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New York Giants: Week 6 Fact or Fiction Storylines

By Maurice Moton

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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What are the major storylines buzzing around the New York Giants going into Week 5? Has head coach Ben McAdoo lost the locker room?

After three consecutive losses, many concerned New York Giants fans have tough questions.

Critics feel head coach Ben McAdoo already lost his team due to the recent incidents over the past few weeks. Others direct their blame toward general manager Jerry Reese for underperforming assets on defense. The optimists view running back Rashad Jennings’ return as a key to offensive improvement.

We’ll go through each perspective for this week’s fact or fiction before digging into the Week 6 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

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Rashad Jennings’ Return Will Fix Offense: Fiction

Thus far, the running back committee featuring Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins hasn’t amounted to much on the ground. In fact, the Giants logged a season-low 43 rushing yards during Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

New York desperately needs Jennings’ veteran leadership on the field, but his 3.3 yards per carry won’t completely cure the ills on offense. The New Orleans Saints’ notoriously weak defense limited the 31-year-old running back to 27 yards on 13 carries before his injury.

To fully optimize the offense, McAdoo must throw out the conservative game plan. With three talented wideouts, the coaching staff should utilize Beckham and Sterling Shepard on quick routes, which allows quarterback Eli Manning to release the ball in a timely fashion. The passing attack will then open bigger running lanes for Jennings.

McAdoo Lost Control of Team: Fiction

After Beckham’s emotional meltdown on Monday Night Football in Week 4 and offensive tackle Ereck Flowers putting his hands on ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan, critics question McAdoo’s control over the roster.

Competitive athletes hate losing. When poor performances pile up, so do pent up frustrations. Beckham followed his latest breakdown with a more composed playing style last Sunday. According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, Flowers apologized to the ESPN reporter, and both sides seem ready to move on:

It’s too early to declare mutiny in the Giants’ locker room. As a rookie head coach, McAdoo’s authority will come into question when players fail to do the right thing. However, he inherited a roster with issues from the previous regime. With a new leader guiding the roster, those issues won’t just disappear.

The players respect McAdoo, but we should expect emotional flare-ups during tough times. Nonetheless, it’s worth monitoring the players’ behavior going forward.

Jerry Reese’s Defensive Investments are Underachieving: Fact

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins and linebacker Keenan Robinson have played well in their new uniforms. However, Reese’s defensive line acquisitions haven’t impacted the game as expected.

Through five weeks, the Giants have four total sacks. The front office re-signed Jason Pierre-Paul and inked Olivier Vernon to a five-year, $85 million deal with $52.5 million in guaranteed cash, per spotrac.com. Thus far, the supposed dynamic defensive end duo combines for two sacks.

Next: New York Giants: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Game

We can talk about quarterback pressures and hits, but Reese paid his defensive ends to put quarterbacks on the ground or force poor passes. Pierre-Paul and Vernon have struggled to complete either task consistently.

Reese signed defensive tackle Damon Harrison, who ranked as the best run stopper during the previous season per Pro Football Focus, to address the run defense. Through fives weeks, he’s a mediocre run defender, grading a 78.2, per Pro Football Focus.

Furthermore, the Giants allowed 100-plus rushing yards in the previous two games. New York can’t afford to surrender chunk yardage on the ground with several injuries affecting the pass defense. Reese’s revamped defense currently ranks No. 17 in yards allowed.

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