Another Quiet Trade Deadline Continues to be the Norm for Giants, Reese

Giants GM Jerry Reese

Another trade deadline has passed this past Tuesday at 4 P.M. EST and once again, the Giants have decided to not make a move to help necessitate a need. This is becoming the frustrating norm for Giants fans.

With many teams in the NFL being open to trade discussions on certain players, this would have been the ideal opportunity for the Giants. One of the big names that was discussed was the Cleveland Browns being open to trading All-Pro Left Tackle Joe Thomas. This was the ideal trade for the Giants, to help shore up the shaky offensive line. However, the stereotype of Giants General Manager Jerry Reese continues, as he stood pat and did not pull the trigger on a possible trade.

“We’ve had some conversations, but there’s always some chatter this time of the year,” said Reese in a press conference this past Monday. “A lot of talk and not much action usually at the trade deadline.”

These are some calming words from a GM that is on the proverbial hot seat this season, after lackluster seasons since the Giants’ last Super Bowl victory almost five years ago. This offseason has been arguably the most active of Reese’s tenure as GM of the Giants, spending almost $200 million on defensive free agents Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, Janoris Jenkins, and Jason Pierre Paul.

The Giants main struggles on the offensive line is on the left side, where the main culprit of the struggles comes from the hands of Ereck Flowers. Flowers currently has six penalties against him this season (four offensive holding penalties, one false start penalty, and one face mask penalty). Penalties aren’t the only issue with Flowers. Defensive players are able to go through Flowers and get around him to get to the quarterback or running back.

“Ereck has done okay,” says Reese. “He’s still a young player. He’s played a season and a half. We think he still has a lot of upside. He will continue to improve.”

The rumor was that the Browns were asking for a second round pick in next year’s draft for Joe Thomas. Even if the price is high, Reese needs to look at the standings. The Giants (4-3) are currently sitting in the second Wild Card spot in the NFC. The Cowboys (6-1) are currently running with the division, proving to be one of the league’s best teams. The Eagles (4-3) are looking really good under rookie QB Carson Wentz. With the Giants struggles on the left side of the offensive line and with hopes to make the playoffs this season, how does Jerry Reese not make the jump to trade for a nine time Pro Bowler?

“I think they’re good enough,” said Reese. “I think we need to do better, obviously. We need to run the ball better. That starts with the offensive line…We can definitely be better, but they’ve held up well.”

This is the typical “content” Jerry Reese. Words like “good enough,” and “held up,” aren’t exactly confidence boosters for Giants fans. Fans of any team like it when their team makes a move for a great player to help the team make the next step in hopes of winning the Super Bowl. However, Giants fans have become numb to the routine of Jerry Reese. Say that they’d be interested in acquiring a player in front of the media, but then ultimately decide against making a move.

Giants fans can only remain positive, for this season the NFL has become such a top heavy league (Patriots, Raider, Cowboys, Falcons), with various other teams struggling. This situation gives the Giants a chance to make the playoffs this season. A Joe Thomas trade would have helped, but Giants fans will have to trust in the team they have and hope the Giants continue to play well on their current two game winning streak. The true test of the season starts this Sunday as they face the division rival Eagles at MetLife Stadium.