Giants: Optimist’s guide to second half of 2019 season
By Ed Stein
The first eight games of the New York Giants 2019 season is in the books. So far Big Blue is 2-6. Here is an optimistic look at the final eight games.
It’s been an eventful first half to the 2019 season for the New York Giants. Their leading rusher missed a few games, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones took over for franchise legend Eli Manning, and the offense without receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has struggled. Rebuilding on the fly hasn’t been as easy as GM Dave Gettleman thought it would be.
That’s all history. The second half of the season begins Monday night at home against Dallas. This is when the New York Giants can start building their future. As a matter of fact, that future could come sooner than anyone thinks. It doesn’t matter that NFL.com predicts that Big Blue will finish with only five wins this year. There is cause for optimism and here is why.
Defense
It may not seem like it by the 30 points a game they have given up in the previous four, but the New York Giants defense has shown improvement. They have given up fewer first downs and create more turnovers than they did early on. Their problem is that they have been getting worn out. Over the last three games they have spent the eighth most time, almost 33 minutes a game, on the field.
Adding Leonard Williams to the defensive line mix will greatly improve the front seven. He can make tackles, which has been an issue, as well as becoming a mentor to rookie Dexter Lawrence. Middle linebacker has been a revolving door due to injuries. The team added former Cardinals first-round pick Deone Bucannon this week to play with Alec Ogletree in the middle. Bucannon should be a great addition to the Giants in zone coverage.
The secondary has been a work in progress. At the beginning of the season, they were getting beaten early and often. Aside from one game, cornerback Janoris Jenkis has been outstanding. His opposite corner, DeAndre Baker finally looks like he is starting to adjust to the increased speed of the NFL game over what he saw in college.
Heralded rookie cornerback Sam Beal, who missed the first 24 games of his career with various injuries is set to make his debut on Monday. Safeties Jabrill Peppers and Antoine Bethea are starting to come around. The New York Giants nickel package will undoubtedly be much better going forward. The days of allowing 30 points per game to their opponents is about to end.