New York Giants: What Happened?
A team with a rich history, the right pieces, and young talent was on the rise.
A 2016 playoff berth was supposed to be the start of a successful multi-year run for the New York Giants. What Happened?
Coming off a disappointing 2015 season – a year filled with plenty of questionable play calls – the Giants parted ways with two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Tom Coughlin.
Many fans disagreed with the decision to part ways, however it was a move that made sense at the time. Coughlin’s voice was fading, and his late-game management was manifesting into a major concern.
Despite having one of the league’s worst ranked defenses, the 2015 Giants offense was among the best in the league. They ranked sixth overall in total points, eighth in total yards, and first in passing touchdowns. The aerial attack of Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. took the league by storm. A promotion of offensive coordinator, Ben McAdoo, was a no-brainer.
With a dominant offense and an abysmal defense, Big Blue’s front office spent the 2016 offseason spending big money on marquee defensive talent. They sent big offers to Janoris Jenkins, Damon Harrison, and Olivier Vernon. The defense was bolstered and ready to help out the offense.
The McAdoo Era
With the chips on the table, it was up to McAdoo to decide what to do with the cards. The Giants went on to post an 11-5 record, their best since 2008. They made the playoffs, losing to the Packers in a tough wild card game that featured crucial drops by OBJ. Despite the loss, it was a successful rookie year for the coach. Or was it?
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If we peel back the curtain on the 2016 success, it is not as pretty as it appeared. According to pro-footballreference.com, the offense that was among the top of the league in 2015, ranked 26th in total points, 25th in total yards, and dropped to 13th in passing touchdowns. They also dropped from eighth to 28th in scoring percentage.
However, the new look defense lived up to, if not exceeded, expectations. They ranked second in points allowed and third in rushing yards allowed per game. This time, it was the defense that was keeping the offense in games. Blessed by a weak schedule, the Giants were consequently able to muster up some close victories, no thanks to McAdoo’s refusal to give up play calling.
The problem on offense was clearly the offensive line play. Big Blue’s rushing attack ranked 29th in total yards, and only managed to score 5 touchdowns all year, good enough for last in the league. Not only was the run game terrible, but Manning had very little time to get rid of the ball, getting sacked on 3.4% of his dropbacks.
After the first round exit, the offseason issue that needed to be addressed was simple: fix the offensive line.
Questionable Decisions
So what does general manager Jerry Reese do? He signs veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and uses the first-round draft pick on tight end Evan Engram. Marshall was placed on injured reserve following Week 5 due to an ankle injury. Engram is great, but he’s not what the team needed.
New York Giants
Because the weak offensive line went without any major additions, an aging Manning was left with even less time in the pocket. In addition, Beckham, Marshall, Dwayne Harris, and Sterling Sheppard all went down with injuries, leaving a rushed Manning with a rookie tight end as his only competent target. Unable to get the defense off the field, the rug was pulled out beneath McAdoo, and the 2017 Giants went from a sinking ship to a grade A dumpster fire.
It All Comes Down
McAdoo seemingly lost the locker room quicker than he gained it. Players were reportedly walking out of practice and the team was undisciplined and uninterested. At 2-9 with the 31st ranked offense and 22nd ranked defense in terms of yards, fans and media alike were calling for McAdoo’s head. And then he benched Manning. A move many would not be opposed to if it meant giving rookie quarterback, Davis Webb, a chance to perform. But, no. Apparently, the rookie is not ready. So, the 210-game starting streak for Manning came to an end so McAdoo could throw up a Hail Mary and play Geno Smith.
The fans and the media lost it. McAdoo and Reese were tossed overboard as a result.
The reset button was hit. Therefore, 2018 will feature a new coach, a new general manager, and most likely, a new quarterback. A team that was once on the rise is now a team that has smashed, jammed, and broke the panic button. We shall see how the new management team takes on the new era.
As a result of the 2016 free agency, the Giants have money tied up in the signings through 2021 season. The new management will have some tough decisions on who to keep, who to trade, and who to sign.