Big Blue Huddle

There is a lot of doom and gloom going into 2024.  Part of it's due to PS games, and part is due to the disappointing 2023 season (after optimism).  I think part of the failed optimism of 2023 was due to so many players (due to injury or performance) not playing up to expectation in 2023 including:

1) Andrew Thomas- missed roughly half the season due to hamstring
2) Daniel Jones- performance and injury
3) Evan Neal- failed to take the anticipated jump
4) Adoree Jackson-  perhaps hampered by the move to the slot, but also some business decisions
5) Darren Waller-  Amazing in the preseason, tanked during the season due to injury or whatever
6) JMS-  Didn't have the rookie season anticipated
7) Barkley-  declined from his 2022 season
8) Bellinger- never recovered from post eye injury slump
9) Ojulari-  Still couldn't stay healthy


With that in mind I compared units from the two seasons

QB

2023- 
Starter- Jones
Key Backups- Tyrod Taylor, DeVito(PS)

2024
Starter- Jones
Key Backups- Drew Lock, DeVito

On paper this unit took a step backward.  Jones, coming off ACL, is less likely to match the running of pre-ACL Jones.  Lock is an downgrade to Taylor (although Taylor couldn't stay healthy).  Still, it's possible this paper decline will be offset by much better onfield support via protection and receivers.

Offensive Line

2023

Starters-  Thomas, Bredeson, JMS(R), Glowinski, Neal
Key Backups- Ezeudu, Peart, McKethan

2024

Starters- Thomas, Runyan, JMS, Roten, Eluemunor
Key Backups- Neal, Stinnie, Ezeudu

This unit is significantly improved at RG and RT. JMS will hopefully improve on his rookie year, and Runyan should be better than Bredeson. Their backup guard is better than last season, but their swing tackle is about the same. 

Running Back

2023

Starter-  Saquan Barkley
Key Backups- Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell, Eric Grey

2024-

Starter-  Devin Singletary
Key Backups- Tyrone Tracy(R), Eric Gray

The starter is a slight downgrade, but the backups are much better than what they had last season


Tight End

2023

Starter-  Darren Waller
Backups- Daniel Bellinger, Lawerence Cager

2024- Theo Johnson (R)
Backups- Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz. Jakoff Johnson

I think this is a wash.  While Waller was very impressive in camp, when they started tackling he faded away to ordinary (likely helped by chronic hamstring issues).  Theo has the potential match or exceed Waller's contribution.  Bellinger is what he is, but Manhertz should prove to be a much better blocker (although not a receiver) than Cager.  Wildcard is the fullback Jakob Johnson who would be an upgrade to Bellinger on many plays.

Wide Receivers

2023

Starters-  Slayton, Hodgins, Campbell
Key Backups- Robinson, Hyatt

2024 

Starters- Nabers, Hyatt, Robinson
Key Backups- Slayton, BFW

The Starters are much improved over 2023 and the first man off the bench is an improvement.  One of the biggest offseason upgrades has been the receiver room


D-Line

2023

Starters-  Dexter Lawerence, Leo Williams
Key Backups-  Nacho, Robinson

2024

Starters- Dexter Lawerence, Nacho
Key Backups- Elijah Chatman, D.J. Davidson

This unit appears weaker than last year's version, although Leo Williams was more reputation than performance last year. Chatman could be the wildcard, as he could prove to be an upgrade, at least in the pass rush.

EDGE

2023

Starters-  Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari
Key Backups-  Jihad Ward, Boogie Basham

2024

Starters-  Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux
Key Backups- Azeez Ojuari, Boogie Basham, Benton Whitley

There is a major upgrade of the staters this season and even the backups are better.  This unit rivals the WRs as the biggest upgrade for 2024

Inside Linebackers

2023

Starters- Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden
Key Backups- Isaiah Simmons, Carter Caughlin

2024

Starters- Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden
Key Backups- Curtis Bolton, Darius Muassau (R), Carter Caughlin

This unit appears to be as strong as last year, with a potential upgrade in depth

Corner Backs

2023

Starters-  Donte Banks, Adoree Jackson, Tre Hawkins
Key Backups- Nick McCloud CorDale Flott

2024

Starters-  Donte Banks, Adoree Jackson, Dru Phillips
Key Backups- Tre Hawkins, Isaiah Simmons, Cordale Flott/Nick McCloud

The addition of Philips at slot could upgrade this unit

Safeties

2023

Starters-  Jason Pinnock, Xavier McKinney
Key Backups-  Dane Belton, Nick McCloud

2024

Starters-  Jason Pinnock, Tylor Nubin(R)
Key Backups-  Dane Belton, Anthony Johnson

This might be a slight downgrade, although if Nubin's ball-hawking continues, those INTs could be more helpful than McKinney's solid but unspectacular play

Special Teams

2023

Starters- Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan, Gunner Olszewski (partway through the season)

2024

Starters- Graham Gano, Jamie Gillan, Isaiah McKenzie

This seems to be about the same, although a Gano injury hurt the unit

Where did Isaiah Simmons go?

Quote from: TDToomer on August 26, 2024, 08:54:41 AMWhere did Isaiah Simmons go?

To the CBs

Nice comparison. To me the interesting thing that jumps out is that we seem to be stronger in the areas that matter. In effect we moved money around. For example now are much stronger at OL, Edge, and WR. These are critical areas, much more so than RB, S, and TE. If you are getting gashed at the line of scrimmage you have zero chance. I think the defensive backfield will be key. Can the  young safeties and CBs hold up? We should have a better pash rush so their job is easier than in previous years, but its still a young and inexperienced group.

All in all, I like how Schoen moved the money around and spent on more important areas.

Great stuff Rich.  My problem is that I see it and see it as nothing more than a wash.  Until live regular season action, I have to see if OL is really improved.

Thanks Rich @MightyGiants !

One correction, Jamie Gillan is the punter, not the Monty Python's Flying Circus actor, despite some of the Keystone Konstable sketches we've witnessed in the past.

And now for something completely different.

Peace!

Quote from: VanPelt on August 26, 2024, 09:25:00 AMNice comparison. To me the interesting thing that jumps out is that we seem to be stronger in the areas that matter. In effect we moved money around. For example now are much stronger at OL, Edge, and WR. These are critical areas, much more so than RB, S, and TE. If you are getting gashed at the line of scrimmage you have zero chance. I think the defensive backfield will be key. Can the  young safeties and CBs hold up? We should have a better pash rush so their job is easier than in previous years, but its still a young and inexperienced group.

All in all, I like how Schoen moved the money around and spent on more important areas.

I think that's a keen observation-  Moving money from lesser-value positions (RB and S) and putting them into the trenches and WR

@kartanoman that Monty Python reference brought a smile to my face this morning. I think on 4th down this season I'll be thinking about a dead parrot, types of cheeses and silly arguments, if only for a second or two.

Quote from: Sem on August 26, 2024, 11:11:21 AM@kartanoman that Monty Python reference brought a smile to my face this morning. I think on 4th down this season I'll be thinking about a dead parrot, types of cheeses and silly arguments, if only for a second or two.

Hi Steve - I'm glad it accomplished its intended purpose!

For the contributions I make, which oftentimes extend far longer than they should, due to the passion I have for the Giants, there remains that side of me that's quick to throw a hint of comic or silliness on the side for levity and a smile.

Whenever a period of downtime on the weekend presents itself, I steal the remote from my wife, turn on her Netflix and shamelessly watch the "Flying Circus" every now and then. Ah, the memories!

Peace!

Quote from: kartanoman on August 26, 2024, 11:18:14 AMHi Steve - I'm glad it accomplished its intended purpose!

For the contributions I make, which oftentimes extend far longer than they should, due to the passion I have for the Giants, there remains that side of me that's quick to throw a hint of comic or silliness on the side for levity and a smile.

Whenever a period of downtime on the weekend� I steal the remote from my wife, turn on her Netflix and shamelessly watch the "Flying Circus" every now and then. Ah, the memories!

Peace!

Python is indeed timeless.

Quote from: Philosophers on August 26, 2024, 10:16:17 AMGreat stuff Rich.  My problem is that I see it and see it as nothing more than a wash.  Until live regular season action, I have to see if OL is really improved.

Joe,

I think the team has improved significantly and, more importantly, in important areas. One thing we need to remember is that the Giants faced two of the best young teams in the league, the Lions and Texans, and the Jets have a pretty stacked roster.

Quote from: MightyGiants on August 26, 2024, 11:40:38 AMJoe,

I think the team has improved significantly and, more importantly, in important areas. One thing we need to remember is that the Giants faced two of the best young teams in the league, the Lions and Texans, and the Jets have a pretty stacked roster.

Rich - i agree that more important positions may have been upgraded over less important but until we see actual play then results I won't believe it.

Last year's 40-0 obliteration by Dallas and the dam breaking performance of our OL have given me doubts that results are the only thing that matters.  No such thing as little wins.

Rich: Thanks for doing this, and good job.  Bob

Quote from: Bob In PA on August 26, 2024, 01:40:10 PMRich: Thanks for doing this, and good job.  Bob

Bob,

I will confess that I do this as much for myself as I do for you guys.  I tend to learn something with these exercises.  I am more optimistic about his team, having spent the time breaking down and comparing unit by unit.

Quote from: MightyGiants on August 26, 2024, 10:49:13 AMI think that's a keen observation-  Moving money from lesser-value positions (RB and S) and putting them into the trenches and WR

Who's making money among our receivers besides Slayton? Nabers, Hiatt and Robinson are on rookie deals.
 
I don't see it as a good thing that we are cheaping out at the Safety position at all. We let a pro bowler get away in Julien Love and continue to have a poor secondary as we are trusting 1-3 year experienced players. Be careful what you wish for.