A Timeline of How Eli Manning’s ‘Greatness’ Has Masked Jerry Reese’s Offensive Mistakes

On Pardon My Take, Mark Schlereth talked about how Peyton Manning “ruined” the Colts and Broncos. Could we say the same about Eli Manning and the Giants? Did Eli’s greatness cover up a flawed offense assembled by Jerry Reese?

The theory is simple: Eli Manning made his supporting cast look better than they were. While it looked like the team had good players, it was actually Eli’s exceptional play that caused the front office to have a false sense of security.

Why draft a prospect at a position where you appear to be all set? Why sign a highly touted free agent when you’ve already got your guy? Now that Eli can’t make throws he used to… now that Manning has been “unceremoniously” benched and people are freaking out, we’re seeing the shoddy craftsmanship of Reese’s faulty foundation.

Pro-Manning Giants fans have noted this discrepancy for years. And now that Eli’s been robbed of even the slightest pool of complementary talent, the offense is impotent. Anti-Manning Giants fans are calling for Eli’s job, suggesting the G-Men draft a QB with their first pick, even though Eli has been the one constant holding this ship upright.

“What’s Eli supposed to do?” That’s the most often posed question. What’s Eli supposed to do with an inconsistent offensive line and receivers who can’t get open or catch the ball? Take away an offense’s top four wide receivers and 3/5 of their starting offensive line and see how that offense’s quarterback fares. My money’s on “no bueno”.

Jerry Reese has failed his future Hall of Fame quarterback. Reese and his squad of scouts and player personnel staff haven’t provided Eli with the guys he needs to succeed.

When Eli was “elite”, Reese thought the offense was elite. His lack of foresight and inability to bolster the offensive side of the ball has led to its tortuous demise. This is now the worst Giants offense we’ve seen in a long time. Like, Jesse Palmer 2003 bad. Like, fewest points scored in a single season 1979 bad.

Of the 37 offensive players Reese has drafted since 2007, only two players have made the Pro Bowl (Odell Beckham and Steve Smith). Victor Cruz, an undrafted free agent that credits Tom Coughlin for his success, had one Pro Bowl season. Dwayne Harris, a free agent signing, was somehow a Pro Bowler in 2016. Eli’s had four Pro Bowl seasons, three of which came without any real running game.

The first five years of Reese’s reign were a mirage. From 2007 – 2011, the Giants had a solid offensive line in Shaun O’Hara (free agent), Chris Snee (2004 draft), Kareem McKenzie (free agent), and David Diehl (2003 draft) with undrafted free agent Rich Seubert and free agent signees David Bass and Kevin Boothe eventually chipping in.

During that five year span from ’07 through 2011, the Giants went 40 – 31 and didn’t have one losing season.

Since the Super Bowl win in February 2012, the Giants have gone 41-50 over five seasons and 11 weeks of 2017. They only have two winning seasons (2012, 2016). Take away the improbable luck of 2016 (which featured eight wins by a touchdown or less, wins usually secured by Odell Beckham or the defense) and you’re looking at a record of 30-45.

NJ.com’s James Kratch summed up the 2017 season pretty nicely:

(The Giants) lost to an 0-9 team for the first time since 1966. They are 0-8 in NFC play for the first time since 1976. They’ve been eliminated from playoff contention at the earliest point in a season since 1976. They will miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, and finish with a losing record for the fourth time in the last five years.

The Giants offense has ranked 25th or worst in points scored and yards gained in three of the past six seasons. The only season the offense has placed in the top ten in both categories was 2015.

Long story short, the Giants’ tailspin began in 2012. The Super Bowl hangover hasn’t gone away because Reese has ignored the symptoms.

Take a look at this list of Giants offensive players Reese has drafted or signed as the General Manager during Eli’s pro career (2007 – 2017). Realistically, you could say maybe one or two have panned out.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Reese has drafted 12 offensive linemen in 11 seasons as Giants GM.

2007

• Sixth-round Oregon State tackle Adam Koets – 12 games played, 4 starts
• Former Raider draft pick Kevin Boothe – free agent signing, 48 starts in 89 games over seven seasons (starting guard in 2011 Super Bowl season)

Super Bowl win.

2008

• No linemen drafted.

Giants lead the league in rushing.

2009

• Second-round UConn tackle Will Beatty – 88 games played, 63 starts (starting LT in 2011 Super Bowl season)

Giants miss the playoffs.

2010

• Fifth-round Arkansas guard Mitch Petrus – 23 games, 3 starts
• Former Eagle first-rounder Shawn Andrews – 13 games, 7 starts

Giants miss the playoffs.

2011

Giants cut ties with Shaun O’Hara and Rich Seubert.

• Fourth-round Indiana tackle James Brewer – 26 games, 8 starts
• Former 49er center David Baas signed – 30 games, 30 starts (starting center in 2011 Super Bowl season)
• Former Bengal tackle Stacy Andrews (Shawn’s brother) signed – 9 games, 3 starts
• Undrafted free agent center Jim Cordle – 36 games, 7 starts

Giants win Super Bowl. 

***2012***

• Fourth-round Auburn tackle Brandon Mosley – 22 games, 1 start
• Seventh-round Ohio tackle Eric Herman – 0 games played
• Sixth-round University of Alabama-Birmingham tackle Matt McCants – 0 games played

Chris Snee makes the Pro Bowl along with Victor Cruz and Eli Manning.

2013

• First-round pick, Syracuse guard/tackle Justin Pugh – 63 starts in 63 games over 4+ seasons (75 potential games). One playoff game.
• Former Eagle Dallas Reynolds – 34 games, 2 starts

Chris Snee only plays 3 games in what will be his last season.

David Diehl’s last season.

29th in rushing yards, 30th in rushing yards per attempt.

2014

• Second-round Colorado State guard/center Weston Richburg – 50 starts in 51 games, consistently one of the highest graded centers on Pro Football Focus, but might not get re-signed. One playoff game.
• Former Dolphin guard John Jerry signed – 51 starts in 59 games, heavily criticized. One playoff game.
• Former Bronco center J.D. Walton signed – 16 games, 16 starts
• Former 49er guard Adam Snyder signed – 4 games, 1 start
• Former Panther, Viking, and Chief guard Geoff Schwartz signed – 13 starts over 2 seasons, signed by the Lions and cut.

23rd in rushing yards, 30th in rushing yards per attempt. 

2015

• First-round pick, Miami tackle Ereck Flowers – 42 starts in 42 games played. The consensus isn’t good. One playoff game.
• Seventh-round pick, Florida State guard Bobby Hart – 18 starts in 29 games, BENCHED. One playoff game played, didn’t start.
• Former Packer Marshall Newhouse – 20 starts in 24 games. One playoff game.
• Former Redskin Adam Gettis – 1 start in 4 games

Will Beatty goes down with season-ending injury. Flowers starts at left tackle.

18th in rushing yards, 18th in rushing yards per attempt.

2016

• No offensive linemen drafted.
• Former CFL lineman of the year Brett Jones – 9 starts in 24 games
• Undrafted free agent Shane McDermott – 2 games played

29th in rushing yards, 30th in rushing yards per attempt

2017

• Sixth-round Pitt tackle Adam Bisnowaty – PRACTICE SQUAD
• Undrafted free agent USC tackle Chad Wheeler – 2 starts in 6 games
• Former Chargers first-rounder DJ Fluker – 6 starts in 9 games (IR)
• Former Ram tackle John Greco – 1 game played

Through 11 weeks, 26th in rushing yards, 22nd in rushing yards per attempt. 

See what happened there? Reese inherited an offensive line that once lead the NFL in rushing yards and yards per attempt. Then, he watched that unit deteriorate into one of the worst units in the league.

Seriously, that 2012 draft class alone should be the reason Reese gets axed. Here are the more notable offensive linemen the Giants could’ve targeted in ’12:

• Matt Kalil, OT – Pick 4, Round 1 (4)
• David DeCastro, G – Pick 24, Round 1 (24)
• Riley Reiff, OT – Round 1 (23)
• Cordy Glenn, T – Georgia Pick 9, Round 2 (41)
• Jonathan Martin, OT – Stanford Pick 10, Round 2 (42)
• Bobby Massie, T – Pick 17, Round 4 (112)
• Kevin Zeitler, G – Pick 27, Round 1 (27)
• Kelechi Osemele, T – Pick 28, Round 2 (60)
• Mitchell Schwartz, T – California Pick 5, Round 2 (37)
• Brandon Brooks, G – Miami (OH) Pick 13, Round 3 (76)
• Donald Stephenson, T – Pick 11, Round 3 (74)
• Ben Jones, C – Pick 4, Round 4 (99)

Ultimately, Reese’s track record drafting offensive linemen is atrocious. It’s the primary reason the Giants offense hasn’t been winning games. No running game = no play-action = defense drops more into coverage OR brings more blitzers. More three-and-outs = more strain on the defense. It’s a vicious chain reaction that can make an “elite” quarterback like Eli look laughable.

According to a Wall Street Journal article (via SI) with data provided by Pro Football Reference:

“Offensive linemen have the longest careers of all players as they average playing time for approximately three years and eight months. Wide receivers have the shortest careers with an average of 2 years and 2.5 months.”

By that logic, the Giants should have five guys ready to start and play well every 3 years. John Jerry, Weston Richburg, Justin Pugh, Bobby Hart and Ereck Flowers haven’t consistently helped the Giants offense win games the past 3 seasons. 

The front office put all their eggs in the Ben McAdoo basket because his system was based on getting the football out of Manning’s hands and into the playmakers’ hands as quickly as possible. Sacks declined and the numbers indicated the offensive line improved. Anyone who’s watched the games can tell you that’s not the case.

The problem is defenses know about the quick release (heh heh), so they’ll play shallow and pounce all over short passes. But, that opens up the deep ball to Beckham! Yes, but if your entire scheme is predicated on one big play per game, you’re not going to win many games.

If you have a solid offensive line who can let the quarterback drop back and survey the field, odds are your talented wideouts will get open. which leads us to…

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS

2007

• Second-round USC WR Steve Smith – 26 starts in 46 games in 4 seasons, ~2,400 yards, 11 TDs in four seasons. Pro Bowler in 2009.
• Fifth-round Western Oregon TE Kevin Boss – 45 starts in 58 games in 4 seasons, 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns.
• Former Bronco WR Domenik Hixon – 13 starts in 57 games, 3,600+ total yards, 8 touchdowns over five seasons.

Super Bowl win.

2008

• Third-round Michigan WR Mario Manningham – 28 starts in 49 games, 2,300+ yards, 18 TDs in four seasons.
• Former Dolphin WR Derek Hagan – 4 starts in 24 games, 300+ yards, 2 TDs in 3 seasons.

Plaxico Burress goes to prison for shooting himself in the leg.

2009

• First-round UNC WR Hakeem Nicks – 61 starts in 76 games, 4,600+ receiving yards, 27 TDs in six seasons. Instrumental to 2011 Super Bowl run. Should’ve been a Pro Bowler.
• Third-round Cal Poly WR Ramses Barden – 1 start and 29 catches in 29 games over four seasons. Plax 2.0 never got out of BETA.
• Third-round Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum – 4 starts in 48 games, 26 catches, 3 TDs.
• Former 49er draft pick Bear Pascoe – 32 starts in 66 games over fives seasons, 333 yards and 1 TD.

“Jet Blue” trio (Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks) puts up respectable numbers in 2009. 

2010

• Zero WRs or TEs drafted.
• Undrafted UMass WR Victor Cruz – 53 starts in 70 games over six seasons, 4,500+ yards, 25 TDs. Pro Bowl in 2012.
• Undrafted Ohio State TE Jake Ballard – 13 starts in 15 games over 2 seasons, 600+ yards and 4 TDs.

Year 2 of “Jet Blue” saw a lot of injuries with Steve Smith enduring the worst. 

2011

Kevin Boss departs via free agency to the Raiders.

• Third-round Troy WR Jerrel Jernigan – 4 starts, 38 grabs, 2 TDs in 34 games.

Super Bowl win. Victor Cruz emerged as a starter and playmaker.

2012

• Second-round LSU WR Rueben Randle – 33 starts in 64 games, 2,600+ yards, 20 TDs in four seasons.
• Fourth-round Cincy TE Adrien Robinson – 1 start in 19 games, 50 yards, 1 TD in 3 seasons.
• Former Cowboys TE Martellus Bennett signed – started all 16 games in 2012, 600+ yards, 5 TDs.
• Undrafted Grambling State TE Larry Donnell – 27 starts in 54 games over five seasons, 900+ yards and 9 TDs.

2013

• Zero WRs or TEs drafted.
• Former Raider Brandon Myers signed – 14 starts in 16 games, 500+ yards, 4 TDs in 1 season.

Eli has the worst season of his entire career.

Leading rusher had 492 yards. 

First time the Giants failed to have a WR crack 1,000 yards in a season since God knows when.

Hakeem Nick finishes with 0 touchdowns.

2014

Hakeem Nicks leaves for Indy.

• First-round LSU WR Odell Beckham – 44 starts in 47 games over 3+ seasons, 4,400+ yards, 38 TDs. 3-time Pro Bowler. Single-handedly saved Jerry Reese’s job.
• Former Buc Preston Parker – 8 starts in 18 games, 460+ yards, 2 TDs in 2 seasons.
• Veteran TE Daniel Fells – 10 starts in 18 games over 2 seasons, 240+ yards & 4 TDs.
• Undrafted free agent WR Corey Washington – 0 starts in 14 games played in 2014, 50+ yards and 1 TD.
• Former Cowboy Kevin Ogletree – 0 starts in 7 games, 50 yards

Victor Cruz goes down for the season in an early October game against Philly.

Top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns thanks to Odell.

2015

• Sixth-round UConn WR Geremy Davis – 0 starts in 10 games, 2 catches. WOOF.
• Undrafted free agent TE Will Tye – 17 starts in 29 games, 850+ yards, 4 TDs in 2 seasons.
• Undrafted free agent TE Jerome Cunningham – 3 starts in 9 games in 2015.
• Former Cowboy Dwayne Harris – 8 starts in 36 games, 2,300 all-purpose yards, 2 TDs in 3 seasons. Pro Bowl in 2016.
• Undrafted free agent Myles White – 88 yards and 1 TD in 12 games.
• Undrafted free agent Matt LaCosse – 3 catches in 5 games over 2 seasons.
• Undrafted free agent Ben Edwards – 1 catch in 2 games.

Victor Cruz misses entire 2015 season. Giants sorely miss third receiving threat.

2016

• Second-round Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard – 22 starts in 23 games, 1,100+ yards and 9 TDs in 1+ seasons.
• Sixth-round South Carolina TE Jerell Adams – 3 starts in 24 games, 180+ yards, 1 TD in 1+ seasons.
• Undrafted free agent WR Roger Lewis – 6 starts in 24 games, 300+ yards, 4 TDs in 1+ seasons.
• Former Buc Tavarres King – 3 starts in 13 games, ~200 yards, 1 TD in 1+ seasons.

Giants make playoffs behind the second-best scoring defense in the league.

17th in passing yards, 13th in passing touchdowns, 19th in net yards per attempt.

Yet again, Giants lack a third receiving threat as Victor Cruz and Will Tye struggle.

2017

Victor Cruz, Larry Donnell, and Will Tye released.

• Veteran WR Brandon Marshall signed – 5 starts in 5 games, <200 yards, 0 TDs.
• Former Vikings TE Rhett Ellison signed, 9 starts in 11 games, <90 yards, 1 TD.
• First-round Ole Miss TE Evan Engram – 9 starts in 11 games, ~500 yards, 5 TDs.
• Undrafted FSU WR Travis Rudolph – 0 starts in 5 games, 66 yards.

Through 11 weeks, Sterling Shepard leads the team in receiving yards despite missing five starts (475 yards).

On pace to not have a 1,000-yard receiver, first time since 2013.

Last, but not least, we have the position that’s been devoid of a difference maker (or stability) for years.

RUNNING BACKS

2007

Tiki Barber retires.

• Seventh-round Marshall RB Ahmad Bradshaw – 33 starts in 88 games, 4,200+ yards, 32 TDs in six seasons.
• Undrafted Georgia RB Danny Ware – 1 start in 45 games, ~600 total yards, 1 TD in five seasons.

Giants win Super Bowl.

2008

• No RBs drafted.

Giants lead the league in rushing with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Bradshaw.

2009

• Fourth-round North Carolina State RB Andre Brown – 10 starts in 18 games ~900 yards, 11 TDs in 2 seasons.

2010

• No RBs drafted.

2011

• Seventh-round Maryland RB Da’Rell Scott – 1 start in 20 games, 98 yards.

Giants win Super Bowl.

2012

Brandon Jacobs leaves for San Francisco. 

• First-round Virginia Tech RB David Wilson – 6 starts in 21 games, 2,300 all-purpose yards, 7 TDs in 2 seasons.

2013

Ahmad Bradshaw leaves for Indy.

• Seventh-round UMass RB Michael Cox – 1 start in 18 games
• Former Bronco, Brown, and Chief Peyton Hillis – 1 start in 16 games, 500+ total yards, 2 TDs in 2 seasons.

The Giants are forced to bring Brandon Jacobs back.

2014

• Former Jaguar Rashad Jennings signed – 37 starts in 40 games, 2,800+ total yards from scrimmage, 12 total TDs in 3 seasons.
• Fourth-round Boston College RB Andre Williams – 7 starts in 32 games, ~1,000 yards, 8 TDs in 2 seasons.

2015

• Former Patriot Shane Vereen signed – 1 start in 32 games, ~1,800 total yards from scrimmage, 5 TDs in 2+ seasons.
• Former Dolphin Orleans Darkwa – 9 starts in 43 games, 800+ rushing yards, 6 TDs in 3+ seasons.
• No RBs drafted.

2016

• Fifth-round UCLA RB Paul Perkins – 5 starts in 21 games, 700+ yards from scrimmage, 0 touchdowns in 1+ seasons.
• Veteran RB Bobby Rainey signed – 15 games, 450+ total yards

2017

• Fourth-round Clemson RB Wayne Gallman – 0 starts in 8 games, 300+ yards from scrimmage, 1 TD

Honestly, the David Wilson selection debilitated the Giants running back position for years to come. Because of Wilson, the Giants let Bradshaw leave. When Wilson went down, the Giants HAD NOBODY then and have nobody now.

In 2014, the Giants opt to sign Jennings then draft Williams in the 4th. Here are the more notable running backs taken from that year’s draft before Williams…

• Carlos Hyde – Pick 25 of Round 2 (57th overall)
• Jeremy Hill – Pick 23 of Round 2 (55th overall)
• Devonta Freeman – Pick 3 of Round 4 (103rd overall)
• Jerick McKinnon – Pick 32 of Round 3 (96th overall)
• Terrance West – Pick 30 of Round 3 (94th overall)

Not a day goes by that a Giants fan doesn’t criticize Reese for picking Ereck Flowers over Todd Gurley in the 2015 draft. Here are the more notable RBs selected that year:

• Todd Gurley – Pick 10, Round 1 (10th overall)
• Melvin Gordon – Pick 15, Round 1 (15th overall)
• Tevin Coleman – Pick 9, Round 3 (73rd overall)
• Duke Johnson – Pick 13, Round 3 (77th overall)
• Ameer Abdullah – Pick 22, Round 2 (54th overall)
• T.J. Yeldon – Pick 4, Round 2 (36th overall)
• Jay Ajayi – Pick 13, Round 5 (149th overall)
• David Johnson – Pick 22, Round 3 (86th overall)

Any of those guys would be an upgrade over Jennings or Williams.

• Paul Perkins has fallen off a cliff.
• Wayne Gallman has ball control issues.
• Orleans Darkwa is a workhorse who has trouble staying healthy and can’t catch the ball.

The Giants haven’t seen a 1,000-yard rusher since Ahmad Bradshaw in ’12 (1,015 yards). 

You know what really stings / stinks? The Giants were one pick away from getting Le’Veon Bell in the 2013 draft. Instead, they got Johnathan Hankins who bolted after 2016.

Take a look at this chart from April 2011…

The Giants have produced little to no Pro Bowlers on offense other than Eli. Of their 11 first round draft picks under Reese (’07-’17), six have been for the offense. Nicks lasted only five seasons. Wilson, two. Jury’s out on Pugh, Giants might let him walk. Is Odell worth the hefty price tag?

Now peep this infographic from the Wall Street Journal via Pro Football Reference (March 2016)…

If you feel like a player isn’t performing in his second or third year, draft or sign his immediate replacement. Did Reese do that? The evidence suggests nah, son.

Hey, the Giants have been fortunate to have Eli Manning at quarterback for so long. Yet, Jerry Reese drafted Kentucky’s Andrew Woodson in 2008 (!!!), Sam Houston State’s Rhett Bomar in 2009 (!!!), and Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib in 2013. That’s at least two picks Reese could’ve used to give Eli weapons or support.

Taking a future franchise quarterback in 2012 or 2013 made sense. That’s typically when you’d start to see a decline in a first-round Pro Bowl QB according to the law of averages. But, why would you take a guy like Nassib… and why would you take a potential future franchise QB in the fourth?

Here are some of the more notable QBs drafted since 2012…

• Andrew Luck
• Robert Griffin III
• Ryan Tannehill
• Kirk Cousins
• Russell Wilson
• Blake Bortles
• Derek Carr
• Jimmy Garoppolo
• Jameis Winston
• Marcus Mariota
• Carson Wentz
• Jared Goff
• Jacoby Brissett
• Dak Prescott
• Mitchell Trubisky
• Deshaun Watson

Even in the 2017 NFL Draft, why would you take a future franchise QB in the third? Why would you pick Davis Webb and then not activate him for 11 straight weeks?

People don’t place a lot of weight on Pro Football Reference’s “Approximate Value”, but it can be a good measuring stick for comparison. Since 2007, here are the top 10 “most valuable” Giants draft picks on offense:

1. 2007 – 2012, Ahmad Bradshaw (6 seasons)
2. 2009 – 2013, Hakeem Nicks (5 seasons)
3. 2014 – Present, Odell Beckham (3+ seasons)
4. 2009 – 2015, Will Beatty (7+ seasons)
5. 2013 – Present, Justin Pugh (4+ seasons) – 2018 free agent
6. 2008 – 2012, Mario Manningham (5 seasons)
7. 2007 – 2010, Steve Smith (4 seasons)
8. 2012 – 2015, Rueben Randle (4 seasons)
9. 2014 – Present, Weston Richburg (3+ seasons) – 2018 free agent
10. 2015 – Present, Ereck Flowers (2+ seasons)

Other than Beckham, do any of those players blow you away? Any franchise players? No, right? Some showed flashes of excellence, but couldn’t sustain the burn rate.

When the Giants were at their best, Jerry Reese was at his worst. Are Beckham, Pugh, Richburg, and Flowers enough to save Jerry’s job? No. Other than Beckham, they condemn him.

So, the Giants front office has failed miserably when it comes to drafting talent to:

• protect the quarterback (giving Eli 3+ seconds to read the D and deliver)
• generate a respectable ground game (bottom of the league in rushing ’13-’17)
• give Eli options (other than Odell)

The coaching staff has failed miserably to utilize the talent they’ve been given.

Eli Manning hasn’t played at a Pro Bowl level the past two seasons. He’s been hovering around average. In the past, he’d put the team on his shoulders and will the team to win. Those days of raising the talent around him are over. The Manning Beer Goggles have worn off. This offense needs a makeover.

One could argue it was Eli’s monster salary that limited or inhibited what Reese could do for the offense in free agency. Yet, the Giants backed up the Brinks truck for Janoris Jenkins, Olivier Vernon, and Damon Harrison. Reese then rolled the dice on the offensive line he assembled. He crossed his fingers, wishing with every square inch of his bald head that his draft picks and free agents would reward him. And they didn’t.

Whomever takes over for Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo in 2018 knows the challenge that lies ahead of them. GET ELI MANNING HELP. Don’t draft or sign another receiver. Piece together an intimidating offensive line. Make the Giants great again.

PS – The good news is the Giants are only five years away from acquiring offensive weapons.