The New York Giants are, historically, a good team. They are only one of six teams in the NFL to have four Super Bowls wins on their resume out of five appearances.  So, how did we get here? Of late, the Giants have been branded as “bottomfeeders,” laughing stock, and a disgrace.

“...A tenure defined by equal measures of defiance, arrogance, humor, and one-of-a-kind one liners --- all in his Boston accent,” Zach Rosenblatt, a writer for NJ.com said.

The past few years have seen some questionable decisions off the field from Giants management, especially from general manager Dave Gettleman, including the selection of offensive tackle Andrew Thomas in the 2020 draft.  Here, we will take a look at how and why the Giants fell off the scale of success.

The Barkley Conundrum

The Dave Gettleman era officially began on Dec. 29, 2017, two days before the Giants closed out their 3-13 2017 season with an 18-10 win over the Washington Redskins.  Gettleman was set up right from the start as the Giants 3-13 record awarded Gettleman with the #2 overall pick in the draft.  Then, with the Giants first round choice in the 2018 NFL draft, Gettleman selected running back Saquon Barkley from Penn State, which led to a wide variety of takes, some praising the move, but also some raising some eyebrows.

“The big question was whether they would take Sam Darnold or Saquon Barkley, but I can’t fault the Giants for picking Saquon, even though Sam Darnold looks really good now,” said Richard Nelke, a Fair Lawn resident, Giants season ticket holder, and fan since 1983.  “I would give the pick an A-.”

The issue with Barkley that has come up throughout his Giants’ career has been the dreaded injury bug, suffering a high ankle sprain in 2019, which largely derailed his whole season, as well as tearing his ACL and MCL in the second week of the 2020 season.  Now, quickly into the 2021 season, he has gone out with a low ankle sprain, which will cause him to miss time.

“The Giants are about to experience Life Without Saquon Barkley, Part 3,” said Ryan Dunleavy, of the New York Post.

The Solder Situation

Prior to the Saquon Barkley selection, Gettleman gave left tackle Nate Solder the richest offensive line contract of all-time - 4 years, $62 million -  to be a stalwart centerpiece on their O-Line.  However, he has not lived up to the big contract.  Just one example of this is that he has allowed the ninth most pressures in the league at his position through the first five weeks of the 2021 season.

“Solder was a terrible signing at the beginning,” said a Fair Lawn High School sophomore. “He’s too old and there was a reason that the Patriots didn’t want him back.”

New Coach, No Success

As Gettleman continued building his team for the 2018 season, he hired Pat Shurmur to lead his team into battle, but most of those battles were losses, for, in two years, Shurmur went 9-23 as head coach. 

“He had one prior head coaching job with Cleveland and that did not go well,” Nelke said.  “He was a good offensive coordinator, but not every good offensive coordinator makes a good head coach, which has been proven time and time again.”

The OBJ Fiasco

Big changes were made following a disappointing 5-11 2018 season, as Giants star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was dealt to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Jabrill Peppers, in addition to a 2019 1st round pick, Dexter Lawrence, and a 3rd round pick, Oshane Ximines.  This became a controversial topic in the hands of Giants fans. Some were upset regarding the Giants trading, arguably, their best playmaker during a time in which the Giants’ offense was rebuilding.

“If I was Gettleman, I never would have traded OBJ. He was our only playmaker until we drafted Saquon Barkley, and they were a deadly duo,” said an FLHS freshman. “Teams would have to worry about the deep shot with Odell and then also be able to guard the run with Barkley.”

Others, though, were relieved that they would not have to worry about all of his on-and-off the field antics anymore.

“Some inside the building feel a sense of relief that the superstar receiver will no longer bring unwanted attention to a franchise that did not necessarily grow sick of him, but grew increasingly exhausted trying to keep up with the issues and notoriety that clung to him…” said Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

Danny Dimes or Danny Demise?

Another big offseason move of Gettleman’s took place at the 2019 draft, in which he selected quarterback Daniel Jones from Duke with the number six overall pick, to the dismay of many fans.  Jones struggled through his first two years, but in the current 2021 season, he has gotten off to a fast start. 2021 is shaping up to be his “prove-it” year.

“I think that the Giants should give Jones one last chance. He never had weapons to throw to for the first two years of his career. Signing Golladay and getting a healthy Barkley should help him play much better,” said an FLHS freshman.

What’s Going on Garrett?

A reasonable explanation for Jones not reaching his full potential could be derived from offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who in his first season in 2020, had the 31st ranked offense, according to GMEN HQ. 

“He’s proven that his offenses and his decision-making are not that of a winner.  Just watching his play calls on a game-to-game, play-to-play basis makes you scratch your head,” said Richard Nelke.  “I think Jason Garrett, as an offensive coordinator and play caller, is holding Daniel Jones back.” 

The Line Could Use Some Help, Dave 

In an attempt to build up the surrounding cast around Daniel Jones, Dave Gettleman made a big free agent splash by signing wide receiver Kenny Golladay and giving him a four year, $72 million contract. Then, at the 2021 draft, he traded down from the #11 spot with the Bears, got back the #20 overall pick, along with a 5th round pick and a 2022 first and fourth round pick.  With that trade though, Gettleman elected to pass on other skill positions the Giants were in need of. 

“If I were the Giants, I would have stayed at 11 and drafted Rashawn Slator [Slater],” a FLHS freshman said.  “Our weakest point was the O line and instead we traded back for a receiver when we had just signed 2 in free agency. Slator [Slater] definitely would have helped the line and Jones for the run and pass.” 

Only Time Will Tell…

With Gettleman’s decisions now all out in the open, it remains to be seen how it all lands, both for him and the Giants in the near future.

“We’re all on the hot seat, with our fans in particular,” John Mara, co-owner of the Giants, said in his summer State of the Giants address.  “We’ve given them too many losing seasons.  It’s time for us to start winning.”

Thumbnail Credit: The New York Times

Banner Credit: Yahoo! Sports