Giants: What Happens Now?

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On Tuesday, the New York Giants made the shocking decision to bench Eli Manning amidst the teams tumultuous 2-9 season, ending his streak of 210 consecutive games started. The move has signaled that the once proud franchise has fallen into a place of disfunction that was thought to be unprecedented just a few seasons ago. This unfortunate turn of events leaves one question to be asked. What happens now?

New Quarterback?

Geno Smith may be getting the nod in Oakland, everyone knows he's just a fill in as the Giants will want to get a look at 3rd round pick Davis Webb. Ultimately, the team will look for a top tier quarterback in the college ranks to eventually become the franchises signal caler of the future.

The End of Ben McAdoo?

It appears that after just two seasons, the team has lost all faith in McAdoo. Fans and players have criticized his coaching style and questioned his ability to lead. Knowing that he had a hand in sitting Manning won't help his cause as the organization will most likely make him one of the casualties come January.

Jerry Reese Finished in New York?

Jerry Reese has been a part of the Giants organization since 1994, which may make it hard for the team to let him go. However, his recent track record of poor draft picks and free agent signings simply cannot be ignored. He’s played a big part in most of the shortcomings (the offensive line most notably) that made Eli's job far more difficult than it had to be. He likely sealed his fate in an October weekly address when he took the blame for Big Blues poor record, a sentiment many have felt was long overdue.

Manning Retiring?

It is entirely possible that Eli Manning may decide to call it a career at season's end. He's accomplished quite a bit for a quarterback that was once looked at as mediocre by critics and scouts. He currently sits in the top 10 all time in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. Not to mention he has two Super Bowl MVP awards. Yet, there are going to be murmuring that Manning should look to play at least one more year with perhaps another team. It would be a huge sting for Big Blue to see their franchise player don another uniform, but in the end that decision will be left to

Giants: 3 Areas of Concern Heading Into The Final Weeks

Offensive Line

The Giants O-Line has been very inconsistent all season and with 4 weeks to go there must be drastic improvement. Penalties and assignment lapses have plagued the unit, with most of the ire drawn towards second year left tackle Ereck Flowers. His undisciplined technique has not only exposed Manning's blindside to skilled pass rushers, it has also caused drives to stall out due to lost yards from his untimely miscues. Many are clamoring for the Giants to shift him to right where he would stand a better chance at succeeding but at this juncture, things must be taken for what they are. Flowers is not the only struggling lineman as both Bobby Hart and John Jerry have had their share of trouble staying away from costly mstakes as well. With a playoff spot on the line, only thing that matters is results and the 5 men that make the offense go have to recognize that immediately.

Jason Pierre-Paul's Injury

Just as Pierre-Paul looked to be rounding back into form, a sports hernia will now cost him the rest of the season. This leaves the Giants Defensive line without one of its skilled pass rushers and play disruptors. One must hope that the "next man up" mentality holds well as JPP's backups will have task that could be a tall order ahead of them. Expect opponents to put a lot of double teams on Oliver Vernon to minimize that havok he can cause, which could have dire effects on the Giants vaunted front.

Lack of Targets for Cruz and Shepard

In back-to-back weeks, the Giants offense failed to target on their main receivers for an entire game (Shepard in week 12 and Cruz in week 13). That in and of itself is inexplicable as so many believed that having two skilled pass catchers around Beckham Jr. would open the offense.  Whatever the reasoning, it needs to change immediately if the Giants want the offense to finally come out of its season long malaise. 

Why The Giants Are Struggling

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The Giants head into week 6 on a three game losing streak and find themselves in last place in the NFC East. Though there are many factors that have contributed to the team’s struggles, here are a few glaring issues that I think are perpetuating Big Blue’s current situation.

Practice Habits

Poor preparation leads to poor performance, that is a saying many have heard over the course of their lives. It especially rings true in sports. With the way the team has performed the past three weeks, many will wonder if the Giants practices are yielding any positive results. This not only is a bad reflection on the players, it’s a massive knock on the coaching staff whose job is to make sure the team is ready to play at a high level each week. One should hope this is not the case, but given what has transpired thus far you can’t help but feel this

Lack of Depth

For the Giants, the discrepancy of talent between the starter and bench is far too wide. If a first string player gets hurt, their backup seemingly lacks the skill to perform even adequately and that is a big problem. The fault of this falls directly on General Manager Jerry Reese, who is in charge of drafting and signing capable talent to make sure the depth is always up to par. The team owes it to itself to improve upon this weakness if there is any hope of making sure this season doesn’t get away from them like it has the past 5 years.

Pass Rush (Or lack thereof)

In the off-season the team spent over $200 million improving the defense in order to increase the number of sacks and quarterback hits. Instead the pass rush has managed to look even worse that it did last year, which is mind boggling. After watching Aaron Rogers get time to read War and Peace in the backfield, it’s time to start holding Steve Spagnuolo and defense accountable for the uninspired play that is being shown on a weekly basis.

No Rashad Jennings

This may or may not have much merit to it, but the loss of Jennings for three weeks seems to be parallel with the team’s struggles. Perhaps getting him back for week 6 will yield a better result. With Shane Vereen on the shelf, the Giants could use a singular talent that is capable of doing some damage on offense.

The Slow Moving Offense

One of the things that was expected of New York was that the offense would perform at an elite level, especially since it has such a talented receiving core. Unfortunately, that has not been the case as the offense is spending more time sputtering out on drives, committing costly penalties, and turning the ball over. Many say this is on Eli Manning, whom to their point has not looked particularly good running some of the plays. However, it’s Ben McAdoo’s job to see this system through. The conservative play calling is hurting the offense’s effectiveness and it’s hard to get players like Odell Beckham and Victor Cruz going. If there’s going to be any advancement in overall play, this needs to change.

Giants: Who To Watch For In Week 2

Olivier Vernon

Vernon may not have picked up any sacks against the Cowboys, but he certainly showed how disruptive he can be off the edge especially against the run. The Saints offensive line is not quite as talented as the one in Dallas so look for Vernon to try and strike big on passing downs. 

Odell Beckham Jr

Last season Beckham had 3 TD's against in his hometown and would surely love nothing more than to repeat that performance. Though the Saints comers will probably pay much closer attention him in this game, the addition of a healthy Victor Cruz and into the mix could open things up for number 13. 

Rashad Jennings

In a turn of recent history, the Giants running game had a pretty substantial showing in week 1. Jennings was able to take advantage of open holes up the middle and gain big when the team needed it most. For this to be a sign that the ground game is poised to make a comeback, Jennings will need to continue running the ball with reverence against New Orleans.

Eli Apple

This is going to be the first big test for the rookie as he goes up against an elite quarterback in Drew Brees. The Saints offense loves to take its fair share of shots down the field, so Apple will need to be prepared to get targeted quite a few times. Though this is only his second game, many will be looking to see how the first around pick holds up.

Victor Cruz

It was a wonderful sight to see Cruz back on the field last Sunday, a moment that was two years in the making. His movements were crisp and decisive, proving to even the most skeptical fan that he's healthy and ready to go. His presence in the offense gives a big boost for Manning as he can now spread the ball around instead of focusing his efforts on one target. With that said, expect Cruz to see more action on the field in his first home game since returning.

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.

This Season Is An Important One For Victor Cruz

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October 12 2014, That is the last time Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz stepped on the field as a competitive football player. It seems like a lifetime has gone by since that fateful evening in Philadelphia, but he we stand on the precipice of his long awaited return. A lot has happened since then including the rise of Phenom wide out Odell Beckham Jr, the changing of the guard at head coach, and a new offensive system is in place. How this affects Cruz in the long run is yet to be seen, but there is both optimism and skepticism as to the potential end result.

Missing so much time could have a profound effect on Cruz's effectiveness on the field. That's not to say that he'd be completely ineffective because he's worked tirelessly to get back into playing form. However, one will have to be realistic as to how much we should expect to get out of him. The Giants were wise to provide extra help on offense by drafting WR Sterling Shepard to make up for any losses they could suffer if things don’t go as planned with Eli's former number one target. That being said, Cruz should probably expect that his touches will be far more limited this season as younger talent has stepped in. Thankfully, he doesn’t appear to have the same ego problems that plague most top receivers in the NFL and is willing to share (and even give away) the spotlight and allow them to shine or continue to shine (in the case of Beckham). That will play an enormous role in the comradery of the receiving core that will welcome Cruz’s leadership into the picture.

With so much on the line this season, the expectations for Victor Cruz are going to be pretty high. Whether or not he can meet them will be completely up what he accomplishes in between the lines. One things for certain, all of Giants nation will be watching with bated breath for the return of one of its favorite football sons.

2016 Giants Player Expectations

High Expectations:

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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.

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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

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

The New York Giants 2016 Draft Class

Now that the 2016 NFL Draft has come to a close, it's time to take a look at the newest members of Big Blue.

            Photo Credit: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
Eli Apple CB Ohio State  

This pick came as a bit of a shock to both analysts and fans who expected to Giants to look for a pass rusher, linebacker, or offensive lineman at number 10. However, the Titans and Bears traded ahead of the Giants and subsequently took OT Jack Conklin and LB Leonard Floyd right out from under them. With that in mind, one could understand why Reese and company settled on taking Apple here, but it may have served better to trade down.

     Photo Credit: JP Wilson/Icon Sportswire
Sterling Shepard WR Oklahoma

There is no doubt this guy is a stud. He can make great catches, run routes effectively, and make defenders miss in the open field. Having proven to be a 1st round talent, landing him in the second could be a major steal for the already omnipotent Giants offense. 

      Photo Credit: Idaho Statesman
Darian Thompson S Boise State

The ball hawk extraordinaire and former defensive captain is a major upgrade at the safety position, giving the revamped secondary additional depth and a potential starter. If he can hone his football abilities and clean up some of the mistakes he made in college, he could one of the few great steals of the draft.

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B.J. Goodson LB Clemson

Surely many wish the Giants would have filled this position earlier, but nevertheless the trigger was pulled in round 4. Like Thompson, he was the defensive captain of a stout Clemson defense which should serve him well at the pro level. If all goes well and he finds a true fit in Spagnuolo's schemes, Goodson could be one of the hidden gem draft finds of 2016.

Photo Credit: Mark J Terrell/AP
Paul Perkins RB UCLA

While many fans would have loved to land Ezekiel Elliott, Perkins is still a nice (though lesser) alternative. He has a skill set similar to Shane Vereen and is extremely elusive in the open field. It's likely he'll battle both Andre Williams and Orleans Darkwa for playing time, so we will have to wait to see exactly what he can contribute.

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Jerell Adams TE South Carolina

The tight end position has been a revolving door for 6 years now as the Giants have yet to find a permanent starter. like others before him, Adams could slip into a prominent role if his game builds up to the level some believe he's capable of. However, as a later draft pick it will be a bit of climb for him to win over the coaching staff. 

SSnow's New York Giants Mock Draft

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Round 1: Vernon Hargreaves III CB Florida

The additions of Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison, along with the re-signing of Jason Pierre-Paul will most likely alter the Giants first round plans, especially if a Defensive lineman comes off the board early. Hargreaves is a great alternate choice when considering the current state of the secondary. Adding his prowess as corner to the likes of Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins could really shake things up and create a more than formidable pass defense.

Alternatives: Deforest Buckner DE Oregon, Joey Bosa DE Ohio State, Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio State

Round 2: Reggie Ragland LB Alabama

Despite signing two players in the offseason, the Giants still don't have a long term answer at linebacker. Ragland has great play recognition and big hit ability; qualities you want out of a skilled middle linebacker. Considering there has been a carousel of underwhelming LB's moving through the Giants for quite some time, it would be nice to finally get a player talented enough to hold down that spot for a few years.

Alternatives: Chris Jones DE Mississippi State, Tyler Boyd WR Pittsburgh, Noah Spence DE Easter Kentucky

Round 3: Landon Turner G North Carolina

The Giants still lack depth at guard so they'll need to make certain that they take care of it. Turner has a big body that can overpower smaller lineman pretty easily. Though there is concern about his lateral movement, which could make him vulnerable to pass rushers, I see no problem with Big Blue selecting him as insurance for an often injury prone position.

Alternatives: Christian Westerman G Arizona State, Deion Jones LB LSU, Vonn Bell S Ohio State

Round 4: C.J. Prosise RB Notre Dame

Andre Williams has been underwhelming as the backup running back and the Giants will need to find someone that will provide a little more pop behind Rashad Jennings. Prosise brings a skill set that is comparable to Shane Vereen, quick direction change, downhill speed, and excellent hands. Seeing the success Vereen had the offense last season, there is no doubt Prosise could have the same impact right alongside him.

Alternatives: Kevin Seymour CB USC, Austin Johnson DT Penn State, Scooby Wright LB Arizona

Round 5: Jayron Kearse S Clemson

This one is simple, there is a glaring hole at the safety position that need to be filled ASAP so the Giants should take the best player available to them. At 6'4" Kearse is pretty tall for a safety, which works in his favor when it comes to jumping and tackling, however there is a concern that with that length comes a lack of speed and motion. Despite this, he could be very versatile if given the right direction ad motivation.

Alternatives: DeAndre Houston-Carson S William & Mary, Connor McGovern G Missouri, Keanu Neal S Florida

Round 6: Kolby Listenbee WR TCU

Adding another receiver is something that has been talked about off and on for a few months now. It is likely the team will look into this earlier in the draft, but there is no guarantee a receiver will worth taking earlier will become available. With no 7th round pick to play with the Giants will have to take a chance on a potential diamond in the rough in Listenbee, who has the big play ability that has made both Beckham and Cruz famous in New York.

Alternatives: DeAndre Washington RB Texas Tech, Luther Maddy DT Virginia Tech, T.J. Green S Clemson

Giants Make Big Improvements in Free Agency

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At the opening bell of the NFL's free agency period, the Giants made their mark by adding solid talent that should go a long way in bringing their once proud defense back to prominence. Unlike previous seasons where team general manager Jerry Reese would nickel and dime the roster in an attempt to watch the cap, there was a sense of urgency to do whatever it took to make the team better. There is still bit a money they can spend to add more depth as well as the upcoming draft, but for now things appear to be looking up in Giants Nation.

Olivier Vernon 5 years $85 million

This was by far the biggest move the Giants made, adding a proven pass rusher with great on the ball skills to help their underwhelming defensive line. Vernon not only brings superb tackling to the table, he gives a sense of fear that hasn't been around since the days of Strahan, Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck. ESPN's Dan Graziano believes the Giants may have over spent for Vernon, and in a way he is right, However, considering what they will get out of him as opposed to what they've had, can you blame them?

Janoris Jenkins 5 year $62.5 million

The secondary needed help in the worst way and Jenkins gives the just that. His ball skills and speed are top tier and he provides opposite side help for Rodgers-Cromartie whom had difficulties being the team's only true cover specialists in 2015. Jenkins did admit that he tends to get lazy at the end of games, something that will need to change hastily if he wants to fully earn that large contract. All things considered, this was a great pickup.

Damon Harrison 5 year $46.25 million

The former Jet is a run stopping monster who adds instant credibility and potential to the line. He had 72 combined tackles last season and was often in the backfield stoning running backs for one of the stouter run defenses in the game. The Giants surrendered nearly 2000 yards on the ground last season (1942) and looked helpless against anyone whom had even remotely skilled backs. Harrison should help slow that pace and create hesitation to rush it up the middle.

Keenan Robinson 1 year $3.5 million

Robinson had a down year in 2015 thanks to missing time due to injuries. That doesn't mean the 4th year linebacker isn't talented. He had 109 tackles in 2014 which shows what he can do when healthy, but the Giants had to play it safe. If he can return to form and stay on the field Robinson could be a quiet free agency steal, but ultimately the Giants are going to look elsewhere for their linebacker of the future.

New York Giants: Top Free Agency Targets for 2016

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After making three more roster cuts this week, the Giants are expected to have nearly $60 million in caps space by the start of free agency. This gives them a great chance to upgrade needed areas with top flight talent at almost any expense (emphasis on almost). Who they look to get is up to them, but if Jerry Reese wants to earn back the respect of Giants Nation he will need to make an immediate impact come March. Here are some of the players that could do just that:

Von Miller

The Super Bowl MVP is most likely looking at a franchise tag from the Broncos, but that doesn't mean that he's not looking to cash in on his rising status. For the right price, the Giants could lure him to New York and give an instant upgrade to a position that has been depleted for quite some time.

Muhammad Wilkerson

The lack of pass rushing options was all too prevalent this season and the Giants are desperate for any help they can get. Wilkerson would provide a spark at defensive end with his ability to get to the quarterback. Like Miller, acquiring his services could be a bit pricy, but well worth the effort if he can bring a little noise to the defensive line.

Eric Berry

What a revelation Eric Berry was as he went from fighting cancer to the pro bowl in a little under a year. He could certainly be a big help to a injury prone and lacking secondary that ranked near the bottom of the league. It's obvious Rodgers-Cromartie need all the help he can get and Berry is more than capable of playing on his opposite side.

Bruce Irvin 

Another impact player that would be a staunch addition to the defense. His aggressive style and playmaking ability would certainly give new motivation for Steve Spagnuolo who would jump at the chance to coach him. If he's willing to take the money, the Giants should do all they can to reel him in

Eric Weddle 

He may be on the wrong side of 30 for and athlete but that doesn't mean he's still not one of the better safeties in the NFL. Signing him would be a nice addition to the teams most depleted position in the secondary and give Landon Collins a veteran leader to learn from. He'll be an easier signing since he's most likely just looking for a fresh start, but the team will need to act fast if they want to get him since they won't be the only ones vying for the three time Pro Bowler.

Olivier Vernon

As a power rusher who can disrupt his fair share of plays, Vernon is yet another chance for the Giants to upgrade the defensive line. If they strike out with Wilkerson or Irvin, he could easily step in as the best option. 

Stay or Go: The Future of Tom Coughlin and the Giants

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It has been a tough year to say the least for Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. From the the plethora of injuries to key players, scrutiny regarding his coaching style, and the lack of ability to finish winnable games. These troubles have lead many to call for his removal, arguing that it is time to put a new voice in the locker room. Those sentiments may have some merit as the Giants have failed to perform up their capabilities in the seasons that surround their two Super Bowl victories. However, Giants co-owner John Mara has said that the thin coaching market could leave the team no choice but to keep the second longest tenured coach around a little longer.

Why He Should Stay

Over the past twelve seasons, Tom Coughlin has brought stability to the head coaching position. He’s become a consummate figure of the team and has a great relationship with the front office and Eli Manning. The players have come to respect him as a person and are willing to work hard to earn his trust. What also stands out is the fact that the Giants have only lost ten games in a season twice since he began coaching (2004. 2014). That say a lot about the environment he has put in place, one that gives the team the belief that it can overcome any obstacle to achieve. Combined with two championships, there is reason to feel optimistic about what coughing can bring, despite the struggles Big blue has gone through the past three years.

Why He Should Go

It goes without saying that a team takes on the persona of their head coach, and that's certainly the case for the Giants and Tom Coughlin. When he first arrived Coughlin brought a strict, no nonsense attitude to the foreground. He demanded a disciplined locker room, holding players heavily accountable for even the smallest of infractions. When that style rubbed some people the wrong way, he made an effort to better connect with the roster, becoming a more open minded coach who could level with his players instead of alienating them. This yielded great results as the team claimed two division titles (2008, 2011) and two championships. Unfortunately, Coughlin has now become far too complacent with the way things are and as a result, the team has fallen short of expectations. From his rather stubborn and outdated running style, failure (until recently) to grasp a new offense concept, and the mismanagement of games in the 4th quarter there is real concern that 30+ year coaching veteran has finally lost his touch with the game.

New York Giants: Analyzing the first six weeks

After six weeks the Giants have been pretty fair, but there is still a lot of work to do
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It's been a season of ups and downs so far as the Giants find themselves in the middle of what is shaping up to be a tightly contested division. Despite their troubles, the team has managed a 3-3 record keeping hope that one good stretch could make all the difference. With 11 games left to play, there is still a lot of room for improvement and a good chance to make headway in the NFC East

Pros

The offense has looked much better than last season, averaging 392 yards per game. Though it has had its moments of tribulation, the outlook for the year seems pretty good. Once Victor Cruz is healthy and ready to go, there is no doubt the dynamic of the offense will shift dramatically in the team favor.

Eli Manning has been under a lot of scrutiny over  the course of his career because of his propensity for turnovers. His 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions through six weeks suggests he has gotten those problems under control (though he still has his moments). In fact, his 66% completion percentage and 94 passer rating has him on pace to put up the most efficient numbers of his career. Hopefully Eli can continue to show this growth as the season continues because as he does, so will the Giants.

Outside of the last two games the Giants run defense has held its own holding opponents to 93.5 yds per game (6th best in the NFL). After two years of watching opponents run up and down the heart of the line, this was an area of focus that has paid some dividends.

Cons

The Giants have just eight team sacks this season, placing them near the bottom of the league in a category they once dominated. The defensive line has failed to get any pressure on the quarterback, leaving the  rest of the defense vulnerable. Unless something drastic happens, this will continue to be the achilles heel that keeps hurting them.

Compounding matters, the Giants are the defense in the league against the pass, yielding nearly 300 yards per game (3rd worst). Despite forcing 11 turnovers, it doesn't appear the team has been able to generate a deterrent for opposing quarterbacks.

In what seems to be a recurring theme, injuries have hampered the teams ability to find any type of consistency. Too many key layers have gone down each week, forcing the team to scramble and find replacements. Is it the Giants just getting flat out unlucky? or should the strength and conditioning staff be held responsible? Nevertheless, football has and always will be a violent and physical game, so injuries are bound to occur, but if you're a Giants fan this has to be getting at bit monotonous.