Letters to the Editor: January 9, 2013
Nat K. writes…
Opinions can vary but there are certainly strong arguments to be made for your choices in the awards piece. I would only add that when the core players in a super bowl championship team return the next year and cannot even make the playoffs management and coaching bear a heavy responsibility. Bringing back Nicks too soon, utilizing Brown, Wilson and Randle too little and too late, and the failure to mount a consistent pass rush are only a few of the management and coaching derelictions.
No question Nat. Management is not blameless in what happened. But then again, I don’t recall them deferring blame.
Gene P. writes…
Looking to the future I have three brief thoughts. I love this team, I’ve been a fan of theirs since 1958, and I am usually not too critical, but—
1)They have holes and deficiencies all over the place and need to look at a significant overhaul. Don’t nibble around the edges; prep for a big improvement in a couple of years.
2) The draft is the biggest problem. I expected so much from Jerry Reese after his great work early on. Too bad the guy who does most of the draft work these days did not get the GM job with the Panthers.
3)Related to the above, and most importantly, the Giants need to take advantage of the 5-7 years that Eli has remaining as a top flight quarterback. So give it (even more of) that extra effort, take a risk or two, but go for it all for this 5-7 year period (and not just the next year or two). year).
There are 1 or 2 more Super Bowl wins in that head that’s on Eli’s shoulders and that arm of his. That order, head first, then arm, is said deliberately. We better not forget how great he has been, we certainly will remember it when he is gone.
This year is over. I won’t be watching much of the playoff. It’s time to get out those DVD’s and relive the past. We will be back!
It should be an interesting off-season for sure, Gene. As for not watching the playoffs, I think you’re depriving yourself of a chance to scout potential opponents, e.g. the Seahawks, as well as see what trends might be emerging.
Ted M writes…
I feel this team’s performance reflected a continuing concern I have with the Giants under the current regime ( though I concede that that two championships outweigh my critique):
1. I don’t feel the Giants are very open or creative to matching schemes to player talents. I guarantee that there are coaches who would have found ways to keep Wilson on the field despite his blocking deficiencies. The Giants simply seem to say, ” this is our scheme and everyone must adjust to it or they don’t play .”
2. I don’t think they excel at player development. Hynoski is a great example. He could have been used far more often as both a receiver and a runner. But they don’t see it and they won’t be any different next season in this regard.
Similarly, Stevie Brown’s emergence happened only because they had no other player to use. Otherwise, he sits on the bench and is cut next year. Then he signs with the Redskins and becomes all pro.
I feel the same with Barden ( it is an Ed McCafferty story all over again. ).
Jim Brewer has been with the team two years and plays on the “take a knee ” team. And Jernigan doesn’t exist. Soon, he’ll be the next Santana Moss for the Redskins.
The coaches insistence on catering to injured veterans is irresponsible. Nicks hurt us badly playing while injured. He could be covered by a linebacker. And we all saw Bradshaw whiff on two blocks while gimping around, nearly killing Eli.
When we had no pass rush , when we were humiliated and shut-out, why not send a message. Let Ojomo play a game. Now we know less about him than when he made the team.
And almost no one developed into a force. During the nfl playoffs, Phil Simms and the other analysts are often highlighting an impact player who emerged this season for each of the teams. We had no such player. Brown came the closest, but it had nothing to do with the coaches developing a kid in his second or third season as a Giant. Even JPP regressed
In summary, because this team showed they could play well enough to beat anyone, and then chose to turn out the lights and go home, they earned a terrible distinction. They were one of the most disappointing Giants teams ever. They dishonorably defended a championship. I really don’t care who come or goes this off season.
With no changes planned in coaching or scheme ( Coughlin’s press conference ) we can only expect more inconsistent play, I fear. One cannot get excited with a fast start to 2013, because it will surely end in a collapse or near collapse. Even if they get “hot” and lucky again, which everyone now believes they were in 2011.
Those players in SF, Green Bay and Dallas were right when they said the Giants were not the best team in 2011. They were the luckiest.
Apparently no matter what I say you’re convinced that this team is doomed – either that or you’re trying to protect yourself from potential heartbreak. If that’s what works, then so be it.
