The main issue for the Giants this season has been their ineffective offensive line play. They have given up the most sacks in the league and have the lowest grades in both run and pass blocking. The problems with the offensive line start with the backups, as the Giants let go of some players who could have provided depth and made questionable decisions in terms of player rotations. The loss of left tackle Andrew Thomas to injury was devastating, and the lack of an experienced backup tackle has been a major issue. Additionally, the injuries to Thomas and Evan Neal have further weakened the offensive line.
The Giants made a trade to acquire tight end Darren Waller from the Las Vegas Raiders, giving up a compensatory third-round pick. While Waller is a proven star, he has struggled with injuries and has not lived up to expectations. The Giants also re-worked Waller’s contract, which could complicate things if they want to move on from him after this season.
There have been other aspects of the season that have been difficult to understand, such as the Giants’ approach to the preseason, their offensive game plans, and in-game decisions. The coaching staff has faced criticism, and the team has struggled with injuries, with some questionable handling of certain situations.
Overall, there have been many things that have gone wrong for the Giants this season, and it has been difficult to understand some of the decisions and actions taken by the team.Title: Offensive Line Struggles Plague the Giants: A Season of Ineffectiveness
The New York Giants have faced a multitude of challenges this season, but none have been as detrimental as their woeful offensive line play. With a league-worst 54 sacks allowed and abysmal Pro Football Focus grades in both run and pass blocking, it’s clear that the Giants’ offensive line has been the root cause of their problems.
At the start of the season, the Giants seemed to have a solid offensive line in place. Andrew Thomas at left tackle, Ben Bredeson or Josh Ezeudu at left guard, John Michael Schmitz at center, Mark Glowinski at right guard, and Evan Neal at right tackle. However, the issues began to arise with the backups.
The decision to let Jon Feliciano go and cut Matt Phillips while keeping Shane Lemieux proved to be a mistake. Additionally, the Giants opted to keep Matt Peart instead of finding a reliable swing tackle. These choices have had a significant impact on the team’s performance.
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll defended the constant rotation of players at guard and center during the spring and summer, but this lack of stability hindered the players’ ability to settle into their positions. Furthermore, the Giants failed to give Ezeudu any reps at left tackle, which became a glaring issue when Thomas got injured. The loss of Thomas exposed the risk of relying on an inexperienced backup tackle.
Glowinski, who had been a serviceable starting guard, had a disastrous performance in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. He allowed three sacks and nine total pressures, earning a dismal 1.0 pass blocking grade. Despite subsequent solid performances, Glowinski has been unable to regain his starting position. This decision by the Giants is puzzling, considering he is the team’s highest-graded blocker after Thomas.
The injuries to Thomas and the lack of development from Neal have further exacerbated the offensive line’s struggles. However, much of the chaos and ineptitude can be attributed to the Giants’ own mismanagement.
In addition to the offensive line debacle, the Giants made a trade for tight end Darren Waller, sending Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs. On the surface, this seemed like a win, as Waller provided the Giants with a legitimate No. 1 receiving option. However, Waller’s injury history and age have proven to be a risk. He has struggled with hamstring injuries and is now on injured reserve, despite leading the team in receptions.
Complicating matters is Waller’s contract. The Giants reworked his deal, adding two years to it, which means they would incur significant dead cap charges if they were to part ways with him after this season.
There are numerous other perplexing aspects of the Giants’ season. Their lackluster preseason approach, offensive game plans that failed to utilize key players effectively, in-game coaching decisions, and mishandling of injuries have all contributed to their struggles.
Despite these issues, it is not my belief that general manager Joe Schoen or head coach Brian Daboll should lose their jobs. However, it is crucial for them to reflect on the decisions made this season and learn from them to ensure a more successful future.
In conclusion, the Giants’ offensive line woes and questionable decisions have marred their season. It is imperative for the team to address these issues and make the necessary adjustments to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.games, and the team struggled to find rhythm and chemistry early in the regular season.
Overall, there have been several questionable decisions and shortcomings that have contributed to the Giants’ struggles this season. While not every issue can be addressed, it’s clear that there were areas where resources could have been allocated differently and improvements could have been made.