New York Giants Playing in a Bear Market

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK THREE

Cowboys  23

GIANTS    16

FINAL

The Giants essentially played the same game for a third consecutive week.  Although they escaped with a victory in their first two games - outscoring their opponents by a mere four points - reality finally caught up with them in week three.

Daniel Jones got off to a decent start with a string of completions.  But the opening drive stalled, punctuated by a blocked field goal attempt.  The Giants drove 51 yards on 14 plays on their next possession before stalling again.  This time Graham Gano kicked the pigskin through for three points.

And there's the rub ...

For a third consecutive week, Gano and the Giant defense have kept the team in the game and in a position to win.  

I saw a little bit of bend don't break.  The defense limited the Cowboys to field goals in the first and second quarter as the Giants entered the half trailing by only three.  Gano would kick two more field goals, and Saquon Barkley rushed for a touchdown.  

Did the defense give that TD right back?  Sure they did.  In fact, Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 73 yards, and Tony Pollard romped for another 105 yards on 13 carries.  Did the defense make Cooper Rush look good?  Sure they did.  The guys up front recorded nary a sack and just two QB hits all game.

Meanwhile, Daniel Jones got sacked five times and endured a dozen more QB hits.  The Giant offensive line has now yielded 13 quarterback sacks in three games.  Jones also lost his leading wide receiver, Sterling Shepard.  

Meanwhile, some things remain unchanged; I don't want my quarterback accounting for 79 of 167 ground yards.  Otherwise, Jones finished 20/37 for 196 yards with an interception.  Playing under massive duress, he has yet to surpass 200 yards passing through three games and has as many turnovers as touchdown passes.

Said another way, Saquon Barkley and Graham Gano cannot carry this team alone, and after three games, Daniel Jones is not trending well.

Cooper Rush, who was making his third career start in only his 13th career game, outplayed Daniel Jones.  

Or is the offensive line still this team's greatest weakness?

The Bears will supply a short-term answer.

One Giants Step Forward for Brian Daboll

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Week One

Giants   21

Titans   20

Saquon Barkley Rushes Giants to Daylight

Bill Parcells once said a 47-yard field goal attempt is no easy task.  Just ask Scott Norwood.  But instead of wide right, Sunday's kick hooked left to give the Giants a 21-20 victory over one of last season's more formidable teams.

Congratulations to head coach Brian Daboll on his first win as Giants coach.  Give the man credit for making a bold decision.  Coach got away with it and deserved a day to glow.  As a fan, I thank him for guiding Big Blue to their first opening-day victory in many years.

But if the first quarter made you want to change the channel, I don't blame you - three possessions, twelve plays, and three punts.  When Daniel Jones fumbled to open the second quarter, years of frustration rushed to the forefront of my mind.  

However, the defense twice held Tennessee to a field goal on consecutive drives, limiting the Giants' deficit to 13-0 by halftime.  This proved decisive.  

Ryan Tannehill was not under much duress.  He was 20/33 for 266 yards with two touchdowns, one sack, and five QB hits.  But the Giants limited Derrick Henry to 82 yards rushing, and if you take away his long of 18 yards, Henry rushed 24 times for only 64 yards.

The Giants scored all their points in the second half.  There are many ways to interpret the performance of Daniel Jones.  On the one hand, an end zone interception, a lost fumble, and failure to connect with Sterling Shepard in stride beg the question: where's the improvement?  On the other hand, Jones failed to complete only four of 21 attempts, converted a huge fourth down, and threw two touchdowns.  Take from that what you will.

Saquon Barkley was the clear star of the game.  Take away his third-quarter 68-yard romp, and he still rushed 17 times for 96 yards with a touchdown and the go-ahead two-point conversion.  Saquon was strong through the middle, beat Tennesse to the edges, and with six catches, totaled 194 yards of offense.  Did he get away with a lost fumble punched out from behind?  That's for Coach Daboll to address.

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: Week Five Angry Take

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK FIVE

Giants        20

COWBOYS  44

FINAL

Dazed and Confused

Let's see ...

I'm the offensive coordinator and already down three wide receivers (Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard).  In the first quarter, I lose my starting running back (Saquon Barkley), and I'm missing Andrew Thomas, my starting left tackle.  

I know; let me put my quarterback in jeopardy!

The play in which Daniel Jones was hurt was mindless, senseless, ponderous on Jason Garrett's part.  

Third and goal, two tight ends, a fullback, hand it off to Devontae Booker, and the Giants likely score.

But, no ...

Jason Garrett calls for a naked bootleg.  Jones sustains a helmet-to-helmet hit and is driven headfirst into the turf.  When Jones picks himself up off the ground, he's clearly disoriented, foaming at the mouth and wobbly on his legs.  Afterwhich he needed to be carted off the field and did not return.  

I've been saying for five weeks now: Daniel Jones cannot be the team's primary run threat!

I put this all on Jason Garrett.

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: Stumblin' and Fumblin' in Week One Loss to Broncos

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

Broncos   27

Giants      13

FINAL

Offense Leaves Defense Stranded On The Field For Thirty-Five Minutes

There's a lot of fourth-quarter fluff in those end-of-game numbers.  Otherwise, we're talking about an offensive performance mired in futility.  

The Giants possessed the ball for just 24:52, in which they gained only 60 yards on the ground, 33 yards by Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker, and 27 yards by Daniel Jones, most of which, to reiterate, came in the fourth quarter, and of course, there was his third-quarter fumble.  Meanwhile, the Giants only rushed for three first downs.

Daniel Jones played increasingly better as the situation became direr.  But even then, the Giants had multiple scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter, which stalled miserably.

Sunday's boxscore says Daniel Jones was 22/37 for 267 yards with a touchdown connection to Sterling Shepard.  But, again, much of that was accumulated in the last few possession of the fourth quarter.  He threw incomplete to Kenny Golladay on a fourth and goal, and the Giants later turned the ball over on downs from the Broncos' twenty.  So, essentially what we have is the fumble and several late-game failures.  Making his 27th NFL start, Daniel Jones turned the ball over for the fortieth time in his career.

The defense was forced to stay on the field for over a half-hour.

That simply will not do.

I'll give Saquon Barkley a pass in his first game back from injury.  Ordinarily, I'd be griping that 14 rushing attempts by the backfield versus 37 pass attempts are not complementary football.  But despite minimal attempts, the offensive line did not create much daylight for Barkley or Devontae Booker to run through.  They did not provide an effective option for Coach Garrett and Daniel Jones to operate with.

The offensive line also had no answer for Denver's Von Miller who's performance negatively altered New York's plans.

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.

 

PIGSKIN 2020: Week Three

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Three

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

SCOREBOARD:

Week Two Record:  10-4

Overall Record:  18-9-1

Schmear of the Week:  1-1

Bagels in the Basket:  +8

1st and Ten

• REST IN PEACE ~ GALE SAYERS
• Eleven teams with 2-0 record ties for most in NFL history (2008).
• With the first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the NYG select...?
• Buffalo Bills only New York team with a victory.

2nd and Short

• After two games the Jets season already looks all but over.
• Bill Belichik's sense of fashion is second to none, that last sweatshirt looked older than me.

No Gain

• Ten teams with 0-2 record.
• Robert Kraft gets his happy ending after all; solicitation charges in Florida dropped.
• Niners QB Jimmy G (ankle) is hurt, again.

PUNT!

• NFL reprimands five head coaches for not wearing masks.
• Hail Mary!  Florida governor has essentially declared everything in the state, open.
• Texans interested in WR Antonio Brown?
• Tyrod Taylor out after having his lung punctured by the team physician administering an injection.

WEEK THREE

Friday line NYP

GIANTS +4 Niners

Despite the loss of Saquon Barkley, I'm still throwing the Giants a bone.  The running game has been wholly ineffectual, but the team is yet to embarrass themselves in games against the Steelers and Bears.  The Giants need better play from the offensive line.  They've run left for minimal yards and have yet to gain positive yardage rushing up the middle.  More than half of all rush attempts have gone right behind Kevin Zeitler and Cam Fleming.  As a unit they've so far yielded seven sacks.  After two games together, I'm anticipating a better performance.  If they create just a little bit of daylight for new acquisition Devonta Freeman and pass protect a little better, Daniel Jones stands a better chance of leading the Giants to their first victory.  The Niners are also beset by injuries after last week's game against the Jets, but are still well equipped to defeat the Giants.  With nothing to lose, it's up to OC Jason Garrett to be ultra aggressive.  Let's see if Jones and Darius Slayton can steal the show.  Food for thought: this spread opened at seven points.

Loss 36-9 49ers

• ICYMI: NYG: Hog Mollies Keeping Offense in the Dark

COLTS -11 Jets

The Jets are presently the worst team in football.  Injuries aren't helping.  Sam Darnold can not do this by himself.  Jets are lucky if they score 17 points.  This could get ugly.  The Colts should be flirting with 3-0 but got upended in Week One.

WIN 36-7 Colts

PATRIOTS -5 1/2 Raiders

The Raiders are traveling East and coming off a short week.  They are a team on the rise, just not this week.  This is still the Patriots at home.  Bill Belichick will figure something out.  Cam Newton is playing inspired football again.

WIN 36-20 Patriots

Rams +2 1/2 BILLS

This is based on opponents.  The Bills will challenge for the division title, but I'm little impressed with victories against the broken Jets and the South Beach Fish.  The Rams are undefeated after playing the up and down Cowboys and the flightless Eagles.

Loss 35-32 Bills

STEELERS -4 Texans

When it rains it pours.  Life is about to get worse for the Texans.  Steelers defense rules the day, and the offense does just enough (to cover). 

WIN 28-21 Steelers

Titans -2 1/2 VIKINGS

The Titans defeated the Broncos by two points and the Jaguars by three points, both on late field goals.  Ball control: Titans offense is closest thing to smash mouth football that exists in the league.  Looking for them to kick it up another notch against a ponderous Vikings defense.

Loss 31-30 Titans

 

BROWNS -7 No Names

I thought the No Names defense would be able to slow down Arizona's offense.  They didn't, and on the other side of the ball only scored 15 points.  The Eagles were complete garbage when WTF defeated them in Week One.  Baker Mayfield is the wavering variable.  Cleveland was limited to just six points when opposed by Baltimore's pass rush, then opened up for 35 points against the hapless Bengals.  If the Browns play to their two week mean they should be okay.

WIN 34-20 Browns

EAGLES -4 1/2 Bengals

Welcome to the Week IV Toilet Bowl.  The Eagles still have enough in place to win a game, right? Leaning towards the team with more in the toolbox. (I hate this game)

Loss 23-23 TIE*

FALCONS -3 Bears

Atlanta's absentee defense be damned.  Who do you trust to score more points, Matt Ryan or Mitch Trubisky?  

Loss 30-26 Bears

CHARGERS -6 1/2 Panthers

A good Chargers defense going up against a Carolina offense missing Christian McAffrey.  Similar to the Falcons, the Panthers defense is nowhere to be found.

Loss 21-16 Panthers

CARDINALS -5 1/2 Lions

Lions are cornered cats, but the Cardinals refuse to go away.  Ride the Kyler Murray bandwagon with me!  Cards beat the Niners when San Fran was still at full strength, then doubled up the No Names.  The undefeated Seahawks and Rams are all the motivation the Cardinals need.  Lions have too big a hill to climb after getting buried last week by the Packers.  

Loss 26-23 Lions

  

Bucs -6 1/2 BRONCOS

This is still a good Broncos defense.  The Steelers let Denver back into last week's game.  I do not foresee the Bucs defense doing the same.  Tom Brady will do enough to keep the Broncos at bay.

WIN 28-10 Bucs

  

SEAHAWKS -5 1/2 Cowboys

The Cowboys should be 0-2 entering Week Three.  The Falcons last week handed them victory on a silver platter.  To their credit, the Cowboys still got the job done.  But the Seahawks will not be as kind.  Seattle will provide no quarter.

WIN 38-31 Seahawks

Packers +3 SAINTS

Derek Carr carved up the Saints like a turkey.  The Saints couldn't get the Raiders offense off the field.  Look for Aaron Rogers to treat them similarly.  I expect Sean Payton and Drew Brees to throw everything in the book at Green Bay.  Problem is we've seen it all before, whereas Aaron Rogers and head coach Matt LaFleur seem to be onto something new.

WIN 37-30 Packers

Schmear of the Week (1-1)

Titans -2 1/2

LOSS

Good luck and have a great FOOTBALL SUNDAY everyone!

SCOREBOARD

Week Three Record:  6-7

Overall Record:  24-16-1

Schmear of the Week: 1-2

Bagels in the Basket:  +4

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: 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: Might as Well Throw Caution to the Wind

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

ELI's SWAN SONG

WEEK TWO

Buffalo Bills

vs.

New York Giants

Buffalo scores 17 points against the Jets last week, which is coincidentally exactly how many points the Giants put up against Dallas.  But whereas the Bills hold the Jets to just 16 points, the Giants yield 35 points to the Cowboys.  Needless to say the Giants defense is going to be a problem; a big problem; their biggest problem of the season.  The defense will very likely be the ones most responsible for cutting short Eli Manning's swan song.  But if Eli still has it in him to stand his ground in the pocket and carry a team, then Sunday could be that day.

Golden Tate is serving his suspension; Sterling Shepard remains in concussion protocol; Cody Latimer has a barking calf; and Darius Slayton is hobbling on a cranky hamstring.  That means all eyes this Sunday will be fixed squarely on Saquon Barkley.  Last week against Dallas he rushes eleven times for 120 yards.  If you subtract his 59-yard long, he still averages five yards per on ten rushes for 51 yards.  That said I expect Buffalo to pack the box with an extra defender in an all out effort to thwart Saquon from running wild.

Obviously the game plan can not be simply to rush Barkley left; Barkley middle; Barkley right ... not without a fullback and blocking tight ends, right?  Although I'm curious as hell to see if this offensive line is up for the task.  Similarly dumping off to Saquon and waiting for the YAC's also does not a game plan make.  With Russell Shepard, Bernie Fowler, Cody Core, etc., suddenly thrust into primary receiver roles, the Bills will be begging Eli to beat them over the top.  And he should oblige.

Last week against Dallas the offensive line yielded two sacks and nine other quarterback hits against Eli Manning.  This Buffalo defense commands no less respect, if not more.  They have good corners and a strong front seven that get after the quarterback.  Thus, a great opportunity for this line to really prove their collective worth lay dead ahead.  I certainly expect more rushes this week for Barkley.  After all, this is what this whole hog mollie thing is all about.

That ... keep Eli clean, and let him seize the moment.

N.Y. Giants: Eli Manning Poised To Play In Narrative Defining Game

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Dave Gettleman Banking on Eli Manning's 

Ability to Turn Back the Clock

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

New York Giants

vs.

Dallas Cowboys

FROM

The House That Jerry Built

New York Football Giants: Dallas Cowboys Will Do Far Better Job Exploiting Absence of Olivier Vernon; I'm Concerned With Extra Load Being Placed on Snacks Harrison.

The Giants will play once again minus the services of their top pass rusher, linebacker Olivier Vernon, who will miss a second straight week with a high ankle sprain.  The Giants say he'll be ready by next week.  But history says this injury is notorious for slow healing, and sometimes responsible for hampering entire seasons.

Without him, the defense last week generated little in the way of quarterback pressure, registering one sack, and just three other QB hits.  On the ground, Leonard Fournette was having his way until sidelined by a strained hamstring.  Otherwise the Jaguars go on to rush for 137 total yards.

Sunday night the Giants face Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and a superior Dallas Cowboys offensive line.  If Week One is any indication, the Giants will have difficulty generating much, if any pressure against Dak Prescott.  But there are reasons why the Cowboys only scored eight points last week against Carolina.  Without Dez Bryant, they have no legitimate high threat receivers to speak of.  It just renders their offense more predictable.., that's all.

But it also creates a great case study into new defensive coordinator James Bettcher's creativity.  His unit allowed the Jaguars only thirteen offensive points last week.  Bettcher should be daring Dak Prescott to beat them.  If Eli Apple, Janoris Jenkins, and Curtis Riley capably handle their respective assignments, Landon Collins can then potentially help stack the box against Ezekiel Elliott, and thus allow Bettcher to sneak in an occasional blitz.

On a somewhat different note, it appeared to me last week that playing minus Olivier Vernon at some point began taking its toll on Snacks Harrison.  In that regard, I envision this week unfolding similarly.  Keep an eye on Snacks, Coach, because he's the one player I feel the defense can least afford to lose.

THIS IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF GAME DAVE GETTLEMAN IS TRUSTING ELI MANNING TO CARRY THE TEAM, AND WIN.

Point directly at Big Blue's offensive shortcomings for Week One's loss against the Jaguars.  Much was, and is still being made of Ereck Flowers poor performance.  When truth be told, the entire line played a flawed and inept brand of football.  Nate Solder was the first to admit that.  All told, the Giants rush 23 times for 114 total yards, but subtract Saquon Barkley's 68-yard romp, and the Giants rush 22 times for just 46 yards.  And if we're pointing fingers, the left side of the line (not the right) proved least effective.  The unit as a whole allowed two sacks and six more QB hits.

It seems Saquon Barkley's role is yet to be defined.  Last week he rushed 18 times with only two receptions, which is contrary to what many anticipated.  I would argue this week calls for 25 rushes of smash mouth type football.  After which I'm sure he'll be making many more receptions out of the backfield in the weeks to come.  In the meantime, Dallas is sure to test his abilities at reacting to an NFL blitz.

However, most problematic of all was last week's disconnect between Eli Manning and his receivers.
Eli's naysayers say elite quarterbacks find ways of carrying entire teams to victory regardless of the talent level surrounding them.  This week, that couldn't ring more true.  Getting open against Jacksonville was not necessarily a problem for Odell Beckham, Sterling Sherpard, or Evan Engram.  But timing and accuracy were.  I might be an Eli apologist without realizing it.  But even I'll admit this is Eli's game to either win or lose all by himself.  If he and his receivers clean up their act, the Giants should get out of Dallas with hard fought, well earned victory, and allow fans to breathe a little sigh of relief.

Or not ...

N.Y. Giants: O-Line Puts Worst Foot Forward

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Coach McAdoo 

Serving Up Offensive Line Kool-Aid

Week One

FINAL

Giants        3

Cowboys  19

New York Football Giants: New Season, Same Old Story.

ICYMI: As Offensive Line Goes, So Go The Giants 

This is an offensive line/backfield issue in the collective sense, as much a philosophical issue; be sure of that.  So there's no point in singling out players.  We know who they are, and what they're incapable of.  If anyone needs to be singled out, it's Jerry Reese for de-prioritizing these units over the last six seasons to the point of complete deterioration.

What I'm not sure about, is what Coach McAdoo is trying to sell us.  No coach should ever place himself in agreement with the press by saying, "Yeah, well, my O-Line sucks."  I understand not wanting to throw a struggling unit under the bus.  We all get that.  But reducing the matter to a non-issue.  That's the first indication of a huge problem.  And it's beginning to seem as if his media deflections and denials are cries for mercy.

The Cowboys sacked Eli three times, and registered four more QB hits.  In other words, the pocket was not a hospitable place to be.  Meanwhile the passing lanes remained riddled with obstacles as well.  Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in particular laid siege to the right side of the Giants O-Line with two sacks, and two more QB hits.

Okay ... so Coach knows he has no running game, and that Eli Manning is in jeopardy with every snap he takes from center.  He also knows that without Odell Beckham Jr. turning seven yard receptions into 65 yard gains the Giants are somewhat impotent.  Sunday night was a Prime Time example (embarrassment).  Sure, Brandon Marshall is a fine receiver in his own right, and is here to alleviate the double team on OBJ.  But with no OBJ, and no viable running game to set up play-action, an average Dallas Cowboys defense (IMO) simply loaded the box, limited Marshall to one catch, and essentially defied the Giants to beat them with Sterling Shepard.

Dallas QB Dak Prescott nearly out-rushed Paul Perkins and Orleans Darkwa by himself.  Big Blue's backs joined to rush a mere ten times for thirty yards.  In fact, the Giants only rushed the ball eleven times all night if you include Sterling Shepard's six yard romp.

If you care to argue Shane Vereen's nine receptions for 54 yards out of the backfield count for something ... fine.  But what if I countered by saying he accounted for 23% of the Giants offense during what was effectively a shutout.

Now consider that guy on the opposing sideline.  Behind a well drafted, cohesive, and effective offensive line, Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott rushed 24 times for 104 yards ... against a good Giants defense.

That being said, the Giants defense played very well Sunday night, holding the Cowboys to 19 points. But if the offense remains intent on leaving them out there for 35:00 minutes a game, then we're all in for a long season.

The score was only 0-3 after the first quarter, and 0-16 at halftime.  We are not talking dire circumstances here.  Those are generally times for regrouping, making adjustments, getting back to fundamentals, and attempting to establish the run again.  But that's only if you have any semblance of a rushing attack.  One must have the mindset as well.  Teams must want to run the ball and commit.   And for that, you need an effective offensive line.  It appears as if the Giants have none of the above.

Dallas rushed for 129 yards and held the ball for 34:14 minutes.  They produced 392 yards of offense on 71 plays.  As previously noted, the Giants only rushed for 35 yards and possessed the ball for 25:46 minutes.  They were limited to 233 total yards on just 53 plays.

If you do not think there is a correlation between running successfully, and time of possession, and victory, then you're drinking Coach McAdoo's Kool-Aid.


 ... and I picked the Giants to win too.

N.Y. Giants: Three Cheers for Mediocrity

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

New York Football Giants: Jerry Reese's off-season investment upgraded to hold.

The New York Giants achieved par with a close victory over the Baltimore Ravens.  

But is today's 3-3 record tomorrow's 8-8 season?

Think about it...

While it's true, the Giants aerial exploits have been pretty damn astonishing, 35-year old Eli Manning is nevertheless throwing behind an offensive line he has little confidence in, has no tight end to speak of, and is minus backfield outlet Shane Vereen.  

Yet Eli, Victor Cruz, Sterling Shepard, and of course Odell Knucklehead Jr., have the Giants offense ranking 2nd in the NFL in overall passing yards, and 3rd in passing yards per game.

As we've seen, however, the running game is non-existent.  Little Blue ranks 27th in the league in overall rushing, and 30th in rushing yards per game.  

In turn, the Giants rank 21st in overall points scored, and 25th in points scored per game.  Through six games, the Giants have scored 116 points for an average of 19.3 per game, while their opponents have scored 131 points against them, for an average of 21.8 points per game.  That's a 2 1/2 point handicap they must overcome.

Defensively, if last season was rock bottom, then all indications to date at least point towards mediocrity:

• 12th yards allowed.
• 14th yards allowed per game.
• 10th passing yards allowed.
• 11th passing yards allowed per game.
• 15th least rushing yards allowed.
• 12th least rushing yards allowed per game.
• 17th most points allowed.
• 14th least points allowed per game.

Said another way, Jerry Reese is presently breaking even on his off-season investments, but getting killed on fees.  On Wall Street, that's called a dog.

In football, it's called running with the pack.