N.Y. Giants: Running Away From Trouble Never Solves Anything

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Lack of a running game will finally come to bear versus the Eagles

New York Giants: The Running Game is a Disgrace! Four QBs Have Scrambled For More Yardage Than Rashad Jennings!

After six regular season games, Rashad Jennings leads the New York Giants with 180 rushing yards.

(insert uncomfortable silence here..)

You read that right.  To put that into a quantum physics perspective, he has averaged a mere 10.6 rushes for 36-yards per game.  Put yet another way, there are 33 other NFL running backs with more yardage than Rashad - that's more players than there are NFL teams.  Even worse, there are four - I said FOUR - quarterbacks with more rushing yards than Rashad Jennings.

This running game is a disgrace!  It's literally offensive to Giants fans (pardon the pun), and a direct result of this regime's pass-perverted philosophy.

While it's true Eli had ice flowing through his veins, there's two other major reasons why the Giants beat the Packers, TWICE, en route to the Super Bowl - Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.

Make no mistake, none of this is a reflection on Jennings, or Andre Williams for that matter. But, in the name of Rob Carpenter, I want to know what the hell coach Ben McAdoo, Tom Coughlin, and even Jerry Reese, are collectively thinking?

You've heard this all before.  I most recently went though it with:

    Running to Daylight With Sunglasses On  and
 Coach McAdoo Passing the Time Away

I initially offered my full expanded thought on this subject at the very start of the season.  If you're going to read anything, I suggest you please revisit the following, as it gets to the heart and genesis of everything:

A Rushing Mentality Must Flow Through One's Veins

Now the lack of a running game will finally come to bear against the Eagles.  That's because Eli Manning is nearly fresh out of healthy receivers.  Did you see Dwayne Harris drop an easy first down against the Niners?  I did too.

• Odell Beckham Jr. - hamstring/unquestionably compromised
• Rueben Randle - hamstring/unquestionably compromised.
• Victor Cruz is still listed as OUT - calf.

Reliability will come at a premium them.  Eli will once again be forced to utilize Larry Donnell and Shane Vereen out of the backfield as was the case against San Francisco.

In truth, it would have been nice get throw-happy against the Eagles.  Even though hobbled of late, the Giants are still ranked 12th in the league in passing yardage, while the Eagles have alternately allowed the league's 7th most yards through the air.  It could have, and would have been a good match-up for the Giants, if only...

But, such as life.

If there was ever a time to commit to the run, establish it early, stick with it throughout and let it wear down the opponent, and allow it to control the clock and ultimately the fourth quarter, it would be this Monday night in Philadelphia.  Do that, and the Donnell/Vereen connection should work out well enough to keep Philadelphia honest.

• Vereen led the Giants with eight receptions for 86-yards last week against the Niners, and was on the field late in the game when OBJ and Randle were no longer physically able.  That said, Coach McAdoo has utilized him quite oddly this season.

Exactly one week ago I said Rashad and Andre have moved the chains at times this season with power, but only as the play calling allows.  That said, Ben McAdoo has Eli Manning leading the NFL in pass attempts.  At last count, he's elected to throw 197 times, while electing to run only 118 times.   That translates to 23.6 rushes and 39.4 pass attempts per game.

That simply will not due.

It stands to reason that if he keeps overtaxing OBJ's and "the necessary" Rueben Randle's respective hamstrings, he'll jeopardize any continued effectiveness, or even compromise their playing time.   What good is getting Victor Cruz back on the field, if you're just going to lose OBJ, Randle, or both?

That's why this must be the week Coach McAdoo reverses his season long trend of passing noticeably more often than electing to run, and commit to a more ground oriented style.  I speak for Sunday and nothing more, because at the very least the Giants need to prove they're even capable.

As former Giants safety Antrel Rolle used to say, "at the end of the day" this is usually less a discussion about the ground game than it is playing a broken record.

Defense: There are just too many injuries, inadequacies, and idiots to keep up with the Eagles this week.

The Eagles aren't as terrible as their poor start led many to believe.  They'll score points Monday night.  Be sure.

With the Giants lacking a pass rush, and now missing two starting linebackers and a starting corner, this may easily to devolve into one of those prime time Big Blue disasters.

The Giants already ranked dead last against the pass even before more injuries mounted last week.  So, they stand every chance of making Sam Bradford look like Norm Van Broklin this week.

Remember how good they made Kirk Cousins look?

Exactly!

I bet the Eagles won't even run the ball much, which is presently the Giants only legitimate defensive strength.

Special teams anyone?

Defensive wounded list:

• Jon Beason - concussion
• Devon Kennard - hamstring
• Prince Amukamara - partially torn pectoral muscle
• Robert Ayers - hamstring
• George Selvie - calf
• JPP - missing digits and common sense

N.Y. Giants: Coach McAdoo Passing the Time Away

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Eli Manning leads the NFL in pass attempts

New York Giants

3-2

1st Place NFC East

NEW YORK GIANTS: Coach McAdoo demanding more and more from an increasingly beaten and battered group of wide receivers, while putting Eli's arm strength and durability to the test as well.

LARRY DONNELL'S GRAB SECURES FIRST PLACE

Opening the first quarter season without Victor Cruz, coupled with the general ineffectiveness of Rueben Randle, put an obvious strain on Odell Beckham Jr.  His hamstring has been barking at him, and by Week Five Randle's hamstring started barking too.

That said, had Eli connected with OBJ in stride during the 1st quarter against the Niners, the Giants could have potentially gone up 7-3 instead of settling for a field goal.  Beckham's YAC nonetheless put the Giants at San Francisco's 12-yard line.  To the Giants credit, they settled for a field goal only after attempting to pound the ball on 2nd and four from the six, then again on 3rd and one, to no avail.

Later, with the Giants up 10-3 before the half, Dwayne Harris dropped an easy third down pass, that again resulted in a Giants field goal.

*

Prior to the Buffalo game, I thought it high time the Giants start seeking out Larry Donnell.

Larry was targeted just four times in Week One then six times in Week Two, totaling seven receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta.  Eli targeted him another six times in Week Three against Washington, but only connected on three receptions for 32 yards.

Week Four marked an uptick in the Eli/Donnell connection.  He was targeted seven times against Buffalo, and made 5 receptions for a season high 38 yards.  Then came Sunday's big catch against the 49ers.  Larry was targeted another seven times Sunday and made 6 receptions for 35 yards, but none more important than his 12-yard touchdown reception with 0:21 left on the clock.

I guess if not by the run, punctuating an 8-play/82 yard drive to the tight end was just as classic.

See?  Necessity is indeed the mother of all invention.

Last season, Larry Donnell made 12 starts, and hauled in 63 receptions for 623 yards.  However, in 92 targeted plays, he and Eli were only successful 68% of the time.  They've completed 70% of their attempted connections thus far.

*

Enter Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo:

He has Eli Manning leading the NFL with 197 pass attempts (and to Eli's credit, he's thrown just two INTs).  His 66.5% completion rate after five games is presently hovering at a career high.  He also completed a career best 41 passes in 54 attempts for 441 yards against the Niners, also marking Eli's first 300+ yard game of the season.

Yet, a compromised OBJ and sub par complimentary receivers has meant even more throwing.  In fact, balance has gone out the window.

Coach McAdoo's utilization of the running game is one of the more quizzical things I've ever seen - as if he can just turn it on with the flick of a switch.  Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen have only combined for 119 rushes for an average of 23.8 carries a game versus 39.4 pass attempts for Eli.

Even Kevin Gilbride knew he had to start running in the 1st quarter in order to be successful in the 4th.  I have a real big problem when a guy like Rashad Jennings only averages 10.6 carries a game.

Then there's the even more curious case of Shane Vereen.  His game splits speak for themselves:

• GM1 - 3 rushes; 4 receptions.
• GM2 - 6 rushes; 8 receptions.
• GM3 - 6 rushes; 0 receptions.
• GM4 - 5 rushes; 0 receptions.
• GM5 - 5 rushes; 8 receptions.

Regardless of my personal observations, the Giants have registered the 4th most points in the NFC.   To date, their controlled short passing game has outscored opponents by a 132-109 margin.  They are winners of three straight and now sit atop their division.

Maybe Coach McAdoo's whole gig is based on mass confusion.  He's got me fooled.  They certainly outsmarted themselves in games One and Two, and damn near did it again versus the Niners, until they smartened up that is...

There's still much to learn much from reviewing the gains and gaffes of Game One.

McAdoo has me beat, though.  Controlled chaos rules the day.

N.Y. Giants: Rueben Randle's Rexual Encounter in Buffalo

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Once is an event; Twice is a coincidence; Three times is a trend.

Buffalo's defense will provide a true measure of Big Blue's offense.

WEEK FOUR

New York Giants

vs. 

Buffalo Bills

FROM

The Empire State

NEW YORK GIANTS: Tom Coughlin's double-barreled, or even triple barreled offense will have to wait just a little while longer to fire.

ICYMI > DEFENSE: No Pass Rush Offers Pockets of Opportunity 

Unfortunately, Victor Cruz' troublesome left calf injury did not respond to a platelet-rich plasma injection well enough, or quickly enough for Sunday's game.

He has been listed as OUT for Week Four, officially scrubbing the first quarter of his season.

This will be Cruz' 14th straight regular season game missed due to injury.  He is fast approaching a full year off the NFL gridiron.  He last played a regular season game on October 13, 2014 during Week Six in Philadelphia.  Moreover, October 5th was the last time Giants fans saw him play at Met-Life Stadium.

Through the first two weeks of this season, the opposition found little reason not to double team Odell Beckham Jr. in Cruz' absence, largely because Preston Parker and Rueben Randle contributed little or nothing towards alleviating the situation.

That quickly developed into an untenable situation.  After barely making the roster out of camp, Preston Parker was subsequently cut by Jerry Reese after a woeful display of receiving skills in Week Two.

That in turn left Rueben Randle square in the cross hairs of Jerry Reese, the media, and fans alike.

Jerry Reese gambled and lost by taking a flyer on Preston Parker last season and again during the pres-season.  Rueben Randle, however, was no stab in the dark.  Jerry Reese utilized a 2nd round pick in the 2012 draft to secure him.

Rueben started just 4 games through his first 2 seasons, then made 13 starts last season and made 71 receptions for 938 yards with 3 touchdowns.

If Preston Parker's problem was failing to catch the ball, Randle's, then, was failing to provide Eli Manning with a viable target.  Eli only targeted him 7 times through the first two games against the Cowboys and Falcons, in which Rueben made 4 receptions for a total of 28 rather inconsequential yards.

But with the spotlight squarely on him in Week Three, Rueben Randle delivered a performance closer to what Jerry Reese had in mind when he selected Randle 63rd overall.

Both of Eli Manning's TD passes during last weeks' 32-21 victory over Washington came in the 4th quarter.  He first connected with OBJ, then with Randle to seal the game.  Eli targeted Rueben 7 times throughout the game, whom made all 7 receptions for 116 yards, while OBJ made 7 receptions for 79 seemingly supportive yards (but we know better...).

That said, without Victor Cruz the only way to take pressure off OBJ, then, is with performance.

That brings us to Sunday in Buffalo and Rex Ryan, whom knows a thing or two about orchestrating a defense.  Once Rex takes Odell Beckham Jr. away from Eli Manning (because that's what he'll aim to do), will the Giants be able to turn to their seemingly matured 4th year receiver for a second straight week and beyond?

We'll see...

In the meantime, it hasn't mattered if Kevin Gilbride or Ben McAdoo have been offensive coordinators in this small respect - Tom Coughlin wants balance.  Make no mistake, he's a chucker, but he usually asks for balance.

Last week the Giants ran 31 times and threw 32 times.  Weeks One and Two went similarly.  But they only rushed for 84 yards on a day the offense generated 30 points.  End of discussion, right?

C'mon, you know me better.  At some point this weekend, I heard the words - short controlled passing game - and they disturb me to my core.

On the bright side, the Giants were thought to have broken down a fairly solid Washington defense.   On the dimmer side, if Washington was able to restrict the Giants to just 84 rushing yards, what will Rex Ryan be able to do?

Remember how Ben McAdoo called on Rashad Jennings in what should have been the closing drive of Game One in Dallas?  Coach called Rashad's name 6 times, and asked him to run up the gut 5 times.  Rashad responded with a net 49 yards.

There's been no commitment to the run since, merely an effort to present balance.  That won't work against Rex.  In fact, everywhere I look I feel Ryan has an answer that perfectly defies what Coughlin tries to do.  Therefore, it's Coach who needs to find his own way of giving Buffalo's defense some pause.  That's a philosophical adjustment.

Faced with his own aggressive style, I'm sure Rex Ryan would say release the tight end, execute screens and draws, etc.  Sounds like good advice to me.  It's just not the Giants way under Coughlin.

In any event, Buffalo's defense will provide a true measure of Big Blue's offense.

Did I mention the tight end?

His name is Larry Donnell.  Use him.

N.Y. Giants: A Potentially Troublesome Season Kicks-Off in Dallas

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

New York Giants

vs.

Dallas Cowboys

FROM

JERRY'S HOUSE

Texas

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Fan favorite, Steve Weatherford recently became a salary cap casualty.  The fact a punter arguably became the team's MVP over the last two seasons was a leading indicator of just how far Big Blue has fallen.  For those fans old enough to remember Dave Jennings, you know exactly what I mean.

Sorry folks, this being the 25th anniversary of Super Bowl XXV will ultimately prove to be the best part of the 2015 season.

Recent history says the Giants have been a sub par team since winning SB XLVI.  This season, I fear the Giants will only continue their downward trend.

After paying more attention this pre-season than I have in a very long while, I did not like what I saw.

In fact, tonight's opening game in Dallas may very well end disastrously.  I'm consumed with the potential of a blowout.  I'd rather it not turn out that way, but as an aside, the Giants have lost their last 4 season openers, and two of those came against the Cowboys.

Just saying...

For all the talk of the Giants offensive potential, I feel they will will struggle to score 20 points.  I'll be paying particular attention to how many three-and-outs they commit.  Moreover, I defy the Giants offensive line to spearhead long, time consuming drives.

Dallas, however, will do just that.  Their offensive line is equipped to control the clock, and possession.  They'll get off more plays from scrimmage and face little resistance putting up points against an already depleted Giants defense.

If the offense does not optimize their limited possessions, the Giants are as good as done.

ICYMI:

A Big Blue Crucible Built For Two

1st Down and a Long Season to Go:

For starters, Steve Weatherford is gone - a salary cap casualty.  I get that, because you can't spend small fortunes on punters in the cap era.  But, I'm no less sorry to see him go.  He was effectively the team's MVP these last 2 seasons - which is an alarming indictment against Jerry Reese!

Damn right I'm feeling glum...


Last year's bad defense stands poised to become this year's worse nightmare.

• The JPP situation is so ponderous, that I haven't a clue where to start.  What I do know, is the Giants enter the season without a legitimate pass rusher.

• Linebacker remains in its usual state of neglect - again, thank you Jerry Reese.  Jon Beason is hurt again, leaving Devon Kennard as the team's lone inspiring talent at the position.

• The secondary, meanwhile, reads like an intensive care unit.  The departure of Antrel Rolle additionally created a major void in leadership.  He was the traffic cop on the field.  Outside of Prince Amukamara, we now have a bunch of Keystone candidates.

Offensively, Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. can't carry the Giants by themselves.

• During the pre-season, there was much talk regarding how Odell Beckham now wears a target on his back.  That situation will clearly be worth monitoring.  He won't get relief anytime soon though, as Victor Cruz is not yet ready for game action.  Therefore, this would be a fine time (as well as being about time..) for Rueben Randal to finally up his game.

• My opinion of tight end Larry Donnell is favorable, but still incomplete.  Over the past 2 seasons, the Giants haven't exactly utilized tight end to my satisfaction.  That stems from the position having to compensate, and assist a poor offensive line....

• Everything starts up front.  Rashad Jennings is a fine back, but what good is he if the offensive line can't create any daylight?  How well, then, will the Shane Vereen acquisition turn out?   What good is having Beckham if Eli Manning can't get him the ball, or worse, Eli gets repeatedly slammed to the deck?  Keep your eyes peeled on Justin Pugh, who is now the starting left guard.  Ultimately, the front five pose one Giant question mark.  As this offensive line goes, so goes Big Blue.

Whichever way you shake it, the Giants are about to embark on a long troublesome season, again.  I could be wrong about everything, but I doubt it.

And so goes my opening post....

Consider me punched in.  The DO IT FOR THE DUKE portion of this blog is now in session.

N.Y. Giants: Coach McAdoo's Offense Pulling Themselves Together

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

2 - 2

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: The Houston Texans and D.C. Hogs gave Ben McAdoo's offense a ton of extra possessions.  Eli and the Boys cashed in.

The season started with 2 opening losses followed by 2 convincing victories.  In plain English, a 2-2 record wreaks of inconsistency.

But, as with most everything, the first quarter of Big Blue's season is a matter of perspective.  Two opening losses raised red flags.  A pair of follow-up victories meant adjustments and improvements were made.

I guess then, it is time to revisit the original question of - who are the 2014 Giants?

For most of the first 2 weeks Eli Manning was looking a lot like skiddish Eli.  With the emergence of Donnell, Eli looked like a Super Bowl MVP again.  There's the rub.

So much of Eli's previous success came with an effective tight end at his disposal.  In recent years, I sometimes found it difficult to assess which adversely affected Eli more - an ineffective offensive line, or lack of a quality tight end.  Yeah, the running game fits into this equation as well - but you get the gist.

Larry Donnell had a game - a good game - a hat trick.  Nice!  He had 6 catches against the Texans too.  Way to make the most of your chance kid.

But, Donnell obviously went un-drafted, was relegated to the practice squad, and was limited to special teams last year for a reason.

He's getting a chance because so many have come before him and failed to retain the job.  He's just the next in line.  If you think I'm being harsh..., that's football.  Plus, I probably haven't sufficiently forgotten about his fumble against the Texans.

However, I hope, like every other Giants fan, that Larry Donnell continues to make the most of this opportunity.

At the same time, I'm not trying to sell Eli short.  After an abysmal Week 1, and poor start to Week 2, he recovered, and has been on point since.  Eli played an excellent game against the Texans before Donnell jumped into the spotlight against the DC Hogs, and continued playing like Champion Eli through Week 4.

After Victor Cruz, Eli Manning's group of receivers still have much to prove though.  I'll leave it at that.

Coach McAdoo has quickly endeared himself to me (as if) over the last 2 weeks because we actually ran the ball noticeably more than Eli threw it.

For 2 weeks now, the offensive line, Rashad Jennings (and Andre Williams) have not disappointed. Behind the O-Line, Jennings rushed for 176 rushing yards against Houston, and the running game rushed for another 153 yards against the Hogs.

You can do that when you play with the lead.....

It's all symbiotic.

Let's see who they chose to be over the next quarter of the season.




Mike