100-60
31-65
The first number totals the combined record of the Giants’ opponents in their 10 losses in the 2014 season while the second number tallies the record for their competition in six wins. It has been pointed out on here several times this year but the 2014 team proved time and time again that they had the inability to beat a quality opponent. Whether it was a near wire-to-wire loss (W5 @ Philly, W9 v Colts) or a game that they seemingly had in hand (W12 v Dallas) the team failed to get the job done against tougher competition.
With a chance to earn a win over a quality opponent, albeit one with nothing to play for, the Giants once again came up short and ended the season fittingly by failing to drive down the field in the 4th quarter with the game in the balance.
While it does seem to becoming routine, Odell Beckham was once again outstanding for the Giants, racking up 185 yards and a touchdown on 12 catches and what seemed like 25 targets from Manning including another long one (63 yards) to keep the Giants competitive on the afternoon. I’m sure you will see it pretty much everywhere but Beckham has shattered or come close to shattering nearly every rookie receiving record and if he didn’t it was because he missed the season’s first four games. Same goes for nearly every single season Giants receiving record, rookie or not.
Beckham’s all-pro level play has seemingly awoke the often frustrating Rueben Randle who totaled 290 receiving yards on 12 catches over the last two games of the season. Of course, the extra focus by defenses on Beckham has attributed to this as well. Randle possibly salvaged his career with a renewed focus the last few weeks and hopefully can carry this into 2015.
On the defensive side of the ball we saw more of the same– a strong effort up front with poor play (blown coverages, poor/indifferent tackling) in the back seven for the Giants. The pass rush added four more sacks to their team total and pressured Sanchez plenty of other times, including one that led to an interception negated by a questionable pass interference penalty down the field. With Robert Ayers’ return to health in 2015 and Damontre Moore’s continued development, one can only hope this unit will return to the top of the league next season.
Mark Herzlich played another solid game and continued to show that he has developed as a linebacker this season. While Herzlich is probably still a rotational player at best, he has proven to be reliable in the event of an injury or when (hopefully) spelling whoever is playing OLB in 2015.
The Giants head into the offseason with a strong core of veterans and youth (let’s assume for now that both Pierre-Paul and Rolle return, at the right price) but with plenty of question marks and holes to fill including (and in no order of importance):
-Who will be the 2015 starting offensive line and in particular:
-What position will Justin Pugh play and hopefully return to form at?
-Is Weston Richburg the answer at center or will he remain at guard?
-Can Geoff Schwartz be relied on assuming he is able to return to health in 2015?
-Does OL coach Pat Flaherty warrant assessment after the team’s failure to effectively run block (far too many run plays resulted in a tackle for a loss) in 2014?
-Can Larry Donnell improve enough as a blocker, after grading out near the bottom of his position, to be relied on as an every down tight end?
-Is the Giants’ 9th overall pick a near lock to be an offensive lineman? (while there are mixed feelings on him one player to keep an eye on is Iowa T Brandon Schereff)
-Who will coach the defense in 2015 and is it possible that a 3-4 alignment is best for this personnel?
-Is Jon Beason worth keeping on the roster at his current price/cap hit?
-Is Rashad Jennings to be relied on despite injury issues this season? (after finishing both 2011 and 2012 on the IR as well)
-How will the safety position, a hole that proved to be even greater than the void at linebacker, be addressed in 2015?
-With the returns of Amukamura, Thurmond and McBride, can the cornerback spot become the position of strength it was expected to be in 2014?
-How will Victor Cruz, a player who relied on agility and the ability to move laterally, recover from a devestating injury?
-Is Damontre Moore ready, in the eyes of the Giants’ staff, to become a three down player?
It should be another interesting offseason for the Giants as they have shown that they have many of the pieces in place (mainly a revived Manning and a top-5 skill offensive skill player in the NFL) to compete once again with just a few personnel upgrades in 2015.
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