Giants’ Player Management
They were coming off a heartbreaking loss in Denver, and they did also lose Skattebo to a terrible injury, but this seemed like a team that no longer trusts the coaching staff and no longer willing to lay everything on the line for them. The Giants found their culture weeks ago against Philly — but they let it slip away from them against the same team.
Several of the players are being mismanaged and utilized incorrectly. Dexter Lawrence is among them, as he is not having a season up to the defensive All-Pro’s standards.
He has been the most double-teamed defensive lineman in the league, but also has not been lining up where he has seen monster success in years past.
The D-line is crowded, as the additions of Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander have made it difficult to maximize value at each position. But lining up Carter as a slot defender just seems like an option that was drawn out of a hat.
Carter is unbelievably close to his rookie break out. He had his way this weekend with Eagles’ lineman Lane Johnson. He has also generated 32 pressures on the year, and his 19% pass rush win rate is 15th best in the league.
Lining Carter up outside of the position he was drafted third overall to play at is already questionable to his development, but as a slot defender in zone coverage should have never been an option.
Dart Among Those Mismanaged
Hindsight Not Hard to See in the Moment
To get back into the win column, these players’ strengths need to be maximized to the fullest of their potential. Right now they are not, and it is causing a team that was full of competitive energy and spirit just two weeks ago to begin to falter.
The Brian Daboll Blues
Daboll’s number one priority this season has been the development of Dart, and rightfully so. He knows he picked a good one and wants so badly for his own job security to get things right.
But his job as head coach is also to win games and build a winning culture. It’s not just testing the rookie quarterback in high-pressure situations and seeing what kind of plays he can create on the fly.
At some point people are going to catch on that Dart’s ability as a playmaker and improv-specialist have little to nothing to do with the coach. Daboll must continue to be a great leader to the entire group, and keep this whole team competitive and with a winning attitude. Not just the quarterback.
Daboll wasn’t the only one on staff with some blundered performances; there were some questionable tactics on the other side of the ball in several of these games, including in Philly.
Shane Bowen’s Struggles Continue
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has been catching flak all season, particularly in games where he has gone too soft on defense.
In the Week 2 Dallas loss, fans pointed to incredibly soft zone coverage in the fourth that allowed Dallas to work with a lot of open field. With a kicker like Brandon Aubrey, who could realistically drill a 70-yarder, the Giants needed to tighten things up as much as possible. Bowen did the opposite.
Players Feeling Frustrated
Some of the Giants players were visibly upset by that call post-game in Denver. Brian Burns was caught firing off multiple expletives after the game, and Dex just had pain written all over his face.
And then in Philly, Bowen continued to misguide this Giants’ defense, as they allowed 276 rushing yards. The Giants are now 29th in total yards allowed, 27th in points allowed per game, and 30th in rushing yards allowed per game.
Soft coverage leads to explosive plays in closeout situations…like on second down and forever to go. These explosive plays then lead to high yardages allowed.
https://twitter.com/GiantsPlzWin/status/1982998347603444200
The Giants certainly have the components – five first rounders from the last several years, including this year’s No. 3 overall pick, Abdul Carter. They also have some high payroll players as well in Burns, Lawrence, Jevon Holland, Paulson Adebo, and Bobby Okereke. Plus, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Cordale Flott are having breakout years.
The talent is there, but the Giants remain one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Moving Forward
The number one goal for Daboll and the Giants right now is to win games, or at least look competent and competitive. Prior to last week in Philadelphia, the Giants played each game with energy and heart, even in the losses. In this one, they were deflated and defeated.
With Daboll, Bowen, and Schoen all in the hot seat, winning is everything. When they do lose, it can’t be because of game management. Because, in this instance, they are also losing the trust and focus of their players.
Sure, the players haven’t been executing when the play calls are made, but it is hard to execute when they are not being utilized to their strengths, or if they don’t trust the call coming through. All together, from execution to play-calling to game management, the Giants must genuinely use these mistakes as a learning experience.
They host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, who are similarly banged-up and are coming off an uninspired loss to the Houston Texans. The Giants must use this game to get things back on track before they start to spiral out of control.
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