It was a successful, yet strange head coaching debut for Ben McAdoo in 2016, as the Giants qualified for the playoffs for the first time in five years and finished with a gaudy record of 11-5. Yet McAdoo’s expertise — offense — was a major disappointment and actually held his team back, winning despite barely scoring enough points to beat anyone.
Still, the name of the game is wins and losses, and the Giants were, if not golden, certainly sterling silver until it all unraveled in a dreadful 38-13 playoff loss in Green Bay. For McAdoo’s second season at the controls, expect more scoring but, facing a rugged schedule and four challenging cross-country excursions, nothing will come easy.
McAdoo’s oft-stated goal to “put the fifth trophy in the case’’ might gain some momentum if a few loose ends get tied up, particularly on the offensive line. The franchise quarterback, Eli Manning, is 36 and knows he has got a shot this year, as long as he is upright and has at least a credible running game to lean on from time to time. If he can stand tall in the pocket, Manning to Odell Beckham Jr. will continue to be a feared combination but not the only option it was too often in 2016.
Just their luck, the Giants play a league-high four games against teams coming off their byes, another difficult wrinkle in a schedule that contains long-distance trips to Denver, San Francisco, Oakland and Arizona and home games against tough opponents such as Seattle and Kansas City.
Changes were needed to an offense directed by McAdoo that too often failed to secure the ball or score enough points. His attack was relentlessly predictable in 2016, running 90 percent of its plays from “11 personnel’’ — three receivers, one running back, one tight end.
According to the analytics website Football Outsiders, that is the highest percentage of 11 personnel in a season in NFL history. The league average in 2016 was about 60 percent. The front office addressed these issues and the Giants should be more difficult to deal with — as long as that offensive line holds up.
Offense
For a team coming off an 11-win season, it is remarkable how poorly the Giants performed on offense in 2016. Their rushing attack was 29th in the league. They were 26th in scoring at a moribund 19.4 points a game. Eli Manning threw fewer touchdown passes (26), more interceptions (16) and for fewer yards (4,027) in any season since 2013. To help fix the mess, prolific receiver Brandon Marshall was signed in free agency, pass-catching tight end Evan Engram was taken in the first round of the NFL draft and veteran blocking tight end Rhett Ellison was signed. These moves should make the Giants more sound and explosive and give Manning more toys to play with.
The addition of a fullback, rookie Shane Smith, will make them far more versatile — they were too predictable last season with three three-receiver sets. There’s a “but’’ coming here and it’s a big one: The offensive line remains the same five-man starting unit. Yes, that is not a misprint. GM Jerry Reese is counting on development and maturity from 23-year old tackles Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart. It is quite a leap of faith. Right guard John Jerry did not have a standout summer, either, and could be replaced by Brett Jones. In the spring McAdoo named second-year Paul Perkins the starting running back; Perkins mostly looked stuck in the mud in the preseason. With Odell Beckham Jr., Marshall, Sterling Shepard and Engram, this should be an aerial show — as long as the line in front of Manning can keep him on his feet. Marshall’s size and presence should make it impossible to constantly shift all the defensive attention at Beckham and Shepard in Year 2 could evolve into a potent threat operating out of the slot. If Perkins cannot cut it, there seemingly is not much behind him with oft-injured but tough Orleans Darkwa, though rookie Wayne Gallman could be a surprise contributor. If he can stay on the field, Shane Vereen will catch at least 50 passes as Manning’s safety-valve.
Grade: B
Defense
Who says you cannot buy the happiness that comes from a vastly improved defense? The Giants spent big in 2016 and were rewarded with three of the most spectacular big-ticket signings anyone could ever hope for. CB Janoris Jenkins was one of the league’s top cover men. DE Olivier Vernon, despite a wrist injury that limited his effectiveness at times, was a force against the run and pass. DT Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison was a perfect fit in the locker room and a running back-eating monster in the middle of the line. That trio helped turn a dreadful defense into an excellent unit — only the Patriots allowed fewer points. The return to form of DE Jason Pierre-Paul, tag-teaming with Vernon, gives the line a powerhouse 1-2 punch, players who must be accounted for on every play. CB Eli Apple, after a solid rookie year, is bigger, stronger and more confident and slot corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, 31, can still run and thrived in a new role on the inside. If FS Darian Thompson makes a successful return coming off foot surgery, the secondary should be special. That is because SS Landon Collins is coming off a breakthrough season and is an emerging superstar. Co-captain Jonathan Casillas, Devon Kennard and Keenan Robinson are all useful linebackers; the key will be whether B.J. Goodson calling the shots in the middle is the real deal. If he is, watch out.
Grade: A
Special teams
After passing every test in training camp and the preseason, the Giants opted to go with rookie Aldrick Rosas as their kicker after a battle with veteran Mike Nugent. Everyone has to start somewhere and Rosas, 22, is something of a mystery man from Southern Oregon. He has a strong leg and the Giants hope he can show the poise that is needed when it comes to lining up for a decisive field goal. Brad Wing is now an established (though still young at 26) punter adept at placing the ball where he wants it, more technically sound than overwhelmingly powerful. McAdoo considers Wing a weapon. Try as they might, the Giants cannot find a dynamic return game. Dwayne Harris is coming off a lackluster season as a returner and takes a beating as a gunner on coverage units, where he is excellent. Zak DeOssie is one of the best long-snappers in the business; no one gets down the field more aggressively to make tackles.
Grade: B-minus
Coaching
One year after taking over for Tom Coughlin, this is undeniably Ben McAdoo’s team. The 40-year-old takes great pride and concern in relating to this millennial generation of players and incorporates many new-age methods wrapped inside a fairly gruff exterior. McAdoo is not going to “win the press conference’’ but he can command the room when addressing his team. As a coordinator, his offense was top-notch. As a head coach, not so much. McAdoo has to get more creative to overcome some personnel deficiencies up front and find a way to generate more points. Steve Spagnuolo showed, once again, that if you give him the pieces he can complete the puzzle. His defensive schemes are aggressive and rely on four-man pressure whenever possible — though his unit did give up too many big plays in 2016. After working with veteran kickers, special teams coordinator Tom Quinn now gets to mold a rookie.
Grade: A
Two-minute drill
Most important offensive player: This year’s pick is the same as last year: Ereck Flowers. Of course, Eli Manning is the most indispensable, Odell Beckham Jr. the most talented and dynamic but this is the year of decision for Flowers. He’s lost weight, is in top shape and spent most of the offseason working on his technique. As the No. 9 overall selection in the 2015 draft, is he a legitimate starting left tackle or a bust? This is his third season; time to show up or get out.
Most important defensive player: B.J. Goodson is a second-year player with only 14 NFL snaps on defense on his résumé. He is the anointed starting middle linebacker, meaning he calls the defensive signals and alerts the veterans around him where to go. At Clemson, Goodson was a tackling machine and he has shown he might be able to cover enough to play in sub packages. Best of all, he brings a nasty streak to the field.
Rookie to watch: Well, it is hard to keep your eyes off TE Evan Engram when he is gliding down the field. The first-round pick from Ole Miss was a proven pass-catcher in college and he looked the part this summer, making it easy to envision him hauling in 5-8 touchdown passes in his first season. Plus, he’s not some skinny route-runner and, put in the right spot, should be an adequate blocker on the move. McAdoo envisions using him the way he used Jermichael Finley in Green Bay.
Star on the rise: The version of Eli Apple that arrived at his second NFL camp had less hair and more muscle than the lanky rookie first-round pick in 2016. He had some growing pains as a rookie — benched during a game against the Eagles — but took the lessons in stride and had a great preseason. He has the size, speed and technical skills to match up with most top receivers.
Biggest coaching decision: How long is too long if the offensive line plods along and the running game continues to look like a dead end? Waiting behind starting tackles Flowers and Hart are rookies, Adam Bisnowaty and Chad Wheeler, so there is risk there. D.J. Fluker is a veteran and can plug in at right guard (but probably not right tackle). The coaching staff trusts Brett Jones. McAdoo, is patient, but only to a point if this unit cannot get in gear.
Don’t be surprised if: Odell Beckham Jr.’s numbers go down. He’s averaged 96 catches, 1,374 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first three seasons and might not match that production as Marshall, Shepard, Engram and Vereen are all worthwhile targets for Manning. There’s only one football to toss around. In a contract year, will Beckham be cool with this? Probably, as long as the Giants are winning.
Sure to make fans grumble: More talk about how young Ereck Flowers is. … Watching Giants kickoff and punt returners get nowhere. … Having to stay up late for the four (or more) prime-time games that won’t end until midnight. … Reports about Odell’s hair, contract or his hanging out with (fill in the celebrity). … Hearing play-by-play maven Bob Papa announce “third-and-1, Perkins takes the handoff up the middle, stopped at the line for a loss and here comes Brad Wing into punt.’’
Can’t miss ’em
Sept. 10 at Dallas: The Giants open up vs. the Cowboys for the fifth time in the past six years — c’mon schedule-makers, give it a rest already. The Giants set a tone for their 2016 season with their 20-19 victory in Arlington, Texas.
Oct. 15 at Denver: Hmm, let’s see, Von Miller bearing down on Eli Manning out in the Mile High City. It’s a thought to take your breath away. Altitude will be the least of the Giants’ problems going against perhaps the NFL’s top defense.
Dec. 17 vs. Eagles: It is never easy going against the Eagles, no matter if the game is in Philly or the Meadowlands. The NFC East should be in pretty clear focus by the time this Week 15 division matchup arrives.
Prediction: 10-6
The Giants can be a better team than last year and not attain as good a record. The schedule is rough, expectations are soaring and the pressure will build week-to-week. The good news for the Giants is their division appears to be more balanced but less formidable at the top. So, a 10-win season should be enough to finish in first place in the NFC East.