New York Giants countdown to camp: QB’s best and worse case scenarios
By Ed Stein
Best Case Scenario
Gettleman has said repeatedly that the Giants will follow the Green Bay plan with Daniel Jones. The rookie QB’s primary job this year is to learn from the master. For all intents and purposes, Jones is in a master’s class of quarterbacking. He should see regular-season action rarely at best.
This means that Manning finally gets the type of pocket protection he hasn’t had for several years. Instead of ending plays on his back or scrambling for his life, Eli can stand in there and make plays. More importantly, he remains injury-free, playing in all 16 regular-season games.
Manning is able to offset pressure by relying on the Saquon Barkley and the run game to avoid third and long situations. When he does pass, there are reliable options. Tight end Evan Engram is the best receiver the team has and he finally steps up to the next level and dominates over slower linebackers and smaller safeties.
Additionally, the receivers find a way to get separation from the cornerbacks covering them. In recent years, Manning has found it more difficult to hit his receivers in stride. Also, his completion percentage of passes 20 yards or more downfield was under 40 percent in 2018. That part of his game improves which opens up the field, forcing opposing safeties to worry about the passing game and not stacking the box against Barkley.
The New York Giants don’t have a very talented roster. They are a long shot to make the postseason. If the team can stay within striking distance of a playoff spot for 10 games or so, it will keep the focus on Manning and both fans and media won’t be clamoring for a change.
In this scenario, if Jones does play, it’s at the positive end of blowouts for a few series during the fourth quarter. Maybe he starts game 16 if the G-Men are out of contention.
One more quick note under the best case. The Giants are able to stash Dungey on the practice squad all season. He begins to develop into the Taysom Hill clone they envisioned and he can be a solid contributor in 2020.