Rewind to last year. Giants lose an ugly home game to WSH and fall to 1-7. Increasing calls for Lauletta to play, Beckham frustrated, Eli looks beaten down. It was really ugly & I had little hope. I’m *hopeful* that was rock bottom.
Something I struggled with last year was the fact that the Giants didn’t draft a QB at 2 in April of 2018. I felt drafting Saquon represented a philosophy that the Giants could win in 2018 & at 1-7 it failed miserably. However, I was wrong & clearly impatient. I just felt the 2004 model made sense (hire the new coach & draft the QB). As it turns out, they took the game changer in Saquon & drafted the QB the next year.
This year feels different. I sense more confidence in Shurmur in his post game speeches. The players seem loose, it looks like they’re having fun. We’ve seen flashes from Jones. Gettleman is putting his stamp on the roster. It feels like there is hope. A far cry from 1-7 last season.
I’m not saying this team is making the playoffs, but I think there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. And maybe going 4-4 to end last season, did matter. Playing hard in Philly & Indy. Losing a close game to Dallas. Maybe it is all part of the progress.
As annoyed as I was last season, I realize just how much of an undertaking this was for Gettleman. It takes time and will continue to require patience. But, I have excitement/hope for the future. Something I didn’t have last October.
I said this in another thread, but in a lot of recent preseasons, the offense had looked downright horrendous. And a lot of us clung onto the hope that... well, it's preseason and maybe we're just holding stuff back and aren't going full bore, etc, etc...
But almost every time, that terrible performance carried right over into the regular season and it turned out that what we'd seen in preseason was, indeed, a bit of a harbinger...
Fast forward to this year. The starting OL is actually providing time for Eli and Daniel to survey the field and throw the ball. They're opening up running lanes.. and we haven't even seen Saquon run behind them in live action yet.
I think we need another offseason to stock the cupboard - pass rush will probably be an issue this year. We're thin @ WR. Could use a little more depth along the OL. But, for the most part... yes. I think we're at least on the right track again and I think this team will play hard and be easy to watch and root for this year.
A stark departure from recent teams.. the 2017 team specifically being one of the toughest watches I can ever remember as a Giants fan. 2003 was the only season that really felt as hopeless and miserable as that one in my lifetime as a fan.
There was almost nothing to like about the 2017 team.
Last year was another struggle, but we did some good things. I expect more progress this year and a team that is going to play really hard and will win some football games. Playoffs? I don't expect that... but I do think 9 wins would be a possibility with some decent injury luck and a few breaks...
I hated that we lost when we played well enough to win, but I was elated that we lost because I felt we definitely needed another solid draft to make us much better in 2019/2020.
So, drafting 6 was much better than 12. That was my thinking then....not sure now that our team is that much better drafting 6 vs 12 because I’m not sure who would not have been available that we picked up at 6.
They have an OLine that looks like a legit NFL quality line.
The patience for Jones was rewarded, but the stars did align for them. If the Giants were unlucky enough to win another game, they might have lost out on Jones.
This truly is an exercise in patience. Gettleman chose to tear down the team, and he's done a good job of getting value for Reese's players. From the looks of it, the Giants are one good offseason away from starting a championship window.
Oh no! He would have been available at 12 or even 17..:)
Shep was bouncing around, too. Really liked seeing that. It seemed that there was energy, enthusiasm and positivity on our sideline, in all three phases.
It seems like these guys are playing for each other and supporting each other. A lot of local talent is great to root for, too.
I have not “liked” a team this much in years. Even as a fan, you can see the paradigm shifting before our eyes. I’m very excited, but the injuries are always brutal.
(Kudos to the OLine - great stuff from them...)
Until the season starts and opposing teams have 3 or 4 games of film to analyze the strengths and weaknesses, you won't know whether there is any progress or not. I can see this team winning 2 or 3 games out of the first 4 or 5 and then the bottom falls out when the opposition has enough data on all the new players and the weaknesses at wideout and TE are exposed. I can also see the defense being a horror show; Bettcher has his work cut out for him and there is still an overall lack of team speed.
BBi is getting waaay ahead of itself.
True, and this is why I was so conflicted about the pick. Once we passed on last year's QBs, I figured we'd continue to build up the team and plug the young QB in last, so we can maximize that rookie contract. Still feels a little awkward having Eli here, but hopefully the transition happens fast. Some game experience for Jones this year, another batch of relatively high draft picks, and $100 million in cap space should have us in position to turn the corner next season.
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I think Shurmur and Gettleman understood in this era of football there is a greater margin of error for QBs and you don't need to be a blue chip guy to have immediate success in the NFL.
True, and this is why I was so conflicted about the pick. Once we passed on last year's QBs, I figured we'd continue to build up the team and plug the young QB in last, so we can maximize that rookie contract. Still feels a little awkward having Eli here, but hopefully the transition happens fast. Some game experience for Jones this year, another batch of relatively high draft picks, and $100 million in cap space should have us in position to turn the corner next season.
Spot on, this team has all the makings of a near term contender. They are cost-controlled, have a smart capable young QB, a bunch of young talented top 100 draft picks, and a bunch of cap room.
Another good offseason and they have a real shot at turning it around.
I cringe at how the Manning situation will play out, hopefully it's quick.
The Dallas lost was a gift from God, IIRC they were about to win until video review showed that Beasley (?) was inbounds. Not sure if that would have played a role in them getting Jones or not though.