The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 8. Today, the New York Giants.
Last year’s record: 6-10
Head coach: Ben McAdoo
Core players: Eli Manning (QB), Odell Beckham Jr. (WR), Rashad Jennings (RB), Jason Pierre-Paul (DE), Damon Harrison (DT), Olivier Vernon (LB), Janoris Jenkins (CB)
2016 is about… Getting back to the playoffs. Despite winning two championships over the last nine seasons, new head coach Ben McAdoo takes over as the Giants are in the midst of a small playoff drought — having not made the post-season since 2011. New York spent a whole lot of money in the off-season — particularly on defence — in an effort to make at least one more run while Eli Manning can still suit up. But it’s not going to be easy. Washington might be the team to beat as defending NFC East champs, and the Cowboys should be right in the mix. Pile on the severe struggles of the Giants offensive line so far this pre-season, and breaking the skid may be a challenge the G-men aren’t up to.
But they lost… Tom Coughlin, who led the the Giants to a pair of improbable Super Bowl victories over Bill Belichick and the Patriots. It was probably the right time to move on from Coughlin, as the team had missed the playoffs four straight seasons, but there’s no denying the immeasurable effect the 69-year-old had on the franchise.
Rueben Randle, who was the Giants’ second-leading receiver last season. Randle isn’t a game-breaker, but contributed in a meaningful way with Victor Cruz out due to injury. Now, with Cruz’s status still in question, New York has even fewer options at receiver: Shane Vereen was third in receiving yards for the Giants in 2015.
Yeah, but they got… Three defenders for a mere $193.75 million. After fielding an absolutely atrocious defence in 2015 — the Giants allowed nearly 28 points per game and gave up more yards than any other team — GM Jerry Reese went all in on a trio of players.
Former Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon signed a monster five-year, $85 million deal ($40M guaranteed), and while Vernon is a definite upgrade for the Giants, he’s far from the game-changer J.J. Watt is, a player with a similar salary. Still, the Giants’ prized signing is bound to be a disruption for opposing offences.
Damon Harrison, who got five years and $46 million, may have a bigger impact than Vernon as the 350-pound tackle is an absolute stud against the run for a team that gave up 4.4 yards a carry last season.
Finally, former Rams corner Janoris Jenkins signed an even bigger deal than Harrison — five years, $62.5 million — in the hopes the 27-year-old can become the No. 1 corner the Giants have lacked over the last few seasons as New York looks to improve a pass defence that ranked dead last in yards surrendered in 2015.
Growing from within… Eli Apple, Darian Thompson and Landon Collins, who are all expected to chip in along with Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the rebuild of the pass defence. Apple, the Giants’ first-round pick this year, is big and fast with the potential to thrive on the outside in combination with Jenkins.
Thompson, a safety selected with a 2016 second-round pick, is currently slotted in as the starting free safety but a recent shoulder injury could impact his playing time early in the season. Collins, drafted 33rd overall in 2015, had a solid first season in New York starting all 16 games and recording 108 total tackles.
And finally Sterling Shepard, who was taken in the second round of April’s draft to help relieve the Giants’ current woes at receiver. The Oklahoma product could see a lot of action out of the slot and a lot of balls coming his way with all of the attention Odell Beckham Jr. attracts.
Why this team? New York’s big spending on the defensive side of the ball proves that management is looking to win now before Manning calls it a career. It might not translate immediately, but the Giants are banking it doesn’t take long.
Why not this team? If the pre-season is any indication, it could be a tough 2016 for the offensive line. Also not working in Eli’s favour is that outside of Beckham, the Giants lack explosive options on offence. And if we’ve learned anything from the era of free agency, it’s that spending big money rarely results in significant change.
How much hope? 5/10. The money spent in the off-season won’t be enough to make up for the challenges the Giants face on offence, which could be compounded by having a new (rookie) head coach at the helm. Maybe the Giants will surprise, but a more likely scenario sees them competing just to stay out of the NFC East basement.
