What Lies Ahead for the New York Giants
In what appears to be another lost year after an embarrassing MNF loss, the New York Giants have many questions to address on both sides of the ball heading into next season. Daniel Jones looked like a deer in headlights last night, while the defense had no answers for Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. What’s the move for Big Blue?
For starters, the Giants may have gotten their first real win of the season following the firing of OC Jason Garrett. Garrett has been a liability all season due to underutilization of playcalls and his conservative play style, both of which have been scrutinized by many. A microcosm of that can be found in rookie wideout Kadarius Toney’s efforts last night. While he may have had 7 receptions, the longest catch he had only went for 8 yards. Toney has had serious statistical regression since he put the league on notice against the Cowboys (10 receptions, 189 yards), and that lies on Garrett’s shoulders. The interim OC Freddie Kitchens has served as both the tight ends coach and senior offensive assistant in his tenure with Big Blue, dating back to last season. Kitchens called the plays in one game last season against the Browns, when the Giants mustered only 6 points. While it may not be a huge upgrade, it simply cannot be worse than the ship Garrett was running on offense.
DC Patrick Graham was not much better last night. Tom Brady went 30 for 46 for 307 yards and two touchdowns against a defense that looked like a pop warner team last night. James Bradberry and Julian Love let up a combined 12 catches on 18 targets, and star lineman Leonard Williams had just one pressure last night. For a defense that ranking 13th overall last season according to PFF, they were 26th heading into Monday night, and God knows how far they will drop after last night’s performance. All season the defense has struggled, and that ultimately falls on Graham’s lap.
The Giants stand at 3-7, which is their best 10 game record during the Dave Gettleman era. This is nothing worth smiling about, as Gettleman may be the next man out the door for the G-men. Gettleman’s tenure has been nothing short of disastrous, dating back to when he selected QB Daniel Jones 6th overall in the 2018 draft. The contract that he gave Kenny Golladay this past offseason seems like one of the more boneheaded moves made in recent years. Saquon Barkley has failed to live up to the expectations higher than the Empire State building itself. Gettleman has failed with judging talent on numerous accounts (literally his job), and certainly should be held accountable for the Giants flaws. With the playoffs out of sight yet again, Gettleman’s days in office are numbered.
That being said, with a new GM, a new head coach is typically protocol when rebuilding a team. While Judge used his situational awareness properly firing Jason Garrett, he remains on the hot seat. Last year, the Giants actually looked promising, finishing 6-10 his rookie season and missed out of the playoffs by one (!) game. However, this season has been a complete disaster. A team that prided themselves on defense was on the field for nearly 40 minutes last night. An offense that was poised to pop off this season remains in the bottom of the league in nearly every statistical category. While he may not have entirely to blame, a head coach is still responsible for these issues. Judge’s game management skills were even called out on the Manning brothers MNF telecast prior to halftime. If that’s not a sign for change, then I’m not sure what is.
Lastly, the Daniel Jones era needs to come to an end. With a new GM and possibly head coach on the way, Jones will yet again have to learn a completely new offensive scheme, his third in his fourth season. This is assuming that Jones is the starter going into next season, which seems more unlikely as the weeks go by. While some Giants fans vouch for the young play caller, the reality is he is not the guy. Jones has shown more than enough people that he is simply not the long term decision. With his fifth year option involving the team paying $23 million, it’s safe to say the front office will not bite the bullet given the amount of holes to fill on the roster. The Giants mustered 215 yards on offense last night, their lowest toll of the season. Along with that, Jones averaged 4.4 yards per attempt, an epitome of his tenure with the Giants so far. This was even with Golladay, Toney, Rudolph, and Barkley in the lineup. Also, remember earlier in the season when people were praising Daniel Jones for his lack of interceptions? He threw two last night, one to 12-year veteran Steve McLendon.
McLendon is a defensive lineman.
And it was the first interception of his career.
These three issues must be figured out, for Giants fans have been through too much pain to watch another season blow by for what was a once storied franchise. In order to return to their old form, changes must be made.