New York Giants: 2015 Offense Could Be One Of The Best

When’s the last time the New York Giants had one of the league’s most feared offenses? I’m sure years like 2011 pop into your head or maybe even 2010 when “Jet Blue” was coined by John Gruden on Monday Night Football talking about their skilled young wideouts.

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In all reality though, they’ve really lacked a consistent offensive juggernaut that offers a diverse look for the opposing defense.

I have a feeling this 2015 group could be the best this franchise has ever had. A franchise dominated by defensive superstars could all of a sudden see their identity change real quick.

To start off, I loved how quarterback Eli Manning played last season in Ben McAdoo’s offense. After a shaky start in the preseason and the fact that he was still adapting to a new offense, Manning still put up one of the best statistical seasons of his career.

I only see him getting better with more experience in the offense and a full season of Odell Beckham Jr. in the lineup. Speaking of that Beckham Jr. guy, well he’s pretty good. He racked up 91 receptions, over 1,300 yards receiving and a Pro-Bowl selection in a crowded positional group in just 12 games as a rookie.

I’ve heard many say, “well, he’s a rookie he can only get better from here.” Well, I don’t necessarily agree. I mean how much better can you get? If he plays the way he did last season he’s still going to be one of the three best receivers in the game. If he does improve though that’s a scary thought. Victor Cruz is the real wildcard that can make this offense deadly.

Manning has always heavily relied on the slot receiver and the numbers show it. Whether it was Steve Smith in 2010 setting the single-season franchise record for receptions or Cruz in 2011 setting it for receiving yards in a season, the position has proved to be one Manning clearly favors especially on 3rd-down situations.

If Cruz can regain his 2011 form coming off injury, that helps in the diversification of this receiving group and gives Eli one of his all-time favorite security blankets back. Speaking about security blankets, isn’t that usually the role of the tight end? Larry Donnell in his first full professional season made a big impact on this Giants offense.

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell (84) can’t catch a pass as Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Casey Matthews (50) defends during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

His blocking wasn’t great, neither was his ball security, but the raw potential is there in his receiving game. He’s a work in progress, but in an offense where the tight end is instrumental I only see Donnell getting better with more experience and understanding of NFL defenses.

Going back to my point about offensive diversity, the running back group personifies that word perfectly. Second year running back Andre Williams is their downhill back. Many times you’re looking for him to soften-up the opposing defense, and just hoping that he gets to the next level of the defense and make a linebacker or defensive back pay.

Newly acquired running back Shane Vereen is the pass-catching, 3rd-down back the Giants were hoping David Wilson would be before he got hurt. Vereen is also very underrated in the pass-blocking game, which is something Tom Coughlin values very much.

Finally, the last running back in that group and certainly not the least is Rashad Jennings. Jennings will be the Giants main carrier of the football and brings a little bit of something from each of the others.

Personally, when I watch Jennings I see a little bit of Arian Foster. Both their running styles and body type are uniquely similar, and I think a full season of Jennings being healthy adds a much needed boost to this Giants run game.

Now on to the offensive line which has been a punchline over the course of the past two seasons for this team. What made the Giants offensive line so productive in their Super Bowl winning years was their chemistry as a unit. Rarely did any member of that group miss any extended period of time. The same needs to and should be done with this unit.

Weston Richburg questions will no longer linger, as he enters 2015 as the team’s starting center. Geoff Schwartz restructured his current contract with the team which gives him something to prove coming off multiple injuries.

Oct 18, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes lineman Brandon Scherff (68) warms up prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Will Beatty even with the scrutiny he’s received over the course of his career, was one of the league’s best left tackles last season. Justin Pugh is yet another lineman with something to prove after being challenged by the coaching staff on whether he’ll be the team’s starting right tackle in 2015.

This leaves one starting spot open that will ultimately be filled by an offensive line prospect in the draft. Whether its a tackle and the slide of Pugh to guard or Iowa guard Brandon Scherff, we’ll just have to see. Overall, I really like that unit moving forward as they finally begin to become a unified group and become familiar with one another.

From top to bottom I like how this offense can attack you with just about any type of game plan they feel like throwing at you. Being balanced and diversified is what will make this offense quite possibly the best this franchise has ever seen.

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