New York Giants 2014 Offensive Preview

I’ve totally forgotten about the Giants over the summer; can I get a quick refresher?

You know the two big names – Eli Manning and Victor Cruz. Out wide, Reuben Randle is also still there (as well as backup Jerrel Jernigan). Will Beatty and Justin Pugh will continue to man the tackle positions. Also returning to training camp is a multitude of backups at running back (Michael Cox, Peyton Hillis, Henry Hynoski, John Conner) and tight end (Larry Donnell, Adrien Robinson).

In short, the offense was a disaster last season; Cruz still produced, but that’s about the only positive to take away from last year. Manning led the league in interceptions last season, becoming the butt of countless jokes. He spent most of the year on his back or on a completely different page than his receivers. Brandon Myers (now the tight end in Tampa Bay) wasn’t even reading the same book. Hakeem Nicks looked like a shell of his former self. The offensive line was atrocious. The running game broke down to the point that the Giants started partying like it was 2010 by bringing in Peyton Hillis and bringing back Brandon Jacobs. And somehow those two actually ended up getting significant carries. Needless to say, the Giants missed the playoffs and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride got fired.

So what’s new?

The big addition is Ben McAdoo, the former Green Bay quarterbacks coach and new Giants offensive coordinator. He’ll institute a West Coast offense designed to thrive off quick releases, short-to-intermediate throws and after-the-catch gain. Manning is a hard worker with confidence so the changes should take, at least over time. This still requires a mental change from his usual ‘gunslinger’ to accurate intermediate thrower, which isn’t an easy one. The offense will definitely have a different feel to it this year: less aggressive with downfield throws, less play action and less obviously predictable 3^rd down draws. It will look more like what we’re seeing across much of the league now, and likely take some elements from Green Bay’s tremendous attack.

Yeah, yeah, but who are the new players? And who’s gone?

The two big additions are free agent signing Rashad Jennings and 1^st round pick Odell Beckham Jr. out of LSU.

Jennings was signed out of Oakland to carry a revamped running game. After backing up Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden, the Giants hope that his combination of size, speed and ability to catch out of the backfield will lead to success in his first starting role. Fourth round pick Andre Williams should also add some hard downhill running. And while not exactly new, anything provided by David Wilson would be effectively like a new signing (although who knows whether he’ll play with the kind of injury he suffered.)

In the receiving core, Beckham Jr. has the talent to scare Eagles fans for a decade, although injury issues have kept him off the field thus far. He has speed, a desire to win the ball in the air, and the requisite attitude to flourish in the NFL. Mario Manningham also returns after a disappointing stint in San Francisco, and young tight ends Robinson and Donnell will compete with Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells for the starting spot. Look out for Robinson, an athletic monster, who the Giants coaching staff absolutely loves.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the offensive line is totally re-tooled. The Giants brought in future starting center Weston Richburg (2^nd round pick), as well as free agents J.D Walton, Geoff Schwartz, John Jerry and Charles Brown. That’s two new centers (Richburg/Walton), and two new starting-caliber guards (Schwartz/Jerry). Richburg could also start his career off as a guard. All the new blood can only be an improvement.

As far as who’s gone, Nicks and Myers are gone to no Giant fans great consternation. Andre Brown, somewhat of a success at running back last year, is in Houston. Chris Snee retired early in camp due to injuries, but the guard was already shell of his former self. The Giants aggressively targeted players they thought they needed and expect to compete this season.

What’s their biggest weakness?

Most likely it will be the same as last year – right in the trenches, especially as chemistry is building up early in the year. Snee’s loss (although not close to the caliber he once was) hurts the continuity along the offensive line even more. The question of which Will Beatty shows up is important as well, as he followed up a strong 2012 with an off-and-on 2013.

The Giants also start the season with no established tight end, but the coaching staff seems to have faith in the young guys and the wide receivers they’ll play in the three-wide lineup.

Anything to be scared of?

Eli Manning finding his mojo. An improved offensive line, a better rushing game and quick releases will necessarily make Eli look better. The trio of WR’s are talented with oodles of open field ability, and Jennings can get out of the backfield. Victor Cruz is obviously dangerous and Reuben Randle should find it easier with the simplified routes. There’s big play ability here if Eli Manning can utilize it.

There’s also a strong case that most of Eli’s interceptions last year weren’t entirely his fault. There were multiple miscommunications with Randle, multiple tipped balls, and often faced pressure. Manning will not be as bad this season, even just accounting for regression to the mean. The real question is how much better will he be? The upside is there for him to have a Phillip Rivers-like revival.

Let’s keep it simple. What should I expect from the Giants offense this season?

The Giants looked to get younger and more athletic this season and really addressed their weakness on the line. If all goes well, they could be a top 10 offense under control of a rejuvenated Manning. If not, and Manning is still throwing in the low 60 percentages and the running game can’t get any traction, they could be a weakness for this team again. Uncertainty is the nature of change, especially when the gameplan itself is what is changing. Realistically, the expectation should be an average to above average offense in New York. At the very least, it will be functional, which is already a step up from last year.