Offense vs. Defense
I came into the season with significant doubts about the offense and feeling pretty good about the defense. Now after the first 5 games my opinion has completely reversed.
The offense if it can stay healthy, I believe that it can be very good
I believe that Daniel Jones can be a franchise quality QB and that is where everything starts. Despite heavy criticism Jones has become a reliable player who demonstrates skill, courage, and the desire to win. He can make every throw and is a real two-way threat. The Giants can win with DJ as their QB.
The offense has other potential core players such as Andrew Thomas, Kadarius Toney, Kenny Golladay, Nick Gates (IR) and Saquon Barkley.
The OL has the potential to be good with Thomas manning the left tackle, Gates at center if he can return, Hernandez at one guard, Peart who looked good in Sunday’s game at right tackle, that leaves a variety of options at guard with Lemieux, Isaiah Wilson Guard / Tackle, Brederson, Skura, Price as reserves. The infusion of stud guard or tackle would help solidify the line. But it may not be that far away from success. The new OL coach seems to be doing a good job scheming, teaching technique especially the hand techniques, and has instituted better communication so that the line works together. Sometimes it is not the best players who play the best together. The OL must function as a unit.
The offense still has weaknesses and could use a two-way tight end who is also a redzone threat and another running back but they are not far from being competitive.
The one caveat to the Giants offensive success is the coaching and play calling. I respect Garrett’s ability to create plays and his scheming, but Garrett does not know how to play call. Garrett at times is insistent to a fault on running the ball. This typically occurs early in games on first down and in the redzone. So, it is not surprising with the Giants lack success in the redzone and at the start of games.
The Giants always seemed to be in third in long when in the redzone. How many times do we see first down runs between the tackles for a yard gain and then a jet sweep to Engram for a loss? This is a passing league and unless you are the Cowboys you cannot run successfully. The offense needs to be less predictable and constantly apply pressure. When you are in the redzone you are allowed to throw the ball into the endzone. That rarely occurs
While the offense has shown some potential the defense looks lost
The Giants cannot stop the run, they cannot apply pressure, they do not cover well, they do not do anything well.
This is so disappointing after the improvements made last year .
I did not think that Martinez injury would be that devastating but there is no player to compensate for his loss. Ragland and Crowder are awful. Especially Crowder who should never see the field again until he learns to tackle.
The defense is lacking a lot, the secondary which was supposed to be a strength cannot cover, tackle, or contain. Despite playing a soft two deep zone or single high safety with zone coverage the backs cannot cover crossing patterns, deep passes, or protect the flanks. When in man they are worse as Bradbury and Jackson are not playing well.
There is no pressure. Last year the Giants coaching seemed to create pressure from a variety of sources. Fackrell, Brown, Coughlin, Lalos, Williams, Ryan, Peppers, but this year only Ojulari, and Johnson have made an impact.
I am not certain who are the key players to build around, I hopped that Bradbury, Jackson, Lawrence, Williams, Martinez, Ryan, McKinney, and Peppers could be those players, but none have done anything to make me believe that they are essential players.
I am confused as these players have all demonstrated potential but the whole is substantially less than the sum of the parts. I can only conclude that this is an indictment of the coaching staff.
To paraphrase Judge, do not tell me what a player cannot do, tell me what he can do, and we will put him in a position to succeed .This is not occurring with the defense players are constantly out of position and allowing play after another play to succeed. What makes this scary is that the coaches don’t seem capable of stopping the bleeding.
There was no plan or scheme implemented to stop a run around the left side so Dallas just kept running the same play repeatedly. Aikman stated at one time why throw the ball when the running game is so successful. McCarthy will keep running the play until the Giants can show they can stop it. Well, the Giants never did.
I am concerned that Graham is over his head. I liked him a lot last year, but he has regressed and must change his game plan to utilize what his players can do and to put players in a position for success. And can he come up with a plan to eliminate opponents scoring a TD in the last 2 minutes of the first half. He hasn’t done it yet.
Finally, a constant theme in both the offense and defense is that both sides are conservative and risk adverse. This sends the wrong message to the team. It does not show confidence that they cannot make a play. Judge must realize that this team is not good enough to win without taking risks. McCarthy has changed he now goes for it on 4th down with regularity. Why not try this approach as the conservative one has not worked?
I came into the season with significant doubts about the offense and feeling pretty good about the defense. Now after the first 5 games my opinion has completely reversed.
The offense if it can stay healthy, I believe that it can be very good.
I believe that Daniel Jones can be a franchise quality QB and that is where everything starts. Despite heavy criticism Jones has become a reliable player who demonstrates skill, courage, and the desire to win. He can make every throw and is a real two-way threat. The Giants can win with DJ as their QB.
The offense has other potential core players such as Andrew Thomas, Kadarius Toney, Kenny Golladay, Nick Gates (IR) and Saquon Barkley.
The OL has the potential to be good with Thomas manning the left tackle, Gates at center if he can return, Hernandez at one guard, Peart who looked good in Sunday’s game at right tackle, that leaves a variety of options at guard with Lemieux, Isaiah Wilson Guard / Tackle, Brederson, Skura, Price as reserves. The infusion of stud guard or tackle would help solidify the line. But it may not be that far away from success. The new OL coach seems to be doing a good job scheming, teaching technique especially the hand techniques, and has instituted better communication so that the line works together. Sometimes it is not the best players who play the best together. The OL must function as a unit.
The offense still has weaknesses and could use a two-way tight end who is also a redzone threat and another running back but they are not far from being competitive.
The one caveat to the Giants offensive success is the coaching and play calling. I respect Garrett’s ability to create plays and his scheming, but Garrett does not know how to play call. Garrett at times is insistent to a fault on running the ball. This typically occurs early in games on first down and in the redzone. So, it is not surprising with the Giants lack success in the redzone and at the start of games.
The Giants always seemed to be in third in long when in the redzone. How many times do we see first down runs between the tackles for a yard gain and then a jet sweep to Engram for a loss? This is a passing league and unless you are the Cowboys you cannot run successfully. The offense needs to be less predictable and constantly apply pressure. When you are in the redzone you are allowed to throw the ball into the endzone. That rarely occurs.
While the offense has shown some potential the defense looks lost.
The Giants cannot stop the run, they cannot apply pressure, they do not cover well, they do not do anything well.
This is so disappointing after the improvements made last year.
I did not think that Martinez injury would be that devastating but there is no player to compensate for his loss. Ragland and Crowder are awful. Especially Crowder who should never see the field again until he learns to tackle.
The defense is lacking a lot, the secondary which was supposed to be a strength cannot cover, tackle, or contain. Despite playing a soft two deep zone or single high safety with zone coverage the backs cannot cover crossing patterns, deep passes, or protect the flanks. When in man they are worse as Bradbury and Jackson are not playing well.
There is no pressure. Last year the Giants coaching seemed to create pressure from a variety of sources. Fackrell, Brown, Coughlin, Lalos, Williams, Ryan, Peppers, but this year only Ojulari, and Johnson have made an impact.
I am not certain who are the key players to build around, I hopped that Bradbury, Jackson, Lawrence, Williams, Martinez, Ryan, McKinney, and Peppers could be those players, but none have done anything to make me believe that they are essential players.
I am confused as these players have all demonstrated potential but the whole is substantially less than the sum of the parts. I can only conclude that this is an indictment of the coaching staff.
To paraphrase Judge, do not tell me what a player cannot do, tell me what he can do, and we will put him in a position to succeed .This is not occurring with the defense players are constantly out of position and allowing play after another play to succeed. What makes this scary is that the coaches don’t seem capable of stopping the bleeding.
There was no plan or scheme implemented to stop a run around the left side so Dallas just kept running the same play repeatedly. Aikman stated at one time why throw the ball when the running game is so successful. McCarthy will keep running the play until the Giants can show they can stop it. Well, the Giants never did.
I am concerned that Graham is over his head. I liked him a lot last year, but he has regressed and must change his game plan to utilize what his players can do and to put players in a position for success. And can he come up with a plan to eliminate opponents scoring a TD in the last 2 minutes of the first half. He hasn’t done it yet.
Finally, a constant theme in both the offense and defense is that both sides are conservative and risk adverse. This sends the wrong message to the team. It does not show confidence that they cannot make a play. Judge must realize that this team is not good enough to win without taking risks. McCarthy has changed he now goes for it on 4th down with regularity. Why not try this approach as the conservative one has not worked?
But it begs a better question when evaluating the QB position...
Sure, Jones might be able to make it work fairly well, but if you can can a player who can potentially make it great than that shouldn't that be the better idea?
Call me greedy, but I'm very willing to take a chance on a prospect with an assortment of plus tools.
I share this with the OP - I am very surprised how ineffective the defense has been. I would have gambled a fair amount of cash that Graham had more than enough parts to develop a top ten D in PPG allowed. But now it looks like yet another example where past performances don't guarantee future results.
The defense...I'm @ a loss. If anything, I thought that'd be the strength of the team, the secondary especially. The defense has been putrid.
But it begs a better question when evaluating the QB position...
Sure, Jones might be able to make it work fairly well, but if you can can a player who can potentially make it great than that shouldn't that be the better idea?
Call me greedy, but I'm very willing to take a chance on a prospect with an assortment of plus tools.
I share this with the OP - I am very surprised how ineffective the defense has been. I would have gambled a fair amount of cash that Graham had more than enough parts to develop a top ten D in PPG allowed. But now it looks like yet another example where past performances don't guarantee future results.
true.. but the offense has been abysmal. Are we next to last in scoring in the NFC? That puts a lot of pressure on the D. When the offense is more productive, the defense will likely get better.
It's like, it doesn't matter how sweet the car is if you have a lawnmower engine in it. The best cover guys can't stick with a good NFL receiver 4+ seconds over and over. And getting pressure up the middle doesn't solve it if there's easy room to shuffle away.
If we had edge rushers, we might find out the secondary isn't as bad as it looks. (Might.) I can't believe we forgot how to coach last year. I can't believe Bradberry totally just fell off a cliff.
We have to find some edge players and some better OLBs, hope our MLB gets better.
On O I mostly agree, but as others said, we seem to be built on oft injured players. Not their fault maybe, but a lot of our pieces haven't shown they can make it through the year lately. (I used to hate Eli's chuck and fall away from pressure move, but in retrospect if it kept him available it was probably smart.)
When I focus in on him, he doesn't generate much pressure and never beats the OT he is lined up against clean. Not much burst, haven't seen him bend the corner yet either. He seems like a secondary pass rusher at best. Does play the run pretty well though.
Lawrence has also been a dud. Minimal impact on the game. Has not proven to be worth a mid first rounder yet.
Lastly, McKinney. I've seen flashes of game speed from him but no game changing plays or big stops from him, save for one PBU in the end zone (vs ATL I believe)
Add in the down year/regressions from Bradberry, Peppers, Ryan and Leo- plus the Martinez injury..it's no wonder this defense isn't any good.
When I focus in on him, he doesn't generate much pressure and never beats the OT he is lined up against clean. Not much burst, haven't seen him bend the corner yet either. He seems like a secondary pass rusher at best. Does play the run pretty well though.
Lawrence has also been a dud. Minimal impact on the game. Has not proven to be worth a mid first rounder yet.
Lastly, McKinney. I've seen flashes of game speed from him but no game changing plays or big stops from him, save for one PBU in the end zone (vs ATL I believe)
Add in the down year/regressions from Bradberry, Peppers, Ryan and Leo- plus the Martinez injury..it's no wonder this defense isn't any good.
He’s flashing as a rookie. That’s better than nothing. A lot of guys take a few years to fully get there. But yes, I wish it was more consistent.
I think our very low expectations for the offense and our high expectations for the defense has magnified the assessment of both. The offense has been better then we though (still not good enough) and the defense has been FAR WORSE than we thought.