Despite the new look faces, quarterback Eli Manning will make or break the New York Giants 2017 Super Bowl aspirations.
So far this offseason, the New York Giants have been active in their efforts to retain and add-on to their core.They’ve franchise tagged longtime defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, giving him $17 million this upcoming season; they’ve agreed to a two-year/ 12 million dollar deal with former New York Jets receiver Brandon Marshall; they’ve agreed to a four-year/ 18 million dollar deal with Minnesota Vikings tight end Rhett Ellison, and have also signed former San Diego Chargers offensive lineman D.J. Fluker to a one-year deal.
All four transactions help make the Giants a powerhouse in the NFC, but they won’t be the key factors to the 2017 season. Despite the new faces, Eli Manning is the key to any success the Giants have in 2017.
Join us as we navigate through this Eli scenario coming up in 2017:
Their Defense Will Remain A Strongsuit
Last year, the forte and heart and soul of the Giants was their defense. Thanks to free agent signees (Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, Janoris Jenkins) as well as veterans Jason Pierre-Paul and corner Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, the Giants defense was among the league’s best, especially against the run. The Giants defense gave up the third lowest yards per game on the ground, surrendering just 88.6 yards per game. In addition to their pressure on the line, the Giants watched two secondary pieces blossom in 2016.
Rookie corner Eli Apple was as pleasant as the year progressed, becoming a lockdown cover corner. Safety Landon Collins also impressed.
Second-year man Landon Collins performed at elite standards in 2016. Leading the Giants in combined tackles (125), and recording four sacks, as well as five interceptions, Collins broke out to become one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Collins’ heroics helped him be the runner up for defensive player of the year, and also participate in the NFL Pro Bowl.
The star-studded Giants defense will remain intact for the most part in 2017. The odd man out though will likely be tackle Jonathan Hankins, who is likely out of the Giants price range given the limited amount of cap space at their disposal.
With the defense remaining intact, the question arises regarding whether or not the Giants offense will step up in 2017?
The Offensive Line while not Elite, is Improved
Last year, the Giants offense was underwhelming. Despite the likes of Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., rookie Sterling Shepard, and even veteran Victor Cruz, the Giants offense failed to produce more than 27 points in an affair. It devastated any hopes they had of making it deep into the postseason; however, a big part of their offensive struggles came down to their offensive line, or lack thereof.
The Giants offensive line was a mess in 2016, as it left Eli Manning without a reasonable amount of time to get rid of the ball. That resulted in a lot of quarterback pressure, quarterback hits and rushed throws. That led Manning to put the ball in harm’s way at times. Two guys who stood out in a negative way were tackles Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart.
The 2015 first round pick Flowers had a horrendous 2016. Failing to hold his ground, and letting defensive ends blow by him, Flowers evolved into a turnstile as the year progressed. Stonybrook’s own Bobby Hart was in the same boat.
Hart struggled to keep pressure off Manning, and couldn’t hold his own on the outside; however, both Flowers and Hart will have some help in 2017.
While not star linemen, the Giants were able to snatch some help for their offensive line.
Fluker and Ellison were Shrewd Pickups for the Giants
By agreeing to a one year/3 million dollar deal with former Chargers guard D.J. Fluker, the Giants added some size to their line. The Alabama product weighs in at 340 pounds and can hold his own. Fluke has also missed just five games in his four-year career; he’ll likely serve as the Giants starting right guard, likely ending John Jerry‘s tenure in the big apple. In addition to Fluker, the Giants added former Vikings tight end Rhett Ellison.
While not a receiving tight end, Ellison is a house at tight end. Standing at 6-foot-5, Ellison is a blocking tight end who also has the versatility to play fullback. Given he’s a blocking tight end, Ellison should do wonders for the Giants running game, and passing attack. That’ll help Eli Manning hand the ball off to second-year back Paul Perkins, and also find his new weapon Brandon Marshall downfield.
Brandon Marshall gives Manning a Huge Target
The Giants and veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall agreed to a two-year/ 12 million dollar deal. Inking Marshall helps gives the Giants a big target at receiver which they haven’t had since Plaxico Burress back in 2008. Standing at 6-foot-4, Marshall helps give Manning a big target to go along with prodigy receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
While he’s coming off a down year, Marshall is just a year removed from a 1,502 yard and career high 14 touchdown season. The elite wideout is still in him.
However, while the Giants offensive line and weapons at wide receiver will be vastly improved, the biggest factor to the Giants success remains Eli Manning.
Eli Manning Will Make or Break The Giants Super Bowl Aspirations
Last year, the Giants offensive line was a train wreck; however, while Manning was impacted by that, his struggles can’t be all blamed on his line.
After a great 2015 campaign, Manning looked like a deer in headlights at times in 2016; that showed in the box score.
Manning saw a drop in a number of key stats. Throwing for just 4,027 yards, 26 touchdowns and posting a QBR of just 55 as well as an 86 RAT, Manning was not himself in 2016. Those were the lowest he’s recorded in all four categories since 2013.
At the end of the day, Manning had a bad year and he can’t duplicate his woes in the upcoming season if the Giants are going to make a deep playoff run. Manning also has no more excuses, as the currently assembled Giants roster is arguably the best it’s ever been in his tenure.
The Giants defense will be elite once more, and their offense is now star-studded and is backed by a now respectable offensive line. The pieces are all in place for Manning to succeed in 2017 and perform like his Super Bowl self. His ability to do that though is to be determined. Whether he can do so will make or break the Giants Super Bowl aspirations.