Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: MightyGiants on Today at 09:42:47 AMAs a DC, why would I focus on an RB with one 100-yard plus rushing game?  Even that game was more volume than production, as he only averaged 3.6 yards a carry.

Because he's still the most respected offensive weapon.

Maye initially dropped my temperature to frigid levels. I see a budding Allen/Herbert when I watch his tape. McCarthy proved to be smoke. Right or wrong, Giants felt Pats asking price was just too big. 

I was peeved to say the least but as reality set in , I took a hard look at what we have now post draft both players and the ball coaches.


What exactly are we left with at QB?  I try to look at common denominators between good play and bad play as much as possible to make a determination. Let's start at the beginning. Jones rookie year threw 24 TDs in just 12 games with pedestrian WRs. Shurmur was an above average offensive guy (who stunk as a HC) but route concepts had clear site lines and attacked multiple levels of the defense. Next couple years after, he had a hideous OC with that Garrett guy who only knew how to run hitches and curls all day. Basically all 5 years this kid not once had a receiver that could sniff a pro-bowl. The other common denominator was the offensive line was coached by a whos who of who not to hire as coaches. The only thing he had which was average or a smidge above was offensive coaching for a couple years. Most everything else is below to bottom barrell including numerous offensive lineman that were really
really just stinka-potumus at pass blocking.

I actually don't blame anyone of my blue feathered friends who has given up on him.  There are reasons why it could be argued the other way. However, I have also seen QBs when the cast around them improve be it coaches or players their performance substantially improves too. I want to have a glimmer of hope this upcoming season. 

So I'm kinda going from cup half empty with a crack at the bottom leaking to a cup half full  perspective.


This just might be the first darn time Daniel will have:

* A true what we believe to be potentially elite WR1
* An offensive line coach that has what seems to be excellent credentials (top 10-12 finishes with an average line with two different squads)
* An offensive line with numerous players that project well in pass blocking. AT, Runyons metrics in pass pro are excellent. Eluemunor as both an RG or RT projects at least as average. JMS he was supposed to be the top OC in the 2023 draft. Then we will see what Bracillo can come up with for the final spot.

I choose to be disappointed yes but also cautiously optimistic that we could see something positive maybe even significantly better with a WR1 and an OL that actually pass blocks.

Quote from: TONKA56 on Today at 09:34:13 AMI agree with that, but I also think he was still the focal point of defenses. 

As a DC, why would I focus on an RB with one 100-yard plus rushing game?  Even that game was more volume than production, as he only averaged 3.6 yards a carry.

Quote from: MightyGiants on Today at 09:30:42 AMTo point B, there are also those who feel that Saquan has more reputation than production last season.  To those people, losing Barkley was not an issue.

IMHO we threw big money in free agency at the offensive line a year too late. I suspect Barkley would have had a monster year this year. Sadly it is what it is.

Quote from: Bob In PA on Today at 09:31:32 AMmadb: Do you disagree with my post (the part about Nabers)?  Bob

He was rated higher than sixth but was always going to go no higher than 3rd or 4th. In fact almost every mock had us taking either him of JJ McCarthy so he went where he was projected. I'm thrilled we got him but it's hard to say anyone drafted in the top 6 offers value.

Quote from: MightyGiants on Today at 09:30:42 AMTo point B, there are also those who feel that Saquan has more reputation than production last season.  To those people, losing Barkley was not an issue.

I agree with that, but I also think he was still the focal point of defenses. 

Quote from: sjones71 on Today at 07:49:13 AMAn effort made to get Maye. Clearly they did not have a high enough opinion on McCarthy or other options such as Nix, Penix. Given that, you get yourself what appears to be an incredibly talented WR who can turn routine plays into big gains. Sets us up for when we are able to address QB and gives Jones another no-excuses season.

That's it in a nutshell: the Giants needed an elite receiver on their offense, and now they have one.  The QB issue is a separate issue

Quote from: madbadger on Today at 09:17:58 AMI'm with Dave. I don't see much in the way of value even if four of the guys drafted start next year. To me value is drafting a guy who unexpectedly dropped to them. For instance Kool Aid McKinstry was a consensus top 10 pick this time last year. He almost made it to us at 47. That pick imho would have been tremendous value. I'll say this for Schoen and company, they don't reach for guys. Everyone they picked went in the range that they were projected to go.

madb: Do you disagree with my post (the part about Nabers)?  Bob

Quote from: Bob In PA on Today at 07:50:13 AMInjuries aside, it depends who is shown to have been correct. Two issues:

(A) Did we need a better QB than Jones? - If the "we need a new QB" people are correct, the Giants will continue to stink. If the "we need an elite weapon" people are correct, the Giants will make enough progress to get maybe nine wins. The schedule this year will be a bit easier and the offense will be able to either to keep the ball away from the opponent or attempt to outscore them (depending on which team we're playing).

(B) Is running back really a lot less important than it has been historically? - If the "yes" people are correct then the Giants have a good-enough answer to the absence of Saquon and we'll be ok because the offensive line has clearly been upgraded.  If the "no" people are correct, we will miss Saquon and teams won't have to game-plan to stop him, leaving them free to game-plan to stop either the upgraded receiving corps or spy Jones and keep him from running the ball.

Bob

PS. Defense will be about the same as last year, but don't forget we must have (a) someone step up as a viable replacement for Leonard Williams (IMO he was an unsung hero on defense and a good running partner for Dexter); and (b) we need a young veteran to become a "star" (maybe number five, maybe Burns, maybe Okereke) plus no 2nd-year player fall into a sophomore-year slump.  That may seem to be a lot to hope for, but IMO it's not only do-able.

To point B, there are also those who feel that Saquan has more reputation than production last season.  To those people, losing Barkley was not an issue.