Remember this tribute to Tom Coughlin and Odell Beckham Jr.’s Top 10 Plays of 2015? Well, maker of epic New York Giants videos, Chuck Knoxx, is back at it again. This time, he’s created one of the best hype videos I’ve ever seen. Check it out below…
“Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
I mean, if this is a movie trailer, everyone and their mother is going to see it in theaters opening night. Everything was perfect. From the music to the narration to the visuals. Fitting and appropriate and spot on.
A lot of pundits and experts have written off the Giants. They’ve written off Eli Manning (too old, can’t handle the blitz) and Victor Cruz (can’t rebound from career-threatening setbacks). They say Odell Beckham Jr. (distraction) doesn’t win ballgames despite putting up crazy stats his first two seasons. They think Jason Pierre-Paul is no longer a threat. Ereck Flowers can’t cut it at left tackle. Landon Collins is lost at safety. Too many average running backs. Too many average linebackers.
I had Big Blue going 14-2 with homefield advantage in the playoffs before this hype video. Now, I’m thinking 19-0 and a Lombardi. Seems to me the only people who have faith in the Giants making the playoffs – and making a deep run in the playoffs – are Giants fans. Critics are citing the Giants’ notorious history of injuries, lack of depth, uneven offensive line, inexperienced safeties, subpar linebacking crew, and bloated free agent binge as reasons the squad will miss the postseason for the fifth year in a row and seventh time in eight tries. Forbes said the Giants aren’t improving as much as we think.
With the First Pick
But, the optimism emanating from camp and from the fans is warranted. The 2015 Giants were the only team among the top of the league in turnover differential with a losing record and it all came down to their defense. The run defense stunk down the stretch as did the pass defense late in games all season. Why did the pass defense falter? Besides injuries and below average reserves, opposing quarterbacks had too much time. How did the Giants front office respond?
Return Jonathan Hankins. Enter Damon Harrison. Run defense is fortified. Enter Janoris Jenkins. Draft Eli Apple. Draft Darian Thompson. Sign Donte Deayon. Pass defense is fierce. Re-sign JPP. Enter Olivier Vernon. Pass rush is rejuvenated. Pro Football Focus called the Giants D-line one of the most improved units in the league. Have the best pass catchers in the NFL.
The rookies should have an immediate impact. Sterling Shepard is the real deal and is already considered a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year. From an outsider’s perspective, the team is still trying to figure out what Eli Apple’s role will be, but you have to believe a professional organization wouldn’t roll the dice on a 20-year-old cornerback in the first round if they didn’t think he wouldn’t see the field right away. Andre Williams looks like a new man.
Next: Top 10 Giants Undrafted Free Agents
Another 6-10? 100% fiction. 8-8? Haters’ fantasy. 10-6? Realistic worst-case scenario. 14-2? Bet on it.
Screw training camp, LET’S GOOOOOOO!
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