New York Giants:             

2013 RECORD: 7-9  

2012 RECORD: 9-7   

2011 RECORD: 9-7   

2010 RECORD: 10-6                      

TEAM OVERVIEW: That was ugly! The Giants started 0-6 and had an incredible -16 turnover ratio after those six games. Eli Manning was 123-229 with a 9-15 TD-int ratio and the run game was non-existent at 68 yards per game. Add in a 5-16 sack ratio and one could see that 0-6 was much deserved. The Giants rallied to finish 7-9 but maybe that record was misleading. The turnover ratio remained high as Manning finished with an NFL high 27 picks. Sacks on Manning doubled from ’12 (20 to 40). RB Brown returned from injury but ran only 139-502 for the year. Moving up in the NFC East is not that difficult, but the Giants need help/impact defensively along with a return to form from its two-time Super Bowl champion QB.

KEY STATS: The Giants scored just 294 points in ’13, meaning that they finished the season with a -89 point ratio.  7-9 teams generally are far closer to “flat” in their point ratio so therefore the Giants start ’14 with a – point ratio.  The run O regressed to near the bottom but the real culprit was the 29 interceptions they threw.  The Giants were -15 in turnover ratio and -12 in interceptions.  This impacted 3rd downs, where the Giants were successful under 33% of the time.  The defense wasn’t bad as it finished 8th overall in yards allowed and got the run D way down from ’12 levels to a tie for 4th at 3.8 per carry.  Defensive sacks have lagged however for two straight years at 33 in ’12 and 34 last year. The Giants were unlucky that opposing kickers hit 29 of 30.  The punt return D needs work (30th). Spread-wise, the Giants have had some situational road plusses and were about even on the road in ’13.  They dropped to 15-9 off 3 consecutive losses (0-1).  They are 10-21 MNF when not a home favorite, and are 7-6 as a MNF home favorite.

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: The Giants usually take the best player available, but strayed from this approach at pick #19 and possibly at pick #49. The run on OL convinced the Giants to pull the trigger early on Pugh.  Hankins was drafted to improve a porous run D.  Moore slipped due to immaturity and a poor combine.  His work ethic needs to improve to match his upside.  I understood that the Giants lacked a #2 QB and have been on them to address that issue.  Still, trading 116/187 seemed excessive in this weak QB draft considering LB needs were again ignored.  By the way, those who read my 2013 pre-draft team by team report got a heads up with the Charles James of Charleston Southern signing.  He played 12 games and had 4 tackles.  Be the first on your block to get such “valuable” Intel! 

1-19, OT Pugh: Smart OT started all 16 games but has to add weight to power block at NFL level.

2-49, DT Hankins: Productive short area 2-gapper who can get lazy.  Versatile.  16 rookie tackles.

3-81, DE D Moore: Just 20 when drafted.  Lacks upper body strength.  Poor combine.  11 rookie tackles.

4-110, QB Nassib: Smartest of QB’s with impressive short area accuracy.  Not good on the move.

5-152, S Taylor: 4.49 Pro Day got him here.  Tall at 6’4”.  Not that fast.  10 games, 4 tackles then on IR.

7-225: OG Herman: Known for his pancake blocks, a mean and nasty technician.  Not athletic.  No action.

7-253: RB  Cox: Transferred from Michigan to U Mass.  Average as a rookie return man.

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: The Giants were “ok” with Wilson but wanted RB Martin.  Wilson fumbles and had two in his five games, running 44-146 before his serious injury.  He was strong on kick returns.  WR Randle went 41-14.9-6.  CB Hosley went from 40 tackles down to 9.  TE Robinson has basically been invisible despite this position being below average. OT Mosely barely played but broke his hand late in ’13.  OT McCants never made the official roster. DT Kuhn did virtually nothing. For various reasons (some of them understandable) the Giants have not drafted rated LB’s in recent drafts. That must change.   

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: The Giants pressure regressed with just 32 defensive sacks so it’s actually hard to find a top area right now. The pass D% is never outstanding but did finish in the top half of the NFL. TE play is substandard as is the OL/TE’s ability to run block.

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: The Giants have been active in the offseason. Offensively, RB Rashad Jennings is a nice addition, as is OT Geoff Schwartz.  OL John Jerry was a liability last year in Miami.  OT brown was replaced as a starter in New Orleans. Two OL are gone. TE Myers was never a good fit here.  They added TE Fells but that’s not enough. WR Nicks never reached the end zone in ’13 but when healthy he was at least a solid No. 2, and the Giants will need to find his replacement. The DL lost Tuck and Joseph. Jameel McClain is in at LB but Keith Rivers is out. Adding Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Zach Bowman and Walter Thurmond at DB is a bit of an upgrade. The return game may benefit from safety/return specialist Demps and the super speedy but fumble prone Holiday. Ben McAdoo (Green Bay) replaces Kevin Gilbride as Offensive Coordinator. He was their QB coach. Eli Manning will get a double dose of advice in ’14 as longtime OSU Beaver Coordinator and QB coach Danny Langdorf was hired this past January.

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: 1-2 LB’s, #2/3 WR, DL/sack specialist, OL, safety, late RB.  It’s time for the Giants to select a LB early in the draft process.  LB play has held them back. WR Randle could be the new #2 option but that does not mean the NYG should ignore finding more talented targets for Eli Manning. Sack protection has tailed off lately. Tuck is gone and the DL lacks depth and a companion for Pierre-Paul. The OL showed its age last year. Another young starter is needed. I question the starting safety talent on the roster. With Wilson’s injury status the NYG might add a RB late in the draft.