The much-anticipated 2017 NFL regular season is almost here. So what can we expect from Eli Manning and the always-intriguing New York Giants?
The track record when it comes to the New York Giants under quarterback Eli Manning has been somewhat bizarre, as well as successful. He became the franchise’s full-time starter with seven games to go during his rookie season of 2004. He hasn’t been out of the starting lineup since. Along the way there have been plenty of touchdown passes as interceptions and a pair of Super Bowl titles and a long playoff drought as well. And it’s safe to say this team has been either hit or miss when it comes to the postseason while under his command.
Now the first overall pick in the ’04 NFL draft (by the then-San Diego Chargers) prepares 14th season in the league, he’s hoping the Giants can make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since a four-year run from 2005-08. That first showing resulted in a shutout loss to the Carolina Panthers. A year later, it was a tough setback to the Philadelphia Eagles. Then Manning’s stock rose as he led the club to four straight playoff victories, including a stunning 17-14 upset of the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
A season later, it was the same old one-and-out. Despite finishing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the G-Men were bounced at home by Andy Reid’s Eagles once again. Then the weirdness really began. In 2006 and ’07, the Giants finished 8-8 and 10-6, respectively, and that was good enough to reach the postseason those years. In ’09 and 2010, the club came away with those same win-loss marks and it wasn’t good enough to reach the playoffs.
Then came 2011 and one of the more bizarre Super Bowl champions in history. Tom Coughlin’s team allowed more points than it scored during the regular season, finished 9-7 and were swept by the divisional-rival Washington Redskins that year. New York proceeded to beat the Falcons, Packers, 49ers and Patriots to win another Super Bowl.
Why do we bring up all this history? Because this past season the Giants returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. They won 11 games and grabbed a wild card berth. But it all came to a quick end as Manning and company were humbled at Lambeau Field, 38-13. Hence, it continues to be hit-or-miss with the club under their current field general. Championship runs in 2007 and ’11 resulted in a combined eight postseason victories. Sudden endings in 2005, ’06, ’08 and this past season added up to a 0-4 mark.
So it begs the question: Just what should we expect from the New York Giants in 2017? Frankly, the team doesn’t look all that much different than it did this past season. That’s with the notable exception of veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall and first-round draft choice Evan Engram, a downfield tight end from Ole Miss.
Other than that, Ben McAdoo’s offense hasn’t changed all that much when it comes to the running game and the offensive line. And that’s not necessarily a good thing. There’s a lot on the shoulders of second-year runner Paul Perkins. And there’s even more pressure on third-year left tackle Ereck Flowers, a big-time disappointment to date.
Then there’s plus-side when it comes to this team, even though Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit didn’t look the part of a top-notch group in the playoff loss to the Packers. In any case, the Giants were 11th in the NFL in fewest total yards allowed per game – a dramatic turnaround from the previous season. There were respectable totals in terms of sacks (35) and takeaways (25). More importantly, this unit allowed only 25 offensive touchdowns in 16 contests.
Of course, when you open up the checkbook and shell out big bucks for free agents such as defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Janoris Jenkins, results are expected. And when you combine them with comeback story Jason Pierre-Paul, the steady play of cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and an incredible season-long performance by strong safety Landon Collins, it can all add up to big things.
Still, those 11 victories weren’t good enough to guarantee and an NFC East title a year ago. And although the Giants’ defense still looks fearsome despite a big change up the middle (defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins signed with the Indianapolis Colts), there are still some doubts regarding the entire team in general. Call it the team’s recent history of falling short of when expectations have been extremely high. By every indication, it could be another unpredictable showing for this franchise and its successful but often-erratic quarterback.
X-Factor
We have been waiting for the Giants to re-establish a ground game the last few years and it just hasn’t happened. They ditched starting running back Rashad Jennings this offseason and are hoping that second-year pro Paul Perkins can step it up this season. Some like what they have seen out of rookie running back Wayne Gallman, a fourth-round pick from the defending national champion Clemson Tigers. And it’s certainly possible that he could wind up the main man in terms of carries. But Perkins showed enough in 2016 to warrant his role as the starter. If either can give the Giants a consistent amount of carries and production, the offense won’t have to rely on Manning. And he won’t wind up a sitting duck behind an offensive line that still has some question marks.
Best case
Led by one of the best secondaries in the NFL, New York’s defensive unit once again spearheads a return to the playoffs this past season (for the first time since 2011), the Giants wind up even better than they were on this side of the ball this upcoming year. Meanwhile, MacAdoo’s club gets that much-needed balanced attack. It not only make life easier for Manning and the passing game but sets up play-action and helps keep that fearsome defense fresh. We have seen that the Giants know how to beat the Dallas Cowboys. And the team wound up with a 4-2 divisional record, the best in the NFC East.
Back to the defense. This was a club that came away with only 25 takeaways this past season, although 17 of those were interceptions. If New York can reach the 30-plus mark in that department, it could add up to big things for this club.
Worst case
The problems at left tackle ignite a chain reaction which sees the ground game fizzle once again. The New York offense once again fails to perform consistently and the defense being asked to do too much. We have seen it happen to the best of defensive units in the league. Case in point would be the 2016 Denver Broncos. That team’s failure to run the football and keep the opposition off the field resulted in their own defense wilting under the stress of the other’s team ground attack.
While New York’s defensive unit is currently the best in the division (and one of the top units in the NFL), the three other teams in the division all made significant changes on this side of the ball. It may be just a matter time before the Cowboys, Redskins and Eagles all catch up. And it’s not impossible to think that could happen by December.
Final word
It’s hard to fathom that a team with Eli Manning and wide receivers such as Beckham and Marshall could struggle to put points on the board. And once the regular season kicks off against the Dallas Cowboys, they may indeed be the case. But that lack of a running game as well as those offensive line issues are simply too difficult to ignore.
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Of course, it’s also to overlook the fact that this club has one of the better defenses in the league and handed the eventual NFC East two of their three regular-season setbacks. Simply put, 2017 could go either way for the Giants and it would not be a surprise.