In my opinion, “Monsters Inside Me” is one of the most intriguing shows on television.
I tune in weekly waiting to see what type of monster could have burrowed its way into New York Giant Quarterback Eli Manning’s system causing the two time Super Bowl MVP to toss a career high 27 interceptions, throw for only 18 touchdowns and complete only 57.5% of his passes.
The NY football Giants 2013-14 season concluded with 7 wins and 9 losses, good enough for 3rd in the highly competitive NFC East.
If I had to sum up the Giants 2013 campaign in one word it would be ‘protection.’ The word ‘protection’ can be applied in many different ways and in many different contexts when describing the 2013 season.
Protecting the football, protecting the lead and most importantly protecting Eli Manning are three of the most critical areas that the Giants struggled with.
The Giants are equipped to compete on any given Sunday. Not only do I see on field talent, I see an enthusiastic Defensive Coordinator in Perry Fewell who understands the X’s and O’s of the game.
I also see an accomplished Head Coach in Tom Coughlin who usually finds a way to regain control of the wheel just before it hits the guardrail.
Owner, John Mara along with Chairman / Executive Vice President, Steve Tisch must continue to be supportive of Coughlin and his staff.
The retirement of Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride leaves General Manager, Jerry Reese, with significant pressure to plug someone in who can put Quarterback Eli Manning in the best position for success.
Signing former Green Bay Packer quarterbacks coach, Ben McAdoo, should assist Manning as he attempts to rebound from his worst season since his rookie campaign.
I fully expect McAdoo to boost an offense that has talent at the skill positions and to develop an offensive line that must find consistency in 2014.
Special Teams
Special Teams coordinator, Tom Quinn was in charge of a special teams unit that never became a difference maker 2013.
Along with offense and defense, special teams accounts for a third of the game. Inept special teams performances can largely effect the outcome of a football game and shift momentum.
The Giants special teams failed to consistently out perform it’s opponent. The return game determines field position and effects offensive and defensive play calling.
The urgency to deploy a strong special teams unit cannot go ignored. A solid special teams unit can aid a defense that is having trouble getting stops. Consistency on special teams also benefits an offense that has problems generating yards, protecting the ball and scoring points.
Reuben Randle handled most of the punt return duties while Michael Cox and Jerrel Jernigan had kick return duty. Randle got his hands on 29 punts averaging 8.2 yards per return.
Placekicker, Josh Brown who made good on 23/26 of his field goal attempts in 2013 will continue to handle the place kicking duties as he was re-signed this off season. Brown also connected on all 31 of his PAT attempts.
Punter, Steve Weatherford averaged 46.9 yards per punt with a long punt of 68 yards.
The signing of free agent return specialists Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps should provide some explosiveness to an anemic return game.
Demps averaged 30.1 yards per kick return in 2013 for the Chiefs while Holliday, a former Denver Bronco, comes to the Giants as the first man in league history to return both a kick and a punt in the same postseason game.
Offense
The Giants offense was held to under 5,000 total yards during 2013 scoring a measly 18.4 points a game. Big Blue ranked 28th in the NFL in scoring while leading the NFL in turnovers with 44.
High turnovers and low scoring is a formula for offensive disaster. With 15 fumbles and a league leading 29 interceptions, the Giants were unable to finish drives and struggled to find offensive cohesion, often stunting their own momentum with timely turnovers.
Coughlin and new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo are looking to get back to the “Otis Anderson” way of Giants football.
With an emphasis on a power run game and fundamentals, Coughlin and McAdoo must be on the same page as the Giants move closer to the start of the 2014 season.
The development of the offensive line will be essential for offensive productivity. Big Blue must draft well to compliment the free agents signed during this off season.
Quarterback
Underachieving Quarterbacks in the New York metropolitan area during the 2013-14 football season seemed to be consistent across the board.
I watched my beloved Syracuse Orange struggle at the quarterback position during their first year of competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
At 33 years old, Eli Manning was sacked a career high 39 times and threw for 238.6 yards per game, Manning’s lowest average per game in the last 6 years.
With only 18 touchdown passes, Manning looked extremely uncomfortable standing in the pocket often being forced to throw under duress. He appeared to struggle at times to get a clear pre-snap read of the defense while tossing a career high 27 interceptions.
The Giants re-signed quarterback Curtis Painter this off season, putting him in competition with 2013 4th round pick, and former Syracuse Orange quarterback, Ryan Nassib.
Manning will be given every opportunity to lead Big Blue during 2014. The competition for the number two spot will be something to watch closely however.
If Manning begins to show signs of his dismal 2013 campaign, expect Painter or Nassib to be inserted and be expected to perform at a high level.
2013 Quarterback Season Grade: D
Offensive Line
One of Reese’s priorities this off season will be to add a veteran presence to this group. Depth will be another area of emphasis as this unit was decimated by injury a year ago.
Inconsistent offensive line play and the consistent inability to provide protection for Manning directly affected the 3 time Pro Bowl quarterbacks performance which ultimately led to Big Blue underachieving in 2013.
This unit must do a complete 180 degree turn if the Giants offense expects to be competitive in 2014.
Chris Snee appears to be rehabbing nicely and looks on track to be ready to go after an injury riddled 2013 campaign. Snee underwent both hip and elbow surgeries and looks to be ready to lead a subpar unit.
The G Men re-signed Exclusive Rights Free Agent Dallas Reynolds who has experience at both center and guard and Geoff Schwartz, who also has the ability to play at both the Tackle and Guard position.
With Reynolds and Schwartz being able to play both positions, this will give the Giants roster flexibility, allowing them to carry an extra player on their final 53 man roster.
The Giants have also acquired Center, J.D. Walton, former New Orleans Saint Tackle, Charles Brown and former Miami Dolphin Guard, John Jerry.
2013 Offensive Line Season Grade: F
Wide Receiver
There was limited production from the Wide Receiver position during 2013.
Largely impacted by poor offensive line and quarterback play, receivers had a difficult time impacting games, rarely making a difference in the outcome.
Victor Cruz continues to produce, grabbing 73 balls for 998 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2013.
Former first round pick, Hakeem Nicks, has decided to take his services to the Indianapolis Colts. Nicks was able to haul in 56 passes for 896 yards however failed to reach the end zone in 15 games played.
Rueben Randle led the Giants with 6 touchdown catches, finishing the season with 611 yards on 41 receptions. Jerrel Jernigan was able to gain some valuable experience with 29 grabs and 2 touchdowns.
The team has welcomed back Mario Manningham to help compensate for the departure of Nicks. Manningham has proven to have the ability to make the tough catch in traffic .
Manningham will need to improve his route running and must limit the mental errors as he lacks the speed and savvy to consistently separate from defenders.
2013 Wide Receiver Grade Season Grade: B-
Tight End
With Brandon Myers taking his talents to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Bear Pascoe awaiting his next pro football gig, the Giants are left with only two returning players at the Tight End position.
Myers was the team’s third leading receiver in 2013 with 47 catches and 524 yards.
Big Blue has signed Unrestricted Free Agent, Kellen Davis, from the Seattle Seahawks who is expected to provide an immediate upgrade to the position.
Adrien Robinson, Larry Donnell and seven year veteran Daniel Fells, will battle for playing time and will add depth.
2013 Tight End Season Grade: B-
Running Back
A consistent rushing attack is a quarterback’s best friend. Some of Manning’s struggles can be attributed to a futile rushing attack that ranked 29th out of 32 teams in rushing yards in 2013.
Andre Brown led the Giants with only 492 rushing yards. David Wilson finished 2013 with 146 yards and will provide depth as will the re-signing of Unrestricted Free Agent Peyton Hillis.
The addition of free agent Rashad Jennings from the Oakland Raiders will undoubtedly spike production from this unit and increase the level of competition during the preseason.
Jennings is an explosive running back who is smart and has above average change of direction ability. Jennings is dynamic and should acclimate well and produce immediately.
The Giants have also re-signed battering ram fullback Henry Hynoski who has proven himself as a reliable blocker and proficient end zone performer.
2013 Running Back Season Grade: C
Defense
With continuity and talent at key positions, it has been proven that a solid defense can win championships.
My personal philosophy when it comes to building a solid defense in the National Football League is similar to what many in the Major League Baseball world consider to be an effective way to defend.
Strategically building your defense around your middle defenders who have the ability to control gaps, shed blockers and pursue the ball cannot be underestimated when attempting to control the tempo of the game.
Beginning with an athletic, disruptive nose guard then adding an intelligent, sideline to sideline middle linebacker will be your first two ingredients.
Placing a physical, ball hawking safety that can run, read and react on the back end then surrounding these core guys with pass rushers and cover corners is my flavor for a solid defensive unit.
For the 2014 campaign, Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell will have defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins returning as well as playmaking strong safety, Antrell Rolle.
The re-signing of middle linebacker Jon Beason gives Big Blue the three key elements necessary for a solid up the middle presence.
The G-Men ranked 18th in the NFL in points allowed with 23.9, finished 10th against the pass and 14th against the run in 2013.
While statistically finishing in the top half of the NFL in overall defense and at times performing at a very high level, there is room for improvement.
The Giants brass has decided to make a push for, dare I say, a dominate defense.
Key off season free agent signings will mix well with defensive pieces left from 2013 putting the G Men in a position to compete weekly despite what offensive threats the opposition might pose.
Many of these names on defense are of guys who have had significant success at times, individually during their career.
Making the play on critical situational downs and distances and consistency is an area the defense must improve on.
Consistently applying pressure to the quarterback, consistent pursuit and proper pursuit angles and most important, consistently demonstrating the ability to stop the run.
Defensive Line
The Giants lost a significant piece of their defensive line and pass rush with the departure of veteran Defensive End, Justin Tuck, who signed with the Oakland Raiders this off season.
Also lost this off season is defensive tackle, Linval Joseph who has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Cullen Jenkins is a strong, mountain of a man and difference maker in the trenches finishing 2013 with 31 tackles and 5 sacks.
The signing of Unrestricted Free Agent, Robert Ayers, from the Denver Broncos should help fill the gap left by Tucks departure.
The re-signing of defensive tackle Mike Patterson is significant in the fact that he is familiar with the system and expectations of the position. The departure of the aforementioned Joseph, will put Patterson in position for increased playing time.
Jason Pierre-Paul, who only appeared in 11 games, had only 2 sacks in 2013. Pierre-Paul must remain healthy for the Giants defense to reach its full potential in 2014.
Mathias Kiwanuka and Damontre Moore will be factored into the rotation, looking to also help fill the void left by Tuck.
Johnathan Hankins and Markus Kuhn will compete this preseason to see who will be able to provide depth up front with no drop off in production.
2013 Defensive Live Season Grade: C
Linebacker
Giant linebackers were active and productive in 2013. With the re-signing middle linebacker Jon Beason, they sure up a run stopping, physical linebacker who has proven himself in the NFL.
Spencer Paysinger was productive and showed the ability to compete on the professional level. He will return to his weakside Linebacker position in 2014.
Former Baltimore Raven, Jameel McClain, was signed to fill the void left by Keith Rivers who took his 45 tackles from a year ago to the Buffalo Bills.
The Re-signing of Mark Herzlich will provide depth behind Beason while young linebackers, Allen Bradford, Kendrick Adams, Spencer Adkins, and Jacquian Williams will compete this summer for playing time.
2013 Linebacker Season Grade: B-
Defensive Backs
This unit was not immune to the injury bug. Starting cornerback, Cory Webster and safety, Stevie Brown both went down early in the season with injuries putting pressure on guys to step in and perform, ready or not.
Coach Coughlin and General Manager, Jerry Reese appear to have identified this unit as being in need of a major upgrade as the Giants have been busy adding talent through free agency.
After choosing to not re-sign starting cornerbacks Terrell Thomas and Webster, the Giants will still have a productive and intelligent group of veterans returning.
Returning is play making Strong Safety, Antrell Rolle, as well as Cornerback, Prince Amukamara who recorded 85 tackles from his cornerback spot last season.
The signing of cornerback, Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Denver Broncos was the first indication that the G Men are seeking a cornerback who has the tools to lock onto the opposition’s top receiver allowing Fewell to be more aggressive with his play calling.
Rodgers-Cromartie has prototype size, agility and change of direction skills. Awareness and instincts would be my only concern.
Not only did Big Blue ink the former Chief, Quintin Demps, the Giants have also added former Seattle Seahawk cornerback, Walter Thurmond.
Both will have plenty of opportunity to impact the defense and make their presence known in 2014.
Zack Bowman will also be in the fold as he will compete for a starting cornerback spot. Bowman appeared in all 16 games for the Chicago Bears, starting 7 games coming away with 3 interceptions in 2013.
Will Hill and a host of young defensive backs will all look to be a part of a unit that must work together and perform well. Consistency on third down will be the key to success for this group in 2014.
After losing Free Safety Ryan Mundy to the Chicago Bears, the re-signing of unrestricted free agent safety, Stevie Brown and cornerback, Trumaine McBride will help bolster a unit that looks to have the potential to be special.
The only thing about potential is that it means the task has yet to be completed. We’ll keep a very close eye on this unit.
2013 Defensive Back Season Grade: B-