New York Giants

What do these losses mean for the Giants?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

In the aftermath of Sunday evening’s prime time defeat against the Green Bay Packers, what do these losses — plural — mean for Big Blue

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defender Kyler Fackrell strips the ball and forces a fumble by New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports

Losses provide enough blame to go around

There is blame to go around on both sides of the football, starting with the quarterback darling Eli Manning.

Firstly, Manning’s was 18/35 for 199 yards. This is beyond a “disappointment;” it is putridly bad. In the first two games Manning’s quarterback rating rivaled Cam Newton’s 80.2. Carson Palmer is 81.9 and Jimmy Garoppolo is 117.1. As the Times reported on October 10, 2016, Manning proved that he will crumble behind a weak offensive line. Ereck Flowers post-game outburst at the media did not help matters.

Secondly, another area to assess blame is the offensive line, not just Flowers. Per James Kratch of NJ.com, the team can be unduly boastful. Justin Pugh’s statement that he was not concerned at all with his team’s ability to shield Manning against defenses that are more unevenly matched, statistically speaking.

Thirdly, The wide receivers were not as threatening as fans had all hoped. Odell Beckham did not surprise us in a good way with six receptions totaling 56 yards. Victor Cruz was a will o’ the wisp with no passing yardage. Sterling Sheppard was a non-factor with no passing yardage to redeem himself.

Fourth, the Giant’s running game was as present as an apparition. Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins were, as McAdoo would probably say with dramatic understatement, mere “disappointments.” They did not allow Manning to to gain yardage to make 3rd and shorts. As ESPN reported on the day of the massacre on October 9, 2016, the late game comeback staged at the end of the game failed due in part to a lacking of the run game and implosion of the offense.

Still, all of the blame cannot go, as some would have it, on OBJ. He showed improved discipline and even a tendency toward gaiety. Penalties were a non-issue as they had been before. The Times also observed that Beckham even made good with the net on the sidelines this time around.

Per ESPN’s Bob Holtzman wistful comments about Beckham, blaming him for yesterday evening’s loss is a bit extreme.

Say what you want about Odell Beckham Jr, at least he has a sense of humor. After hugging the sideline kicking net he told reporters, “last week I hit him, he hit me back. (Tonight) I told him ‘good hit.’ Beckham said he’s learned over the past week “you’ve got to have fun” – Bob Holtzman.

It’s these two guys fault for three straight losses

Therefore, what remains are two culprits worthy of blame if not begin lambasted for their shoddy performance in times when in the past they have played with such poise and have been delightful to watch.

Fans can be rightly justified in their indignation dubbed total preparation of McAdoo’s game plan on Wednesday October 5, which the Giants organization had made such a large impression upon the media a week ago. The other defendant in this controversy is most likely Elisha Nelson Manning for presiding over this ineptitude which is starting to become the norm rather than a “bad apple” occurrence.

On the other hand, Rodgers, though not exceptional was good enough.

Stopped?
Nope!@rcobb18 spins away for the first down! #NYGvsGB https://t.co/4crp8QZgZ8

— NFL (@NFL) October 10, 2016

Per John Breech of CBS Sports, relying on garbage time was a flaw. There were times when manning could have been more patient and had a higher CATCH percentage with Sheppard, Cruz and Beckham despite the overpowering Packers defense.

As the Giants organization reasons, McAdoo could have been more aggressive on 4th and short to find the team’s rhythm, knowing how Packers head coach Mike McCarthy executes his defense on game days.

Fans infuriation with the status quo will be sure to remain so long as McAdoo allows individual outbursts — whether they take place on or off the field. So long as Manning is complacent with each loss and attributes the loss to the strength of the defensive rather than the weakness of the offensive line, losses will be the norm.

Ever since the Giants started 2-0, losses accumulated in a pattern similar to last season under Tom Coughlin. The Giants will have to reverse this losing trend against Baltimore, Los Angeles and Philadelphia in the near future.

In spite of losing two games, the Ravens (3-2) challenge Big Blue’s McAdoo as a head coach and Manning as a Super Bowl winning quarterback.