Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: katkavage on April 29, 2024, 04:39:25 PMThe schedule folks. Don't forget the schedule. In 2022 the schedule was easy. They played the AFC South. Last year they had to play the NFC West. Lost 3 out of four. This year they play the AFC North and NFC South. NFC South can go either way. Carolina is the only team as of now they would be favored against. In their division, they need to prove finally that they can beat Dallas, until they do, they are underdogs. Philly...we shall see which team shows up. Washington will be better. Don't count on the two easy wins. So go through the schedule. Of course there are injuries to other teams that change the dynamic. But right now, on paper, I don't see more than 7 wins. That's being generous.

Kat

Yes, we had a horrible schedule last year, but even with a decent schedule, it still all depends on when you play certain teams. Last year, we started out, what, our first 6 games, against maybe the best teams in the league and it hurts to get slaughtered starting the season. It has to have an effect on the player's psyche. Give us a few winnable games in t he first 5-6 games and let t he team feel what winning really does for morale.

 Throughout most of my football life, I have been a 'Believe it when I see it' guy. The only real time I let that guard down was during the Parcels years when we knew we were good and we expected championships every year.
Coming out of the draft, most of us get a bit more optimistic, but as long as we haven't upgraded several key positions, again, I enter another season 'Believing it when I see it".

If I may be so bold as to ask, where was I when these 'flashes of brilliance' occurred? Did I run off to get a snack, visit the WC, or nodded off because of our exciting offense?

I welcome new opinions of our team, but let's be a bit realistic.

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 29, 2024, 03:59:53 PMIMHO, it's going to come out like this

Eagles
Giants
Cowboys
Commanders

Eagles: about the same as last year...maybe some improvement, but nothing radical. Still not Super Bowl ready, but the team to beat in the division

Giants: improving with dynamic offensive players and solidified defense, but still young. Heading in the right direction with speed and depth...a year or two away from being highly feared

Cowboys: going in the wrong direction after losing key players and saddled with very expensive Dak, and a patchwork OL with aging vets and error-prone rookies. Taking Zeke back tells you just how desperate they are on the offensive side. They could end up last in the division if Commanders are quick studies

Commanders: in a couple of years, they might very well be the team to beat in the NFC East. They are going to have a lot of up 'n coming rookies that make mistakes this year, as well as breaking in a new QB. But they are heading in the right direction, and they aren't going to be bottom feeders in a year or two

Just my opinion. Anyone see it differently?

Far be it from me to defend the Cowgirls, but if anyone thinks we are a better team than them is just silly. On paper and the game isn't played on paper, they are head over head better than us.
They have maybe the best defensive player in the league, and they have maybe the best WR in the league, even as bad as some want to make Dak he is way better than Jones. They have a better ground game than us, and I would take their 'aging' OL over whoever we have right now except for Thomas. They have a couple of very good TEs. How anyone can put us ahead of them as of now, is just silly.

The question still remains ...

Have the Giants CLOSED THE GAP on their DIVISION RIVALS?

What does that truly mean? It's pretty simple, actually.

Take the Cowboys and Giants lines (i.e. both offensive and defensive) and stand them up against each other. Are the Giants now able to compete against them any better than 0-41? To a man, I have to see it to believe it and I know there's a significant coaching variable in there as well to be accounted for. That's my measuring stick.

Peace!

It ALL hinges on the QB. Starts and ends with him. Does he lock on recievers or does he learn and take a giant leap?

Quote from: Uncle Mickey on April 29, 2024, 04:28:38 PMWas Wink an increasing cancer last year? That was a very strange dynamic to say the least and the defense did not seem like it had a really sound plan many games.

This is a very interesting point you raise. It will be fascinating to see what our defense is (or isn't).

I have been real hard on Thibs and I hope a new coach and scheme will release him into beast mode. I also like the signing of Carter Coughlin, a role player but is developing. Add to the strong play of Pinnock and Belton it will be interesting to watch

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on April 29, 2024, 02:53:24 PMThe fact that NE didn't bother to re-sign him, nor did they draft a RB, pretty much tells me that Zeke is on his last legs in the NFL. If he showed anything last year that excited the Patriots, he'd still be a Patriot

Dallas is heading towards the bottom of the division. They have not improved anywhere, while losing some good talent...and of course, they are led by a choke artist in Dak. I hope we beat them like a rented mule this coming season

Hopefully you're right but every time I expect them to go backwards, they seem to improve.

Very likeable kid. Seems serious, confident without being arrogant, and just like someone who will fit in well with our team. 

Obviously none of the above matters if he can't get it done on the field, and it remains to be seen if he can, but I like what I have seen on tape with him a lot.

Zeke is washed up... he has no burst left. He can probably still add some value as a blocker, and if a hole is blasted open for him he can obviously still run through it, but none of the things that once made him a top notch back are still present, at least not to anything close to the degree that they once were.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if he doesn't lead their backfield in touches this year.