The Giants' season ended Sunday with a 33-14 defeat at Baltimore, a week after being shut out 34-0 in Atlanta. They are technically not eliminated from the postseason, but there is no point in entertaining any of those scenarios.
Now the first question that has to arise is: Why should anyone care about this team, after what they have done the past two weeks? Well, it's for the same reason a child typically feels worst when they get the following reaction from a parent - I'm not angry at them...I'm disappointed in them. Because they were capable of so much better. And it's not just that they lost; it's the lack of effort that I found downright disturbing.
This is by and large the same team that only 11 months ago ran roughshod through the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons, and 15-1 Packers, then beat San Francisco in their own building in weather conditions laid out perfectly for the 49ers, en route to a second thrilling Super Bowl victory in five seasons. And between then and now, they showed flashes of this unmatchable level of play, beating the 49ers 26-3, again on the road, and beating the Packers 38-10 at home - with both teams out for revenge.
So what happened? Let's take a big picture look at the smoldering wreckage.
Firstly, in general it is human nature to be satisfied with what you have done. There is a reason that in this era of parity, no non-cheating team has won back-to-back Super Bowls since 1999. Teams that remain hungry after reaching the top of the moutain, are the exception rather than the rule.
These Giants spent much of the offseason enjoying parades, banquets, and being told how great they are. That has to have an effect. What GM Jerry Reese has to do this offseason then, is find hungry players to replace the dead wood on this roster. And that brings me to the next aspect of what went wrong.
When you win a championship, there is a tendency to think all was/is perfect, and not tinker with your roster in ways that you may have, had you not won the championship. It's a feeling of, "Hey, what could be wrong with Player X, he was part of a team that won it all!"
So, now that Reese is no longer beholden to loyalty to players coming off of a Super Bowl, here is my list of who needs to go. I will try my best to be objective here; after a two-game stretch like the Giants just had, the urge is to say, "Fire everyone." But I am considering contracts and possible replacements here.
Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride - If I see one more shotgun draw on 3rd down in my life, it will be too soon. It has become obvious over the second half of this season, starting with the Dallas game from which the Giants narrowly escaped in Week 8, that opposing coordinators have Gilbride's offense figured out. And Gilbride is not imaginitive enough to adjust. Eli Manning and Gilbride have a good relationship and have reached great heights together, but Manning has clearly plateaud under Gilbride and a new leader is necessary. Ideally this would be Norv Turner. A failed Head Coach but a known QB guru, Turner is likely to be fired in San Diego and I don't see him being offered another head coaching job.
Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell. Like GIlbride, also woefully outmatched and unable to adjust. The Giants' personnel does not fit his scheme - a scheme described as "read and react," but as was pointed out by legendary NJ.com commenter Carbo, it would more accurately be called "stand and watch" - and last year's Super Bowl was won in spite of him, not because of him. Fewell was just along for the ride, but it's time to cut him loose. As for his replacement, I'd see if former Giants' DC Steve Spagnuolo becomes available. Spags helped shut down the most prolific offense in NFL history in Super Bowl XLII, and is currently the DC for the Saints.
CB Corey Webster - A horrible game yesterday, after a subpar season. Being toasted by Joe Flacco is all the evidence you need, that he can't cover anymore. Side note on Flacco, I told my wife Tuesday as we were watching last Sunday's tape of the NFL Matchup show (the only ESPN show I watch), that although Flacco is one of the worst QBs in the league, the Giants will make him look like best. They did exactly that.
DE Justin Tuck - Did he even play this year? No way the Giants should give a new, lucrative contract to the mopey defensive captain. Thanks for your play in both Super Bowls Justin, but you either don't have the heart anymore, or cannot overcome nagging injuries
.
T David Diehl - A human turnstyle. Eventually he will get Manning killed.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw - A fiery player on both championship teams, but his body is broken. It's David Wilson's time now. It's hard to imagine Bradshaw is finished at 27, but this is the Circle of Running Back Life.
MLB Mark Herzlich - A great story as a man who has overcome bone cancer, but he can't play linebacker on an NFL level. When Chase Blackburn is out of the game - and Blackburn himself is closer to the end than the beginning so it is time to look for his replacement - the Giants are gashed up the middle as Herzlich is slow to attack the hole, and is pushed 5-10 yards backwards.
DT Marvin Austin - At least try to look disappointed when carted off the field. A 2nd round bust.
WR Ramses Barden - A 3rd round bust. It speaks volumes that in spite of being 6'6", Barden was a healthy inactive for 4 games this season. He had all of 14 receptions this year, and 10 came in the Carolina game when Manning had no one else to throw to.
Finally, on Tom Coughlin, I am not calling for him to resign, but I am also ready for what's next for the Giants. It would be unfair to make the sort of sweeping conclusion that he has lost the team, but I don't see the same success the next 4 years with Coughlin as we saw in the previous five. Although, Coughlin has earned the right to coach at least one more season on his terms no matter what.
