The New York Giants were trounced by the Dallas Cowboys, 35-17, in their 2019 regular season opener on Sunday. It was a game in which we were supposed to be supplied with answers to the many questions that surrounded the team this summer. Instead, we are left with just more questions.
I came away from this game with many things on my mind, but here are three.
Pat Shurmur might be in over his head
Shurmur is an excellent game-planner, teacher and innovator. That being said, it doesn’t look like he’s much of a head coach which takes a different skill set. The Giants looked disorganized and dazed on the field and on the sidelines yesterday. There’s too many new moving parts on defense and the offense is not putting themselves in good situations, playing small ball most of the game.
Shurmur was unclear about what plays he could challenge and then didn’t challenge where he should have. He put the reins on his best player, Saquon Barkley, after a torrid start, ended up with 11 rushes and four receptions. Unacceptable. Shurmur played right into the hands of Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s hands with his short passing game. The Giants had just one completion over 22 yards, a one-handed surprise grab by Cody Latimer down the sideline. Continued in-game mismanagement is going to force Dave Gettleman’s hand to make a change after this season.
James Bettcher’s system is predicated on … ?
Defensive coordinator James Bettcher came to the Giants with a reputation of creativity and production. So far, we’ve seen neither. There is no pass rush to speak of and he did nothing on Sunday to harass Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who dissected the Giants for 405 yards and four very easy touchdowns. He could have played in his pajamas. He was not sacked and was hit only twice the whole game. The only pressure the Giants’ defense is providing right now is on the fans.
The secondary and the linebackers are way out of sync in the passing game. Sure, they’re not getting any help up front, but they did a rotten job in coverage. Prescott did not need excessive time to throw on many of his big plays. There is a gigantic chasm when it comes to communication and then broke down fundamentally.
The rookies get a mixed grade
Top pick Daniel Jones came into the game at garbage time (1:54 in the 4th) and completed three of four meaningless passes for 17 yards and then ran for a first down. Unfortunately, he lost the ball via a fumble.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, sold to us as a three-down player, was in on 28 of the 68 defensive snaps (41%). He had one tackle, an assist.
The Giants’ third first rounder, cornerback Deandre Baker, was schooled early and often. Billed as a ‘lockdown’ corner out of Georgia, Baker was blown away by Dallas receivers Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper for huge gains.
Fourth rounder Julian Love did not play a defensive snap and linebackers Ryan Connelly and Oshane Ximines both had tackles for a loss.
Corey Ballentine played nine snaps on defense and served as the primary kick returner, with two attempts for 46 yards with a long of 28.
