They can’t be that bad, can they?
That’s the question revolving around the Giants after they suffered a 38-0 trouncing at the hands of the Panthers on Sunday that dropped them to 0-3. Despite the brutal start, the team remained confident this week it could turn its season around.
“What they have going for them is a recent history of going in a hole and fighting their way out,” said FOX analyst and former Pro Bowl safety John Lynch.
“Tom Coughlin knows how to do it. Eli Manning knows how to do it. Does the rest of the team know how to do it? When you start to see an effort like last week, their leadership is really called into question. There’s a lot of talk about them turning it around, but it’s not about talking, it’s about action. Who’s going to step up and turn this around?”
There’s no shortage of candidates, because seemingly the whole team is underperforming. But Lynch pointed to the play of tackles Will Beatty and Justin Pugh as the biggest offenders for the miserable start. Lynch expressed doubts the two could turn it around, especially with a matchup against the 3-0 Chiefs and their star pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston.
Instead, Lynch said it is up to Coughlin and offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride to gameplan around the deficiencies — something they failed to do in Carolina.
“I have great respect for the Giants and for Kevin Gilbride, but it didn’t really seem like they were quick to adjust,” Lynch said. “They seemed to be able to run the ball up the gut effectively, but they didn’t go to it that often. When you can’t protect the quarterback, you have to make some quicker throws, and I really didn’t see that. You have to commit to the running game a little bit more to help Eli.”
Along with a dangerous vertical passing game, the ability to rush the passer was the staple of the Giants’ two recent Super Bowl teams. That has also been basically nonexistent, while the Giants have given up 115 points — 17 more than the Redskins, who have allowed the second-highest total.
“We are so used to them getting to the quarterback,” Lynch said. “[Jason] Pierre-Paul for whatever reason isn’t playing to the level we are accustomed to. [Justin] Tuck is playing better than he did last year, but he’s still not the same player that used to be feared. I am really looking forward to seeing how they fare in a tough place like Kansas City.”