The New York Giants 2021 season has gone awry with head coach Joe Judge at the helm. Nothing is expected too much to change next year as many reports say his head coaching job with Big Blue is safe.
Since Judge is coming back next year, he needs to evaluate some players that have not shown their true colors yet. A new general manager is expected to come in after the season and take Dave Gettleman’s place. Whoever the general manager is, they will need to see some film on a few guys to justify retaining them.
Here are three moves Joe Judge needs to make in order to properly evaluate possible long-term talent:
Joe Judge Needs To Make Three Evaluation-Based Moves
Quarterback Jake Fromm
Mike Glennon took over for third-year quarterback Daniel Jones in Week 13 after he suffered a neck injury the week prior against the Philadelphia Eagles. The same week the Giants signed Jake Fromm to the active roster.
Thus far, Glennon has looked abysmal as the starting quarterback. Many thought his arm strength would be an upgrade over former backup Colt McCoy. However, his production in the last three weeks shows the complete opposite. His deep pass either dies in the air or the ball is being thrown behind the receivers constantly.
Jake Fromm saw one drive with the offense last week against the Dallas Cowboys. He completed six passes on twelve attempts for 82 yards. Yes, the drive was in a two-minute offense setting against a prevent defense. With that being said, he was 17 yards short of Mike Glennon’s passing production in only one drive. Aspects of his game can be tweaked, but his deep pass to Kenny Golladay and his fastballs over the middle impressed many.
The point is Mike Glennon will not be returning next year and therefore, Jake Fromm is younger. Since Judge is staying, he and his coaching staff would be able to see how Fromm performs in the next three games. At the end of the season, they can evaluate with the new general manager whether Fromm deserves a shot in training camp or not.
Offenisve Tackle Matt Peart
The Giants drafted Matt Peart in the third round of last year’s draft and have only given him one game at right tackle thus far. Last year, Cameron Fleming made all 16 starts at right tackle, while Nate Solder has started 13 of 14 games at the same spot.
Unfortunately for any quarterback playing behind this offensive line, Nate Solder has been downright terrible. After a year off, he looks lethargic and lost in his technique. Despite this, the coaching staff trots him out to start at right tackle every week. Solder started one week at left tackle when Andrew Thomas suffered a lower-body injury. Solder switched back to right tackle in Weeks 6 and 7, when Peart jumped over to the strong side. Even when Thomas returned, Solder still played on the right side.
The question remains: why was Peart good enough to play left tackle for four weeks and still is not good enough to be on the right side? The coaching staff said a few weeks ago that Peart does not have the “dog” in him and he has the stuff to work on. Peart received extended playing time at right tackle in the second half of the last two games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. Peart committed two gut-wrenching false starts last week which may be due to a lack of snaps.
While Nate Solder receives more playing time, Matt Peart is the better tackle. He may not be much better, but the coaching staff should use the next three games to properly evaluate him without Solder getting in the way. Peart’s ceiling is being the Giants’ swing tackle next season. With a new general manager coming in and preparing to make changes, giving Peart meaningful evaluation snaps is important for the future of the offensive line.
Offensive Lineman Isaiah Wilson
The Giants drafted Will Hernandez in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. After a solid but bumpy rookie season, he has regressed every year afterward.
After three seasons at left guard, he switched to the right side in 2021 with Shane Lemieux starting Week 1 at left guard. With Nate Solder and later Billy Price surrounding him, he is having the worst year of his career. He has committed a career-high eight penalties, six sacks to go along. One of his main struggles this season has been picking twists and stunts from the opposing defenders.
On September 29th, the New York Giants signed Isaiah Wilson to the practice squad. After a few run-ins with the law, Wilson signed with the Giants, hoping to get back into football. Though many beat writers have implicated him not being ready, now is the best time to play on the gridiron.
Will Hernandez is likely not earning a second contract from the new general manager. To go along with that, the New York Giants have no long-term answer at right guard. How worse can Isaiah Wilson be?
For all Joe Judge knows, the next general manager may not want to spend the roster spot on Isaiah Wilson and may cut him before training camp. With Hernandez’s horrific play, now is the best time for Wilson’s second chance.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
