A few ‘things I think’ while waiting for Giants-Browns
The New York Giants face the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon. Here are a few pre-game thoughts in advance of a game the underdog Giants need to win.
Jalin Hyatt thoughts
I understand why Jalin Hyatt, the speedy second-year receiver who was at the center of what appeared to be a media-driven storm on Friday, is confused by his lack of opportunities in the Giants’ first two games.
All that speed, all that play-making potential can’t be unleashed if Hyatt is standing on the sideline.
Thing is, I completely understand why Hyatt has been drawing — and probable will continue to draw — the short end of the playing time stick.
Malik Nabers has quickly established himself as the Giants’ best offensive playmaker. He will justifiably play every down. Wan’Dale Robinson is the slot receiver. He is good at it, and it is not a position Hyatt plays. Darius Slayton has been the Giants’ leading receiver four of the last five seasons. He is a vertical threat, and a comfortable, reliable target for Daniel Jones. Reality is, he is a better, more consistent player right now than Hyatt.
This is a good problem. The Giants have four quality receivers for three spots.
Yes, the Giants could go with four wide receivers more often. That, though, leaves fewer blockers and leaves the offensive line vulnerable. It’s not a solution.
This is one of the reasons Slayton could be on the trade block in a few weeks.
There is one other piece of this situation I need to comment on. I am not buying this feeling some have expressed that this story — which Hyatt forcefully debunked — is an indication coach Brian Daboll is losing the locker room.
I have been in that locker room as recently as Wednesday, and I have seen no signs of that. I see players who are not happy about the results of the first two weeks, but I do not see finger-pointing and players turning on the coaching staff.
I saw that happen with Ben McAdoo. I saw it happen with Joe Judge in his final few weeks. I know what it looks and feels like. Could that happen with Daboll if things don’t get better? Absolutely. I do not, though sense it happening yet.
Those staff picks … again
For the third week in a row, all of the Big Blue View contributors have made the same prediction. This week, that is that the Giants will lose on Sunday. I am, again, bothered by this.
There is a path to victory for the Giants in this game. Take advantage of a vulnerable Cleveland offensive line, force struggling quarterback DeShaun Watson into mistakes, neutralize the Cleveland pass rush.
Do those things, and avoid self-inflicted wounds, the Giants have a chance vs. Cleveland.
Poll results
The vast majority of readers who voted in our Bryce Young poll agree with me that the Giants should steer clear of the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. The Panthers, it seems, are not planning to trade Young.
In case you missed it
Here are some of my favorite BBV reads from the past few days.
- Big Blue View mailbag: Too much Malik, defensive woes, more
- Can the 2024 Giants be a good football team?
- Giants-Browns 5 matchups to watch: To get first victory, Giants need to win these
- Giants DC Shane Bowen: ‘We’ve got to force them to punt’
- ‘This guy shouldn’t even be a starting quarterback’
- Giants-Browns: When New York has the ball
- Giants at Browns Week 3: What to expect when Cleveland has the ball
Oh, and the crossover podcast with Jared Mueller of SB Nation’s Browns website, Dawgs By Nature.
