Giants turn over offensive play-calling to Mike Sullivan [UPDATED]

In a major concession by New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo, the offensive play-calling was turned over on Sunday night to offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan.

McAdoo was offensive coordinator for two seasons before becoming head coach. He had been the play-caller in all 22 games of his head-coaching career prior to Sunday. The suggestion that McAdoo might be better able to manage the sideline and coach the entire team has often been made over the past season plus.

“I need to do what’s best for the team,” McAdoo said in explaining the decision. “Just like we ask the players, just like we ask the coaches. I thought the team needed me, the whole locker room needed me this week. I needed to be at my best for these players and coaches this week.”

Asked if he was pressured to give up the play-calling, McAdoo said it was “my decision.”

Will Sullivan remain the play-caller?

“We’ll revisit it moving forward, but it looks like a pretty good plan,” McAdoo said.

Sullivan is in his second tenure with the Giants and has been offensive coordinator — without play-calling responsibilities — for two seasons. In-between his two tenures with the Giants he was offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons.

Sullivan was Giants’ quarterbacks coach in 2010 and 2011, and was re-hired to that post in 2015. He became offensive coordinator when McAdoo was elevated to head coach.

Sullivan’s first drive as offensive coordinator went for 13 plays and 69 yards, netting a field goal.

With the injuries at wide receiver perhaps it is unfair to expect the Giants to suddenly morph into an offensive juggernaut. This, though, is an interesting development.