I understand the Giants are rail thin in the defensive backfield, and how vital it is in Wink’s system, but outside of A. Rodgers ability to attack the blitz and Jackson ability to escape the blitz……The Giants are not facing that many dangerous QBs.
Sure, they will give up some big plays, but This defense should actually cause some damage vs the offenses they will be facing.
I also expect the OL to start slow allowing some time to gel, but I truly believe the pieces are in house to form a decent OL and the way the schedule is set…8 of the last 10 games are vs NFC & NFC East opponents. It will be these games that will determine the Giants playoff chances.
Granted, It all goes up in smoke if Daniel Jones don’t take advantage, the team gets decimated by injuries again and offensive and defensive “expected “ scheme improvements never materialize.
Still, I am looking forward to the season to start.
Do I expect playoff? No, not really…
but I do expect to see much more enjoyable games, regardless of the won/loss record.
I personally hated Grahams’ bend, not break defense…..Anyone who grew up a Giants fan….knows the kind of defense we enjoy watching. I grew to dread the stadium call to get on our feet on 3rd down….only to see a QB making a soft 1st down completion.
We want to see the QB on the ground, even after completions. Qbs use to fear playing the Giants. We all like seeing the helmet catch and Plax dominating the corner for the winning TD, but the highlights of that game that I love….was seeing Brady, play after play getting off the ground!!!
I do not expect that much of a turnaround, but I will enjoy watching this defense more than the death by a thousand cuts.
The Giants front 6 or 7 could make the QBs sweat!
I understand we might need to wait a year for Wink full vision to be realized.
Improving the OL is not much of a hurdle…..a blocking dummy would be an improvement over Solder, but I actually feel we have our long-term answer with the bookend Tackles and enough bodies to figure out the interiors. It has only been 10 years!!
Keeping the WRs on the field seems to be a much harder task, hopefully they can figure it out. The 2 games that the Giants had their full arsenal where actually pretty enjoyable to watch.
I certainly do not expect to watch a team playing scared….which was basically what we endured the past 2 years.
No one feels Daniel Jones is a top 10 talent and I totally understand why many feel he is a bottom 10 talent, but I think he can settle into a middle of the pack QB. We know he can move the ball between the 20s, but can he score TDs.
Hopefully, Daboll and Kafka will make that happen.
If the WRs could stay on the field…the 2 jitter bugs can score from anywhere……
I am still waiting to see Barkley behind a decent OL with some room. No one can deny the guy has talent. We have seen what he can do with an inch when fully healthy
Again, I am probably putting too much on Daboll and Kafka’s shoulders…..in year 1. But I am starting to get hopeful!!!
The possibility of improved offensive line play is most legitimate reason to be hopeful
Nice post by the way.
I feel like I cant have any optimism or pessimism at this point, i'm just going to sit back and watch and be hopeful that they're starting to turn the franchise around. I'll admit that there's a better feel right now, but admittedly i feel that way every off season.
6 breakout players in 2022 - ( New Window )
like a lot of this team is but at least it’s an interesting question.
That’s the thing I see is at least some potential in most of the units. It’s a classic development year and that’s a lot more to root for than we’ve had recently. In comparison, in the last four years we’ve known the OL and TE were terrible by literally the end of preseason.
Enjoy the preseason build up to the season. Plenty of good reasons to feel good...ok, much better, than the last several years.
Trust but verify.
The game is on the field, and right now it looks like whatever gains this team has made on offense have been offset by losses on defense.
It's a multi-year re-build and 2022 looks like 5-17.
And even if we don’t live up to your expectations, so what? We try again next year. You know now, we have smart people running this ship…let them do their job while we watch and wait.
Do yourself a favor here and avoid the threads that serve no useful purpose but to keep reminding you of all of our past failures, and add despair to your thoughts. Life is to short for that…..”As a man thinks, so he is!”
Giants in the playoffs this year…..I’m hoping for this! And I wake up every day with a smile on my face thinking that thought.
Really tho, the bottom line, is what Daniel Jones is able to do with this opportunity. I do find it kind of sad that this is his fourth year getting a shot, and fans don't expect the Giants to make the playoffs. If all he needs is a stronger offensive line, I expect to see a big step forward.
The Brandon Brown and Mike Kafka hires are exhibit A…smart, up and coming guys in their respective areas of expertise, no prior connection to Giants. Really good sign Schoen has been given the freedom to hire without constraint
The on field results will take time, probably 2+ years. But faster turnarounds have happened
Don't want to speak for George, but maybe he saw that Judge was a disaster last season. I consider myself a pretty patient guy and was a big Judge supporter before the season, but it turned into a clown show and he had to go.
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George -- I distinctly remember you saying changing coaches after 2 years assured more losing. What's changed?
Don't want to speak for George, but maybe he saw that Judge was a disaster last season. I consider myself a pretty patient guy and was a big Judge supporter before the season, but it turned into a clown show and he had to go.
There was no reason to believe things would've gotten much better with another season.
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George -- I distinctly remember you saying changing coaches after 2 years assured more losing. What's changed?
Don't want to speak for George, but maybe he saw that Judge was a disaster last season. I consider myself a pretty patient guy and was a big Judge supporter before the season, but it turned into a clown show and he had to go.
This was near the end of last year when Judge was on the hot seat. I'm just curious what's changed his mind.
extreme example but McVay inherited a team without a winning season in 10 years and at the time Goff was a laughing stock. He won 10 games.
in the time since mcadoosh was hired McVay, Reich, Flores, Vrabel, Siriani, Stefanski, Rivera, Gruden and probably some others im missing took over bad teams (some very very bad) and won 7 games or more right away (a few had winning records and made playoffs).
the basic odds of hiring a good coach are 1 or 2 out of 8 because that's how it seems to go each year. 25% of all NFL coaches get fired each year and only 1 or 2 of their replacements succeed.
after 3 hiring failures the law of averages would indicate we might be due for a change even if it's just pure luck.
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In comment 15718580 christian said:
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George -- I distinctly remember you saying changing coaches after 2 years assured more losing. What's changed?
Don't want to speak for George, but maybe he saw that Judge was a disaster last season. I consider myself a pretty patient guy and was a big Judge supporter before the season, but it turned into a clown show and he had to go.
This was near the end of last year when Judge was on the hot seat. I'm just curious what's changed his mind.
I'll just speak for myself. You say it was "near the end of last year" and for me it depends on just how "near".
They were coming off a win (with an injury depleted roster) against the Eagles going into week 12. Then the wheels came off badly and Judge handled it badly. The last few games were a joke.
I have been fooled too many times in the past to get fooled again this off season.
The Brandon Brown and Mike Kafka hires are exhibit A…smart, up and coming guys in their respective areas of expertise, no prior connection to Giants. Really good sign Schoen has been given the freedom to hire without constraint
The on field results will take time, probably 2+ years. But faster turnarounds have happened
I also believe a horribly conservative offensive approach retarded Daniels abilities
Anyone who has played any sports learned early on, playing scared, not to lose, is not a recipe to build the confidence necessary for maximizing your talents
Yep, pretty much the same for me
Perfect world, be close in a lot of games, don’t win too many. One more yr of top 10 pick before true ascent starts. Hoping 6-7 rookies pan out and look to have LT future
Pre-season makes many of us fans hopeful, there are a few who bring out the hating comments.
Most of us believe that when you change coaches and the FO it is to make the team better not worse. So far I believe they have done what they were brought in to do.
Now we see from here if it works. Keep the faith. Go Blue!!
A healthy Barkley with better WRs should get us back to the middle of the road along with improved OL play. An offensive scheme that is actually proven to work in todays NFL is all a positive. I do think DJ can be in that 10-15 range of QBs with the help that has been provided on O. If you look at a lot of the analytics around, WR is a key factor in the success of a team more than OL. Can a healthy Toney, Golladay and the addition of Robinson make a good WR corp? I think so.
Injuries will be the main factor in the success of this team as we are paper thin at a lot of positions but at least we can see a core of talent to build around. I think we will be in the playoff hunt and finish between 7-10 wins depending on how fast the rookies can get up to speed.
Judge lost his mind at the end of last year ....could he have recovered? Maybe. the Offense was going to change...so would they have hired Daboll as OC?
You never know the whole story....seems like there was more dysfunction....after Daniel went down.....that was as putrid as this team has ever played.
Graham defense is more the norm these days in the NFL...so it has a place....but I personally have never liked it....
Now that they hit reset everyone.....I am hoping we, "Stay the course" again. I do not want to find ourselves back here in 2 years.
Before the Giants earn the right to compete for the Super Bowl....they must have a stable organization.
This years team is far more in transitions due to the changes.
Granted, I will enjoy watching this defense more.....will they be giving up heart breaking plays...Yes....but I prefer an aggressive defense.
I also expect a more exciting offense.....
or maybe this...
Nothing wrong with thinking they can be competitive and enter December in the mix for a wild card. Predicting it is one thing. I wouldn't go that far at all. But it's not out of the question.
Nothing wrong with thinking they can be competitive and enter December in the mix for a wild card. Predicting it is one thing. I wouldn't go that far at all. But it's not out of the question.
Might I add, plenty of games there for the taking against good teams, including eventual Super Bowl champions.
As a season ticket holder, we make a strong commitment....
as someone mentioned, going 0-5 or 0-7. to start season is painful.
I feel a team re-builds every time they have a coaching change.
Players change every year, but with new coaches....that change is far greater....
the great teams tinker and fine tune....not go through major over hauls.
I want exciting competitive games....with steady improvemnt in key areas!
Lets Go Giants!
"And a rock feels no pain...and an island never cries." - Simon & Garfunkel.
I’m really hopeful that the offense will be watchable. There are some playmakers if they can stay healthy. The OLine should be better and possibly even good by the end of the season. The biggest difference should be a dramatically better scheme and play calling. Take chances and give the team an opportunity. Take advantage of the rules and the way the game is played now.
Assuming average health I expect the team to be competitive in pretty much every game and end up around .500/ and relevant in December.
Yes. It would be nice for the season to extend past Columbus Day for a change.
i usually give my tickets to my kids or family members who enjoy the experience and I go skiing in Vermont.....which is how I ended last year.
thankfully, the Giants and the NFL in general...usually keep games competitive.
The margin of winning and losing is minor on any given week.
consistent winning is harder
and winning Championships takes a ton of factors including luck.
2022 draft: Kayvon Thibodeau 6ft 4 inches, 254 lbs, 4.58 speed, 49 tackles and 7 sacks (despite ankle injury in 1st game)
Both Taylor and Thibodeau had/have elite takeoff and possessed speed to power and the ability to chase down the ball carriers. Thibodeau is rawer than Taylor was as far as pass rush moves and not quite as good against the run. Taylor also had unequaled intensity like no one else. Despite his 4.7 speed, he willed himself to catch up to faster players. His field speed was more like 4.4 than 4.7. He instilled fear in his opponents like no one has or ever will. He played like a crazed dog! He even has stated he knew who was assigned to block him on every play by seeing who looked scared and who didn't. It was a tell for him to know whether it was a run play or pass play. If the QB looked calm, it was a run play. If he looked nervous, it was a pass play. Whatever blocker looked nervous, he was nervous because he knew he would have to contend with the unblockable Taylor. Taylor was not just a generational talent, he was a multi-generational talent.
Taylor stated he preferred to be drafted by the Giants rather than New Orleans because he wanted to be in NYC where he could increase his brand. Just like Thibodeaux!
So there's my hope. With great coaching and development, can Thibodeaux become the best pick in the entire draft? I'm hoping so! Can he become LT? Probably not, but then again, who can! But my hope is if he becomes the best player in the draft, this could be the start to getting the Giants back to a Super Bowl.
1981 draft Part I - ( New Window )
Bad choices aren’t a sentence. So when the Giants draft a bad QB, hire a bad coach, or hire a bad GM — they can always make a quick change. There’s almost no system need to suffer through it.
I remember talking up the potential of a O’Brien/Judge tandem a year ago. There has been a lot of change. You can always argue the need for more, but I’m pleased with the amount of turnover we’ve seen in the front office.
What I am hopeful about, and it really is an unknown right now, is Bellinger and Robinson. If Bellinger can become a weapon and Robinson can become a weapon then that's the beginning of something. If Breida also gets in that mix, then that's part of every little bit helps.
If Golladay, Shepard, Toney and Barkley can between them be one player, in other words one of them is on the field for every offensive snap during the season then that will help too.
But the problem with the above statements are they are all "ifs." Ifs represent uncertainty as much as hope in the past nine years, and most of our ifs have not panned out
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If the WRs could stay on the field…the 2 jitter bugs can score from anywhere……
That is one very big if
What I am hopeful about, and it really is an unknown right now, is Bellinger and Robinson. If Bellinger can become a weapon and Robinson can become a weapon then that's the beginning of something. If Breida also gets in that mix, then that's part of every little bit helps.
If Golladay, Shepard, Toney and Barkley can between them be one player, in other words one of them is on the field for every offensive snap during the season then that will help too.
But the problem with the above statements are they are all "ifs." Ifs represent uncertainty as much as hope in the past nine years, and most of our ifs have not panned out
Leaving Shepard out for a second, we need a season where at least 2 of the other 3 will be available for every game. I am not counting on Shepard for any contribution but will take whatever he can give. Also, Wan’dale Robinson needs to come up big, even if he plays like a rookie sometimes.
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and I mean terrible over the last 2-3 years, there were plenty of games right there for the taking in the final 5-10 minutes that they squandered. Now they've improved the roster and coaching staff, and had the best draft they've had (on paper) maybe since 2005.
Nothing wrong with thinking they can be competitive and enter December in the mix for a wild card. Predicting it is one thing. I wouldn't go that far at all. But it's not out of the question.
Might I add, plenty of games there for the taking against good teams, including eventual Super Bowl champions.
The Rams were there for the taking? The Giants lost by almost 4 TDs.
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In comment 15718721 Mike in Long Beach said:
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and I mean terrible over the last 2-3 years, there were plenty of games right there for the taking in the final 5-10 minutes that they squandered. Now they've improved the roster and coaching staff, and had the best draft they've had (on paper) maybe since 2005.
Nothing wrong with thinking they can be competitive and enter December in the mix for a wild card. Predicting it is one thing. I wouldn't go that far at all. But it's not out of the question.
Might I add, plenty of games there for the taking against good teams, including eventual Super Bowl champions.
The Rams were there for the taking? The Giants lost by almost 4 TDs.
He's likely talking about 2020. The Giants had a string of close losses, all within 1 td. They were competitive but never seemed to win, and a lot of it was Jones mistakes at the end. They lost to the Rams by 7
Their first two draft picks are home runs, but a few other draft picks bother me. That might be the only part of the offseason that didn't go really well, I think they reached imo.
When next season arrives, look for small signs of change, progress, professionalism, character, etc. If we see them, it's progress they could be able to emerge from the cellar. Got to start somewhere.
But, there's a really long road to go. We'll have really fun weeks this season and some bad weeks. Time will tell. But, I'm optimistic for a lot more fun season than we've had in a while.