It is time for this week’s Big Blue View Mailbag. It appears like I used to be beautiful feisty this week in answering New York Giants-related questions. So, be warned, as you embark on studying the mail.
Ronald Buchheim asks: Ed, research have proven a better possibility of harm on turf, particularly ACL, and avid gamers say it’s tougher on their our bodies even with out accidents like the only Shepard sustained. Owners are making heaps of cash, and 17 groups play on grass. Why can’t the giants? The avid gamers affiliation has instructed the homeowners to get rid of turf, however I’m wondering why they may be able to’t do more, comparable to threatening to strike. It used to be heartbreaking to look at Shepherd get injured with none touch, simply because his cleats stuck within the turf.
Ed says: Ronald, I’ve to mention this. I am getting the proceedings in regards to the MetLife Stadium turf. Fine. You hate it. You suppose it has to move. Everybody hates it. We all want the video games have been performed on grass. What on God’s inexperienced earth, even though, does the Shepard harm need to do with the turf? Show me the place, within the video beneath, he will get his ft stuck within the turf? He’s operating instantly forward, in truth simply jogging, and the ACL pops. There is not any misstep. No catching of his cleats. Nothing. The turf had NOTHING to do with this play.
Odell Beckham can rip the turf. You can rip the turf. Everybody is aware of that the harm charge on FieldTurf is upper than it’s on grass.
MetLife Stadium is a multi-use facility. Two groups play on it. They have live shows there. I’ve to imagine that if the Giants, Jets and stadium control felt grass used to be possible, they might have a grass taking part in box. Can you’ve grass in New Jersey and feature it glance and play higher than the Soldier Field mess in November, December and January? I don’t know.
I do know that at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas the Raiders use detachable grass trays. Here is more on how that works. I truthfully don’t know if this is imaginable at MetLife.
I do know there are non-contact accidents that occur on Field Turf that may now not occur on grass. If you need in charge the MetLife turf for an harm, even though, discover a a lot better instance than the Shepard one.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: There were a number of similar “just plant grass” questions. Answering this on, I hope, let’s everyone know where I stand].
Wayne Mirsky asks: After staring at final evening, each defensive coordinator taking part in The Giants would put a pace rusher at the left facet in their line as a result of until issues alternate, Evan Neal at the moment does now not appear in a position to dealing with it. This isn’t to mention that the entire different OL, except Thomas are taking part in really well, however Neal’s play is obtrusive .
All the professional scouts can’t be mistaken of their analysis of Neal, he’s going to be a very good offensive lineman, perhaps even All-Pro, however now not now.
What about transferring him to protect for the yr so he can get familiar with the rate of the Pro Game after which transfer him to RT subsequent yr. If I’m proper however aren’t the Panthers taking part in Ikem Ekwonu at guard? Haven’t different groups previously completed that with their top OL draft avid gamers for no less than twelve months?
Is he too tall to be a guard? More importantly, is there someone at the roster who may play RT or is there any FA round who may for the yr?
If Neal will keep at RT, then my best different advice can be to play a two-tight finish scheme with certainly one of them serving to Neal. Do you’ve another ideas?
Ed says: Wayne, learn the piece I wrote Thursday about Neal and Andrew Thomas. Neal has performed THREE NFL video games. What he’s going via at the moment is basically customary for a rookie take on. Neither Ickey Ekwonu nor Charles Cross, the opposite top-rated tackles within the 2022 NFL draft, are faring any higher.
My largest advice? Relax. Let it play out. The 2nd part of Thomas’s rookie yr used to be a long way higher than the primary part. His 2nd yr used to be higher than the primary. This yr, it seems like even more growth has been made. Let’s see the place it is going. I realize it’s now not simple to look at on occasion.
The different advice? Let the training workforce work out how you can lend a hand Neal. The Giants attempted to chip edge rushers on Monday, and feedback from Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka appear to suggest they didn’t do an excellent task. They will supply Thomas with a good finish to lend a hand or a operating again to lend a hand when they may be able to. There are occasions, even though, when NFL tackles must be on an island. That’s the task.
By the best way, here’s your record of to be had proper tackles. Cross off Mike Remmers, since he simply signed with the New York Jets. Bryan Bulaga used to be a just right participant as soon as upon a time. Now? If groups idea he used to be a starting-caliber take on, he’d have a task. Honestly, there’s no one at the record who evokes self belief.
Ray Kochert asks: I’m really not shocked that the Giants signed Jaylon Smith. I assumed the Giants would signal him after the 53 participant reduce down. In 4 video games final yr I assumed he performed neatly. What does this signing let us know? Veteran presence or now not certain about present Mike linebackers?
Ed says: Ray, I don’t suppose it tells us a lot instead of the Giants have been intrigued sufficient through his exercise to wish to see more. Obviously, they suspect he may be able to lend a hand them in the future. For what it’s price, I, too, idea Smith performed neatly sufficient on the finish of final yr to deserve an opportunity. I believe we will be able to see him quickly.
Keith Wilcox asks: Is it imaginable that in spite of his wage Leonard Williams doesn’t get sufficient credit score? When I heard he used to be going to be out for the Cowboys recreation I in an instant felt the protection used to be going to have issues. Even even though the protection typically held it appeared that with him off the sector Dallas used to be in a position to run the ball more successfully down the center than in years previous. Also the loss of a cross rush turns out love it may be because of him. Everyone talks about whether or not his sacks are definitely worth the cash however I believe his impact at the run recreation and the best way he’s taking up blockers to loose everybody else is a long way more precious. Curious to listen to your ideas.
Ed says: Keith, I don’t know if Williams will get sufficient credit score or now not. Reality is, even though, that he has been the Giants’ very best defensive lineman for the final two years. He defends each the run and the cross neatly. He is at the box for almost each snap. He can transfer up and down the road and play more than one spots. He attracts consideration and makes the fellows round him higher. He’s now not Aaron Donald, however nor is someone else.
Here are the non-Dexter Lawrence defensive position snap counts for the Giants on Monday:
Nick Williams (35); Henry Mondeaux (29); Justin Ellis (29); D.J. Davidson (12).
Last time I checked, none of the ones avid gamers can do anyplace with regards to the issues Williams can do. Whether he will get sufficient credit score or now not, Williams now not taking part in is a large drawback for the Giants’ protection.
Michael Schack asks: A large factor that has stricken me in regards to the Giants offense the final almost certainly 7 years is the choice of extend of recreation consequences or Giants offensive performs the place the ball is snapped simply slightly prior to the play clock runs out. I assumed perhaps its taking too lengthy to get the play in, Eli is making an attempt to take a look at issues and recreation plan at the fly, DJ perhaps overthinking issues as a result of he used to be younger (and I’m a believer in DJ, he simply wishes coverage, however his passes appear to be constantly correct, even beneath power, particularly this previous Monday evening). I did a little analysis and located the Giants have now not had an important choice of extend of recreation consequences, however I can’t lend a hand however realize this season has been other thus far (together with the preseason). I’m really not seeing the clock tick right down to 0 anyplace close to the frequency of the previous. It isn’t a rush up offense, so my best conclusion is the training verbal exchange is other. Did Judge/Garrett debate performs an excessive amount of? Did Shurmur and McAdoo overthink what they sought after to name and simply were given it in on the final 2nd? Are my observations simply mistaken? Thanks in your ideas in this.
Ed says: Michael, I don’t suppose your observations are totally mistaken. It additionally frustrates me to look at the play clock dwindle and the ball get snapped because the clock hits :01 or :00.
Every extend of recreation penalty comes with its personal tale. Some are at the sideline — most likely with the coordinator now not getting the play in briefly sufficient. Some will also be on account of group of workers — with the correct avid gamers for the play known as now not coming into the sport briefly sufficient. Sometimes, the issue will also be the quarterback both shedding monitor of the clock or just looking to do an excessive amount of on the line of scrimmage.
What I know is that head trainer Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are putting a heavy emphasis on getting the play known as, getting the group of workers in and attending to the road of scrimmage as briefly as imaginable. They have mentioned that so much. That provides the quarterback his very best probability to take a look at the protection, acquire some data and get the play off with ease.
Brian Misdom asks: Hi Ed, as we see our receiving corps proceed to be decimated through harm, I’m left questioning how Daboll and Kafka will adapt. When they first opened with OTAs and offseason practices, they preached placing the avid gamers in the most efficient positions for good fortune.
As a lot as I really like what our HC is doing, a few of this seems to be lip provider as each Golladay and Slayton had been relegated to restricted snaps because of perceived loss of scheme are compatible. Do you spot them adjusting the scheme to higher faucet into what KG brings to the desk? We want more manufacturing and the present arrange leaves only a few interesting choices until Robinson and Toney can get again (and keep) at the box.
I’m resigning myself to restricted manufacturing from KG, however as our choices dwindle, how do you spot this unfolding?
Ed says: Brian, there is not any simple solution. Odell Beckham isn’t coming again to the Giants. Alex Bachman isn’t higher than what the Giants have now. Has someone spotted he isn’t even on someone’s follow squad lately?
This ‘adjusting the scheme’ for Kenny Golladay stuff is foolish. How about Golladay catch the balls which can be thrown to him? When he does that, the passing offense will glance higher — and he may get at the box more. Golladay is a participant who is meant so that you can win in any respect 3 ranges, and is paid to make tough contested catches in key eventualities — just like the fourth-and-2 he couldn’t haul in Monday evening.
There is a chance right here for Darius Slayton. Let’s see if he can take hold of it.
I’m now not purchasing the ‘lip service’ remark. Scheme-wise, the Giants are mild years forward of the place they have been a yr in the past. If avid gamers can’t get wholesome, they may be able to’t get wholesome. If the wholesome ones can’t carry out, there isn’t a lot the trainer can do.
Jeff Newman asks: Ed, I do know the fashionable NFL is predominantly a passing league, and Daboll and Kafka offensive techniques they wish to run. However, in mild of the present vast receiver scenario (Shep out for the yr, Robinson injured, Golladay now not what he used to be and now not we paid for, Slayton it sounds as if within the doghouse, and Toney allergic to the taking part in box), and absence the cap area to usher in an actual distinction maker at WR, would it not make sense to switch to more of a run first/run heavy method for the rest of the yr? Barkley is through a long way our very best offensive weapon, our O-line is best at run blocking off than cross blocking off, and DJ’s legs are almost certainly his very best asset so we’d be taking part in to the energy of the group. We may experience Barkley and run RPO’s/play motion with Barkley, Breida, and Robinson and Toney (when wholesome) each operating and catching the ball out of the backfield together with some designed runs for DJ. We may line up Golladay and Slayton at the outdoor to dam and to stay defenses truthful and James to transport the chains within the slot till Robinson/Toney are again. What are your ideas, Ed?
Ed says: So a lot doom and gloom round right here. Does someone now not understand that the Giants are 2-1 and rancid to a greater get started than used to be expected? Does someone now not understand that the Giants are at first of what is going to be a multi-year rebuild after possession in the end learned they weren’t one or two strikes clear of a magic repair? This Giants group used to be at all times going to be imperfect, at all times going to have some obtrusive flaws, at all times going to be a piece in development.
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, Jeff, I will be able to solution your query.
In all honesty, what you describe is just about precisely what the Giants have already been doing.
Daniel Jones has tried best 4 passes of 20+ yards down box in 3 video games, thirty second within the league. Most of what the Giants are doing is what I name catch-and-release — RPOs, fast, brief throws designed to get the ball out of Jones’ arms. That’s in part on account of the offensive line and in part on account of the receivers they’ve.
Yes, the road has been higher at run blocking off thus far this season. I don’t know the way a lot more, even though, the Giants can depend at the run recreation.
The Giants (162.3) are thirtieth within the league in yards passing in keeping with recreation. They have now not reached 200 yards passing in a recreation but. They are tied for twenty fifth within the league in passing makes an attempt — best six groups have thrown the ball much less continuously.
I’ve made the purpose various occasions that taking part in successful offense that approach isn’t sustainable. I don’t know the way they’re going to do it, or if it actually even lifelike to be expecting it to occur this season, however to stay aggressive the Giants want to get more out in their passing offense. Not much less.
Joseph Marrongelle asks: if a group exceeds their wage cap determine at the time limit date, what’s the penalty through the league?
Ed says: Joseph, to start with groups can not exceed the wage cap with out doing one thing under-handed. All contracts are licensed through the NFL, and the league received’t approve a deal that pushes a group over the wage cap right through the league yr.
Now, groups have on a couple of events been discovered in charge of circumventing the wage cap with bills to avid gamers that have been outdoor the foundations. The CBA says, partly:
“Neither the parties hereto, nor any Club or player shall enter into any agreement, Player Contract, Offer Sheet or other transaction which includes any terms that are designed to serve the purpose of defeating or circumventing the intention of the parties as reflected by the provisions of this Agreement.”
If the Commissioner disapproves of a freelance, it may cross to an arbitrator. The CBA says that groups will also be fined as much as $6.5 million and lose draft selections. The CBA reads:
Clubs. In the development that the System Arbitrator unearths a contravention of Subsection 1(a) of this Article, for each and every such violation, the Commissioner will probably be licensed to: (i) impose a high-quality of as much as $6,500,000, payable to the NFL, upon any Club discovered to have dedicated such violation; (ii) order the forfeiture of as much as a most of 2 draft alternatives (with out limitation as to spherical) through the Club discovered to have dedicated such violation; (iii) impose a high-quality of as much as $500,000 on any Club govt or different Club group of workers discovered to have dedicated such violation; and/or (iv) droop for as much as twelve months any Club govt or different Club group of workers discovered to have dedicated such violation.
Players and their brokers will also be fined as much as $500,000.
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