He wasn’t dumb then, he’s not a genius now, and Jerry Reese’s Giants only have taken a few uncertain steps to escape the darkness. Those who wanted to blame Reese then no doubt are not rushing to praise him now, but what this current mini-surge shows, yet again, is why the second half of knee-jerk is, well, jerk.
No one is going to cast Reese as the lead if they opt to film a remake of “All The Right Moves,” and the general manager of a team that was once 0-6 and is now 3-6 is not going to take any bows for anything.
Reese didn’t utter a word for public consumption during all the losing, said his piece during the bye week and likely won’t be heard from again as the Giants attempt to forge their way back into contention in the wayward NFC East.
Reese’s less-is-more style may not please everyone, but the moves he’s made — some out of desperation, many out of blatant necessity — unquestionably have fortified the Giants for what just might be a rousing stretch run — at least until the next loss.
Trading for Jon Beason has resulted in a defensive surge.Just look at how the Giants scrounged up their winning points in a 24-20 victory over the Raiders. Terrell Thomas, a player Reese certainly could have jettisoned after two reconstructive knee surgeries in less than one year, provided a spark with an interception and 65-yard return. Andre Brown, a player Reese easily could have given up on after breaking his left leg twice in nine months, scored, untouched, with a 1-yard touchdown run cleared when fullback John Conner — a player Reese signed during the season off the scrap heap — paved the way with a punishing lead block to level Charles Woodson.
To prepare for this season, Reese certainly didn’t calculate everything properly, but he was adamant the interior of the defensive line needed to get bigger and stronger. He signed veterans Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson, re-signed Shaun Rogers and drafted Johnathan Hankins. The added bulk was just what the defense needed. The 2012 Giants were 25th in run defense and through nine games this season are 10th.
Some criticized Reese for prioritizing locking up Victor Cruz with a six-year extension rather than trying to secure Hakeem Nicks, whose contract expires after this season. That conversation is moot.
Reese decided Will Hill was worth keeping even after yet another drug-related suspension, and Hill is paying dividends. Reese found Trumaine McBride, and the 28-year old cornerback has been competitive filling in for injured vets Aaron Ross and Corey Webster.
Reese at midseason expressed his unconditional support and confidence in coach Tom Coughlin, making a strong statement that blunted any of the “Is Tom over the hill?” conversation.
The signature move by Reese is easiest of all to recognize. Asked about the defensive surge — one bogus touchdown allowed (a five-yard drive) in the past 14 quarters — Antrel Rolle said, “Jon Beason helped us out tremendously playing at that linebacker position and being the voice of the defense.’’ Rolle cannot stop gushing about his former University of Miami teammate, saying “Beason has helped way more than the average eye can see’’ on his Tuesday weekly WFAN spot.
Trades during the season are rare, and to have one make the impact the deal for Beason has is wholly uncommon. To go from the bench and supposedly damaged goods with a knee issue with the Panthers to an instant defensive leader and stopper with the Giants? It almost seems too good to be true for Reese, who probably was fortunate the trigger man for the trade in Carolina was first-year GM David Gettleman, a former longtime Giants personnel executive who for years worked closely with Reese.
This resurgent feeling all comes crashing down if the Giants get beat by Scott Tolzien and the Packers or if they win Sunday but lose the following week in what could be a first-place showdown with the Cowboys. This is no time to be congratulating anyone about anything, but Reese, by word (or lack thereof) and especially by deed, has patched holes when they burst open.