Dec. 3, 2020
By Anthony DeMarco
Staff Writer
When it comes to New York sports teams, it’s all about location. Because New York is such a big city with so many eyes on it, their sports teams and notable athletes feel the pressure to match fans’ high expectations. When teams like the New York Giants fall short of these expectations, the fans let them know about it.
As of Dec. 3, the Giants had a 4-7 record. The Giants used to be known as a winning franchise, but the tide has turned. Over the past four years, the team has had four different head coaches and only 14 wins.
Named head coach in January, Joe Judge is in his first year as head coach of the Giants. Having been the special team’s coordinator under Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, two of the greatest minds in football history, Judge runs a tight ship. He reportedly makes his coaches run laps if they miss a block in practice, show up late to practice or make an error. For this reason, Judge reminds fans of former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and another former Giants head coach and Hall of Famer Bill Parcells.
Judge brings in the disciplinary attitude that a young team like the Giants needs in order to be successful. Even though Judge was put in a tough situation, he is the right man to get the job done.
2020 has not been easy for the Giants. Star running back and 2018 Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley was sidelined due to a torn ACL, which occurred during a week 2 contest against the Chicago Bears. Barkley is one of the best backs in the NFL. The offense revolved around him, so when he went down, the Giants not only lost their best player but had to rethink their offense.
Judge brings in the disciplinary attitude that a young team like the Giants needs in order to be successful. Even though Judge was put in a tough situation, he is the right man to get the job done.
The Giants looked to second-year quarterback Daniel Jones, who replaced New York legend Eli Manning last year in week 4, to lead the offense.
Jones has struggled in his first two years. Last season, he turned the ball over 30 times. As of Nov. 2, Jones had seven interceptions to just five touchdown passes for this season. With an atrocious offensive line, there is not much Jones can do. He is only able to sit in the pocket for so long before taking a sack or throwing the ball up, which most times results in an interception.
One bright spot for the Giants has been on the defensive side of the ball. The Giants’ defense was weak in past years, but this year, there is a ton of improvement.
The Giants’ Kyler Fackrell from the Packers has been a dominant force from his outside linebacker position. Another key player acquired from the Packers is middle linebacker, Blake Martinez. He was the Packers’ leading tackler in 2018 and 2019. Both Martinez and Fackrell have proven themselves to be leaders of the defense.
Another part of the defense the Giants focused on this past offseason was the secondary. The Giants signed James Bradberry IV from the Carolina Panthers. Bradberry, a fourth-round pick in 2016, signed a three-year $45 million contract in March.
Bradberry joins another Giants free agent signing, as Logan Ryan was acquired from the Tennessee Titans this offseason as well.
Having veteran guys in the secondary with rookie Xavier McKinney and second-year Giant Jabrill Peppers is a huge improvement for the Giants after the loss of Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins to free agency last season. This secondary crew proves to be one of the best in the NFL.
Although the season is not off to a hot start, the Giants are still in a position to win a weak NFC East title. The team has many good qualities that give fans reason to have high hopes for the future of this legendary New York football team.
