Ex-GM: ‘Train wreck’ could be coming if Giants start slowly

The New York Giants started the 2023 season 1-5 en route to a disappointing 6-11 season. Former Minnesota Vikings GM Jeff Diamond told the Valentine’s Views podcast that the 2024 season could become a “train wreck” for the Giants if there is a similarly poor start.

“There are a lot of moving parts that are going on with the Giants right now and especially going into the season and a lot of pressure on [Daniel] Jones, on Brian Daboll, on Joe Schoen and I think it’s a potential train wreck coming if they don’t get off to a good start this year and if they’re not competitive in a pretty tough NFC East,” Diamond said.

Could a “train wreck” happen? Absolutely. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Giants favored in only one of their first nine games. That is Week 1 vs. the Minnesota Vikings.

Is it likely? That is impossible to predict.

Diamond, though, is not expecting that train wreck. While many analysts think the Giants have one of the league’s weakest rosters, Diamond said “I really don’t.”

“I think there’s a lot of really good players on that roster,” Diamond said.

“That NFC East is a really interesting division, but I think that the Giants if Jones is playing well, if [Malik] Nabors comes on, if the defense gels, and most important if that offensive line can play better then I think they’ve got a chance.”

‘Hard Knocks’

Diamond never had to deal with ‘Hard Knocks’ as GM of the Vikings, a post he left in 1998. The show debuted in 2001. Diamond was President of the Tennessee Titans from 1999 to 2004.

Diamond said he is glad he never had to conduct team business in front of those cameras.

“I think it’s very difficult honestly and I’m glad I never had to deal with it. It’s just obtrusive into what you’re trying to do and you’re having conversations about trades, about strategy in terms of free agent signings, in terms of draft and that stuff is pretty privileged information that I certainly wouldn’t want to be on camera talking about.

“It’s just kind of absurd and I know that they can somewhat control that but even still for the coaching staff and their meetings for the players I think it’s difficult. I understand it’s show biz. It’s entertainment. It’s part of the equation when you talk about a multi-billion dollar enterprise that the NFL is, but I’m glad I never had to deal with it.”

J.J. McCarthy’s progress

The Giants passed on an opportunity to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. He landed with the Vikings, a team Diamond remains well-connected to.

“I think he’s had a really good spring and hearing Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings coach, talking about it and as you know I do a lot of media work surrounding the Vikings and I certainly have gotten good feedback on J.J.’s progress to this point. But he’s still entering training camp behind Sam Darnold,” Diamond said.

“I really expect that McCarthy will take over at some point during the regular season. I don’t think it’ll be Week 1 in the Meadowlands. I think that Darnold will get that start. I expect Darnold to be there probably for the first six, seven [games], maybe even a little bit more.”

Daniel Jones’ future

Diamond said he “wasn’t surprised” the Giants passed on McCarthy and the rest of the quarterback class.

“They won’t be passing next year if Daniel first of all doesn’t stay healthy, second of all doesn’t play like he did in 2022 when I thought he was a really good quarterback that year,” Diamond said. “That was kind of the passing and running Daniel Jones. Are we going to see that player after this ACL injury? I don’t think we’re going to see that Daniel Jones Week 1 where he’s willing to take off and run, but maybe as he gets more comfortable as the season goes on as he gets more confidence.”