New York Giants 2015 Season Preview

New York Giants

2014 Record 6-10

2015 O/U 8.5

Off Season Overview

The Giants off-season can be viewed in a variety of ways. On the one hand, the core has stayed, and the team did make additions based on needs. On the other a lot of depth pieces were vacated including a couple of guys who could be starting on this roster today. Oh and then there is Jason Pierre-Paul. I haven’t heard much since the bizarre story leaked, but I would expect at least six games on the sideline for JPP this season. Shane Vereen was a solid addition to the offense to me, and he fits what second year OC Ben McAdoo is looking to do in the passing game. Marshall Newhouse was brought in to start at Tackle and he does help an offensive line that really dragged their team down in 2014. Other additions include Jonathan Casillas, and JT Thomas, and I expect both to see plenty of time at line backer on defense. Notable losses include, Mathias Kiwanuka ,Walter Thurmond, Terrell Thomas, Antrel Rolle, and Zach Bowman. With five of those six being secondary players you could guess where I am going in the defensive weakness category. All in all it is tough to make out if this all was a success, or a chance to get back in good graces with the salary cap, and rebuild.

Offensive Strength

Odell Beckham Jr. is the past, the present and the future. I mean this guy is something else. He missed his first four games due a hamstring injury, but his stats extrapolated to a full season of work would like 121 catches, 1,704 yards, and 16 touchdowns. That would have put him in the league lead for yards, and touchdowns, and put him in 2nd behind Antonio Brown in catches. This guy is a rookie. The hamstrings do appear to be a lingering problem but there is a good chance we are watching a once in a generation type of player blossoming here. The best thing about ODB is that he instantly connected with Eli Manning. It may be easy for elite talent to gel, but he makes Manning look better, and had Manning putting up career high type of numbers. It should also be mentioned that Manning did do this with a first year coordinator as well. In fact, Manning was off to a rocky start and threw four INTS in his first two games under McAdoos’ play calls. Aside from a five INT “Eli Manning type game” in week 10, Manning only threw five interceptions over a 13 game span. Manning also posted a career high in completion % and in year two I expect the trend to continue, especially with this new Vereen addition. The whole plan for McAdoo was basically to contain Manning from throwing down field as often. Now, a deep threat like Beckham warrants it, but to get a defense creeping up is the way to burn them deep, and Vereen should be the perfect pass catching option out of the back field. As mentioned in the Patriots post he isn’t much a between the tackles guy, but he is a true option in the pass game, and one of the best RBs in the league at that. Adding him to a mix Rashad Jennings, and Andre Williams is the perfect blend. Williams is a straight power runner, and Jennings gives you a little of everything, and combined the three some should be a force. There is opportunity for efficiency, big plays and success on this offense, but it is really going to come down to what they get out of this offensive line.

Offensive Weakness

Aside from easing Eli from unloading the cannon, the offensive line isn’t going to give him enough time to consistently set up plays down field. His starting left tackle is rookie Ereck Flowers, and lets just say, at pick number nine I thought that there were at least three better lineman that could have been used to beef up the unit. I don’t want to knock the Giants before he sees the field; coaches know more than I do, but I wouldn’t bet on him to turn the unit around. The team isn’t awful at the guard position, the tackles need to prove themselves this year, and the they haven’t found their center. Weston Richburg was a 2014 second round pick, so he is in the plans, but he was unable to win the job last year, and this year it is basically being handed to him. They have a lot to prove this year if they want to have a winning record. For some perspective, Rashad Jennings averaged 4.3 yards per carry coming to this year. In 2014, he was only able to churn out 3.8 yards per carry, his career low. You can say that a 29-year-old running back may expect that, but their rookie Andre Willams only churned out 3.3. You can look to Williams speed as a potential for the low average, but the team is now dealing with the same backs, and a somewhat different line, so I would say we know what the Giants think is the problem. I hope the Giants didn’t miss their chance at taking La’El Collins at pick nine, and that now they have to deal with the consequences of watching him play for your division rival. I really hope that isn’t the case, but right now I think that is going to be the case. Aside from the line, the playmakers outside of Beckham are in question. Ruben Randle is going down a path similar to Dwayne Bowe, and that just isn’t fun. Victor Cruz is a playmaker but is coming off of a debilitating season ending injury. I don’t expect him ready in week 1, and I question what he will get himself to be by the years end. Preston Parker may roam the slot with Cruz out and that basically leaves ODB with double coverage and safety help week in and week out. He is a talent for sure, but someone needs to relive him.

Defensive Strength

Since Tom Coughlin has been in New York the strength of the entire team has been the defensive line. The team ranked 4th in sacks last year, and really getting to the QB was the only thing that they could do. The interior line, especially Jonathan Hankins has to be the most talented part of the defense. As for the pass rush, the line was lead by Kiwanuka and JPP last year, and now with both potentially gone, this could be a problem. The Giants philosophy has always been to rotate lineman and keep the pass rush fresh, and luckily it puts them in a position with plenty of depth, albeit unproven at the position. Damontre Moore is a guy I thought could take Kiwanukas’ spot in 2014, but failed to and is now looking for a strong 3rd season. He may not pan out, but given the rotational role, he just needs a few good snaps. Kerry Wynn is ahead of him on the depth chart and the unproven undrafted free agent may be the hungriest on the unit. I think Moore and Wynn will fight for more reps, and I think Owa Odighizuwa and Robert Ayers will compete across from them. In this matchup I think Odighizuwa, a rookie and second round pick will be a starter, and may lead the team in sacks by years end. This of course, is discounting JPP, who just may come back and turn this into a great rotation, but for now it certainly isn’t the teams weakness.

Defensive Weakness

This team may get picked apart this season. Despite the depth on the line, there is unproven talent, and that makes up a lot of this defense. Jon Beason was once an elite talent, but had lost a step before toe surgery sideline him for the 2014 season after four games. The 30-year now has to get himself back to top form, but has only played 22 games since 2011, and that is a tough guy to trust. Guys like Devon Kennard, Mark Herzlich, Casillas, and Thomas will compete for the two spots beside him, but none have ever been a full time starter, and a mix and match of the crew will be what needs to be done. It presents creativity, but leaves no consistency. The Giants will have to be creative in how they can mask their safety depth because it is so disgustingly glaring right now. I meant they are giving Brandon Merriweather serious consideration out here. They lost a rookie they invested heavily in before the preseason and basically are ruined at the position because of it. I wouldn’t have put all the eggs in that one basket, but here we are and I don’t know how they don’t get torched deep. Dominque Rogers-Cromartie is better in the slot but will most definitely have to be the second outside guy, because the depth at corner is as laughable as the starters at safety. Prince Amakumara is a nice name and can challenge outside receivers but he will be carrying a lot of dead weight this season. This is a team ranking 27th against the pass in 2014, and looks more depleted than every. Very tough to get excited about that.

Where do they rank O/U 8.5

Odell Beckham is the spark that created the buzz that is a New York Giant team over .500. I don’t doubt the offense will be more efficient and more productive, but I do not believe in this defense at all. The Giants went 4-8 with ODB in the lineup and more than just more than just a stud wide out usually decides games. I thought that generously speaking this is an 8-8 team. I think we are looking at 7-9 in most cases, but I could see eight. I find it tough to give them nine wins and I definitely lean to the under here. With that said I expect a 3rd place division finish and potentially 8 wins, and hopefully, guys like Odigizhuwa, and Amakumara can give us faith for a strong 2016.

Parkers Pick 3rd in the NFC East Under 8.5 wins

Logans Pick 3rd in the NFC East, NO play