Denial

Only two weeks into the New York Giants 2017 NFL campaign, I entered into the stages of grief. Last year I wrote a piece on Eli Manning making his case as a “great” quarterback for the New York Giants franchise. I’d look like a fool to stand by that right now, but I maintain the position that Eli gave the Giants elite level play in years past.

And yes I know, there’s the Eli Manning whose led the league in interceptions 3 times. It’s easy to remember because it’s one of Skip Bayless’ favorite statistics though he neglects to mention the Giants record in two of those seasons was 10–6.

Interceptions are typically seen as the pinnacle statistic of bad quarterback play. And if you’re a QB who throws a lot of them, you’re likely to be benched, just ask any of the 20+ Browns QB’s over the past decade.

I always thought of Eli, when at his elite level, as a Favre-like decision maker. Manning takes chances, tries to fit the ball where he shouldn’t, take a risky shot down the field. Manning and Favre are about even at interception to attempt ratio. And before you get all upset thinking I’m comparing Eli to the legendary #4, read the context again. (Context: The comparison is related to “decision making”; not arm strength, playmaking, or cheerleader scandals.)

So yes, after a drubbing by the Detroit Lions, maybe a shakeup on the offensive side could re-awake Eli and company for the Eagles.

I was in denial.

Anger

Then the close losses started piling up. Games that the Giants could’ve won. SHOULD’VE won. I delivered my anger toward McAdoo by yelling at my computer screen and tweeting #FireMcAdoo. Meanwhile, frustration with Eli was building. The playcalling was just awful, McAdoo was atrocious, and losing the locker room.

from Sports Illustrated; the better coach pictured on the left

Eli wasn’t taking any chances. Eli was playing the Sam Bradford offense, but throwing the ball with Cutler-esque flair. Eli has either thrown the ball straight into the dirt, or behind his receivers on their ubiquitous slant routes. It wouldn’t be a McAdoo offense without three receivers running on a slant. McAdoo’s wizardly offensive genius was going all in on the dink and dunk for 2 yards a play.

What pissed me off the most was the criticism against the Giants defense not being as good as last year.

You can’t be a good defense if your time of possession and field position are both terrible over the course of a game. It’s 2015 all over again. Numerous 3 and outs, followed by punts to just past midfield. In these sorts of games, a competent defense can hold out until halftime. For the Giants, you get three good quarters of defense, and by the fourth quarter they can’t carry Eli and the offense anymore.

Bargaining

Odell, Marshall, Shepard. Gone. The loss to the Chargers took me from anger to deciding which Giants receiver would step up and make a name for themselves. (Hint: Probably not Roger Lewis or Tavarres King, good last name though Tavarres.)

from NFL.com; I told the world that Paul Perkins is a terrible running back, and that Orleans Darkwa is good… waiting for the Rudolph game to validate my genius.

Travis Rudolph. He has Victor Cruz level talent written all over him. If he had a QB who could throw to him maybe we’d get a chance to see it.

Orleans Darkwa and Wayne Gallman. They could be the new era Jacobs and Bradshaw. I could see the horizon.

Darkwa and the defense carried the Giants over a hapless Broncos. I was rejuvenated for a moment…

Depression

from NY Daily News; the expression says it all

Then came the Seahawks. They sauntered into New York for what was yet another winnable game going in the 4th quarter.

I watched Eli make wretched throws. Manning would go down or throw the ball away at the slightest hint of pressure. Eli knows his offensive line is terrible, and he’s trying to preserve his well-being for the rest of his adult life. At least he’s trying to be a good family man.

But even when Eli had an opportunity to make a throw, he checked down to whichever receiver was nearest for another riveting 2-yard completion. I was sickened. It would be 3rd and 6, and Eli dumped the ball to a receiver that was smothered by the defense immediately, not even close to a first down.

Sunday night was depressing.

Acceptance

The Giants season was over before the first snap. Despite all the hype and offensive additions, the offensive line is atrocious and Eli Manning won’t take any chances throwing the ball. Ben McAdoo is an awful head coach who is terrible at game management and offensive playcalling, and should donate all of his wins last year to Odell Beckham and Steve Spagnuolo (and Landon Collins).

What I’ve accepted, and what all New York Giants fans should accept, is that it’s time to move on from Eli Manning and Ben McAdoo. While that’s not a particularly groundbreaking take, the question becomes how do the Giants rebuild the core of their offense?

from Pro Football Talk; Farewell Ben and Eli

There is no answer to that question until Manning and McAdoo are both out, so the first step has to be taken before Giants fans can truly know how the team is going to move forward.

My humble suggestion is to deal away the overly paid defensive players if possible: JPP and Vernon, and focus on retooling the offensive line to be a stout run blocking unit for Darkwa and Gallman. Allow a rookie QB to come in and play the Sam Bradford (dink and dunk) offense until you see what you have.

The best the Giants can do now is embrace the tank and trust the process (which means trusting Jerry Reese *crosses fingers*). For the first time since I’ve ever been a Giants fan, I’m cheering for Big Blue to lose.