Giants will be much better next year

When I first saw the Giants-Eagles game on the schedule, I thought it would definitely mean something to one of the teams. But when all was said and done, it meant nothing for either team.

The Eagles nosedived from 9-3 with home field advantage and visions of people waving goodbye dancing in their heads to 10-4 and out of the playoffs.

The Giants, with an astounding 47 free agent signings, a new offense, and 22 players on injured reserve would finish 6-10. Despite the record, I see hope for Big Blue as a team on the rise. A team that should definitely keep Tom Coughlin as its head coach.

Eli Manning just had one of his best seasons in the new offense brought in by coordinator Ben McAdoo. He threw for 4410 yards, 30 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions down from 27 last year. Rookie sensation Odell Beckam Jr. had 91 catches for 1,305 yards in just 12 games, and the light appears to have gone on in Ruben Randle’s head after some first quarter benchings. Add Victor Cruz to that lineup, and you’ve got one of the best receiving corps in the league.

Weston Richburg will be going into his 2nd year and should be moved to his natural position of center. Justin Pugh at tackle his 3rd, Geoff Schwartz their free agent Pro Bowl guard back from injured reserve. Will Beatty is a walking holding penalty, but could be replaced with a high draft choice which they now have. The running backs Andre Williams coming off his rookie season rushed for 721 yards, and Jennings ran for 176 in one game but spent half of the year hurt.

On defense, Jason Pierre Paul is only 25 and should return to the team next season. Jonathan Hankins will be heading into his third year, still has a  lot of upside and is already a beast up the middle of the defensive line. There are also lots of pass rushers the Giants will have, specifically players such as Demontre Moore, Robert Ayers, who is coming off injured reserve and Cullen Jenkins, who is older but still gets the job done.

Linebacking will be greatly improved with the returning Job Beason in the middle, Jameel Mcclain back on the outside, and Devon Kinard, who was the Defensive player of the week this year.

In the secondary, they’ve got Dominique Rogers Croimartie, Prince Amukamara, Walter Thurmond, and Trumaine McBride all returning from injury. This was supposed to be a strong point of the defense. Antrell Rolle can only add to that - if he comes back.

So take heart Giants fans. This season may be lost but next season will be a big gain.