N.Y. Giants: New GM Dave Gettleman Vows To Kick Ass

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Gett This House In Order

New York Giants: David Gettleman Named New General Manager ... And I Couldn't Be More Happy.

My genesis as a Giants fan occurred while Andy Robustelli (1974-1978) still served as general manager.  But I do not remember much, if anything, about him.

I vividly recall, however, the day the Giants hired George Young, and his 18-year tenure as general manager.

From 1994 through 1997, Ernie Accorsi served as assistant GM under George Young.  Upon his retirement after the 1997 season, Young appointed Ernie Accorsi to succeed him as next general manager of the Giants.

Jerry Reese likewise began working for the Giants in 1994 as a college scout.  In 1997, he was elevated to pro scout by George Young.  In 2004, Accorsi made him director of player personnel.  Upon his own retirement after the 2006 season, Ernie Accorsi named Jerry Reese general manager.

It was also Ernie Accorsi who originally brought David Gettleman into the New York Giants fold as a scout back in 1998.  He was elevated the following year and served as pro personnel director through the 2011 season.  In 2012, Jerry Reese promoted him to senior pro personnel analyst.

When the Carolina Panthers were in search of a new general manager, they brought in Ernie Accorsi as a consultant, whom recommended Dave Gettleman.  Gettleman in turn served from 2013 through 2016 as general manager of the Panthers, posting a 40-23 regular season record over his four years.  The Panthers made three straight playoff appearances under his stewardship, and after posting a 15-1 record in 2015 opposed the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl Fifty.

After co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch moved to release Jerry Reese and former head coach Ben McAdoo, they similarly consulted Ernie Accorci, who once again recommended Dave Gettleman (whom in 2016 experienced a falling out with Panthers managing owner Jerry Richardson).

His interview effectively ended with haste the Giants search for Jerry Reese's replacement.  And now David Gettleman becomes the fourth lineal general manager of the New York Giants during my lifetime.

Simply put, I love the move!

This is not just another typically safe in-house selection.  Dave Gettleman's resume speaks for itself. He has been a part of four different Super Bowl contending organizations.  He has scouted or served as general manager for two different AFC champions, and two different NFC champions.  All told, he's been associated with nine Super Bowl appearances:

• Buffalo - 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993.
• Denver - 1997.
• NYG - 2000, 2007, 2011.
• Carolina - 2015.

Gettleman began his NFL career scouting for the Buffalo Bills in 1986, and through the 1993 season.  For those of you still too young at the time, or not yet born, those Bills were frighteningly stacked with Hall of Fame and Pro Bowl caliber talent, whom together won four consecutive AFC championships.

From 1994 through 1997, Gettleman then served as a scout for the Denver Broncos.  Denver went 7-9 during his first season associated with the organization, then followed with an 8-8 record during his second.  The Broncos elevated to 13-3 in 1996, then posted a 14-2 record in 1997 en route to winning Super Bowl XXXII.

Then began his first stint in East Rutherford.  He was on staff during the Giants Super Bowl run of 2000, and for both their 2007 and 2011 championship seasons.

Said another way, the man understands winning.  Moreover, he understands New York Giants football.

Dave Gettleman Press Conference - NYG.com

Jerry Reese was widely criticized for his failure to effectively rebuild the offensive line, and poor drafting overall.  And while it's true that not one player from the 2011 and 2012 drafts presently play for the Giants, to be fair, Gettlemen and Marc Ross, were still a part of that process.

Since 2013, the Reese and Ross connection have arguably hit on a few players (some more debatable than others): Justin Pugh, Odell Beckham Jr., Weston Richburg, Landon Collins, Sterling Shepard, B.J. Goodson, and most recent addition, Evan Engram.

A few of their more notable busts are proving to be Eli Apple, Ereck Flowers, and newly departed Bobby Hart.

Point being, Jerry Reese, Marc Ross, the entire scouting department, and extended staff, indeed left much to be desired.

And so, here we are.

NY Giants Draft History - Football Reference

Prior to interviewing Dave Gettleman, the Giants previously extended their very first interview opportunity to Marc Ross.  On board since 2007, Ross spent his first six years with the organization serving as their director of college scouting, and for the last five years has served as the Giants vice president of player evaluation.

The New York Daily News suspects his interview did not go very well, because on Saturday David Gettleman fired Marc Ross.

At the very least, one should immediately ponder the future of Ken Sternfeld (director of pro personnel) as well.

David Gettleman does not operate in grey zones.  His decisions, rather, gleam with conviction.

He refuses to pay one dollar beyond what he thinks is their fair market value, and certainly won't pay for past performance late in careers.  In fact, he'd rather cut a player too early than too late, and is quick to eliminate malcontents from his locker room.  Look no further than his treatment of former Panthers favorites Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Jon Beason, and Josh Norman.

Speaking of which ... I hope Odell Beckham Jr. is paying attention.  Or, maybe he should call right tackle Bobby Hart.  It was reported during Sunday's Giants/Redskins telecast on FOX, that Bobby Hart allegedly refused to play in Sunday's meaningless game.  Dave Gettleman in turn waived him.

During his introductory press conference, Gettleman listed among his top his priorities: rebuilding the offensive line; reestablishing the running game; and rebuilding the defensive line.  If you look at his team building in Carolina, he consistently maintained a strong presence at linebacker as well.

Is Dave Gettleman set on bringing back the good old days of Smash Mouth?

That remains to be seen.

But he did say rather matter of fact, his goal is to kick ass.

N.Y. Giants: Ben McAdoo Breaks Out The Pom-Poms

from the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Giants Are Double-Digit Underdogs At Home

Oh, The Shame!

SUNDAY

Kansas City Chiefs

vs.

New York Giants

New York Giants: Coach McAdoo Says Come Out To Met Life Stadium To Watch A Great Show; We Plan On Playing Great Football On Sunday And Getting A Win.

The man sounds delusional, but I'll play along and talk strategy for the hell of it.

The New England Patriots defense actually leads the NFL in most yards allowed per game.  However, you can chalk much of that on a poor start during their first four games of the season.  Since then, they've clamped down, limiting their opposition to just 13 ppg over their last five games.

Second on the list are the Giants, having allowed an average of 400.3 yards per game.  No wonder there.  Suspensions in the secondary, injuries to the defensive line and linebackers, and overall poor play speak for themselves.

Fourth on the list are the Indianapolis Colts.  They're just terrible.

Surprisingly sandwiched in at number three on the list are the Kansas City Chiefs.  They've allowed an average of 390.3 yards per game, and like the Giants, have surrendered an average of 6.0 yards per play!  I know losing safety Eric Berry hurt them.  But I'm nevertheless surprised that K.C. is the only division leader (of eight) to have surrendered more than 200 points so far.

Once upon a time, that would have been welcome news for the old smash mouth Giants of yore.

But without Weston Richburg and Justin Pugh, the offensive line isn't likely to be creating much daylight.  D.J. Fluker is also dealing with a barking knee and has only engaged in limited practice.  Whatever Orleans Darkwa gains will be won through his own individual efforts.

Shane Vereen has become a non-entity. And the back-up receivers are still not up to snuff, at which point, it becomes easier for the Chiefs to eliminate either tight end Evan Engram or Rhett Ellison.  That being said, don't count on much pass protection for Eli Manning.  I counted on numerous occasions how the 49ers were on Eli Manning in three seconds flat. 

But you know what they say about any given Sunday.  If the Giants can put together a respectable offensive effort, the Chiefs defense just might be willing to oblige.

Giants fans can only hope Coach McAdoo's ploy to view last week's game film in front of the whole team works out.  Although that seemed directed at the defensive side of the ball, perhaps most players will indeed have become embarrassed enough into putting forth better performances this week.

This big money defense still has big problems. 

Landon Collins, DRC, Eli Apple, and Janoris Jenkins, all need to redeem themselves, and do a little bit of growing up as well.  Linebacker B.J. Goodson is out this week, and upon returning from his injury Jonathan Casillas still appeared a step behind the competition last week.  Snacks Harrison is dealing with a bum ankle, while JPP is still being hampered by a disagreeable knee.  At least Olivier Vernon has played well since returning from injury, but he can't stop Alex Smith and tight end Travis Keice by himself.

Who is going to step up?

John Mara and Robert Tisch have spoken.  The Giants will finish out the season with Ben McAdoo as head coach, and Jerry Reese as general manager.

I agree with them.  Don't change a thing. 

As if life on the hot seat wasn't making McAdoo sweat already, he will most certainly be judged all game against Kansas City head coach Andy Reid.  Be sure ownership will be watching this particular match-up very closely.

Let McAdoo and Reese own this (and increase our odds for securing a high draft pick).  Besides, adversity reveals character.  We are beginning to learn which players are committed to playing the game, and which chose to comport themselves in a professional manner, versus those more willing to just go through the motions, and focusing on self-serving interests.

N.Y. Giants: What The Fluker Was That?

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SUNDAY

Seattle Seahawks

vs.

New York Giants

FROM

Jimmy Hoffa Grounds

New York Giants: Was Last Sunday Just a Fluker?

Seattle will be ready.  The Giants won't be able to pull a fast one over the Seahawks like they did against the Broncos in Denver.

It was painfully evident last week, offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan was not going to put Eli Manning in harms way.  Yes, the offensive line allowed another three sacks, but that's routine stuff at this point.  Instead, Coach Sullivan limited Eli to 19 passes, who completed 11 of them.  Only five receptions were made by four different fill-in receivers.  Rookie tight end Evan Engram accounted for another five receptions, and one toss went to Orleans Darkwa out of the backfield.

Denver is a good team with a top tier defense.  Yet, the Giants rushed 31 times for 148 yards; an average of 4.6 yards per carry.

Were the Broncos simply caught off guard?  Did they simply have a bad day at the office?

One now has to wonder about the impact D.J. Fluker played in Sunday's game.  He single-handed opened up swaths of daylight for Orleans Darkwa starting at center in place of Weston Richburg (concussion protocol).

Bart Oates was the Giants starting center from 1985 through 1993, during which time he appeared in three Pro Bowls.  He was their center in 1986, and went to the Pro Bowl during the Giants 1990 Super Bowl season.  He played out his final two season with San Francisco, making the Pro Bowl each time.

Shaun O'Hara was brought over from Cleveland in 2004, and became the Giants starting center for the next seven seasons.  He started for the 2007 Super Bowl champions, and appeared in three straight Pro Bowls between 2008 - 2010.

David Baas was signed as a free agent to replace O'Hara the following season.  Despite winning a Super Bowl in 2011 with Baas at center, he went on to become an expensive bust.  But then again, the 2011 season was the last bit of goodness Jerry Reese was able to squeeze out of that offensive line.

Since then, it's been all downhill.

Now in his fourth season, Weston Richburg, 25, was selected by the Giants in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2014 draft.  He has missed the last two games, placed in concussion protocol, which brings us to D.J. Fluker.

Now 29-years old, D.J. was selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 2013 draft by the Chargers.  Only problem is, he is used to playing right guard.

So what do we make of last Sunday?

The man is 6'5", and weighs 339 pounds.  Weston Richburg is 6'3", 298lbs.

Hmm.

Seattle will be expecting the Giants to run ... again.  I'm sure of it.

So, I'm going to reserve judgement until after Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

I have a saying: Once is an event; twice is a coincidence; and three times is a trend.

Nuff ced.

N.Y. Giants: Eli Trapped in Unsafe Working Condition

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

The Good Old Days?

New York Giants: Eli Manning Surrounded By Ten Big Blue Question Marks; What A Great Time To Start Geno Smith!

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they got a lot worse.

Brandon Marshall, and the Giants lone legitimate scoring threat, Odell Beckham Jr., are both out for the season with fractured ankles sustained during last Sunday's game against the Chargers.

One has to wonder if the Fates are just piling on now.

When Eli Manning takes the field this Sunday against the Broncos in Denver, he will be surrounded by ten giant question marks, all of which spell big trouble.

Having to break in a whole new compliment of receivers, I feel, is putting Eli directly in harms way.  In fact, the odds of him sustaining his first major injury, or even a potential season ending injury, I believe, are suddenly sky high.

I'll tell you why.

In weeks One and Two, Eli sustained eight sacks, and another 13 QB hits.  Adjustments were made, and as a result, Eli remained relatively untouched against the Eagles in Week Three, and in Week Four against the Bucs.  The offensive line allowed no sacks and just seven QB hits in those games, but that was because Eli was getting the ball off within three to four seconds or less (much faster than he's accustomed to).  And, he also was still throwing to a full compliment of receivers.

In Week Five against the Chargers, the already maligned offensive line was playing without center Weston Richburg (concussion protocol), while John Jerry was playing with a strained hamstring.  The starting front five allowed five sacks, and another seven QB hits.  Eli was under duress when he threw somewhat high on the play Odell Beckham fractured his ankle (but that's football).

Suffice it to say, the offensive line has proven they're incapable of providing even low level protection.  Ereck Flowers, in particular, continues being a liability on the left side.

It's not like Eli can turn to the running game.  Behind the offensive line's compounded inability to create daylight, the Giants are presently 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, 28th in total rushing yards, tied for 28th in rushing attempts, yet actually rank 21st in yards per attempt.

Do we have to bring the tight ends into this?

Do we need to bring Ben McAdoo's ponderous play calling into this?

Yeah!

But with respect to Sunday's game, will Eli Manning and his new receiving corp be up to speed against a very good Denver defense?  Will Eli be able to get passes off within three to four seconds again? 

That's why I say, if these new kids on the chopping block aren't operating with the necessary smarts, and playing at the required speed, Eli is in big trouble.

What's going to happen against the rest of these defenses the Giants still must play?

Seahawks?  Rams?  Chiefs?

The more I think about it, the more I feel this might be a great time to start Geno Smith!

N.Y. Giants: All Eyes On Offensive Line

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Nothing Changes

Everything Starts Up Front

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

NEW YORK GIANTS

vs.

DALLAS COWBOYS

FROM

The House That Jerry Built

TEXAS

New York Football Giants: Big Blue Will Go As Far As Their Offensive Line Takes Them.

We left off last season with Coach McAdoo downplaying the offensive line's pedestrian performance, and instead taking odd shots at Eli Manning, and placing the onus on his QB's individual play.

Coach McAdoo may have simply been employing tough talk tactics, especially coming off guiding the Giants to their first winning season since 2012, and first playoff appearance 2011.  There's also a part of me that totally understands the art and intricacies of Coach Ploy.  Indeed, many things coaches do and say serve specific reasons, particularly where it involves sending messages and/or singling out players.  And at this point, Coach and Eli are also no longer strangers to one another.  But if Coach McAdoo honestly believes his offensive line was not necessarily a problem (or the problem) last season, then we have a big problem on our hands.

I obviously believe the offensive line remains this team's greatest liability.  Last year's performance was mediocre at best ... and I think that's being kind.  One hand washes the other.  So, with regards to Eli, Coach McAdoo has obviously altered the plan since Kevin Gilbride once called the shots.  Eli played under duress.  Why?  His 6.7 yards per attempt last season were his lowest since 2008.  His 10.7 yards per completion were his lowest since 2006.  And while Eli's average yards per game, and QB rating improved dramatically during Coach McAdoo's time as offensive coordinator, Eli's yards per game and QB rating experienced a noticeable downturn last year, not coincidentally, during McAdoo's first year as head coach.

Point is, Coach might be talking out of both sides of his mouth.  It was his own offensive predictability that stood out most me.  That, and the team's complete lack of a running game.

Fact is, the Giants attained an 11-6 record last season despite their offensive line deficiencies.  And as far as I'm concerned, all that does is build false hope.  You saw what happened in the playoffs last season against the Packers.

Having a great defense is just that ... great!  But if your offensive line is incapable of pass protection, and creating daylight for the running game, and thereby managing the clock, then the quick strike system (aka Odell Beckham Jr.) allows the opposition every chance in the world to stay in the game, and position themselves for victory.  Why?  Because they'll likely have sufficient time on the clock. Said another way, the Giants can not win in December and January if their defense has been forced to play 32:00 to 38:00 minutes a game.

The alternative has been Eli needing to orchestrate a game saving 1:39 minute, 87 yard drive for the victory.

The Giants head into this season with the same offensive line as last season.  There's something to be said for continuity.  I believe in that.  But does this unit, as presently constituted, posses the talent worthy of such a time investment?

At left tackle, the answer is unequivocally, no..!  Ereck Flowers must blossom this season, and preferably sooner in the year that later.  There's no doubt all eyes will be on him.  But will Eli need eyes in the beck of his head?

Hoepfully (I can't stress that enough), LG Just Pugh is a year wiser, and a year better.  And at Center, I'm expecting perhaps too much from Weston Richburg.  I have a belief that winning, success, or at the very least a effective running game is born of an all-pro caliber center.  Look how the Jets ran with Jeff Mangold, then how their running game fell off the planet without him.  The same thing happened last year of the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.  Atlanta couldn't keep the Patriots offense off the field once their center got hurt because they could longer run the ball effectively.  The Giants won Super Bowls with Bart Oates at center, with Joe Morris, and O.J. Anderson, and Sean O'Hara at center with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.  Get the picture?

The right side of the line is a complete mystery to me.  I have no idea what we'll be getting, from what is sure to be a revolving door system, involving John Jerry, Bobby Hart, and D.J. Fluker.

At least Jerry Reese thought enough to fortify tight end, if only to help the running game, and give Eli an occasional outlet.  But by no means are any of them a primary pass option, and that's too bad.

To make this long story short, and as good as this defense is expected to be, the Giants will only go as far as their offensive line takes them.

N.Y. Giants: Back to the Frozen Tundra

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

2007 

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP 

GAME

New York Football Giants: Best way to defeat Aaron Rogers is by keeping him on the sidelines..

Let the record show, that in his first campaign as head coach Ben McAdoo ended Big Blue's four year playoff drought, guiding them to a well earned Wild Card berth - considering, that is, the team punctuated their 11-5 record with two victories over this season's NFC East champion (and #1 seed) Dallas Cowboys.

That being said, let the second season begin!

The Giants will again trek to Green Bay's famed Lambeau Field where they'll resume their ongoing subarctic conflict against the Packers.  This time led not by Tom Coughlin, but by Ben McAdoo who returns to the place where he helped create the beast Big Blue must slay named Aaron Rogers.

Again.....

The Giants obviously emerged victorious in a pair of epic confrontations played at Lambeau during their 2007 and 2011 Super Bowl runs ... games Packer fans would much rather forget.  Which is why Sunday every cheese head in Wisconsin will have nothing but revenge on their minds.

*          *          *

But if the Giants are to be successful in Green Bay, and hopefully beyond, they'll need to gain a measure of ground control and clock management.  They'll need to run the ball whether they like it or not.  They must do so in order to keep the Packers defense honest, which is another way of saying keeping Eli Manning alive and maximizing play-action.  Running the ball will help keep Aaron Rogers on the sidelines, and perhaps lessen the burden being placed on the Giants defense (minus JPP) when Rogers is on the field.

• Question:  What is the single most factor differentiating these Giants from the Super Bowl champions of XXI, XXV, XLII, XLVI?

• Answer:  Previous opponents were forced to respect a formidable Giants running game.  Joe Morris and O.J. Anderson ran behind superb offensive lines led by all-pro center Bart Oates, while Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw rushed behind another superb offensive line anchored by yet another all-pro center, Shaun O'Hara.

Promising center (I'm being kind) Weston Richburg is good, and will get better.  In fact, the Giants do their best running up the middle.  However, he does not have the quality of personnel lined up to his left and right that Oates and O'Hara enjoyed.  The performance of left tackle Ereck Flowers has been the most distressing of the lot.  Otherwise, left guard Justin Pugh represents the best of the rest.

Having Shane Vereen on injured reserve combined with Rashad Jennings' unspectacular style and underwhelming performance only exacerbates the situation.

So what's a coach to do?

Everyone says the Giants should go right after Green Bay's weak secondary.

I could not agree more.

But I say do that by attacking Green Bay's more competent front seven.  Sit a third receiver from time to time, and at least attempt to smash mouth a way through to daylight.  Let Nikita Whitlock play like a true fullback.  Give Green Bay some double tight end sets.  Said another way, do what it takes to gain 3.5 yards per carry.  Give Weston Richburg, Justin Pugh, and John Jerry, the help they need to make this happen.

But a coach must first try, and commit.

Sell out.

Because at this point rookie Paul Perkins is the most powerful and elusive runner the Giants have.   Take that with a grain of salt, especially coming off a 102 yard performance during the season finale against a disinterested Washington Redskins defense.  That game nevertheless marked the first time this season a Giants running back rushed for 100 yards in a game.

To his credit, Perkins has been consistent.  He rushed 112 times this season, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.  He closed out the regular season on an uptick, rushing 47 times for 226 yards over the Giants final three games for an average of 4.80 yards per carry.

Run ... so Eli Manning can throw the ball to Miami Vice on his terms, not Green Bay's.

N.Y. Giants: Weston Richburg at Center of Running Attack Versus Cowboys

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

FINAL

GIANTS   20

Cowboys   19

New York Football Giants:  Weston Richburg and Justin Pugh spearhead effective ground game against Cowboys.

After suffering through the pre-season's slings and arrows of outrageous media, the Giants offensive line put their best foot forward.

We shall see as we move forward whether Sunday's ground performance is a sign of things to come.

Center Weston Richburg and left tackle Justin Pugh are easily the Giants best two linemen.  It is no coincidence, then, the Giants did the majority of their rushing behind them.

Rushing 12 times for 58 yards behind Richburg, the Giants averaged 4.8 yards up the middle.   Rushing nine times for 38 yards running left with Pugh, they averaged 4.2 yards per carry.  Along with guard Ereck Flowers, the center/left side of the line opened up 96 yards of daylight over 21 carries.

The caveat ... Dallas defensive front seven is widely regarded as an inferior group.

Back to the Giants...

Will Beatty's return is a clear indication all is not well on the right side of the line presently manned by guard John Jerry and tackle Marshall Newhouse.  Jerry did pull left on occasion with effectiveness against the Cowboys.  Sunday's plan, however, only called for three rushes to the right side, albeit for 13 very positive yards.

Rewarding Rashad Jennings with the lion's share of carries paid off with 75 yards on 18 carries, for a 4.2 average.  Shane Vereen gained 38 yards on six rushes, for a handsome 6.8 average.

Overall, averaging 4.7 yards on 24 carries for 113 yards is a nice way of kicking off the 2016 regular season.

Timing is Everything

Trailing 6-0 in the 2nd quarter, the Giants put their quick strike capabilities to work.  Their touchdown drive during their second possession of the game required just four plays and shaved a mere 1:33 off the clock.

After which, the defense resumed their positions on the field.

Clinging to a 20-19 lead late in the fourth quarter, three straight running plays during the Giants final possession of the game caused Dallas to expend all three of their time outs.

In fact, Mike Sullivan elected to run on every play, handing off to Rashad Bradshaw seven times in all.

That's called controlling the ball and owning the clock.

So, to whom do I owe my little debt of gratitude for such a rushing effort?  Coach McAdoo?  First year Giants' offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan?

I will answer that next time.

Till then, thank you for the correction guys.

N.Y. Giants: Running To Daylight With Sunglasses On

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

GAME FIVE

San Francisco 49ers

vs.

New York Giants

FROM

The Snoopy Bowl

NEW YORK GIANTS: There are no such things as dire circumstances in the NFC East, only chance and opportunity.

Part I of IV

COWBOYS 27; Giants 26

Falcons 24; GIANTS 20

GIANTS 32; D.C. Hogs 21

Giants 24; BILLS 10

The road to an NFC East title has remarkably been detoured through East Rutherford, proving time and again that one team's misfortune and/or dysfunction are another team's opportunity.

Ever mounting injuries continue taking a heavy toll on the Dallas Cowboys, and will do so for several weeks to come.  Elsewhere, the D.C. Hogs remain locked in an eternal struggle against themselves, while the Eagles are safely chained in the division basement until further notice.

In a tumultuous first quarter season, the Giants recovered from their 0-2 start to even their record with consecutive victories over Washington and a particularly convincing one over Buffalo.

Last week's game was certainly an attitude adjuster, causing fans to seriously rethink a great many things.  For instance, the Giants have effectively controlled roughly 235 of a possible 240 minutes played over four games and 16 quarters of football.  It's just that those two gaffes late in games One and Two were so self-destructive, and completely unnecessary.

The second quarter of the season begins with the NFC East locked in a three way tie.  Big Blue is seemingly in the best shape to seize control of a leaderless pack.

Part II of IV

49ERS

@ Eagles

COWBOYS

@ Saints

GAME FIVE: Niners @ Giants

ICYMI: Running of the Bills; Applied SPAGnology

Some of the Niners cast members might still be the same, but San Francisco's performance is far from what we grew accustomed to under Jim Harbaugh.  

The familiar Colin Kaepernick, Anquan Bolden, Vernon Davis, and the 49ers offense are last in total yards per game, and total points scored.  San Francisco's ground game is another matter.  Despite no longer having Frank Gore in the loop, the Niners have nevertheless accumulated the most rushing yards to date, and rank 5th in average yards rushed per game.  All told, however, the Niners are only averaging a mere 12 ppg after four weeks of play.

Defensively, the Niners have allowed the league's 6th most total points, and 10th most total yardage per game.

GIANTS DEFENSE

20.5 points allowed per game

386 yards allowed per game

The Giants, meanwhile, have allowed the NFL's 7th most overall yards.  They have allowed the second most yards through the air, and have averaged the most passing yards allowed per game.  But, they're number one against the run.  They've allowed opponents the 10th most time of possession, allowed the 13th fewest points, and average the 8th least points allowed per game.

GIANTS OFFENSE

25.5 points scored per game

335 yards gained per game

The Giants have rushed for the 8th fewest yards in the NFL, and average the 9th least rushing yards per game.  Through the air, the Giants have only thrown for the 18th most yards in the NFL, and are yet to surpass 1,000 passing yards through 4 games played. They're 19th in average passing yards per game.

Crossed Connections:

Eli Manning's first INT of the season came part and parcel with this whole perverted pass doctrine under Coughlin.  Just saying...

Moose Johnston was covering the game on FOX and pointed out that Rueben Randle should have fought harder to make that particular reception, and I couldn't have agreed more.  He was targeted 6 times but only made 3 receptions for 31 yards (and a touchdown).

The man is slow off the line, telegraphs his cuts, and as Moose pointed out, doesn't place himself between the defender and the ball well enough.  His ineffectiveness has done little to relieve OBJ of double teams.

Eli, meanwhile, has limited his INTs this season, but his in-game management has seemingly gone to pot.  The same spirits that possessed Eli in the latter stages of games One and Two, returned with about 4:00 left in Game Four.  Fortunately they were exorcised in time to stave off yet another 4th quarter disaster.  He must suffer occasional spells of voodoo from growing up in New Orleans  I guess....

If Eli does not audible, Rashad Jennings does not score a 51-yards touchdown on a play that should have been limited to a few yards at most.  I get that.  But running the clock down to zero and wasting time outs still seems routine.

In No Particular Rush:

The Giants stick with the run for sake of maintaining balance.  They certainly do not stick with it long enough to let it wear opponents down or dictate a game.  In previous seasons, the reasons were glaringly evident as to why.  This season, however, there's little excuse not to run more.

Ereck Flowers - Justin Pugh - Weston Richburg - Geoff Schwartz - Marshall Newhouse

The offensive line is coalescing into an effective unit.  They have protected Eli very well, allowing the NFL's 3rd fewest sacks (4) this season.  They have also executed strong run blocking.  Scheme-wise, however, the Giants continue running towards daylight with their sunglasses on.

Minus any yardage gained by Eli Manning, the combination of Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen, have rushed 100 times for 343 yards, for an average of 25 rushes for 85.7 yards per game.

While not great, they've been reliable.  The manner in which they've run, however, has been impressive at times.  Rashad and Andre have moved the chains with power, but only as the play calling allows.

N.Y. Giants: Building Up Offensive Line Still The Way To Daylight

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

A Solution At Left Guard Continues To Evade Jerry Reese.

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: No Quarter...

I thank the Giants for losing the final game of the season.  It makes it easier to keep things in proper perspective, for we need to call the Giants what they were: a woefully inconsistent team.

I can't have a late season surge against the Titans, Hogs, and Rams, change any minds or lend false hope; not again.

Last season, this team lost six straight games.  This season, they lost seven straight games.  The only team they defeated with a winning record were the (9-7) Houston Texans in Week Three.  Otherwise, their 25-24 Week Thirteen loss to the Jaguars was truly the low point of their disappointing 6-10 season.

Problem #1 - The Offensive Line: There's Still A Place In This League For Smash Mouth Football.

Everything starts up front, and the Giants biggest problem remains left guard.

Guard Geoff Schwartz was signed to big money last off-season, and has played all of two inconsequential games for the Giants.  He initially started the season on IR for a toe injury, then wound up recently needing surgery to both his ankle and leg.

The Giants signed free agent Adam Snyder late in the pre-season to compensate for Schwartz.  But, Snyder only managed to play parts of four games, and wound up on IR for a knee as well.

The Giants then tasked rookie Weston Richburg with protecting Eli Manning's blind side.

The Giants started the same offensive line for the first 10 games of the season: Will Beatty, Weston Richburg, J.D. Walton, John Jerry, and Justin Pugh.

Beatty, Walton, and Jerry, started all 16 games this season.  Richburg played in all 16 games, and started 15 games, while Pugh started 14 games.  While not the original plan, that amounts to a very healthy season, which is promising.

Behind them, Dallas Reynolds was a routine contributor, while Brandon Mosley played in 9 games.

To his credit, center J.D. Walton played a full schedule after missing nearly all of the previous two seasons.  In 2012 while with the Broncos, he went down with a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle.   He's certainly been an improvement over David Baas.

However, there is much to consider moving forward.

The Giants running game ranked 23rd in the NFL last season.  The Giants barely rushed for 100 yards per game this season (100 yards per game none the less), hardly enough to compliment the NFL's 7th rated passing attack (which started the season without Odell Beckham, and ended without Victor Cruz).

The O-Line has gotten marginally better at protecting Eli Manning, and their run blocking remains well below par.   There's no push forward; there's no wearing down of the opponent in the 4th quarter; they simply lack power.

A strong O-Line and running game is the best way to keep the opposing offense off the field; it's the best way to control the clock; it's the key to play-action and creating big plays down field; and the best way to preserve Eli Manning in the latter years of his career.

That's why Jerry Reese needs to spent another 1st round draft pick on a beefy, studly, left guard - a franchise left guard - and steer clear of all these injury prone cast-offs.  There's reasons why they become available.  The Giants simply need better play from Eli's blind side.

Jerry Reese also needs to either upgrade the tight end position, or get his hands on a traditional lead blocking fullback, or both.  If Rashad Jennings (if healthy) and Andre Williams get the assistance they need up front, then they should be able to spot the daylight.

And on that note, Will Beatty is another point of contention for me.  He is costly, and is a technique pass protector.  He offers little with regards to the running game.  At his price, he's just not strong enough.  His position needs to be reconsidered.

There is a place in today's NFL for smash mouth football.  It's time this organization got back to its roots.



Mike