With the NFL season 2014 less than a month away, the Big Apple is filled with optimism. Whether the jersey you favor is green or blue, things are looking up for both sides. Both the Jets and Giants missed the playoffs last year, adding to quite the bad year for all New York teams with the exception of Rangers hockey. However, both NFL squads are giving fans their annual sense of false hope prior to the season. Notice I said false hope, because no matter how the season plays out, we New Yorkers are truly never satisfied.
First, let’s start with the side that hasn’t been truly satisfied in 45 years, since Broadway Joe Namath took them to the promised land. That’s right, the New York Jets. With another offseason of the Rex Ryan era coming to conclusion, I’ve noticed something very positive that jumps out. This is the first year since Rex took the job that media outlets have not been consistently all over the circus that is known as the Jets. Whether it was the Revis holdout, the Super Bowl guarantees or good ol’ Mark Sanchez, it seemed the Jets were always making headlines for the wrong reasons. This year Rex is no less confident in his bunch, just smarter about discussing it. It also doesn’t hurt that Captain Butt-fumble was shipped off to Philadelphia to back up Nick Foles.
So what did the Jets do to improve? Well for starters, when Mark Sanchez left for Philly, Michael Vick arrived in New York to push expected starter Geno Smith for the QB gig. Whether or not Vick winds up the starter, his veteran leadership should help Geno improve mightily in his sophomore campaign. You know what else will help Geno? Receivers! Any Jets fan will tell you that with last year’s receiving core, Geno is hardly to blame for his rookie inconsistencies. That is why GM John Izdik and company went and snagged big name free agent WR Eric Decker on a 5 year, 36.25 million dollar deal. They also added speedster Jacoby Ford to team with Decker and Jeremy Kerley. This is by no means an elite group of receivers, but it’s a major upgrade. Throw in the fact they acquired former 2000 yard rusher Chris Johnson to compliment Chris Ivory in the backfield, and the Jets have something for Geno that he didn’t have last year…. weapons.
The above is all a Jets fan should need to be filled with confidence considering Rex Ryan’s stout defense will be stout once again. After losing Antonio Cromartie, their best secondary player, the secondary is a concern. However with the 18th pick in the draft they selected hard hitting safety Calvin Pryor out of Louisville. Pryor draws a lot of comparisons, but from watching tape I immediately think of former Colts great Bob Sanders. If you are wondering how to help a young secondary gain confidence, I have the answer. Put the opposing quarterback on his butt. The New York Jets have one of the best front sevens in all of football as highlighted by last year’s defensive rookie of the year Sheldon Richardson, and a guy with perennial Pro-Bowl talent in Muhammad Wilkerson. These big men up front plus Rex’s defensive genius, should allow the young secondary to be aggressive and make plays. I sincerely believe the Jets will be much improved this upcoming season. So is time for the playoffs? I’d still say no, but I wouldn’t be completely shocked if they managed to snag a wild card spot this year. The New England Patriots are still the hands down favorites to win the division and with good reason.
Now we spotlight Big Blue, heading into an extraordinary season compared to years past. For the first time in since he was a rookie Eli Manning will be running a completely new offense, under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. The best news for Giants fans this year is that Eli can’t be much worse. Last year Manning had his worst season as a pro leading all quarterbacks with 27 interceptions. Only Terrelle Pryor and that Geno Smith kid possessed the worst overall QB ratings behind Eli.
The new system focuses on Eli getting the ball out quick to guys like Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, and new rookie Odell Beckham Jr. For the record I hated the selection of Beckham, and I still do until proven wrong. The Giants went out and signed a proven running back in Rashad Jennings, and drafted Heisman finalist Andre Williams from Boston College in the 4th round. Good thing they did because on August 4th the team found out some bad news. Their first round selection from two years ago, David Wilson, was advised by doctors to walk away from the game at age 23 after a series of neck and back related injuries. The offensive line is younger, but with youth comes lack of experience. Veteran Chris Snee retired and a whole new group will be counted on to protect Eli, and open up lanes for the backs. The offense is a complete mystery headed into the season. The defense however is much improved. The biggest game changer on the D is Jason Pierre-Paul. He was not healthy at all last season. He’s back 100% and should once again dominate opposing tackles with his freak athleticism. Justin Tuck walked in free agency, but despite his career impact he was on a decline and it’s time for new players to step up. For the fifth straight year the linebackers are below average, but with the re-signing of Jon Beason things are looking up. After acquiring Beason prior to week 5, the Giants defense seemed to find new energy with the former Panthers pro-bowler in the middle. Beason hurt his foot in the offseason but expects to be ready for week 1. Now comes the part now where Giants fans can get really excited. Much like the Jets need for receivers, the Giants secondary has been a focus for some time. Antrel Rolle is one of the best players in the league at the safety position and is coming off his best season ever. The other safety Stevie Brown is coming back off a torn ACL suffered last year. In 2012 Brown had 8 interceptions easily leading the team. Depending on his health these two have a chance to form a scary duo. Former first round pick at cornerback, Prince Amukamara continues to improve each year especially in man to man. Add that up with the big free agent signing of lockdown corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and nickel corner Walter Thurmond, formally of the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, and what do you get? You get the best secondary “on paper” that the Giants have had in a decade. If the defense gets back to its pass rushing roots with this secondary, we can see a ton of forced turnovers. So what are the realistic expectations for the G-Men this year? Well unlike the Jets division with the Patriots, there is no true powerhouse team in the NFC East. It is very possible that a 9-7 record gets the Giants into the playoffs and hosting wild-card weekend. That goes for the Redskins, Eagles, and Cowboys too. The division is a tossup, and if the Giants can avoid another 0-6 start, it’s very reasonable to believe they can be a playoff team. Besides, every year Lebron has lost in the NBA Finals the Giants have won the Super Bowl. That of course is merely a coincidence but if the opportunity to include Lebron knocks, you know I will be there to answer.
