N.Y. Giants: A Big Boo! Mess

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

 

NEW YORK CITY FAN ORDINANCE #1925

IF THEY CAN'T BOO, YOU CAN'T HAVE THIS!

BOO! MOON ... You Saw Me Standing Alone, Without a Dream in My Heart, Without a Winner of My Own (Ba-Bom-A-Bom-Bom...)

Leonard Williams tapped into his inner Francisco Lindor (NYM) to complain about the home crowd booing the Giants.  

To his credit, he has three sacks in six games and registered 1.5 sacks and two other QB hits on Sunday.  In fact, his solo sack and assist came on third down plays.  

However, the defense has now yielded 82 points over the last two games.  The Giants entered Sunday's game a week after allowing an opponent forty-plus points for the first time in the Gettleman era.  They presently average 1.7 sacks per game, fourth-least in the NFL - Williams included.

Instead, I prefer that Leonard worries about playing football and leaves the cheering and booing to the fans who've been doing this for one hundred years.  This is New York, and he should know better after playing here now entering his sixth year - you're never gonna win the battle against the fans.  As an athlete, ya just gotta suck it up and play.  

The question begs to be asked: what is there to cheer?

Fans are the ones paying money to watch this team post seven losing seasons in the last nine, and who again are suffering through a 1-5 start.  Said another way, Leonard Williams completed his 28th game with the Giants, whereas fans are now in their tenth season of this ongoing futility.  

That's exactly 150 games, my friend.

J  -  E  -  T  -  S

Just Enjoy This Side 

of MetLife Stadium!

N.Y. Giants: Offense Rises to the Occasion

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK FOUR

Giants  27

SAINTS  21

OVERTIME

Daniel Jones and the Offensive Side of the Ball Finally Carry the Defense to Victory

• ICYMI: Joe Judge Plants His Flag

An overtime win makes it even more meaningful.

The Giant third-year quarterback has actually done a lot of things right this season.  But an 0-3 start didn't bear that out.  

After four weeks, it can now be said Daniel Jones and Kenny Golladay pose a legitimate threat.  Golladay caught six passes for 116 yards, and Jones was 28/40 for a career-high 402 yards.  It marks only the sixth time he's eclipsed 300-yards passing and the first since his rookie season, which also means the first time under Jason Garrett.

In the absence of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, rookie Kadarius Toney made his first start, catching six passes on nine targets for 78 yards.

Saquon Barkley accounted for 18 touches for 126 total yards and the game-winning touchdown.  His actual effectiveness lay in six catches for 74 yards, including a 54-yard reception for a score.  Five other catches for 20 yards is still worth its while.  He rushed 13 times for 52 yards with a long of 17 yards.  Minus the long, he rushed 12 times for 25 yards, an average of 2.9 yards per run.  More importantly, he capped off a nine-play 75-yard drive with a six-yard romp into the endzone for the winning score.  

All told, Barkley and Devontae Booker rushed 14 times for 58 yards, and I have a big problem with that. Four scrambles by Daniel Jones gave the Giants an even twenty running attempts for the game.  That's nowhere near enough.

Why on earth did Devontae Booker only rush one time, and why the hell is Evan Engram and Kadarius Toney rushing at all?  The answer is clearly Jason Garrett, who continues to hinder this offense.

The Hog Mollies yielded no sacks and just six quarterback touches.  But the Giants only achieved four first downs via the run, whereas the Saints gained nine first downs on the ground.  In fact, the Saints rushed 33 times for 142 yards (minus QB) and possessed the ball for 37:31 minutes.

That's what I want ...

Playing without Blake Martinez, linebacker Tae Crowder tied Logan Ryan with a team-high nine tackles.  Leonard Williams assisted on five tackles with only one solo stop.  Said another way, the Giants generated no sacks and no pressure - not one quarterback hit.  Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara outran the entire Giants' team.  He pounded the ball 26 times, mainly up the middle for 120 yards, and only had a long of ten yards.

But a win is a win, is a win.

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: 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: Hog Mollies Giving Wayne Gallman His Space

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

HOG MOLLIES CONTINUE SURGE

WEEK TWELVE

GIANTS     19

BENGALS  17

FINAL

SMASH MOUTH: Punishing Running Game, Maintaining Ball Possession, and Controlling The Clock.

The Giants are officially trending.  Recent developments are no longer a matter of coincidence.  They're winners of three in a row and four of their last six games.  However, I care not that they temporarily find themselves atop the NFC East standings.  A 4-7 record quells that conversation. Instead, it's the steady improvement that I desire, and from week to week, we see just that.

Daniel Jones has yet to break 300 yards passing this season.  But for as long as the Giants keep winning, the matter of yardage remains something more of a cosmetic issue.  What's more important is where he was versus where he is now.  The closest Jones has come to cracking 300 yards was in Week One against the Steelers, of all teams, when he threw for 279 yards.  In four of his next five contests spanning Week Three through Week Seven, he failed to throw for 200 yards.  But over his last four games, the Giants are 3-1, in which they just barely lost to the Buccaneers.  Jones threw for over 200 yards each time, averaging 231 yards per game, which speaks to an emerging consistency that earlier in the season was absent from his game.  This is also his third straight game without a fumble or turnover, making the Giants' win streak far from a coincidence.  Sunday's game was obviously not without its casualties.  The full extent of Jones' strained hamstring sustained against the Bengals remains to be seen.  By the way, a very questionable move by Judge reinserting Jones back into the game.  Otherwise, I would hate to see Daniel Jones' development sidetracked while amid a good run. 

Meanwhile, the offensive line yielded no sacks and limited Cincy's QB hits to just three.  The running game again rushed for high yardage with a net 142 yards on the day regarding daylight.  Gallman was the big man on campus with 24 rushes for 94 yards.  In his last three games, Gallman has rushed for 215 yards with four touchdowns.  Gallman, Dion Lewis, and Alfred Morris joined together on thirty rushes for 112 yards.  I find the number of rushing attempts very pleasing.  As such, the Giants owned time of possession 37:26 minutes versus just 22:34 for Cincinnati, and have now won the time of possession in three straight games - again, no coincidence.  This, to me, is a clear indication that the offensive line is growing into a more cohesive and integrated unit.

We all know by now about the confrontation between Joe Judge and former offensive line coach Marc Colombo.  If nothing else, Sunday's performance further confirms Coach Judge's decision to fire Colombo as being correct.  In fact, I applaud him for it.  After failing to breach 100 yards in their first three games and four of the first five, Joe Judge got more involved in coaching up the offensive line.  Since then, the Giants have rushed for 100+ yards in six consecutive games and seven of their last eight.  In fact, they've exceeded 140+ yards in three straight games and four times in their previous five.  Looking back, it indeed seems as if the rushing turnaround is partly the result of Joe Judge's intervention.

On average, Patrick Graham's defense is yielding the tenth least points per game.  In six of eleven games to date, the defense has held opponents to twenty points or less.  A big reason for that has to do with being tied for fourth in the NFL with 18 takeaways.  They are also one of only five teams limiting their opponents under 100 yards rushing per game.  Lastly, they are tied for tenth with 2.5 sacks per game.  Blake Martinez is tied for fourth with 101 tackles.  

And what of Dave Gettleman's controversial acquisition of Leonard Williams?  After averaging just 2.5 sacks over the last three seasons, he presently has six sacks, one shy of his career-high of seven set in 2016 during his sophomore season with the Jets.  Five games remain in the season.

And yeah, the Giants are in first place ...

N.Y. Giants: Hail to the Blue Team, Hail Victory

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Hail Victory..!

WEEK NINE

Giants        23

NoNames   20

FINAL

Too bad they can't play W every week; Big Blue would be undefeated.  

The Giants sweep the season series from the No Names with a dramatic 23-20 victory at Washington.  After starting the season 0-5, they are now trending 2-2 in their last four games.  

Dare I say this was perhaps their most impressive game this season?  I say that after watching them play a little bit of bend don't break, and a little bit of smash mouth.  

Daniel Jones technically did not turn the ball over, but he fumbled twice, and the ball was recovered each time.  He threw no interceptions for just the second time this season.  Jones and Alex Smith nearly have the same number of attempts and completions.  But whereas the veteran Smith throws for 325 yards, Jones tops out at a mere 212 yards.  Each throws for a touchdown.  However, Alex Smith throws three interceptions, and Jones wins the day.

Low and behold, ball security and control prove pivotal for the Giants.  This is what happens when you rush the ball effectively - you hold the ball for 36:27 minutes!  The Giants rush for 166 gross yards.  Wayne Gallman, Dion Lewis, and Alfred Morris rush 26 times for 140 yards.  Most of this takes place behind and to the left of center Nick Gates and against a formidable Washington front seven.  Andrew Thomas enjoys a rebound game.  Shane Lemieux starting in place of (COVID) Will Hernandez, puts forth a stellar effort at left-guard.  The offensive line as a whole continues to incrementally improve.  The Giants have now rushed for 100+ yards in five of their last six games. 

Big Blue's defense is eighth-best against the run!  That ranks them right alongside the Ravens and Steelers.  They limit Washington to just 37 total yards on nine rushes.  Every week Blake Martinez' star shines brighter and brighter.  He dutifully leads the team with ten tackles. 

Leonard Williams records his fifth sack, putting him just two away from matching his career-high with seven games left in the season.  How are you feeling about the trade now?

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: Defense Singing the Offensive Blues

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Go West Young Men!

WEEK FOUR

New York Giants

vs.

Los Angeles Rams

FROM

Spanking New Stadium

Lost in the Offensive Ordeal is a Representative Effort on Defense 

What if I said the Giants and Patriots were tied on defense in total yards allowed.  It's true.  Both are presently tied for twelfth with 1,073 yards allowed.  They're essentially allowing per week the same amount of yardage as the Saints, Chiefs, Patriots and even a few yards less than the Packers.  Only difference being is the aforementioned teams are playoff contenders if not Super Bowl contenders and the Giants are not.

In the meantime, Patrick Graham's defense has given up the tenth least yards passing, averaging 234 yards per game.  They've generated eight sacks (four by linebackers and three by the line) and 19 other QB hits, and recovered one fumble.  They've so far yielded the fourteenth most yards rushing (369), averaging 123 yards per game and are smack dab in the middle of the league in points allowed, averaging 26.3 points per game.

Now consider they've been on the field an average of 34:39 per game.  The San Francisco Back-Ups held the ball for 39:44 minutes.  In fact, all these numbers are quite polluted by last week's game against the Niners.

The fact that linebacker Blake Martinez is leading the team in tackles is a good thing.  Corner backs Julian Love and Logan Ryan are second and third respectively.  Fourth in is linebacker Lorenzo Carter; defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is fifth; defensive end Leonard Williams, sixth.  This is a good (not ideal) spread all things considered.  You don't want your corner backs leading the team in tackles for obvious reasons.

Otherwise, all the above speaks very well for this young defense.  

I can't say that about the other side of the ball.  The Giants are near last in passing and dead last in rushing.  I have so far seen zero offensive creativity much less adaptability from Jason Garrett.  I do not foresee much changing this week.  I just keep my eye on the offensive line and wait.     

Week One: New York Giants Ground Game Rushes Headlong into Steel Curtain

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

STEELERS     26

GIANTS         16

FINAL

GIANTS RUNNING GAME STOPPED COLD IN ITS TRACKS

I left off saying my attention would be focused on the offensive line's performance.  Game one is done and the results are in.

Facing a stout Pittsburgh defense, the line fails to create even a glint of daylight for Saquon Barkley who rushes fifteen times for an inconsequential six yards.  Dion Lewis rushes once for one yard giving the Giants backfield seven net yards on sixteen rushes.  Daniel Jones triples their output scrambling four times for 22 yards.

Insofar as pass protection goes, Jones is sacked three times and hit another eight times.  Playing under duress throughout, Jones throws 26/41 (63%) for 279 yards with two interceptions and a pair of touchdown connections with Darius Slayton.  The sophomore receiver makes six receptions for 102 yards.

Daniel Jones actually keeps the Giants on par with the Steelers insofar as first downs and third down efficiency.  In fact, Jones out-passes Big Ben who only throws 21/32 for 229 yards.  Of course the major difference is Pittsburgh's ability to rush for 141 yards on thirty attempts.  Even then, in the absence of an effective running game Daniel Jones still manages to keep possession of the ball for 28:16 minutes.  But two interceptions ruin his cause.  The first is an ill-advised dying quail intercepted by Cameron Heyward in the end zone and the second is intercepted in Giants territory by defensive lineman T.J. Watt who appears to read the play like a book.  Last season Daniel Jones accounts for 30 turnovers.  So far that's two TO's in the books with fifteen games to go.

The beleaguered Leonard Williams and second year lineman Dexter Lawrence register their first respective sacks.  Otherwise, the Giants defense allows 132 rushing yards (not including nine yards from Big Ben) and yields ten decisive points in the fourth quarter.

N.Y. Giants: Gearing Up For Sunday's Futility Bowl Versus Jets

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK NINE

Cowboys   37

Giants       18

FINAL

Although the Jets are paying Leonard Williams the majority of his remaining 2019 salary, Dave Gettleman says he acquired the 25-year old 2015 first round selection with the intention of extending him.  In other words Williams will have potentially cost the Giants a 2020 #3 draft pick, a 2021 conditional pick, and a big chunk of valuable salary cap.  At that price he better be Keith Hamilton and Michael Strahan rolled into one ... just not on Sunday.  In his first game as a member of the Giants Williams made just one solo tackle, and assisted on two others, with no sacks.

In fact the Giants failed to record any sacks, and hit Dak Prescott just five times all night.  In turn, Prescott connected for touchdowns with three different receivers.  But Leonard Williams is better known as a run stopper.  As such Ezekiel Elliot cut through the Giants front seven like a hot knife through butter, gaining 138 yards on 23 rushes.  Add Tony Pollard's 21 yards on three rushes, and the Cowboys backfield trotted for 160 yards.  The Giants actually won time of possession, which is to say the excuse for the defense wearing down doesn't quite jive.  Rather they just aren't that good.

Neither was Daniel Jones.  He was sacked five times, bringing his grand total to 26 sacks in eight games.  More alarming were his seventh and eighth fumbles of the season.  Together with his eighth interception, Daniel has now accounted for 16 turnovers.

Saquon Barkley gained just 28 yards on the ground.  His 14 rushing attempts accounted for just 14% of Pat Shurmur's offensive play calls.  He was targeted for eight passes which account for 19% of Daniel Jones attempts.  However, Saquon's 22 total plays account for 32% of all Giants plays from scrimmage.  Daniel Jones 41 pass attempts account for 60% of all plays from scrimmage.  Most disconcerting were Jones six running attempts for a team leading 54 yards.  That simply should not be.

The Giants face Leonard Williams' former team this coming Sunday at MetLife Stadium.  The Jets hit rock bottom with last week's ponderous loss at Miami, in a sense dethroning the Dolphins as the worst team in football.  If the Giants should lose, does that make them linear Toilet Bowl champions?

Now halfway through the regular season, the Jets remain the NFL's only team to yet exceed 100 points scored.  Both teams feature premiere running backs, but are respectively run by coaches whom have an aversion to rushing the ball.  It's as if both head coaches view their quarterbacks' ability to evade and escape pressure as their primary ground threat.

Ponderous ...

Bring your nose plugs and try and enjoy the game.

N.Y. Jets: Mission Improbable Suddenly Not So Far Fetched

From the desk of:  WALT MICAHELS REVENGE

WEEK SIX

New England Patriots

vs.

New York Jets

New York Jets: To The Chagrin of Fans In Search Of The Elusive Number One Overall Draft Pick, Gang Green Is Suddenly Playing Must See Football.

The Jets were written off before they ever reported to training camp.  And according to some, that was the intended plan.  Tank the season (discreetly, of course) in an attempt to secure the number one overall selection in next year's NFL draft.

Consecutive losses to open the season against the Bills and Raiders, by a aggregate 66-32 score, had Jets fans thinking they were greenfully on their way towards last place, and finally on their way towards resolving a decades long crisis at quarterback.

Only now, Jets antagonists, and even some of their own fans, are growing increasingly bitter because they're failing to get even that right.

Defeating the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns were only somewhat understandable victories.  The Jets couldn't help but be better than them.  What are you gonna do..?  Their 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, however, was far more unexpected, and conflicting.  I'm sure the Jags are all still kicking themselves over that game.  As I'm sure there's one or two Jets fans whom kicked themselves in the posterior over it as well.

Not winning a Super Bowl in 48 years kind of does that.

Nevertheless, the New York Jets are winners of three in a row, and locked a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East entering Week Six, along with Buffalo, and Sunday's opponent, and primary nemesis, the New England Patriots.

Which ever team wins Sunday between the Jets and Patriots, will be the undisputed leader of the AFC East, at least for one week, that is.  The Buffalo Bill will sit out this Sunday with a bye.

Think about that for a second ...

It would have been irresponsible for anyone to have suggested before the season started that the Jets would be locked in a three-way tie for first place entering Week Six.  The Jets playing the Patriots for sole possession of first place in Week Six was never even a fleeting consideration, much less an improbable one.  And for a fan to have gone as far as predicting the Jets would have a legitimate chance at actually winning this game would surely have invited sports bullying upon him/her self.

But the truth of the matter is that Coach Bowles has his Jets playing hard-nosed, fundamental football.  He's done the best he can do considering the team's roster and circumstances, and you can't blame him for that.

Not too long ago, Rex Ryan's Jets featuring Mark Sanchez at quarterback, and a defense led by Bart Scott, earned an epic and improbable playoff victory against the Patriots at New England, and a trip trip to the AFC Championship Game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

These Jets aren't nearly as talented as that team.  This team is still rebuilding in the aftermath of the Rex Ryan years, who in turn took over Eric Mangini's roster and gave it a little tweak.

I digress ...

These Patriots, in their present state, can be beaten.

The Patriots defense, to date:

• the most yards allowed per game.
• the most yards allowed per play.
• the second most points allowed per game.
• the second most points allowed overall/season.

That being said, if anyone can make a quarterback look amateurish, regardless of defensive personnel, it's Bill Belichick.

Even Mark Sanchez had a strong running game guiding his way, and making play-action a viable option.  I'm not sure these Jets can execute ball control and time management well enough to disrupt Tom Brady's playing time.

The Patriots are still scoring points at their usual rate.  Tom Brady, however, is under siege.  New England's pass protection has been negligible at best.  Tom Brady has always also been a statue in the pocket, so perhaps this is the week Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams finally break through for their first respective sacks of the season, if not more.  And where there's sacks, there's the potential for turnovers.  So at least the Jets have that to shoot for.

Jets transient quarterback Josh McCown is no stranger to the game.  There's no reason for him to feel overwhelmed by the Patriots come Sunday.  Instead, it would be nice to get another calm, cool, collected, performance from the 15-year veteran.  If he keeps completing 71% of his passes against the Patriots, the Jets could indeed gain some much needed altitude within the division.  He'll need to be at least as good as his modest season averages, because Bilal Powell has a strained calf, and so the Jets running game will be compromised.  Matt Forte is probable.

Yes, these Jets are way different than the team a young inexperienced Mark Sanchez led in 2010 against the Patriots.  Those Jets had more talent operating around him, and a Pro Bowl center like Nick Mangold to hide behind.  Where as these Jets are instead supposed to be competing to be among the worst in the league along side the Browns, 49ers, and the suddenly moribund Giants.

Problem is Coach Bowles isn't letting the Jets lay down on themselves, which flies in the face of the front office's unofficial, top secret objective of tanking.

To the chagrin of many Jets fans, their recent counterproductive success, coupled with their upcoming game against the New England Patriots, have suddenly transformed the team into must see football.