If you’re not that familiar with the Carolina Panthers’ Week 7 opponent in the New York Giants, then you might be completely lost about them when you see who hits the field.
Yes, the Giants will look a lot different from the last time you may have seen them against the Panthers, which was back in 2018. But considering their laundry list of key injuries heading into the matchup, you may need some deeper details about “Big Blue.”
For that, we sought out the services of Giants Wire managing editor Dan Benton. You’re welcome . . .
Panthers Wire: Let’s start with the Charlotte, N.C. native and noted Panthers fan, Daniel Jones. Like Carolina’s quarterback in Sam Darnold, Jones has had a forgettable past couple of weeks. A concussion shortened his day in Dallas, then he’d return with a three-interception day against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite those outings, do you think he’s made a step forward this season?
Giants Wire: Not just a step, a gigantic leap. He was the team’s MVP prior to sustaining that concussion in Dallas and had been playing lights out. It was the Daniel Jones many of us knew was in there but was struggling to get out due to his surroundings.
Unfortunately, the Giants have regressed significantly and their offense has turned into “The Walking Dead,” so any long-term evaluation of Jones once again seems impossible. It’s gotten to the point where we may never know who D.J. really is until he’s playing for another team with a competent head coach and offensive coordinator.
PW: Now we’ll check up an old friend, cornerback James Bradberry. The 2016 second-round pick of the Panthers has undoubtedly grown into polished and reliable defender the organization thought he’d be, particularly over the past year in New York. What do you see in Bradberry that’s gotten him to this point and has he been worth the squeeze of that big contract thus far?
GW: Had you asked me that question at the end of last season, I’d have sung Bradberry’s praises and laughed off any notion he wasn’t worth the investment. This year, however? Well, let’s just say that’s a different story.
Bradberry has been wildly inconsistent and playing some of the worst football (at times) I’ve ever seen him play — even dating back to college. He’s surrendered 26 receptions on 36 targets for 329 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also been called for three penalties.
That’s not getting the job done and there’s no other way around that reality.
PW: Speaking of old friends, hey, Dave Gettleman! When the “Hogfather” arrived in New York, he particularly set out to strengthen the Giants in three areas—the backfield, the offensive line and the pass rush. Has he held up his end of the bargain?
GW: No. Just flat-out no.
The Giants’ offensive line remains an unmitigated disaster despite the hefty investment, the pass rush is completely nonexistent and the running game has been remarkably underwhelming during his entire stint as general manager so far. It’s easy to lay the entirety of the blame on Gettleman for those failures because, as head coach Joe Judge says, the fish stinks from the head down, but the players themselves have underwhelmed.
Saquon Barkley is a superstar talent who can’t stay on the field, Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines should have developed into quality edge rushers and haven’t, and literally no one outside of Andrew Thomas has stepped up to the play along the offensive line.
At some point, players have to play and they’ve failed Gettleman just as much as he’s failed the organization. There’s plenty of blame to go around.
PW: The last time Haason Reddick saw blue (or “Big Blue,” in this case), he had himself a five-sack day. With starting left tackle Andrew Thomas out, how confident are you in the tandem of Matt Peart and Nate Solder to hold off Reddick and his pal Brian Burns?
GW: I don’t think I (or anyone else) could have less confidence. Both Matt Peart and Nate Solder have been revolving doors this year and there’s no reason to believe that’s suddenly going to change come Sunday.
Without Thomas in the starting lineup, the entire offense takes a step back and Jones is consistently put into harms way. Unfortunately for D.J., he’ll be under constant pressure this weekend and hopefully avoids injury. That’s literally the point it’s gotten to for the Giants and their fans — hoping the o-line plays well enough not to win, but just to keep the quarterback healthy.
PW: Being that the Giants are dealing with so many absences due to so many injuries, there will certainly be a few unfamiliar names out there for them on Sunday. Can you give us an under-the-radar player for New York that Panthers fans should keep in mind?
GW: The problem with this question is that the under-the-radar players who replaced the starters are all also out. We’re way, way down the depth chart at this point and in some cases, players we haven’t even seen yet will be taking snaps come Sunday.
Feet to the fire, I’d say tight end Kaden Smith is an often overlooked talent. He can pass protect, he can run block and he’s a sneaky option as a receiver. He doesn’t get many opportunities, but he makes the most of what does come his way.
Fullback Eli Penny is another name to look out for. He’s a special teams stud, a tremendous run blocker and pass protector, and he’ll also make an impact as a runner and a receiver.