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Jerry Reese Defends Giants’ “Hit Or Miss” Draft Strategy

By Christopher Schwarz

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Giants GM Jerry Reese has taken plenty of criticism this offseason. Some criticize his inability to keep quality depth on the roster, especially on defense, while others question his prowess in free agency. Reese has had plenty of successful picks in the draft, but like any GM, he’s had some busts.

Paul Schwartz of the New York Daily News caught up with Reese on the cold bleachers at the Senior Bowl and the GM defended, for the second time in as many weeks, his work with the Giants. This time it was what he thought was unfair criticism on some of those “bust” draft picks.

“One of the favorite guys people like to throw at us is Marvin Austin, a guy everybody says we spent a high pick on and we missed on him,” Reese said while discussing his potential in 2012, “‘This guy’s going to be a hit or this guy’s going to be a miss.’ We missed on him. We said, ‘It’s probably not going to be anything in between.’ Take Mario Manningham, we said, ‘This guy is going to be a hit or a miss. Nothing in between.’ We hit on him.”

Austin was the 52nd pick overall in 2012 while Manningham was the 95th pick overall in 2008. Austin was suspended his senior season at UNC, had character risks, played just eight games with the Giants and was released after two seasons. Manningham, by comparison, was a solid option for Eli Manning and helped the Giants win a Super Bowl.

Is that “hit or miss” strategy a viable one especially in the first three rounds of the draft? If a GM burns a late round pick on a guy with high upside but bust potential, he is easily forgiven. But in the first two or three rounds, the expectation is that a player will be a solid contributor. Were there more reliable options when the Giants drafted a boom-or-bust player like Austin?

The Giants lack depth on both sides of the ball and in 2015, it was the performance of the backups on defense that kept them out of the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Would a change in draft strategy have provided more depth?

Despite the critique of his performance and some calls for his job, Reese insisted he won’t change his tactics while under such scrutiny. “I work the same ever since Day 1… It’s not harder. I give it my all every day.’’

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