Joe Schoen must think Giants fans are dummies | Politics

Giants season ticket holders have had a lot of BS thrown their way in recent years, so much so that the PSLs they had to buy for the privilege of attending games at MetLife Stadium should stand for something completely different.

Please stop laughing!

These are fans who, after a decade of unwatchable football, must think they’ve seen and heard every possible broken promise, lame excuse and premature proclamation that a bad NFL franchise can dish out to its paying customers. Well, they can add a new one to the list – and it’s a whopper.

This came from general manager Joe Schoen, who during his midseason press conference Tuesday summed up the current state of the 2-8 Giants with four words that will be carved into his career tombstone if he doesn’t turn this team around soon.

“We’re not far from there.”

No, really, Schoen said that about a team that just lost in Munich to the Carolina Panthers — previously thought to be the NFL’s worst team — for its fifth straight loss. He said that about a team that is now 10-24-1 over its past 25 games. He said that about a team that ranked last in the league in scoring, 30th in rushing defense and with the fifth-worst point differential (minus-66).

Maybe the media is to blame here. When Schoen said those four words, no one thought to ask a follow-up question: You’re not far off… from WHAT?!

Look, in fairness to Schoen, these press conferences are a challenge for general managers, even when a team is doing well. The league’s decision makers are determined not to reveal too much, especially during the season. Schoen acknowledged that the results are not good enough and accepted his share of the blame for the team’s poor performance.

However, he didn’t want to admit that the roster he put together didn’t have the talent needed to compete in the NFL, which is just plain stupid. The Giants are 2-8. Of course they’re not talented enough! His striking statement came after he pointed out the number of young players on the team and praised the performance of his recent draft class.

“Construction is tough,” Schoen said. “Sometimes it hurts when you go through it. But you have to go through it to reach the other side. I like the young foundation we have set up.

“There are some young pieces here in terms of the foundation we will continue to build on. Another year of free agency and another draft, we’re not far off.”

Two problems with this:

1. The Giants still need, in no particular order, a franchise quarterback, a right guard, a tight end, a No. 2 wide receiver, a second defensive tackle, a No. 1 cornerback, another safety and depth at virtually every position . If that’s not “far away,” what is?

2. Some teams have searched for the first position on that list — franchise quarterback — for more than half a century without finding one. Just ask the Jets how easy it is. They might even stop crying long enough to answer.

Sorry. In the NFL, until you get the right quarterback, you are the definition of “far away.”

Schoen came as close as he could to admitting that signing Daniel Jones to a $160 million contract extension two years ago was a crippling mistake. The Giants would have beaten the Panthers in Germany, and with better play at the most important position, they could be within sniffing distance of a playoff berth instead of making plans for next season.

Instead, they’re trapped in what previous GM Dave Gettleman called “quarterback hell.” What exactly is the plan to purchase a new one? The Giants will be one of about six teams at the top of the draft order in need of one, and the 2024 draft class doesn’t have a single passer that scouts agree is a can’t-miss prospect . Overpaying for a mediocre option in free agency would be almost as big a mistake as re-signing Jones.

In the meantime, Jones is a handy fall guy. If, as expected, he is benched before the Giants return from their bye week, all attention will turn to the team that — three years into Schoen’s reign — still depends on Gettleman’s remains to remain competitive.

“I believe in the process,” Schoen said. “I believe where we’re going. Again, it hurts sometimes and it’s painful and it’s hard to go through. But we are going in the right direction.”

Right direction. Not far away. Giants fans are stuck in the backseat on this road to nowhere, and the only way to keep from going crazy is to keep laughing at the nonsense.

MORE FROM STEVE POLITI:

How Rutgers AD Patrick Hobbs’ nine-year reign came to a messy end

NJ gymnast Livvy Dunne is leading a revolution in college sports

How an ex-Rutgers athlete was ultimately charged with murder in Tijuana

I was a threat to Little League, and it’s time to come clean

The search for Luther Wright, once NJ’s greatest hoop talent

I played Augusta National and had my own Masters meltdown

Thank you for relying on us for the journalism you can trust. Then consider supporting us with a subscription.

Steve Politi can be reached at [email protected].