John and I are also going to post a podcast today breaking down the game. My observations mostly mirror Sy's but I had some additional reactions on both sides of the ball, both in general, and with specific players.
Welcome back Sy! I did not anticipate a preseason game review from BBI's special contributor. Always enjoy your writeups and detailed analysis. Much appreciated and a pleasant surprise.
Welcome back Sy! I did not anticipate a preseason game review from BBI's special contributor. Always enjoy your writeups and detailed analysis. Much appreciated and a pleasant surprise.
I look forward to your participation on BBI Live.
He's been writing the preseason reviews for several years.
Great stuff as always. And good to see your optimism. Happy to hear about Mayfield and McKethan. It does seem like the OG nightmare of 2023 is behind us and we now have solidified the position. And it appears that there is now some solid depth, assuming Ezeudu joins Mayfield, McKethan and possibly Neal behind Runyan and Van Roten. I remain deeply concerned about depth at OT. Neal, Cajuste, Ezeudu and Miles give me zero confidence whatsoever.
I feel like there are three major questions for this team in assessing how 2024 plays out:
1. Can DJ stay healthy and execute a sophisticated modern NFL offense rather than managing games with training wheels and guard rails?
2. Can Thomas, Eluemunor and Schmitz stay healthy and on the field?
3. Can McCloud, Flott or Hawkins step up and play a solid CB2 or do they need an established vet like Howard or Gilmore asap?
I was very pleased to read how you feel about losing Barkley and McKinney in stating their replacements may end up both better and cheaper. Hearing that the Giants can turn out like Detroit gives me hope this may finally be a turn around year. With an acceptable OL, and the addition of Nabers, this may turn out be a fun team to watch again. I don't ever recall reading about camp Wrs catching like 17 0f 18 passes thrown their way. Nabers might turn out to be even better than OBJ!
if a young guy or two steps up, great, but if not or if there's an injury I would think they will put some of their cap space to work there like they did with GVR.
reviewing the game. I have high hopes that Carmen Bricillo is the answer to the question.
Like you, this was the best 2nd team oline I have seen on the Giants since before you were born! Well maybe a slight exaggeration. They looked cohesive. Sweet Lord if Bricillo gets the 1st team line took play like that, they have a chance to be decent (or better).
You didn't say much about specials, but again, best I have seen in a long time.
"(1) Ah, yes. We’re back. Thank You to Eric and BBI for allowing me to share my thoughts each week on NYG. It is a privilege I very much appreciate. Now, let’s overreact together!"
I didn’t see what you saw in Gray. I certainly hope he continues to show he’s a legit NFL RB
I did like what I saw out of Owens last preseason.
I hope they have room on the 53 for him because he seems like he can develop into a starter.
The S position doesn’t have a clear top end player (with McKinney gone)
but it is a good and deep group
take a few preseason snaps together? Like Sy said, the effectiveness of an offensive line rests as much on its experience playing together as a unit as it does on the skill of the individual players.
The Giants went all the way in 2007 on a line of Diehl, Seubert, O’Hara, Snee and McKenzie short on individual pedigree. Snee in his 3rd season was the least experienced and all five played in all 16 games.
David Diehl started every playoff game at left tackle in 2007 and 2011. He was a fifth round draft choice who made the Pro Bowl exactly once.
Still not sold on letting McKinney walk since he played a non-priority position and then using pick #47 to draft a player for this non-priority position.
RE: Do you think they might let the starting OLine
take a few preseason snaps together? Like Sy said, the effectiveness of an offensive line rests as much on its experience playing together as a unit as it does on the skill of the individual players.
The Giants went all the way in 2007 on a line of Diehl, Seubert, O’Hara, Snee and McKenzie short on individual pedigree. Snee in his 3rd season was the least experienced and all five played in all 16 games.
David Diehl started every playoff game at left tackle in 2007 and 2011. He was a fifth round draft choice who made the Pro Bowl exactly once.
Still not sold on letting McKinney walk since he played a non-priority position and then using pick #47 to draft a player for this non-priority position.
I expect 1st team for a half next week.
$17 mill for McKinney would not have been effective use of the payroll. Heard that Nubin is McKinney with better ball skills and coverage.
I didn’t see what you saw in Gray. I certainly hope he continues to show he’s a legit NFL RB
I did like what I saw out of Owens last preseason.
I hope they have room on the 53 for him because he seems like he can develop into a starter.
The S position doesn’t have a clear top end player (with McKinney gone)
but it is a good and deep group
You didn’t see what Sy seen in Gray because you made your mind up that he sucks based on how he looked as a rookie on special teams last season. Sy is a professional that has the ability to evaluate in real time with less bias than the average fan. He still has his bias at times of course but you’ll very rarely see him write a player off based on laughably short sample sizes to begin their careers. It’s comical how many fans have already decided Gray isn’t possibly an NFL RB.
I didn’t see what you saw in Gray. I certainly hope he continues to show he’s a legit NFL RB
I did like what I saw out of Owens last preseason.
I hope they have room on the 53 for him because he seems like he can develop into a starter.
The S position doesn’t have a clear top end player (with McKinney gone)
but it is a good and deep group
You didn’t see what Sy seen in Gray because you made your mind up that he sucks based on how he looked as a rookie on special teams last season. Sy is a professional that has the ability to evaluate in real time with less bias than the average fan. He still has his bias at times of course but you’ll very rarely see him write a player off based on laughably short sample sizes to begin their careers. It’s comical how many fans have already decided Gray isn’t possibly an NFL RB.
If old enough, maybe the same people who thought Tiki was a bust after two years...I admit to scratching my head on Gray.
… the continued Ezeudu experiment at tackle. Did not work last year but staff continues to force. Last option for him or what ?
I like Ezeudu, so I am a bit biased. But I want to see what Bricillo can do with him over the summer - or longer if he makes the cut.
Found it interesting that Sy and Skinner said the same thing, not a tackle but could be a good guard - does not use his feet well enough.
I suppose at the moment, with Neal sidelined, they look at him as the best of the rest.
'Houston, we have a problem' (CHP's repetitive call out of Owens for flashing in '23 camp...then a hammy sidelined him almost all season...and now he has a knee? oy)
Quote:
-Gervarrius Owens, my defensive version of Eric Gray in that I urge you to not look past him, stood out on multiple occasions. I have several check marks next to his name (meant for positive plays) on 42 snaps. He made three tackles (one on special teams), two of which were defensive wins. He was rangy in pursuit and I felt his movement in coverage was just as good as Nubin. This is a deep group and Bowen is a guy who does a lot with safeties.
I get what Sy' is saying about Ezeudu, but watching H1 this morning, I didn't think he played that badly, gaffes on pass defense aside, of course that is his achilles heel. Maybe Bricillo will re-think the resistance to playing him at OG
Sy' did neglect to mention Jackson flubbed a very, very catchable pass, his first target, I think, and then on that series or next, whiffed on a seal block
I don't have a problem with letting McKinney go to get Burns,
a higher priority position. But then they use a premium #47 pick in the draft for a player at what they told us is the least important on a defense.
Safety is the lowest paid position on defense, although very close to corner.
Fair, but that’s exactly why Nubin was good value at #47.
He was considered by some to be the best Safety in the class.
By that point, all the highly rated guys at premium positions were gone.
Apparently, they like Lassiter, a CB that went a few picks earlier.
(It’s early but getting a starting slot CB in the third round would be excellent)
He's top notch. Enjoy him while we have him... I keep saying, he's destined for bigger and better things.
I gave Ezeudu grief for getting burned to the inside by a second-teamer. Cajuste gave up a similar type play to a third or fourth teamer.
I look forward to your participation on BBI Live.
I look forward to your participation on BBI Live.
He's been writing the preseason reviews for several years.
I feel like there are three major questions for this team in assessing how 2024 plays out:
1. Can DJ stay healthy and execute a sophisticated modern NFL offense rather than managing games with training wheels and guard rails?
2. Can Thomas, Eluemunor and Schmitz stay healthy and on the field?
3. Can McCloud, Flott or Hawkins step up and play a solid CB2 or do they need an established vet like Howard or Gilmore asap?
Thanks again for your contributions Sy!
Now I know why he was the #1 Safety on the board when we took him...
Spot on for the running backs and safeties.
That would be fantastic. Your show is a great resource.
Like you, this was the best 2nd team oline I have seen on the Giants since before you were born! Well maybe a slight exaggeration. They looked cohesive. Sweet Lord if Bricillo gets the 1st team line took play like that, they have a chance to be decent (or better).
You didn't say much about specials, but again, best I have seen in a long time.
"(1) Ah, yes. We’re back. Thank You to Eric and BBI for allowing me to share my thoughts each week on NYG. It is a privilege I very much appreciate. Now, let’s overreact together!"
I feel the same.
I did like what I saw out of Owens last preseason.
I hope they have room on the 53 for him because he seems like he can develop into a starter.
The S position doesn’t have a clear top end player (with McKinney gone)
but it is a good and deep group
Kancey is small. Chapman is even smaller.
Chapman was a good athletic tester - Kancey was elite.
Kancey played in the ACC - Chapman played in the AAC.
Chatman turns 25 as a rookie. Kancey just recently turned 23.
The one thing Chatman has is length. His arm length is notably better and it helps his style of play at that size.
The Giants went all the way in 2007 on a line of Diehl, Seubert, O’Hara, Snee and McKenzie short on individual pedigree. Snee in his 3rd season was the least experienced and all five played in all 16 games.
David Diehl started every playoff game at left tackle in 2007 and 2011. He was a fifth round draft choice who made the Pro Bowl exactly once.
Still not sold on letting McKinney walk since he played a non-priority position and then using pick #47 to draft a player for this non-priority position.
The Giants went all the way in 2007 on a line of Diehl, Seubert, O’Hara, Snee and McKenzie short on individual pedigree. Snee in his 3rd season was the least experienced and all five played in all 16 games.
David Diehl started every playoff game at left tackle in 2007 and 2011. He was a fifth round draft choice who made the Pro Bowl exactly once.
Still not sold on letting McKinney walk since he played a non-priority position and then using pick #47 to draft a player for this non-priority position.
I expect 1st team for a half next week.
$17 mill for McKinney would not have been effective use of the payroll. Heard that Nubin is McKinney with better ball skills and coverage.
I don’t think they viewed McK as an elite player either.
I did like what I saw out of Owens last preseason.
I hope they have room on the 53 for him because he seems like he can develop into a starter.
The S position doesn’t have a clear top end player (with McKinney gone)
but it is a good and deep group
You didn’t see what Sy seen in Gray because you made your mind up that he sucks based on how he looked as a rookie on special teams last season. Sy is a professional that has the ability to evaluate in real time with less bias than the average fan. He still has his bias at times of course but you’ll very rarely see him write a player off based on laughably short sample sizes to begin their careers. It’s comical how many fans have already decided Gray isn’t possibly an NFL RB.
Quote:
I didn’t see what you saw in Gray. I certainly hope he continues to show he’s a legit NFL RB
I did like what I saw out of Owens last preseason.
I hope they have room on the 53 for him because he seems like he can develop into a starter.
The S position doesn’t have a clear top end player (with McKinney gone)
but it is a good and deep group
You didn’t see what Sy seen in Gray because you made your mind up that he sucks based on how he looked as a rookie on special teams last season. Sy is a professional that has the ability to evaluate in real time with less bias than the average fan. He still has his bias at times of course but you’ll very rarely see him write a player off based on laughably short sample sizes to begin their careers. It’s comical how many fans have already decided Gray isn’t possibly an NFL RB.
If old enough, maybe the same people who thought Tiki was a bust after two years...I admit to scratching my head on Gray.
I like Ezeudu, so I am a bit biased. But I want to see what Bricillo can do with him over the summer - or longer if he makes the cut.
Found it interesting that Sy and Skinner said the same thing, not a tackle but could be a good guard - does not use his feet well enough.
I suppose at the moment, with Neal sidelined, they look at him as the best of the rest.
I get what Sy' is saying about Ezeudu, but watching H1 this morning, I didn't think he played that badly, gaffes on pass defense aside, of course that is his achilles heel. Maybe Bricillo will re-think the resistance to playing him at OG
Safety is the lowest paid position on defense, although very close to corner.
Safety is the lowest paid position on defense, although very close to corner.
Fair, but that’s exactly why Nubin was good value at #47.
He was considered by some to be the best Safety in the class.
By that point, all the highly rated guys at premium positions were gone.
Apparently, they like Lassiter, a CB that went a few picks earlier.
(It’s early but getting a starting slot CB in the third round would be excellent)