Giants and the Jets…sounds like an old Elton John song doesn’t it? These two New York teams who awkwardly share the same stadium (in another state), are categorically two very different teams and not just talent-wise. If I had to come up with just one word to describe both of them, I would use the word ‘consistent’ for the Giants and ‘distraction’ for the Jets.
While the New York Jets have literally turned into the Dallas Cowboys; fairly talented but under-achieving, the New York Giants have been the model of consistency winning two Super Bowls in four years. Part of the reason for the success of Big Blue is the fact that Eli Manning has played for the same head coach, Tom Coughlin, and the same offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbright, for his entire NFL career and if you don’t think that it makes a difference, just ask Peyton Manning who worked with OC Tom Moore since he was the number one pick in the 1998 draft until his departure at the end of last season. 72 year old Moore, by the way, coincidentally, was signed last month by the Jets as a consultant.
The New York Jets, on the other hand, seem to spend more time grabbing the back pages of newspapers with their high profile signings and very vocal head coach, Rex Ryan. In the past nine months alone we’ve seen the sulking and benching of Santonio Holmes towards the end of last season in a game vs the Dolphins, and then more negative sound bites before the pre season began last month. It’s no wonder that the Steelers had no problem letting him go. There was the Tim Tebow signing which we’ve all heard and read about ad nauseam for months and then outlandish comments made by Antonio Cromartie. There was the two in-fighting incidents during 7 on 7 drills 2 weeks ago, and lastly, we’ve all heard of the brash super bowl predictions by Rex Ryan as well as his fabled foot fetish addiction. And on and on it goes…one distraction after another.
Talent-wise, here’s our assessment: Eli over Sanchise, Ahmad Bradshaw over Shonn Greene, the Giants receiving corps of Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Domenik Hixon, Ramses Barden and Rueben Randle over Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerly, and Chaz Schilens. At tight end, the Jets Dustin Keller over Martellus Bennett or Travis Beckum. At Kicker it’s a push between Lawrence Tynes and newly acquired Josh Brown. Team defense and special teams, although the Jets have a very serviceable D, Big Blue has the clear edge over Gang Green.
- Giants Potential Stud: RB David Wilson
RB Ahmad Bradshaw carried the rock over 170 times last season and aside from injury, there is no reason to believe he won’t do the same this year as well. We like the Giant’s draft selection of David Wilson. He’s explosive and runs in the same style of Brandon Jacobs; North and South. Wilson will more than likely grab the majority of the 150 carries that Jacobs had, becomes the handcuff to Bradshaw, and thus has the potential of having a productive rookie season.
#34 Rookie RB David Wilson should have enough opprtunity to become a potential stud for the Giants. Photo: Prod.www.giants.clubs.nfl.com
- Giants Potential Dud: TE Martellus Bennett
We believe that Bennett who came over to the Giants from the Cowboys in the off season, will not be the typical TE that Giants fans are used to seeing. TEs for example like Jeremy Shockey or Kevin Boss. At 6′ 6″‘, 270 lbs, expect Bennett to be more of a blocking TE and Travis Beckhum the pass catcher. If you doubt our opinion then take this into consideration; Bennett has not caught a touchdown pass since 2008, his rookie season…
- Jets Potential Stud: RB Terrance Ganaway
The Jets drafted the 239 lb. running back out of Baylor in the 6th round because if they have one deficiency, it’s their weak backfield. With OC Tony Sparano at the helm now, figure the Jets to return to the ground and pound type of offense and so you can expect Ganaway to steal a lot of carries away from Greene. He’s the logical handcuff to him as well and has the edge over the lighter Joe McKnight.
- Jets Potential Dud: QB Mark Sanchez
A few weeks back we listed the Sanchise as one of our players to avoid drafting, so he becomes our choice here as a probable bust in ’12. We don’t think that he’ll lose his job to Tebow because when all is said and done Sanchez IS the better passer, however, once again, Sparano is big on the running game and when the Jets enter the Red Zone they will be more inclined to let Tebow run it in. Furthermore, expect Tebow to steal at least 15-20 snaps from Sanchez in order to run the Wildcat in the hopes that it will provide some confusion for opposing offenses.
#6 Jets QB Mark Sanchez, entering his 4th year with N.Y., will be seeing some more bench time as he yields 15-20 snaps to Tim Tebow. Photo: boredandthirstynyc.com
Strength of schedule: No contest here. Their much weaker schedule will provide the Jets with the opportunity to win more games without having to play their ‘A’ game. Let’s take a look at the ‘probable’ .500 or worse teams the Jets will face in ’12: Miami-twice, Buffalo (twice), (although Buffalo might surprise), Seattle, St. Louis, Jacksonville, and San Diego. That, potentially is 6-7 wins right there. A few more wins against better teams and the Jets should make it to the playoffs.
The Giants, on the other hand, Super Bowl champs a year ago, have the daunting task of having the hardest schedule in the NFL. Probable .500 or worse teams they’ll face? Cleveland and Tampa Bay. And maybe Washington, although the expectations are pretty high there with RGIII under center this season. Just look at the Giants last four games of the season: New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. While the Jets final four include Jacksonville, Tenneessee, San Diego, and Buffalo. We are all too aware of how hard it is to repeat in the NFL, but the schedule notwithstanding, the Giants have enough talent, experience, and a top three defense that should propel them back into the playoffs once again.
What should make the Giants more of a contender this season and allow them to go deeper in the playoffs, will be their consistency, while the Jets’ distractions could hamper their chances and ultimately be their downfall.
FANTASY FURNACE 
While I am not a big NY sports fan, great article Hank. I do think Tebow will end up taking over the Jets, he has that way about him and he is talented just enough to get away with is.
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It’s not impososible but by taking the ball out of Sanchez hands you lose your passer. Remember that Denver had the fewest pass attempts and fewest yards receiving of all NFL teams last year. If they only rely on a running game they become too predictable and that will force opposing teams to just stack the box..
Thanks Justin!
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Very good post, keeping me up to date about my Giants. “Chaotic” is the word I’d use for the Jets, though. And Tebow, no. If he somehow starts, you might as well rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic for 2012.
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You are right on the money…see my response to Justin above..
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I expect the Jets to sign Chad Johnson when he’s cut by Philbin. And I expect the Giants to fall short of back to back Super Bowl titles after Victor Cruz shoots Plaxico Burress in the foot and is suspended by the incoming Commish- Jonathan Vilma.
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Cayman my friend, I can always count on a good laugh from you. But with Vilma’s suspension, he won’t become the Commishiner until next season..
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Cue Joe Pesci from “Goodfellas”…….I’m funny how? I’m funny like a clown? I amuse you? Okay, cool. As for Vilma, I completely overloooked that one. Which is why you’re one of the sports guy I count on to set me straight.
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Tim Tebow won’t be throwing more than 5 td’s passes all season , given the scenario under which he’s expected to be used ., That being said , both Sanchez and Tebow must learn how to protect the ball better . Last season the two were amongst the worst performing qb’s in the league in terms of fumbles , turnovers and INT’s .
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The reason for their follies under center last season was because of the ineptitude of the offensive line; more so with the Jets. Sanchez needs to unload the ball much quicker to avoid more costly turnovers. Unfortunately this year again, the Jets O-Line is adequte, but not very good.The OC has been working with Sanchez in training camp to quicken his release, but until we see him in game-time situations, we won’t know if he has made any improvement.
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And to think one of Sanchez’s electives while at USC was in theater and dance . Obviously he learned nothing by way of footwork and being swift on his feet . Quick release for Sanchez perhaps would be not thinking he should be coddled over as he was at USC . The only proven offensive threat with the Jets has been Santonio Holmes , when he’s not being a pain in the rear end . There was a reason why the Steelers got rid of him in the way they had chosen to . Once he became a malignant tumor , it was time to cut him , rather than the whole team suffering . It in essence almost happened again at the end of last season, when all of the finger pointing began. And when a seasoned veteran such as LT, is calling on calmer heads to prevail and Ryan is off at the buffet table packing on the lbs . What else should anyone expect ?
tophatal ………..
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Hank
What do you think of the new gaming initiative in New Jersey ? Giants’ ownership is dead set against as they believe it hinders the chances of the franchise of ever staging a Superbowl .
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Unfortunately, I am not well-versed on the subject and there for cannot offer any opinion. Sorry..
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New Jersey is looking to have gambling beyond the casinos and into other establishment that seek a gaming license . The governor believes it will increase revenues , and in that way assist the legislature in decreasing their bloated deficit (almost $6 billion ). But then again that idea pales into insignificance with the stupidity of the rail link being championed by Villaraigosa and Jerry Brown in the state of California .
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Again, not familiar with the latter proposal. As for legalized gambling in New Jersey?….why not!
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They’ve got legalized gambling in the casinos but the governor Chris Christie wants it beyond the big Atlantic City casinos . John Mara of the Giants believes it will hinder the franchise’s chances staging a Superbowl at MetLife Stadium . New Jersey’s state deficit now at $10.5 billion is the crap that Christie has presided over but he calls himself a fiscal “Conservative ” . What a joke ! Christie is no more a fiscal conservative than Akili Smith could be considered a great NFL quarterback .
Tophatal
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For the record I have never been a Chris Christie supporter. Would be shocked if he gets re-elected.
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Hey Hank Like your article, sad thing as a jet fan I am thinking hard of rooting for the Giants. Eli is an elite qb and the Giants have something the jets don’t have … a pass rush
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Yeah I hear you. Jets fans AND Mets fans have had a rough go of it. I hope for your sake the Jets do well.
Given their schedule they have an excellent opportunity to win some games-don’t you think? Just not too crazy about their offensive line and receivers. Holmes we about but he’ll be covered. Hill could be a sleeper candidate and then there’s not much left. I think Tebow will be a difference maker and all those that shrugged when he was picked up will probably be the same ones rooting for him when he rushes for TDs…
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I agree with you Hill could be a sleeper, curly has to step up big..they should have brought back jericho Cotchary and plax too. We had better receivers in Fort Greene playing two hand touch on concrete.
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Hank, another winner with the Jets/Giants post! It is so important to any player’s success to stay in the same system year after year. The Mannings know that well as you pointed out. As for other stuff, Johnson may go to the Jets, Burress is talking with Dallas. The Cowboys need wide outs, and Austin and Bryant are both having “hammie” problems.
I liked Luck’s first game, but it is way too early to say anything yet. Tebow showed exactly what Ryan says he should have showed…that he can run for yardage when the pocket falls apart. He’ll take 8-12 snaps a game in a wild cat offense, especially against the teams who don’t defend the rush well…
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Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Chad Uh-No Johnson ends up a Jet. The typical pick up for them. A loud mouth, mal content and more back page fodder…
Thanks for checking in Steven! Glad you liked the article.
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I’ve detailed the whole issue in a piece on my site if you’re at all interested ? There’s also piece dealing with races in the AL West and NL East as it relates to the baseball season .
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/what-race/ MLB piece
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/so-theres-no-steak-that-comes-with-this-meal/ NFL piece
http://tophatal.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/into-the-valley-of-death-rode-the-six-hundred/ NFL piece on how the Vikings duped the state of Minnesota
I wouldn’t trust Chris Christie to run a kids’ lemonade stand for a charity event ! And the same goes Tim Geithner (Treasury Secretary) and Ben Bernanke (Fed Chairman) .
But I leave it for you guys to deal with your ills and woes . Are Jerry Brown and Villaraigosa for real ?
Tophatal ………
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