The 2015 Giants offense was led by Captain Eli Manning where they finished 8th in total yards and 5th in points per game. This was year two of the Ben McAdoo investment and we saw some steady returns from the offensive overhaul two seasons ago. The McAdoo system is a up-tempo, attacking-style offense centered around high percentage, short passes. I am a true “establish the run” kind of guy but even I had to had to admit to strides the offense tooke as everyone grew more comfortable with the scheme.

Line

The season hiccupped before we even reported to camp, when our left tackle Will Beatty tore his peck bench pressing smart cars. The offensive line was already being questioned even with Beatty factored in. Beatty’s injury forced human-dreidel Marshall Newhouse into the starting lineup. Marshall Newhouse is the worst. That isn’t just a broad jab at him, I honestly think he is the worst starting lineman in the league. Pugh had solid season out of position and Battleship Flowers showed he can compete in this league as a rookie. Schwartz injured himself again for the second year in a row. This is now a pattern for Schwartz and is costing the giants greatly. Some say the greatest ability is availability and Schwartz is never in the lineup. Richburg was fantastic moving to his natural center position at center. Richburg had the best year out of the lineman. The unit showed potential but the season was a clear failure up front. They failed to open up holes in the run game and would have allowed many more sacks if it was not for our quick hitting passing offense. We managed to get the ground game rolling late in the year but that was only after we were eliminated from the playoffs. We lost the physical battle up front nearly every game but Richburg, Flowers, and Pugh showed me something. Flowers and Pugh showed some real toughness playing through injuries (especially Flowers who was asked to start at left tackle as a rookie). I appreciated how Flowers and Pugh wouldn’t allow our team to get pushed around and stood up for their teammates.

Backs

The running backs (all 4 of them) had a below average year. The four man rotation was asinine. Lets rotate 4 backs equally so that they all stay fresh! Whoever thought of that idea should be taken out back and shot. Rolling 4 backs does keep every back fresh but it also keeps any of them from getting into a groove. Every carry by Andre Williams where he managed to make it back to the line of scrimmage was seen as a success in my eyes. Also, why did we even sign Vereen? I thought he was a pass catching specialist. The Patriots moved him around, including putting him in the slot, why did we do almost nothing to get him involved. Once Cruz went down and Parker was exiled, why didn’t we throw Vereen into the slot? Jennings had a decent year but his best play was a punt block against WAS (or that mean stiff arm against BUF). Darkwa was the 4th man into the rotation after a breakout game against DAL. After that game, I had hope that we might have found a feature back. I think Darkwa runs hard and has grit (Bradshaw-ish) but my hopes for a stable running game were extinguished as we reverted back to the 4 man rotation. In fantasy it is known as Running Back By Committee (RBBC). The Giants had a 4BC and it did not work at all. Feed the hot hand for Christ sakes! No one can get into a groove! This 4 man bullshit needs to end for us to ever fall into rhythm with the run game. We need more from our running game at too often we missed the correct holes and lacked overall vision.

Passing Game

Eli had a career year with Odell continuing to flash his greatness. Manning to Beckam was the Giants main weapon. We diffidently turned into a one-trick-pony offense at times in the season but with those two in sync, we are always going to be dangerous. Odell could have honestly been targeted 50 more times and it would have been alright with me. Having Odell on our team still feels weird. The Giants never have Madden Cover players. ODB is probably to coolest player in the league and his mastery of the SWAG is evident every week. The dancing works for me as long as he is catching the ball and giving credit to Eli. The infamous cheap shot was completely overblown. The way people reacted was laughable. The savagery! The classlessness! Alright you might have a point with the classlessness but savagery? Everyone realizes how crazy football players are right? Throughout its ranks, football is full of psychopaths. I recently watched a Penn State linebacker head-butt his teammates without his helmet. I can’t view that and then turn around and act horrified about the Odell incident. But Far! He was trying to hurt him!!! Snap out of it Guy. This is the national football league. If you ain’t trying to hurt people, then you ain’t trying. From childhood, football players are taught to seek and destroy. The refs lost control of the game and things got heated. In my eyes that’s just passion bubbling up to the point where you almost decapitate someone. I stand up for my guys but I do have some beef with ODB. I feel like things are getting to his head. He has to remain a team guy. Every time he drops a ball his name changes from Odell to “Haircut.” The haircut is just too much for me. It needs to go and it would show a commitment to the philosophy of Team First. The frosted tips is the ultimate “Me” move. You are the best asset the team has, not including E, but you are not above the team. This is Manning’s team. The other wide receivers did nothing to write home about. Preston Parker lost me hundreds of dollars and several team wins with his inability to catch footballs. Cruz is never going to play again. Ruben Randle was, for the most part, a slapdick and his “opportunity” comments were taken out of context but were hilariously sad non the less. Ruben is such a jackass that it is hard to keep yelling at him. He seems like he is never running full speed and is king of the lazy, rounded off route. How many Eli picks are directly thanks to Randle? Odell goes after the ball, Ruben receives the ball. Harris performed above and beyond the call of duty. His special team impact was worth the signing alone but his WR contribution in the slot was gravy. Will Tye filled in for Lary Donnell (cartwheels) well. He needs to improve his blocking for sure but he answered the bell fine. Eli had a career year even with a below average line. His arm strength and accuracy were on point this year. Eli took his normal chances, which is why I love him. Eli will always give his receivers a chance at making a play whether that is pro bowl Odell or slappy Randle. You can never doubt Eli’s trust in his teammates which makes him a great leader. Eli is a true gun slinger and I Love him. If he had a more flamboient personality he would be one of the much more popular. Maybe he needs to snap of some dictures or crash his motorcycle. I honestly do not care about how anyone else views him. He is a legend who is already in my Brodeur/Jeter class of sports figures for the Tri-State.

Overall Grade: B

Positives: Pugh, Flowers, and Richburg played well and improved. Eli to Odell has moved into the Brady-Gronk category of connections, finally cut Preston Parker

Holes: NEED a slot WR, need to destroy the 4BC, need to get healthy on the o-line or bring in two more guys to fill out the unit

Potential Grade: B+, the system itself might disappear as McAdoo might bail which would set us back or McAdoo could become the next HC. We haven’t been able to see the full potential of the system because of injuries and lack of running game but you can say that about any system. The talent is present and we are young. Next year I believe we will be making another step forward lead by E who is in his prime.