EAST RUTHERFORD – Brian Daboll stood behind the lectern in the bowels of MetLife Stadium and addressed the media seated in front of him. His message wasn’t one for them, though. These words seemed postmarked for Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
Get a quarterback. Get that quarterback to play well.
“You’ll have an opportunity every game,” Daboll said.
That was certainly the case in the Giants’ 45-33 victory over the Colts on Sunday. Their offense, abysmal so much of this season, erupted for their most points since they dropped 49 in a loss to the Saints in 2015. Quarterback Drew Lock was the biggest reason why. He scored five touchdowns (four passing) and threw for 309 yards.
It might be too little, too late for Daboll, who’s trying to save his job. His words ring true, though: New York needs to find their quarterback.
Only now, things are a bit more challenging.
Things seemed so clear for the Giants on Sunday morning. This season, which was supposed to be spent celebrating the franchise’s 100th, had been a big blue embarrassment. The Giants were losers in 10 straight, couldn’t score on offense and were somehow worse on defense. They were shellacked by the Falcons – an uncompetitive disaster. They reached rock bottom.
It was all worth it, though – the pain, misery. The reward for such futility was the No. 1 pick in the draft. After the Raiders beat the Jaguars last week, the Giants took control of it. Lose to the Colts. Lose to the Eagles. General manager Joe Schoen, or a GM-to-be-hired-later, would have his choice of passers Cam Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado).
Then the Giants beat the Colts. They now hold the third or fourth pick in the draft, depending on the outcome of the Browns – Dolphins game.
What tank?
“That’s not talked about with us,” said receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who finished with five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. “Guys are out here playing for their livelihoods. This is their job.”
There is still a path to the Giants reclaiming the No. 1 selection. They need to lose to the Eagles in Week 18 – no small feat, considering the Eagles, with the No. 2 seed locked up, expect to rest starters. They then need the Browns to beat the Dolphins this week, followed by the Patriots beating the Bills and the Titans beating the Texans. That would give the Giants the No. 1 selection once more.
If that doesn’t happen: They just must hope the Patriots finish with either the No. 1 or 2 pick. Unlike Tennessee and Cleveland, the Patriots have their quarterback of the future (Drake Maye). They’d be much more likely to trade down with the Giants so Schoen could go up and get his.
It will be costly. It will almost certainly cost Schoen a future first-round pick (and then some). It’s a price he will have no choice but to pay.
There’s a reason they say teams don’t tank in the NFL. There are far too many variables. You’re bound to have the ball bounce your way a time or two throughout the course of a 17-game season. Players, all of whom are physically gifted, will make plays. Unless you field incompetence – which the Giants flirted with at times this year – you’ll catch a break.
That’s what happened to the Giants on Sunday. Malik Nabers (seven catches, 171 yards, two touchdowns) went off. Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a kick for a touchdown. Joe Flacco threw a pair of interceptions. The Colts, despite 25 first downs and 446 yards of offense, with the ball in scoring position.
Indianapolis had nine possessions reach the Giants’ 35-yard line (or better). Three times they came away with zero points: Interception, missed field goal and turnover on downs. That was the difference.
“We’re obviously not tanking,” said Darius Slayton, who caught a 32-yard touchdown. “Football, you get hit. I’m not trying to go out there and just let people tee off on me to tank. I’m not about to let people dive at my knees for free.”
Time will tell if Daboll returns as the Giants coach next year. It still seems unlikely. It won’t matter who the Giants replace him with, though, if they can’t fix what’s happened under center since Eli Manning retired.
They need a quarterback.
The path to one was once so clear.
It’s much murkier now.
