New York Giants: What does Pat Shurmur bring to the table?

Off the worst season in franchise history, the New York Giants have named Pat Shurmur head coach. What can he do for Big Blue?

When you come off the worst season in the history of one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises, it’s time to make some big-time changes. For the New York Giants, it began in early December. With four weeks remaining in the 2017 season, the New York Giants jettisoned head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese. It didn’t take long for the organization to hire the latter’s replacement in Dave Gettleman, who had a lot of previous experience with the franchise.

This week, the new GM’s choice made a point this week to point out why he opted to make Pat Shurmur the team’s new sideline leader.

"“He’s an adult,” explained Gettleman at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday (via Dan Salomone of Giants.com). “He’s mature. He’s got wisdom. He’s very even-keeled. It really pays off. I’ve watched him on the sideline. He doesn’t get shook. He doesn’t get rattled. This is a job for a grownup…“Everybody wants the next whiz-bang kid. Let me tell you something, you look at history and see how that’s worked out. He’s a veteran, seasoned, professional football coach.”"

Stunningly, the Giants collapsed on both sides of the ball this past season. And at times the team looked lethargic. All told, six of the team’s final eight losses where by 10 or more points. Meanwhile, the well-traveled Shurmur should bring a little discipline to the club. Three different defensive backs were suspended for a game by the team this past season. Hence, a club that finished 11-5 and reached the playoffs the previous set a franchise record for losses with a 3-13 mark.

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What we already do know is that Shurmur will be calling the plays this season for the New York Giants offense in 2018. Of course, some will point to the 52-year old’s two-year stint as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He managed only a 9-23 record from 2011-12. Meanwhile, Gettleman prefers to look at the positives. And that means bringing in an experienced mentor who should bring a little stability back to a club that lost its way this past season.