For the first time in the recent history of the Giants, they suck terribly, and in no way shape or form can Eli Manning be blamed at all for this shit show. Quietly or not quietly, Eli Manning had a career year. Highest completion percentage of his career, highest yardage, and highest QB rating. (61.7, 3880, 94.2). This can all change (for the better or worse) when the Giants play the Vikings this weekend, but I think the Giants will have a good game. The Vikings have to try, they need to go into the playoffs with SOME mojo, and Eli is a fucking man, so you know he's playing.
Like I said earlier in the season, the Giants defense has been decimated by injuries and poor performances. The two things I assumed were going to be solid going into the year, the running game and the defense, ended up being the biggest problems. I'll say it again because it's worth reiterating...
Eli Manning had a career year (through 15 games mind you), while he had a foot injury and wasn't at 100%, AND he lost his #1 receiver in Plaxico Burress.
I would have never believed that true or to be a possibility early in the year. Steve Smith, Manningham, Hak Nicks, Dom Hixon. Also, early in the season Domenik Hixon was thought to be the #1 receiver on the team, but it turned out very different. The Giant aerial attack was one of the most potent in the league.
What was up with the running game? Ahmad Bradshaw had about 75 less carries than Brandon Jacobs, a broken foot, but still managed 1.2 yards more per carry than Jacobs. 2005 was technically Jacobs career low in statistics, but he had 38 carries. Take out 2005, 2009 was his career worst. 3.7 yards per carry, and although he had a career high in carries, he has had a three year low in yardage. See here.
The running game couldn't get it going, but a lot of the offensive problems came from dropped passes, and receiver and rushing fumbles. A lot of the poor play could have been compensated for if mistakes like those hadn't been made.
The defense is something I can't really put numbers to, so you are just going to have to trust me, or not. Safety Kenny Phillips was put on Injured Reserve early in the year, Cornerback Aaron Ross has been perpetually on the Injury Report, and CC Brown has done a terrible job of covering receivers. The Giants have allowed 49 touchdowns this year while scoring only 45, and their turnover ratio is -5. This is not the Giants of old. In 2009, the turnover ratio was +9, and the Giants scored 45 touchdowns while allowing 34.
Osi Umenyiora has gone on to say that he wants to be back with the Giants, but in a dedicated role. See here. I am all for rewarding people's hard work, but I think most of the defensive problems started this year with the defensive lines inability to get to opposing quarterbacks at a standard rate. They had 32 sacks this year, and in 2008 had 42 sacks, and in 2007 had 53. Osi wants to talk about what he deserves, but he had his most effective year in 2007 when Michael Strahan was the premier DE, and Justin Tuck was coming off the bench for support. I am not sold that Osi is the prime DE we want him to be.
The defensive line couldn't get to the QB, and that meant he had more time to throw the ball with accuracy. That made for big problems with the terrible secondary. It was all cyclical, and the writing was on the wall early.
I think changes will have to be made. Tommy Coughlin is not going anywhere. I don't know how the coaches can all be blamed for the failure of players being able to execute. Kevin Gilbride and Bill Sheridan should also not have any problems with job security. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the medical services department went the way of the dodo, and same with the secondary coach. If I had to take a look at the list I'd say that the following people might have to worry about their job security: Pat Flaherty, Peter Giunta, Jim Hermann, Al Holcomb, Jerald Ingram, David Merritt, Jerry Palmieri, Markus Paul, Sean Ryan, and Mike Waufle. I don't necessarily feel they should lose their jobs, I just feel changes are a comin' and wouldn't be surprised if they are the ones changed up.
Personnel changes will be a must, and we'll see how that goes. The O-Line is aging, so I wouldn't be surprised with moves made there. I wouldn't be surprised if moves are made with the D-Line, but I don't know where you would acquire improvements. I believe that Osi will be back, because he is good, and maybe some coaching changes in that area. Linebackers will be a big change. I don't see Antonio Pierce coming back from his season ending neck problems and taking the helm back for the Giants defense, I just don't. The Giants secondary will have a few shakeups as well, not that anyone there isn't changeable as is. I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants moved on from 1st Rounder Aaron Ross, as well. We'll see what management decides on.
This will likely revert to drafting defensive players in the first round of this upcoming draft. Possibly a linebacker. The Giants are likely to have a draft pick somewhere in the 18-22 range, not sure exactly how it will end up, but that's my best guess. It's possible that Gerald McCoy will fall to the Giants, but unlikely, and it's also unlikely that the Safety from USC, Taylor Mays, will make it that far as well. The Giants could get the Cornerback Ras-I Dowling from UVA, or Alabama Terrence Cody, but it's also possible the Giants might want to draft a Running Back in that area. Last year's "Earth Wind and Fire" method of back-play worked well, and they might try to add to their running back arsenal. I think the Giants should spend the pick on a defensive player - they have Jacobs, Bradshaw and Ware.
That's all I got, and it's probably been too much. Peace out yo! Happy New Yizzle.
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