THE STORYLINE:
The slow death march is finally coming to an end. And as much as I should be looking forward to the next chapter in the 102-year history of the New York Giants, I feel an overwhelming sense of apathy mixed with foreboding. I’ve got New York Giants PTSD and can’t seem to shake it.
This is what we know and don’t know:
– No one except for BBI and Inside BBI are talking about the health status of team CEO/President John Mara. The silence is deafening. The team, national reporters, and local reporters are completely ignoring the subject. As far as I know, John hasn’t been seen publicly since he was given a game ball on October 9th for his ongoing battle with cancer. Rumors have circulated that he is not expected to live. You may say that this is a private matter and it is none of our business, but we have no idea who is calling the shots right now for a multi-billion business entering one of its most critical offseasons in its history. This is a big, big deal and no one is addressing it other than us. Who will step up the podium when the season is over? John? His oldest sibling Susan? The next oldest son, Chris? Both are board directors. Does Steve Tisch step in as the public face? Who actually fired Brian Daboll and who will fire Mike Kafka? Who will hire the next coach? To be frank, it’s ridiculous that we don’t know this.
– Does Joe Schoen return as general manager? The rumors are that he will be retained, at least until after the draft. This despite horrible results in the last three year and an embarrassing press conference in early December. Why? There are four reasons I can think of: (1) there is too much instability with the rest of the team now, (2) the team has invested a lot of time, money, and energy in Schoen’s new infrastructure, (3) Chris Mara and Tim McDonnell are comfortable with him and/or view him simply as a good errand boy, and (4) he knows too much in terms of who the Giants are high on in the upcoming draft and they will wait until the draft is over to fire him (this happens all the time with scouts). Regardless, Schoen deserves a large share of the blame for the team’s record with many questionable free agent and draft decisions, not to mention in-season roster management.
– Who will the next head coach? Will top candidates want to come to a team with a new owner and a general manager very much on the hot seat? Who will make the decision to hire him? Remember, Joe Schoen said he did not make the decision to fire Brian Daboll… the press did not follow up with the next obvious question… who did? Will the Giants play it safe – as many fans want them to do – and hire a proven retread like Mike McCarthy? Or will they keep trying to swing for the fences and hope they find the next great coach from the ranks of hot coordinators? Will it be an offensive or defensive guy? Will it be someone who has a previous connection to the the team? Will it be a disciplinarian or players’ coach? So many questions. And many fans justifiably are afraid the team will botch this once again.
– Focusing a minute on the upcoming game, Mike Kafka, his assistants, and the players have little incentive to deliberately lose to the Dallas Cowboys. The coaches are auditioning for their next jobs. The players are too, and looking forward to that next contract. Management may want them to tank, but they can only do so much. The issue? The Giants can now fall from the #2 overall pick in the upcoming draft to #7. Yes, it matters. The win to against the Las Vegas Raiders cost the Giants. As much as it sucks, root for a loss here.
– Is there any hope? Yes. The Giants have some really important pieces, most notably at quarterback. They also have a couple of elite bookend pass rushers and an elite left tackle. Pray for healthy recoveries for Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo.
The approach to this game? Get it over. Come out of it healthy. And let’s find out who the hell is running this team.
THE INJURY REPORT:
- WR Wan’Dale Robinson (Rib – out)
- WR Jalin Hyatt (Illness – questionable)
- TE Theo Johnson (Illness – out)
- OL Evan Neal (Neck – out)
- DL Dexter Lawrence (Illness – probable)
- DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (Ankle/Toe – out)
- DL Roy Robertson-Harris (Knee – probable)
- OLB Abdul Carter (Illness – probable)
- CB Cor’Dale Flott (Knee – out)
- S Jevón Holland (Knee/Concussion – out)
THE FINAL WORD:
Finally, it’s over.