Big Blue Huddle

I like some of the changes but I'm having trouble finding my optimism. I think that has less to do with how the team will play and more to do with the fact that other than a few minutes in preseason, we really haven't seen anything yet.

(Request: We have had enough comments on what people think about QB. Let's not turn this into the latest topic on that please. Thanks)

...are meaningful games in December. I just can't endure another season that ends with the Giants drafting in the top 6 again.

There are a couple of things that have to happen though,
 - they need to find a cable 3-down TE. You will not find many playoff teams in recent years that didn't have one. I was all in on Waller, but that didn't work out. Somebody step up, please.

 - Daniel Jones needs to be more than a healthy, serviceable QB. He needs to be a threat. Nabors, Hyatt, and Wan'dale should hep with that. Jones' running, often as part of the offense - on script, scared teams two years ago and the offense was tough to defend at crunch time as a result. I'll take another year like that.

 - Nabors and W. Robinson are ALWAYS open. Eli won a Superbowl targeting Nicks and Cruz 260+ times that season and largely ignoring everyone else. Let that be the model. If the two best horses can't carry them, so be it.

 - the pass rush needs to be elite. First rounders and a lot of money were tied up in the guys up front to make that a reality, but this secondary isn't as good at press man as the recent ones, and those were not great. The rushers need to get home.

 - Someone needs to break out. Maybe its Theo Jackson or Jalen Hyatt or Eric Gray. Maybe its Nubin or Chatman or Flott but SOMEBODY needs to be better than advertised this year and be the unexpected over-acheiver that played way over his pay grade like Isaiah Hodgins and Julian Love did two years ago.

If you are thinking, "That seems like a lot", it is. We used to joke about the futility of the Lions and Browns. Now we are looking up at them. This team isn't close on paper. We need a little magic.

My secret to happiness has become "low expectations."

I know these games are hard to watch for those outside the New York area. I took some notes on the NFL Network rebroadcast in the wee hours this morning and this was my perspective

Overall
-    Defensive 1s badly outplayed the Offensive 2s for both teams.
-    Oline played well. No glaring mistakes.

Best Players
-    Tommy Devito
-    Eric Gray
-    Jalen Mayfield
-    Dante Miller
-    Dyontae Johnson
-    Breon Borders
-    Whitley

Players who took a step backwards

-    Azeez Ojulari
-    Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Offense
-    O-line was solid, especially as Devito started to make plays on schedule.
-    Allen Robinson was the only receiver able to get open against the 1s.
-    Tracy was solid but missed a blitz pickup.
-    Lock too tentative. Yes, receivers were covered but the injury was the result of him holding the ball too long. The ball needs to come out. If it isn't there, get rid of it and live for the next play AND THE GAMES THAT COUNT.
-    Devito better at getting the ball out on time. Willing to trust himself and receivers in tight windows. Playing into the 4th quarter due to the injury to Lock.
-    Gray looked good in the passing game and running game, in space, and short yardage
-    Bellinger getting H-Back work.
-    Jackson made great catch on a bullet behind him then dropped the easy one, and nearly scored on another tight window throw by Devito. He reminds me of Waller. As TE projects go, I like him more than Cager.
-    If the Giants want to run, some of these backups on the O-line can really block. Kubas and Mayfield in particular had some complete cleanouts
-    Ford-Wheaton had a 3rd down catch short of a first down, but didn't get lined up right twice. Stumbled out of his break on a go route that looks like it would have been a TD. He is playing his way off the team and playing late into the 4th quarter.
-    Dante Miller, we know about his speed, but he showed some toughness and effectiveness running between the tackles for a small back. Had a nice game running, with a catch as well. If he eventually gets cut I don't see how he gets to the practice squad. His situation will be interesting to watch.
-    Lots of holding penalties and missed assignments on the 3s and 4s on the O-line. Daboll is giving them an earful.

Defense
-    Dyontae Johnson was the best player on the field for either side in the first quarter and played well into the third quarter. Left with an injury after Hendon Hooker ran him over. Hooker later left as well.
-    Basham was active with tackle for loss and a sack
-    Nubin was in the right place but missed two tackles
-    Massau, reminds me of Sam Mills with his short stature and ability to diagnose where the play is going.
-    Owens completely blew up a 3 and 5 play. Giants intercepted the 4th down play it caused. Played well on Special Teams too. 
-    Darnay Holmes was mixed but more importantly noticeably not as "handsy" in coverage in Bowen's Defense. That said, he was playing with the 3s late in the game.
-    There was no daylight between Hawkins and the receivers. Didn't see much work as a result since passes had to go somewhere else. Broke up the one pass that came his way.
-    Ojulari looked bad - slow, disinterested.
-    Timmy Horn looked good at NT
-    Beavers was flying around and making plays.
-    Breon Borders has had a nice game. Good goal line coverage on 3rd and goal, forcing a 4th down try. Had a pass breakup and a couple of tackles too.
-    Casey Rodgers had some good and bad, but was definitely disruptive.
-    Late in the game, Whitley was just whipping the left tackle. Two sacks and a pressure. I did not have him on my radar.

Special Teams
-    Borders was good on Specials and then when he had a chance on the Defense.
-    Olszewski vs. McKenzie for punt returner. McKenzie muffed one but showed more as a returner. Qzeiwski was safer – no mistakes – but didn't do much with his chances. Wet ball for both. Ayir Asante had one return.
-    CB Alex Johnson never had a chance to make a tackle but came clean on several punt coverages. Had a nice tackle on Defense late in the game when the Lions were inside the Giants' 10 yard line.

Also, Hendon Hooker at QB for the Lions caused some problems for the Giants. Like Devito, the throws came out quicker and he made some plays with his legs. The Defense kept everything in front of them but Hooker was able to move the chains with the help of some Giant penalties.

Do the Giants trade down? Minnesota can trade their first and second for the Giants first and second and it works out pretty even. Since nobody trades for an even swap, the Giants will likely want something extra if there is a QB there they do not want and players they do, that they can get at #11.

Oakland seems to be interested in Jayden Daniels only. If he is still there at #6 (unlikely, but possible) there may be a lot offered to the Giants to move down to #13.

I guess the real question is whether the Giants truly believe Daniel Jones is the guy or if they have been telling free agents that to convince the rest of the league they are not interested in a QB. Of course, if Jones doesn't work out, there is no promise that Daboll and Schoen still have their jobs in 2025 to use any extra draft picks they may acquire. They will want picks in 2024. The poker game continues. Two weeks before everyone shows their cards.

As always, the rule for a top 10 pick is not to screw it up. The draft for me starts on Day 2. If the Giants take a QB, I would rather see it after Round 1. Lots of flash and overvalued options in this year's draft at the top of the draft for QB. REAL value in the second and third rounds. Id' go for as many picks as I could get between 30 and 90.

I posted this in another topic, but it really doesn't fit there. Fire away!

Here is my best guess for needs and selections

TE

Is this anything other than terminology to distinguish between 3 wide outs, or is there specific patterns/responsibilities for each?

I had asked this question before and received terriffic responses and realized many had the same lack of understanding of what these terms mean that I did. I want to say GiantJason and Painter gave great insight.