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some off-season musing

George from PA : 3/4/2023 7:20 am
Schoen and the personal department did well with their 1st year. Last year’s draft and several gems that were picked up throughout year built a solid young core of players.

He also feels, like I do…stopping the run against strong OLs is a top priority this off-season!

We as fans tend to expect too much from the draft. They have 11 picks but the 6th and 7th Rounders are crap shoots, developmental types. The 1st 2 rounds are really the only spots that can be counted on and even then, they are not sure things.

I hope, they can target players and get lucky in the 3rd,4Th and 5th rounds. If they can find 5 solid contributors that would be a Home Run!!!

The Giants roster is TOP heavy plus a ton of unknown potential. They have Thomas at LT, Big Dex & Williams at DT, McKinney and Adoree and Barkley(if he doesn’t walk) are more than solid…….lets hope Thibs and Ojulari keep developing into something special

But the balance of the roster have a ton of no names……the OL room has 13 players, 10 DBs, 7 LBers…they are plenty of young bodies and the DL needs depth urgently!

Neal development is so important. I know we are still not satisfied with the OL….no doubt it still has a ways to go….but it is much better than those before it!

The reason a Stud WR is such a hot topic is….with Hodgins, W.Robinson, R.James…get lucky with Collin Johnson and see if Shepard has anything left…..if you add in a Stud WR….the WR room actually looks decent.

This just highlights a mistake, like Golladay affect several years and with the end of the rookie QB advantage, their cap has no margin for error.

Look, I have always liked Jones….I saw him as a Kirk Cousins type…..I have no issues moving him up into the top 10-15 QBs now and believe he can be a Top 10 QB. He has all the intangibles…his recent video back to work shows that he wants it!! The Giants can win with him. Mahomes is magical. Josh Allen is a Force. Daniel is not them. He is accurate, runs well, but needs a solid team around him…..and like most NFL QB, doesn’t warrant 20% of the cap but unfortunately, the Giants squandered the advantage of a QB on a rookie deal, much like they squandered Eli’s last years.

I assume they will sign Jones to a deal that we will all think is too much $$$$ and probably tag Barkley.

I do not want splashy FA signings. I assume the coaches will attract a couple of players, but do not break the bank.

Concentrate on resigning and extending our own…..Build through another solid draft…..and go hunting for some gems….they did well with that.

Now, the reality check….last year’s schedule was easy! This coming year is NOT. If the Giants want to sniff the playoff…they must figure out how to beat the Eagles and Cowboys.

Everything they do this off-season must be toward winning the NFC East!

Go Giants!
DJ‘s contract can be discussed  
Big Blue '56 : 3/4/2023 7:48 am : link
ad nauseam, but the fact is, it’s an exploding and ridiculous QB market and he will get paid, one way or the other. Period.

Schoen I’m sure has many scenarios for improving the team with or without the FA tag. We either trust him or we don’t. I do as I believe he did yeoman’s work with seconf tier players last year. That portends well, imv
I’m interested in the development of last years draft choices  
BillT : 3/4/2023 7:58 am : link
Thibs, Neal, Ezudu, Flott and Bellinger are starters next year and having them all take a step forward is key. It’s a very promising group. Also hoping for guys like Gates and Ojulari, who I think are underrated here, reestablishing themselves . I don’t think rookie IR group Robinson, Beavers, McKethan are going to be ready to contribute much but if even one made it back I’d be happy.
Many of the playoff teams this year  
CornerStone246+17 : 3/4/2023 7:59 am : link
Had a 'splashy' WR1 signing and often via trade . Some like the Eagles had both the WR1 and a top CB added in the FA or Trade market.

I want at least one of those guys especially if we nail down DJ to a long term deal with a friendly year 1 cap number.

The compromise if we go trade market could be a slightly older 'bridge' WR1 who won't cost a #1 Hopkins, Allen, maybe Evans etc. vs. the younger core guy like a Higgins who would cost a 1.
Gates was a starting caliber center prior to his injury.  
George from PA : 3/4/2023 8:01 am : link
Can he return to that form? Is the question.

His injury was the saddest part of the Judge era.
RE: DJ‘s contract can be discussed  
eli4life : 3/4/2023 8:02 am : link
In comment 16050511 Big Blue '56 said:
Quote:
ad nauseam, but the fact is, it’s an exploding and ridiculous QB market and he will get paid, one way or the other. Period.

Schoen I’m sure has many scenarios for improving the team with or without the FA tag. We either trust him or we don’t. I do as I believe he did yeoman’s work with seconf tier players last year. That portends well, imv


It’s getting to the point where qb’s should be removed from the cap. Soon it’s gonna be you either have a good qb or a good team.
RE: Many of the playoff teams this year  
Sammo85 : 3/4/2023 8:04 am : link
In comment 16050520 CornerStone246+17 said:
Quote:
Had a 'splashy' WR1 signing and often via trade . Some like the Eagles had both the WR1 and a top CB added in the FA or Trade market.

I want at least one of those guys especially if we nail down DJ to a long term deal with a friendly year 1 cap number.

The compromise if we go trade market could be a slightly older 'bridge' WR1 who won't cost a #1 Hopkins, Allen, maybe Evans etc. vs. the younger core guy like a Higgins who would cost a 1.


Schoen has come right out and said this won’t be the track for them.
RE: Many of the playoff teams this year  
BillT : 3/4/2023 8:08 am : link
In comment 16050520 CornerStone246+17 said:
Quote:
Had a 'splashy' WR1 signing and often via trade . Some like the Eagles had both the WR1 and a top CB added in the FA or Trade market.

I want at least one of those guys especially if we nail down DJ to a long term deal with a friendly year 1 cap number.

The compromise if we go trade market could be a slightly older 'bridge' WR1 who won't cost a #1 Hopkins, Allen, maybe Evans etc. vs. the younger core guy like a Higgins who would cost a 1.

I think that’s just the opposite of what we’ll see. No splashy FA or trades. Boring FA like good a reasonably priced ILB and a #2 TE and a rotational DT. No big expenditures for shiny objects. Thoughtful roster building.
RE: Gates was a starting caliber center prior to his injury.  
Sammo85 : 3/4/2023 8:09 am : link
In comment 16050521 George from PA said:
Quote:
Can he return to that form? Is the question.

His injury was the saddest part of the Judge era.


I don’t think so. I think you keep him in the room as an interior swingman and backup but I don’t see a starter based on his play.
RE: RE: Many of the playoff teams this year  
CornerStone246+17 : 3/4/2023 8:10 am : link
In comment 16050525 Sammo85 said:
Quote:
In comment 16050520 CornerStone246+17 said:


Quote:


Had a 'splashy' WR1 signing and often via trade . Some like the Eagles had both the WR1 and a top CB added in the FA or Trade market.

I want at least one of those guys especially if we nail down DJ to a long term deal with a friendly year 1 cap number.

The compromise if we go trade market could be a slightly older 'bridge' WR1 who won't cost a #1 Hopkins, Allen, maybe Evans etc. vs. the younger core guy like a Higgins who would cost a 1.



Schoen has come right out and said this won’t be the track for them.


I think his very GM-like response was they don't have to go this route. He never said this would definitely not be their route.
RE: RE: Many of the playoff teams this year  
CornerStone246+17 : 3/4/2023 8:13 am : link
In comment 16050527 BillT said:
Quote:
In comment 16050520 CornerStone246+17 said:


Quote:


Had a 'splashy' WR1 signing and often via trade . Some like the Eagles had both the WR1 and a top CB added in the FA or Trade market.

I want at least one of those guys especially if we nail down DJ to a long term deal with a friendly year 1 cap number.

The compromise if we go trade market could be a slightly older 'bridge' WR1 who won't cost a #1 Hopkins, Allen, maybe Evans etc. vs. the younger core guy like a Higgins who would cost a 1.


I think that’s just the opposite of what we’ll see. No splashy FA or trades. Boring FA like good a reasonably priced ILB and a #2 TE and a rotational DT. No big expenditures for shiny objects. Thoughtful roster building.


Bill- did you have an issue with what the Egales did in the offseason? If they don't get thoroughly outcoached in the 2nd half they win a SuperBowl. Many of their FA additions Reddick, JB, Brown etc.
GM George ...  
Spider56 : 3/4/2023 8:15 am : link
The biggest gap in getting to elite level is to improve the defense. The birds were nearly unstoppable this year. I agree with you however, resign DJ and SB on offense, get a good center, then improve the defense as much as possible. Dabs will always figure out how to compete on offense.
Last year's success must be put in perspective,  
Klaatu : 3/4/2023 8:25 am : link
The Giants don't have the talent to compete with the better teams in their division, let alone the top teams in the league, but they do have an excellent staff, and this offseason gives them an opportunity to reduce, if not completely close that talent gap.
Of the many benefits of having the right HC, GM and staff  
gersh : 3/4/2023 8:34 am : link
Is they know what they have in the players they already have. Especially last year’s draft class
Guys like Ezeudu, McKeth…(his teammate guard from UNC), Dane Belton, Flott, Beavers…..
Not just their abilities, growth and potential - but their injuries.

All good teams are mostly built through the draft. The Giants have not been. That seems to be changing. Another good draft will go along way to making this team more competitive.
Not sure I am a GM, but I know enough  
George from PA : 3/4/2023 8:36 am : link
Getting gashed like both the Eagles and Cowboys did on the ground against the Giants....must be stopped....to win those games.

The Brown trade was a good idea for the Eagles.....but it would be a bad idea for the Giants.

The Eagles had the trenches set.
RE: RE: RE: Many of the playoff teams this year  
BillT : 3/4/2023 8:40 am : link
In comment 16050531 CornerStone246+17 said:
Quote:


Bill- did you have an issue with what the Egales did in the offseason? If they don't get thoroughly outcoached in the 2nd half they win a SuperBowl. Many of their FA additions Reddick, JB, Brown etc.

Completely different team in a completely different stage of development. They were “one player away”. We aren’t close. This roster was bottom third in the league. We have some guys in house that will help but we still need maybe ten good players to get this roster into the kind of shape to think we’re ready to make a serious run at the SB. Then getting that one good player might make sense.
This is the critical statement above:  
gidiefor : Mod : 3/4/2023 8:47 am : link
Quote:
Now, the reality check….last year’s schedule was easy! This coming year is NOT. If the Giants want to sniff the playoff…they must figure out how to beat the Eagles and Cowboys.

Everything they do this off-season must be toward winning the NFC East!


The only way they can do this is to beef up the trenches and and add to the CB and WR corps

They must have a strong RB and TE team in the house too

We'll see with Jones -- but your statement supports the idea that his contract must be able to be ejected in year three without killing the cap - and that years one and two give the team flexibility to retain their talent and add pieces to it



The Giants have a lot of holes...  
Klaatu : 3/4/2023 9:13 am : link
And it's doubtful that they'll be able to fill them all this year, however they should be able to fill the majority of them.

They need CB's, and luckily this year's draft is loaded with them.

In my view, Center should be a top priority, so I hope they tap the shoulder of a good prospect.

If the WR class isn't very deep, the TE class is stacked, so take one, and trust in Daboll and Kafka to find a way to use him (along with Bellinger).
The initial freelance scouting in centers coming out  
cosmicj : 3/4/2023 9:21 am : link
Is really underwhelming. I think getting a C, which I agree is important, should where they go in free agency. And certainly no FA WR under any circumstances. Terrible idea.
RE: DJ‘s contract can be discussed  
cosmicj : 3/4/2023 9:22 am : link
In comment 16050511 Big Blue '56 said:
Quote:
ad nauseam, but the fact is, it’s an exploding and ridiculous QB market and he will get paid, one way or the other. Period.

Schoen I’m sure has many scenarios for improving the team with or without the FA tag. We either trust him or we don’t. I do as I believe he did yeoman’s work with seconf tier players last year. That portends well, imv


Excellent GMs make mistakes all the time. What does trust have do with it?
Good post George.  
Blue21 : 3/4/2023 9:24 am : link
.
RE: The initial freelance scouting in centers coming out  
Klaatu : 3/4/2023 9:35 am : link
In comment 16050604 cosmicj said:
Quote:
Is really underwhelming. I think getting a C, which I agree is important, should where they go in free agency. And certainly no FA WR under any circumstances. Terrible idea.


Regarding Centers, that's not what I've been hearing or reading. As for free agents, they might as well stick with Gates, Feliciano, or Bredeson.

Who said anything about a free agent WR? Not me. What I don't want to see is the Giants overdrafting one out of need at the expense of passing up a more talented player at another position.
Klaatu  
cosmicj : 3/4/2023 9:45 am : link
Wasn’t responding to you about WRs.

We will have to see what the experts say about IOL on draft day but I’m at three reports where the overall view on that part of the draft class has been very underwhelming.

Do you have a declared C in mind?
The 3 weakest parts of the Giants were the Eagles strengths  
Rudy5757 : 3/4/2023 9:56 am : link
1. The Eagles have great Wrs, the Giants had 1 CB and a bunch of street FAs. We need another CB, I prefer they shop in FA for a good CB to compliment Jackson.

2. The Eagles had 2 great CBs against our rag tag group of WRs. I would prefer a 1st round WR and some vet mid tier guys in FA. They will shake loose. Plus the Eagles have some cap issues and will lose some of their DBs for sure.

3. The Eagles Pass rush are us up. Neal and our interior OL was a disaster against them.

If you want to win the East or compete we need competent WRs (Hodgins struggled against the Eagles), better DBs and an improved OL.

The same can be said against Dallas although the gap isn’t as big there. I think we can close the gap in a big way in FA and the Draft but it has to be a good offseason. Dallas and Philly will really only have the draft as they are both battling the cap. Schoen has to close the gap in FA and keep pace in the draft.
RE: Klaatu  
Klaatu : 3/4/2023 9:57 am : link
In comment 16050645 cosmicj said:
Quote:
Wasn’t responding to you about WRs.

We will have to see what the experts say about IOL on draft day but I’m at three reports where the overall view on that part of the draft class has been very underwhelming.

Do you have a declared C in mind?


Sorry, dude, I thought you were responding to my WR/TE comment.

Top of my OC list - Schmitz and Avila.
RE: RE: Many of the playoff teams this year  
AcidTest : 3/4/2023 12:57 pm : link
In comment 16050527 BillT said:
Quote:
In comment 16050520 CornerStone246+17 said:


Quote:


Had a 'splashy' WR1 signing and often via trade . Some like the Eagles had both the WR1 and a top CB added in the FA or Trade market.

I want at least one of those guys especially if we nail down DJ to a long term deal with a friendly year 1 cap number.

The compromise if we go trade market could be a slightly older 'bridge' WR1 who won't cost a #1 Hopkins, Allen, maybe Evans etc. vs. the younger core guy like a Higgins who would cost a 1.


I think that’s just the opposite of what we’ll see. No splashy FA or trades. Boring FA like good a reasonably priced ILB and a #2 TE and a rotational DT. No big expenditures for shiny objects. Thoughtful roster building.


Agreed. Think we'll be very restrained in FA because:: (1) we have a lot our own FAs to sign or extend (Jones, Barkley, Love, Lawrence), and (2) Schoen has said he prefers to build through the draft rather than sign expensive FAs from other teams.
I  
AcidTest : 3/4/2023 1:03 pm : link
do think we'll sign a veteran WR even if we resign Darius, but I don't see Schoen trading any picks for players. As BillT said, the Eagles signing of Brown was totally different. They were one or two players away from being a legitimate SB contender. We weren't and still aren't IMO.

I also don't think we're necessarily going to take a WR in round one. Schoen said as much. He admitted we still have a lot of holes. He acknowledged that our run defense was very poor, that Lawrence and Williams played far too many snaps, and that we have little DL depth. The picks on days one and two will be BPA.
RE: I  
Angel Eyes : 3/4/2023 5:37 pm : link
In comment 16050934 AcidTest said:
Quote:
do think we'll sign a veteran WR even if we resign Darius, but I don't see Schoen trading any picks for players. As BillT said, the Eagles signing of Brown was totally different. They were one or two players away from being a legitimate SB contender. We weren't and still aren't IMO.

I also don't think we're necessarily going to take a WR in round one. Schoen said as much. He admitted we still have a lot of holes. He acknowledged that our run defense was very poor, that Lawrence and Williams played far too many snaps, and that we have little DL depth. The picks on days one and two will be BPA.

On the run defense, is it better served with more linemen on the field or with bigger linebackers?
It is a top heavy roster  
djm : 3/5/2023 12:55 am : link
But that’s not the worst thing. I’d rather have a roster with 8-10 great or close to great players than one with 20 average players but no greatness. Still, we need work, no doubt.

We are probably one more offseason (meaning this one coming if things go right) away from fielding a more balanced or complete roster, but things need to go right. We need about 4 more starters give or take? But if you add in positions that are filled with big talent, but still not developed, I’m talking RT and edge, we probably have more like 6-7 positions that need to improve upon last year. Obviously some of those spots won’t be receiving reinforcements, like Neal and RT but the giants still need to solve a good number of questions before week 1, 2023. With that said it will be interesting to see how Schoen and Daboll attack this roster. Schoen is already talking about DE. To me the DL is what’s its all about right now as you’ve got two of their best players in Dex and Williams but it also has a huge hole or need at that 3rd spot. We can field a dominant DL if nyg play their cards right this offseason. It was good in 22 but can be so much better. Add in a solid MLB and one more edge and you’ve got something on defense. Sounds easy…

I’m almost of the belief to just build around jones and Barkley, build up the OL and draft a WR. Spend the FA money on defense.

In a weird way the has the most potential but also needs the most work. I’m not really worried about the offense as long as Barkley and Jones are here playing. I’m more worried about the D but also feel it can be special. Thing is, it needs to be. Giants don’t win shit without a great defense. No one really does.

Focus on the D. Jones and Barkley and the coaching are good enough to score pts. Sprinkle in some drafted talent for the OL and WR and it’s gonna be fine. The D needs immediate help. I would have no problem if you told me the giants devoted 75-80 % or their offseason resources to the defense.
DJM....I tend to agree....the defense needs more reinforcement  
George from PA : 3/5/2023 3:53 am : link
Meaning.....more capital in draft spent.

I might be naive but I feel....between Daboll and Kafka and like Hodgins.....they will fine WRs that have more talent but buried in bad offenses.....WR gems are out there....go uncover them
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