The hubbub about who stays (general manager Jerry Reese) and who goes (coach Tom Coughlin) seemed to dull the usual hand-wringing about another lost Giants season. It was quite a dud, from beginning to end, and four consecutive years with no playoffs could turn into an even deeper swoon unless the Giants get their act together, fast.
There is much work to do for a franchise that co-owner John Mara accurately admitted “lost some credibility as an organization.’’ Here are five key matters the Giants need to address:
1. Get it right with the head coach
Coughlin’s presence was all-pervasive, and his departure will be felt in every corner of the team facility. It is a new era, and franchises can be set back for a decade if the new head coach is not the right head coach. This is a crossroads moment. Continuity and comfort for Eli Manning means naming Ben McAdoo head coach — or hiring someone like Doug Marrone, who would retain McAdoo as offensive coordinator — but sometimes a clean sweep produces better results. There is no proven candidate who can inject the credibility that Coughlin takes with him. The Giants hope McAdoo or Adam Gase or Sean McDermott or Marrone or someone else can forge a new direction and make a contribution close to Coughlin’s.
2. Sort out who stays and who goes
Talk about a revolving door. The Giants have 20 unrestricted free agents, and the majority are expendable. For some, though, it will be difficult to assign values, starting with Jason Pierre-Paul. Given their woeful pass-rush situation, the Giants should make a mid-range offer to JPP — somewhere in the two-year, $15 million range. That is peanuts compared to what his deal would have been before his right hand was disfigured in a fireworks accident. Others to consider: Prince Amukamara (the price tag can soar for cornerbacks), Rueben Randle (he is no more than solid No. 3 receiver at a position of great need), Robert Ayers (he led the Giants with 9.5 sacks despite playing in just 12 games), Cullen Jenkins (leadership but advancing age), Josh Brown (30-of-32 on field goals but decreased power on kickoffs).
3. Spend all that money wisely
Antrel Rolle went on WFAN on Wednesday and stated if he was with the Giants they would have won 10 games this season. That’s debatable — Rolle was injured for much of the year with the Bears — but his point is clear: The Giants badly needed a veteran at safety. There will be close to $50 million in salary-cap space this offseason. A team cannot be built in free agency but it can be improved, and Reese has to open the vault for one or two impact players, especially on defense. If Eric Berry somehow becomes available, get him. If not, kick the tires on Eric Weddle. Danny Trevathan would be a three-down linebacker, something the Giants do not have. At receiver, if Alshon Jeffrey is out there, sign him. Cordy Glenn at left tackle would allow Ereck Flowers to move to right tackle, where he probably is better suited.
4. Get it right in the draft
John Mara said it as clearly as possible: “Jerry knows this is on him.’’ Reese must do what he has not done often enough — select quality players capable of cracking the lineup in this draft. With the No. 10 pick, find another star to make a splash like Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 12 in 2014). No more second-round stiffs like Clint Sintim or Marvin Austin; or third-round busts such as Ramses Barden, Travis Beckum, Jerrel Jernigan, Jayron Hosley or Damontre Moore; or fourth-round washouts similar to Bryan Kehl, Phillip Dillard, James Brewer, Adrien Robinson and Brandon Mosley.
“Your core players are your third-, fourth-, fifth-year players,’’ Mara said. “If you look back at those draft classes, there’s not a lot of them that are playing right now.’’
5. Figure out the injury mess
The Giants finished with 22 players on injured reserve, a third consecutive season with injuries ravaging their roster. No one can accuse Coughlin of being too hard on his players — they had “recovery day’’ Fridays, for goodness sakes. This organization has studied and made changes, embracing the latest technology, but the trainer’s room continues to be standing room only — for those who can stand.
Victor Cruz and Will Beatty did not play a down, Jon Beason hardly played at all, Johnathan Hankins tore his pectoral in game No. 9, tight ends Larry Donnell and Daniel Fells never came close to finishing the season. Heck, three young safeties never made it out of the preseason. This all cannot be bad luck. The strength and conditioning operation might need an overhaul.