Studs And Duds: Who Is To Blame For The Giants' 3-4 Record?
By Curt Macysyn
After two straight non-playoff seasons, the New York Giants went on an off season shopping spree during free agency as part of a roster overhaul that brought in 23 new faces. The results in 2014 have only been marginally better than they were in 2013, and because of the play of the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, Big Blue's playoffs hopes are in a worse place this year than they were last season. As we near the halfway point of the season, fans who think that stock-piling free agents represents the quickest way back to relevance, should take note of the players who populate this list and how each was acquired.
STUD: Jason Pierre-Paul
The fourth year defensive end's statistics do not tell the entire story here. In seven games, Pierre-Paul has 3.5 sacks to his credit, which by any measure is not earth shattering. But a deeper dive gives greater insight into the season JPP is having to-date. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Pierre-Paul has played 402 snaps this season on defense, which ranks third at the defensive end position in the NFL. That statistics shows that he has put his injury-plagued season of a year ago in the rearview mirror. Pierre-Paul once again dominates his position. "For the second time in three weeks we saw Jason Pierre-Paul make life utterly miserable for an opposing offensive tackle and this week it was Tyron Smith who felt his wrath. A force against the run, he added two sacks, a hit and a hurry to round his day out nicely," according to Gordon McGuinness of PFF, who handed JPP a +(7.9) grade for last week.
DUD: Walter Thurmond II
Much was made when Thurmond signed a one-year, $3 million contract with New York in the off season, but clearly there was more sizzle than steak. Thurmond played only two games before getting injured (pectoral muscle) and being placed on season-ending injured reserve. The former member of the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom secondary, Thurmond was below average statistically according to Pro Football Focus. Thurmond was given an overall -(0.5) grade for the season, with an unsightly -(0.8) for his work in the season opener against the Detroit Lions. Keep in mind that a 0.0 grade amounts an average game, and you see that the G-men got very little bang for their buck with Thurmond. Given the injury and lack of productivity, it would be curious move to bring Thurmond back next season, but never say never in Giant-land.
STUD: Eli Manning
The veteran Giants' signal Caller is having a bounce-back year, unfortunately he gets little help from his supporting cast. After a shaky start to the season, four interceptions in the first two Giants' games, Manning has thrown only one interception in his last five games. In fact the interception in question, against the Washington Redskins in week four, actually should have been a touchdown, but Rueben Randle did not secure the pass. With 14 touchdown passes and five interceptions on the season, no one should lay the blame at Manning's feet for this disappointing season. The only unproductive game that Manning had this season, against the Philadelphia Eagles, was a - (4.4) according to Pro Football Focus, which was more a result of terrible offensive line play that anything else. In addition, Manning's 65 percent completion percentage could be higher with some help for his receiving corps holding onto passes. No matter what challenge gets placed in front of Manning, he never complains, and he never throws a teammate under the bus.
DUD: Jon Beason
Say what you want about the Giants' defense playing better upon Beason's arrival last season, the fact remains that the three-year, $17 million contract he was signed to last off season was a gamble. At this point, it appears that the Giants have lost that bet, as Beason looks headed for injured reserve after playing just 162 snaps this season. "Beason received a $4.4 million signing bonus and has his entire 2014 base salary guaranteed and $900,000 of his 2015 base salary fully guaranteed," according to OverTheCap.com, so it seems that most of the salary damage comes this year thankfully. When Beason is healthy, he has been graded at a - (4.7) by Pro Football Focus. His replacement, Jameel McClain signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with on $600,000 guaranteed. McClain has been given an overall - (1.6) grade by PFF, but he has graded positively in the past two games against the Eagles and Cowboys.
STUD: Johnathan Hankins
When former New York Giant Linval Joseph signed a big money contract with the Minnesota Vikings this past off season, many in Giants Nation were concerned over how to replace Joseph in the line-up. Fortunately, former understudy Johnathan Hankins has stepped in admirably. The second-year player from Ohio State is rated as a fourth overall nose tackle/defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus with a +(14.8) grade this season. If that does not wow you, consider that Hankins ranks ahead of Ndmaukong Suh, Star Lotulelei and Sharrif Floyd at the position. Big Hank iced away the win against the Atlanta Falcons with a big sack against Matt Ryan, and he ranks second on the squad with 2.5 sacks.
DUD: John Jerry
One of general manager Jerry Reese's bargain basement pickups, Jerry won the starting right guard spot after Brandon Mosley got hurt in the preseason. Things started out shaky for Jerry against the Detroit Lions, as it did for the entire offensive line, but he seemed to have righted the ship against the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins. Since then, hwoever, Jerry has come up small, with subpar efforts against the Falcons, Eagles and Cowboys, where he has really struggled in run blocking. Overall, Jerry has been given a - (4.3) grade by Pro Football Focus, good for 50th among guards in the NFL. With the impending arrival of Geoff Scwartz from short term injured reserve, Jerry better pick up his play, or he may be relegated to reserve status.
Honorable Mentions:
STUDS: Prince Amukamara, Steve Weatherford
DUDS: Mathias Kiwanuka, Stevie Brown
For more Giants news and updates, visit Giants Central.
Curt Macysyn has been covering the New York Football Giants for the past two seasons for Examiner.com. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Curt has followed and covered the New York Metropolitan sports scene for 35 years. He attended Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, NJ and is a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. His work can be found on aExaminer.com.
