Manning Toilet Bowl: New York Giants Coaching Staff Searches for Answers

Typical formula for evaluating NFL teams after a game is effort, execution, and scheme. Players are evaluated on effort and execution, coaches are evaluated on scheme. In Sunday night's pounding of the New York Giants by the Indianapolis Colts it was apparent that offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and Perry Fewell did not adjust their schemes to win. In short it was the failure of both offensive and defensive coordinator's schemes that did not put players in a position to succeed.  Albeit the Giants looked like a team shell shocked from what was happening. Reminiscent of the 2006 game vs. Seattle at Quest field 35-3  at halftime (I was there ugghh). 

For Perry Fewell, Giants fans will give him a two week pass. Why two weeks? Because that's how long it took before then newly appointed defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo got it together in 2007. A year in which the Giants defense gave up 80 points in the first two games, then went on to win 6 strait and eventually Super Bowl 42.  Spags did it on adjustments and scheme, something that seemed to be missing from Sunday's game. In a game where the Giant Nation expected answers, most fans are left with questions. What happened to the pass rush? Are we any better then last year? Where is the  fire in the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew"?

As for Kevin Gilbride, there is no excuse for the lack of any meaningful offensive adjustments within the game. It's almost as if he simple did not believe Mathis and Freeney could consistently beat Diehl and McKenzie on passing plays. Perhaps he was thinking, "double or nothing, I bet they can't do that again, dohh."  Down after down fans watched as the Mathis and Freeney dominated the tackles, at one point Freeney just deciding to go through Diehl instead of around him.  Over and over like groundhogs day without Ned the Head or Bill Murray, the wave of pass rush had viewers dumbfounded. Football is a complex sports, but the solution to the offensive problems on Sunday night were very simple.  Play-calling is another column, but as for the lack of scheme. Kevin Gilbride has got to do better then what the Giants showed. A full game of questionable calls, formations and decisions. 

Fortunately for the Giants there is time to study film and correct the mistakes.  If you're only as good as your last game, next Sunday's match up against the Titans cannot come soon enough.  Until then Giant's fans can only hope that something positive can come out of the "Manning Toilet Bowl."