The marching orders Tom Coughlin barks out always consist of some version of his “Finish!’’ mantra, but for much of this season, his Giants haven’t ever really started.
They certainly did not finish anything in their most recent loss, getting outscored 21-0 in a dismal second half of a game that devolved into a 31-7 setback to the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Some observations coming out of the game about the 0-4 Giants:
— They have nothing to hang their hats on. Remember when they were considered Road Warriors for their ability to play their best away from home? That attribute is gone. The Giants are now weary travelers looking out of sorts with their bags packed. They have lost seven straight on the road dating back to last season. They knew having to play three of their first four games on the road this season would be difficult. It’s been worse than that.
— It seemed encouraging that Jason Pierre-Paul was able to return from back surgery and get on the field for the season opener but in retrospect, it looks as if JPP shouldn’t have rushed back. He’s barely a facsimile of the player he’s supposed to be. He put in another pedestrian performance against the Chiefs, credited with one tackle and no quarterback hurries. He gets virtually no push, and either he does not trust the strength in his back or he doesn’t yet have enough strength to get the job done. Either way, he’s not helping much.
— Everyone was speculating or predicting offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride would have to change up his approach because the offensive line was reshuffled, with Jim Cordle making his first NFL start at center and James Brewer making his second NFL start at right guard. It figured the Giants would use some screen passes and three-step drops by Eli Manning to help the line in pass protection. Well, wouldn’t you know it, the very first play of the game was a middle screen to Da’Rel Scott. The Chiefs were waiting for it and it went for no gain.
— Hakeem Nicks will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and his salary drive isn’t going very well. It sure looked as if he was favoring his left hand against the Chiefs: On several occasions, he went up for the ball with only his right hand. Nicks has a dislocated middle finger on his left hand, and it remains swollen. Victor Cruz is off to a sensational start after receiving a $43 million contract extension. Nicks has rarely flashed the game-breaking ability he displayed through the 2011 season.
— The expectation was the Giants would have to keep their tight ends in to help in pass protection, which is exactly what happened. Of Manning’s 37 passes, 25 were targeted to Cruz or Nicks. Tight ends Brandon Myers and Bear Pascoe were rarely sent out in patterns, targeted only one time apiece. Neither had a reception. The problem is, Myers is not a strong in-line blocker and, though Pascoe is better, he is not a dominant force on the line.
The hope remains Adrien Robinson can develop into a blocking tight end, but he hasn’t played this season because of a sprained foot.
— Eli Manning is so desperate to make a play that at times he is trying too hard. He held onto the ball too long more than once, resulting in hits or a coverage sack. He also has to get on the same page with second-year receiver Rueben Randle. Once again, Manning and Randle had a mental bust when the pass went deep and the route was cut short, resulting in an interception that looked more like a punt.
— The Giants unquestionably have earned their 0-4 record. A scan up and down the four-game stats shows them getting dominated in virtually every category: first downs gained and given up, sacks allowed and achieved, turnovers, rushing yards for and against, time of possession. It all stacks up as an indictment of a team that is not only losing, but losing very badly. The Giants have scored seven touchdowns and given up 18, they have allowed 14 sacks and registered four. These are some miserable numbers for what has been a miserable team.
— Of all the areas that have regressed or been downright awful, one position that has held up fairly well is cornerback. The longest pass play against the Giants is 47 yards. Given that there’s been little help from pressure up front, the coverage has been adequate. Prince Amukamara has played well, Aaron Ross has been serviceable subbing for the injured Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas, though rusty, has been around the ball as he continues to gain confidence in his thrice-repaired right knee.
— Trailing 10-7, doing little on offense but getting bailed out by their defense, it looked as if the Giants got something going late in the third quarter when Manning hit Nicks for a 16-yard pickup on their 40-yard line. Nicks clapped as he trotted back to the huddle, then shook his head when he saw the yellow penalty flag on the green grass. No play, no gain. Holding, left tackle Will Beatty, loss of 10 yards. Last week, a David Wilson touchdown run was called back by a holding call on Beatty. Not good. According to Pro Football Focus, Beatty allowed five quarterback pressures, the third time he has had that many in a game this season. That’s more than he’s allowed in the previous three years combined.