One Giant Loss

One Giant Loss

Giants' Season Over: But Who's To Blame?

The New York Giants kill me sometimes. After an 0-6 start, they rebounded, gave me hope as they seemingly came to be a formidable contender, but ultimately were done in once again and now stand with another playoff-less season. So who is to blame for this mess. It runs far deeper than one guy. It runs higher than a player or a coach. But it is something that can be fixed by 2014.

There are three key areas that cannot be overlooked for Big Blue to have a winning season and return to the glory that they once held.

First off: The Giants' offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, as anyone and everyone who watches knows, a proponent of the "run and shoot" offense. It does work, but it requires a RUNNING GAME in order to work. According to ESPN, the Giants as a team have 1,052 yards as of today. They need new running backs by 2014 to be a formidable opponent.

Second: The Giants' offensive line needs to be fixed in the draft. They need to find a replacement for David Diehl, who will turn 34 early next season and is an impending free agent.

Third: Their secondary needs an overhaul. Antrel Rolle, who is owed $7 million in 2014, has just 5 interceptions for 23 yards. If he starts slow, he may be released. He is owed a lot of money in their cap.

Corey Webster, in decline at age 32 next year, is owed just $1 million. He should be the first player released after the season ends. A new cornerback should be drafted in 2014 to take his place.

Their running game needs a new face. Brandon Jacobs and Andre Brown added a well-needed boost, but if David Wilson cannot return, the Giants need to draft a new running back in April.

If Jerry Reese wants this team to return to glory, these areas will be addressed in April's draft.

I Want to Wake Up In A City That Never Sleeps

I Want To Wake Up In A City That Never Sleeps

Giants' Coaches Living Out A Nightmare, Will it Ever End?

After many years of watching the Giants, I have become used to many things, the second-half collapses, the criticisms of the coaching staff, and the rediculous amount of injuries we have every year.

So, I decided to look more into the situation. I studied the histories of our coordinators and coaches, and even the statistics of players, trying in vain to dispel the myths of the Giants' failures and uncover the truths behind my beloved team's struggles. And this is what I found...

Kevin Gilbride, our highly-despised offensive coordinator, is far better than we give him credit for. In 2004, the Giants hired Tom Coughlin as head coach, and he hand-picked Gilbride as his quarterbacks coach. In his three years in that role, Eli Manning went from losing every game but one in 2004, to winning the division in 2005, and making the playoffs again in 2006. Since he became the OC, Gilbride has helped lead the team to two Super Bowl victories (XLII and XLVI), and has presided over the greatest period of offense in the teams' hsitory, including four years of scoring 400 or more points, as well as many years of breaking team records.

Jerry Reese is overrated. So what, he had one great draft in 2007? He's doled out money to injured players over the last four years. He let Brandon Jacobs leave after 2011 with no suitable replacment. He kept Aaron Ross around when it was clear he had no place as a starter on the team. He has let the secondary decline for years, doled out huge money to awful safeties and cornerbacks, and kept older players around past their prime while letting good players leave. You want to see why this team is poised to finish under .500. Look no further. He's been here since 1994. Relieve him of duties and move him to another position, he may be useful as a scout. If we really got younger players that can stay healthy, we would make perennial playoff appearances/ 

John Mara and Steve Tisch are the best owners in the league. How many coaches would keep their jobs after four years of second half collapses?

And the number one thing I've learned as a fan? The Giants will break your heart, make you question why you are still so loyal, and even have you pulling your hair out, screaming at the top of your lungs, and pacing the floor. But at the end of the day, when they win Super Bowls, playoff games, and even go on unprecedented winning streaks, there is no team that I would rather love, than my Boys in Blue...

The New York Football Giants!

O-C D?

O-C D?

Giants' Gilbride Not the Best, But Better Than Most of the Rest

For so many years, Giants' fans have demonized our Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Gilbride. A man with over two decades of NFL coaching experience, and a longtime favorite of Tom Coughlin.  They look at the Giants' lack of success over the last few years and demonize him as a "washed-up" coach who has no grip on the modern day league and how it works.

Gilbride began his coaching career with the Houston Oilers as a quarterback coach in 1989. In his sole season, Warren Moon passed for over 3,600 yards and threw 23 touchdowns. Moon's success prompted the team to name Gilbride offensive coordinator the following season.

In his five years as OC, the Oilers finished among the top five scoring teams each year except two: 1992, when he was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer and was unable to coach for a majority of the season, and 1994, his final season in Houston.

In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired their first head coach, Tom Coughlin, and he in turn hand-picked Gilbride to be the OC on his team. The worst two years of Gilbride's career were spent in Jacksonville, as the team finished 27th and 14th in his two years. He was then hired by the Chargers as a head coach.

After two years, he returned to his more familiar role as OC when he was hired by the Steelers in 1999. He spent two years in Pittsburgh and his offense finished 17th in the league both times.

These sub-par years cost Gilbride a chance at another coaching job in 2001. The following year, he was hired by the Buffalo Bills, who improved to 8-8 and set SEVEN team offensive records. A sub-par record in 2003, when the Bills finished 30th in the league caused his firing. But not for long...

In 2004, the New York Giants hired Tom Coughlin as head coach and he hand-picked Gilbride as the quarterbacks coach. Working closely with rookie Eli Manning for half the season before he assumed the starting role, their relationship helped shape the Giants' upcoming success.

In 2005, Manning's Giants won the division for the first time since 2000, and the following year they again made the playoffs, being ousted in the first round.

This was not enough for John Mara and Steve Tisch, who gave an ultimatum for the 2007 season. That year, the team finished 10-6 and swept the playoffs before capturing the franchise's third Super Bowl title. Four out of Gilbride's five years (not counting 2013), the Giants have scored 400 or more points in a season.

Their 2011 playoff run was a true testimony to his brilliance and the Super Bowl XVLI matchup allowed the team to capture their fourth title, the most under any coaching regime since Parcells. That season they had the ninth ranked league offense.

Their 429 points in 2012 were the sixth in the league, and the current team's turnaround, as well as Eli Manning's resurgence, are all you need to know about our OC, Kevin Gilbride.

He has presided over the most successful Giants teams in decades, captured two championships, and, in the end...

Canton may come calling....

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants

Big Blue On Course to Re-Write Season

My beloved Giants are BACK BABY, and so am I!

Over my time operating this blog I have been an outspoken critic of the Giants, but my fandom has never waived! I have criticized players, coaches and personel alike, while hoping my beloved Big Blue can become top of the list like I know they can be, and have had the honor of covering their Super Bowl XLVI championship.

So you can only imagine my frustration at the 0-6 start. Screaming at my television and radio alike, pressing questions on Twitter to Patricia Traina, Giants writer (and a must-follow)! And also staying true, praying that John Mara and Steve Tisch not fire our coaches.

So with a two-game winning streak on the books, our season may be ready to turn around after all.

Future Hall of Famers, Quarterback Eli Manning, Head Coach Tom Coughlin, and OC Kevin Gilbride have been instrumental in our rise.

The NFC (L)East is readily available to be claimed, and I KNOW Big Blue can do it! 9-7 or 8-8 is not out of reach here!

And that my friends, is just what I want to hear!

Jets Free Agency 2013

The New York Jets have released LB Bart Scott, LB Calvin Pace, S Eric Smith, and OT Jason Smith, and TE Josh Baker.

New York Jets

Special Teams Coach Mike Westhoff retired and was replaced by Ben Kotwica.
O-Linbackers Coach Mike Smith left.

GM Mike Tannenbaum was fired and replaced by John Izdik.

Bill Hughan, strength and conditioning coach was fired and replaced by Justus Galac.

David Lee replaced Matt Cavanaugh as quarterbacks coach.

Marty Mornhinwig replaced Tony Sporano. I warned y'all this wasn't gonna work.

Mike Pettine joined the Bills as DC, replaced by Dennis Thurman.

LBs Coach Bob Sutton is replaced by Brian Van Groder

Tim MacDonald becomes DBs Coach.

O-Line Coach Dave DeGuglielmo was replaced by Mike Devlin.

Louie Aguiar becomes assistant special teams coach.

Steve Hagen becomes tight ends coach, and Ron Heller becomes assistant O-Line Coach

Pierre Ngo is assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Assistant D-Line Coach Jeff Weeks

Bobby April III is now defensive quality control coach.

Bills 2013: Coaching Staff

Doug Marrone: Head Coach

Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – Nathaniel Hackett Running Backs – Tyrone Wheatley Wide Receivers – Ike Hilliard Tight Ends – Greg Adkins Offensive Line – Pat Morris Offensive Quality Control – Kurt Anderson Offensive Quality Control – Jason Vrable

Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator – Mike Pettine Defensive Line – Anthony Weaver Linebackers – Chuck Driesbach Linebackers – Jim O'Neil Defensive Backs – Donnie Henderson Assistant Defensive Backs – Samson Brown Defensive Quality Control – Brian Fleury Defensive Quality Control – Jason Rebrovich Special Teams Coaches Special Teams – Danny Crossman Assistant Special Teams – John Anselmo Strength and Conditioning Head Strength and Conditioning – Eric Ciano Assistant Head Strength and Conditioning – Hal Luther