Does this word sound familiar Giants fans? Well it should. Let me take you back to the introduction video of Super Bowl XLII in 2007 where the Giants defined the word resiliency. As they quoted the definition as, “the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change”. Does that term define this team this year? Well, let’s take a look.
The New York Giants have rarely been a team on top of the food chain, even in their most successful moments. The “underdog” mentality has always been engraved in this franchise. In 2022, the Giants were expected to win maybe four games, maybe at most six. The media wrote them off before the season even started.
The Giants hired their third coach since 2017, and a new general manager. They hired Daniel Jones’ third offensive coordinator in four seasons along with another defensive coordinator and position coaches.
Injuries are always a big part of the NFL, but the Giants seem to always be at the top of the list by the end of each season with IR transactions or games missed by players. To start the summer, a promising wide receiver in Collin Johnson tore his achilles in training camp that took him out of the 2022 season. Fellow receiver Sterling Shepard tore his ACL after a solid start to the 2022 season. Kenny Golladay was unavailable for multiple weeks with injuries and is now a non-contributor when healthy.
The Giants lost pretty much half of their 2022 draft class with season-ending injuries to Darrian Beavers, DJ Davidson, Marcus McKethen, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Josh Ezeudu. Their number one cornerback Adoree Jackson has missed the last 6 games with a knee injury after returning a punt. Evan Neal missed some time on the offensive line at right tackle but has since returned. Even the Giants edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodaux missed some time this season that effected the Giants pass rush.
The Giants have been so thin at line backer that Landon Collins was brought back to play a key role on the defense, and showed some of his youth with returning a pick-6 against the Colts last Sunday.
The Giants have been able to battle despite being out-manned, and having less talent then a majority of the NFL rosters across the league, especially the opponents they have faced. The wide receivers that Jones is throwing to are career backups, and some are practice squad players. Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins have really stepped up this second half of the season along with Darius Slayton.
The Giants secondary of Fabian Moreu (cut by Houston in August), Jason Pinnock (filling in for McKinney), CorDale Flott, Darnay Holmes, Zion Gilbert, and captain Julian Love have showed that they held the rope for their team when they needed it the most.
Some Giants in particular have stood out this year with the elite play of Saquon Barkley, Dexter Lawrence, and Andrew Thomas. These three should be All-Pros this year no question about it. Hats off to head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. They have put together a staff that has brought a different feel in New York.
Just by listening to other staff members and players in the building, this is a Giants organization that is different from years in the past. The Giants seem to have the right leaders in place, and fans should only be excited for what this team can do with more talent and more pieces of the puzzle in the right place.
After you look at this 2022 Giants team, they have done everything to adjust to change and over come any misfortune that’s come their way. They have changed the culture in that locker room. They have refueled the Giants fan base, where MetLife Stadium now erupts during home games.
The Giants have a winning record and have made the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The New York Football Giants are back, and they should not be overlooked. They are hungry for more and have resiliency in their blood. Watch out for the New York Giants in this post-season and years to come.