Giants show promise in Judge's first season, miss playoffs

New York Giants weren't blaming anyone for missing playoffs in ir first season under rookie coach Joe Judge.

After starting 0-5 and winning one of ir first eight games in a season overshadowed by a pandemic and games played in near-empty stadiums, Giants (6-10) were lucky to have a shot at winning NFC East on Sunday night.

It all came down to Eagles beating Washington (7-9) in Philadelphia. Eagles had a shot at helping Giants until coach Doug Pederson pulled quarterback Jalen Hurts in fourth quarter to give third-stringer Nate Sudfeld some snaps.

Washington won 23-17 to capture division and end Giants' hopes for ir first playoff berth since 2016.

“I was angry because I kw that we had 16 opportunities to make it happen,” safety Jabrill Peppers said Monday. “Any time you put your destiny in ar man’s hands, you kw, it simply doesn’t bode well for you.”

While six wins is t a lot, Giants came a long way in a season that was held without offseason training activities, minicamp and had a shortened training camp with preseason games.

A former Patriots special teams coordinator, recently turned 39-year-old Judge and his staff took over a team that won 12 games in past three years. y installed everything virtually until hitting camp in August.

Judge got what he wanted: a hard-sed, well-prepared team. Giants were in most of ir games, and lost five by eight points or less, including four times by four points or less.

“We didn’t to make playoffs, but I think we’re trending urd,” center Nick Gates said. “Joe Judge is doing a really good job changing culture in this place. And, you kw, everything is trending urd.”

After one season, Judge is clearly in control.

Early in season, first-round draft pick Andrew Thomas showed up late for a meeting before a home game against Washington and did t start at left tackle.

Veteran receiver Golden Tate complained on national television about t having eugh passes thrown in his direction after catching a touchdown against Tampa Bay. He was benched following weekend.

Before bye week in vember, offensive line coach Marc Colombo argued with Judge when told Dave DeGuglielmo was being brought in as a consultant. Colombo was fired next day and “Gugs” took over.

It reminded many of something Super Bowl champion coaches Tom Coughlin or Bill Parcells might have done. Giants' hopes Judge reaches same heights.

TWO SIDES

Coming into season, Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and offense were supposed to be carry team. It never worked out that way for new coordinator Jason Garrett.

Barkley, 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of Year, was lost for season in second game with a major knee injury. Jones struggled early playing behind a rebuilt offensive line, and points were hard to get. New York finished with 280 points, 31st in league behind Jets' 243.

Garrett's future is uncertain. He may want a head coaching job or Judge might want someone else calling plays.

defense under coordinator Pat Graham was surprise. He inherited one of NFL's worst units and finished season ranked 12th, including 10th against run.

Defensive end Leonard Williams had a career year with 11 1/2 sacks. Cornerback James Bradberry gave New York a shutdown cover man, and inside linebacker Blake Martinez was a tackling machine with 151.

While special teams struggled late, placekicker Graham Ga finished season 31 of 32, making his last 30 field goal attempts.

O-LINE

offensive line came a long way despite seeing Colombo fired in vember.

unit finished with two rookies on left side, Gates playing center for first time in his career, and two veterans on right side: guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Cam Fleming. Rookie tackle Matt Peart also showed promise at times.

Thomas overcame early struggles against outstanding players and played well. Shane Lemieux stepped in for Will Hernandez after left guard tested positive for COVID-19. He never lost job and Hernandez become odd man out.

This unit, which gave up 50 sacks, is only going to get better .

GETTLEMAN FUTURE

General manr Dave Gettleman will turning 70 next month and one has to wonder how much longer he wants to do this.

Hiring Judge, team's improved play, recent good drafts and making trade with Jets for Williams last season and n franchising him are all positives.

Kwing Gettleman, he would never walk away until job of making Giants a yearly contender is done. However, he beat lymphoma in 2018 and it's got to be tough working in an environment threatened daily by COVID-19. If he leaves, health concerns might be reason.

FREE NCY AND DRAFT

Williams, fellow lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, running back Wayne Gallman, Fleming and linebacker Kyler Feckrell are unrestricted free nts.

Giants have $6 million in cap . y could create room by cutting tackle Nate Solder, who opted out of this season; Zeitler, who has one year left on his contract; and Tate, who had an up-and-down season.

New York has 11th pick in draft. Giants need a pass rusher, a cornerback and a deep threat.

Im credits: AP