The Future for The New York Giants by Nick Furnari

 I feel like every month I write something about the New York Giants. Whether its their past Superbowl victories, or their new rookies and outlook for the season, I've decided I would try not to write about them anymore. Then, march 12 came around... I HAVE to write about this.

          On march 12, the Giants' General Manager, Dave Gettlemen, made the most unexpected, audacious decision possibly in Giants' Franchise History. On march 12, thousands of Giants fans expressed their thoughts and concerns on this decision, as it was the number 1 trending topic on almost every social media platform for the better part of 3 days. On march 12, the New York Giants traded wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. Odell Beckham Jr., offensive rookie of the year in 2014, the cover man of Madden16, the highest paid player in NFL history, debatable one of the best wide receivers in the league, the face of the New York Giants, was traded out of the blue, without even a warning. At first, when I saw posts saying Odell was traded to the Browns, I thought it was a joke. Then, as more and more people began to talk about, I grew confused, why are so many people talking about this? I thought to myself. Then that confusion, turned to anxiety, did the Giants actually trade Odell!? What is going on?! I researched further, and as numerous sources confirmed, the New York Giants made the most idiotic trade in NFL history, or so I first thought. Similar to my first reaction, thousands of people started to lash out on this decision. "The Giants should have released Eli Manning!" "They have to fire Gettlemen!" "The Giants will never be the same!" "The team is dead!" Negative outlooks on this trade overwhelmed social media outlets, many fans lost faith in the Giants, but not me. 

       



          I took a little time to think about the trade in its entirety, and although it was definitely a bold move, I believe that it could be justified. I'm not saying that it was the best idea, and that it was the best trade, but there are a lot of little positives to counteract this huge negative. Although Odell was a phenomenal player for the Giants, they had to spend so much money just to keep him on the team. Also, his pessimistic and easily agitated attitude didn't give a good reputation to the Giants, and his negligence and selfishness proved that he wasn't a team player. Furthermore, Odell minorly twisted his ankle after week 13 of the 2018 season, he unexpectedly sat out for the game but was certain to return the next game, but he didn't show up. He sat out for the remainder of the season, but seemed to be fine. He was probably fine, and cleared to play, but just didn't want to since he was already making so much money just for being on the team. Also, during his apathetic leave, the Giants won 2/4 games, with the last 2 games narrowly loosing by a single point. With only 4 wins during the rest of the season, this proved that the Giants offensive doesn't revolve around Odell anymore, in fact, they did better without him.

          Now, when it comes to looking at the actual trade, it's pretty fair. The Giants got Cleveland's first and third pick in the 2019 NFL draft, as well as the former first pick, New Jersey born pro bowler, safety Jabrill Peppers, to replace Giants safety, Landon Collins who left the team to join the Redskins. Overall, as Odell was also a former first pick, this is a good trade, 2 first picks and a third pick, traded for a first pick. Although many people, including me, were upset about Odell's departure from the team, it's probably for the best. It gives the Giants a fresh start, with Saquon Barkley, an inspiring role model, and incredible athlete, now seeming to be the new face of the franchise. It also works out well for Beckham, since his best friend and former LSU teammate, Jarvis Landry is waiting for him in Cleveland, and he has also become good friends with, Baker Mayfield, the new quaterback for the Browns. With all of that said, I am nervous but excited to see the Giant's team next year. As for the trade, it could turn out to be the worst trade in history, or the best, we will just have to see who the Giants select with their new picks, and if it was all worth it.

My Favorite "Season"

          Everybody loves Summer, Spring, Fall, and sometimes Winter, but my favorite season, is Football Season. Starting in early September, this season is full of fun, excitement, and zealous fans smashing their TVs over a bad play. With my favorite team being the New York Giants, this happens more than occasionally. Don't get me wrong, the Giants are a decent team having won 2 Lombardi Trophies within the past 10 years, but recently they have been playing like they belong in the Puppy Bowl. My family and I are die hard Giants fans, but they are just getting hard to watch. Last year they barely managed a 3-13 season. The worst in Giants history by far. However, being the 2nd worst team in the league, (next to none other then the Cleveland Browns), the Giants would get the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. The Giants would go on to select Penn. State phenom running back, Saquon Barkley, (probably the best decision they made all year, next to releasing head coach Ben McAdoo). After Pat Shurmur took over as head coach, and with the return of Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, the Giants would look like they were heading into an outstanding season. Or so we all thought.

     
          After managing a decent pre-season, the Giants would face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a good team with an outstanding defense. Unfortunately on opening week, after a long game, the Giants would receive a tough loss of 20 - 15 in the final. They played fairly well, and considering their intense week 1 match-up, Giants fans still had high hopes for the season. Well, until week 2 came. During week 2, the Giants would face their division rivals to the south, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys also coming from a bad loss, gave Giants fans higher expectations, expectations that would not be fulfilled. The Giants could barely get a first down through the entire course of the game, after the Cowboys obtained a 3 possession lead late in the 4th quarter, the Giants finally started to play with 5 minutes remaining. With a desperate last minute attempt, the Giants would concede a devastating 20 -13 loss which would push them to last place in the NFC East.

          Finally, after Giants fans everywhere started to lose faith in their once proud team, the Houston Texans traveled to East Rutherford, New Jersey for their week 3 match-up against the 0-2 New York, Giants. This game would hopefully be the turning point for the Giant's, so far, disappointing season, and it was. The Texans were stopped halfway down on opening drive and were forced to settle for a field goal. They would hand the possession over to the Giants where they would march down the field and score a Saquon Barkley touchdown, to obtain the first lead they've had all season. After that, the Giants doubled, then tripled their score, and even with a last second gain of 13 points in the 4th quarter by the Texans, it still was not enough to overcome the Giants 3 possession lead. The game would end 27 - 22 restoring my faith in the team I grew up with. The team I watched win 2 Lombardi trophies against the infamous New England, Patriots. The team that I always routed for.




          Now here we are, the Giants are 1-2, and my faith is still sturdy. Today they are up against my second favorite team, the New Orleans, Saints. A challenging adversary. Nevertheless, I have no doubt the Giants will play to the best of their ability, well maybe a little. Now that fall is underway, there will be games every week. Games that I'll heed with pride, and games that I'll watch through my fingers. Either way, I won't miss a Giants game, it's impossible.