New York Giants offensive ‘revolution’ begins now
By Curt Macysyn
For the New York Giants offense, now comes the hard part.
Surely, everyone, I mean everyone fell in love with this Giants draft class. Obviously, there’s a lot to like about it. For example, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com placed Big Blue’s class No. 1 in his rankings.
Not to throw cold water on the euphoria, but think back to one year ago. The thought process was almost in the same place for the team and its fans.
Last year’s first-round draft pick, tight end Evan Engram was going to transform the offense. Another year in ex-coach Ben McAdoo’s system meant that the offensive line play would come together. After all, everyone bought in to the system and was participating in OTAs.
People actually thought tackles Bobby Hart and Ereck Flowers would develop. They could be book ends in this league.
Those of us who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
One of my favorite movies is “Miracle” – the story of the 1980 United State Olympic Hockey team. Coach Herb Brooks had a thousand sayings, and one saying stood above all the others in what it meant.
"“Gentlemen, you don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone.”"
That quote stood head and shoulders above all of Brooks’ other proverbs. And it could have applied to the 2017 version of the New York Giants. Interestingly enough, in the minds of former general manager Jerry Reese and McAdoo that wasn’t the case. Those guys thought the talent-level and coaching acumen was more than it actually was.
New York Giants
Gun to my head right now, I say that the talent level on this team is better than last season’s squad. But much of my evaluation is based upon the projection of players who are currently sight unseen in the NFL.
I am confident is saying that over time not everyone in this draft class will make the Pro Bowl. In fact, it may end up being half boom and half bust. But to general manager Dave Gettleman’s credit, that’s why you cast a large net and see what you come up with.
Offensive Line Transformation
Based upon the starting line-up last season, there could be as many as seven new offensive starters. Likely there are five new offensive linemen alone. Even if Ereck Flowers sticks at right tackle, it’s still a new position for him.
In my view, if rookie guard Will Hernandez doesn’t beat out John Jerry at right guard, it signals a problem already.
It’s drilled into football mindset that the offensive line has to work as a cohesive unit. With that in mind, Shurmur can’t jerk around with whether or not Jerry or Hernandez gets a fair shake as we head into August. Ditto for the right tackle spot with Chad Wheeler, Ereck Flowers or Adam Bisnowaty vying for the position.
Disclaimer: With new agent Drew Rosenhaus in tow, I expect Flowers to actually be out of the picture at some point soon through a trade.
For Shurmur the offensive line will be key. He cannot allow rookie running back Saquon Barkley absorb a needless beating because his o-line can’t open holes.
Other Pieces
Even at quarterback, where Shurmur essentially has two rookies, decisions must be made quickly, so the No. 2 can get suitable reps. Davis Webb and Kyle Lauletta are both a blank canvas, yet one signal-caller has to emerge quickly as having a grasp of the offense. Webb has more time under his belt, but that amounts to four months under Shurmur. A protracted training camp back-up quarterback “battle” hurts everyone.
Guys like wideouts Darius Powe and are great training camp stories. Can they play in the NFL? Under McAdoo, the untested often showed that they were not ready for prime time because they were treated with kid gloves. That mindset has to change. Folks are getting paid to be as Gettleman says “professional football players.”
Finally, keep in mind that even veteran Eli Manning has to get comfortable with his new teammates. But that process has to take on the characteristics of a revolution and not an evolution that was favored by the now departed regime.
Undoubtedly this draft class can move the revolution forward, which begins now, and needs to bear fruit on the first day of training camp.