Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 10, 2024, 10:40:54 AMFrom what I heard the players loved playing for Wink.  If Wilkins was despised by the players (especially considering his role) I don't think we would be hearing that from the defensive players (how much they love Wink and don't want him to go).

I had heard the lack of pass rush associated with the defense and poor development of Thibs as it relates to the fest or famine style of his play was the main issue with Drew Wilkins

Not sure how much of this is true or not

If the team is severed on the offense vs defense it is a huge issue.  Thinking back to the 90's when the defense turned on the Dave brown offense

If that division in anyway is being created by the coaches it's a huge deal

How Daboll kept the team fighting through is actually kind of impressive


All that being said, it's Dabolls ship so he is still to blame and IMO the dysfunction has gone on long enough...

Quote from: TDToomer on January 08, 2024, 08:54:54 AMHow can you be so sure with McKinney. He got a game ball for playing every snap. We just saw the last starting safety we let walk for nothing become a Pro Bowler.

Love turned down the Giants and more money to leave and sign with Seattle for less.

Even if they trade up to the 1 pick for a QB; if healthy, jones most likely will be the week 1 starter. The comment by Schoen that Jones will be the week 1 starter means very little in the big picture and is hardly support for Jones nor does it imply jones will see the end of next season or does it mean he will be with the Giants for 2025/26 season.



Olu, Alt, Harrison, Nabers, plus WIlliams and Maye in the draft and the Giants with the 6 pick, they are certain to get a quality player who if developed will greatly improve the team

Quote from: Arodgers12 on January 04, 2024, 08:46:53 AMI realize if we lose Sunday we probably finish 3rd place in the division and we would play the 3rd place team in the NFC East which is you guys in NY again next year. I hope we win Sunday so we can avoid playing the Giants again next year lol. You guys always beat us there and in Lambeau. If we do make the playoffs will you guys actually pull for us?

Live just north of madison 

Packers culture and Packer fans are as solid and classy as they get.  

Love going to Lambeau to watch the Giants beat the Packers 

I got to see the Lightening game on Saturday.

Aside from all that has been said I would add the motions and movements from Igor now, as compared to the early season are much, much more aggressive. The reaction time is lightning fast but it is the movements toward the shooter that is most impressive. Without hesitation Igor gets big and goes at the shooter; this was not the case earlier in the season.

He was deeper in the crease with his base and even when in an aggressive stance he was deeper than he is playing now. The real difference is when he decides the shoot is coming at him, they way he springs toward the shooter and gets big.

He had crap puck luck and some poor reads with clear sight lines during his funk.  But in no way was he moving and attacking as aggressive as he is now.

Since the loss to the Caps in the beginning of December Igor really started to catch on. This man is playing with a confidence and presence that is simply awesome to see:  a 2-1 win over the Bruins, 5-2 win over leafs, 4-3 Sabres, ??-? over the Caps, and 5-1 Lightening.   I assume he will be in net tonight

 
Hurricane are giving up 3.11 goals against, let's see what the Blue shirts can do.  Special teams could be a huge factor, with the Rangers top PP vs the 10th ranked kil and the Hurricanes 5th ranked PP vs the Rangers 5th Ranked PK.

I have practice at 8:30 and I am hoping to see the majority of the game.

Quote from: Philosophers on January 02, 2024, 09:23:39 AMAll I hear are excuses.  They were not ready by the end of preseason camp as well.

Eli would get sacked in e and this board would erupt.  We got sacked over 80 times.  That is close if not a league record.

It starts with this man.

2023 Giants, 83 Sacks is the 2nd highest 16 game total in history of the NFL

Quote from: MightyGiants on January 02, 2024, 09:00:00 AMChris,

Where did you hear this?  I listen to Banks' podcast I had not heard this and an extensive internet search couldn't confirm it.

I heard it the morning of Wed, Dec 20 as people were referencing Banks comment, stated as I wrote it .

Later that am I wrote a variety of East coast giants fans and asked if they had heard it,?

They had not

I only knew the date as it was in my text thread from looking into it

I heard it stated that Carl Banks said Johnson is Dabolls best friend away from work

The reality is he is not firing anyone mid season. 

If what Banks said is true, there is 0 chance he is firing his best friend mid season

I expect them to go separate ways at seasons end

The Giants Oline thrived and then failed under Pat Flattery from 2004-2015. 

Mike Solari was brought in and considered a top notch Oline Coach every team he has every coached has done well accept the 2017 Giants, 2009 Seahawks, 2008 Seahawks. Unfortunately, the 2017 Giants were the end of his time in NY.

Hal hunter was a disaster as was Columbo, Sale and now Johnson.

Flattery and Solari are extremely good top notch O line coaches, and both had very bad years with the Giants. 

IMO, a top notch Oline coach is definitely needed but by no means is not a guarantee.

After losing 2 of the first 4 games the blueshirts have gone 21-6-1,  pulling it together to date. Within that time the Rangers have risen to almost all of the challenges as they presented: long North west road trip, Avenged loses to the Leafs and wild within the week of their lose, beat Bruins after a game the night before, rallied around Quick when Igor was struggling, won with a minor league call up between the pipes, overcome injuries......

All that being said the style of play is the most exciting part of this team.  The team looks hungry, they are relentless, they win face offs, control the puck, crisp tic tac toe passing, they never look complacent, never satisfied, and up until 3 weeks ago they attack everywhere including a very impressive defense.

the team was simply shutting teams down with their 1-3-1 forecheck, forcing turnovers and blocking shots.  Sloppy defense has been an issue in December.  Neutral zone turnovers and worse turnovers in our own zone  have been an issue.

That in itself is my biggest question mark I have? The Rangers have responded to almost ever challenge before them, but will they respond and start playing the same stifling defense they did in October and November?

 If they do look out cause they can be ridiculously good.

I also wonder if Drury will add a Defensemen or a wing or let Wheeler continue to evolve his game?

I have to open rink tonight for open skate so I look forward to hearing your comment's on tonight's game.

Go Rangers!!


 

FYI
Promoted to 2nd line, my boy rose to the challenge and played great !

Played physical and aggressive all night, some real smart plays.

The highlight of the night was scoring the game winner to get his first high school Varsity goal vs their biggest rival .

Stepped up in a packed house vs their biggest rival

It was awesome

 I was curious to see how this team under a new coach would respond to a slight downward spiral,  Igor as well.

I have been fortunate enough to finally see some games again, Boston and the Leafs and what a solid two games they were. The boys in blue have bounced back and doing it on Shesty's back makes it even nicer.

Last night the Rangers really set the tone in the first, outhitting 13 or so to 5ish and outshooting the Leafs 11-5.  Schenieder really delivered some nice shots int he first.  The energy and the play on every inch of the ice was everything you could ask for.  Just such an enjoyable brand of hockey to watch IMO.  Faceoffs, ill look up stats sooner or later but the Rangers win so many faceoffs this year and last night is no different. Love he fact the Rangers are an offensive threat at even strength, as well as, the power play.  BTW no penalty's on the Rangers last night, impressive.

Mathews two goals were nothing short of beautiful, the flow, set up and shots were top notch.  Shesty can only tip his hat on those, its unfortunate but nothing to be ashamed of by Shesty. BTW - Jones looked awesome in the pipes for the Leafs and those first 3 goals were some of the crappiest luck a guy could have. The Rangers got three deflections of off the leaf players and the puck luck was the Ranger's last night. 

Igor saving 31 of 33 against the offensive power of Toronto was excellent.  How many big time shots did he save through some tuff, tuff screens?  Too many to count.  The movement in the crease was quick and flawless, pipe to pipe to the top of the crease getting big, the guy was dialed in. 

Knoblauch and the Oilers are next

Got the boys new Rangers Jerseys for Christmas and headed to the Blackhawks game in Feb to see the Blue shirts and Bedard.

BTW- Proud dad moment, my boy was promoted to 2nd line for the upcoming game vs their biggest rival and team he school choiced away from, not bad for a 122# 14 year old freshman.  Big game Thursday night in our neck of the woods.

Neals worst weakness - gets stressed and gives up on technique. this equates to mental weakness and lake of focus.

There is an old saying that the best teacher, best communicator on an NFL coaching staff should be/is the Oline coach.

A well coached Olline will not only know what to immediately expect before them but what to expect as the alternatives that may be coming as well. Any hesitation in responsibilities will lead to doom. 

The Giants Oline on a good day doesn't know what is coming at them as they simply not cover straight up rushes yet alone stunts, dogs, or any real blitz. 

Johnson has not properly prepared the Giants Oline 99% of the time.

Lets be honest his units were not good in Buffalo either.


2023 - will be in bottom of league if not worst 
2022 -18th   Giants O line coach
2021 - 17th  Bills o line coach
2020- 10th   Bills o line coach
2019 - 21st    Bills o line coach
2018 - 3rd (expected to middle of the pack)  Colts Ass. Oline Coach to Dave DeGuglielmo


Johnson as a 5 year Oline Coach will average a final season rank of 19th for his unit. When he was hired he averaged 16th.  So the unit that sunk the end of Eli's career, TC's career and the better portion of a decade; Daboll decided to bring in a mediocre at best coach to rejuvenate the Giants O line. 

That is a huge mistake to start his HC career.