We asked New York Giants expert Curt Macysyn, editor of GMEN HQ, for the latest insights into the Giants and how the Chiefs stack up.
The Kansas City Chiefs return from the bye week to start the second half of their regular season schedule—or the last 7 games—and they have had a couple weeks to rest up before playing the single worst team on their schedule so far: the New York Giants. Eli Manning and company are no longer in any race, unless you count the one for the first overall selection in the NFL Draft. Most recently they even lost to the San Francisco 49ers, giving rookie coach Kyle Shanahan his first career win.
As the teams prepare to face each other, we reached out to our friends at GMEN HQ and specifically site editor Curt Macysyn to ask him about the Giants chances at this point and how much longer we can expect to see head coach Ben McAdoo and quarterback Eli Manning in place.
At this point, do you think the Giants have it in them to rally for their coach and push back against the current losing streak and fractured locker room?
Based on the results of games against the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, the short answer is no. Ben McAdoo has not been around long enough to have garnered any real player capital. He was too protective of them as he developed his own head coaching persona, and when the losing started, the players were not accountable. With so many free agents populating the roster, Jerry Reese has put together a collection of players, and not really a team. At the end of the day, there’s no glue keeping these guys together, like when Tom Coughlin was around.
Do you think there’s a point the Giants will see what they have in Davis Webb this season?
This is a very tough question. I suppose if the coaching staff believes he deserves some real game repetitions, then it may happen. In reality, Webb does not give the G-Men a better chance at winning than Eli Manning does, however. And you play to win the game, right? At this point, Webb is not even the back-up, so a lot would have to change before this becomes a consideration.
What are Giants fans thinking at this point? Are they hoping to tank for the top pick? Hoping to save face and enjoy a bit of this season?
Giants fans aren’t talking about much except getting rid of head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese. I think we are all watching the games, so we can find another reason to complain on Monday. Generally, I don’t think much attention will be paid to the future until we see a new coach and a new general manager. To be sure, the fans’ anger is acute, and with seven games left on the schedule, they haven’t wrapped their heads around the rebuild yet.
How much longer will McAdoo be employed as a Giant?
Team co-owner John Mara released a statement on Monday that supported McAdoo and indicated he would serve out the remainder of the season. It would be very difficult to see him or general manager Jerry Reese return in 2018 though.
How much longer will Eli Manning be employed as a Giant?
I would hope that he retires as a New York Giant, but that may not be the case. I believe the fans appreciate Manning more so than many of those within the organization. Earlier this season, the head coach threw Manning under the bus about a delay of game penalty in the Detroit Lions game. The general manager has consistently taken shots at him on the few occasions when Jerry Reese actually speaks with the media. The fact of the matter is that Manning has showed up and played for this franchise for 14 seasons, he faces the media after every game and he remains a good teammate. And Tom Brady would not be effective behind this offensive line.
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If the Giants win on Sunday, it will likely be because…?
The Kansas City Chiefs forgot what time the game started. Honestly, the Giants are not just dealing with injuries, or a string of bad luck. To be clear, this is an organization-wide failure. The roster has major holes, and it seems like the coaching staff cannot figure out an identity that works for them.
If the team shows up, a very big if, then it would be the same formula that beat Denver: run the ball effectively and capitalize on turnovers. The problem is that I would much rather face Trevor Siemian than Alex Smith. Smith’s mobility will cause problems for the Giants, and bet the ranch that Travis Kelce will catch a touchdown pass. Big Blue has given up a touchdown to a tight end in nine (count them) straight games!