Post by GordonG on Oct 5, 2017 22:00:47 GMT -5
Question 1
From an outsider, Mac's resume looks awful. An offense that has acquired more talent continues a linear decline that started (apparently) with TC's leaving. From tenth in the league in offense we've gone to near last in all categories and we've seen players like Flowers, Richburg decline or, at least, not develop. Do you attribute this to poor coaching and, if not, how would you account for it.?
From Pat: I think it’s a combination of things. To some degree, I see the coaching staff ask players to be things they are not—Brad Wing as a directional punter is a good example. I also wonder if the presentation is getting through to these guys, so yeah, I guess you could point to coaching. But I think the biggest program with the offense is that it’s predictable. You watch the tape and you can see defensive backs and linebackers breaking on the ball before it’s even thrown. You study the tendencies the Giants run on offense and if you look closely, you can see patterns. I think what makes Belichick so great is he never does the same thing twice; he adjusts. I think what the Giants are trying to do is make teams adjust to them, and I’m not sure that’s the best approach.
Question 2
With so many changes in the front office besides the draft room, a draft room in which John Mara casts a vote, what is the status of the owners credibility today? Is he running out of people to blame? (I am thinking that explaining the interrelationship between Owners, GM and HC could be a topic by itself).
From Pat: The impression I get is John Mara and Steve Tisch leave the draft to their personnel people. The only time I believe they “get a vote” as you say, is when a questionable pick is involved or if a blockbuster move is about to be made. Regarding the draft, I’ve long suspected that management and the coaches aren’t on the same page, despite what they say. If you look at some of the players drafted during the Tom Coughlin era, I firmly believe they weren’t a fit for what Tom and his staff wanted to do. You also look at the offensive line—the front office apparently tried to bleed every last drop out of the line from 2007-2010 and waited until it was too late to get guys on board. I can’t imagine the coaching staff was fine with that approach. So, I do think there is a disconnect. Now whether anything is done about it, I can’t say because I don’t know. My guess is there won’t’ be.
Question 3
What does Pat think the Giant's front office will do for next season if this year continues to be a bust?
From Pat: Nothing. And here’s why. You’re approaching the end of the Eli Manning era—he has two years left to his contract. If you’re ownership, you’re going to demand Jerry Reese fix the offensive line, which is clearly a problem. Now do you force Ben McAdoo out and have Eli learn a brand new offense? I doubt it. Do you tell McAdoo to give up play calling? You can try but what if he digs his heels in and refuses or threatens to quit and hence forces you to start from scratch? I suspect ownership gives everyone one last chance, that they say, “Jerry, fix the offensive line. Ben, stop being so predictable and so slanted toward the pass, and we’ll meet back here at the end of 2018 and see where things are.”
Question 4
Why are we still in 11 personnel so often?
Pat Says: This is what McAdoo knows best. Seriously, look at Green Bay, where he spent the majority of his coaching career. While the Packers don’t use 11-personnel as much as the Giants, this is what McAdoo really knows best so that’s what he’s going to go back to—his comfort food, if you will. Put a more experienced play caller in there and maybe they mix thing up, but remember now, this is McAdoo’s offense. Mike Sullivan “grew up” in the Kevin Gilbride offense although I do think Sully could do a solid job as the play caller But I don’t see McAdoo giving it up no matter how much he says they’ll look at that aspect.
Question 5
Why hasn't Fluker seen the field as part of the O-Line shuffling around after Hart got injured? He was the only true O-Line addition in the offseason but can't beat out Brett Jones as a backup.
From Pat: This question has since been answered, so I assume no further commentary is needed. If I’m wrong, let me know. Editor's note: I presume that Pat is referring to the fact that Fluker played against the Bucs. I have asked Pat for confirmation as well as why Fluker was not a direct sub for Hart. I also asked what her take is on the controversy surrounding the very poor PFF grade Fluker received for his efforts against the Bucs.
Question 6
Why make the relatively big money signing of Rhett Ellison (for a blocking TE that is) if he isn't going to play? Same thing with keeping Shane Smith on the roster (until recently) if he was never going to play?
Pat Says: The only thing I can think of is that management and the coaching staff are not on the same page. I know they wanted to run the ball more, but given how often McAdoo abandons the run, even when it’s showing signs of life, that tells me that he’s not as interested in running it unless it’s those draw plays, as you’d like to think.
Question 7
What was the real chance of McAdoo giving up play calling like he said he considered?
Pat Says: Zero. That’s like me saying I’ll give up pasta. It’s in my DNA and it’s not going to happen unless my life depends on it. McAdoo has said in the past he enjoys calling the plays, and when things go wrong, he seems to point to execution. So, I honestly don’t see him giving that up unless ownership forces the issue.
Question 8
do you see a scenario where both Reese and McAdoo could be fired this year?
{See answer to question 3 about what happens if this year is a bust.}
Question 9
Look forward to your first mock draft Pat. Is Oct too early?
Pat Says: Yes, it is. Right now, I can barely name 10 college football players, plus who knows what the final draft order will be?
I spend literally every day doing giants related work; when that stops, then I’ll look at the draft prospects and I suspect if I’m still with Bleacher Report next year, I’ll start the mock drafts in January. But don’t look for any mock drafts right now on Inside Football—I believe in letting free agency play out first and then studying the draft.
Gordon says: I have thanked Pat for taking the time to answer your questions. I hope you are as satisfied with the quality of the answers as I am. I will be happy to forward any follow up or new questions you have.
From an outsider, Mac's resume looks awful. An offense that has acquired more talent continues a linear decline that started (apparently) with TC's leaving. From tenth in the league in offense we've gone to near last in all categories and we've seen players like Flowers, Richburg decline or, at least, not develop. Do you attribute this to poor coaching and, if not, how would you account for it.?
From Pat: I think it’s a combination of things. To some degree, I see the coaching staff ask players to be things they are not—Brad Wing as a directional punter is a good example. I also wonder if the presentation is getting through to these guys, so yeah, I guess you could point to coaching. But I think the biggest program with the offense is that it’s predictable. You watch the tape and you can see defensive backs and linebackers breaking on the ball before it’s even thrown. You study the tendencies the Giants run on offense and if you look closely, you can see patterns. I think what makes Belichick so great is he never does the same thing twice; he adjusts. I think what the Giants are trying to do is make teams adjust to them, and I’m not sure that’s the best approach.
Question 2
With so many changes in the front office besides the draft room, a draft room in which John Mara casts a vote, what is the status of the owners credibility today? Is he running out of people to blame? (I am thinking that explaining the interrelationship between Owners, GM and HC could be a topic by itself).
From Pat: The impression I get is John Mara and Steve Tisch leave the draft to their personnel people. The only time I believe they “get a vote” as you say, is when a questionable pick is involved or if a blockbuster move is about to be made. Regarding the draft, I’ve long suspected that management and the coaches aren’t on the same page, despite what they say. If you look at some of the players drafted during the Tom Coughlin era, I firmly believe they weren’t a fit for what Tom and his staff wanted to do. You also look at the offensive line—the front office apparently tried to bleed every last drop out of the line from 2007-2010 and waited until it was too late to get guys on board. I can’t imagine the coaching staff was fine with that approach. So, I do think there is a disconnect. Now whether anything is done about it, I can’t say because I don’t know. My guess is there won’t’ be.
Question 3
What does Pat think the Giant's front office will do for next season if this year continues to be a bust?
From Pat: Nothing. And here’s why. You’re approaching the end of the Eli Manning era—he has two years left to his contract. If you’re ownership, you’re going to demand Jerry Reese fix the offensive line, which is clearly a problem. Now do you force Ben McAdoo out and have Eli learn a brand new offense? I doubt it. Do you tell McAdoo to give up play calling? You can try but what if he digs his heels in and refuses or threatens to quit and hence forces you to start from scratch? I suspect ownership gives everyone one last chance, that they say, “Jerry, fix the offensive line. Ben, stop being so predictable and so slanted toward the pass, and we’ll meet back here at the end of 2018 and see where things are.”
Question 4
Why are we still in 11 personnel so often?
Pat Says: This is what McAdoo knows best. Seriously, look at Green Bay, where he spent the majority of his coaching career. While the Packers don’t use 11-personnel as much as the Giants, this is what McAdoo really knows best so that’s what he’s going to go back to—his comfort food, if you will. Put a more experienced play caller in there and maybe they mix thing up, but remember now, this is McAdoo’s offense. Mike Sullivan “grew up” in the Kevin Gilbride offense although I do think Sully could do a solid job as the play caller But I don’t see McAdoo giving it up no matter how much he says they’ll look at that aspect.
Question 5
Why hasn't Fluker seen the field as part of the O-Line shuffling around after Hart got injured? He was the only true O-Line addition in the offseason but can't beat out Brett Jones as a backup.
From Pat: This question has since been answered, so I assume no further commentary is needed. If I’m wrong, let me know. Editor's note: I presume that Pat is referring to the fact that Fluker played against the Bucs. I have asked Pat for confirmation as well as why Fluker was not a direct sub for Hart. I also asked what her take is on the controversy surrounding the very poor PFF grade Fluker received for his efforts against the Bucs.
Question 6
Why make the relatively big money signing of Rhett Ellison (for a blocking TE that is) if he isn't going to play? Same thing with keeping Shane Smith on the roster (until recently) if he was never going to play?
Pat Says: The only thing I can think of is that management and the coaching staff are not on the same page. I know they wanted to run the ball more, but given how often McAdoo abandons the run, even when it’s showing signs of life, that tells me that he’s not as interested in running it unless it’s those draw plays, as you’d like to think.
Question 7
What was the real chance of McAdoo giving up play calling like he said he considered?
Pat Says: Zero. That’s like me saying I’ll give up pasta. It’s in my DNA and it’s not going to happen unless my life depends on it. McAdoo has said in the past he enjoys calling the plays, and when things go wrong, he seems to point to execution. So, I honestly don’t see him giving that up unless ownership forces the issue.
Question 8
do you see a scenario where both Reese and McAdoo could be fired this year?
{See answer to question 3 about what happens if this year is a bust.}
Question 9
Look forward to your first mock draft Pat. Is Oct too early?
Pat Says: Yes, it is. Right now, I can barely name 10 college football players, plus who knows what the final draft order will be?
I spend literally every day doing giants related work; when that stops, then I’ll look at the draft prospects and I suspect if I’m still with Bleacher Report next year, I’ll start the mock drafts in January. But don’t look for any mock drafts right now on Inside Football—I believe in letting free agency play out first and then studying the draft.
Gordon says: I have thanked Pat for taking the time to answer your questions. I hope you are as satisfied with the quality of the answers as I am. I will be happy to forward any follow up or new questions you have.