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Giants End Season with a Whimper: Off Season Notes

The season ended prematurely for the Giants by the hands of a quarterback that is miles more talented than 30 other quarterbacks in the league.   Even with his number one receiver (Nelson) out of the game, Rodgers wore the Giants defense down and found the slot receiver running open for most of the 2nd half.

With that said, rookie seasons for NFL coaches do not usually unfold to the tune of a 11 and 5 season.  Coach McAdoo did some good things in 2016 and hopefully the Jerry Reese and Coach McAdoo address some glaring holes this off-season with the 30 million they are currently under the cap before cuts.

  • DRC – the most under rated corner in the game needs to stay a New York Giant. While his contract might feel unfriendly for a nickel, it was very obvious yesterday that he was missed and was the difference in the game.  Aaron Rodgers pounded the slot all day.  Eli Apple who did not play great yesterday and has had a very up and down year will remain the starter.
  • Left TackleEli Manning is going nowhere.  So if this franchise wants their QB to step into his throws and move the ball down field to score more points, this team needs to secure a bona-fide franchise Left Tackle.  Ereck Flowers needs to be moved to Right Tackle without question.  Free Agency is the best move here.
  • JPP – the pass rush took a huge dip when Pierre-Paul went down with a groin injury.  He was on pace for 72 tackles and 10 sacks before the hernia injury. It is very hard to find dynamic defensive ends, and paying JPP is a necessary evil.  He is 28 years old and still plays the run.   At 32 years old, Cameron Wake (Miami) signed a three-year, $23.4 million contract. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed and he had an Achilles’ injury in 2015/2016.  JPP should be looking at a 5 year deal/45 million.
  • Paying Hank – Big Hank had a nice year with 44 tackles and 3 sacks.   Can the Giants pay JPP and Hank, probably not.  Reese has a long history of not paying Defensive Tackles and letting them walk.   See Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins, and Linval Joseph.
  • Cruz, Lewis and KingVictor Cruz who started yesterday’s game very much part of the game plan was eventually put on the bench for the faster King.  King is a Restricted Free Agent and will most likely be resigned.  His TD catch yesterday shows his value. Cruz contract holds him back as much as being forced to be the outside receiver.  He is worth 1.9M of dead money against the cap and 7.4 in savings.  Even a major pay probably won’t save him.  Lewis is too inconsistent, but holds onto a roster spot for now.   Reese unlikely to draft a receiver and tends to hold onto a corral of average Wide Receivers. 
  • Offensive Line – This unit still needs an overhaul.  Years of drafting and signing guys like Hermans, McCants, Boothe, Cordle, Gettis, Brewer, Baas, Beatty, Schwartz, Mosley, Walton, Hart, Newhouse, Jerry, and Reynolds…the line still stinks.  This should be Jerry Reese’s off-season priority.
  • Running BackRashad Jennings hasn’t really proven out to be that “big” back.   He is tough but not a lower the pad level, knock you on the ass type of back.   I can’t see him returning next season.  The Giants seemed to panic a bit on Sunday, abandoning the run with Paul Perkins.  Green Bay had been giving up 114 yards a game over last 8 games.  Perkins need to get in the weight room for 2017 as the Giants make this a Shane Vereen/Paul Perkins cast. 
  • Specials – I’m not sure what happen to Dwayne Harris but he did not have a good year.  Perhaps he was hurt?  He ran right into tacklers or his blockers 90% of the time.  On kickoffs, Bobby Rainey was terrible.  His step out on the 3 yard line last night was unacceptable.  You learn how to field kicks in pop warner. Bye Rainey.  Maybe Darkwa could fill this role.
  • Off Season Needs:  Left Tackle, Right Guard, Red Zone tall receiver, Kick returner, Defensive Tackle, backup QB, Full Back, Dynamic Tight End, pass rusher.