From SI · · 2m
Why Keeping J.J. McCarthy on the Bench Is the Smart Long-Term Move for the Giants
Giants keep J.J. McCarthy on bench for long-term success.
In brief
Giants keep J.J. McCarthy on bench for long-term success. Giants should keep J.J. McCarthy on bench to avoid quarterback roulette and build confidence for NFC East. Originally reported by SI.
Giants trade for J.J. McCarthy
Giants traded a fifth-round pick for J.J. McCarthy a few weeks ago.
McCarthy's first game action
He threw for 243 yards in 11 minutes as a dead-in-the-water offense nearly capped a stunning 24-point comeback.
Harbaugh's stance
Harbaugh declined to answer if McCarthy will be the Giants' quarterback moving forward.
The question
Should McCarthy become the Giants' starting quarterback?
McCarthy's performance
He threw a pick on his fourth attempt and another near pick that was overturned.
McCarthy's command
He looked relatively in command during a hectic series of drives.
McCarthy's sack
He logged a sack that was almost untakeable on the second-to-last drive.
McCarthy's final play
He abandoned his station a bit too quickly on the team’s final play.
McCarthy's level
McCarthy played above the level of what would have been the Giants’ third-string quarterback.
McCarthy's talent
He flashed arm talent commensurate with a first-round pick.
Age comparison
McCarthy is nearly a decade younger than Jameis Winston.
Team strategy
Giants have sprinkled McCarthy to add mobility to the position with Winston.
Team hopes
Giants need to explore upside instead of gripping tightly to a veteran’s final flailings.
McCarthy's reps
McCarthy had very few reps during the week or practice time with Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely.
Winston's situation
Winston was put in an awful situation against New Orleans with Cam Skattebo not playing.
Running backs
Giants left with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary who combined for 10 carries and 32 yards.
Running backs stats
Teams with running backs averaging around three yards per carry have a winning percentage of .344.
McCarthy's rushing
McCarthy led the team in rushing and threw for more yards in 11 minutes than any player in NFL history.
Winston's role
Harbaugh is attempting to play both mid-range and long-term game with McCarthy.
Mid-range game
The mid-range game is staying afloat in the NFC East.
The short version
Giants should keep J.J. McCarthy on bench to avoid quarterback roulette and build confidence for NFC East.
