Randall Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Giants: Gilbride deep in thought on plans Friday, January 19, 2007 BY MIKE GARAFOLO Star-Ledger Staff Last week, the Giants announced who their coach would be for the 2007 season: The same one that's been in charge the past three years. On Tuesday, they named their new general manager: The leading in-house candidate who was considered the favorite from the beginning. Yesterday, they appointed a new offensive coordinator: The one who finished this season as the interim head offensive honcho. Are you sensing a pattern yet? If not, we'll spell it out for you: The Giants are convinced mostly everything is fine with Tom Coughlin's leadership, the front office's personnel moves and Kevin Gilbride's play-calling and game-planning. It's the defense that needs work. That side of the ball will be addressed in the coming weeks when the team hires a new defensive coordinator. Former Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. is a strong possibility if he doesn't land a head coaching job. Also, Redskins secondary coach and former Bills coordinator Jerry Gray, who is represented by the same agent as Coughlin, could be brought in for an interview. As for the offense, the team is sticking with Gilbride, who replaced former coordinator John Hufnagel before the regular-season finale against the Redskins. Under Gilbride, the Giants scored 34 points in Washington followed by 20 in the playoff loss to the Eagles. Once Coughlin learned he'd be keeping his job, Gilbride knew he'd be getting a permanent promotion from quarterbacks coach. The Giants will hire a new quarterbacks coach in the near future. Bills offensive quality control coach Alex Van Pelt, a 10-year veteran backup, is a possibility. "(Coughlin) came to me (after the season) and said, 'If things work out, then you'll be the offensive coordinator here,'" Gilbride said yesterday on a conference call with reporters. "And we'll move forward from this point on." Coughlin is hoping Gilbride can get the Giants' offense to move forward more quickly than Hufnagel could last season. In 2005, the Giants ranked fourth overall in total offense (361.7 yards per game) and 11th in passing (223.6). In 2006, they dropped to 14th overall (325.9) and 19th in passing (191.1). Now-retired running back Tiki Barber's production fell only slightly (198 fewer rushing yards), but that was due to fewer touches in a less effective offense. The problem was quarterback Eli Manning, who went through another second-half swoon. Even though Manning's completion percentage jumped from 52.8 to 57.7, his touchdown total (24) remained the same and he threw only one more interception (18), there was still something missing: The deep ball. Manning had only 33 completions of 20 or more yards after racking up 49 in 2005. "I expect the ball to go down the field more than it did (last) year," Coughlin, who was not available to reporters yesterday, said in the team's press release. In Gilbride's mind, it should go downfield more often to tight end Jeremy Shockey, who had only two catches of 20 or more yards last season after hauling in 12 in 2005. "We need to be a little more efficient throwing the ball down the field, getting Jeremy Shockey involved down the field," Gilbride said. "Getting other players involved, having them earn the trust and confidence of the quarterback besides just Plaxico (Burress), who was pretty much our (only) deep threat (last year)." Gilbride also must find a way to replace the production Barber has provided in his last three Pro Bowl seasons. "He left a tremendous hole by his retirement, but we think we have some pretty good football players," Gilbride said. "Maybe the approach won't be exactly the same because their style of running will not be the exact same as his, but we think we can put together a pretty good running attack." Note: The Star-Ledger reported yesterday that new Giants GM Jerry Reese, in an interview with the YES Network, had mentioned Chargers RB Michael Turner as a possible replacement for Barber. That wasn't the case. Reese said the team will look for another option in addition to Brandon Jacobs "with free agency or the draft." But when he mentioned Turner shortly thereafter, he did so in the context of pointing out many teams have more than one option in the backfield. "Even the great LaDainian Tomlinson (has) a backup running back," Reese said. He did not specify whether the Giants would be interested in Turner, who will be a restricted free agent in March. Mike Garafolo may be reached at mgarafolo@starledger.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 (edited) Giants: Gilbride deep in thought on plans Friday, January 19, 2007 BY MIKE GARAFOLO Star-Ledger Staff Last week, the Giants announced who their coach would be for the 2007 season: The same one that's been in charge the past three years. On Tuesday, they named their new general manager: The leading in-house candidate who was considered the favorite from the beginning. Yesterday, they appointed a new offensive coordinator: The one who finished this season as the interim head offensive honcho. Are you sensing a pattern yet? If not, we'll spell it out for you: The Giants are convinced mostly everything is fine with Tom Coughlin's leadership, the front office's personnel moves and Kevin Gilbride's play-calling and game-planning. It's the defense that needs work. That side of the ball will be addressed in the coming weeks when the team hires a new defensive coordinator. Former Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. is a strong possibility if he doesn't land a head coaching job. Also, Redskins secondary coach and former Bills coordinator Jerry Gray, who is represented by the same agent as Coughlin, could be brought in for an interview. As for the offense, the team is sticking with Gilbride, who replaced former coordinator John Hufnagel before the regular-season finale against the Redskins. Under Gilbride, the Giants scored 34 points in Washington followed by 20 in the playoff loss to the Eagles. Once Coughlin learned he'd be keeping his job, Gilbride knew he'd be getting a permanent promotion from quarterbacks coach. The Giants will hire a new quarterbacks coach in the near future. Bills offensive quality control coach Alex Van Pelt, a 10-year veteran backup, is a possibility. "(Coughlin) came to me (after the season) and said, 'If things work out, then you'll be the offensive coordinator here,'" Gilbride said yesterday on a conference call with reporters. "And we'll move forward from this point on." Coughlin is hoping Gilbride can get the Giants' offense to move forward more quickly than Hufnagel could last season. In 2005, the Giants ranked fourth overall in total offense (361.7 yards per game) and 11th in passing (223.6). In 2006, they dropped to 14th overall (325.9) and 19th in passing (191.1). Now-retired running back Tiki Barber's production fell only slightly (198 fewer rushing yards), but that was due to fewer touches in a less effective offense. The problem was quarterback Eli Manning, who went through another second-half swoon. Even though Manning's completion percentage jumped from 52.8 to 57.7, his touchdown total (24) remained the same and he threw only one more interception (18), there was still something missing: The deep ball. Manning had only 33 completions of 20 or more yards after racking up 49 in 2005. "I expect the ball to go down the field more than it did (last) year," Coughlin, who was not available to reporters yesterday, said in the team's press release. In Gilbride's mind, it should go downfield more often to tight end Jeremy Shockey, who had only two catches of 20 or more yards last season after hauling in 12 in 2005. "We need to be a little more efficient throwing the ball down the field, getting Jeremy Shockey involved down the field," Gilbride said. "Getting other players involved, having them earn the trust and confidence of the quarterback besides just Plaxico (Burress), who was pretty much our (only) deep threat (last year)." Gilbride also must find a way to replace the production Barber has provided in his last three Pro Bowl seasons. "He left a tremendous hole by his retirement, but we think we have some pretty good football players," Gilbride said. "Maybe the approach won't be exactly the same because their style of running will not be the exact same as his, but we think we can put together a pretty good running attack." Note: The Star-Ledger reported yesterday that new Giants GM Jerry Reese, in an interview with the YES Network, had mentioned Chargers RB Michael Turner as a possible replacement for Barber. That wasn't the case. Reese said the team will look for another option in addition to Brandon Jacobs "with free agency or the draft." But when he mentioned Turner shortly thereafter, he did so in the context of pointing out many teams have more than one option in the backfield. "Even the great LaDainian Tomlinson (has) a backup running back," Reese said. He did not specify whether the Giants would be interested in Turner, who will be a restricted free agent in March.Mike Garafolo may be reached at mgarafolo@starledger.com I don't get it. Edited January 19, 2007 by HowboutthemCowboys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 I thought for sure Turner would have been a possibility and priority for giants to go after ...hope still a possibility for him If not I think turner ends up on the jets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggsy Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 seems they may be happy going with Jacobs as the man and drafting a back in the mid rounds to back him up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 (edited) I thought for sure Turner would have been a possibility and priority for giants to go after ...hope still a possibility for him If not I think turner ends up on the jets Source: Newark Star-Ledger Jan. 18 - 11:31 am et New Giants GM Jerry Reese mentioned Michael Turner as a possible offseason trade target during an interview with the YES network Wednesday. Reese is trying to come off as an aggressive new leader and acquiring Turner, who might command a second-rounder and another mid- to late-round pick as compensation, could be his first big move. The Ravens have also been mentioned as potentially having interest in LT2's backup. ETA did'nt read Randall's whole post but the last line seems to contradict the thread title.... Edited January 19, 2007 by HowboutthemCowboys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Ah ...ok so I misunderstood as well ...would love turner as a giant in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted January 19, 2007 Author Share Posted January 19, 2007 Source: Newark Star-Ledger Jan. 18 - 11:31 am et New Giants GM Jerry Reese mentioned Michael Turner as a possible offseason trade target during an interview with the YES network Wednesday. Reese is trying to come off as an aggressive new leader and acquiring Turner, who might command a second-rounder and another mid- to late-round pick as compensation, could be his first big move. The Ravens have also been mentioned as potentially having interest in LT2's backup. ETA did'nt read Randall's whole post but the last line seems to contradict the thread title.... He said(perhaps blowing smoke) Reese said the team will look for another option in addition to Brandon Jacobs "with free agency or the draft." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring Back Pat!!! Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 He said(perhaps blowing smoke) Reese said the team will look for another option in addition to Brandon Jacobs "with free agency or the draft." Turner will be a rfa in March. Seams to me he'd still be an option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted February 5, 2007 Author Share Posted February 5, 2007 Thomas Jones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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