Ongoing Struggles of the New York Giants

It’s safe to say it hasn’t been a great season for the New York Giants – particularly when it comes to their on-field performance.

Comments from Owner John Mara

Owner John Mara's recent comments indicate that while he is choosing to retain general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for now, there may be significant changes on the horizon, particularly in how the team approaches its game-day operations.

Offensive Performance Issues

Under Daboll’s leadership, who took over play-calling this season from offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, the Giants have struggled mightily. The team ranked an abysmal No. 31 in scoring, averaging just 16.1 points per game. Their passing offense was similarly disappointing, finishing 28th with only 189.9 yards through the air, while their running game landed at 23rd with an average of 104.9 yards per contest. Alarmingly, their Expected Points Added Per Play stat is a lowly -0.88, placing them at 28th in the league.

Discussion on Play-Calling Changes

Mara hinted at the possibility of changes during a discussion with Daboll: “I talked to him about, ‘Do you really believe that it’s in our best interest for you to continue calling the plays?’ I said, ‘I’m not going to demand that you do one thing or the other. But are you better off letting somebody else call the plays?’ That’s a discussion that we’re going to continue to have.” The owner emphasized that ultimately, the decision rests with Daboll, even when it comes to potential staff changes.

Defensive Coordinator Concerns

Interestingly, if the Giants were to part ways with current defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, it would mark the third defensive coordinator in just four seasons for the franchise, which is highly unusual. Last season, a significant rift between Daboll and former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale resulted in Martindale's departure.

Mixed Defensive Performance

While the defense has performed statistically better than the offense, Mara expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “Quite frankly, I didn’t think our defense played very well this year at all. I know that when you have an offense that performs like that, you’re putting more pressure on your defense. But we need to make improvements there. I’m tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us. So, I think that has to be addressed.”

What’s Next for the Giants?

As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close watch on the Giants' next moves. Could we see a shake-up in play-calling or personnel changes soon? The clock is ticking, and the Giants must act fast if they want to salvage their season! Stay alert, Giants fans; the coming weeks could be monumental for the future of this struggling franchise.