NY Giants Tight End, Brandon Myers came cheap.
“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” -Newton’s Third Law of Motion
During the offseason, the Giants acquired free agent tight end, Brandon Myers. The 5th year pass catcher was brought in to fill the void left by the departed Martellus Bennett, who left the Giants after a one-year stay for more money with the Chicago Bears.
The cap tight Giants were able to sign the veteran Myers for one year. Myers came off his most successful year in Oakland. Fans were excited after seeing Myers catch 79 passes with over 800 yards and 4 touchdowns.
If he was able produce like this with the Raiders, the thought of what he would be able to do in New York with a high-flying offense consisting of David Wilson, Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, and Rueben Randle had Giant fans salivating about a fantasy football offense.
However, what could have been and reality has not meshed four weeks into the season. The Giants have not been able to utilize Myers as a top-flight pass catcher because of his use as a blocking tight end.
In 2008, Myers stepped in for then injured and starting Iowa tight end, Tony Moeaki. Moeaki, one of the best tight ends to ever come out of Iowa, was a force catching and run blocking. Although reliable, Myers has never been depended on as a top run blocker.
In the past, Giants fans saw the likes of Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss, Jake Ballard and Bennett come and go through the Kevin Gilbride coached offense and find success under Quarterback, Eli Manning and highly regarded tight ends coach, Mike Pope.
The standard that the tight end’s have played under is solid route running, good catching and trust ability with Manning. Blocking was always a staple under Pope’s tight ends to protect the run and quarterback.
The domino effect was set back in the offseason when Bennett, one of the best blocking ends in the league, left for Chicago and starting full back Henry Hynoski went down with a knee injury. Ahmad Bradshaw, the tough, hard-nosed running back and ferocious to pick up a blitz, was released to make room for starting running back David Wilson and the injured Andre Brown.
To make matters worse, GM Jerry Reese gambled that is aging offensive line would be able to hold together for one more year. Four weeks into the season, that line is stitched together by unproven players.
At the tight end position, Myers is doing his share of run blocking, backup tight end Bear Pascoe is predominantly playing full back, and young Adrien Robinson, who reportedly can hold his own as a blocker, has yet to take the field due to an injury.
Before fans point their frustration at Brandon Myers and his lack of production, they should look back at a series of mishaps and misfortunes that brought us not only where we are with our tight ends, but as a New York Giants offense.
Marco Imperati | Featured Columnist