The Giants made a lot of fireworks in the first year under general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll, but how can they make even more in 2023? We discuss in this week's Cover 4.
John Schmeelk: For the Giants to create more fireworks and make the playoffs, their offense needs to create more explosive plays. The Giants need to score more touchdowns if they want to return to the playoffs and advance deeper than they did in 2022, and you do that by making big plays through the air.
The Giants ranked 16th in points per game last season and 18th in yards per game, but the former was a bit inflated thanks to a 63% red-zone touchdown rate, which was seventh-best in the league. Those small sample stats can often be difficult to replicate from year to year. The Giants would put themselves in a better position if they created more scores from outside the red zone via the pass game.
The Giants had only 28 pass plays go for more than 20 yards last season. The Eagles had more than twice as many with 63 and Dallas had 22 more with 50, just to use two teams in the division as an example. It is hard to score consistently on long drives that leave more opportunities for a turnover or the defense to make a stop. Big plays are a necessity. Big plays also make scoring at the end of games and halves a lot easier.
The front office added speed at the wide receiver position to help facilitate those plays. The offensive line has to protect to allow longer downfield plays develop, such as deep over routes, double-moves, and post-corners. Daniel Jones needs to increase his average depth of target a bit more. Put all those together and there will be plenty of fireworks at MetLife Stadium this fall.
Dan Salomone: Look no further than No. 8. For the first time since he was drafted in 2019 as Eli Manning's heir apparent, Daniel Jones will begin a season as the unquestioned franchise quarterback and leader of the team. With the help of coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who brought their magic from Buffalo and Kansas City, respectively, Jones put together the best season of his career. But just like the team, Jones will try to do the hardest thing in the NFL – sustain success. The first year of the Schoen-Daboll era was a resounding success, but they have a growth mindset. In order for them to take the next step, Jones will have to do the same.
Get excited for the 2023 season with photos from Media Day at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
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WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
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WR Wan'Dale Robinson (17)
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LB Jihad Ward (55)
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WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
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S Xavier McKinney (29)
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WR Jaydon Mickens (88)
OL Evan Neal (73)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
OL Evan Neal (73)
OL Mark Glowinski (64)
WR Makai Polk (87)
OL Evan Neal (73)
RB Matt Breida (31)
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LB Carter Coughlin (52)
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TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
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LB Cam Brown (47)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
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TE Lawrence Cager (83)
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LB Elerson Smith (94)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
LB Elerson Smith (94)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
WR Jeff Smith II (19)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
DB Nick McCloud (44)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
TE Daniel Bellinger (82)
OL Ben Bredeson (68)
OL Ben Bredeson (68)
OL Ben Bredeson (68)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
RB Gary Brightwell (23)
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LB Micah McFadden (41)
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DL Vernon Butler (96)
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LB Oshane Ximines (53)
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OT Andrew Thomas (78)
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OT Andrew Thomas (78)
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DB Aaron Robinson (33)
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RB Eric Gray (20-O)
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DB Leonard Johnson (35)
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OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
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OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr (61)
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LB Elerson Smith (94)
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TE Lawrence Cager (83)
LS Casey Kreiter (59)
TE Lawrence Cager (83)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
K Graham Gano (9)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
DE Ryder Anderson (90)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
DB Deonte Banks (36)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
WR Jalin Hyatt (84)
DB Tre Hawkins III (37)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
LB Jihad Ward (55)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
DL Dexter Lawrence II (97)
WR Parris Campbell (0)
TE Darren Waller (12)
S Xavier McKinney (29)