I live and die just like everyone else around here, but until the boys show me some changes, I would have to say NO on the playoffs.

I hope I’m sooooo wrong. But historically this team surfaces to the Superbowl ever few years (which is great) and then drops off into the pack or lower. I think we have to much talent to drop off far, but a couple of injures, bad coaching and sub par players can have that effect. If we are going to be compared to the Dynasty teams, then we have to put together consistent play year after year.

So prove me wrong Blue and get back on track.

as the Giants have to show me something to make me think they actually want to make the play-offs. I saw flashes of it versus San Diego, but the inability to close out the game just erased any goodwill I had accumulated in that game. If they beat Atlanta (and deserve to win), I will be feeling better about things, but they have to win at least 2 out of 3 in division to have a realistic shot, and that will be tough slogging.

I’d say the Giants make the playoffs, though I think we’ll get in the same way we’ve gotten in the past few years (barring last year)—simply put: The NFC is terrible. If the playoffs started today, we’d be tied with the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons, neither of which have much room to talk about being better than us.

It’s tough to call because these are also the same Giants prone to late season slumps, and I hesitate to wonder what exactly seperates us from the ‘06 Giants or the ’05 Giants who manage to squeak into the playoffs simply because there’s no one better.

That said, I have faith in this team. The San Deigo game showed me that the ‘08 Giants exist in this current roster, and I’m going to remain optimistic that we can turn this around. I just thank God that we play in the NFC

This is the last line from the quote above by Sheridan – " I think you can step back and take a look at what you are doing and maybe consider some other types of things." MAYBE CONSIDER?! Way to go out on a limb there, boyo. So until I see actual changes on D that lead to better overall play and wins, I will remain skeptical and worry about the mindset of a team that resists change. Now, to respond to the points above – A Lot More Brandon Jacobs. Yes, can’t argue with that. But to mention more Jacobs and not talk about the lackluster play of the OL in opening the holes we, and Jacobs have seen in the past is to make it his problem. Whether it’s the schemes or the fact that the OL is a year older, they’re getting beaten off the ball consistently by the better teams, the line play has just not been there. Of course they’re dealing with an overloaded box on most downs. The reason Jacobs is averaging a half yard less per carry isn’t a choice he’s making; the holes are simply not there. Stick with the short passing game. Again, no argument here. And add to that some screens (any would be nice) and more, more, more Boss. And understand, this team, at this moment, does not have a real or consistent deep threat. Give me some Ramses Barden. Again, yes. But don’t forget the greatest red zone threat of all – Kevin Boss releasing after a block and finding himself alone in the corner of the end zone. Every team in the NFL uses this. When we do it it is a surprise. Learn to use this play. Lather, rinse and REPEAT. Unleash Danny Ware. A qualified yes. Healthy players are better than unhealthy players. Let’s see what he can do. But please don’t think that Ware or Barden are any sort of answer. They are, at best, part of a much bigger answer. More Clint Simtin. Once healthy, I have wanted this kid in the games doing what he does best – rush the passer. Yes, more and more Clint Simtin. And I would add more of any and all of our younger, more athletic linebackers that would keep Pierce and Clark off the field for long stretches. Less Zone Blitz. Yes and yes. And I would love to see a game where none, NONE of our defensive linemen drop back into coverage. I think we all would. Regarding TC having faith in his team – this is a tough one. In business, decisions are made based on prior work. A great screenplay goes to a studio but it’s done by a first time writer. The studio would rather spend 50 mil on a weak script by an established writer than go with the first-timer because THAT WAY THEY CAN TELL THEIR SHAREHOLDERS THAT THEY FAILED WITH THE BEST. They’re off the hook for the decision. It is this thinking that rules TC’s mind. He would rather fail with Pierce than try something new. He would rather fail with misguided offensive and defensive schemes and plans than try something new. And he will clearly try to play “Giants football” and “impose our will” on both sides of the ball when it is clear that neither the OL or the DL, this year, this season, with rare exception, is up to the task. But he’s failing with what he knows. So before I get too happy with what happened when the Giants didn’t even play and I saw no changes as a result, I will be curious to see how they play against an ATL team without Turner. And then the short week game against the Broncos, possibly without Kyle Orton. I don’t like the fact that the Giants are already whining about having to play that game on Thursday. To which I would say, Shut Up and Play. As for the playoffs, based on what I’ve seen in 9 weeks – no. And based on the changes I don’t see coming – again, no. Would I like to be surprised – yes.

….Ed V. as The Giants Consultant.

Look let’s not get ahead of ourselfes, yes the giants can turn it around, but right now they have to prove they can win a game. At this point in the season I will take it one game at a time. How about just beating Atlanta for starters!

As much as I hope the Giants are going to make the playoffs, I don’t believe that it is going to happen. 1) Coughlin’s and Gilbride’s offensive schemes are predictable and place the Giants in more FG opportunities than TDs. That’s OK, but not when your PK is Lawrence Tynes. 2) Coughlin’s rigidity at not giving some of his younger players chances, detract from the success of the team. OK, so Barden and Beckum don’t know the playbook; still they give you opportunities on the field that you cannot obtain from some other players. In particular, you’re going to need both of them when the swirling winds at the Meadowlands force the Giants into a short passing game. Has Coughlin and Gilbride prepared the offense to be successful vs. Phila. and Dallas at home when the weather turns? 3) Get the old LBs off the field. They are slow and can’t cover RBs and TEs out of the backfield. Clark and Pierce are no longer effective in passing downs. Pierce needs to be replaced next year, but has Coughlin and Sheridan prepared Goff or anyone else to take over as defensive captain/signal caller? In the meantime, they need to get Sintim and Boley on the field more often, and maybe give Goff soem reps.
4) Unless Reese has something up his sleeve, the deep secondary is still porous. Rouse was not a cover safety at GB and will be exposed by the better passing teams.
5) Brandon Jacobs is tiptoeing to the line-of-scrimmage. I don’t think that giving him the ball at a greater rate is going to make much of a difference unless you get him moving with momentum towards the line of scrimmage with the ball (e.g., pitchouts). In addition, the OL is just not pushing the defensive opposition up the field as in the past. The running game needs a new injection of either a healthier Bradshaw or Danny Ware.
6) Sheridan (yes) needs to stop the zone blitzing and keep Tuck et. al. where they best excel and that is pass rushing on the line. 7) The directional punting has to be used with greater discretion and not on every Feagles punt (especially when punting from deep in one’s own territory).

NYBASEBALLGIANTS – agree with much of what you posted. Sorry but I posted before reading your comments and realize that we agree on most issues. But why can’t the coaching staff adapt to some of the strategies that are suggested?

The Sintim comment ( plus Canty) is a no brainer. I would rather see Sintim making plays and making mistakes than see Clark any more.

Ware too but it will be hard to tell AB to back off.

At the begining of a season everyone is healthy and all is optimism. This board – for the most part – saw the Giants as better than they really are. Pretty human.

We are back to reality.

Giants are a top 10-12 in the league team. Until Manning is consistent or the D plays like the Monsters of the Midway on a regular basis they will stay there.

I am OK with that. Make the playoffs. Then see if 2007 is possible again.

Nice post Ed.

All of your suggestions are dead on. What I don’t understand? What do the coaches not understand? The fans appear to have a better grasp.

1. There’s no excuse for running BJ 12x per game. Especially since the first time this season he has appeared to be running with some authority and power.

2. There’s nothing wrong with taking a shot down the field. At the appropriate time. The appropriate time is not on 3rd and 3 down 7-0. In that spot you have to move the chains and keep the drive alive. Take a shot off a turnover or on 1st or 2nd down after your offense has already gotten a first down on their current drive.

3. It’s painfully obvious our red zone offense is terrible. It’s been terrible under TC. 22nd in the league under TC/KG. What they’re doing is not working. For the Christ’s sake try something different. What has happened to play action pass. It has disappeared from the Giants play book. Give Barden a chance. Again what you’ve done hasn’t work. It’s time to change it up. The Giants have to get Boss more involved in the offense. It seems with every catch he’s making a big play.

4. Zone blitzes? Plain and simple. It’s gotta go. How many times does the D need to be burned to realize it doesn’t work. Allow your d-linemen to do what they do best. RUSH the passer.

5. TC. We all love TC. Bottom line. He’s done a shitty job this season. He needs to take the leash off some of the rookies. We won the SB in 2007 in a large part because he allowed the rookies to flourish.

PLAYOFF PLAYOFFS, Sounds like a echo.we have to win at least five more games before thinking playoffs get real.

As someone who’s been down on this team all season — yes, even during the high school part of the schedule, it was plainly obvious, to me at least, that this team had major holes that would bite them in the ass with better competition. That said, it’s a new season starting Sunday, they win, show improvements in execution and play-calling, then we might have something. Until then, lets not talk playoffs.

I get the thread – but generally speaking when you don’t see certain guys playing – they are not playing for a REASON. Any coach puts his BEST players on the field, isn’t that in their best interest? I would guess that Jacobs and Bradshaw are playing because they are BETTER than Ware at this point. Maybe Ware can run, but does he know the blitz pickups? Is he a good blocker? Coaches know a heck of alot more than we do about these players than we do and I just have to laugh that the answer to anyone playing crappy is that we need to play the CRAPPIER player that can’t beat them out in the first place. I would bet Sintim doesn’t know all the schemes and responsibilites yet as a rookie, that Ware is probably rusty and in the same boat as a virtual rookie – and Barden is INACTIVE – and yet he should be playing? Yeah, i bet he and Eli have a great sense of timing down by now. Sheesh……

The best QB on any team with a struggling starter is always the backup QB – until he actually plays and then people scratch their heads and wonder what they were thinking…

Yup. Or atleast gradually give them more and more playing time.

It’s time to get both Sintim and Boley in the games, but we still need to improve the secondary.
Sintim and Boley will increase LB rating from 4 to 7, but the secondary rate are still at 4.
Giant rating went from 5.8 to 6.1, Falcons are 6.
Good luck Giants