The Giants Will Be Good

The Giants are going to be good this year, possibly great.  The vogue this preseason has been for people to bash on the Giants and call this a transition year where they won't make the playoffs.   That's just nonsense.  The Giants went 10-6 last year, even though they lead the league in turnovers.  In other words, if they were able to turn it over a little less, they would have won even more games.  There's no reason to think they wont turn it over less this season.

A couple of recent studies have shown the league leader in int's usually falls way back to the pack the next year.  That's Eli this year.   Meanwhile, his targets are more explosive across the board.  Nicks, Mario, Hixon, Cruz and Jernigan can all beat corners and make big plays.  Nicks and Mario are a threat to score from anywhere.   This may seem counter intuitive, but Eli will actually have to do less this year than in the years he was throwing to Smith (poor yac) and Boss (average) who made the passing game more station to station than explosive.   If Beckum becomes part of the offense, too, he becomes another guy who can take it places.  Eli will have his biggest season yet.

Another reason why will be the running game.  Some are concerned about having two new starters on the OL.   Those people haven't been paying attention.  Coach Flaherty is probably the best OL coach in the league, and that was never more apparent that the production he got out of all of the subs and mix and matches he had to do last year.   The OL is more talented this year, and Flaherty will turn that into even more production.   Btw, they ran right and left sweeps in the preseason that look like they might be unstoppable when they do them with Bradshaw and Jacobs.

The additions of Da'Rel Scott is huge.  He, too, will make Eli's life easier with his ability to take it to the house from anywhere.   He just needs blocks and a little space.   Both he, Jernigan, and a healthy Cruz and Manningham really add speed to the team that just hasn't been there.

The offense will be outstanding.

The defense has taken some injury hits, but fortunately they have good depth and will be adding back Osi Umenyiora and Prince Amukamara in the next few weeks.   Those are some serious reinforcements., especially with the injury to Terrell Thomas.   But there is already a ton of talent on defense.

The DL is stacked with Tuck, Canty, Linval Joseph and Jason Pierre Paul starting.  Justin Trattou was added to the roster today.  He's a light DE, but has a quick first step and could help keep the rotation fresh through four quarters.    Bernard and Kennedy add some veteran beef.  

The Giants lost Jon Goff at Mike, but this may not be a tragedy.  While he is a much better athlete than Greg Jones, he is nowhere near as instinctive or phyiscal.   Jones makes up for all of Goff's tools with his brains, lack of false steps and willingness.  He is very much like a young Aaron Pierce.     Herzlich is now behind him on the depth chart, but if he ever comes all the way back, he'll bump one of the starters.

On the weakside we have Boley, who looked good in the preseason, backed up by Paysinger.  Paysinger, is another instinctive player.  He needs to eat more, but he's a capable playmaker.

Kiwi is back on the strongside and he was exploding in that role, which is more joker or elephant than strict SAM.  Interestingly, they had Jacquin Williams practicing there this week, in the even that Tuck is out Sunday and Kiwi must replace him.   Williams is one of the best athletes on a very athletic team and he is also very physical.  It may not be this year, but at some point he could become a start linebacker, like the kind we used to have.   He's a very intriguing kid.

The DB's are still a good group with Webster, Ross, Phillips and Rolle starting.   They may use Rolle as a 3rd corner until Prince returns, but they should be able to cover well enough, behind a big passrush to help the Giants lead the league in turnovers again.

Last year's big issue other than turnovers was special teams.   A big issue was addressed when they added Weatherford, a far better directional kicker than Dodge was.   He will keep it away from DeSean.    And the coverage teams should be much improved with all the eager rookies theyve added.  Unless, of course, there is something conceptual wrong with how Coach Quinn is teaching them, and I'm certainly open to that idea.   Still, the directional punting should really help.

In all, the Giants should have far fewer turnovers and thus have a bigger season on O.   The D should be better for the development of JPP and Joseph, and the experience they all now have in the D.   Teams will at least benefit from a punter who can execute.  

The Giants will win the East.