Two big reasons why the Giants roster is better in 2024 

I like the optimism. But imo, the team is not better until THEY PLAY BETTER. No more hopium for me, even on sale. PS ..Your take on Shoen's unselfishness was SPOT ON. Keep up the good work.

Saquon at 95-100% is amazing…. But he’s never that anymore… he maxes out at 85-90% nowadays…& he always misses some games…. A committee backfield is the way to go now… fresh legs rotated in … & opposition teams can’t gameplan to stop one guy w one playing style anymore…. I think running game is going to actually improve now

I found this synopsis on BBV regarding the lead-up to Jone's extension. It's a long read but very well laid out. ( Unfortunately I couldn't find the name of the author.) "Daboll and Schoen were hired after the '21 season. At the time, Jones was exiting his third year as starting QB and had not yet shown enough to warrant exercising his fifth year option. Thus, Schoen chose to put Jones in a 'prove it' situation heading into year 4, but committed to Jones enough that the Giants chose not to pursue upgrades via the trade, free agency, or draft. What would those options have been? Draft: In the '22 draft, the Giants held the 5th and 7th overall picks as a result of their previous season's draft day trade down with the Bears. This was the infamous 'Kenny Pickett' draft, which saw only the Pitt signal caller go off the board in Round 1 at #20 to the Steelers. The next two QBs chosen were Desmond Ridder and Malik Willis in the 3rd round. Bailey Zappe and Sam Howell followed later........and, then, yeah, Mr. Irrelevant. Free Agency: The top 6 QB contracts by value signed after the '22 season were: Jameis Winston-2/28 Marcus Mariota-2/18.75 Mitch Trubisky-2/14.285 Tyrod Taylor-2/11 Teddy Bridgewater-1/6.5 Nick Foles-2/6.2 Other QBs on the market were Jacoby Brisett, Geno Smith, Kyle Allen and Andy Dalton. You can see the full list here: www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/_/year/2022/position/qb/sort/contract_value So, with no real options available either in the draft (NOBODY saw Purdy coming) or free agency if the Giants were truly committed to their best chance of putting a competitive product on the field, Schoen chose continuity and providing Jones a chance to reset his career with a new and hopefully more competent boss. It should be said here that we can always litigate draft strategy; with two first round picks, the Giants chose Thibs and Neal. Maybe they could have packaged the picks to trade up for one of Trayvon Walker, Hutchinson, Stingley or Gardner but I don't think that would have made much sense. Maybe they trade out of 7 (I don't recall reports of any offers) and pick up a second #1 in the '23 draft, but the team had a screaming need at right tackle and at the time, even given his lack of testing numbers, Neal was pretty well universally perceived as OL#1 in the draft class. So even if neither KT or Neal ultimately pan out I can't quibble with the selections. Schoen picked BPA at a position of need, unless you like Charles Cross or Jordan Davis and Davis is a DT anyway. We know how the the '22 season turned out. Giants make the playoffs, Jones does well in Daboll's tightly scripted ball control offense, and now heads in to the '23 season without a contract. So entering the '23 off-season, the Giants technically did not have a starting quarterback and as a consequence of their playoff run found themselves picking in the early 20s of the first round. As I did above, let's review the options Schoen had at his disposal (outside of signing Jones). Note that as the Giants were coming off a playoff appearance and victory the idea that he would simply move on from the Guy That Brought You There would seem in that context too cute by half unless there were some sort of no-brainer franchise level talent option at his disposal. So, in the '23 draft: 1) Young, Stroud, Richardson. NONE of the Panthers, Texans or Colts were moving off of these picks which they loudly broadcast for months to anyone actually paying attention. And even if, for example, the Giants had been able to cobble a package together at, say, 4 who knows how many first rounders they'd have had to include. So none of those guys were options. 2) Other QBs selected: Will Levis, Hendon 'Redshirt' Hooker, Jake Haener, Stetson 'Rehab' Bennett, Clayton Tune, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tanner McKee. You're not starting any of those guys over Jones, I'm sorry not happening. Much as I don't care for Jones even I'll admit that. These dudes are all career backups-Levis, maybe he's a starter but I don't think he's taking you to a SuperBowl. 2023 Free Agency: Derek Carr Jimmy Garoppolo Taylor Heinecke Jarret Stidham Andy Dalton (again) Mike White Jacoby Brisett (again) Case Keenum Cooper Rush There was some discussion around here about Carr or Garoppolo but I think in the end when faced with those two choices and given Jones' '22 success in Daboll's system Schoen chose to go with the Devil He (thought) he knew and signed Jones to the now-infamous extension essentially tying Jones to the Giants for the '23 and '24 seasons. In this context, then, the decision to sign Jones was both understandable and defensible given the overall context. We can quibble with the financial terms of the deal but as several posters have pointed out the overall contract value was not out of line with the QB market at the time; maybe a bit on the high side given Jones' overall track record but then I think you have to balance the success he achieved with a coach who actually understood how to field a functional offense. About the only real criticism I have here is that Schoen didn't beef up the offensive line; however the guard class was pretty thin (Ben Powers, Nate Davis, Isaac Seumalo, Nick Gates, Will Hernandez, Nate Herbig, Wes Schweitzer) and they weren't going to move off of Neal at RT after only one season, tempting as it may have been. Available tackles, of course, were McGlinchey, Jawaan Taylor, Orlando Brown Jr., McGarry, Beechum, Donovan Smith, George Fant and Eluemenor, who the Giants just signed to play....guard. Plus the Giants still had hopes for '22 draftees McKeethan and Ezeudu. And so here we are. The team, largely as a consequence of an utterly miserable schedule and offensive line failures/injuries, finished '23 out of the playoffs and picking 6th overall. Jones is coming off a major injury and sitting on a contract that more or less ensured he was tied to the team for one more season with the added complication of another should he suffer a crippling injury. Again, options in free agency were slim, and assuming reports were correct New England was particularly reluctant to move off of #3 without some sort of 'Godfather' offer which even if Drake Maye becomes the Second Coming of Tommy I don't mind that Schoen didn't take the bait. As a refresher, '24 free agent options included Tannehill, Cousins, Winston, Mayfield, Brisett (again), Heinecke (again), Trubisky, Darnold and Minshew. I suppose the Giants could have signed say Minshew as Jones' backup over Drew Locke-Minshew got 2/12 and Locke 1/5-but I viewed this as much as Schoen wanting flexibility to reset the position completely following the '24 season if needs be. In summary, then, for all I doubt Jones' professional acumen and think he's completely and totally overpaid for what he is, given the context of his contract and options available to Schoen in FA and the draft I can't kill Schoen for the contract. Jones had leverage and his agent played it perfectly. He's got.....generational(?) wealth even if he never plays another down in the NFL. And if you think that scenario isn't a possibility, I've got a bridge to sell you We also have got to remember that the Giants would never, at least not under Mara's leadership, sign off on a 'lose to win' strategy. So that's why I left that option out of the analysis. Much as some of us around here might wish for it to be so this franchise will NEVER sign off on tanking. It's just not gonna happen. The Giants may lose due a confluence of other factors (dysfunction, injuries, bad draftee evaluations, poor free agent choices, lousy coaching hires)"

Barkley was great, he has diminished though...he'll do better at Philly. Running back and QB will both better because the offensive line will be much much better.

Grennell They have added a number of players in UDFA's, and veteran FA's, realizing there are holes to fill, they are trying out hole fillers! I think if the o-line is better, as you say, that the QB play will improve as they have more time to read and react. The giants were three close losses from being 9 and 8 and in the playoffs. The potential could be much better if these picks work out, and the O-line helps the pass/run games. I believe Schoen knows finally how important the O-line element is to the success of their offense, and will do what it takes to get it up to par. I think he had to fix the major issues in the line, and the pass rush, and the holes, because he knew a new QB wouldn't help much this year, and rather than waste a year when DJ was getting paid anyway, he drafted to give him a last chance to do better. They can get to the playoffs this year with fewer injuries, even if it takes all three QB's to finish the year! No new QB available to them was going to help much this year anyway, fact, live with it!!!!

Great video as always. A couple of comments. Regarding RB, I think the running back by committee will pay dividends. I wish Barkley didn't leave but he did so spreading the carries over 3 or 4 competent backs will be beneficial. No longer need to hold your breath when 26 goes down and gets up slow or limps off the field. Singletary is a solid back, Gray will get his chance, I look forward to how Tracey will be used, I do like Brightwell and Dante Miller is one longer shot who I really want to see play. There are rumors about Kareem Hunt, hope we can work something out. RB will be interesting. One other position that in my opinion cost us 2 maybe 3 games in 2023 was place kicker. With a healthy Gano instead of us running out 3-4 other kickers I really do think we would have won the Jet game and Rams game which means we would have beaten 3 playoff teams (GB, Philly, Rams) down the stretch with our 3rd and 2nd string QB. I know Gano missed the kick in the Jets game but he was obviously hurting and went for surgery just after that. A healthy Gano will be a BIG plus in 2024.

Great point - I’d rather have Nabers and Burns than Saquon and McKinney. I still would have found a way to keep Saquon though.

I agree with everything you guys said except your take on the SanFran game with Jones . It was the third week of the season , on a short week , Barkley was gone , Thomas was gone , JmS was gone , Lewinsky was benched , Wandale still wasn’t healthy , and Hyatt was barely playing . It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know they weren’t going to go deep with that oline against that dline . Think you put to much emphasis on Jones and disregard everything else

Enjoyed the position breakdown. Bottom line, if the Oline is just average or just competent the entire offense, every player on it, and the entire team is better including defense. Defense would be gassed by 3rd quarter after a dozen 3 and outs, turnovers, sacks causing short fields from a grossly incompetent offense.

QB2 Drew Lock may be “fools gold” now but once he gets with Daboll the QB-alchemist he could potentially become a bust down AP. Copium?! Let me live bros🤣🤣 Can Lock be at least as good as Tyrod was pushing the ball downfield [explosives]? I don’t think that’s out of bounds to hope for with our weapons tbh. I’m bullish on Bowen’s “4-Horsemen” D-line and I like Jordan Phillips at 3T w/ Dex, Thibs, & Burns. Ball gonna be coming out hot…lots of opportunity for picks so getting a ballhawk like Nubin is clutch. CB2 still kinda murky but we got options w/ versatility

Great vid guys. And I couldn’t help but feel the team wasn’t really better. But the nabers and burns affect will be massive. Can’t wait to see how they’re used in the season coming up

I think every position group except qb has significantly gotten better and that's because Tyrod > Lock.

Great job guys. Can you go back and look at Jordan Riley's and Boogie Basham's college games and NFL games, to find out what they were good at and see if they have a path to be options at any defensive position? I only ask because, so many of them were hurt or didn't get enough playing time or they may have even played in the wrong position that didn't utilize their best skill set and we just don't know how Daball, Schoen or the coaches really feel about them?

Jones is better Lock can improve it will be a competition but Jones is better and will play well with better play calling but Liam is the talent that if he can play with these talents and defenses we have our future at qb some ufdas wr db oline we have a competitive camp we will see

Great point about Schoen not drafting a QB just to buy himself more time. So much chatter including from Giants fans implying he should have done that to reset things. The truth is if he picked a QB at six and he was a bust people would want to fire him anyway. And what's the success rate of even first round QB's? A well run team like the '49ers blew three top picks for Trey Lantz even though they dodged a bullet with Purdy. Most teams wouldn't have recovered from that. Other point is if the O-line doesn't improve enough it won't matter. Nabers will still put up some numbers but winning games is the goal, not stats. A receiver can only move the needle so much.

I really unfortunate that the Oline, WR, and TE can be so predicated on what the QB does that the improvements might not matter in terms of team success.

I think we are signing another vet CB..possible adore for cheap now that the comp pick formula won’t be affected after draft. So I would say we can’t grade this position yet. I agree with both you guys about the QB situation. We have to build the roster for next season when we can go QB shopping with a more complete roster

I really do like Jones, tough, hardworking kid, big, mobile who has gone through the wars with a poor offensive line. His decision making , play recognition and progression reads needs to improve big time. I read an article how LSU uses Cognilize VR AI software (German Company) to help their QB's recognition and decision making. Jayden Daniels used it and really liked it. Do you know if the Giants use VR AI to help with reads and play recognition? I really think as hard as Jones works could be a toll that it could really help the weak part of his game.

I agree that Barkley is a lesser player than when we drafted him, however he operates at a different gear in the redzone. Redzone effort isnt something that you teach.

Just to play devils advocate I don’t see how you can’t judge Joe for not even taking a developmental shot on a QB with a QB guru at HC. You mentioned the Pickett draft and how does taking Howell late not make sense? Guys like AOC Howell etc might not be good but they are 2nd to 3rd round talent QBs that drop because teams know not to take QBs on day 2 now. I think it’s fair to say we should have taken a shot on someone else like that.

Imagine how many articles would have been written if 4 teams said they had a beat on Jones. Would have been all over the internet. But according to these two. This happened....

Ill give what i believe the two reasons are. Malik Nabers is way more of an impact than Saquon. Bricillo instead of Johnson. Those are the two buggest impacts i can think of and in areas where the roster is now worse than before they aren't the most valuable positions for the most part and the dropoff isnt huge.

1. Tyrod Taylor was frequently hurt, and he contributed to the losses against the Bills and the Rams; Dan can't stop denigrating Daniel Jones: it is hard to break a habit; QB is better because DJ has a lot to prove, and he will succeed; 2. The running back position is slightly better, because Singletary is a better receiver, and he doesn't get hurt; 3. Much better at wide receiver; 4. Tight end is slightly better; 5. Offensive line is much better, presuming Andrew Thomas remains healthy; 6. Defensive line upgraded; 7. Linebacker is better due to experience; 8. Defensive backs are slightly worse because of lack of experience.

Isn’t it better to pay OL (cheaper) and draft expensive positions (WR/CB/S/Edge)?

Why don’t yall criticize how the o-line wasn’t confirmed until week 1 .. what about all the shuffling of positions the coaching staff never had a particular starting 5 shuffle shuffle shuffle all during training camp NO Cohesiveness

Give me a break, losing Barkley was not that big! Stop drinking the koolade. Jones being healthy is an upgrade at QB vs him out with injuries, also Tommy Cutletts will be in his second season…upgrade at QB.

Barkley looked slow and couldn’t out run linebackers. We have some burners on the team and even singletery has more juice and patience than snakequon

I heard from one team last year. That they had a beat on Jones. You're going to have to pull up those comments. Because you just said 3 or 4 teams said they knew Jones wasn't going to throw downfield. Evidence please....

Drake Maye will be this year's biggest bust.

Yall act like the Hawks & 9ers didn’t have great Defensive play like wtf…. Boy had no time at all y’all always forget to mention how FUCKIN BAD THE LINE WAS ……. HISTORICALLY BAD WTF WE TALKING BOUT

QB is better this yr, bc last yr Taylor is automatic injury and QB3 was UDFA rookie. This yr Lock has good chance not to get hurt and DeVito can operate offence, if he does. It was GM incompetence last year to have 2 often injured QBs with UDFA rookie as 3rd.

Dan Jones is absolute ass. Years from now, there will be a mini doc done on how Giants not only overdrafted him but kept him around for 6 plus years, outspanning multiple coaches... Absolute madness, DJ stinks!!!

Can the Giants rid themselves of Daniel Jones, with his awful contract , sometime this training camp, to a team that needs QB? Even if they get a day 3 pick in 2025, because the rumor is he is not going to see the field at all due to that injury clause.

Special teams coordinator must be extatic with draft class. He gets ST only players in rnds 2, 3 and 5. What a dog sh!t draft. Theo Johnson is only pick that has chance at 2nd contract with giants.