Big Blue Huddle

The first thing I think when I hear that is run D. The Giants seemingly had good run personnel on the field under Wink but they'd get gashed. Thinking back, a lack of cohesiveness between interior & exterior would explain things.

The other thing I think about is "stunts and twists". I haven't seen the Giants utilize these as effectively as other team's lately. JPP used to be really good at it. In a recent interview with Burns, he lit up talking up about Dex. "When I'm rushing with Dex, I got a plan." He's so dominant a smart player can feast off the attention he gets. 

If you marry that to what we're hearing with DT/DE cohesiveness, it starts to paint a picture. These 2 in a T/E stunt can be a nightmare.

They've also apparently shown a NASCAR package with Thibs & Ojulari at DE and Dex & Burns at DT. You can run some nasty twists and stunts from that alignment, too. Exploit the carnage Dex leaves in his wake with blinding fast athletes like Burns.

Yes - as a 3rd round pick he's probably right. NFL teams put a ton of $$$ and resources into their scouting departments and they like to lean into the picks and trust evaluations.

DeVito was not a 3rd round pick, because the scouting department did not have him evaluated as that calibre of prospect, so they won't be as keen to give him time to develop. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I really like the early look and sound of these first 3 picks. (I know - if they're busts I'll change my tune quickly.) For now, they're all locked-in grinders. No Kadarius Toneys unable to dress themselves. I think Nubin is going to be really good.

It's up to the coaching staff, but I see a young D with Burns and Thibs off the edge (best duo we've had since 2016 JPP & Vernon IMO). All Pro Dex up the middle. 3-down MIKE and a CB1. And now the playmaker Nubin, hard-hat glue guy. I don't think we'll see a dropoff from McKinney who I respect.

Even up front on the Offensive Line - you can't really spend any more resources than they've spent. 2 top 10 picks, 2nd rounder, + 2 G's they spent $$$ on.  And a 3rd round G coming off the bench.

Hopefully, this is the year all this young talent starts to bud, because on paper they're built the right way. They should have a franchise QB, a WR1, a very good Offensive Line and a very good defense. And I expect to see that.

The funny thing is, this is all absolute nonsense that has no bearing in reality whatsoever. It's stuff people are pulling out of their rear end and presenting as fact, which is basically everything you read and hear now.

Daniel Jones is the starter and Drew Lock is the backup. That's reality. I'd imagine every diehard Giants fan understands that.

It's true he regressed last year.

But any fair, deep-dive analysis?

If you were honest with yourself and someone told you Andrew Thomas, Saquon Barkley and Darren Waller were going to get seriously hurt immediately, and that Parris Campbell was going to bust, what would your expectations be?

As painful as last year was (literally, for DJ) - you can't evaluate anything. It was a fiasco. That's why he's still here, as the starter, with the Giants not desperate to draft just any QB. 

I hope I'm wrong, but Bobbie Johnson feels like a bit of a scapegoat.

Now - I'm not saying he's a good OL Coach. All evidence points to the contrary. His guys had no idea what they were doing.

But just like any business, sh#t rolls uphill. Just like it probably does at most of our jobs. The OL struggled from the opening bell last year. Where was the Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka when it became clear Johnson was getting poor results? If he couldn't fix it, where was the Head Coach Brian Daboll? This was a problem that derailed the entire season and got their million dollar QB hurt. None of them could fix it.

Now Bobbie J's gone, and we're just hoping Bricillo waves a magic wand and they start playing better. I'm skeptical.

Produce.

I was going to say "win games" but I think there's a scenario where he produces but the team doesn't win, and he still comes out looking favorably.

The winning thing isn't just a Daniel Jones problem. That problem existed before DJ arrived. The most you can say is he couldn't elevate them out of the dysfunction. Few QBs (if any) would've. You've got to be careful reading too much into that, given the overall state.

However - careers are short and struggle is real. As Perry Fewell told Justin Tuck once (after his shoulder injury) "you don't get these years back". First time in his career he's got a legit WR1. Good slot WR. He's set up to have success in the passing game. I myself have defended him many times pointing out the impossible nature of having a bad OL w/bad skill players.

If he fails to produce, there's no more wondering what if. He's got enough now.*


*Provided Nabers isn't a bust, of course.

Like the offense as a whole, I'm willing to give him a mulligan for last year.

The entire year, from the start of camp, was a calamity.

Sometimes a team just has a "bad year". What can you say when, in less than 20 days, you lose Darren Waller, Andrew Thomas and Saquon Barkley? I realize there's not a lot of patiences for that given the larger picture/10+ years of futility.

As for Neal - he got a concussion that lasted a while (I was disappointed with missed practices vs. Hutchinson), then more injuries. If you watch some of the film breakdowns by knowledgable OL people (like Skinner on Talkin Giants) - it appears he started settling down and was showing improvement over year 1. (Trending in the right direction.)

I think there's reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic, and I agree with the above comment if he struggles early again, you've got to pull the plug. The goal isn't Evan Neal at RT, the goal is to win football games.

The other performance driver is Schmitz. Quite frankly, it's tough not to be underwhelmed by his play last year considering the hype. He does things well, but looked like a liability in other areas and his play declined as the year went. For me, it was shades of Weston Richburg just never quite making it. Big year for him, to prove he can get this thing turned around.

We're at the point now where either the seeds sprout, or they don't.

For years, and certainly as Schoen's taken over, the Giants have been one of the youngest teams in the league:

RB - Drafted Gray (25) and Tracy (25) last 2 years. Are they players or do they suck? RB depth will be needed to do anything meaningful.
WR - If Nabers (21) and Hyatt (23) pop, and Robinson (23) keeps going, they could have one of the best trios in the league. If they don't, the worst.
TE - Bellinger (24) & Theo Johnson (23) are the potential difference makers. How good are they?
OL - The performance of the group swings on Schmitz (25) and Neal (24). 2 premium investments. 
CB - Banks (23), Flott (23), Robinson (26), Phillips (23) & Hawkins (24) are 5 planted seeds. This could sprout into a great situation or completely suck. 
S - Investments made in Nubin (23), Pinnock (25), Belton (24) & Owens (25). Solid 4-man group or a weakness?

Almost every position group hinges on how these youngsters (acquired by Schoen) come around. We could get a bumper crop, or starve to death.

It's amazing. They've picked Neal, Ezeudu, McKethan and Schmitz, and barely have anything serviceable to show for it.

They better hope Bobby Johnson was a terrible OL Coach.

Bricillo provides some sort of hope, but at this point, the OL situation defies logic. Multiple schemes, coaches, coordinators, play callers & GMs. Even with a great LT they are still scary bad. That almost doesn't make sense. Part of me thinks we sold our souls for those Super Bowls.

In any event, I'll play it straight and say Neal and Schmitz are the swing states. You can go from bad to good quickly in the NFL. If those 2 guys live up to their draft status, the Giants will have an excellent OL.

Thomas
Runyan
Schmitz
Eleumunor
Neal

Those are all Schoen's guys. This is on him now.

Imagine if the draft plays out this way based on current rumors?

1-CHI: QB Caleb Williams
2-WAS: QB Jayden Daniels
3-MIN: QB Drake Maye (trade up, 3 #1 picks + 2nd round pick)
4-AZ: WR Marvin Harrison, Jr.
5-LAC: WR Malik Nabers
6-DEN: QB J.J. McCarthy (trade up, Giants receive DEN's 1st round pick (#12 overall), 3rd round pick (#76 overall), 2025 1st round pick and CB Patrick Surtain)

This might be the dream scenario: McCarthy slides to #6 and they're able to get a king's ransom to trade down. Surtain and Burns gives the D a new look, with Surtain and Banks the most physical CB duo in the league. And with a bounty of picks, a path forward plugging all the holes and lack of playmakers. The Giants may still have a shot at Bo Nix or Michael Penix at #12, too, if they like them.

I respect JJM as a prospect, and the importance of the QB position, and I'd be stoked to get him. But I think I'd rather get the bounty from DEN. It would be a ballsy move of the Giants not to take him, but just one fan's thoughts as I nervously await the draft. The good news is, they can't lose. They are either going to get a QB, a stud WR or trade down for a bunch of picks. That's pretty exciting.

There are lots of QBs that produce with bad OLs and good skills. That's all I meant. Herbert has a terrible OL and puts up big numbers too.

Now - if we're talking about team-building and being a Super Bowl contender, I agree 100%. It's no coincidence most of the best teams in the league have good OLs. 

RB - Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Jack-hammer with a nose for the end zone. They've been missing a back like this for years. Had a private visit with the Giants.

3T - Johnny Newton, Illinois
Giants like this kid, I've heard he's a target if they trade down. Had a private visit with the Giants.

CB - Max Melton, Rutgers
Physical CB who can support vs. the run. Shows starting ability, would pair nicely with Banks. Good value in round 2. Had a private visit with the Giants.

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I think at least 1 of these guys is going to end up in blue.

That's a great way of articulating it.

I've been saying this for a long time, in "defense" of Jones.

You can get by with a bad OL and good skill players, or a good OL with bad skill players. But you won't get by with a bad OL & bad skills. NFL is too good for that.