Frankly, there isn't much to add to the concerns I expressed in my last post on September 4th just before the 2011 season commenced. The loss of Terrel Thomas totally changed the equation for the defense, and the inability to replace Steve Smith totally changed the equation for the offense (not just the passing game, because if you can't pass, then you can't run).
I will enjoy watching the rookies and younger players get their playing time, but this is not a team that has any real hope of making the playoffs, no less winning a SB in 2011. That wouldn't have been true but for the loss of Thomas and Smith (or more to the point, a fully healthy Smith). So, I will sit back and relax, enjoy the games, and watch with an eye towards 2012.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Giants 2011 Cut Down Day
The Giants reached the mandatory 53 man limit yesterday with no real surprises. If there was any "surprise" it is the large number of rookie draft choices and rookie free agents that made the team. Whenever that happens it means one of two things: Either the Giants struck "gold" in the later rounds of the draft and undrafted players - or it means the existing team just wasn't all that strong to begin with. History suggests the latter as the rule of thumb but only the future will truly tell us how many years these players last in the league and the extent of their contributions.
Since my last post, just prior to the first pre-season game, much has changed - specifically some major injuries, especially to the secondary. Heading into the pre-season, I believed the 2011 Giants defense was headed toward a top 5 ranking this year. However, the loss of Terrell Thomas is just devastating. Sure, the Giants will find a way to replace him. They have no choice. But Webster, TT and Ross at corner is a far cry from Webster, Ross and ? The Giants have toyed with the idea of moving Rolle to fill the nickel corner when that scheme takes the field, but that presents its own problems. It is going to be an area to closely watch and I am not nearly as confident today about the prospects of the Giants defense as I was when I posted just before the first pre-season game.
On offense, I continue to have huge doubts regarding the passing game. I love Nicks and MM but they benefited tremendously having Steve Smith as part of their trio. Without Smith, they are going to get doubled consistently and their production is likely to suffer. Add the loss of Boss and no serviceable replacement, and the passing game could really struggle. Moreover, the loss of Boss is going to impact the running game as well. The Giants simply do not have a TE that can fill both the blocking and passing roles. And if they try to go with a rotation, it will clearly cause problems since it will be such an obvious signal of pass versus run that it simply won't work.
Lastly, on special teams, I thought the Giants looked greatly improved in their coverage units, although frankly that is really difficult to judge during pre-season. The only player I had hoped would be a standout, rookie Jernigan, struggled to hold onto the ball. Beyond his struggles catching punts, he is so small he goes down with just the slightest touch by a defender, but did show some flashes in the last pre-season game when he was finally able to get some open field. But, I don't see Jernigan contributing to the team as anything other than a returner despite his nice TD receiption the other night. And the question at this point is whether Coughlin even risks putting him on the field when the games count.
Here's the "final" roster as of today.
Since my last post, just prior to the first pre-season game, much has changed - specifically some major injuries, especially to the secondary. Heading into the pre-season, I believed the 2011 Giants defense was headed toward a top 5 ranking this year. However, the loss of Terrell Thomas is just devastating. Sure, the Giants will find a way to replace him. They have no choice. But Webster, TT and Ross at corner is a far cry from Webster, Ross and ? The Giants have toyed with the idea of moving Rolle to fill the nickel corner when that scheme takes the field, but that presents its own problems. It is going to be an area to closely watch and I am not nearly as confident today about the prospects of the Giants defense as I was when I posted just before the first pre-season game.
On offense, I continue to have huge doubts regarding the passing game. I love Nicks and MM but they benefited tremendously having Steve Smith as part of their trio. Without Smith, they are going to get doubled consistently and their production is likely to suffer. Add the loss of Boss and no serviceable replacement, and the passing game could really struggle. Moreover, the loss of Boss is going to impact the running game as well. The Giants simply do not have a TE that can fill both the blocking and passing roles. And if they try to go with a rotation, it will clearly cause problems since it will be such an obvious signal of pass versus run that it simply won't work.
Lastly, on special teams, I thought the Giants looked greatly improved in their coverage units, although frankly that is really difficult to judge during pre-season. The only player I had hoped would be a standout, rookie Jernigan, struggled to hold onto the ball. Beyond his struggles catching punts, he is so small he goes down with just the slightest touch by a defender, but did show some flashes in the last pre-season game when he was finally able to get some open field. But, I don't see Jernigan contributing to the team as anything other than a returner despite his nice TD receiption the other night. And the question at this point is whether Coughlin even risks putting him on the field when the games count.
Here's the "final" roster as of today.
| |
|||||||||
Quarterbacks: |
|||||||||
| 10 Eli Manning | |||||||||
| 8 David Carr | |||||||||
Halfbacks: |
|||||||||
| 44 Ahmad Bradshaw | |||||||||
| 27 Brandon Jacobs | |||||||||
| 28 D.J. Ware | |||||||||
| 34 Da’Rel Scott | |||||||||
Fullbacks: |
|||||||||
| 45 Henry Hynoski | |||||||||
Wide Receivers: |
|||||||||
| 88 Hakeem Nicks | |||||||||
| 82 Mario Manningham | |||||||||
| 87 Domenik Hixon | |||||||||
| 80 Victor Cruz | |||||||||
| 15 Devin Thomas | |||||||||
| 12 Jerrel Jernigan | |||||||||
Tight Ends/H-Backs: |
|||||||||
| 86 Bear Pascoe | |||||||||
| 47 Travis Beckum | |||||||||
| 85 Jake Ballard | |||||||||
Offensive Linemen: |
|||||||||
| 67 Kareem McKenzie | |||||||||
| 65 William Beatty | |||||||||
| 78 Stacy Andrews | |||||||||
| 73 James Brewer | |||||||||
| 76 Chris Snee | |||||||||
| 66 David Diehl | |||||||||
| 77 Kevin Boothe | |||||||||
| 62 Mitch Petrus | |||||||||
| 64 David Baas | |||||||||
Defensive Linemen: |
|||||||||
| 99 Chris Canty | |||||||||
| 97 Linval Joseph | |||||||||
| 95 Rocky Bernard | |||||||||
| 73 Jimmy Kennedy | |||||||||
| 91 Justin Tuck | |||||||||
| 72 Osi Umenyiora | |||||||||
| 90 Jason Pierre-Paul | |||||||||
| 71 Dave Tollefson | |||||||||
Linebackers: |
|||||||||
| 94 Mathias Kiwanuka | |||||||||
| 59 Michael Boley | |||||||||
| 54 Jonathan Goff | |||||||||
| 53 Greg Jones | |||||||||
| 57 Jacquian Williams | |||||||||
| 58 Mark Herzlich | |||||||||
| 49 Spencer Paysinger | |||||||||
Defensive Backs: |
|||||||||
| 23 Corey Webster | |||||||||
| 31 Aaron Ross | |||||||||
| 20 Prince Amukamara | |||||||||
| 43 Brian Williams | |||||||||
| 37 Michael Coe | |||||||||
| 21 Kenny Phillips | |||||||||
| 26 Antrel Rolle | |||||||||
| 34 Deon Grant | |||||||||
| 36 Derrick Martin | |||||||||
| 39 Tyler Sash | |||||||||
Saturday, August 13, 2011
2011 Finally Begins
The Giants cut OG Richie Seubert and C Shawn O'Hara and lost DT Barry Cofield, TE Kevin Boss, and WR Steve Smith (the first Giants pro bowl WR in 43 years) to free agency. On the other side of the ledger they signed TE Ben Patrick to replace Boss, but then he promptly retired. They did sign C David Baas, a 2005 2nd round pick of the 49ers where he played guard until filling in admirably at center last year. Jerry Reese claims Baas was the one player the Giants coveted most in this year's free agent market.
My biggest worry heading into this season is WR. I don't have any doubts about Nicks or Manningham. But, I also have illusions regarding the tremendous impact Steve Smith had upon the success of both. Nicks/Manningham were very dangerous when part of a trio that included Steve Smith. The question is how will they do as a duo. Yes, the Giants will go with three and four WR sets. But whoever those 3rd and 4th receivers are, they aren't Steve Smith, nor any reasonable facsimile. And the loss of Kevin Boss doesn't help the situation either. The passing game is going to be something to watch carefully. There isn't any question it is going to experience a downgrade over the great success of 2009 - the only question is how much of a downgrade.
On the other hand, I am tremendously excited to see some players on the defensive side of the ball. First and foremost, Jason Pierre-Paul. I am equally excited about Linval Joseph and rookie Marvin Austin. Staying with the DL, I look for Mathias Kiwanuka to have a big impact (even if he will be playing LB).
Using Kiwi as a nice transition from DL to LB, I still have high hopes for Clint Sintim and I'm especially anxious to see Adrian Tracy and Kenny Ingram. Alas, sadly, we fans will not get to see the Giant's 2011 first round selection, CB Prince Amukamara, due to injury which will sideline him until at least the 3rd regular season game (having missed the entire pre-season, it's unlikely he'll see much, if any, playing time this year).
On special teams, my primary focus will be on Jerrel Jernigan, this year's third round selection. He should be an immediate contributor on returns and, if the Giants struck lightening in a bottle, may actually see some time at WR. But I'm not holding my breath because of his height and Eli's difficulties keeping the ball down.
So, I'm excited for the 2011 season to get underway this evening. As always, I couldn't care less about the score nor who wins or loses. I will be watching for individual performances, especially those I've mentioned above. But, more than anything else, I'll be praying for health. If the Giants stay healthy they can make a big splash in 2011 primarily because on paper the Giants are a top 5 defense. I'm not going to predict a season ending #1 defensive ranking, but this group is that talented - maybe the most talented since the 1986 defense.
My biggest worry heading into this season is WR. I don't have any doubts about Nicks or Manningham. But, I also have illusions regarding the tremendous impact Steve Smith had upon the success of both. Nicks/Manningham were very dangerous when part of a trio that included Steve Smith. The question is how will they do as a duo. Yes, the Giants will go with three and four WR sets. But whoever those 3rd and 4th receivers are, they aren't Steve Smith, nor any reasonable facsimile. And the loss of Kevin Boss doesn't help the situation either. The passing game is going to be something to watch carefully. There isn't any question it is going to experience a downgrade over the great success of 2009 - the only question is how much of a downgrade.
On the other hand, I am tremendously excited to see some players on the defensive side of the ball. First and foremost, Jason Pierre-Paul. I am equally excited about Linval Joseph and rookie Marvin Austin. Staying with the DL, I look for Mathias Kiwanuka to have a big impact (even if he will be playing LB).
Using Kiwi as a nice transition from DL to LB, I still have high hopes for Clint Sintim and I'm especially anxious to see Adrian Tracy and Kenny Ingram. Alas, sadly, we fans will not get to see the Giant's 2011 first round selection, CB Prince Amukamara, due to injury which will sideline him until at least the 3rd regular season game (having missed the entire pre-season, it's unlikely he'll see much, if any, playing time this year).
On special teams, my primary focus will be on Jerrel Jernigan, this year's third round selection. He should be an immediate contributor on returns and, if the Giants struck lightening in a bottle, may actually see some time at WR. But I'm not holding my breath because of his height and Eli's difficulties keeping the ball down.
So, I'm excited for the 2011 season to get underway this evening. As always, I couldn't care less about the score nor who wins or loses. I will be watching for individual performances, especially those I've mentioned above. But, more than anything else, I'll be praying for health. If the Giants stay healthy they can make a big splash in 2011 primarily because on paper the Giants are a top 5 defense. I'm not going to predict a season ending #1 defensive ranking, but this group is that talented - maybe the most talented since the 1986 defense.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
2011 Draft
| Round | Pick # | Player | Pos. | |||
| 1 | 19 | Prince Amukamara | CB | |||
| 2 | 20 | Marvin Austin | DT | |||
| 3 | 19 | Jerrel Jernigan | WR | |||
| 4 | 20 | James Brewer | T | |||
| 6 | 20 | Greg Jones | LB | |||
| 6 | 33 | Tyler Sash | S | |||
| 6 | 37 | Jacquian Williams | LB | |||
| 7 | 19 | Da'Rel Scott | RB | |||
Monday, January 17, 2011
Defense in a Passing Era
One of the most amazing stats I've ever heard was a few years ago when I learned that every single SB winner dating back to 1979 or so had a top ten defense. I know that the Indy Colts recently broke that trend, so I was curious to see where the current final four teams ranked during the regular season on defense. I sorted NFL.com by points against (Giants, btw, were ranked 17th):
1 Pittsburgh Steelers (To Play Jets)
2 Green Bay Packers (To Play Chicago)
3 Baltimore Ravens
4 Chicago Bears (To Play Green Bay)
5 Atlanta Falcons
6 New York Jets (To Play Pittsuburgh)
Year in, year out, the majority of the teams that make the playoffs (no less go all the way) rank within the top ten on defense.
1 Pittsburgh Steelers (To Play Jets)
2 Green Bay Packers (To Play Chicago)
3 Baltimore Ravens
4 Chicago Bears (To Play Green Bay)
5 Atlanta Falcons
6 New York Jets (To Play Pittsuburgh)
Year in, year out, the majority of the teams that make the playoffs (no less go all the way) rank within the top ten on defense.
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