Same as the last couple of weeks. Sharing my non-emotional thoughts on the game. Feel free to share yours, argue with mine or whatever you feel:
- The best way I can describe last nights loss is through personal experience. Not to give too much information on myself but growing up I was fortunate enough to play on a Pop-Warner team that made the national championship game, I also wrestled for a high school that won states all 4 years I was there while being ranked top 25 in the nation 2 of those years. On both those teams we expected to win every game we played. The teams we were playing expected to lose. For the past few seasons the Giants are the team that expects to lose.
- Winning is a skill. The team needs to learn it.
- There are players that just seem to have bad things happen whenever the ball comes there way. Evan Engram is one of those guys. I see the skill set and completely understand he's the type of guy that dominates practice but he isn't performing for this team.
- Yes I trade Engram while he has value. Say what you want about his 4.42 40, his production is replaceable.
- Going to another team would be good for Engram, if he's traded don't be surprised if he turns into a different player.
- 1-6, as has been usual we're stuck early in the season discussing who should/shouldn't be here next year. Tomlinson and Ryan are not under contract for 2021 and should be resigned. Though he's not a star I'd also throw Fackrell in there. Very solid rotational player who can make a play here and there.
- While I'm on who should and shouldn't be here I want to touch on roster spots for special teams players. In an ideal world you can set aside 1 or 2 spots for a gunner or return specialist. In order to do that you have to get your roster in order first. Last night we saw an example of this when Nate Ebner played substantial snaps at safety where he's a liability. We maybe need to revisit these "specialist" roles until we have a more solid roster.
- With Ebner in I don't want to blame injuries or use them as an excuse. Philly had a lot of injured players and we were leading by 11 with 6 to play. The loser mentality lost this game.
- Offense looked a lot better with Shepard in. Scary to see an average player making such an impact, but also goes to show what can happen if we add some legit skill players.
- Thomas has regressed, no way around it. Week 1 isn't the time to peak. Colombo needs to get in his ear or sit him down for a game or two.
- We find making excuses for a Jones int so often. This one legitimately was not his fault. If it hits a pro in both hands they should catch it. I've said my peace on Engram already.
- Gallman looked as good as ever. I liked him from his rookie year but clearly something goes on in practice where the coaches don't trust him. Looks like that will change.
- Getting close to the trade deadline and 1-6. Please do not give up assets for a DT again...
- On the subject, don't give up assets period.
- Aside from Engram if I can get a good return for Williams I take it. I'd also look at Peppers as someone I can get assets for, specifically with McKinney due back soon.
- In a corresponding move to trading Williams I'd extend Tomlinson
- Closing out with some comments on Jones. Played a great game last night and up until the Engram drop did everything he could to win that game for the team.
- The final drive where he fumbled to end the game shows he's still not ready to put the team on his back. Will he get there? I hope. There are flashes of talent though and he's playing poker with a really bad hand.
- He also needs to take responsibility for the turnovers. Lack of help from your teammates is one thing, but you're the leader, its on you to elevate.
- From the coaching staff I still feel confident in Judge and Graham. The defense has a ton of holes and Graham has kept them "respectable". 1 or 2 players in the right spots and this can be good defenese
- Haven't been thrilled with Garrett, but aside from the reverse to Engram in the redzone I feel he called a good game
While I am someone who liked the Barkley pick at the time, he is actually another player I would have looked to move has he not gotten injured. I think what we could get for a healthy Barkley would help this team more than a healthy Barkley. But being injured now his value is way down and probably not worth it. I think they need to hope he is healthy next year and very productive and then maybe you can revisit this.
I think the coaching staff if doing well, particularly Graham and his chicken salad defense. Garrett gets a lot of shit here but aside from not running Jones enough, I don't think the play calling is the issue. There just isn't enough talent on the field to consistently execute much of anything called.
But probably would like to see DJ get moving there versus looking forever downfield. Thought he did well last night, but his clock still needs plenty of work.
I want them to try and get the kicking tee.
Quote:
with the trading engram discussions? you couldn't get a kicking tee for that guy right now.
I want them to try and get the kicking tee.
There are teams out there that play in systems favorable to his skill set where he'd have value.
It likely isn't going to be the 3rd or 4th people were clamoring for in the offseason, but someone would take a shot on him.
Quote:
In comment 15021413 peteschweaty said:
Quote:
with the trading engram discussions? you couldn't get a kicking tee for that guy right now.
I want them to try and get the kicking tee.
There are teams out there that play in systems favorable to his skill set where he'd have value.
It likely isn't going to be the 3rd or 4th people were clamoring for in the offseason, but someone would take a shot on him.
Yeah, absolutely. Probably a 5th but a late 4th would be an immediate strike price.
man, why didn't he catch that ball last night.
Wonder what this board was like when Eli was in his second year. Jones is young and it’s not happening as fast as we would like it to for him but whoever says they don’t see any improvement isn’t really looking cause it’s right in your face. I think being on this team that always puts him in a bad situation contributes mightily to his turnover problem. Because of the talent around him he is trying to do everything all the time cause he’s knows if he doesn’t they have no shot. Look what a Huge diffrence an average SS made last night.
Jones' fumble and INT numbers are 100% inflated by his poor supporting cast. Probably dramatically.
Knowing that if your his coach you still don't look him in the eye and say "that fumble was on Thomas, that one was on the RB for missing a block etc...", you say "hang on to the ball".
Being a QB is a lot like being a coach where you unfortunately have to take responsibility for things that aren't your fault all the time.
And you're correct his fumble didn't lose the game and they likely wouldn't have gone far on that drive with no TOs anyway.
QBs turn the ball over at the end of games frequently, you have to take chances to try to catch up with the odds against you. It's not the same as a fumble in other situations. He has to be quicker to scramble and get out of the pocket to throw IMO. For a guy with his speed he doesn't seem to have nearly the same proportion of throws where he moves and gives his receivers more time. But that is a general comment, that play he just had zero time. Coaches have to get him moving more and get a clock in his head to take off sooner in general but again that play I don't think there was even time for that.