The New York Giants have racked up a 2-8 record after 10 games, which is one game worse than they were at this time last season. With six games remaining, is there anything left for Giant fans to look forward to?
The answer is… not really. There will be some talk about draft position (they are currently third overall) and their schedule is not really a friendly one, so as November morphs into December, Giant fans will likely be tuning out as another losing season comes and goes.
Here is a quick snapshot of where the Giants are at right now and some other thoughts that I know many of you are thinking.
The last six games
The Giants open up the final leg of the season in Chicago against the disappointing Bears, but that means nothing. The strength or weakness of their opponents matters not to a team that is poorly prepared, poorly coached and lacks discipline and direction. The Giants must learn not to beat themselves first before concentrating on beating another NFL team.
They have little to no shot to win either game against the surging Eagles — a team they’ve only beaten once since 2014 — and if they manage to win the game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers there should be an investigation.
The only two games they could win are the ones against Washington (who they beat already) and Miami, a team who is said to be tanking but has been competitive in doing so.
That equals 4-12, folks. That’s a record that gets people fired in this league.
The coaches
Pat Shurmur was the picture of calmness when he walked in the door after two tumultuous seasons under the overwhelmed Ben McAdoo in January of 2018. Strangely enough, after winning just seven of the next 26 games, he’s still exhibiting that same sense of calm.
The team lacks leadership and direction and that stems from Shurmur and his coordinators — James Bettcher (defense), Mike Shula (offense) and Thomas McGaughey (special teams). Of the four, only McGaughey has lived up to his responsibilities.
Fans are losing confidence in this group and some have pointed to the dearth of talent. But let me say this: There are coaches in this league that are getting better results with similar, or even worse, roster.
Shurmur and McGaughey will likely stay for another season but the recommendation here is that Bettcher and Shula be replaced.
What’s the plan?
NFL general managers usually get three years to turn their programs around. Dave Gettleman should be no different. Next year will be Year 3 and I don’t know anyone in their right mind who believes the Giants will contend in 2020.
I keep hearing and reading Gettleman’s plan could take four years to complete. That’s a 20th century time-frame coming from a 20th century GM.
We’re 20 years into the new millennium; it’s three years or bust. Ask anyone.
Teams go from worst to first all the time and expansion teams can compete in major sports almost immediately (see:Vegas Golden Knights), so Gettleman’s time-frame is garbage.
Three to four years can turn into five to six years in a hurry and a lot of us in the land of the Giants are getting the sense that we are being sold a bill of goods.
And I don’t want to hear about Jerry Reese leaving him a mess, either. Even if Gettleman came in with an empty roster he should be able to put a competitive team on the field by Season 3. If he can’t, get him out of here.
