Sound, smart, and tough, committed to discipline and poise. This will be the mantra for the new head coach of the New York Giants, Ben McAdoo.
As the new era of Giants football starts to take shape under the new regime, it will be much of the same. It will be more of an evolution than a regime change. Certain things will remain the same, like the meetings starting 5 minutes before the time they are scheduled. Coach McAdoo has said as much, stating that they are staying on Tom time.
New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo Demands Discipline and Poise
Obviously another Tom Coughlin staple, the catch phrase that focuses the team will remain. As anyone who has had the privilege to visit the Timex Performance Center where the New York Giants train, you notice the signs all around the building of famous sayings and motivational messages. “No Toughness, No Championship”, “Humble Enough to Prepare, Confident Enough to Perform”, and of course “Talk is Cheap, Play the Game”.
Defensive Upgrades
The 2016 New York Football Giants should be much improved over the 2015 version. The defense has been re-loaded mainly through free agency with the additions of cornerback Janoris Jenkins, defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Damon Harrison, linebacker Keenan Robinson, and the retention of free agents Jason Pierre-Paul and linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Also drafted on the defensive side were cornerback Eli Apple, safety Darian Thompson, and linebacker B.J. Goodson. To say the defense was upgraded is a safe assumption.
However we all know that depth is the key to a successful team. Some of these players will undoubtedly miss time due to injuries. Depth at corner, safety, and defensive line has been improved, now it’s time to cross your fingers and hope against devastating losses due to injury.
Offense
The offense didn’t take a complete backseat in the upgrade department. Although the New York Giants did finish 8th in total offense, and 6th in points scored, there is room for improvement here. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard may be one of those picks that you wonder how he lasted till the second round. In OTA’s and Mini-Camp the balls thrown towards Sterling never hit the ground. A small fact perhaps, but having good hands is the main job of a wide receiver in this league. Shepard seems to be a very polished, intelligent young man with an NFL pedigree. His father Derrick Shepard played for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and the Dallas Cowboys from 1987-1991, even winning Super Bowl XXII along the way.
The Giants will resume training camp on July 28 after what head coach Ben McAdoo referred to as a Prep-Cation. Players were given fitness goals when leaving mini-camp, and were warned to avoid actions that might prevent them from playing.
It is a new era in the long tradition of the New York Football Giants. Change can be scary, but fans should be excited to see the evolution of the Giants. Sound, smart, and tough, committed to discipline and poise.
