Midseason “Kudos & Wet Willies” review: You know this won’t be pretty

The New York Giants are getting ready for a Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants, at 1-7, are at the midpoint of their season. With that in mind, let’s hand out some midseason “Kudos & Wet Willies.”

This isn’t going to be long. We have talked at length in many ways about the avalanche of bad and the tiny slivers of good this season. So, I’m not going in-depth on anything here. This is just a high-level hit.

As usual, I’m sure you will let me know what you agree or disagree with.

Quarterback

Eli Manning has Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley at his disposal. Yet, he has only eight touchdown passes in eight games and leads an offense scoring only 18.8 points per game, much of it in garbage time. The offensive line is terrible and that’s a major part of it, but he hasn’t been good enough. Wet Willie.

Kyle Lauletta gets a “Wet Willie” simply for the bad judgment he showed in getting arrested last week, perhaps delaying his chance to play.

Running back

Umm ... gee, Saquon Barkley, on a historic pace for a rookie, gets “Kudos.”

Jonathan Stewart gets a “Kudos” and a “Wet Willie.” He gets “Kudos” for somehow bamboozling the Giants out of $3.45 million. He gets a “Wet Willie” for lasting six carries (and gaining 17 yards) before landing on IR.

Tight end

A receiving tight end who can’t catch? You know the grade for Evan Engram. Wet Willie.

Offensive line

Putrid. The only bright spot has, at times, been rookie Will Hernandez. Wet Willie.

Wide receiver

When it comes to Odell Beckham Jr., we’re keeping this to his work on the field. He has 61 catches, on pace for 122, which would shatter Steve Smith’s franchise record of 107. He is on pace for 1,570 receiving yards, which would break his own franchise record. Kudos.

Sterling Shepard is on pace for his first 1,000-yard season and could set career highs in yardage, receptions and yards per catch. Kudos.

Defensive line

Damon Harrison is gone, but it’s hard to complain about the work that B.J., Dalvin Tomlinson and Kerry Wynn have done. “Kudos” to that trio.

Edge

Olivier Vernon has played only three games but is tied for the team lead with 10 pressures. Kudos.

Lorenzo Carter is showing potential, but I’m not sure exactly how to grade him. Kwillie.

Free-agent acquisitions Kareem Martin and Connor Barwin have given the Giants very little. Wet Willies.

Inside linebacker

Some good, some bad for both B.J. Goodson and Alec Ogletree. Kwillies.

Ray-Ray Armstrong is gone and Tae Davis has yet to really play enough to get a grade.

Cornerback

B.W. Webb has been a good find for the Giants. Kudos.

Janoris Jenkins? He is the league’s 121st ranked corner, per Pro Football Focus, playing far below the level of his $62 million contract. Wet Willie.

Safety

Landon Collins hasn’t made any real game-changing plays, but otherwise has been his typical self. Kudos.

Curtis Riley? The Giants need to go back to the drawing board at free safety. Wet Willie.

Special teams

Placekicker Aldrick Rosas has been excellent, 17-of-18 in field goals (94.9 percent) with his only miss coming from beyond 50 yarrs. Punter Riley Dixon has been solid. “Kudos” to both.

A “Wet Willie” to every return man the Giants have used this season not named Quadree Henderson or Jawill Davis.