It’s safe to say this post has more of a negative undertone, but I will definitely follow this up with my top 5 optimisms for the Giants in 2022, so we will switch to positivity soon.
It’s been a tough few years to be a Giants fan, and there have been a lot of reasons to be disappointed, disgusted and demoralised. There is the worry that 2022 will bring about the same disappointment, and below will be my top 5 concerns for the upcoming season.
5 – Brian Daboll
I will be honest, when Joe Judge got fired in February, I was absolutely over the moon. I did not like his ability to run this team, and I knew there were candidates out there that I preferred. Brian Daboll was at the top of that list. His OC history and coming from that side of the ball, his experience with a successful (recent) franchise in Buffalo, but most importantly his ability to get the most out of a big strong QB. My concern however comes in with him being a first time Head Coach, and the fact he is taking over a train-wreck of a franchise at the moment. I just hope he isn’t all hype and then unable to turn anything around. Time will tell.
4 – Saquon
My favourite Giants player….but for how long? Saquon is going into his fifth year without a new contract, and he hasn’t done much to earn one. Crippled by injuries, his NFL career went from conversations around him being the top RB in the league, to a guy who cannot stay healthy. The issue we had in 2021 was that when he was ‘healthy’ and playing, it was clear he had lost a step. He wasn’t as fast as he was, he didn’t make quick decisions and spent most of the game going backwards. It removed any opportunity to establish the run game, which then makes it more difficult to get the passing game going. Two years removed from ACL surgery, Saquon needs a stormer of a year if he wants to stay a New York Giant, or earn himself a payday.
3 – Secondary
The secondary will be the area I’m most concerned about with the Giants defence this year. Although I don’t know if the combination of Thibodeaux and Ojulari will be enough to put pressure on the opposing QBs, the D-Line as a whole should be fine. The linebackers are an area where we could improve a lot, but I don’t think they have enough impact on the result of the game. The secondary however will make or break us. Releasing James Bradberry seemed like a requirement, but he was our best corner. We now don’t have a clear number one, so we will have to hope the young talent we have, along with the experience of Adoree’ Jackson and emerging talent of Xavier McKinney at Safety will manage the passing attack we face from other teams.
2 – Injuries
I don’t need to dwell on this too much. Injuries have destroyed this mediocre team for years. I can’t stand the idea of another injury plagued season for Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepherd or Andrew Thomas to name a few of our standout offensive players that seem doomed to never have a full season. Kenny Galloday never got a chance to show what he could do last year either. Let’s just hope this year is filled with solid seasons rather than season ending injuries.
1 – Daniel Jones
It is the make or break year for Daniel Jones. He is not under contract when this year ends, and most Giants fans will say even if Daniel has a ‘good’ season, he still won’t keep the job, and they will take a top QB in next year’s draft. Brian Daboll has the potential to take Daniel to the next level who clearly has ability and speed, but lacks the refinement and discipline needed to retain a starting QB job in the NFL. Danny Dimes WILL make his comeback this year! I’m going to will it into existence.
So there we have it, five areas of concern for me this year. Let’s see whether my concern is justified.