Blue Man Group

If Monday night’s 35-14 thrashing at the hands of the Detroit Lions is an indication of things to come, the 2014 season might be a long one for the New York Giants.

The Giants fell behind 14-0 after two Detroit possessions, rallied briefly to get within 14-7, but never really recovered. Yes, it was this kind of day for Eli Manning and the Giants.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has consistently referred to the Giants, particularly on offense, as a work in progress. After Monday’s performance it’s fair to ask ‘where was the progress?’

The new Giants looked a whole lot like the old 2013 Giants. There were the obligatory two Manning interceptions. There was little pass blocking. there were mis-communications with and missed opportunities by wide receivers, there was a blocked punt and a couple of near blocks, one that resulted in punter Steve Weatherford suffering an ankle injury.

The Giants defense couldn’t handle Detroit superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who caught seven passes for 164 yards and two scores. Those two TDs came the first two times Detroit had the ball, one a 67-yarder off a blown coverage.

Head coach Tom Coughlin couldn’t believe what he saw on the first Johnson touchdown.

“How did that happen? Two of our people knocked each other down and off went 81,” Coughlin said.

We saw this act from the Giants a year ago. It wasn’t good enough then. It wasn’t good enough Monday night. It won’t be anywhere near good enough the rest of this season.

“There’s a lot of work to do, obviously. In a short week we’ll see what we can accomplish,” Coughlin said. “The bubble’s been burst. There’ a lot of things that have to be improved upon, and they’ve gotta happen pretty quick.”

The Giants need to make some progress. Fast.