Giants: Optimist’s guide to second half of 2019 season

Offense

The New York Giants offense has sputtered all season. They rank 24th in the league with 333.8 yards per game. Big Blue quarterbacks have been sacked an eight most 23 times. Additionally, they have turned the ball over 19 times (10 fumbles and nine interceptions). So far the G-Men haven’t done much to inspire confidence in their offense. Yet there is cause to be optimistic.

To this point, the running game has been mid pack, averaging 102.4 yards per game. They were able to pull off that production despite star running back Saquon Barkley missing three games with a high ankle sprain. The thing to note here is that Barkley has come within a whisker of breaking some big runs. A slip here and a trip up there has cost him. Instead of 534 combined rushing and receiving yards so far, with a break or two, he could have well over 600 in the five games he’s played.

Everyone knew that losing OBJ was going to put a crimp in the passing game. Golden Tate was signed to replace Beckham when the latter was traded to Cleveland prior the draft. Unfortuanately Tate missed the first four games due to a violation of the NFL’s banned substance policy. Sterling Shepard, when he’s played, has been quite good, averaging almost six receptions a game. The wideout has missed the past three games due to concussions.

Times are changing. Shepard has cleared concussion protocol and will be back Monday night. Tate has been developing good chemisty with Jones. Rookie Darius Slayton has proven to be a reliable receiver who can be a deep threat. Tight end Evan Engran has drawn double teams all season, but is quite dangerous one-on-one. With the receiving core as a whole improving as well as the return of Shepard, it will be hard for opposing defenses to pick a target they want to double.

Danny Dimes has proven he can throw the ball into tight windows. With more weapons at his disposal going forward, he can make some big plays. If Jones has learned anything from the past six weeks is that he must be more decisive in the pocket. He has been hit way too much and it’s not all his line’s fault. Hanging back and taking a sack, or worse a strip sack, doesn’t cut it. Count on seeing him run out of trouble more often.

Put an improved passing game with an emerging run game that has been a break or two away from inflicting serious damage, and there is cause for hope. Then there is the offensive line that is still gelling but has plenty of talent. The key is Daniel Jones maturation, which there is good reason to believe will continue to happen.

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