N.Y. Giants: New Dark Blue Achievement Under Gettleman's Watch

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

HOT SEAT UPDATE

Make Or Break Season For Gettleman Beginning to Crumble

Congratulations, Dave Gettleman, you just lost your 37th game as general manager for the New York  Giants!

In a sense, the 2021 season ushers in his fifties.  Which is to say he now owns a 16-37 record in 53 games since taking over the helm from Jerry Reese.  If I were to be kind, I'd add to his diary the Giants victory over Washington on Dec. 31, 2017, or not.

This coming December will mark Dave Gettleman's fourth anniversary.

In so far as progression, the season-to-season results speak for themselves.  Upon taking over a 3-13 team in 2017, the Giants have continued posting double-digit losses. Typically, doubling the team's win total is considered a good thing.  In this case, not so much.  From three to six wins is not a Big Blue step forward.

• 2018)  5-11
• 2019)  4-12
• 2020)  6-10 

The NFL extending the regular season to 17 games essentially gives the Football Giants another opportunity to lose.  They are presently 30% of the way through their schedule with a 1-4 record and no reasonable expectations for improvement, that is, not with all these injuries.  However, player availability or lack thereof, of course, is another discussion.  It still doesn't detract from the fact that under Dave Gettleman, the Giants have won just 30% of their games.

Sunday at Dallas posed a new low in the Gettleman era.  

Defensively, the Giants have allowed the fourth-most total yardage in football and the sixth-most rushing yards.  But for the first time since Gettleman assumed office, the Giants yielded forty-plus points in a game, regulation time or otherwise.  The Cowboys defeated the Giants by a 44-20 final score, tidied up only by a late Giant touchdown in the fourth.  If nothing else, the team's overall resiliency was to be applauded.  However, the last time the Giants allowed over forty points came on Nov. 5, 2017, in a 51-17 defeat against the Rams.   

It's incredible to me the Giants are listed twelfth in total offensive yardage.  Much of that credit can be directed at Daniel Jones, who has the Giants total passing yardage ranked eighth in the NFL.  However, as you can guess, their running game is eighth from the bottom.  

With Andrew Thomas, Nick Gates, Shane Lemieux, Ben Bredeson, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley, and Daniel Jones all hurt, be it short or long term, or in some cases out for the season, what's a beleaguered offensive coordinator to do? 

The question then begs to be asked: are the Giants better today than they were back on that November day four years ago?

The Giants have twelve games left.  Even if they win half of those, they'll still finish with double-digit losses.  And if they do win half a dozen games, they'll only surpass last year's win total by one.  At this sloth-like pace, the Giants hypothetically are still two seasons away from achieving nine victories, and another five seasons away from twelve victories, and so on, if you get my drift. 

Such is life under Dave Gettleman.

Rough travels ahead ...

N.Y. Giants: Onus is on Jason Garret to Elevate Saquon Barkley's Game

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

HOG MOLLIES STILL RUNNING IN MUD

Saquon Barkley: Playing Truth or Dare

Daniel Jones needs help, and truth be told, it's incumbent upon Saquon Barkley to supply much of it.  After all, that was Dave Gettleman's original vision, was it not?  Upon drafting Barkley, he said teams will stack the box and thus open up downfield opportunities.

'Memba?  I 'memba ...

Saquon Barkley has rushed 52 times for 186 yards through four games, averaging 13 carries for 46.5 yards per game.  Meanwhile, Daniel Jones is averaging 36 attempts per game.

His sixteen attempts against Atlanta are to date a season-high.  However, his two best efforts arguably came against Washington and New Orleans, in which he averaged over four yards per rush.

Barkley has caught 14 of 19 targets out of the backfield for 130 yards, giving him 66 total touches for 316 yards or 16.5 touches for 79 yards per game.

That's simply not enough.

First, we are forced to ask, is Saquon still playing through the lingering effects of last year's injury and recovery efforts?  We also have to decipher whether we're witnessing a lack of confidence and hesitancy on Saquon's part versus an ability to instinctually pound the ball between the tackles?  We just don't know.

If Saquon is indeed feeling 100%, then it's the offensive line that is still nowhere near creating enough daylight.  While Andrew Thomas is developing into an outstanding tackle, Nate Solder remains a liability at the other end, Will Hernandez is still not back up to snuff.  Ben Bredeson and Billy Price continue covering for the injured Nick Gates.

However, the biggest reason for the Giants inconsequential running game remains Jason Garrett's continued unbalanced attack, much less his play selection itself. 

If they're building up Saquon Barkley's workload on an incremental basis, we should soon be seeing Saquon rush twenty and 25 times per game.

This doesn't even bring into question why Devontae Booker only has seven rushing attempts for 22 yards.

N.Y. Giants: All Eyes on Daniel Jones and the Man Who Drafted Him

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

Broncos

vs.

GIANTS

Dave Gettleman Takes His Rightful Place In The Hot Seat

All eyes are on Daniel Jones.  By most accounts, last season was a step backward.  If you care to place some of the blame on losing Saquon Barkley in Week Two, I won't stop you.  In any event, entering his third NFL season, the Giants now need Jones to take a major leap forward.  

Dave Gettleman's job depends on it.  

The Giants last season rated second to last in offensive productivity.

Therefore, the general manager signed Kenny Golladay, picked up Kyle Rudolph and drafted wide receiver, Kadarius Toney.  They'll join regulars Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Darius Slayton, with Jason Garrett calling plays.

Is this collection of ball handlers playoff-caliber?

Insofar as the NFC East, maybe.  Conference and Super Bowl quality?  Hardly ...

But once again, the offensive line will be a decisive factor.  The best thing I can come up with is continuity.  I believe that's an important element in building offensive lines.  There's a level of choreography they must establish together as a unit.  Andrew Thomas, Will Hernandez, Nick Gates, Matt Peart, and perhaps the return of Nate Solder at right tackle have time together.  As such, I expect them to collectively function more effectively.  

But can they protect Daniel Jones and create daylight for Saquon Barkley?  Can this offense consistently make first downs, sustain possession, and limit the defense's time on the field?

Is this offense up for the challenge?

All this remains to be seen.

My true opinion: mediocrity rules the day.

Denver has a good defense.  I think the Giants get blown out Sunday.  There, I said it, and it's up to the Giants to change my mind.  

This will be Dave Gettleman's fourth season.  Forget being an NFC contender.  The Giants aren't even the best of the rest, not with a 15-33 record over the last three seasons.

Patrick Graham is doing a good job on the other side of the ball.  Last season the defense was forced into playing too many minutes.  This season, it's up to the offense to pull their fair share of the load.  That being said, this general manager must go if his collective draft choices do not help elevate the Giants this season.  

Hopefully, head coach Joe Judge, who has my full support, can show them the way.

Lest we forget, Wellington Mara's five-year rebuilding plan took two decades.  His son is entering year ten.

 

N.Y. Giants: Dave Gettleman Facing Fourth And Long

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SEASON FINALE

Cowboys 19

Giants     23

FINAL

The Eagles play dead, Washington wins their final game of the regular season, and the Giants are out of the playoffs.  

This is what happens when you place your football fate in the hands of another team.

The Giants didn't deserve to make the playoffs.  Everything else is just noise to me.  You're either a legitimate playoff team, or you're not.  As Bill Parcells always used to say, "You are what your record says you are."  

That makes the Giants a sub-par team.

So long 2020 ...

Hello?

John Mara meddled way too much during Eli Manning's last seasons with the Giants, and they're still paying the price.  Let us not forget what Dave Gettleman inherited from Jerry Reese.  But it's becoming time that Gettleman starts owning this continuing futility.

John Mara wanted to rally around Eli Manning one last time.  So Gettleman signed Nate Solder to a ridiculous contract, then drafted Saquon Barkley and Will Hernandez with his first two selections as the Giants' general manager.  

Afterwhich, Gettleman spent three of his next five picks selecting defensive linemen (Lorenzo Carter, B.J. Hill, R.J. McIntosh).  We mustn't overlook the useless selection of quarterback Kyle Lauletta in the fourth round.  But Gettleman also began breaking down the defense by trading Snacks Harrison, Eli Apple, Olivier Vernon, et al., and eventually letting Landon Collins walk. This is what I call conflicting agendas.  

Selecting Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick was questionable in 2018 and remains so today.  To be clear, Barkley's talent is not in question.  The issue at the time was philosophical and more about the team's direction.  I contend Mara's meddling in 2018 compromised Gettleman's cap flexibility and put his drafting a full year behind schedule.  Not coincidentally, after Gettleman traded Odell Beckham Jr. and installed Daniel Jones at quarterback, the Giants' owner(s) have been silent ever since.

With regards to those selected in the 2018 draft, we anticipate a healthy return by Barkley.  Left guard Will Hernandez was originally sidelined by COVID but was clearly struggling beforehand and never did win back his starting job.  Third round supplemental pick defensive back Sam Beals is even lower on the depth charts.  Meanwhile, Lorenzo Carter spent the 2020 season on injured reserve.  Neither B.J. Hill nor R.J. McIntosh has achieved starter status in the Giants 3-4 scheme.  They play behind 2017 second-round pick Dalvin Tomlinson, trade acquisition Leonard Williams, and left end, Dexter Lawrence, selected in the first round of the 2019 draft.

Dexter Lawrence (think Odell Beckham Jr. trade) was the second of a trio of first-round selections for the Giants.  Of course, 2019's first pick was used to select Daniel Jones.  Cornerback Deandre Baker was Gettleman's third first-round selection but is no longer with the team (which deserves its own narrative). Without a number two pick, Oshane Ximines was drafted in the third round as a defensive end.  When that didn't work out, Ximines was moved to linebacker but wound up another casualty on the injured reserve list.  Julian Love and Darius Slayton are keepers, whereas Ryan Connerly and Corey Ballentine are both gone.  Lastly, seventh-round selections George Asafo-Adjel and (and yet another failed defensive lineman) Chris Slayton are nowhere to be found.

The 2020 draft was another mixed bag of goods.  Selecting three offensive linemen within the team's first five picks was impressive.  Andrew Thomas was the fourth overall selection of the draft.  His season was filled with both good times and bad, but I expect he'll improve.  Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux came on strong as the season progressed.  In fact, Lemieux's effective play kept Will Hernandez on the sidelines.  Gettleman, with his second and fourth picks, selected Xavier McKinney and Darnay Holmes.  Gettleman then drafted four linebackers with minimal impact.

I'm going to credit Dave Gettleman with ten draft hits in just under thirty attempts.  Keep in mind a player's best ability is his availability.  If a player is hurt, that player is probably not on my list.  Otherwise, the respective levels of success are debatable:

1. Saquon Barkley
2. Will Hernandez
3. Daniel Jones
4. Dexter Lawrence
5. Julian Love
6. Darius Slayton
7. Andrew Thomas
8. Xavier McKinney
9. Matt Peart
10. Shane Lemieux

One thing Gettleman cannot be criticized for is ignoring the offensive line.  You wanted hog mollies; you got hog mollies.  However, his draft selections at linebacker and defensive line have mostly been terrible.  His choices for the secondary have been hit or miss.  Insofar as the 2020 season, the 2018 draft proved largely inconsequential.  The 2019 draft at least yielded four starters.  If I'm not mistaken, Darius Slayton is Gettleman's lone wide receiver selection through three drafts.

The main takeaway from the Odell Beckham trade remains Dexter Lawrence.  While Jabrill Peppers has been more than serviceable, the aforementioned Oshane Ximines has not.

The upside to acquiring Leonard Williams from the Jets now rests in Gettleman's hands.  To pay him, or not, is the question.  Williams, at 26-years old, enjoyed a career season with the Giants.  In twelve starts and sixteen games, he set career highs with 11.5 sacks and 30 QBhits.  His 29 solo and 28 assisted tackles were his most since (2016) his second year in the league.  Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson are both headed towards free agency.  It's hard to imagine the Giants signing both.  And so, we cycle back to the draft and Gettleman's generally poor history of drafting defensive linemen.

After the 2021 season, the office of general manager will likely need revisiting anyway.  First and foremost, Gettleman's age and well being must be taken into consideration.  But for as long as he feels up for the task, then the Giants are 15-33 (.312) during his tenure.  

Isn't it odd how his win percentage and his rate of draft hits are alarmingly similar?

His next draft will be his fourth as general manager of the Giants.

N.Y. Giants: Danny Dimes Dinged, Dented, and Down in the Dumps

From the desk:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SOPHOMORE JINX OR JUST PLAIN BAD

Make that two inexplicable performances; this game and their 36-9 loss earlier this season against the Niners; a pair of games wherein the Giants looked completely out of sorts.  

There is no sugar-coating Sunday's performance.  The offensive line was terrible; Daniel Jones was terrible; the receivers were terrible.  Everyone involved on the offensive side of the ball, coach Garrett included, were terrible.  It's not like the Giants were opposed by the Steel Curtain.  Instead, the Giants' level of ineptness was the story of the day.  The offensive line surrendered a season-high eight sacks for a loss of 64 yards and another eleven QH hits for good luck.  Some of it was their fault; some of it the quarterback's fault.  The main point is three different Cardinals' linebackers accounted for all eight solo QB sacks.  Which is to say, across the board, Giants lineman and the backfield failed at their assignments and secondary assists.  Andrew Thomas endured an awful day, easily his worst game to date.  However, it would be wrong to single him out.  This was a system-wide failure, a short circuit they need to troubleshoot and clear by next week.

Or so we hope ... 

Entering Sunday's game, I suspected Daniel Jones' compromised hamstring would at least provide a test of his pocket passing abilities, and the results are in.  His internal clock clearly remains on snooze.  He was sacked six times.  Not only did Arizona sack Jones from his blindside, but they sacked him from his front side as well.  It seemed to make no difference as both tactics caught Jones in the same clueless state of mind.  When not being driven into the ground, Jones attempted a season-low 21 passes resulting in a season-low eleven completions.  His 127 passing yards mark his second-lowest output of the season.  Jones also fumbled three more times, twice resulting in turnovers.  On one occasion, he fumbled without so much as being touched (very reminiscent of being tackled from behind by the invisible man).

Truth be told, Daniel Jones has demonstrated the least improvement this season.  Last season he threw for 3,027 yards in twelve starts (and one relief appearance).  Five times he eclipsed 300 yards passing and closed out the season with two such games in a row.  This season he has so far failed to throw for 300 yards through the same number of games.  His 2,462 yards passing are 565 yards shy of last year's total with just three games left in the season.  He would need to average 188 yards per game to merely match last year's output.  Meanwhile, he has so far averaged 205 yards per game but failed to eclipse at least 200 yards passing in five of twelve games.

In the absence of any real improvement or progression to speak of, sophomore QB Daniel Jones, perhaps more than any player on the team, needed this last quarter-season to validate his claim as the starter and prove he is not in regression.  But he entered Sunday's game with a barking (right) hamstring, and now word comes down he is experiencing an extremely sore left ankle.  What is a beleaguered quarterback, head coach, and general manager to do?  

If nothing else, luck appears to be on Daniel Jones' side.  He'll be playing feeling less than 100%, but it's improbable Dave Gettleman selects another quarterback in next year's draft.

Therefore, Jones has three more games left to steer this narrative in a more positive direction.

N.Y. Giants: Big Blue Goes Old School in Upset Over Seattle

From the desk:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Week Thirteen

Giants        17

Seahawks  12

FINAL

S   M   A   S   H   ~  M   O   U   T   H

Many fans last season questioned Dave Gettleman's sanity when he packaged the Giants' 2020 third-round pick and 2021 fifth-round pick in exchange for Jets defensive end Leonard Williams who was in the final year of his rookie contract and considered by some an underachiever.  In four and one-half years with the Jets, Williams averaged 26.8 solo tackles and 3.7 sacks per season.  He played eight games last season for the Giants, registering just one-half sack.  No deal was reached in the off-season, but Gettleman franchised him as a defensive tackle, which this season guarantees Williams slightly over $16 million.  The matter of a contract extension remains open.  Leonard has now played in twenty games for the Giants, which equates to one and one-quarter season.  If we prorate his performance, he is averaging 36 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks per season.  That speaks to a 26-year old player on the rise.  On Sunday against the Seahawks, he registered 2.5 sacks, which tied and breaks his single-season high of seven sacks set in his sophomore (2016) season with four games still left on the schedule.

The Giants sacked potential MVP candidate Russell Wilson five times and applied another ten hits for good measure.  Otherwise, Russell was 27 of 43 (62%) for 263 yards with one touchdown.  Rookie cornerback Darney Holmes (fourth-round selection) intercepted Russell early in the fourth quarter, which at the time helped protect a 14-5 lead.  DJ Metcalf topped out at 80 yards, and aside from Wilson's 45 yards on the ground, the Seahawks' backfield was held to just 66 yards rushing.  If you take away Seattle's defensive safety late in the first half, the Giants' defense held the Seahawks to just ten points.  Twelve total points still rate as Seattle's lowest output to date, even with the safety.

Eleven seconds are all that separated the Giants from the Seahawks insofar as time of possession.  That's a big deal considering Seattle had 15 more plays from scrimmage.  The Giants had Colt McCoy throw 22 times and elected to rush 29 times (QB scrambles not included).  Wayne Gallman rushed 16 times for 136 yards, and Alfred Morris rushed eight times for 39 yards.  The Giants grossed 190 yards on the ground, and therein lies the importance of a running game and clock control.

Colt McCoy was 13 of 22 for 105 yards with a touchdown (to Alfred Morris) and one interception.  Let's assume a healthy Daniel Jones performs better, which further advances the point.  With a superior running game - two tight ends and fullbacks and actual blocking receivers - the quarterback must merely manage the game (and himself).  It's not outdated.  If I'm bigger and stronger than you with superior cardio, and you can't stop me, then what is so antiquated about that?

First game ball goes to defensive coordinator Patrick Graham; the second goes to Wayne Gallman.

S   M   A   S   H   ~   M   O   U   T   H

N.Y. Giants: Daniel Jones Remains the Outstanding Problem

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK EIGHT

Bucs      25

Giants   23

FINAL

Eight Weeks Left For Daniel Jones To Rewrite His History

Once again, the Giants put themselves in a position to win.  Some would argue they are thwarted by a controversial non-pass interference call with 0:28 left in the game.  If they successfully execute a two-point conversion, the game is tied.  There's certainly something to that. 

Instead, the Giants fall to their seventh loss of the season.  That's the true reality of the situation.  But I'm not down.  After all, this is a rebuilding team, right?  

Despite their unsightly record, I see improvement.  Under Coach Graham, while bereft of linebackers not named Blake Martinez, the defense starts the season well and has only gotten better.  Special teams are fundamentally sound, and in the absence of Saquon Barkley, the running game, albeit padded by Daniel Jones, has rushed for 100+ yards in four of the last five games.  

However, pass protection still leaves much to be desired.  Tampa Bay sacks Jones three times and inflict another eleven QB hits for good luck.  The Hog Mollies this season have allowed the eighth-most sacks, yielding 2.9 per game.  

Left tackle Andrew Thomas is having a rough go in his rookie season, while left guard Will Hernandez was already playing below his own standard before being sidelined by COVID.  

But make no mistake.  Daniel Jones remains an outstanding problem on offense.  The longer it takes for him to set his internal alarm clock, the more he'll continue getting his bell rung by opposing pass rushers.  Jones has now been sacked 51 times in his last 16 games.  

With two more interceptions against the Buccaneers, Daniel Jones now has 35 turnovers through his first 20 career starts.  He is up to 13 turnovers this season through eight games.  Jones gallantly went toe to toe with Tom Brady, but ultimately shot himself in the foot, again.  The first interception is completely avoidable and an otherwise inferior decision by an NFL quarterback.  The second interception takes the Giants out of field goal range - failure to seize the moment. 

Time is indeed ticking.  Eight games remain in the regular season.  Said another way, eight games left before the next NFL Draft.  That's eight games left for Daniel Jones to prove himself worthy of the starting job.  This isn't the first time Jones put the Giants in a position to win only to flip the switch and self-destruct.  Time to prove himself is growing short.  Looking back is no help ... not with 20 fumbles in his last 16 games.  That certainly doesn't speak very well.  Nor does the fact that he is yet to throw for 300 yards this season.  

Today's NFL is a pass/fail condition.  That's just the lay of the land.  Alas, he has the next eight games to finally impress people and change some minds.  For the moment, Daniel Jones is a defective item more than a valued good.  Twenty starts worth of product testing have thus far revealed a lack of pocket presence, latent situational instincts, and poor decision making .. to say the least.

Thirty-two quarters of regulation football remain.  The more games Danny Dimes wins, the farther down the Giants fall in the draft order.  He is effectively his own anti-tank weapon against Dave Gettleman.  With no shot at (Clemson) Trevor Lawrence, it's more likely Daniel Jones remains safely at quarterback.

But can he win over the naysayers ...

N.Y. Giants: The Thrill of Victory Number One

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

JOE JUDGE WINS FIRST GAME AS HEAD COACH

WEEK SIX

No Name    19

Giants        20

FINAL

GIANTS OFFENSE STILL SPUTTERING

Joe Judge in his sixth try finally earns his first win as head coach of the New York Giants.  

It wasn't pretty by any stretch.  In the closing moments the defense steps up to thwart Washington's last ditch two point conversion attempt.  Big Blue comes away with a 20-19 victory at empty MetLife Stadium.  Aesthetics aside, a win is a win is a win.

Congratulations to Coach Judge. 

I like his demeanor and his message and he has my support.  I'm far more agreeable with Judge at the helm than I was with Pat Shurmur and especially Ben McAdoo at the controls.  Otherwise, I will give Judge his grade at the end of the season and not until then.

In the meantime, the team's 1-5 record more than anyone else is most reflective of Dave Gettleman and the talent he has so far assembled.  Therefore my attention remains on the general manager and next year's batch of draft selections.  That being said, the performance of Daniel Jones will go a long way towards swaying Gettleman's decision making.

On Sunday Danny Dimes once again falls a few pennies short of cashing in.  His performance is a tale of two halves.  He is good in the first half, not so good in the second, particularly down the stretch.  That's been a problem throughout the season.  Dreams of the quarterback and offensive line progressing together, in sync, are given a glimmer of hope when in the second quarter Daniel Jones throws his first touchdown pass since the opening week against Pittsburgh.  Looking to build upon a 13-10 lead in the closing minute of the third quarter, the Giants are positioned first and goal at the Washington seven.  Jones fires towards the back of the end zone as if to throw it away and is instead picked off.  The Washington No Names then go on a 14 play drive which stalls but nevertheless results in the game tying field goal.

Jones completes 12 fo 19 attempts for 112 yards, with one touchdown and the one interception.  It is Daniel's sixth INT of the season and the 18th of his career.  He has now turned the ball over by INT or fumble in 17 of 18 pro starts.  Add in 22 career fumbles due to pass pressure and when rushing and you have forty gross turnovers.

This also marks the third time in six games Daniel Jones has failed to achieve at least 200 yards passing.  He has yet this season to throw for 300 yards.  His best two games to date were the first two games when he throws for 279 yards against the Steelers, then throws for 241 yards against the Bears.  Since then he's been averaging just 18 completions and a sub par 175 yards per game.  In twelve starts last season he posted five games of 300+ yards passing.

Up front, the hog mollies limit a disruptive Washington pass rush to a lone sack and just five other QB hits.  That's improvement.  But there's a twist.  Rookies Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart share near equal time at left tackle.  We later learn Thomas was being disciplined for violating team rules.  Neither one allows a sack.

The Giants technically rushed for 132 yards, marking their second highest output through six games.  However, I do not include Daniel Jones who this time runs for 74 yards on seven carries.  Thus, Devonta Freeman is responsible for the entire Giants running attack, gaining 61 yards on 18 carries.  The Giants run left five times for 34 yards behind Thomas, Peart, and Will Hernandez.  They net one yard on two attempts up the middle.  Eleven times they rushed right for 26 net yards behind Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming.  Said another way, they averaged 6.8 yards rushing left and only 2.3 yards rushing right.

After amassing exactly 300 total yards for the first time last week against Dallas, the Giants offense only manages 240 total yards against Washington.  They're averaging just 275 yards of offense per game.

With the defense accounting for one touchdown, the offense manages just 13 points.  They've scored just six touchdowns through six games and are averaging just 17.5 points per game.  The good news is they've now gone back to back weeks scoring 20 points or more. 

Meanwhile, the less I speak about the defense the better they play.  Carry on, fellas.

N.Y. Giants: Daniel Jones Fails to Sieze the Moment

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

FAILURE TO TRANSITION

WEEK FIVE

Giants        34

Cowboys    37

FINAL

The Giants Are In The Worst Shape They've Been Since Before Ray Perkins Was Head Coach

I'm not sure whether my lack of anger over the Giants 0-5 start stems from apathy or empathy or both.

History, if nothing else, lends context to the Giants present condition.  General manager George Young begins transitioning and trading players after winning Super Bowls XXI and XXV.  After one last playoff appearance in 1993 under head coach Dan Reeves the rebuilding begins in earnest.  Before stepping down and handing over the reigns to Ernie Accorsi, Young hires Jim Fassel as head coach and the Giants win the division.  That's four years between playoff games and their second post-season of the 90's.  By 2000 the Giants are back in the Super Bowl, ten years after XXV.  Ernie Accorsi gets back to work and the Giants make the playoffs again in 2002.  After which Accorsi during the 2004 NFL Draft trades for Eli Manning.  The team bides its time while Manning matures.  Then finally the Giants win Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.  But in the ensuing years the organization effectively ruins the latter part of Eli's career.  Jerry Reese, who's drafting is wholly ineffective, leaves the organization in shambles.  In comes Dave Gettleman who is initially hampered by John Mara's uncompromising devotion to Eli.  However, the big picture still remains: it's been nine years since their last Super Bowl with only one playoff appearance in what has been a near decade of folly.  The Giants are now 9-28 under Dave Gettleman and have yet to win a game this season.  Said another way, the Giants are in the worst shape they've been since before Ray Perkins was head coach.

Phil Simms was drafted in 1979 when I was twelve years old.  It wasn't easy transitioning away from the quarterback I had just watched for the last fifteen years of my life.  I assure you, Dave Brown was worse than Daniel Jones.  Ironically, the common denominator between the two is Duke University - not exactly known as a manufacturer of quarterbacks.  Then again, neither was Morehead State. 

I'm always upset when the Giants lose to Dallas.  But I'm sticking to the premise this is a rebuilding football team.  

This is a completely different offensive line from just four years ago.  Wayne Gallman and Devonta Freeman are proving what I say: if the hog mollies create daylight the backfield will get through for positive yardage.  On Sunday they collectively put forth their second consecutive respectable effort.  The two joined on 22 rushes for 84 yards.  Last week against the Rams they grossed 78 yards on 17 rushes.  That's a two week average of 19.5 rushes for 81 average yards which is a world of difference when compared to backfield production over the first three games.  This is a big reason why the Giants were able to possess the ball for 32:22 minutes.  Last week they held the ball for 33:18 minutes.  It's no coincidence the only two games in which they've run somewhat effectively are the only times they've won the battle of the clock.

Meanwhile, sacks were limited to a pair, but there were ten other QB hits inflicted by the Cowboys.  No improvement here.  The Giants remain 30th in average sack allowed per game.

Darius Slayton has the game I've been hoping for.  I believe we may have a keeper in him.  He catches eight passes for 124 yards.

The offense as a whole produces its first 300 yard game of the season.  They previously surpassed 290 yards in three of four games and are now averaging 282 yards of offense per game.  

They were also limited to just 47 total points over the first four games.  Against Dallas the Giants finally breach 20 points en route to a 34 point day.

There are indeed quite a number of positives that can be extracted from these last two games.  However, the play of Daniel Jones is not one of them.  Several times now this season he has been in various positions to single-handed change the outcome of games, but continues coming up short.  In the two games this season in which the opposition is ravaged by injury, Jones turns in his two worst performances.  No interceptions against Dallas but a lost fumble is his 32nd career turnover in 17 starts.  He is yet this season to throw for 300 yards and still has not to thrown a touchdown pass since Week One against Pittsburgh.

Even Jason Garrett has a better game.

N.Y. Giants: First Quarter Report Card

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

BACK TO THE LAB

It's time for first quarter report cards.  

After four games (0-4) we have a mixed bag of goods: a rookie head coach with a representative defense and an all-time bad offense.  The Giants only saving grace is their classification as a rebuilding team.  Yet despite a win somehow they're still in contention in a pitiful NFC Least. 

OFFENSE: F

The offense clearly gets a failing grade as the least scoring unit in the NFL.  The Giants are averaging just 11.8 points per game and have been limited to just three touchdowns through four games (two passing, one rushing).  They presently own the sixth worse passing attack and the league's second worse running game.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: D-

Jason Garrett is signal calling the most unimaginative offense in all the NFL.  I'm not quite sure what his aspirations are for this unit, but he's not nearly creative enough much less aggressive enough to inspire even a moment of second thought by an opposing defense.  Running schemes are basic and thus too predictable.  Granted he has limited tools to work with.  However, in no way is he trying to coach within the limits of his talents and making the most of what they do best.  Instead I see a failed head coach trying to force fit a system that accomplishes nothing of the kind.  Against the Rams his offense finally displays mild hints of complexity to no avail.  I'm also not so sure why he's targeting Damian Ratley on the final offensive play against the Rams.  Constant red zone futility falls squarely on the coach.

OFFENSIVE LINE: F

After four games I'm pleased to say center Nick Gates is presently the Giants best offensive lineman.  He is learning fast and displaying steady improvement.  His tenacity is so far unmatched.  At guard Will Hernandez is either struggling while being sandwiched between the inexperience of Gates and Andrew Thomas, or he's just struggling in his third season.  Otherwise, I have no outstanding issues with Kevin Zeitler.  The aforementioned rookie Andrew Thomas is having his ups and downs which are to be expected, but veteran Cam Fleming seems to be having a tough go of it on the right side.  Matt Peart is receiving a little playing time at Fleming's expense.  As previously noted, this offensive line has so far created the second least amount of daylight.  Against the Rams they finally turn in their first respectable running performance.  With regards to pass protection, they've allowed 14 sacks, which translate into third most average sacks allowed per game. 

BACK FIELD: D+

Losing Saquon Barkley is no doubt a huge loss.  But if the offensive line is creating enough daylight I should be able to push a mailbox through for a yard.  Moving forward the onus is on Wayne Gallman and Devonte Freeman to carry the load.  Dion Lewis is here to let them catch their breath.  Daniel Jones leads the team with 137 yards rushing.  That must change!  Sunday's performance against the Rams, for now, appears promising.

RECEIVERS: F

The fact that I'm leading with Evan Engram is disturbing to me, because I do not view him as a tight end.  He leads the team with 17 receptions for 131 yards and the Giants have no choice but to throw to him more.  So far Darius Slayton and Daniel Jones are the connection that isn't: 15 receptions for only 236 yards.  Golden Tate is the only other receiver with double digit receptions: 14 catches for 103 yards.  The Giants top receiver Sterling Shepard has missed two of four games.  All of the aforementioned receivers, including Damion Ratley, have been abysmally negligent on run blocking.

QUARTERBACK: F

Daniel Jones has now started 16 games (3-13) at quarterback.  He is 375 for 608 (61.7%) for 3,916 yards with 26 touchdowns and 31 turnovers (17 interceptions, 14 fumbles).  He hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since Week One and has yet this season to surpass 300 yards passing.  Last season he posted five 300-yard games in twelve starts.

DEFENSE: B

The defense (three out of four games) has been a pleasant surprise.  Their lone letdown remains the Niners game.  Otherwise, this side of the ball has provided all the reasons to cheer for Giants football.  They've yielded the sixth least yards in football, but fall to 14th in total points allowed.  They are 13th in average points allowed (24.0) and that's not a bad spot to be.  Nineteen other teams can't say that.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: B

When no one is talking about you, odds are it's because you're not screwing up.  Patrick Graham has quietly guided a young and gamely group of defenders who in turn appear to be responding to their coach.  Graham preaches pressure and the defense so far has ten sacks and 24 other QB hits.  Meanwhile, the Giants have caused four turnovers in four games.

FRONT SEVEN: B

The Giants have allowed the eleventh least yards on the ground.  Linebacker Blake Martinez far and away leads the team with 26 solo and 46 assisted tackles.  That's a good thing.  The Giants have good spread which means opponents have yet to fully exploit the secondary.  The difference in solo tackles between defensive end Dexter Lawrence and left cornerback James Bradbury is one.  Linebackers Lorenzo Carter and Kyler Fackrell and nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson have the same amount of combined tackles (42) as safeties Logan Ryan and Julian Love.  The Giants are tenth with 2.7 sacks per game.  Leonard Williams, criticized for his lack of pressure while with the Jets, leads the team with two sacks and four other QB harassment cases.  Second year Dexter Lawrence, who last year registered just 2.5 sacks, so far has one sack and three other QB hits.

SECONDARY: B-

The Giants have allowed the eighth least yards in the air.  James Bradbury has started all four games and therefore has defended the most passes.  He is fourth on the team with 13 solo tackles and has one of two Giants interceptions.  Third year Isaac Yiadom, second year Corey Ballentine and rookie Darney Holmes all have started at least one game each as the battle for right starting cornerback continues.  Safety Jabrill Peppers hurt his ankle against the Niners.  In fact, this whole unit was completely undone by the Niners.  Julian Love has the other Giants interception and is second on the team with 17 solo tackles.  Logan Ryan is third with 16 solo tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B+

Not much going on here.  No touchdowns in either direction.  Decent returns on kicks and punts.  Clean snaps, no fumbles, no problems.  Kicker Graham Gano is 9 for 10, his lone field goal miss came from beyond 50-yards out.  Otherwise, through four games Gano has attempted just two extra points (see offense)!  Riley Dixon is averaging a standard 45.5 net yards per punt.

HEAD COACH: Incomplete

I'm copacetic with the Joe Judge hire and I'm not going to grade him based on four games.  We know what Joe Judge is working with.  One side of the ball might be overachieving and the other side we know is woefully underachieving.  That said, we also know Dave Gettleman still has much work to do.

GENERAL MANAGER: C-

For as long as Eli Manning remained in the building, John Mara was going to meddle in the affairs of general manager Dave Gettleman.  Now with Eli out of the way, Gettleman is back in the business of team building - or so we hope.  

Hope ...

The hope moving forward is he has the right head coach in place and that his draft selections mature into quality starters.

Saquon Barkley is no doubt a star talent.  But he'll long remain a controversial pick in local circles.  Barkley was Gettleman's first ever selection as general manager of the Giants.  Not exactly the smartest move if you're rebuilding, which John Mara clearly was not.  Gettleman's second selection of the 2018 draft was guard Will Hernandez - a solid addition to a sorely needing offensive line.  Linebacker Lorenzo Carter was also drafted in 2018 but under the pretense of a defensive lineman and defensive tackle B.J. Hill is still around contributing little.

Last year's first round draft pick was used to select Daniel Jones.  Dexter Lawrence, Darius Slayton, Julian Love and to a lesser extent Corey Ballentine are also present day contributors.  Whereas first round selection Deandre Baker turned into an outstanding mistake on Gettleman's part.  The general manager is also whiffing on his second straight attempt at a defensive end wherein the third round he selected Oshane Ximines whom presently remains an inconsequential figure loitering the sidelines.  Gettleman this year devotes no high picks towards the offensive line.

This year Gettleman with his first pick selects tackle Andrew Thomas.  Second on his list was safety  Xavier McKinney who is presently out with a broken foot.  Tackle Matt Peart is now seeing playing time at Cam Fleming's expense.  Taken in the fourth round, cornerback Darney Holmes is receiving limited playing time.  Selected in the fifth round, guard Shane Lemieux has been a part of just one snap, last week against the Rams.

The Giants are now 9-27 under Dave Gettleman's watch.  Daniel Jones remains a huge question mark on his resume.  Simply put, the Giants need more and better quality players from the draft.

N.Y. Giants: Young Offensive Core Falling Into Place

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

vs.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Dare I say this season the offense appears capable of generating some excitement.  Health and development will go a long way.  Lest we forget this is still a work in progress.  But key pieces continue being put into place.  Dave Gettleman has so far conducted three drafts in which he's assembled a young core featuring Saquon Barkely, Daniel Jones, Darius Slayton, Will Hernandez and hopefully Thomas Andrews joins the list.  

And so the rebuilding continues .. 

THE HOG MOLLIES

Andrew Thomas   Will Hernandez   Nick Gates   Kevin Zeitler   Cam Fleming

Everything starts at center.  Nick Gates will be making his first NFL start at the position after playing all of last season at guard.  He was hurt two seasons ago, making this his second full season with the Giants.  Much of my attention on Monday night will be focused on him.  The center is the play caller for the offensive line and he's going up against a Steelers defensive line that needs little help getting to the quarterback.  That means Daniel Jones will be throwing into a crowded field.  It'll be up to Gates to make sure he and the line keep Jones standing upright.

Luckily Gates will be sandwiched between two very solid guards.  To the left of center will be Will Hernandez.  He's been a fine addition to the line since being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft.  He's started every game since.  Right of center will be Kevin Zeitler, acquired last March from the Browns (as part of the Odell Beckham trade).  In 2017 the Browns made him the NFL's highest paid right guard.  Last season Zeitler demonstrated reasons why.  The line was improved immediately upon his arrival and he now makes for a great on-field coach next to Nick Gates.

The more troublesome issues exist at tackle.  Nat Solder back in July opted out of the upcoming regular season over family and personal health concerns.  This means first round draft selection Andrew Thomas gets thrown into the fire.  Drafted out of Georgia, the 21-year old (6'5" 315 pounds) is being charged with protecting Daniel Jones' blind side, on Monday Night Football, in front of a national audience, against a ferocious Steelers front seven.  At right tackle Mike Remmers is out.  In his place is free agent acquisition Cameron Fleming.  The 28-year old six year veteran sports a nice resume: six years in the league, two Super Bowl titles in four years with the Patriots, and two seasons with Dallas.  He arrives with an ally in offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Daniel Jones enters his sophomore season and his first full season under center.  In taking the baton from Eli Manning he appears in thirteen games and makes twelve starts as a rookie, throwing 284/459 for 3,027 yards with 24 touchdowns and twelve interceptions.  An otherwise fine debut if it wasn't for 18 fumbles!  If nothing else, Jones needs to rectify that with haste.  Thirty turnovers are way too high, but they're within his control.  Better ball security - that number must absolutely come down.

If the offensive line provides enough time, Daniel Jones starts the season with a full complement of receivers at his disposal.  Evan Engram returns after making just eight appearances and six starts last season.  He rejoins Sterling Shepard and second year favorite Darius Slayton and Golden Tate, if and when available.  Slayton won over many fans last season with 48 receptions and 740 yards in fourteen games and just nine starts.

The star of the offense is obviously Saquon Barkley.  In 29 career games he has thus generated 3,469 total yards from scrimmage.  He is selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie with over 1,300 yards rushing and over 700 yards receiving.  Last season Saquon missed three games but still rushed for 1,003 yards and caught 52 passes for another 438 yards giving him a net of 1,441 yards for the season.

All this is being put in the hands of new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Very interesting ...

N.Y. Giants: Novice Nick Gates is Latest Center of the Day

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

IN SEARCH OF THE ELUSIVE

 ALPHA HOGMOLLIE

The New York Giants Latest Attempt at Center: Guard Nick Gates

It's ponderous to me how such an integral, physical, cerebral, technical position as center warrants so little consideration.  There's always some stop gap measure available to fill the slot, never a premiere talent.  Smart teams know better and reap the benefits, others not so much.  The Giants are grouped in with the latter and it drives me nuts.  I'm not just talking about Dave Gettlemen either.

The Colts recently made Ryan Kelly the highest paid center in the NFL.  Why do you think the Steelers locked up Maurkice Pouncey long term?  Remember in SB51 how the Falcons crumbled in the second half against the Patriots?  All that transpired after center Alex Mack sustained a broken leg late in the second quarter.  Atlanta's running game vanished from sight, pass protection was compromised and Matt Ryan came under attack.  Not even Bill Belichick can defend against a great center.  Ask him ... I'll wait .......  The Falcons ability to sustain first downs was completely wiped out all due to losing Alex Mack.  Just a few first downs, two first downs, one more first down, and the Patriots do not win.  A formidable New York Jets running game among other things withered away once Nick Mangold hung up his uniform.  Ask Tom Brady what he thought of Dan Koppen.

I can go on because I believe center is the fifth most important position on the field.  It's a multifaceted position.  No one touches the ball more.  Every play starts with them.  They're in charge of an entire unit - the offensive line.  On each and every play they must analyze and adapt to what is being presented before them, then disseminate this information and insure the line operates in unison.  In that regard, centers are not allowed to be wrong, unlike, say, a receiver running a wrong route or a running back rushing the wrong gap.  For as long as the line is operating as one, defective and broken plays can be altered and even saved.  Otherwise, a center needs to be correct with each and every call, be it pass protection or run blocking.  Defensive linemen will also tell you the shortest path to the quarterback goes through center.  They must identify the blitz despite being entangled with a nose tackle.  Thus centers work with quarterbacks and even help call audibles and influence play calling.  They must know a quarterback's snap count like his heartbeat.  How come you rarely ever see a center jump off-sides?  Because they're smart and disciplined, and they have the damn ball!

Show me a legitimate Super Bowl contender and/or winner and I promise you in most instances there is a Pro-Bowl quality center nearby.  This a not a foreign notion to the Giants.  Bart Oates was a five time Pro-Bowl center and member of the Super Bowl XXI and XXV champions.

In 2000, Dusty Ziegler is imported from Buffalo as the upgrade over Derek Engler and Brian Williams.  No Pro-Bowls, no Super Bowl victory either, just good enough for an NFC title.

In 2004 Shaun O'Hara is brought in to solidify the middle of the line.  It becomes a dominant offensive line that would set a record for most consecutive starts together.  O'Hara is a three time Pro-Bowler and center for the XLII Super Bowl champions.

George Young .. Bart Oates .. strong running game .. Lombardi trophies.
Ernie Accorsi ..  Shaun O'Hara .. strong running game .. Lombardi trophy.

Before the 2011 season O'Hara is cut and replaced with former San Francisco Niner David Baas.  He is decent but a noticeable downgrade.  Fortunately he is playing alongside four line mates chasing down a second Super Bowl trophy.  Any David Baas deficiencies where covered up by them.  He was never a Pro-Bowl quality center and was fortunate to win a Super Bowl (with the Giants).

Nick Gates is young, tenacious, willing and able.  Alas he is not a center.  Gates is a guard who will start the season at center.  This will be his second active season with the Giants.  He appeared in all sixteen games last season, but all at guard.  Which is to say this will be his first regular season experience at the new position.  He is 6'6", 318 lbs., out of Nebraska.  If I'm stereotyping line men, well then he fits the traditional description.  But can a novice master the responsibilities of playing center and still develop effective technique.  This very transition has overwhelmed many linemen in the past.  Center is a unique and demanding endeavor requiring a measure of leadership skills as well.

Gates replaces Spencer Pulley as the starting center.  However, both will man the position.  Pulley was the one who replaced Jon Halapio who couldn't stay on the field due to injuries.  Halapio was drafted in 2014 by the Patriots, but did not play his first NFL game until joining the Giants in 2016.  For you locals, Halapio in 2015 played for the Brooklyn Bolts at Coney Island prior to his arrival at MetLife Stadium.  What the heck does that tell you?

Fuhggeddaboudit..!!

The position of center has been problematic ever since the team and Shaun O'Hara parted ways.  That's on Jerry Reese and Dave Gettleman, who still doesn't seem to care.

But, hey, I hope Nick Gates wins the day.

N.Y. Giants: Head Coach Joe Judge is Now in Session

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

F-Bombs and First Downs, The Joe Judge Era Begins

The broader the view, the more Big Blue you see ...

Ray Perkins was a disciplinarian.  Hired in 1979, he gets the Giants back into the post-season in 1981 for the first time in eighteen years.

Bill Parcells follows.  He is also a disciplinarian and leads the Giants to Super Bowl victories in 1986 and 1990 and very well should have won another in 1989 were it not for Flipper Anderson.

I digress...

After realizing their mistake in handing over the reins to Ray Handley, George Young one day picks up his phone.  Hello?  Hey George, it me Dan Reeves, how bout giving me a crack at the Giants?  Okay you're hired.  To his credit, Dan Reeves in 1993 squeezes the last bit of goodness out of Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Rodney Hampton and the smash mouth era with one last playoff push and victory over the Vikings.  Dan Reeves wasn't one to take much crap either.  He was a serious guy and remained instrumental over the next two seasons whilst George Young went about restocking talent.  It was Reeves who switched Michael Strahan from right to left defensive end.  Strahan was of course resistant at first, but the rest is football history.

Once the team is rebuilt to a satisfactory level, George Young tells Dan Reeves thank you and hires Jim Fassell who is nowhere near the disciplinarian his predecessors were.  It's actually an odd hire.  However, he benefits from good coordinators.  Fassell connects with his players and together they turn the Giants into a viable contender again.  In 1998, new general manager Ernie Accorsi picks up where retiring executive George Young leaves off.  Fassell marches forward to capture an NFC title and gets the Giants back into the Super Bowl.  But an underwhelming performance against the Baltimore Ravens is the line a demarcation.  For the fun stops there.  The Giants unyielding recklessness, undisciplined play and mounting losses, some ponderous, ultimately costs Fassell his job.

Ernie Accorsi reverts back to disciplinarian with the appointment of Tom Coughlin.  Two Super Bowls later new general manager Jerry Reese, unlike George Young, fails to draft well and rebuild the Giants (offensive line) in a timely manner.  In turn the Giants spend the last decade mired with futility, reactive faulty reasoning, bad cap economics, successive poor coaching hires, scapegoating, Mara's micromanagement and a mountain of losses.  The Giants are 55-77 since winning Super Bowl XLVI and have posted double-digit losses in five of the last six seasons.  That's a lot of stimulus for repeatedly making bad decisions.  The teams constructed by Jerry Reese during the latter years of Eli Manning's career were nothing short of a disservice to his legacy.  Matters compound when Gettlemen is derailed by Mara's insistence to win now while Eli is still under contract.  If sometimes Gettleman seemed in control of the situation and other times he seemed absolutely clueless, this is why.  It's part of being the front man.  Jerry Reese's hiring of Ben McAdoo and Gettleman's hiring of Pat Shurmur were specifically selected with Eli in mind.  Mara's fingerprints have since been uncovered everywhere.  Disciplinarians?  Don't make me laugh.

Years of giving it one more go for the Gipper are finally over.  With Eli Manning out of the picture, this finally becomes Dave Gettleman's team, albeit two years too late.  Take that with a grain of salt.  But he no longer must fret the owner derailing his best laid plans.  In fact, he moves forward with a new head coach and a quarterback and running back in place, and a first round offensive lineman selection that hints at the course Gettleman is setting.  Both sides of the ball are also collectively very young.  I'm not one to declare fresh starts for peace sake, but in Gettleman's case and the Giants present condition it may be warranted.

Hopefully Joe Judge brings law and order to the Giants.  They've clearly reverted back to hiring a disciplinarian.  The question is will players buy in?  Off the top of my head I say yes.  This is a very young team throughout the lineup, all seeking to establish themselves same as their rookie head coach.  There's every reason for them to come together as one.  It's called camaraderie on a rebuilding club.  But if you're a rookie coach looking to bully your way through the bingo parlor, you better know what you're doing.  If we've learned anything about him so far, it's that he's an F-bomber.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Lest we forget how winning trumps all.

Joe Judge was part of three New England Patriots Super Bowls.  But if his resume seems a little shy of experience, that's because it is.  His NFL career consists of eight years, all with the Patriots, as special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach.  That's it, and he's only 38-years old.

Once upon a time Tom Coughlin was a wide receivers coach with the Giants when Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick still ran the room.  Difference is he would go on to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to back-to-back AFC title games prior to becoming head coach of the Giants.  Once upon a time Bill Belichick also started out as a special teams and wide receivers coach prior to his employment with the Giants.

Apparently Joe Judge has Bill Belichick's blessings.  That was not the case when Eric Mangini left the Patriots Trust to accept the New York Jets head coaching position.  He meets my approval as well.

Judge is going to be tough and structured, or so he thinks.  But I do believe he will be better than Ben McAdoo and Pat Shurmur put together.

So, let's be hopeful.

Improvement speaks louder than f-bombs.

Just saying ...

N.Y. Giants: Someone Must Answer For Sunday's Big Blue Bust

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

THREE YARDS RUSHING

WEEK TEN

Giants   27

Jets       34

FINAL

No sense in picking on the defense.  Like Sunday's loss, it's a shameful situation.  We knew this heading into the season.  But where Dave Gettleman did pay particular attention this past off-season was in the offensive line.  With three of his starting hog mollies missing from action, the Giants run game gets shrouded in green darkness Sunday afternoon against the Jets.  Center Jon Halapio, and tackles Nate Solder and Mike Remmers, are all out with injuries.  That manifests in six quarterback sacks, ten other QB hits, and just three rushing yards all game.

• I say it all the time ... show me a Super Bowl contender and I'll show you an all-pro caliber center.  After missing most all of last season Jon Halapio (a converted center) is hurt again, making this the third straight season he's been forced off the field due to injury.

Behind a compromised offensive line Saquon Barkley rushes 13 times for one yard.  Wayne Gallman rushes one time for two yards.  The offensive line's physical condition and Sunday's performance by the backups are indeed contributing factors in Sunday's dismal rushing display, but the extent of Barkley's lingering injury (real or otherwise) is another matter.  For if Saquon is running on a hurt ankle that makes Wayne Gallman's lone rushing attempt far more indicative of Coach Shurmur's ongoing malfunction.  For if an offensive line is doing their job correctly, I could push a mailbox up field for positive yardage.  Which is why I say when it comes to implementing and executing a detailed running attack, Shurmur and his staff continually reaffirm the notion there is no plan.  I hearken back to Shurmur's reasoning for transitioning away from Eli Manning and have since watched him utilize Daniel Jones as a primary running threat.  It's no coincidence that for a second straight game Daniel Jones leads the Giants in rushing with 20 yards on three scrambles.  Jones also coughs up his ninth fumble of the season.  Hand the ball off and we don't have that problem.  Otherwise this level of ground game ineptitude is unrivaled in the annals of Giants history.  Where are the proactive measures?  Where are the variations in game planning that better suit your personnel?  Where is this coaching staff's adaptability?  It's certainly not coming from Shurmur, and it's definitely not coming from offensive coordinator Mike Shula, offensive line coach Hal Hunter, or even running backs coach Craig Johnson.  The results all speak for themselves.  Here we are entering week eleven and Saquon has yet to gain 500 yards for the season (same goes for Le'Veon Bell, Adam Gase, and the Jets).  That screams of a ponderous lack of technique.  Gettleman is at fault for not bringing in another body; any warm body; needed to reinforce the back field (or sign a viable fullback, for that matter).  We know Shurmur is unlikely to be fired soon.  Therefore Gettleman must absolutely place Shurmur's offensive staff under full review.

• Know why Rhett Ellison looked so good Sunday?  Because no team expects him to break off in a pass route.  When teams see Ellison, they expect the Giants to run.  When teams see (injured) Evan Engram line up at tight end, they are usually correct in assuming pass.  I find this such an impotent application of tight end.

I watched Joe Pisarcik, so believe me when I say I have no issues with Daniel Jones.  Sure, his 17 turnovers are problematic.  But of the 47 or so roster spots which demand Dave Gettleman's immediate attention, kicker quarterback is not one of them.  With Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard both out, Jones turns to fellow rookie Darius Slayton whom plays his best game to date.  Jones targets him 14 times, connecting ten times for 121 yards and two touchdowns.  Slayton did not play in week one against Dallas.  Since then, Jones has targeted him 45 times, connecting 27 times for 394 yards and five touchdowns.  In their first game together Jones and Slayton connected three times for 82 yards in week two against Tampa.  I'm excited to watch this relationship grow.

In the meantime, Dave Gettleman has created quite a mess for himself.  Although I would argue he needs at least another draft under his belt, losing to the Jets is quite an indictment of his work to date as general manager of the New York Giants.  To that affect, Pat Shurmur offers no help in getting out-coached by Adam Gase.

N.Y. Giants: Daniel Jones Unleashed

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

DANIEL JONES

STARTING QUARTERBACK DEBUT

WEEK THREE

Giants   32

Bucs      31

FINAL

ROOKIE QUARTERBACK DEMONSTRATES WHY HE'S THE NEW MANN IN CHARGE.

Once upon a time 49ers head coach George Seifert couldn't wait to jettison surefire hall of famer Joe Montana in favor of Steve Young - just like Patriots head coach Bill Belichick couldn't wait to eject Drew Bledsoe in favor of Tom Brady; just like Green Bay's Mike McCarthy couldn't wait to rid himself of Brett Favre in favor of Aaron Rogers; and just like Tom Coughlin decided to move away from Kurt Warner in favor of his highly touted rookie.  Every one of the aforementioned quarterbacks played in at least one Super Bowl.  Which is to say this is how football generally works.  Its nothing personal.  In like manner Pat Shurmur decides after week two it's time to lower the curtain on Eli Manning's illustrious career as starting quarterback of the New York Giants.

Very unlike the Ben McAdoo/Jerry Reese/John Mara triumvirate's ill conceived plan to bench Eli in favor of Geno Smith, Pat Shurmur moves forward with apparent autonomy, but more importantly a qualified replacement.  With his rookie under center, head coach Put Shurmur's playbook also changes.  Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do much to scuttle their own efforts, Dave Gettleman's and Shurmur's first round draft selection brilliantly leads the Giants to their first victory of the season.

And just like that, the Daniel Jones era begins ...

Down 28-10 at the half, the Giants put up 22 second-half points en route to a stunning 32-31 victory at Tampa.  Jones is 23 of 36 (64%) for 336 yards.  He connects for touchdowns with Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram who both exceed 100-yards receiving.  Rookie Darius Slayton is not far behind with 82 yards on just three receptions.  But after eight rushing attempts, Saquon Barkley is forced out of the game with a high ankle sprain.  Naturally, Daniel Jones rushes for two touchdowns.

We all know not every game will be like this.  But it's a helluva damn good start.  Jones did fumble twice, and the Giants really should have lost.  However, Sunday was the most fun I've had watching Big Blue football since the end of the 2011 season.

Now the Giants just need to take care of him.  The offensive line allowed just two total sacks and ten QB hits through weeks one and two.  Tampa records five sacks and 15 other QB hits!  Shaquil Barrett has four sacks alone.  High priced left tackle Nate Solder performs with all the athleticism of a mailbox.

N.Y. Giants: Big Blue Brass Pull Plug on Eli Manning's Swan Song

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

MANN vs. WORLD

The Continuing Saga of Eli's Swan Song

After Two Games Giants Announce Plan to Start Daniel Jones in Week Three

ELI MANNING:

• Two Games: 56 attempts/89 completions (63%) for 556 yards; two touchdowns; one INT; two sacks, 10 QB hits.

Cut the music!

After just two verses, Eli's swan song is over.

Manning is not the sole reason, or even a top three reason, why the 2018 Giants post a 3-13 record.  Nor is he a primary reason why the Giants are 47-67 over the last seven seasons.  They're certainly not off to an 0-2 start this season on account of Eli.  For that you must start with a novice defense which has so far allowed 60-plus points through two games with no hope of improvement in the foreseeable future.  Of course there's much more to this burgeoning nightmare.  But I digress ...

Eli is the last vestige of Ernie Accorsi's legacy as general manager of the New York Giants.  It is Accorsi who builds a Super Bowl contender with Eli being the final piece of the puzzle.  However those Giants first need to wait out Eli's maturation process.  By 2007 Eli Manning transforms before our very eyes into Mr. Freeze at Green Bay and goes on to win MVP of Super Bowl XLII.  By 2011 the Giants are squeezing the last bit of goodness out of Accorsi's creation en route to winning Super Bowl XLVI.  Eli Manning is again named game MVP.

In the seasons following 2011 the shelf life of an elite defense, a record setting offensive line, and once formidable running game all expire.  But because Eli was the last piece of the puzzle, he is also the last to remain.  In the meantime, Jerry Reese presides over the complete and utter deterioration of the New York Giants.  His drafting over his last five seasons as general manager bear no fruit, thus fostering a failed if not ruinous over reliance on free agency.  The impact on the field is self evident: sub par records.

Former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride together with his friend and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin are as aggressive as they come.  When the Giants still field a competent offensive line and formidable running game, Gilbride maintains effective balance between rushing and passing.  But when it comes to passing, the triumvirate of Gilbride, Coach Coughlin, and Eli Manning, are all about high risk and high reward.  As a result they routinely lead the league in most yards attempted per pass!  That partly explains why Eli appears prone to throwing interceptions.  But Coughlin effectively signs off on each and every INT.  They just didn't care.  However as the talent level deteriorates along the offensive line and the running game comes to a halt, Gilbride becomes Jerry Reese's first scapegoat.  The continuing deterioration of talent over the next two seasons likewise causes Tom Coughlin into coaching more desperately.  He then becomes Jerry Reese scapegoat number two.

In truth, Gilbride, Coughlin, or even Ben McAdoo, were never the problem, per se.  The primary factor causing the Giants spiraling into irrelevance is John Mara's unyielding support for Jerry Reese.

Sure, Eli deserves his fair share of blame.  His performance can be ponderous at times.  Everyone deserves their fair share for this mess.  Some just deserve more than others.

Upon accepting positions with the Giants Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur know they are being tasked with putting Eli out to pasture.  Indeed, an unenviable position to be in.  Yet the process continues to wreak of indecisiveness and lack of conviction.  I'm not sure what they're thinking.  But it needs to stop.  Because the less sense this makes the more I'm inclined to believe John Mara still has his fingerprints all over this.  And why would that be?  Because he completely botches Eli's benching in favor of Geno Smith.  What a slap in the face, made worse by how the front office continues mishandling the aftermath.  Moreover because I believe Archie Manning commands Mara's respect and attention.  And if I'm Archie, I'm on the phone to John Mara blaming him, Jerry Reese, and Dave Gettleman, for essentially ruining the second half of his son's career.

It appears push has finally come to shove.  Eli is facing one of three choices: retire a Giant; waive his no trade clause; or stay and tutor Daniel Jones.  Concerned parties had better reserve a large conference room because I'm sure John Mara, Dave Gettleman, Pat Shurmur, Eli Manning, his agent, and Archie Manning, will all have something to say about this.

N.Y. Giants: In Search of the Elusive Big Blue Hog Mollies

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

THE OFFENSIVE LINE

New York Football Giants: Dave Gettleman's Hog Mollies Coming to a Gridiron Near You.

ICYMI: The Post Odell Beckham Era Begins

Did anyone happen to catch New England's latest Super Bowl performance, and how the Patriots entire post-season run was largely predicated on a strong rushing game?  Tom Brady aside, New England's plan was as gray, wrinkly, and arthritic, as old school football gets.  Only thing missing were leather helmets.  Truth is New England's change in style had already been put into effect weeks before the regular season ended.  Vince Lombardi would have been brought to tears upon witnessing such meticulous front five execution.  Because lost in Simon Bar Sinister's AFC championship chess match against Andy Reid, and the reeducation of the L.A. Chargers new coach on the block, is the dominant and masterful performance choreographed by New England's offensive linemen.  In turn, rookie Sony Michel was able to successfully matriculate the Patriots towards daylight.  The GOAT stepped up when needed, sure.  But it was the offensive line whom truly carried the day.

Perchance to dream ...

It's all about the hog mollies as Dave Gettleman likes to say; the big guys up front pushing people around, shoving bodies out of the way, or driving them into the ground if needed.  If you follow DO IT FOR THE DUKE you know I couldn't agree more.  I still refer to that style of football by its former nomenclature: smash mouth.  And for years I've been screaming for its return.

This offensive line is unrecognizable compared to those of just two and three seasons ago. That alone makes this a promising endeavor.  The former Ereck Flower(s) bed occupying space along the right side has been dug up and replanted.  This year's front five is a consortium of trades, free agency, and the draft.  Their average size is 6' 4" and 318 lbs.  Maybe that's what Gettleman means by hog mollies.  They're also an experienced bunch.  Jon Halapio is still a novice center.  But he and sophomore Will Hernandez will now have on either side of them veterans Kevin Zeitler and Mike Remmers in addition to Nate Solder.

So what's the catch?  Three of the five positions feature players returning from some sort of surgery.

Otherwise this appears to be the best assemblage of linemen in quite some time.  The quicker they establish cohesion the better.  If they can provide Saquon Barkley with just a little maneuvering room, the Giants sophomore rusher will find wide swaths of space.  But the major question undoubtedly lies in this line's ability to keep Eli Manning upright, and affording him enough seconds to smartly scan his sectors.  Same goes for Daniel Jones.  But the quarterback situation for now is another matter.  Today is about branding Gettleman's hog mollies.

Nate Solder  ~  Will Hernandez  ~  Jon Halapio  ~  Kevin Zeitler  ~  Mike Remmers

Left Tackle  There's a reason why 31-year old Nate Solder is among the highest paid linemen in football.  Bill Belichick got his best years then purged him from the Patriots ranks.  Solder in turn winds up signing with a desperate club willing to throw big money at a huge problem.  Let's face it, despite being a two-time Super Bowl champion, to date Solder has turned out to be somewhat of a bust as a New York Giant.  To his credit he demonstrated notable improvement as the season progressed.  However expectations placed upon him have only grown since December 30th.  And the only way to calm fan anxieties, and help ease the pain of his prohibitive contract is through performance, i.e., effective pass protection and helping to create daylight for Saquon Barkley.  Just hold that thought ... because he is presently recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his ankle.  A clean up procedure we're being told.  Just the kinda thing we wanna hear heading into opening day.

Left Guard  Will Hernandez enters his second season after starting all 16 games last year as a rookie.  Listed at 6' 3" and 332 lbs., he proved himself a very worthy second round selection with NFL representative play, and deserves respect.  Like Solder, he was vastly improved over the second half of the season.  The Giants are getting terrific dollar on the muscle.

Center  Jon Halapio is another New England draftee, since purged by the Patriots.  He came to the Giants via the Denver Broncos without ever having played a game for them.  Listed at 6' 3", 317lbs., he began his Giants career two years ago at right guard, but was later transitioned to center.  Last season, he started the first two games of the season but unfortunately broke his leg/ankle causing him to miss the rest of the season.  As a result, we're somewhat more familiar with Spencer Pulley whom I thought filled in very well last season for Halapio.  He was part of Gettleman's second half reconfiguration which proved more effective.  I thought after last year's performance he would be the incumbent heading into camp.  The Giants appeared content with letting competition win the day.

MY KINGDOM FOR A CENTER

Bart Oates; Shaun O'Hara; show me a Super Bowl contender and I'll show you a Pro Bowl caliber center.  Why do you suppose a formerly league wide respected Jets offensive line and running game fell apart like wet toilet paper once Nick Mangold went down?  Everyone raves about Tom Brady and the New England Patriots historic comeback in SB LI against the Atlanta Falcons.  What no one mentions is how the Falcons dominated the first half through their running game.  But when six-time All-Pro center Alex Mack broke his leg and became unavailable for the second half Atlanta became one dimensional because they could no longer run effectively if at all; they were no longer gaining first downs; no longer maintaining possession; nor controlling the clock.  All of it stopped after Mack goes down.  His absence is an open invitation for Tom Brady to stay on the field.  Atlanta's defense was gassed, spent, done, what have you.  Why do you suppose the Steelers recently reinvested in their center?  Who is the Patriots center?  David Andrews?  The 24-year old four year veteran has two rings and is entering the last year of his deal.  How would you like to be in his shoes?  Better yet, how would you like to see him in Giants cleats?  I can go on ...

Right Guard  Dave Gettleman trades the Giants only legitimate pass rusher, Olivier Vernon, and their #4 pick to Cleveland in exchange for highly regarded right guard Kevin Zeitler and the Browns #5 pick (Giants draft wide receiver Darius Slayton; #171 overall).  Zeitler is signed to a cap friendly contract through the 2021 season.  This is easily Gettleman's finest offensive line acquisition to date as Zeitler is well considered to be a legitimate talent and one of the best pass protectors in the league.

Right Tackle  Released by the Vikings, Mike Remmers is entering his eighth year in the NFL.  He is a familiar and known quality to both Dave Gettleman and coach Shurmur from his days at Carolina and Minnesota respectively.  The 30-year old started all 16 games last season but underwent off-season back surgery.


Eli Manning's swan song rests in their hands ... and on their backs, legs, and ankles.