New York Giants: 5 Keys to a Successful Season

                        

Eli's Continued Consistency

Over the past two seasons Manning has thrown 65 TD and posted two of the highest passer ratings of his career (92.1 and 93.6 respectively). More of that will certainly be needed if he wants to push the Giants back into the playoffs. With various playmakers on the offensive side, there is reason to believe that the numbers he's put up recently will only get better as long as there is a commitment to an excellence of execution

Improved Secondary Play

There is no denying how awful the secondary has been the past few years. In fact, some would call it the worst in the entire NFL. That should change this year now that the Giants have added pro bowl corner Janoris Jenkins and rookie Eli Apple to the mix. The extra help should do wonders in aiding a second level defense that surrendered the most passing yards in the league a year ago. 

Healthy Linebackers

This has been a far to problematic position for the Giants as they haven't found a linebacker capable of playing even half of the season. The constant carousel has made things especially rough for the team’s defensive coordinators whom often have had to create makeshift plans every week to compensate for the persistent injuries. If the team wants to truly see an improvement in this area the starting corps must be able to stay on the field.

A Dominant Pass Rush

For years the Giants were known for their incredible pass rush that could get to the QB at any given time. That has not been the case recently as the front four have had trouble making a dent in opposing O-lines. The organization went through a lot of trouble rebuilding the defense by spending big on two excellent linemen (Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon) to help reestablish that once vaunted rush. If all goes well, the sack numbers should improve tremendously giving the Giants the boost they need come out ahead of the pack in 2016.

McAdoo's Leadership

This will be the first season in 13 years that the Giants will not have Tom Coughlin at the helm. This places a lot of pressure for former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who is a head coach for the first time in his career. Though he does have a great relationship with many of the players, there will still be some grey areas that will need to be filled in as the season progresses. The most important being the establishment of a winning culture that has been missing since the last years of Coughlin's tenure. This may just be his first season, but with the high expectations many have for the team, McAdoo will need to show everyone what kind of coach he'll be for the foreseeable future.

To Sell or Not: What The Yankees Should Do At The Deadline

The heavily debated topic of what the Yankees plans are for the July 31st trade deadline continues to make headlines. With the All Star break behind them the team finds itself in a precarious position in the standings, close enough to still contend yet not close enough to guarantee it. Brian Cashman has recently stated that he would like to begin selling off the Yankees assets so that they can get as much as they can in deals with contending teams However this has been rebutted by Yankees President Randy Levine and the Steinbrenner’s whom believe the club can still compete for a playoff spot despite most of the organization siding with Cashman. 

What actually happens is entirely up to the what the consensus is, so here's my take on why the team should sell or not come the end of the month.

Why They Should Sell

Currently, the Yankees are 44-44 and sit 7.5 games out of first place in the AL East and 5.5 games out of the second wild card spot. With a god run making up the difference sounds easy, but that may not be the case for this team. The starting pitching is very inconsistent and they're not getting much production out of the middle of their lineup. These factors alone will make it very difficult to make a strong push. Trading away the likes of Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Brian McCann, and Carlos Beltran would more than likely land a pretty nice haul of prospects that would satisfy their somewhat talent starved minor league system and build upon the future that Cashman wants to put in place. Standing pat would prove much too risky if nothing comes of it and it's best that Yankees use the deadline for all it's worth.

Why They Should Not

While dealing away assets seems to be the more pertinent move, there is the chance that the Yankees find a way to close the gap before July 31st. Should that happen, there will be more of a need to buy at the deadline than sell. Though it could compromise the minors, the Yankees could find a suitable pitcher or hitter that would help take them over the hump and into the playoffs. There is also the off chance the current roster hits a groove that sparks a win streak and erases the deficit, making holding onto their important players look like a season saving decision.

Rose to New York - What It Means For The 2016-17 season

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As recent history has shown, the Knicks usually find themselves on the wrong end of a bad trade (i.e. the deals for Eddy Curry in 2005, Tracy McGrady in 2010, and Andrea Bargnani in 2013, and infamously Antonio McDyess in 2002). Each deal cost the Knicks several draft picks and a lot of money that could have been put to good use over the past 15 seasons. So it would make sense if many Knick fans cringed a bit once they heard about the blockbuster deal that landed former MVP Derrick Rose in the Big Apple. Surprisingly, that was not the case as Phil Jackson not only held on the team's future draft picks, He managed gain an extra one. A far cry from the benevolence they've shown in player swaps of the past. Though moving a solid center like Robin Lopez and a youngster like Jerian Grant may hurt some, there is plenty to look forward to regarding the potential changes and dividends this trade could yield.

Immediate Impact on team

Now that Knicks finally have a trustworthy point guard, things could start to look up the offensive end. With Anthony and Porzingis already in the fold, there will be some big adjustments on how things are run when the three are on the court together. Rose never really had much to work with in Chicago as he often carried the team offensively since no other player had exceptional scoring ability (the exception being Jimmy Butler the past two seasons). Kristaps and Carmelo have the ability to create their own shots, which will take a lot of pressure off of Rose and give him the luxury of being a creator and distributor at times during games.

A New Center

With Lopez gone, there is a glaring hole a center. Luckily the Knicks will have their choice of good ones that are more than capable of filling that void. It will be important to find a big man that can play well with Rose and not disrupt what he does best. That could make Joakim Noah, Rose's teammate in Chicago the favorite, but there are others (Dwight Howard, Hassan Whiteside, and Al Jefferson) that could also do the job.

Suitable Backup

Given that Derrick Rose has had injury trouble in the past, the team is going to have to find a reserve point guard that can give him a rest in games and be just as effective. Who that player will be remains a mystery. Perhaps Langston Galloway get a shot, or maybe the Knicks could pursue former draft pick Nate Robinson. Whatever they choose to do, it's obvious that the players skill level must play a huge part in this decision.

Kevin Durant?

The Knicks are already a projected long shot in the upcoming Kevin Durant sweepstakes, but that doesn't mean they can't make a pass at him. Should the Knicks land a formidable center, there will be at least whispers in Durant's camp about the potential formation of a super team in New York. With that said, it's probably best to keep this in the dream category and focus on other ways to improve the roster (But one can still dream…right?)

2016 Giants Player Expectations

High Expectations:

Photo: Jim O'Connor USA Today Sports

Odell Beckham Jr.

Amassing 2,755 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first two seasons, Beckham has much to live up to in 2016. If he wants to earn the honor of most elite receivers in the league it will be imperative for him to set the bar even higher even if it may seem impossible to do so.

Photo: William Periman/ NJ Advance Media

Rashad Jennings

Jennings ended 2015 on a high note by coming on strong late in the season, giving him more than enough leverage to secure the most touches this year. As long as he can outperform his competition and gain big on the ground in games, there is no doubt that will be the case. Otherwise, there might be a quick hook in favor of another back on the depth chart

Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

Olivier Vernon

After spending big to lure him to New York, there is much excitement around what Vernon could add to the fleeting pass rush of the Giants. He'll have to earn every dime of that $85 Million contract as all eyes will be set squarely upon him each and every game.

Photo: Aaron Doster USA Today Sports

Janoris Jenkins

With the chance to place the secondary amongst the top units in the NFL, Jenkins will need to prove his worth by helping shut down some of the best receivers the Giants opponents will have to offer. After the team suffered one of their worst defensive seasons in their history, there is little chance he will get a pass for mediocre performances.

Low Expectations:

Photo: Brad Penner USA Today Sports

Larry Donnell

Donnell has had several flashes of greatness in his short career, but his propensity for injury has hurt any opportunity he's had to fully reach that level. It's likely that he will get another chance as a starter, but with new faces behind him which includes two talented rookies (Jerell Adams and Ryan Malleck) another injury plagued season could ultimately be his undoing.

Photo: Tommy Gilligan USA Today Sports

Andre Williams

It's been an underwhelming start to the career of Williams as he's averaged just 3.2 yards per carry in two seasons. Unfortunately for the third year pro, there are now more than enough running backs on the roster to compensate for any shortcomings he may have. Perhaps the Giants could find a better way to utilize his freakish build (fullback comes to mind), but for now we can only hope that he surprises everyone and exceeds even his own expectations in 2016.

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Bobby Hart

To be fair, Hart has gotten a bit of a bad rap since no one really knows who he is or how he plays. That being said, there is much he could gain from going under the radar, but he'll have to earn it every step of the way. If he can play his way into the starting lineup, it would be the considered the first major triumph on his football resume, the rest is up in the air.

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Victor Cruz

If he's as at 100 percent there's a great chance he'll produce at a high level for the offense. However, he has spent the better part of two seasons sidelined with knee and calf injuries which could prove problematic if he's isn't careful from here on out. Now that Beckham has become the new star receiver, Cruz must settle into a secondary (or perhaps tertiary) role which actually could do wonders for his overall game. The time out of the spotlight has damaged his larger than life superstardom he built over three seasons, but it might just be the formula that gets back into the swing of things. Most fans don't expect him to burst back onto the scene if at all so should that happen this year the Giants will all the better for it.

No Expectations:

Photo: Gary Hershorn Reuters

Keenan Robinson

While there is a high upside to Robinson given his rather impressive 109 tackle 2014 season. The only issue is that his body hasn't been able to stay fit enough to be a consistent presence on the field. Seeing that the Giants have had their issues with injured linebackers in the past (Jon Beason, Devon Kennard, J.T. Thomas) there isn't much to hope for from Robinson. How things go will be entirely dependent on whether or not he continues this unfortunate trend.

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Bobby Rainey

Rainey does have a lot of skill that could prove extremely effective if used correctly. Nonetheless, the chances he sees time at running back are is a bit slimmer than one may think. Unless the situation becomes dire (which could happen given the Giants recent track record) don't expect to see Rainey taking many snaps from the backfield (at least as a runner) outside of the preseason.

Photo:Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Jason Pierre-Paul

There's a lot that can be said about Pierre-Paul's 2015. From the tumultuous situation involving his hand and fireworks, to his mid-season return to action there was no shortage of storylines that escaped the two-time pro bowl defensive end. Now that his hand is repaired and a new glove has been made to help him tackle, what can we expect out of him this season? No doubt the organization has left it up to chance. The talent is still there; all anyone can do right is hope for the best.

Potential Free Agents the Islanders Should Consider

After ending a 23-year playoff series drought, the Islanders find themselves in position to make big moves towards becoming a Stanley cup contender. To do that, they will need to bring in one or more high level free agents that can not only make an impact on the ice, but infuse their skills within the growing team culture.

Photo: Chris Carlson AP

Milan Lucic LW (2015-16 20G 34A)

He has top line hockey IQ that would give immediate help to John Tavares however, it would take a lot to pry him away from Los Angeles more that perhaps the Isles are willing to go. That being said, it would be a gutsy and highly appealing move bringing a player like Lucic into the fold.

Photo Jonathan Daniel Getty Images

Andrew Ladd LW (2015-16: 25G 21A)

Here's a player that could fill the potential void left by Kyle Okposo. His numbers have been pretty steady over the past 5 seasons and there is reason to believe he would welcome the opportunity to play in Brooklyn. It'll be interesting to see how much he will command in the open market, but his consistency definitely should make him a more than attractive target.

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Troy Bouwer RW (2015-16: 18G 21A)

He played exceptionally well in the playoffs and should earn a lot of attention in the market. That being said the Islanders would greatly benefit from Brouwer’s scoring prowess. Money could be an issue if he looks to capitalize on postseason performance with a big pay day However this is a risk that the team must be willing to take if they are to take the next step.

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Keith Yandle D (2015-16: 5G 42A)

If there is any place the Islanders could stand to improve it's the defenseman position. It will be important to add a smart playmaker as a counterpart the aggressive and physical Matt Martin. Yandle could be just the guy to fill that role.

Bob DeChiara USA Today Sports

John-Michael Liles D (2015-16: 6G 14A)

While Zidlicky did provide a veteran presence on the defensive side, the team would benefit from adding another vet like him to the roster. At 35 with 13 years of experience, Liles would make a great mentor for young nucleus the Islanders have carefully developed over the years.

James Guillory US 

David Backes C (2015-16: 21G 24A)

Though Frans Nielsen and Casey Cizikas has emerged as stellar middle men for the third and fourth lines, the second line still could use upgrade at center. Signing Backes would lighten the load for Tavares (whom often pulled double duty playing center for the one and two lines in games) giving much more stability for Capuano to shift players around without compromising their strengths. Backes has shown he can create good opportunities for himself and his teammates, something that's at a huge premium in today's NHL.

Free Agents the Knicks Should Consider

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As the season winds down, it's time for the New York Knicks to begin looking at the upcoming free agents for 2016. Here are a few players the team should consider signing if they want to have a success in the 2016-17 season and beyond.

Mike Conley

Conley's game has grown tremendously over the past three seasons and would translate well to the Knicks offense. A solid point guard like him would help both Anthony and Porzingis get easier looks at the basket a put a sense of flow and control to a unit that is often stagnant and discombobulated.

Rajon Rondo

His attitude still needs some adjusting, but there is no denying his ability to distribute on the court. Rondo would bring an aggressive, freewheeling style that would create countless opportunities for scorers. Phil Jackson has stated that he wants a guard that can effectively run his patented triangle offense, something Rondo is a bit skeptical of. However, the door is still open for the Knicks to convince him to give it a try.

Pau Gasol

Despite his age (35) Gasol is still a very capable big man with scoring ability. His experience would come in handy for a youngster like Porzingis who would stand to benefit greatly under 14-year veterans wing. His relationship with the Zen Master should make him an easier candidate to pursue, but it will depend on how he feels at this point in his career.

Kent Bazemore

Bazemore has opened some eyes in Atlanta by thriving as a role player. The Knicks could use some extra help off the bench in the form of an effective 6th man, he just might be the guy to do it. He's also a fairly good two-way defender, something sorely needed on a team that has given up so much on the perimeter.

Josh Smith

Smith has suddenly hit a crossroad in his career. Despite having talent, there doesn't seem to be a place that is a definite fit for him. New York could change that by giving him the chance to play a purposeful role. Signing him would require the team to make some roster adjustments, but if there's still any semblance of the former All Defensive Second team member, it's one the Knicks should consider.

Jeremy Lin

This might seem a bit farfetched, but a Lin-Knicks reunion is something that should be looked into. Lin hasn't made his mark on the league quite like he did in the big apple, and if it wasn't for a contested contract situation, he probably would still be in New York. His ability to break down defenses and make plays with the ball are a staple of his game and you have to believe the fans who still remember the "Linsanity" days would welcome him back with open arms.

Kevin Durant

The top free agent to be is a dream acquisition many fans would love to see. While meshing he and Anthony's games would prove to be a task, there's no denying his potential impact on the team. The Knicks have suffered greatly to find a second scorer who can put up consistent numbers each game. Bringing in Durant would not only solve those problems, it would give the Knicks the respect and relevancy that has eluded them for nearly 15 years.

             

Are The Yankees Doing The Right Thing?

Girardi and Cashman have bet on the Yankees future.
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The offseason is almost at its end and the Yankees remain the only team to have not signed a major free agent on the open market. A far cry from their free agency techniques of the past 15 years. There are some who will believe that this is a sign the the team is fully committed to Brian Cashman's plan of building from within. However, doubters will not share these same sentiments, feeling that the lack of initiative will doom the club in the long run. Whichever side one chooses to pick seems to be of little concern to the Yankees brass as they plan how they can compete for a championship in 2016 and beyond.

Despite their firm stance on their payroll ($210 Million for 2016), the Yankees haven't been completely stagnant this winter as they acquired the services of Starlin Castro, Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Hicks in offseason trades. In addition, the club signed veteran pitchers Anthony Swarzak and Kirby Yates to minor league contracts. These moves give the club both stability and options in areas that were a bit problematic last season.

Unfortunately the one area that is probably most concerning to the Yankees and fans alike is starting pitching. There have been talks of having a 6 man rotation to compensate for the potential lack of innings that may come out of the group (considering the health of the staff). While that could be a viable solution, there is no guarantee that if will help each pitcher in the long run. It's understandable that the Yankees did not want to risk putting loads of money into a top or even second tier pitcher whom may or may not work out, especially since they really haven't had one live up to their expectations since Mike Mussina (though one could argue Sabathia's first for years).

Now that it's known that top prospect Greg Bird will miss the season with shoulder surgery (despite the fact that he was set be in minors for the duration of it), things could change on the free agent front. Whether they reach out the Pedro Alvarez or go a completely different route, one has to believe the Yankees will do whatever is deemed necessary to have a successful 2016 season without jeopardizing the future.