NFL New York Giants

Are The Right Players Playing For New York Giants?

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By @AnthonyBeers

New York Giants

Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports

For the second consecutive season, the New York Giants have only three wins after nine games. Finger-pointing and accusations among fans are rampant. People want answers. The Giants have won more Super Bowls than anyone else in the NFL in the past 30 years. Naturally, these recent trends have fans exasperated and confused.

Football doesn’t always have clean-cut answers. There are many elements that coaches, and even players, sometimes can’t control. The ball can take some mysterious bounces sometimes.

But with the Giants being swamped with injuries this season, as they typically are under coach Tom Coughlin, roster depth has been a serious issue with the team. And when circumstances are dire, coaches have to ask themselves if the right players are playing. With Coughlin and the Giants, fans have a serious right to ask those questions this season in a few areas.

Rueben Randle is the Giants’ leading receiver so far this season. In his time with New York, he has been one of the most frustrating players to watch. He is a big receiver, but is anything but physical. His route running is at times aloof and downright questionable. And when he drops passes, that’s all but the certainty that Randle may be out the door soon.

With that all being said, Corey Washington has stood on the sidelines. As a preseason star, it’s truly difficult to understand why the 3-6 Giants are so hesitant to put him in more meaningful game situations. Some claim his practice time has been too limited and that preseason is not a significant enough representation of talent. That may be so, but with that attitude, Victor Cruz would have never gotten his chance.

The Giants’ play from the defensive ends this season has been mediocre at best. Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka have not been getting the job done. Pierre-Paul had a strong start to the 2014 season, but his recent performances have fans annoyed. And Kiwanuka, a long-time Giant and class act, has been unfortunately ineffective. Defensive line specialist Robert Ayers has been more successful in his limited snaps than both Kiwanuka or Pierre-Paul. The energy that Damontre Moore brings to the table in his play is undeniable as well.

For a team that lacks any type of physicality up front, particularly from the defensive ends, this compensation for the poor play of Kiwaunka and Pierre-Paul is astounding. Why don’t Ayers and Moore get rewarded more snaps? Why can’t Washington get a sufficient chance to make an impact at meaningful moments? Fans want answers.

Coughlin’s loyalty to his players is admirable and has warranted great success in the past. But the situation this season is just different than in the past. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Coughlin’s job —  for real this time — is on the line. Changes need to be made, or other changes are going to be made.

As a bench player, it is frustrating to watch the team have success without your contribution. But it is even more exasperating when the team loses and you aren’t offered a chance to help. For the sake of the Giants, hopefully the right players will get their chances before this season’s conclusion.

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