The New York Giants fell to 1-3 on the season after completely disintegrating on Monday night at MetLife Stadium versus the Seattle Seahawks.
The score was 24-3 but that didn’t matter. You didn’t need a scoreboard to figure out that the Giants are a complete mess of a team in which no unit is functioning at an acceptable level.
Buy Giants TicketsHere are four things we learned on Monday night.
The honeymoon is over
Brian Daboll came into the 2023 season flying high after returning the Giants to the playoffs after a six-year absence and being named NFL Coach of the Year.
That seems like a million years ago this morning. The frustration of losing and ineptitude this year has changed him from a rah-rah, bubbly figure who hugs players to a coach who is about to have a serious medical event on the sidelines.
At one point during Monday’s game after Daniel Jones threw an interception, Daboll couldn’t contain his displeasure with his quarterback in a discussion about what had transpired.
Brian Daboll is disgusted with Daniel Jones pic.twitter.com/F7ngrsxLhC
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 3, 2023
“I was trying to show him … kind of see what he thought and then I tell him what I saw,” Daboll said after the game.
When asked what he wanted from Jones on that play, Daboll was direct.
“Well, obviously not throw an interception.”
Jones, who was under siege all game, appeared to have had it, too, but remained positive after the game.
“I think we’re all frustrated, so I know I’ve got to play better and I’m going to work as hard as I possibly can to do that,” Jones said. “I just felt like the coverage was soft, trying to find someone in the zone and yeah, obviously, terrible decision and awful mistake, so I can’t afford to do that.”
An institutional failure
Fans and experts lauded general manager Joe Schoen for his efforts this offseason in his roster decisions. The shine has come off that apple, too.
The offensive line is still a disaster. They allowed the very mobile Jones to be hit 13 times, 10 for sacks. The communication was non-existent at times with little sense of urgency along with a lack of physicality.
Granted, All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) did not play and promising rookie center John Michael Schmitz was lost to a shoulder injury in the first quarter, but the line’s play was a total disgrace and unbefitting of an NFL team.
One has to now begin to question Schoen’s ability to evaluate offensive linemen. Three of his draft picks — Evan Neal, Joshua Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan — all were exposed by the Seahawks’ defensive front seven on Monday night.
Where is everybody on offense?
If you look at the Giants’ roster, they have quite a number of potential playmakers. On Monday night, one had to wonder if any of them were even in uniform.
Yes, we know running back Saquon Barkley was out with an ankle injury but where was tight end Darren Waller, who was predicted to have a Pro Bowl season this year?
He was a non-factor, again. Rookie wideout Jalin Hyatt, who can run 24 MPH and has been touted as a deep threat, had two receptions for a total of 10 yards. Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton combined for five catches and 47 yards.
The only offensive players who showed any oomph were Wan’Dale Robinson (five catches for 40 yards and a seven-yard rush) and backup running back Matt Brieda.
Sterling Shepard? He’s in uniform but is being used lightly. When rookie Eric Gray muffed a punt, the Giants did not turn to Shepard. They sent out cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who did not attempt to return any punts.
Discipline has flown out the window
Daboll and his assistants pride themselves on disciplined play and have to pull what’s left of their hair out right now.
Penalties, flubbed assignments, missed tackles, poor communication, loss of composure, and lack of hustle have permeated the culture.
Discipline has been lost. The coaches also appear to have lost confidence in some of their players and have rolled back the game plan to adjust for their shortcomings.
This season has gotten ugly fast and there’s very little light at the end of the tunnel right now.
