New York Giants: 5 Things That Would Keep Them From The Playoffs
Jun 16, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin watches minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015 season could be a make or break one for the New York Giants. They will be learning a new defensive scheme, overhauling that side of the ball much like they did to the offense heading into the 2014 season. They have missed the playoffs every season since defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, missing it the last three seasons. The last two seasons have been especially excruciating, as they went 7-9 and 6-10.
Because of that, there have been rumblings that head coach Tom Coughlin could be on the hot seat if the Giants struggle once again. Along with him, this could be the end of an era as the Giants could elect to also move on from quarterback Eli Manning, who is playing out the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
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For any of that to come to fruition, it would mean that the Giants struggled once again in 2015. While the rest of the teams in the NFC East look to have regressed a bit closer to the Giants, the Giants still have plenty of question marks of their own to answer. If they are unable to figure out some of them, it could be yet another long season in East Rutherford with an even bigger overhaul coming.
Here are five things that could keep the Giants from making the playoffs in 2015 and potentially changing the course of the franchise, ending an era and beginning a new one.
Safety Concerns
Jun 16, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) participates in practice during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants are taking a huge risk entering minicamp and summer with what they have at their disposal at the safety position. After having veteran and leader Antrel Rolle back there for the past five seasons, the Giants safeties currently on the roster do not have that much experienced combined.
Right now, the Giants seem ready to rely on second year Nat Berhe and rookie second round pick Landon Collins as the starters. Expect third-year player Cooper Taylor to also find some opportunities, as well as rookie fifth-round pick Mykelle Thompson, who is also expected to have an impact on special teams. Josh Gordy is the only player the Giants currently have with any real NFL experience at safety, but he has been playing some at slot corner as the Giants also have a decision to make there.
As the last line of defense, the Giants are sorely lacking at safety. They will more than likely be forced to mix-and-match their way through unless someone can break away from the pack and earn playing time. The Giants are coming off a season in which they were the worst at defending the run in the NFL, and with the inexperience they have at safety, the problems could persist. Stopping the run is a team thing, but having a safety that knows how to play the run, take angles and lead the defense is something the Giants will be without.
If they are unable to find a solid pairing during the summer, or a youngster like Collins struggles in the early going, the Giants defense could become leaky.
Next: Continued Injury Woes