Know Thy Enemy: New York Giants

On Sunday 12th September, the Washington Football Team will run out on the home turf of FedEx Field for a Week 1 match up vs the LA Chargers.

Overall, the roster is in good health.

They came through a pre-season loss to the Patriots, followed by a narrow win vs the Bengals with no real injury concerns, although the continuing groin problems of speedy FA Curtis Samuel seem to be somewhat of a problem.

I would not expect that obvious starters see much of the field in the third and final pre-season match-up vs Baltimore; the intrigue there will be to analyse on the bubble guys.

As with every season, it is the NFC East matchups that will go a long way in determining a repeat of post-season action for the burgundy & gold. Two of those games, will, of course, be vs. the New York Giants.

UKHTTW founder Christian Burt took time out with NYG aficionado James Masini aka Sunday Night Lights to discuss the fortunes of the Big Blue, who the WFT will face in Week 2 of the regular season.

UKHTTW: James, I was looking back at the Q&A from 2020. And it really goes to show how life can change at a rapid rate in the NFL. We had discussed the “battle” between the two QBs drafted in 2019, Dwayne Haskins and Daniel Jones, with Haskins now in Pittsburgh after a disastrous tenure in Washington.

I maintain that, to the eye, Jones is still a very promising QB for the NYG, but how is he viewed by the Giants fanbase and is 2021 “make or break” for the #8 in New York?

JM: I think it’s very much make or break. The Giants have been more productive than I think most expected this offseason and have tooled up the WR position bringing in Kenny Golladay on a $72m 4-year deal and drafting Kadarius Toney (Florida) in the first round of April’s draft. Combine that with a (hopefully) healthy Saquon Barkley and Danny Dimes has very little margin for error with both the fanbase and the always quick-to-judge NYC media.

UKHTTW: As you note, the Giants have been bold in providing Jones with offensive targets. With RB Saquon Barkley coming back into the fold, albeit cautiously, for 2021. Are you excited about the offensive threat of the Giants?

JM: Excited and apprehensive in equal measures. There are still major question marks over Jason Garrett as a play-caller. We really limited what we put on Jones’s plate last year and that led to us chasing points at critical moments.

It obviously didn’t help that Jones’s decision-making was really questionable and there’s usually one unforced error per game which impacts momentum to a greater or lesser degree depending on when it happens. I still hold me breath every time he drops back!

Football Outsiders had us at 26th best offense in terms of their DVOA metric so we need to see a significant improvement in 2021.

UKHTTW: Over the last few months, the O-Line is New York has been a talking point, and not in a positive way. With guys like second-year LT Andrew Thomas and the returning Nate Solder, I’m surprised that this is an area for concern?

JM: Thomas looked shaky at times, but improved. I think part of the criticism comes from the looking at the likes of Tristan Wirfs at Tampa and Mekhi Becton across town at the Jets. Thomas was supposed to be the standout of that class and so far, we’ve not seen that level of performance from him.

It’s great having Solder back but after a year away, it’s still unclear what we’re going to get out of him. Judging from pre-season Will Hernandez has benefitted from switching over from Left Guard to Right Guard but that might just be to cover injuries. The biggest area of concern remains Alex Gates at Centre. A line is only as strong as its weakest part and unless he improves, it might be another year of backfield tackles and QB pressures.

UKHTTR: Any under the radar guys in New York that you feel will be much better known by season end? And who do you rate on the WFT roster? For the record, I continue to be a big fan of DT Leonard Williams and I am sure you feel the same.

JM: Big Cat Williams was a beast last year and I’m hoping for more of the same. He’s earned his significant contract extension.

In terms of under the radar guys; I must admit, I have been pleasantly surprised by the depth of our Wide Receivers. CJ Board looked useful in our first pre-season tilt – the Snoopy Bowl against the Jets – he came in last year from Jacksonville and saw a handful of snaps but he looked shifty and ran tight routes. He also contributed in the return game.

Dante Pettis has also come in and made the most of what little opportunities exist when Mike Glennon and Brian Lewerke are under centre. I’m not expecting breakout years from either, but I’d like to think both make the final roster and should get a chance to make an impact when the season gets under way.

For you guys, I love me some Chase Young. He’s such a fun watch. Still frustrates me that he was the pick right before we selected Thomas. I can’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if the Giants had just been a tiny bit more awful in 2019 and he’d ended up 200 miles further north in MetLife.

I’m also super excited to see how FITZMAGIC feeds all the mouths he’s got to feed on that Washington offence. Dyami Brown (UNC) was an excellent pick in the third round of the draft, adding him to McLaurin, Humphrey and Samuel will be fun to watch, but hopefully not in Weeks 2 and 18.

UKHTTR: and lastly, your predictions for final 2021 season records and placing for the Giants and WFT?

JM: I think both will improve on last year and in the NFC East, there’s always a change than 9-8 or 8-9 wins the division. I think we’ll both be right around that number.