"Death by Turnovers" - The New York Giants 0-3 Start

“Death by Turnovers” – The New Giants 0-3 Start

“A View from the Bleachers”

Victor M. Singletary with Curtis J. Singletary

The title of this column does not refer to an Agatha Christie mystery in which dinner guests frantically solve the murder of a companion whose apple turnover dessert contains large traces of arsenic.  Rather, it characterizes the regrettable 0-3 start of the New York Giants in the 2013-2014 football season.  In their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys in Texas Stadium, the Giants turned the ball over six times.  In the two subsequent games against the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, the Giants committed four turnovers in each contest.  When your opponents capitalize on each mistake, you cannot win football games.  Essentially, you are killing any hopes of contending for your divisional title yet alone progressing to the playoffs.  For the frustrated fans and even gloating enemies of the New York Giants, they can aptly label their premature obituaries, “Death by Turnovers.”

Eli Manning, the Giants’ seasoned and veteran quarterback and undisputed leader of this team, deserves the lion’s share of the blame.   Apparently, he believes he must carry the offense and even team on his shoulders.  Several of the interceptions he has thrown in the first few games equate with anxious rookie mistakes.  A veteran of his stature must avoid such silly and even stupid chances of throwing on a third down and short yardage.  He foregoes screen passes which would yield the first down, if he must throw on third down only needing a few yards.  Instead, he grandiosely throws a bomb hoping to score as he snatches victory out of the closing jaws of defeat.  Eventually, the cumulative effects of these unnecessary errors results in three consecutive losses and a demoralized time and disillusioned fan base which harbors the blissful dream of the New York Giants playing in the Super Bowl at home in February.  Specifically, in the Denver game, Eli consistently overacted and exaggerated his seminal role as he grappled with the magnanimous shadow of his brother, Peyton, looming over each down.  Still, this storied sibling rivalry, which increases press coverage and enlarges television audience and ensures a sold out local game, does not justify the subpar performance of an experienced quarterback who has won two championships and maintains stats that rival his brother and any other high achieving quarterback in the National Football League.

Bewildered Giants fans resign themselves to the reality of a very long and tedious football season in the City of New York if Manning, Cruz, Bradshaw and Coughlin fail to reverse their fortunes.  What explains their current destitute state of play and mediocre ranking?  The incredible numbers of turnovers reveal an extremely weak offensive line.  Better blocking and coverage coupled with more time in the pocket enable Manning to see open receivers and resist the temptation to throw to someone facing double or triple coverage in the secondary.  Second, the Giants’ defense is non-existent.  How Giants fan long for the return to the days of Lawrence Taylor whose speed and accuracy was career-ending for a quarterback or two.  Yet, LT has been retired for years; thus his absence is not a valid excuse.  Third, there appears to be obvious deficiencies with play calling.  The offensive coordinator is the person on the side lines who deserves the fans’ chagrin and disappointment.  Fourth, lingering injuries persist in undermining the team’s performance as it is difficult for the players to build trust and coalesce around a game plan of the personnel changes week to week.  Finally, speaking of personnel, questions remain as to whether Coach Coughlin left the preseason with the right people for their positions.  The running fumbles in the Dallas game glaringly showed personnel inadequacies; hence, the return of Bradshaw to the Giants lineup within the ensuing week.  Whereas these five factors reasonably explain the Giants’ 0-3 starting record for this season, they hardly justify writing an obituary for a team with a history of awakening their individual and collective giants at mid-season and marching triumphantly into the postseason.

One of America’s favorite pastimes yielding in excess of $10 billion annually, the game of professional football simulates many challenges that fans face in everyday living.  Average citizens make hard decisions relating to marriage, family, jobs, health, finances and other priorities.  Possessing a personal mission and purpose statement similar to business’ strategic plan, they determine whether they will take advantage of an investment opportunity or forego this chance to increase their wealth.  Such a choice reminds me of a coach’s decision to go for the first down or punt the ball.  Ironically, the New York Giants need to actualize some of these life lessons as they regroup and reverse their losing trend.  Each player needs time for self-evaluation and introspection.  As a professional athlete who is handsomely paid to perform a task that you wholeheartedly enjoy, you have an obligation to subordinate your ego and determine whether you are contributing your maximum.  A start like the Giants often necessitates a return to fundamentals; coaches should forsake any assumptions about what each member of the team knows.  Usually, small things accumulate into big problems; thus a couple of turnovers result in three losses.  Refining basic techniques as a means of “Total Quality Management” will assist the Giants in eradicating shameless mistakes.  To the extent that any member of the Giants team will employ his ego, he should do so as a matter of personal and professional pride. 

As the season continues, hopefully “Death by Turnovers” will characterize three unfortunate and unnecessary losses for the Giants instead of entitling their 2013-2014 season obituary.