At this point should the Giants just cut Darren Waller?

[MightyGiants]

Agreed.

Stats don't always show the true story.

It really depends on how stats are used.  If used properly, they can be quite helpful in learning things and double-checking things.   

[Trench]

It really depends on how stats are used.  If used properly, they can be quite helpful in learning things and double-checking things.   

Perhaps, but perhaps not. Look at Parcells types - coached on the fly with his gut because he knew his players intestinal fortitude and managing pressure situations. Stats can't show that.

Baseball is a great example of stats and analysis beginning to morph too far and what works in regular season usually doesn't play near as big a role in post season.

[H-Town G-Fan]

How much of a difference do you think Waller's 46 yards per game made?

A question, but no definitive statement. How helpful.

Waller was the 2nd leading receiver on the Giants in 2023, despite missing time with injuries. He was a top-10 receiving TE on a per-game basis around the league. You regularly lament the lack of offensive weapons for Jones as an excuse for why he can't be expected to perform like a league average QB, yet here you are advocating to cut one of the above-average players on the team. Is it because his pay is inconsistent with his level of production? Gee, if that's an indictment of a player, I wonder who else on the roster it should apply to. And who exactly is going to replace Waller's production? If it was that easy to replace, why did Bellinger not do so when Waller was out?

[MightyGiants]

Perhaps, but perhaps not. Look at Parcells types - coached on the fly with his gut because he knew his players intestinal fortitude and managing pressure situations. Stats can't show that.

Baseball is a great example of stats and analysis beginning to morph too far and what works in regular season usually doesn't play near as big a role in post season.

Every NFL team now has an analytics department.  Analytics is just a fancy word for using statistics.  Even old timers often used stats; the stats were just a bit less refined than today.  HOF GM Bill Polian used stats all the time as did the late great Gil Brandt

[MightyGiants]

Is it because his pay is inconsistent with his level of production?

He is a player who can't stay healthy (only 12 games last season) and is often not 100% due to injury.  He is also a player whose stats and play are declining with age.

And who exactly is going to replace Waller's production?

Bellinger and Theo Johnson

If it was that easy to replace, why did Bellinger not do so when Waller was out?

Bellinger seemed to suffer a sophomore slump.  Hopeful he rounds back into his rookie form.

[Trench]

It really depends on how stats are used.  If used properly, they can be quite helpful in learning things and double-checking things.   

"If used properly" to me is just a fancy way of saying "cherry picking" to illustrate a point or to back up one's belief. For every stat used to help Jones, we use other stats to dismiss the production of a guy like Waller.

Nothing beats the true test of performance under great pressure and elevating a team. That said, I am torn on bringing back Waller.  See the positives but the cap space could help too.

[babywhales]

He's the best tight end on the roster and it isn't close. If we're looking to free up money who would it be for, and would they do more to help us win next year than Walker if he plays? Or are you thinking about next years draft picks and are hoping we start ejecting dead "weight" in preparation for next year.

Take the 12 mill saved on a Post June 1 cut and go get someone that could be more impactful.  14mill for 500 yards and 1 TD isn't worth it

[H-Town G-Fan]

He is a player who can't stay healthy (only 12 games last season) and is often not 100% due to injury.  He is also a player whose stats and play are declining with age.

Yet those declining stats and play are still top-10 in the league on a per-game basis amongst TEs. His PFF grade was top-half (with gadget players like Taysom Hill above him skewing that ranking). And the Giants showed no ability to replace that production in his absence. Bellinger couldn't replicate it and I'm not confident a 4th round rookie manages to do so in his first season. So in the best interest of whoever the Giants' QB is in 2024, I'd give Waller time.

[madbadger]

Take the 12 mill saved on a Post June 1 cut and go get someone that could be more impactful.  14mill for 500 yards and 1 TD isn't worth it

Who though? There aren't legions of good players just sitting around looking for someone to pick them up, and what sort of production would have been acceptable considering what an absolute train wreck our quarterback situation was last year?

[Jclayton92]

He is a player who can't stay healthy (only 12 games last season) and is often not 100% due to injury.  He is also a player whose stats and play are declining with age.
 

Bellinger and Theo Johnson

Bellinger seemed to suffer a sophomore slump.  Hopeful he rounds back into his rookie form.

Jones can't stay healthy either and his production has been horrible yet you're not advocating for him to lose his job, but instead listing reasons why he'll blossom in year 6.

[MightyGiants]

Jones can't stay healthy either and his production has been horrible yet you're not advocating for him to lose his job, but instead listing reasons why he'll blossom in year 6.

I have to say, if Jones proves you wrong, the size of the crow you will be eating will be record breaking.

[Stringer Bell]

Waller had 1 TD last year on 74 targets. He's a complete waste of cap space.

Give his reps to Bellinger and the new TEs and use that money to sign a competent CB to play alongside Banks.

[ralphpal1]

I think the Giants are waiting to cut him
You dont want to kick  a man when he is down
Cutting him now.would show the whole team youre just a number
Let him get settle.in his life
Tell.him youre cutting him before camp.so he has time.to find another team

[DaveBrown74]

I am just catching up now.

I would say people have stronger views than I do (on both sides) on this particular topic. I'm sort of agnostic. I think Waller was an elite player at one point, but isn't anymore. I like and respect him on a personal level, but it's not like we're talking about someone who has been on the team for 3-plus years. So I wouldn't say I feel any sense of extra loyalty towards him beyond what I would feel towards any Giant. I think when he's healthy he's still a weapon, but the team that cut him has since used two high picks on tight ends, so it's not like they cut him because they didn't value the tight end position. Clearly they do. That sort of tells you something.

We had something a bit like this with Nate Solder, when he was owed a lot of money but clearly didn't have it in his heart of hearts to play anymore due to personal circumstances. He did still play, I think to get the money (he basically admitted this), and he was pretty brutal. I'm not saying because that happened Darren Waller will also be brutal, but you definitely need to have your heart in football to be good in the NFL. Not to mention your body needs to be in top form too.

I don't know if either of those things are in place with Waller. I guess time will tell.

[babywhales]

Who though? There aren't legions of good players just sitting around looking for someone to pick them up, and what sort of production would have been acceptable considering what an absolute train wreck our quarterback situation was last year?

I am not even saying the 12 mill needs to be reinvested in the TE unit, spend it elsewhere. 

Last year Waller was a disappointment and looked like a guy who wasn't all in.  For him to come out this offseason and admit as much, be gone.

Go with Bellinger and develop Johnson.  Trade Slayton for a TE. 

Get Mercedes Lewis and use him for blocking downs and work Bellinger and Johnson into the passing game.

I am not convinced Jones can progress through 4 receiving routes on 1 play anyway so there is that... at least in his first 5 years he has not so far