redux!
This is the kind of stuff you cant get anywhere else but BBI. Reporters cant write about these events without turning it in to click bait.
What surprises me the most is the fan reaction to Gettleman. I just don't understand how he can be booed by giants fans. For the first time in a long time this team has a direction and you can see the pieces coming together. Gettleman has done more to build an offensive line in 2 off seasons than Reese could do in 7 years.
We have gotten younger and improved in so many areas. Our secondary is improved, offensive line, running back, quarterback, special teams and he is not done.
Some fans really don't know how to appreciate what Gettleman has accomplished in such a short amount of time especially the mess he took over.
It's strange that I think Gettleman gets more vitriol than Reese ever did, but that's just my opinion.
If you didnt know how competitive he was or how badly he wanted to win you could learn it just by watching that game.
This stuff is why I love BBI.
Thanks for posting the recap...one of these years I would like to attend myself...
What surprises me the most is the fan reaction to Gettleman. I just don't understand how he can be booed by giants fans. For the first time in a long time this team has a direction and you can see the pieces coming together. Gettleman has done more to build an offensive line in 2 off seasons than Reese could do in 7 years.
We have gotten younger and improved in so many areas. Our secondary is improved, offensive line, running back, quarterback, special teams and he is not done.
Some fans really don't know how to appreciate what Gettleman has accomplished in such a short amount of time especially the mess he took over.
It's strange that I think Gettleman gets more vitriol than Reese ever did, but that's just my opinion.
If the media narrative says DG doesn't have a plan then that's what some folks will believe. If you know this team you know he's made major improvements to almost every unit on it
In comment 14470026 Manny in CA said:
And see Eli put on a show of pure courage, that day. The Niners, how many times did they pick him up and slam him to the ground ?
It was the NFC Championship, the refs, just let it go.
A bus-full of 49er fans, (after the game) that's all they could talk about, not their loss but the admiration they had for Eli. Never seen that before, probably never will, again.
Eli is damn funny.
It was appalling how badly our previous regime handled Eli, a complete lack of sensibility, he's NYs greatest sports icon since Jeter.
I thought the coaches were just fluffing stone hand's confidence, but seelms to be the real deal.
Looking forward to continue to build on the young leadership of SB, Hern, and Hill. And Love will be our Dev McCournty.
"we are on the cutting edge just like everyone else
It doesn't really reflect a good understanding of how technology works to imply that everyone is doing the same thing.
When I look back on Elis career, those are the two games Ill think about more than any other.
I could see Eli delivering the Easter Egg story similar to the way Peyton said it there.
"He looked like a deer in the headlights"
That's GREAT news for all of us who hope he is Eli redux!
Touche Jay, well done.
Thanks 58 for the post and thanks to other attendees for chipping in their observations. Obviously, someone between 58 and NGD has an off take on Jones...
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Someone asked Eli which wins were the most fulfilling/meant the most to him and he said obviously the two Superbowl MVP performances were the ultimate victories but the games he is most proud of were the two NFC championship games (putting on a clinic w Plaxico in the subzero temperatures of Lambeau and taking a beating but toughing it out in San Francisco).
When I look back on Elis career, those are the two games Ill think about more than any other.
Throwing out stats for the most part (which I prefer) those two games along with the come from behind 4th quarter SB victories are Eli's HOF resume bullet points. Two very special rising to the occasion type performances.
"we are on the cutting edge just like everyone else
It doesn't really reflect a good understanding of how technology works to imply that everyone is doing the same thing.
He shouldn't have said cutting edge because that is a misnomer when everyone else is doing it. I actually don't think everyone else is doing it, but that isn't the point. The analytics are out and it supports what he was doing. When you are down 14 in the 4th quarter it makes more sense to go for 2 twice if you score. It is pretty basic mathematics when teams are converting 60% two point conversions. They really aren't calling pick plays on the 2 yard line anymore and I think you are going to see two point conversation attempts sky rocket.
Who was going to "stop" Plaxico in the NFC championship game. Plaxico played him all day. Finally, he stops by the Packers bench and tells them - "Help him coach, he can't stop me"
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Someone asked Eli if he lost any arm-strength and Eli quipped: "Not at all, I still have no trouble over-throwing these guys", which drew laughter
It's a perfect answer.
"we are on the cutting edge just like everyone else
It doesn't really reflect a good understanding of how technology works to imply that everyone is doing the same thing.
You were definitely on the edge of your seat when that analytic question got asked
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when asked about analytics in play calling (going for 2 and 4th down conversions were specifically called out) he said
"we are on the cutting edge just like everyone else
It doesn't really reflect a good understanding of how technology works to imply that everyone is doing the same thing.
You were definitely on the edge of your seat when that analytic question got asked
Oh yeh I forgot he was that guy. Pretty hilarious his obsession even goes down to nitpicking Shurmur's phrasing.
Link - ( New Window )
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when asked about analytics in play calling (going for 2 and 4th down conversions were specifically called out) he said
"we are on the cutting edge just like everyone else
It doesn't really reflect a good understanding of how technology works to imply that everyone is doing the same thing.
He shouldn't have said cutting edge because that is a misnomer when everyone else is doing it. I actually don't think everyone else is doing it, but that isn't the point. The analytics are out and it supports what he was doing. When you are down 14 in the 4th quarter it makes more sense to go for 2 twice if you score. It is pretty basic mathematics when teams are converting 60% two point conversions. They really aren't calling pick plays on the 2 yard line anymore and I think you are going to see two point conversation attempts sky rocket.
Last time I checked teams converted at a 40% rate, could have changed in recent years. If it is 60%, you should be going for it almost all the time. A PAT averages slightly less than 1.0 while a 2 point conversion averages you 1.2
Link - ( New Window )
That was in 2017. In 2018 it was 60 percent.
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are converted at ~48-49%. With the PAT from the 15, the success rate is ~95%, so it is typically the better play to go for 2. Link - ( New Window )
That was in 2017. In 2018 it was 60 percent.
Only articles I can find that say 60% were from mid-October, which obviously doesn't include the entire year.
Using the linked stats, I calculated that teams converted 50.6% of 2 pts last season, but the data is given as per game averages and rounding errors could cause some errors (likely 1-2%).
Attempts/Game
Successful Conversions/Game
"Anyone here wanna get traded?"
Pretty funny!
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In comment 14470369 NoGainDayne said:
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when asked about analytics in play calling (going for 2 and 4th down conversions were specifically called out) he said
"we are on the cutting edge just like everyone else
It doesn't really reflect a good understanding of how technology works to imply that everyone is doing the same thing.
You were definitely on the edge of your seat when that analytic question got asked
Oh yeh I forgot he was that guy. Pretty hilarious his obsession even goes down to nitpicking Shurmur's phrasing.
It's just another example that they don't know what they are talking about. It's not a nit it reflects a poor understanding of not only how he thinks about technology but the level of conversation that goes on inside the building. Technology is something you kind of understand or you don't and clearly he doesn't and no one is educating him
There is absolutely no evidence of this, yet you keep stating offshoots of this constantly:
I was at the town hall event as well. The main comment on the post had:
"- Someone raised the obvious question/concern about the Giants pass-rush and how they will get to the QB this year and Gettleman was blunt/realistic that there probably isn't a 10+ sack guy on the roster this year but that doesn't mean they can't register a lot of sacks as a team. He said they are counting on Markus Golden, Lorenzo Carter, and X-man to be the key guys applying pressure."
I agree with this statement. DG also mentioned that he was hoping that Dexter Lawrence would be able to collapse the pocket from the middle. While he will not get sacks it would impact the QB because they will not have the ability to step up into the throw. For the technical football guys is this realistic statement? I can understand DG point but would it really disrupt the QB or they would just slide over the guard and make the pass.... thoughts...
I was at the town hall event as well. The main comment on the post had:
"- Someone raised the obvious question/concern about the Giants pass-rush and how they will get to the QB this year and Gettleman was blunt/realistic that there probably isn't a 10+ sack guy on the roster this year but that doesn't mean they can't register a lot of sacks as a team. He said they are counting on Markus Golden, Lorenzo Carter, and X-man to be the key guys applying pressure."
I agree with this statement. DG also mentioned that he was hoping that Dexter Lawrence would be able to collapse the pocket from the middle. While he will not get sacks it would impact the QB because they will not have the ability to step up into the throw. For the technical football guys is this realistic statement? I can understand DG point but would it really disrupt the QB or they would just slide over the guard and make the pass.... thoughts...
Youve been watching the pocket collapse on Eli for almost a decade now. It absolutely disrupts the QB. It also idealistically funnels the QB right into the other players. The Patriots had the same amount of sacks as the Giants last year, disrupting the QBs timing and throws is arguably more important than sacks in todays NFL.