Loading ...Even though the 2011 season was as extended as it could have been for the New York Football Giants, the offseason remains long no matter what. That gridiron pest bites; everyone scratches; the itch spreads.
Craving Big Blue football isn’t absurd. It’s what drives most of us through mundane and stressful work weeks. What are (again) on the ludicrous side are the overreactions during the par-for-the-course offseason business actions of General Manager Jerry Reese.
Some of the freaking out is borderline humorous, while most is completely unwarranted. Anyone remember last year when Reese was ostracized for having August confidence in everything he did and in what parts he had left to dress in blue? Crazy how that all turned out, since it is how teams finish.
There aren’t clear-cut defined rules to the offseason. There are 31 other teams to compete with here as well. The evidence-based practice that Reese uses isn’t the type of decision-making that will cause the Giants’ foundation to crumble. The knee-jerk reaction of many fans is to act as if it has. Past years are apparently not enough proof to show that making decisions by incorporating the best available evidence with superior general manager and scouting knowledge (combined with his other in-house resources) yields positive results. Moreover, viewing the decision-making picture as a whole – as the character, needs, values and tradition of the franchise is never strayed from – is always of utmost importance to Reese.
The 2012 offseason as compared to the rushed one of 2011 is that this year, there is more normalcy – a truly defined offseason with a full schedule. Yet, the panic is still abounding. Of course there’s the other side of the spectrum -deflection- and the fans that act as if the player or transaction that is the subject of said anxiety never really mattered in the first place. Seriously, they wouldn’t have been a part of the New York Giants team and/or pursued if this were true.
Jerry Reese will always have his work cut out for him when it comes to criticism. This shall always get exponentially worse when winning puts him more in the spotlight. It comes with the territory and dealing with this is nothing new. Recent events not excluded, though, sometimes taking risks doesn’t play out the way intended.
"Yes we thought that he would clear," Reese told Bob Papa and Amani Toomer during a Sirius XM NFL Radio interview this week. "It's rare but it’s not the first time something like that has happened. It's disappointing for us that we didn't get him back. He did a tremendous job for us and we hope he gets well soon and that he can finish his career, whether it’s with New England or whatever team he ends up with. It was disappointing, but that does happen, every blue moon."
Does this warrant the raucous reactions towards the Giants’ general manager that have come about, though? The negative feedback comes from both Giants fans and fans of other teams and are a bit much. For the former, the answer remains a question mark; for the latter, it’s gotta be the second Lombardi he’s brought to East Rutherford.
Truth is, the business side of football isn’t easily understood nor is it one that everyone takes the time to try to gain the understanding of. However, they will question the hell out of it and equally “argue” about it…hopefully only until September 5 at 8:30pm, EDT is here. Less than three months to hold on, ladies and gents.
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Just to be clear, I have no problem with the opinion expressed by Paul regarding Herzlich’s pass coverage struggles. I disagree with the opinion, and think that it has been overblown by some overzealous reporters and fans.
My problem was the evidence offered–”I was at the game.” Not only does your attendance NOT matter, but in this instance I believe it offers no significant insight whatsoever regarding this particular issue. Anyone could see that Herzlich was lost out there and was totally ill-equipped to cover Desean Jackson. The Celek play was a rough one to watch because Herzlich clearly was thinking too much and didn’t let his natural physicality help him shut down a very mediocre tight end. He did look good against the run and rushing up the middle, which shows that his recognition is there, but his drop back technique was rough. All of this was clearly visible on my 52? LCD. Depending on your seats, perhaps your view was better, but not uniquely so.
Look, as you can tell, I am a big Herzlich fan. But I’m not engaging in a “purity discussion,” as Krow so daintily put it. I don’t accept the validity of the evidence offered in support of Paul’s argument. It’s the equivalent of someone telling me that I don’t know what happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis because I wasn’t alive during it. The fact that I have an entire bookshelf of books, hundreds of pages of interview transcripts and close to 200 pages of my own writing is somehow subservient to the unique perspective of 1 guy who went to work and came home to watch the nightly news during those scary days. It’s a “no true scotsman” argument and it’s a fallacy unless properly qualified.
As far as Herzlich goes, I’d add that I agree with norm in that the mental side of the game will be addressed because he’s going to have been in the books this offseason and the recipient of a real coaching up by Fewell, Boley and Blackburn. I think his legs will be stronger as a result of a full offseason program, and his technique will improve in the same way that all rookies improve after their first year.
Awww don’t be so sensitive.
I thought I would add this little tidbit from Coach T.C. on the enigma (or bust) that is Ramses Barden……
http://sulia.com/post/new-york-giants/80c88bea-5ed6-4013-bbee-e68abc138379/
“I think he’s figured it out and that’s a good first step,” Coughlin said on @SiriusXMNFL. “He’s had some really good days in practice and done a really good job. I really do think that he’s right there. He’s got to do it with consistency. There can’t be any shortcomings. You’re a big receiver. You must excel in the green zone (and) as a blocker. I do feel good about where he is. I really feel good that he feels good about where he is.”
If Barden is finally able to tap into his 6’6 athletic potential AND stay healthy, I honestly think he could be a beast on the WR corps. The talent, athleticism and physical skills along with knowledge of the offense are there, its a matter of being consistant, healthy, and motivated. I’d love to see him (well, actually ALL the G-men WRs) hit his full potential, and give Eli more weapons to use, and more ways to carve a defense up.
Any thoughts if this is finally the turning point, or is this just a tease from a bust ?
God, I HOPE this isn’t a final tease from a bust. I’ve been pulling for this kid for longer than I’d have liked to.
“Final tease from a bust”…hmmm… sounds like a tagline advertising the closing night performance by Chesty LaRue at the Kitty Kat Burlesque.
3 years … and now he finally figured it out. Awesome.
First off Kujo stop your man crush on Herzlich I’m not going to speak on anything but the medical position on him. He had cancer almost lost his leg went through chemo and may never become the player he was at BC. To say he’s the future of the MLB spot for the G-men is saying alot. He can’t even beat out a dude that was on the couch last year and he’s the future at the position that’s saying alot. Don’t want to hear he missed a whole offseason of OTAs that’s why either. There were countless rookies who made a impact last year he was not one of them in my eyes. Jaquan Williams is the only future stud we have in our LB core. You guys are keep over hyping what we have on our team the biggest joke I heard was that Boley was a pro bowl linebacker. Our linebackers are all fast but none have thump and yes Kujo you were correct in saying that the NFL is moving toward speed but the great ones have speed and Thump. Your Brian Cushings your Patrick Willis Jon Beason those are guys who hit like a brick but still have speed to cover the athletic TEs in the league. Maybe Rivers can be that person once he learns the playbook but each of our backers are lacking something. We can boast about or Dline and Secondary but again we are soft up the middle we have improved but best line backing cores in the league like someone stated I believe Norm or FF455 is a just a joke. Let’s get one of them over 100 tackles then lets talk that…
No one bats 1000. The Giants as an organization … and Reese as GM … make hundreds of decisions … hundreds of moves.
Most will be right. But some will be wrong. Pointing them out is not unjust.
I think they screwed up with Ballard. And they probably know it. They gambled and lost. If they had it to do over I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t.
Yes, definitely an unforced error. I’d be interested in anybody else’s insight, but the way I see it, they are a bit “nervous” about Kuhn’s visa situation, leaving them a tackle short going into camp, (or perhaps disappointment abounds in either Austin or Rogers) so they bring back Bernard to compete for a spot and push the others.
So they made room on the roster by waiving the one guy who definitely COULD NOT help in 2012, allowing them to sign a guy who MAY be able to help in 2012, albeit a longshot.
And who’s complaining about Jerry Reese he could have definitely held off cutting Ballard this early and waited to sign Rocky Bernard but only a fool could complain about him. Only GMs n scouting teams on pace with the G-men are Steelers, Packers, Pats very consistent franchises would say Ravens too because Ossie Newsome is amazing but other than that. Anyone who complains about two Superbowl wins is a fool!
Just thought Id pop by and say Im still reading, but new job and the European championships have taken priority.
THREE LIONS!!!!
Now carry on
Some interesting comments from Perry Fewell. He noted that TT (presumably starting at corner) is plan A. But there was definitely a plan B. And reading between the lines, Prince isn’t ready yet.
So anybody care to speculate who the plan B starter might be? Coe?
Prince really has to show something early this season. I’m not getting a great vibe from what we’re hearing. TT and C-Web look to start … no surprise there. But now Hosley’s put himself in the slot corner picture. Where does that leave Prince?
Fans tend to be sentimental by nature.
We especially like those players who came through for our team in the past; those who provided those memories that eventually become part of the shared DNA of the collective fan consciousness.
For as long as I continue to care about the Giants, I will always remember Ballard’s efforts on behalf of Big Blue during his one, brief year here. His tip-toe back of the endzone grab against the Cardinals; his leaping catch of a high Eli throw in the last minute game winning drive in Foxboro; and, of course, his valiant attempt to return to the game in SB 46 which left him collapsed in a heap on the sideline.
But while we fans look back on certain players with sentimental fondness, it’s the GM’s job to always look ahead. There’s little room for sentiment in the decision making process of a good GM. Ideally, you’d like your team’s GM to be a cold-blooded SOB who won’t think twice about kicking any beloved player to the curb if he thinks it might make the team better next week, next month, next year.
There will always be a faction of fans who looks at a veteran player, sees the player that was, and remembers all the great moments that player was responsible for bringing about. Meanwhile, the typical SOB GM will look upon that same player and see someone whose shredded ACL makes it unlikely that he will ever be able to contribute at the same level he once did. Naturally, these conflicting viewpoints inevitably result in some unhappiness among some part of the fan base, never more so than when the unsentimental GM makes a move that results in the loss of a sentimental fan favorite.
‘Twas ever thus. We saw it last year with Smith and then this year again with Ballard. Hell, I’ve never completely recovered from the premature release of Stoney Woodson. But that’s another story for another post.
I’m really don’t get the sense that Reese was getting too much flack on this blog. Even when I disagree with one of his moves, I know that he is far more qualified to make football decisions that I am. Doesn’t mean I won’t whine now and again. The biggest problem Reese faces is being a GM for a New York team. Nobody can compete with legendary GM’s from past NY teams such as Isiah Thomas.
The sanity and thoughtfulness of the great Giants fans on this blog is not representative of the attitudes and feelings of Big Blue Nation. The unwashed masses still cower when the subject of Eli’s eliteness is brought up, or when a rough patch ignites the annual chants of “Coughlin must Go” and “bring in the Chin.” And every time Reese does something that the sage denizens of wisdom and football acumen under the employ of ESPN and NFL Network disagree with, they start wanting Reese tarred and feathered. Seriously, check out the comment section on Garafalo’s blog, or Benton’s bête noir and 1987 message board lookalike BigBlueInteractive and you’ll see what I mean.
We’ve got it good here.
No. Reese has to say the PR stuff for a multitude of reasons. But he cut Ballard knowing it was possible and hoping it was probable that someone would take him.
You think he wants Ballard and his dead cap space when he’s got Bennett and the JPP of TEs?
You think if he wants Ballard he he cuts him to free up a roster spot on the 90 man, when 90 is a brand new luxury teams haven’t even had before? In other words, he was so desperate for camp fodder when he has more camp fodder than ever that he had to “risk” parting ways?
No, sir.
Gameplan executed brilliantly.
What I mean about the 90 man roster is that, before this off season, rosters were limited to 80 in the off season. Meaning, this year, Reese has 10 more scrubs to work with than ever before. And he’s dam sure not losing an important player for one of 10 scrubs that wouldn’t have even been here last year. One of 37 players that will be unemployed in 2 months. Not when that “important” player has a relatively low salary and can be picked up by countless teams.
In many ways, it’s like Steve Smith last year. Reese didn’t offer him anywhere near what he was asking, despite (allegedly) offering more before the injury. He was hoping someone else would take him. He knew he likely had 3 better receivers than a post-surgery Smith.
This move is simply a classic, brilliant, sure-to-be-unappreciated Reese move – unappreciated until people see they have better tight ends than what future Ballard will ever be.
Cold, cold man he is. Glad he’s running my favorite team.
And if you want to be a Giant for life and you’re not a superstar, you better not blow your knee out. Sad business, but it’s the best move for the family business.