THE WORK NEVER ENDS
As offseason begins, five pressing issues for Big Blue and Reese
The Giants’ season did not end when and how they wanted it to, losing to the Packers in an NFC wild-card playoff game after an 11-5 season. After five years, the Giants made it back to the postseason, but lasted only one game. Here are f ive pressing issues as this season becomes the offseason:
ELI’S HEIR
The Giants still believe in Eli Manning, but, at 36 years old, they know there is more behind him than there is in front of him.
“I think he is probably on the back nine, but I don’t think that is ancient for a quarterback,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said.
Manning was the trigger man of an offense that regressed badly in 2016 and his numbers were down across the board. Who comes next has to be in the back of the minds of those who assemble the roster. Ryan Nassib, the backup the past four years, is a free agent coming off elbow surgery and not expected back.
“Eli is 36, and we have started to think about who is the next quarterback, and who is in line,’’ Reese said.
BREAKING UP THE FAB FOUR
There was a two-game stretch when Jason Pierre-Paul had 5. 5 sacks and the defensive line was playing at a torrid pace, with Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, Johnathan Hankins and Pierre-Paul providing versa tility and dominance. Hankins and JPP are free agents, and keeping both of them will be quite a challenge.
The signing spree last offseason reeled in Vernon (f ive years, $85 million) and Harrison (f ive years, $46.25 million) and there is a limit to what the Giants can spend on one unit. The Giants can slap the franchise tag once again on Pierre-Paul, but financially it does not make much sense, and he says he won’t sign it.
Reese faced this dilemma after 2013 and did not ante up for defensive tackle Linval Joseph, who signed with the Vikings. Hankins will not be in as much demand as Joseph was, but he is a quality interior lineman and will get offers. Asked if he can sign both JPP and Hankins, Reese said, “I think so.’’
WILTED FLOWERS
The quickest way to raise the ire of many Giants fans is to bring up the offensive line in general and Ereck Flowers in particular. The second-year left tackle has not developed and, as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, far more was expected. His technique and hand placement is lacking for a left tackle and most scouts projected him as a right tackle in the NFL. He rang up 13 penalties in 2016 — eight holding calls, four false starts, one facemask.
The Giants must swallow their pride, admit their mistake, move Flowers to right tackle and either draft a left tackle or sign one in free agency.
“Still a young player, but it is time for him to show us the fruits of being a first-round draft pick, and I still think he has a chance to do that,’’ Reese said. “We will evaluate that. Is he the left tackle? Should he be in a different position?’’
COACH THYSELF
Ben McAdoo, in his final address to his players on Monday, spoke of appreciation. “They bought into a rookie head coach and I thanked them for that,’’ he said. The Giants finished 11-5 after backto-back 6-10 seasons and Reese said McAdoo “has done a really nice job for us as a first-year headed coach, how he handled himself and how he handled the team.’’ It was a successful, but unusual head-coaching debut for McAdoo. His command of the team was unquestioned, but he is an offensive guy and his offense was the team’s weak link. The Giants failed to score mo r e than 19 points in any of their last six games and Reese admitted, “I think it’s a little bit of a mystery about that.’’ Perhaps McAdoo in year No. 2 will give up the play-calling.
WILL CRUZ RETURN?
If the production does not match the price tag, trouble follows. Victor Cruz succeeded in his comeback from injuries that cost him nearly two full seasons, but as the No. 3 receiver his numbers (39 receptions for 586 yards and one touchdown) were substandard. Perhaps another year removed from the physical issues will make him even stronger.
He is 30, though, and is on the books for $6.4 million in 2017. That is not feasible. Cutting him saves $7.5 million on the salary cap. A difficult decision awaits the Giants. “Staying healthy is obviously encouraging ,’’ McAdoo said. “We’ ll sit down, we’ll have discussions with Victor like we do with all of our players. I’m confident in Victor.’’