The Giants List of Glory and Shame returns after a 28–20 Week 1 win over Dallas, featuring Jaxson Dart, Isaiah Likely and more.
The Bleed Big Blue List of Glory and List of Shame is officially back. After the New York Giants opened the season with a 28–20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, there was plenty to celebrate, along with a few performances that cannot be ignored.
Jaxson Dart looked composed while leading an unfamiliar offense, Isaiah Likely immediately established himself as one of the unit’s most dangerous weapons and John Harbaugh began his Giants tenure with a statement win. It was not perfect, however, as a costly fumble, multiple penalties and a quiet night from the pass rush gave Dallas opportunities to remain in the game.
Here is the first List of Glory and List of Shame of the new season.
List of Glory: Jaxson Dart
There was no debate about the first name on the List of Glory. Jaxson Dart delivered an excellent Week 1 performance, playing with control and confidence against a talented Dallas defensive front.
Dart was operating an offense he had never played in before this season, yet he never appeared overwhelmed by the moment. He remained poised, took advantage of weaknesses in the Cowboys’ secondary and consistently put the Giants in position to succeed. Dallas may have had problems in coverage, but Dart still had to recognize those opportunities and make the throws, and that is exactly what he did.
The young quarterback finished with three touchdowns and no interceptions, providing Giants fans with an encouraging glimpse of what this offense could become. For leading Big Blue to a season-opening victory over a division rival, Dart earns the top spot on the List of Glory.
List of Glory: Isaiah Likely
Dart’s partner in crime also earned his place on the list. Isaiah Likely was a dependable safety valve, a matchup problem and one of the most important pieces of the Giants’ passing attack.
Likely caught two touchdown passes and repeatedly gave Dart a reliable option when he needed one. His combination of size and athleticism created problems for the Dallas defense, and his performance showed why the Giants made him such an important addition to the offense.
Malik Nabers will continue to command significant attention from opposing defenses, which should create even more opportunities for Likely. If defenses focus too heavily on Nabers, the Giants now have a tight end capable of making them pay. Week 1 may have been only the beginning of a major role for Likely in this offense.
List of Glory: John Harbaugh
John Harbaugh earned his first victory as head coach of the New York Giants, but the result was only part of the story. The team looked more organized, more confident and more prepared than the group Giants fans watched last season.
Although the roster has changed, there has not been enough turnover to explain such a dramatic difference by personnel alone. Coaching matters, and Harbaugh already appears to have changed the culture inside the building. The Giants played with purpose and responded well when Dallas tried to fight its way back into the game.
One victory does not define an entire season, but this was exactly the type of performance the Giants needed to begin a new era. Harbaugh’s impact was evident throughout the night, earning him a well-deserved place on the List of Glory.
List of Glory Honorable Mention: Patrick Ricard
Patrick Ricard did not produce a huge statistical moment, but his impact was easy to see. The Giants moved the veteran fullback around the formation and used him as an extra blocker, a lead blocker and a versatile chess piece.
Ricard was on the field more often than many expected, giving the offense a physical presence and added flexibility. His role may not always generate impressive numbers, but it could become an important part of the Giants’ identity. He falls just short of the official list this week, but his debut deserves an honorable mention.
List of Shame: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The first name on the List of Shame was an easy choice. Tyrone Tracy Jr. received only two carries, lost a fumble and did not return to the field afterward.
Tracy showed plenty of ability during the preseason and has the talent to serve as the Giants’ No. 2 running back, but ball security is nonnegotiable. A back cannot earn more opportunities if the coaching staff cannot trust him to protect the football. With competition for touches in the backfield, another mistake could even threaten his spot on the active game-day roster.
This does not mean Tracy cannot recover, but he must correct the problem immediately. For putting the ball on the ground and losing the trust of the coaching staff, he lands at the top of the Week 1 List of Shame.
List of Shame: Andru Phillips
The Giants’ defense largely kept the Dallas offense under control, but Andru Phillips helped the Cowboys move the ball with costly pass-interference penalties. At times, those penalties became Dallas’ most effective method of gaining yardage.
Phillips plays with the aggression and physicality the Giants want from their defensive backs, but he must find the proper balance. He cannot continue giving opponents free yards and fresh opportunities, especially when the rest of the defense is playing well enough to get off the field.
Without those penalties, the Giants might have won far more comfortably. Phillips remains a valuable member of the secondary, but his tendency to draw flags earns him a place on the List of Shame this week.
List of Shame: The Giants’ Pass Rush
This selection may be somewhat harsh because the defensive front did not play poorly. The Giants pressured Dak Prescott at times, and Dallas had only two possessions in the second half, limiting the number of opportunities for the pass rush to take over the game.
Still, the standard must be higher for a group featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese. With that much talent, the Giants should not finish a game without recording at least one sack. Prescott is experienced and gets the ball out quickly, but elite pass-rushing units must find ways to affect the quarterback and finish plays.
Placing the pass rush on the List of Shame is less about condemning its Week 1 performance and more about issuing a challenge. With a difficult Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams ahead, the Giants will need their defensive front to make a much greater impact.
List of Shame: The Giants’ Pass Rush
This selection may be somewhat harsh because the defensive front did not play poorly. The Giants pressured Dak Prescott at times, and Dallas had only two possessions in the second half, limiting the number of opportunities for the pass rush to take over the game.
Still, the standard must be higher for a group featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese. With that much talent, the Giants should not finish a game without recording at least one sack. Prescott is experienced and gets the ball out quickly, but elite pass-rushing units must find ways to affect the quarterback and finish plays.
Placing the pass rush on the List of Shame is less about condemning its Week 1 performance and more about issuing a challenge. With a difficult Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams ahead, the Giants will need their defensive front to make a much greater impact.
Did We Get the Lists Right?
The Giants started their season with a statement victory, and the positives clearly outweighed the mistakes. Dart, Likely and Harbaugh led the way, while Ricard offered an early look at how creative this offense could become. Tracy, Phillips and the pass rush now have an opportunity to respond when Big Blue returns to the field.
Do you agree with the first List of Glory and List of Shame of the season? Let us know who deserved a spot, who should have been left off and which Giants player we missed.
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