Common sense finally prevailing with New York Giants decisions

This week’s selection of Sam Beal gave us an opportunity to see firsthand, the very tangible changes in the operations of the New York Giants.

The NFL supplemental draft also showed us an area where those covering the New York Giants haven’t quite caught up. Just because something has not happened for a long period of time doesn’t mean it remains the franchise’s standard operating procedure (SOP).

With that, Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal became the newest member of Big Blue via a third-round selection in the NFL supplemental draft.

Last season’s meltdown forced ownership to act, perhaps before they were prepared to act. Nonetheless, when forced to take action, ownership fired both Reese and McAdoo before the season had concluded.

It made sense, even if it had not occurred in over 40 years.

Fast forward to the NFL supplemental draft, an esoteric operation that took place this week.  As the New York Giants head into training camp, the team has personnel needs. The most urgent needs appear to be: Cornerback, pass rush and offensive line.

Now, if an opportunity presented itself to improve the team at cornerback in the supplemental draft, why would the team summarily dismiss it?

Let’s recap, unless you think Eli Apple is the next coming of Deion Sanders, there’s a New York Giants need at cornerback. A pro prospect cornerback becomes available in the NFL supplemental draft. But folks don’t think the team will select him because, we haven’t participated in the supplemental draft since the ’90s?

Are regular draft picks are somehow inherently better than supplemental draft picks?

That kind of thinking spawns a 3-13 record. That kind of thinking also dominates the football establishment, especially in New York.

New York Giants: New Franchise Playbook

Thankfully, general manager Dave Gettleman does not subscribe to the old playbook. There are a couple other chapters I wouldn’t mind him ripping out of this dated manual as well.

Let’s get rid of the “no contracts negotiated during the season” chapter. Other NFL teams negotiate during the season, so someone should explain the downside of allowing it. Negotiations require that people interact. Creating or adhering to an artificial deadline simply creates another impediment.

You bet I’m talking about the Odell Beckham contract.

It’s no secret that Beckham’s next contract will alter the NFL landscape. At the very least, it’s likely to shape the wide receiver position for a couple of years. Getting it done will take time, and better to utilize that time now, rather than waiting until the player and team are under the gun.

How about a player-for-player trade?

Oh well, Jerry Reese never did that. Right now, we may have a glut of tight ends. Anyone out there willing to give up a pass rusher? It’s something we will probably see sooner rather than later. And then the beat writer will opine on the last time it happened.

It’s all water over the dam at this point.

If we’re looking for reasons, perhaps Jerry Reese simply did not want to rock the boat. Or maybe ownership was an impediment. Whatever the reasons, the franchise holy grail has seemingly been lifted by Gettlemen.

And it’s refreshing.

New York Giants

The New Paradigm

In a few short months, the franchise fired its head coach and general manager before the season ended. The new general manager came from outside the organization. And the team also fired its vice president of player evaluation.

The team traded a notable player on its roster (Jason Pierre-Paul). Gettleman also traded for a notable player with a large contract (Alex Ogletree).

For once, the draft seemed to acknowledge the personnel needs of the organization. Although I must admit, that a pass rush specialist would have nice. I put that in the “Rome wasn’t built in a day” category.

In other NFL markets, none of these activities are particularly noteworthy. Around the New York Giants, these events somehow become earth shattering. That’s irrespective of how the players or team performs.

I find that strange.

Because Big Blue’s participation in the supplemental draft has proven some media pundits wrong, they have already pivoted to poking holes into this selection.

Quite simply, the drafting of Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal moves the franchise forward. No one knows how much he’ll play this season. And no one knows how well he’ll play this season. But this transaction moves the franchise closer to where it wants to be.

Now all of a sudden writers and analysts are concerned about a third-round selection. No one was concerned when notables like Jay Bromley, Ramses Barden and Jerrel Jernigan were taken in largely in the same draft slot.

Next: New York Giants: Ben McAdoo comes clean about Ereck Flowers

Obviously, it’s the dawning of a new day with the New York Giants franchise. With that it’s wise to focus a bit more on the activities that make this team better. Being glued to past history always provides a reason to do nothing.