The Future Is Now

I didn't think things could get worse after the horrible performance in the season opener, but they did. With the early struggles (putting it mildly) of the defense, a Giants victory last Sunday against Green Bay was clearly on the shoulders of the offense. However, in the home opener, Giants fans were graced with a 13 point performance by this offensive juggernaut. One touchdown and two field goals all day long. Special teams joined the fun with a fumbled return and a botched field goal snap.

After two games the Giants are dead last in the league in points allowed. This Giants defense has allowed 80 points in the first two games, the worst start in over 40 years - second worst in team history. Opponents are converting third downs at an unheard of rate of 54.5 percent. And things don't get easier this week. The Redskins offense is ranked 4th in the league converting on third down (and their defense is ranked 1st by the way).

The Giants defense needs a spark - a jump start. It desperately needs some enthusiasm that gets the entire unit pumped up. I believe they need to get their future on the field now. Madison, McQuarters and Mitchell are known quantities with very little upside at this point in their careers. The Giants need to develop an accelerated plan to get Ross, Webster, Johnson, Wilkinson, DeOssie, and Blackburn on the field more and more. For now I would immediately replace McQuarters with Ross. I would move Kiwi back to DE where he belongs, bench Mitchell, and play Wilkinson, DeOssie and/or Blackburn as the outside backers.

Here is my bottom line. No veteran player should be starting unless the quality of his play demands it. McQuarters cannot start over Aaron Ross unless his play is far superior. The same goes for Mitchell contrasted with Wilkinson/Blackburn. Madison versus Webster. And I'd move Kiwi back to DE, sit Strahan until his play forces himself back onto the field, and get another younger LB onto the field.

It may not make things better in the short term. But it will make the Giants team stronger in the long run. It will also prove invaluable in evaluating their future needs. And it just may provide the emotional spark this team so desperately needs right now. Lastly, as a fan, if the team is going to lose, at least let me have the opportunity of getting excited by watching the Giants younger players - the Giants future - on the field and making some plays.