Defense

Giants gave up 40+ points five times last season. They also alienated Chief Osi Umenyiora, their best defensive player.

On the positive side, the Defensive Coordinator has been replaced, and the Defensive Captain, who seemed to miss most of his post ticker-tape parade tackles, has retired.

Offense

Let’s hope Brandon Jacobs, stays healthy, and Eli Manning does not waste another great season.

Giants were ranked near the bottom of “Red Zone Offense” — NFL’s most important offensive statistic. How did Giants, a supposedly smart organization, try to fix this?

Offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, hired his son, Kevin Gilbride, Junior, as an assistant Coach.

Special Teams

Sadly, Domenik Hixon, NFL’s second most productive kickoff returner last season, tore his ACL, and was placed on injured waivers.

Don’t Forget!

See When Are 2010-2011 NY Giants on TV? for schedules and results.

This year I made a much simpler calendar, that shows the entire season. I will add the results after each game.

My New and Improved New York Giants TV Schedules and Results

• NY Giants 2010 2011 Pre-Season TV Schedule
• NY Giants 2010 2011 Regular Season TV Schedule
• Playoffs

Unlike last week, where Giants started well before declining, Giants began poorly, and got worse.

Giants seemed prepared to lose on opening kickoff, when coaches advised Lawrence Tynes to kick ball away from rookie kick returner Percy Harvin, who had a 101 yard return against 49ers, and 88 yarder against Steelers.

Vikings started at their own 40. On opening play, Mathias Kiwanuka was penalized for neutral zone infraction, setting tone for Giants, who had more penalties than first downs. Has that ever happened?

Brett Favre hit Visanthe Shiancoe for 13, Chester Davis rushed for 10, before Giants let Percy Harvin run for 22 yards, giving Vikings first and goal. Vikings completely fooled Giants on next play, when Favre passed to Shiancoe on 8, who was never touched on his way to end zone.

Vikings gained 35 yards rushing on their first series – same as formally formidable Giants running backs gained all day. Brandon Jacobs was out with a knee injury.

Vikings led 31-0 at half. Cannot verify, but it might be first time Giants were ever down by 24 or more points at half for two games in a row.

Waiting For Next Season

Jason La Canfora, on NFL Blogs said their is a “strong chance” that some coaches will be fired this week. One common rumor is that Bill Sheridan will be replaced by Dick Jauron. Giants gave up 40 or more points five times this season! When was the last time that happened?

I also expect running backs coach Jerald Ingram and Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn to be fired.

Did Tom Coughlin hire all these geniuses?

Giants have collapsed at the end of two seasons in a row. I hope next season is different.

Update

NY Times reported that Bill Sheridan was fired; no replacement was named. Article quoted Giants President John Mara:

“We’re not making changes at the head coach or the G.M.”

The game seemed promising, just like this season, which began with five consecutive victories. Giants record is now 8-7.

Giants won the opening coin toss, and drove 56 yards to Carolina 26, where Eli Manning connected with Steve Smith in the end zone. Unfortunately, the touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty against fullback Madison Hedgecock. Worse, a 16 yard Manning pass was fumbled by Mario Manningham three plays later.

Panthers recovered the ball, and took over the game. At halftime, Carolina led 24-0, while Brandon Jacobs had gained one yard on six carries for Giants.

This game, and Thanksgiving against Denver, were the two worst games of the season. It is unbelievable that Giants could descend from a ticker tape parade to their present level in only two seasons.

What’s Next?

Giants will reach playoffs if they beat Minnesota Vikings next week, and Cowboys lose to Redskins and Eagles.

There are better odds that Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan will be replaced next season.

To reach playoffs, Giants have to win their remaining three games, and Dallas Cowboys have to lose once.

Dallas plays unbeaten New Orleans Saints in Superdome next week, travels to Redskins the following week, before ending season at home against Eagles. Tough schedule!

Giants face Redskins away, Carolina at home, before ending season at Minnesota. Hopefully, 11-2 Vikings will rest Favre and Peterson for final game.

Dangerous Offense

Eli Manning is having a great year statistically, despite the absence of Plaxico Burress, but it would be much better, if team committed less penalties. Consider that Giants are ranked fifth in total offense, but eighth in points scored.

Sadly, Giants formerly outstanding rushing attack is gone, and they rank last in “red zone offense.” I cannot recall the last time Brandon Jacobs rushed for 100 yards.

Not So Dangerous Defense

New York Giants formerly great defense, is ranked 28th out of 32 NFL teams. I expect Bill Sheridan, the former linebackers coach, who succeeded the brilliant Steve Spagnuolo as Defensive Coordinator this season, to be replaced.

In my fantasy scenario, Giants will rehire Steve Spagnuolo, who left to coach St. Louis Rams next season. Rams are 1-12, and inexplicably ranked 30th in team defense, so Spagnuolo could conceivably be fired.

But Coach Coughlin, who fired offensive coordinator John Hufnagel before the final game of the 2006 season, is not ready to replace Sheridan. After defense surrendered 45 points to Eagles, Coughlin said of Sheridan:

“I let (Sheridan) know my support for him and I also let him know that it has to be better. We have to do a better job. We are here for one reason. The inconsistency part of it is disturbing, let’s face it. Six big play passes and three big play runs, you are not going to beat anybody like that. It’s not all that. Everybody wants to say 45. It’s not 45, it’s 31. Two scores were on special teams and offense.”

What’s Next?

After winning their first five games, Giants have lost six of their last eight games, and can only improve. Unfortunately, I do not expect them to improve enough, to win their next six games, and reach the Super Bowl.

A team with a porous defense, which commits seven or eight penalties each game, and is ranked last in offense when inside opponent’s 20-yard-line, does not sound like recent New York Giants. Delegating duties is fine, but it is ultimately up to Coach Coughlin to fix this mess, so New York Giants, and their fans, can look forward to Sundays again!

To New York Giants:
I have been following Giants for many years, and last week’s game was your worst! I attended games in ‘80’s with my late wife, but have not lived in New York for many years, and can only follow your team on TV now.

I watched Denver game on Thanksgiving, with my buddy who gets NFL Network, which was needed here. He claims that I yelled too much, which upset his pets, and banned me from watching future games there until Giants improve.

Actually, I only recall renaming your team, “The Negative Giants” because you kept going backwards.

You kept going backwards by committing stupid penalties, which annoyed me, so perhaps I did yell a little. And you committed about 8 penalties, after about 7 during the previous game – which still lingered in my memory, because some genius scheduled two games in four days.

Please do me a favor and win your remaining games. My buddy is Viking fan, and I would like to watch that game with him. He will relent if you are playing better next month. He said that I am very pleasant when Giants are winning.

Besides his company, another reason I like watching games there, is his outstanding TV set. I helped him pick the set before you played in Super Bowl XLII — only 2 years ago.

Your next game with Cowboys is most critical game of season. Your previous game against them was one of the most enjoyable games I ever watched — sticking it to Dallas in new stadium, on final play, with practically every important person in Texas there, was outstanding! Please beat them again. I know you can do it.

I am sure you will win if you do not commit any penalties!

Best wishes, Mitch