Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Giants: Analyzing Jerry Reese’s Tenure as General Manager

By Nikhil Potpally

Jan 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; General manager Jerry Reese and new head coach Ben McAdoo shake hands during a New York Giants press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; General manager Jerry Reese and new head coach Ben McAdoo shake hands during a New York Giants press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next

2012

Oct 6, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) does a back flip after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) does a back flip after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Selections:

David Wilson, RB

Rueben Randle, WR

Jayron Hosley, CB

Adrien Robinson, TE

Brandon Mosley, OT

Matt McCants, OT

Markus Kuhn, DT

Notable Free Agency Additions:

Martellus Bennett, TE

Will Hill, S

Notable Free Agency Losses:

Mario Manningham, WR

Aaron Ross, CB

Notable Trades:

5th-round pick (2013) to Bengals for Keith Rivers, LB

Missed Opportunities:

T.Y. Hilton (draft)

Josh Norman (draft)

Bobby Wagner (draft)

Justin Tucker (undrafted)

Vincent Jackson (free agent)

Record: 9-7

Postseason: Did not qualify

Analysis:

2012 was a difficult draft to judge, because Wilson’s football career ended prematurely. His speed and pure athletic ability was what drove Reese to select him after fan-choice Doug Martin was taken one pick earlier. He fumbled on his second NFL carry, but showed flashes of his potential until he retired in 2013. Without injuries, he could’ve developed into a speed back and great returner.

The other selections are fairly easy to judge. Randle had the ability, but his poor route running and lack of effort derailed his career. Robinson, the “JPP of tight-ends”, was Reese’s project that failed. Kuhn was the one player from this draft class who managed to stay on the team the longest, but he was never a sack machine.

Reese’s free agent signing were interesting, to say the least. Bennett was in the shadows of Jason Witten in Dallas, but was given an opportunity to showcase his talent with the Giants. He burst onto the scene with 55 receptions for 626 yards and 5 touchdowns, while providing excellent blocking ability. He parlayed that performance into a bigger contract following the season, but for 2012, gave Eli Manning a reliable weapon. Hill was a troubled player who was given a chance with the Giants, and impressed many with his play. While on the field, he performed well.

As for missed opportunities, Norman was a late-bloomer, but he was available up until the middle rounds of the draft. The best kicker currently in the NFL, Tucker, went undrafted. Vincent Jackson was also available in free agency, and could’ve replaced the declining Hakeem Nicks or the leaving Manningham.

Offseason Grade: D

Home/New York Giants