New York Giants 2012 Christmas Wishlist
In honor of Christmas (Merry Christmas by the way) I thought I’d put together a Christmas wish list for the 2012 New York Giants. I’m writing this prior to Saturday’s Jets-Giants showdown so it is not impacted one way or the other by that particular game, but rather by what I’ve observed all season.
These are in particular order.
Dear Santa for Christmas, the New York Giants would like:
1) Defensive Leadership
Is Justin Tuck a great leader? I’m not sure. He’s a great player when he’s healthy, but am I sure he’s a great leader? No, but that’s not a knock on Justin Tuck. No one says you have to be a great leader to be a well-respected N.F.L. player. I think Tuck is a leader by example kind of guy, but not a rah-rah fire you up kind of guy. Tuck gives his all, all the time, but the Giants need that leader on defense they haven’t had in a long time. There are too many miscommunications, too many mistakes, too many flat performances for this defense to be consistently successful. Where can they find that leadership? Usually that’s found in the middle of the field, with the middle linebacker. Goff is another leader by example guy. Can he step into that role?
More Secondary talent
The Giants have both T.T. and Aaron Ross as potential free agent. Thomas is coming off a second A.C.L. tear (the first was in college) and Aaron Ross is Aaron Ross. Even when Thomas is healthy the Giants still have more of really nice #2 options, but no lockdown cornerback. IF the Giants resign Thomas and IF he’s back up to speed next year (which seems unlikely that he’ll be 100 percent) the Giants will enter next season with basically Prince Amukamara and Corey Webster. That is nowhere near enough.
On top of that the Giants safeties have been sub-par and Deon Grant is at his end. Can the Giants count on Chad Jones recovering fully and coming back to be relied on? No. You can’t do that.
Antrel Rolle to play Free Safety
And Can we get Rolle to play Free Safety! Last year with the linebacker issues Rolle had to play up near the line of scrimamge all year. This year with the secondary issues he has to play nickel cornerback. Next year I’d love to see him back there in position to make big plays.
A new Defensive coordinator/and or Head Coach
Tom Coughlin has been with the Giants a long time (his whole career). He is a good coach, but is he the right coach for the New York Giants anymore? I don’t know. I don’t think so. If you read between the lines with what the Giants players have been saying this week you can argue that it seems like they are saying that they have soured on Coughlin (a lot of conjecture). And even if you don’t get that from their quotes, their play in big moments shows that. I wish Coughlin all the best, but it just might be time for some new blood at the head coaching position.
If coughlin is retained (which is possible and not terrible). Perry Fewell is getting more blame than he should, I think but someone has to fall on the sword for this debacle. The Giants need to be more agressive and play more man to man, clearly they don’t have the players for a zone defense.
A New Right Tackle and A better season from the interior offensive line
Kareem Mackenzie has had one of the worst seasons of his career and looks bad this year. Could he bounce back next year and have a huge season? Possible, sure. But the Giants shouldn’t rely on that. Is James Brewer the answer there? Who knows. He hasn’t been on the field this year. I think the offense can still score points irregardless of who is out there it seems as long as Eli Manning is healthy and playing well, but it would be much easier with consisten line play.
The Exodus of Brandon Jacobs and Osi Umeinyora (and of course ST Coordinator Tom Quinn)
This is IF Coughlin comes back. This team just seems in a big need of a facelift if they keep Coughlin that’s fine, but then they have to get rid of some of the yappers in the locker room.
This team, assuming they blow up at the end of the season here which seems likely (or already has happened if they lost yesterday) just needs some new fresh faces.
Sticking with the Best Player Available in the Draft
Jerry Reese has always had a pretty stacked roster, which has affored him the opportunity to stick with best player available, but with three straight years missing the playoffs (possibly) will he still stick to that philosophy. They drafted Jason Pierre Paul when they didn’t “need” a DE and I couldn’t be happier.
His first round picks so far have been: Aaron Ross (average player), Kenny Phillips (slightly above average), Hakeem Nicks (excellent), Jason Pierre Paul (excellent), and Prince Amukamara (jury’s still out). I’m hoping he sticks to his board.
Linebackers!!!!!
Who didn’t see this coming! The Giants need to figure out this linebacker position. Mark Hezlich has shown, to me that he can be a two down player in the future in the N.F.L., Jacquian Williams can develop into a weak side linebacker, but is that enough? I would love a really good Strong Side linebacker, but is there one available out there.
Playing hard every game
You know it comes down to this. I can handle the losing, that’s not a problem. It’s the Effortless, lifeless performances that they have every year in big moments. I just want to see them play hard every week.
What is your New York Giants wish list for the 2012 season?
Mine is basically an overhaul of the leadership of this team from the coaching position and the player personnell.
The big concerns for me, moving forward are CB, S, RT, LB. But I think they are set in a lot of places to make a run at the divison next year. They just need some consistency.