Sorry it has taken me so long to get to this game. What a game. Giants Stadium was rocking, and the Giants actually showed up this time and swept the Cowboys for the first time since 2004. I have to say, you look back on the post I made after the bye week, and it is a possibility that everything shapes up the way I thought it would. Though, I have to admit, I did think the Giants did not have it in them after the Denver game. But give Tom Coughlin credit, the guy is a great coach, he got them motivated and focused and the Giants played a great game against the overrated Cowboys. In fact, the Cowboys might not make the playoffs now with games against the Chargers, Saints, Redskins, and Eagles. If the Giants can manage to win this sunday vs Philly, they would be 4-1 in the division with a chance to go 5-1 if they beat the Redskins on monday night. There is a big possibility the Giants could win out here. Now I dont know if that could happen, the Eagles are a very tough team, but if the Giants do win, look out, all the momentum will be on their side.
Lets get to this game because there were some negatives as well. Lets not crown the Giants defense as kings yet. They did an atrocious job against the pass, but came up HUGE on a couple of plays. That was the key: the big stops on third down as well as the big 4th and 2 stop on Barber, a huge play by Aaron Ross. Besides that, the Giants gave up a mind blowing 14 catches 156 yards to Jason Witten, and 16 more receptions between Roy Williams and Miles Austin. Maybe that is good for the Detriot Lions, but if your trying to make the playoffs that simply doesnt cut it. What the Giants did which they have not been doing is that they stopped the run. Barber was a complete non factor, and Kiwi stepped up HUGE in stopping the run on sunday. The Giants still have a long ways to go defensivly, but building confidence is almost as big as the actual product, if you can believe you can do it, then there is no stopping you. The Giants did not believe they could stop anyone and it showed. After this game, it feels like they are starting to believe now, and if that confidence translates in the Philly game, then as I said before, look out.
I thought Eli played the weirdest game I have ever seen him play. He only made 11 completions, but on almost all of them he look fantastic. However, on the 14 incompletions, he looked brutal. There was no inbetween with Eli. Of course, two of his Td's were plays made by Jacobs and Nicks, and his one pick was totally his fault, so to say Eli played well would be false, but he made the plays he needed to and sometimes that is enough. Lets also calm down on Brandon Jacobs. He broke out of his shell for ONE PLAY. That one play was as big as it gets, but he stil had a brutal game on the ground (39 yards) and was a non factor blocking. I have to give all the credit in the world to Jacobs on that one 74 yard touchdown, but lets be fair, he still had a bad game on the ground. Is it time to start Hakeem Nicks yet? Nicks looked so good on that touchdown, he broke a tackle and walked into the end zone. The guy has such good hands, and he makes it look easy out there. Another guy who is simply having a ball out there is Steve Smith. Steve Smith is on pace to break every Giants single season receiving record, and he makes it look easy. he gets open EVERY THIRD DOWN and despite a couple drops here and there, he is reliable almost all of the time. If he doesnt get to the Pro Bowl the system is falwed (which of course it is).
Again, lets take a step back on the defense. They played excellent against the run, but BRUTAL against the pass. If that was Drew Brees out there, or Peyton or Brady, we give up 500 yards passing. Easily. Tony Romo proved why he is not a good Quarterback, why he will always be average at best. He missed wide open recievers, he over threw Roy Williams which would have been another TD, and he looked rattled out there. The problem was his recievers for the most part were WIDE OPEN the whole game. Why is that? Because besides Cory Webster, who had an average game at best, they Giants cannot cover anyone. Jason Witten, who I think is the third maybe 2nd best tight end in the league, had a game for the ages as I mentioned before. Roy Williams who could not do ANYTHING this entire year broke out for two TD's. Miles Austin also had a big game. Remember, this Cowboys offense had been brutal the last three games and one included the Raiders. Yes, 17 points is good (the last TD was a garbage TD) and Romo threw the ball a ridiculous 55 times, but that still is no excuse why he completed almost 40 of those passes. The rush was not there again, only two sacks and Romo fell down for one of them. I am still am far from impressed by this defense, but again, they made the stops when they had to. In addition, the Cowboys are a soft team, a team that has the deer in the headlight look whenever they play a big game, dont expect that from Andy Reid and the Eagles. The Eagles only get the Deer in the Headlight look when they are in a monumentally big game such as the NFC Title game or Super Bowl.
The lift that Dominik Hixon gave them on that punt return cannot be expressed in words. Not only did that return end the game, it might turn around the season. The crowd went as nuts as I have seen it in awhile, a season on the brink, and Hixon said we are not laying down. All with that return, a season could be revived. I still dont know how he got out of the first attempted tackle, along with three other Cowboys whiffs and Hixon was gone. Its the first punt return for a TD since Chad Morton in 2005 against the Cards on opening day, a day where he had both a kickoff and punt return for a TD. Its the most memorable punt return since Tiki Barber on Monday Night Football all the way back in 1997 against the same Cowboys. Barber broke a tie game against the defending Super Bowl Champs and though Dieon Sanders brought the kickoff return back as the final gun went off, the play was nullified due to an illegal forward pass. I loved the sidelines reaction, especially from Justin Tuck who carried Hixon off the field, and Tom Coughlin, who did the double fist and was obviously very emotional. The team said after that seeing Coughlin like that gave them a lift; if he is so end to it, how can I not be into it.
One last thing, the fact the Flozell Adams did not get suspended is a disgrace. This is twice now against the Giants and three times total that he has been fined and did something almost suspension worthy. The guy is a thug, a straight up thug, who tries to hurt people instead of playing football. Tuck was right in everyway to call him a dirtbag, Flozell's response "Justin Tuck is a nobody." Yea, a nobody who wears a large Super Bowl ring on his finger and had two sacks and five tackles in that game. A guy who had 13 sacks last year, and is a warrior on and off the field. A guy who is playing with a seperate shoulder that YOU gave him and does not complain. A guy who is slowly becoming my favoirte player because of his no-excuse-just-play mentality. Yea, Justin Tuck is a nobody.
I think this Sunday Night game is going to be a battle. The last two sunday night Giants-Eagles game, one at each stadium, were both won by the Giants. However, the last two playoff meetings between these two teams, both in each stadium, have both been won by the Eagles. This is going to be a war, both fan bases despise each other, the crowd should be as intense as any regular season game, in fact this should absolutly be a playoff atmosphere game. The Giants will be just as pumped as they were last week, knowing that their season is on the line. The Eagles will be pumped as ever because they know they can pretty much end the Giants season (especially as a division winner) and put themselves in prime position to win the NFC East. This will be a battle from the start to the finish, I cant wait.
- Lew
Showing posts with label Giants Recap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giants Recap. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
These Giants Are Not Who We Thought They Were
Sorry for the lack of pictures, the computers in the computer labs wont let me. Who knows why. Anyway, while most of us were eating or done eating our Thanksgiving meal, the Giants were being ripped to shreds by a reeling, and really not very good Denver Broncos team. I say every week, when Kyle Orton, a self proclaimed Jack Daniels drinking bum (well maybe he didnt say that, but look at these pictures)
http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/06/kyle-orton-montage/ AND http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/08/kyle-orton-back-again/
beats you on every throw, there is a problem. When someone asks me, "Lewin, what is the problem with the Giants?" I answer quite simply: It is everything. Because you know what, it really is the whole team that flat out stinks right now. Lets go through it.
The Offensive line, something that was a staple of the this team in 2007 and 2008 has been dreadful this year. They are not opening up lanes for Jacobs, and have been commiting way too many penalties, and stupid penalties at that. 20 yard passes are being called back because of holding and so forth. Wheather they aged quickly or not, they look bad. Everyone on the line. Eli is probably the strength of this team, but too often he mails in games. I get it, he is hurt, but you cant go out there like the games vs New Orleans, Arizona, Philly, Denver and just look flat. Flat out awful from the get go. We have no chance if Eli doesnt play well, not like the last few years. I am not going to continue to harp on the Jacobs 5 year rule, but he is not the same for whatever reason. The play calling for him has been awful, stretch runs are not his strength, but the fact he cant hit the hole is not Gilbride's fault, its the fact Jacobs looks old and slow. Jacobs, if you are not effective, runs will not be called your way. Now, I am not defending the fact the Giants have run the ball 33% of the time the last 6 games, an absymal number, and the fault of Gilbride, but Jacobs has not exactly deserved those carries.
I cant say much on the wide recievers except for a few games, this unit has looked good. On Thursday they were awful, Eli had time and they just could not get open. But Steve Smith has been a life saver and Manningham is a ncie deep threat to have. They have to start working Kevin Boss in the red zone more, but o wait, the Giants did not even get into the red zone last game.
As for the defense, we all know Bill Sheridan is way over his head and will undoubtedly be fired by seasons end, but its still not his fault that the secondary cant cover anyone outside of Corey Webster, the linebackers cant cover the underneath, and that once vaunted pass rush is tied with the Packers for 15th in the NFL in sacks. O, and 11 of those 23 sacks came against the Chiefs and the Raiders. Tuck is hurt, I will give him a pass the guy is a warrior, like Eli, who doesnt complain and just plays football (you hear that Jets). But after the Dallas game, Tuck was stepped on by Flozell Adams in a dirty, bush league move, and he has not been the same. Osi on the other hand has been horrendous, a shadow of his former self. Maybe it takes a year to recover, maybe he wont ever be the same, who knows, and yes I liked his passion, but common Osi, you have been a complete non-factor so far, so the last person people want to hear from is you. Accorsi missed the boat with Kiwi, he should have taken Santonio Holmes and not traded that pick and then take Kiwi, because frankly Kiwi will never be a good NFL player. He has been somewhat over his head since he was a rookie (remember the non sack on Vince Young, the interception and subsequent fumble against Dallas). Again, its in the past, but I dont think Kiwi will ever live up to the hype. And what about this last draft class? The Giants and Jerry Reese thought they were a dynamic team, go anywhere from 11-5 to 13-3 and drafted projects with William Beatty, Ramses "This might be the worst pick in Giants history" Barden, Travis Beckum and Clint Sintim. All projects, all have had less of an impact than Kevin Federline has been to raising his kids. In retrospect, it was a poor decision, but we all thought this team was great, so I am not going to fault Reese there. I will fault Reese for signing Rocky Benard, who no other team would touch with a 20 foot pole, and C.C Brown who was the number 1 backup. Your telling me you could not find a better backup than C.C Brown? Please.
Honestly, what probably should have happend, and the Giants missed the opportunity, much like they did with John Fox (though I obviously would have rather had Coughlin than John Fox) would have been to named Spags the eventual successor to Coughlin and pay him an absurd amount of money to stay D-Coordinator. Think its unrealistic, think again. Spags told people that if the Giants did this, he would have stayed. Now, did Spags turn Chicken Shit into Chicken Salad? I think it was a combo of both, and I guarentee you the Giants would have been better if Spags was still around.
I ll say this, if the Giants dont win sunday vs Dallas, than you can start looking towards the draft. Hey, at least the Yankees are World Champs.
- Lew
http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/06/kyle-orton-montage/ AND http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/08/kyle-orton-back-again/
beats you on every throw, there is a problem. When someone asks me, "Lewin, what is the problem with the Giants?" I answer quite simply: It is everything. Because you know what, it really is the whole team that flat out stinks right now. Lets go through it.
The Offensive line, something that was a staple of the this team in 2007 and 2008 has been dreadful this year. They are not opening up lanes for Jacobs, and have been commiting way too many penalties, and stupid penalties at that. 20 yard passes are being called back because of holding and so forth. Wheather they aged quickly or not, they look bad. Everyone on the line. Eli is probably the strength of this team, but too often he mails in games. I get it, he is hurt, but you cant go out there like the games vs New Orleans, Arizona, Philly, Denver and just look flat. Flat out awful from the get go. We have no chance if Eli doesnt play well, not like the last few years. I am not going to continue to harp on the Jacobs 5 year rule, but he is not the same for whatever reason. The play calling for him has been awful, stretch runs are not his strength, but the fact he cant hit the hole is not Gilbride's fault, its the fact Jacobs looks old and slow. Jacobs, if you are not effective, runs will not be called your way. Now, I am not defending the fact the Giants have run the ball 33% of the time the last 6 games, an absymal number, and the fault of Gilbride, but Jacobs has not exactly deserved those carries.
I cant say much on the wide recievers except for a few games, this unit has looked good. On Thursday they were awful, Eli had time and they just could not get open. But Steve Smith has been a life saver and Manningham is a ncie deep threat to have. They have to start working Kevin Boss in the red zone more, but o wait, the Giants did not even get into the red zone last game.
As for the defense, we all know Bill Sheridan is way over his head and will undoubtedly be fired by seasons end, but its still not his fault that the secondary cant cover anyone outside of Corey Webster, the linebackers cant cover the underneath, and that once vaunted pass rush is tied with the Packers for 15th in the NFL in sacks. O, and 11 of those 23 sacks came against the Chiefs and the Raiders. Tuck is hurt, I will give him a pass the guy is a warrior, like Eli, who doesnt complain and just plays football (you hear that Jets). But after the Dallas game, Tuck was stepped on by Flozell Adams in a dirty, bush league move, and he has not been the same. Osi on the other hand has been horrendous, a shadow of his former self. Maybe it takes a year to recover, maybe he wont ever be the same, who knows, and yes I liked his passion, but common Osi, you have been a complete non-factor so far, so the last person people want to hear from is you. Accorsi missed the boat with Kiwi, he should have taken Santonio Holmes and not traded that pick and then take Kiwi, because frankly Kiwi will never be a good NFL player. He has been somewhat over his head since he was a rookie (remember the non sack on Vince Young, the interception and subsequent fumble against Dallas). Again, its in the past, but I dont think Kiwi will ever live up to the hype. And what about this last draft class? The Giants and Jerry Reese thought they were a dynamic team, go anywhere from 11-5 to 13-3 and drafted projects with William Beatty, Ramses "This might be the worst pick in Giants history" Barden, Travis Beckum and Clint Sintim. All projects, all have had less of an impact than Kevin Federline has been to raising his kids. In retrospect, it was a poor decision, but we all thought this team was great, so I am not going to fault Reese there. I will fault Reese for signing Rocky Benard, who no other team would touch with a 20 foot pole, and C.C Brown who was the number 1 backup. Your telling me you could not find a better backup than C.C Brown? Please.
Honestly, what probably should have happend, and the Giants missed the opportunity, much like they did with John Fox (though I obviously would have rather had Coughlin than John Fox) would have been to named Spags the eventual successor to Coughlin and pay him an absurd amount of money to stay D-Coordinator. Think its unrealistic, think again. Spags told people that if the Giants did this, he would have stayed. Now, did Spags turn Chicken Shit into Chicken Salad? I think it was a combo of both, and I guarentee you the Giants would have been better if Spags was still around.
I ll say this, if the Giants dont win sunday vs Dallas, than you can start looking towards the draft. Hey, at least the Yankees are World Champs.
- Lew
Sunday, November 8, 2009
One of the Worst Losses I have Ever Seen
I am completly serious. In what the players deemed "Super Bowl 43 1/2" the Giants choked and lost 21-20 to a wildly overrated Chargers team. This game was the epitome of any Jim Fassel coached team that would blow these leads year in and year out. And I guess to be fair, was somewhat common of Coughlin remember 2006 anyone?? This one hurts, it hurts a lot, dont you dare think just because the Yankees won the World Series that I dont care about this Giants season. I am stunned, and embarressed by the way they played today. Whether it was racking up over 100 yards of penalties, or Coughlin "settling" for points, or the fact the defense imploded at the end, the Giants just dont have it this year to win on a consistent basis.
Here is my thinking. They have a bye week where every little thing from this game is going to get analyzed. This is awful news for the Giants since this game ended horrifically. A sure win was taking away by an inept Giants defense and a horrendous coaching decision by Coughlin. Note to Coughlin: you dont win by being predicatable and settling for points. The offense never sticks to a game plan, they ran a lot and then went away from it, then came back to it, then passed for 7 straight times etc etc. So getting back to my thinking of this team, I will give them one more game, the game vs the Falcons in two weeks at home. If the Giants lose that game, which they very well might, I want them to pull a 1996-1997 San Antonio Spurs and lose every single game to get a good pick. I already know this team is not capable of winning, they proved that today, and I know that there is a very good chance this team will not win more than 7 games, but if they beat Atlanta, it gives us a glimmer of hope. At Denver is winnable, and then home vs the Cowboys and Eagles are all winnable. So, if they re group, and rest, and win the Atlanta game, then I think they are still in it. If they come out and lose, either getting blown out, losing a close game, or having what happend today, then this team simply is done. The most annoying thing is a 7-8 win football team, and frankly this is exactly what this team is.
Honestly, I cant talk smack because I thought, like every other Giants fan that this team was loaded and would easily make the playoffs. Reese made some good moves at the time (I need to see another year of Canty, what I have seen in two games is a guy who absolutley sucks) but the mistake he made was drafting projeccts. He thought we were loaded enough to draft guys like Travis Beckum, William Betty, and of course Ramses (I probably wont ever play a down in my career) Barden. Well, looking back on it, that was pretty dumb, pretty dumb to trade for a guy in Barden who HAS NOT PLAYED A DOWN YET!!! HE IS SO BAD HE CANT PLAY!!!! Listen, again, I am second guessing, and it is easy for me to do that, but I hate when teams other than the Yankees, take huge projects, because it usually does not turn out well.
For the immediate future, I think Coughlin, Reese, and Mara have to sit down and discuss why the F*** he did not try to score a TD on that third down. You cant honestly have faith in a defense that had given up 112 points in the last three games and if not for the Chargers dropping balls left and right, might have been a blow out in this one. The defense played better, but it did not play well. The offense did a good job in chewing up the clock, but again, they did not score. Getting back Coughlin, if he really had faith that his defense would come through, he should have his head examined. I think that you cant replace a D-Coordinator, and it was quoted that Sheridan was comfortable in the booth but the players made him stick to the sidelines. Well you know what, PUT HIM IN THE BOOTH!!!! IT OBVIOUSLY ISNT WORKING ON THE SIDELINES. At the end of the year (lets say they go 7-9) you fire Sheridan and look for a guy who is actually capable of running a defense, not a guy who ran a sub-average linebacking core for years.
I dont think Coughlin's job is in jepordy at all, I mean the guy led the Giants on one of the most remarkable postseason runs in history just two years ago, but I think he needs to open things up more, stop being so outrageously conservative and try to WIN THE GAME, not "settling" for points. Heres where it gets interesting though, Coughlin after this year will have two more years on his deal, the guy is 63 years old, and 65 when the deal is up. You cant bring back a 65 year old coach, what is this Penn St, so you have to look for a new guy anyway. Which brings me to my point, if they Giants dont make the playoffs this year and next year, you might want to look for a replacement. I am not saying either will happen, but if it does, you cant have a 65 year old coach coaching a team with one yr left on his deal. That is a recipe for disaster.
Overall I am furious, hurt, and flat out bewildered that this team lost today in that fashion, and the season looks bleak, and I am ranting and raving and we all know anything can happen. But in all seriousness, how can you have confidence in this team. How can you? Again, we all know where I stand, I would like to hear G-Men fans (we all know Fish is going to write something anti Giants and try to spin it like he is being unbiased blah blah blah) on what they think the state of this team is. We are all over our Yankees hangover, and its now football season, and it could be a long one for NY football (I am not making this about the Jets, but we all know they are not making the playoffs either). Its also tells you how hard it is to win in the NFL, and how unbelievably fortunate we are as Giants fans to have witnessed that 2007 Super Bowl win and playoff run. If they dont ever win again at least I can say I saw that, I saw my team on the top. (Not to mention beating a 18-0 Pats team, which still stings New England fans. If you dont believe me ask one, he will either make up some excuse, or flat out tell you so). So it sucks, this loss and the fact we dont play for another two weeks, but we got to ride it out and see how the Giants react in two weeks vs Atlanta.
-An emotionally upset Lew
Here is my thinking. They have a bye week where every little thing from this game is going to get analyzed. This is awful news for the Giants since this game ended horrifically. A sure win was taking away by an inept Giants defense and a horrendous coaching decision by Coughlin. Note to Coughlin: you dont win by being predicatable and settling for points. The offense never sticks to a game plan, they ran a lot and then went away from it, then came back to it, then passed for 7 straight times etc etc. So getting back to my thinking of this team, I will give them one more game, the game vs the Falcons in two weeks at home. If the Giants lose that game, which they very well might, I want them to pull a 1996-1997 San Antonio Spurs and lose every single game to get a good pick. I already know this team is not capable of winning, they proved that today, and I know that there is a very good chance this team will not win more than 7 games, but if they beat Atlanta, it gives us a glimmer of hope. At Denver is winnable, and then home vs the Cowboys and Eagles are all winnable. So, if they re group, and rest, and win the Atlanta game, then I think they are still in it. If they come out and lose, either getting blown out, losing a close game, or having what happend today, then this team simply is done. The most annoying thing is a 7-8 win football team, and frankly this is exactly what this team is.
Honestly, I cant talk smack because I thought, like every other Giants fan that this team was loaded and would easily make the playoffs. Reese made some good moves at the time (I need to see another year of Canty, what I have seen in two games is a guy who absolutley sucks) but the mistake he made was drafting projeccts. He thought we were loaded enough to draft guys like Travis Beckum, William Betty, and of course Ramses (I probably wont ever play a down in my career) Barden. Well, looking back on it, that was pretty dumb, pretty dumb to trade for a guy in Barden who HAS NOT PLAYED A DOWN YET!!! HE IS SO BAD HE CANT PLAY!!!! Listen, again, I am second guessing, and it is easy for me to do that, but I hate when teams other than the Yankees, take huge projects, because it usually does not turn out well.
For the immediate future, I think Coughlin, Reese, and Mara have to sit down and discuss why the F*** he did not try to score a TD on that third down. You cant honestly have faith in a defense that had given up 112 points in the last three games and if not for the Chargers dropping balls left and right, might have been a blow out in this one. The defense played better, but it did not play well. The offense did a good job in chewing up the clock, but again, they did not score. Getting back Coughlin, if he really had faith that his defense would come through, he should have his head examined. I think that you cant replace a D-Coordinator, and it was quoted that Sheridan was comfortable in the booth but the players made him stick to the sidelines. Well you know what, PUT HIM IN THE BOOTH!!!! IT OBVIOUSLY ISNT WORKING ON THE SIDELINES. At the end of the year (lets say they go 7-9) you fire Sheridan and look for a guy who is actually capable of running a defense, not a guy who ran a sub-average linebacking core for years.
I dont think Coughlin's job is in jepordy at all, I mean the guy led the Giants on one of the most remarkable postseason runs in history just two years ago, but I think he needs to open things up more, stop being so outrageously conservative and try to WIN THE GAME, not "settling" for points. Heres where it gets interesting though, Coughlin after this year will have two more years on his deal, the guy is 63 years old, and 65 when the deal is up. You cant bring back a 65 year old coach, what is this Penn St, so you have to look for a new guy anyway. Which brings me to my point, if they Giants dont make the playoffs this year and next year, you might want to look for a replacement. I am not saying either will happen, but if it does, you cant have a 65 year old coach coaching a team with one yr left on his deal. That is a recipe for disaster.
Overall I am furious, hurt, and flat out bewildered that this team lost today in that fashion, and the season looks bleak, and I am ranting and raving and we all know anything can happen. But in all seriousness, how can you have confidence in this team. How can you? Again, we all know where I stand, I would like to hear G-Men fans (we all know Fish is going to write something anti Giants and try to spin it like he is being unbiased blah blah blah) on what they think the state of this team is. We are all over our Yankees hangover, and its now football season, and it could be a long one for NY football (I am not making this about the Jets, but we all know they are not making the playoffs either). Its also tells you how hard it is to win in the NFL, and how unbelievably fortunate we are as Giants fans to have witnessed that 2007 Super Bowl win and playoff run. If they dont ever win again at least I can say I saw that, I saw my team on the top. (Not to mention beating a 18-0 Pats team, which still stings New England fans. If you dont believe me ask one, he will either make up some excuse, or flat out tell you so). So it sucks, this loss and the fact we dont play for another two weeks, but we got to ride it out and see how the Giants react in two weeks vs Atlanta.
-An emotionally upset Lew
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Giants Recap/ Rant...Can also be read at Inreesewetrust.com
I dont really know where to begin. It looked all so bright, all so galmourous a season was upon us. Five weeks in, Giants fans were thinking Super Bowl. Three weeks later, we are thinking top 10 pick. Ok, I wont go that far, but what the Giants showed me and everyone else out their on sunday is that they are not ready to compete anytime soon. To list the things that went wrong during the game would be like listing all of the words in the dictionary. Whether it was C.C Brown, or Eli, or Pierce, or Osi pretty much everyone laid an egg in the game.
Lets start with the first drive of the game. The Eagles get the ball, and on the third play run 41 yards WITH THE FULLBACK. In my life as a Giants fan and as a fan of the NFL and college Football I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN A FULLBACK RUN 41 YARDS FOR A TOUCHDOWN. I was flabbergasted, shocked, disgusted, embarrassed all rolled into one. Still, I turned to my buddies watching the game and said, "first drive, no big deal, you know what [Michael] Strahan used to say, 'the first drive you always felt out your opponet.' No big deal." Wrong. Two plays later Eli threw a great pass to Asante Samuel, the only problem being Samuel is on the Eagles not the Giants, and ran 30 yards to set up a first and goal for Philly. The Giants actually did a good job forcing 3 and 18 and then gave up an 18 yard pass for a touchdown TO THE TIGHT END. We are not talking about Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BRENT CELEK, TOM SELLECK's LONG LOST BROTHER. Even though we blocked the extra point, you knew it was over. 13-0 not even five minutes went by.
But then the Giants do what they do best, reel you in, and cut it to 16-7 and they were getting the ball to start the second half. So what do they do? Exactly what I predicted them to do, give up a Touchdown. But then they proceeded TO GIVE UP ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN to end the half down 30-7. AND THEN THEY FUMBLED TO START THE SECOND HALF!!! This game was very reminescent to the game vs the Saints way back in 2006, when the Giants were in their annual late season collapse and lost 30-7 to the Saints at home breaking out the fire Coughlin chants. The game was over after the first, and the Saints kept piling it on, sort of like this game.
Here is what bothered me about this game, not that they lost, not even that they were blown out, because I have seen that way too many times with the Giants before. It was the fact they did not seem to care. Down 33-17 after a big defensive play and a touchdown by the offense, they were practically still in the game. But there was no emotion, no trying to fight back nothing. This even got worse when they went down 40-17 and they were not even in the two minute or hurry up offense. They just did not seem to care. So you know what, why should I. I give everything to this team, my money, my passion, basically my soul, and they go out their and disrespect me like that. Not by losing dont get me wrong, but by NOT CARING, NOT TRYING TO WIN. I was going to make the 4 hour trip from Syracuse to the Meadowlands this weekend to see my beloved G-Men take on the Chargers, but you know what, I decided not to. I decided not to because they betrayed me in this game by not trying to win. By quitting in the first half and by not showing up in the 2nd. If you quit, I quit, and that was my stance with the Knicks for years, and is my stance as of now with this team. Now, is the season over? Absolutly not. The Giants are still a very good organization, and Coughlin is a very good coach and the Giants have very good personnel. However, here is what I think they need to do to succeed this season.
-Take away the offensive play call duties from Kevin Gilbride. Gilbride has been atrocious since he has got here. Sure he has had his moments, but for the most part his play calling has been bland and very predictable. This year, it has been down right Jon Hufangel esc. Let Coughlin call the plays, open up the offense and GET THE BALL TO HAKEEM NICKS.
-Fire Bill Sheridan. I am being serious, I would fire him immediatly. Against the Cowboys, Saints, Cardinals, and Eagles (all the good teams we have played) the defense has been awful. They are out of place, and the calls are putrid. For example, on Desean Jackson's Touchdown to make it 23-7 why are they playing Cover 2? They need to prevent a Touchdown, even a field goal is fine, play Cover three or prevent, but no, they play Cover 2, Jackson runs by everyone including CC "Cant Cover" Brown and scores and effectively ends the game. Have Mike Waufle the D-line coach for many years run the defense. But most likely keep Sheridan and then fire him at years end. The linebackers were never good to begin with, so why would you promote the linebackers coach as your defensive coordinator?
- Choose an identity? What do the Giants want to be, are they a running team like last year, or they a passing team like the first couple of games? What are they? The Giants need to choose an identity and fast.
- Do something with CC Brown. The loss of Kenny Phillips was gigantic, something I did not realize at the time, and this is evident by the play of CC Brown. I do not kid when I say this, CC Brown is slowly becoming one of the worst Giants of all time. The blown assignments and bad reads he makes are PATHETIC. After watching him play I am shocked he is in the NFL. I thought Frank Walker was bad, this guy makes Walker look like Deion Sanders.
- Make it easy for Eli. We all know Eli had the most success when the offense was simple during the magical Super Bowl run in 2007. Right now he is trying to do to much. Which gets me to my next point. I am sitting there and it finally, after all these years hits me: Eli Manning will never be a great quarterback EVER. He is extremely clutch, and is capable of winning a Super Bowl, maybe even two, but he will NEVR BE GREAT. He misses so many throws and so many reads that guys like his brother, Brady, Brees, Rothlisberger, even Favre dont miss. Take that throw down the middle to Boss he missed. The throw to Moss he missed. Nicks was wide open for a touchdown and Eli did not see him. I love Eli, but I am sorry the guy is never going to be great. They had to give him that $100 million contract because he is good enough to lead them in the future, but he will never be a top 5 quarterback, and never somebody who will make all the throws when you need him to.
The Giants have a long road ahead, but there is plenty of time to right the ship. The next five of eight games are at home, a place they have not played all year it seems, so maybe they can step things up their. We will see, but as of now, you cannot be confident in this New York Giants team.
Alex Lewin can also be read at ineptfassel.blogspot.com
-Lew
Lets start with the first drive of the game. The Eagles get the ball, and on the third play run 41 yards WITH THE FULLBACK. In my life as a Giants fan and as a fan of the NFL and college Football I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN A FULLBACK RUN 41 YARDS FOR A TOUCHDOWN. I was flabbergasted, shocked, disgusted, embarrassed all rolled into one. Still, I turned to my buddies watching the game and said, "first drive, no big deal, you know what [Michael] Strahan used to say, 'the first drive you always felt out your opponet.' No big deal." Wrong. Two plays later Eli threw a great pass to Asante Samuel, the only problem being Samuel is on the Eagles not the Giants, and ran 30 yards to set up a first and goal for Philly. The Giants actually did a good job forcing 3 and 18 and then gave up an 18 yard pass for a touchdown TO THE TIGHT END. We are not talking about Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BRENT CELEK, TOM SELLECK's LONG LOST BROTHER. Even though we blocked the extra point, you knew it was over. 13-0 not even five minutes went by.
But then the Giants do what they do best, reel you in, and cut it to 16-7 and they were getting the ball to start the second half. So what do they do? Exactly what I predicted them to do, give up a Touchdown. But then they proceeded TO GIVE UP ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN to end the half down 30-7. AND THEN THEY FUMBLED TO START THE SECOND HALF!!! This game was very reminescent to the game vs the Saints way back in 2006, when the Giants were in their annual late season collapse and lost 30-7 to the Saints at home breaking out the fire Coughlin chants. The game was over after the first, and the Saints kept piling it on, sort of like this game.
Here is what bothered me about this game, not that they lost, not even that they were blown out, because I have seen that way too many times with the Giants before. It was the fact they did not seem to care. Down 33-17 after a big defensive play and a touchdown by the offense, they were practically still in the game. But there was no emotion, no trying to fight back nothing. This even got worse when they went down 40-17 and they were not even in the two minute or hurry up offense. They just did not seem to care. So you know what, why should I. I give everything to this team, my money, my passion, basically my soul, and they go out their and disrespect me like that. Not by losing dont get me wrong, but by NOT CARING, NOT TRYING TO WIN. I was going to make the 4 hour trip from Syracuse to the Meadowlands this weekend to see my beloved G-Men take on the Chargers, but you know what, I decided not to. I decided not to because they betrayed me in this game by not trying to win. By quitting in the first half and by not showing up in the 2nd. If you quit, I quit, and that was my stance with the Knicks for years, and is my stance as of now with this team. Now, is the season over? Absolutly not. The Giants are still a very good organization, and Coughlin is a very good coach and the Giants have very good personnel. However, here is what I think they need to do to succeed this season.
-Take away the offensive play call duties from Kevin Gilbride. Gilbride has been atrocious since he has got here. Sure he has had his moments, but for the most part his play calling has been bland and very predictable. This year, it has been down right Jon Hufangel esc. Let Coughlin call the plays, open up the offense and GET THE BALL TO HAKEEM NICKS.
-Fire Bill Sheridan. I am being serious, I would fire him immediatly. Against the Cowboys, Saints, Cardinals, and Eagles (all the good teams we have played) the defense has been awful. They are out of place, and the calls are putrid. For example, on Desean Jackson's Touchdown to make it 23-7 why are they playing Cover 2? They need to prevent a Touchdown, even a field goal is fine, play Cover three or prevent, but no, they play Cover 2, Jackson runs by everyone including CC "Cant Cover" Brown and scores and effectively ends the game. Have Mike Waufle the D-line coach for many years run the defense. But most likely keep Sheridan and then fire him at years end. The linebackers were never good to begin with, so why would you promote the linebackers coach as your defensive coordinator?
- Choose an identity? What do the Giants want to be, are they a running team like last year, or they a passing team like the first couple of games? What are they? The Giants need to choose an identity and fast.
- Do something with CC Brown. The loss of Kenny Phillips was gigantic, something I did not realize at the time, and this is evident by the play of CC Brown. I do not kid when I say this, CC Brown is slowly becoming one of the worst Giants of all time. The blown assignments and bad reads he makes are PATHETIC. After watching him play I am shocked he is in the NFL. I thought Frank Walker was bad, this guy makes Walker look like Deion Sanders.
- Make it easy for Eli. We all know Eli had the most success when the offense was simple during the magical Super Bowl run in 2007. Right now he is trying to do to much. Which gets me to my next point. I am sitting there and it finally, after all these years hits me: Eli Manning will never be a great quarterback EVER. He is extremely clutch, and is capable of winning a Super Bowl, maybe even two, but he will NEVR BE GREAT. He misses so many throws and so many reads that guys like his brother, Brady, Brees, Rothlisberger, even Favre dont miss. Take that throw down the middle to Boss he missed. The throw to Moss he missed. Nicks was wide open for a touchdown and Eli did not see him. I love Eli, but I am sorry the guy is never going to be great. They had to give him that $100 million contract because he is good enough to lead them in the future, but he will never be a top 5 quarterback, and never somebody who will make all the throws when you need him to.
The Giants have a long road ahead, but there is plenty of time to right the ship. The next five of eight games are at home, a place they have not played all year it seems, so maybe they can step things up their. We will see, but as of now, you cannot be confident in this New York Giants team.
Alex Lewin can also be read at ineptfassel.blogspot.com
-Lew
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Giants Raiders Recap
Do we even have to discuss this game. Next sunday cant come fast enough, finally I can have a comprehensive Giants preview and recap. These games are good because we s*** on these teams, its funny, and its a guarentee win. However, they suck because the game is boring by the 2nd quarter. The Saints this week will be by far our biggest test and it is the primier game the NFL has seen so far this year.
As for the Raiders, they are atrocious, what else can you say. I am not even going to get into the recap style I have been writing because I realize nobody cares about it when we play a team that bad. For the Saints, your going to get a HUGE Giants preview, and Giants recap format will be back in full affect, but for now, I am taking break. Nobody needs my take on the Giants linebacking core in a game we won 44-7 which should have been 51-0 if not for that HORRIBLE down by contact call. I am dead serious when I say this, Florida with a healthy Tim Tebow might give the Raiders a game. They would porbably lose by double digits, but it might not be a blowout, thats how bad the Oakland Raiders are right now. O, and another thing, Darius Heyward-Bey has more names (3) than catches (2). Good pick Al Davis. My ntoes from the game.
-How bad was JaMarcus Russell? Stratch that, how HISTORICALLY AWFUL has he been? He is so bad that he makes Derek Anderson look like Joe Montana and John Elway rolled into one. I cant even imagine what a Raiders fan is thinking right now with this guy. He has no sense of urgency, he has no idea how to read defenses, hes slow in feet and in brain, and he fumbles the ball more than Kerry Collins which is really saying something. The guy has a great arm, GREAT arm thats it. I cannot believe this guy went number 1 overall.
-Not only is Tom Cable a terrible coach, he is going to get arressted. You cant make this stuff up. Absymal organization is being too kind when it comes to the Raiders. Literally, they should do what the Knicks did in the movie "Eddie" with the head coach. They should give it away to a DIE HARD Raiders fan, who even now, still loves the Raiders, have them coach the team, and I mean how worse can it get? Cant get worse than this, plus maybe a new "Ivan Make Charge" guy can emerge. It would be the best storyline in sports and make the Raiders look very fan friendly as an organization. By the way, I am completly serious with this idea, it cant get any worse than this.
- Eli had a perfect game as a passer in what seemed like a preseason game. He looked fantastic throwing the ball, but again it was the Raiders. Eli has been the best he has ever been in his career this year, but of course the big test will be against the Saints. Yes, the heel will be an issue, but not as big as I think it has made out to be.
- Dont look now, but Steve Smith is the leading NFL reciever. Pretty amazing for a guy who almost got traded for Braylon Edwards. Sometimes the guy who has the most talent doesnt mean its going to equate to being the best reciever, as Smith is not that athletic, but has great hands and is a fantastic route runner.
- Great fade route to Manningham for a TD in the first.
- Fantastic job by the defense, it looks like Justin Tuck is back, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and two sacks. Literally, not one player on the defense played badly, after all, the Giants are the #1 overall defense in the league statistically.
- Sinorice Moss. I have had enough, the guy should be cut RIGHT NOW. He is Chad Morton/R.W McQuarters rolled into one. Why cant the Giants ever have a good kickoff returner....O yea he is Dominick Hixon and if he isnt going to be used a a reciever (and really he shouldnt hes isnt that good, plus Manningham, Smith, Nicks, Beckum, and Boss are all better) THAN PUT HIM BACK THERE COUGHLIN!! Its getting really bad, and I am starting to think Moss should have been cut in training camp. One of the only mistakes made in the last couple of years, but this was a waste of a second rounder. He fumbles way too much, and runs east-west like a guy running from the cops. I cant take anymore games with this bum returning punts or kicks.
Not really much else to say on this game other than the Giants played a team that my middle school team could have played with. Jeremy Shockey is already talking noise, saying he is going to kill us next week. Nothing would make me more happy if someone SLAMMED him over the middle and ended his career. I loved Shockey, I really did, but the way he handled himself in 2007 really proved it was all about him, and for a guy who I thought was team first, I could not forgive him.
Heres whats on tap for the week, we got Yankees ALCS Game 1 Sabathia vs Lackey on friday, ALCS Game 2 on saturday and Giants-Saints NFC showdown 4:00 on sunday. Pretty outrageous weekend if your a Yanks and Giants fan, one of the best I have seen in a while.
- Lew
As for the Raiders, they are atrocious, what else can you say. I am not even going to get into the recap style I have been writing because I realize nobody cares about it when we play a team that bad. For the Saints, your going to get a HUGE Giants preview, and Giants recap format will be back in full affect, but for now, I am taking break. Nobody needs my take on the Giants linebacking core in a game we won 44-7 which should have been 51-0 if not for that HORRIBLE down by contact call. I am dead serious when I say this, Florida with a healthy Tim Tebow might give the Raiders a game. They would porbably lose by double digits, but it might not be a blowout, thats how bad the Oakland Raiders are right now. O, and another thing, Darius Heyward-Bey has more names (3) than catches (2). Good pick Al Davis. My ntoes from the game.
-How bad was JaMarcus Russell? Stratch that, how HISTORICALLY AWFUL has he been? He is so bad that he makes Derek Anderson look like Joe Montana and John Elway rolled into one. I cant even imagine what a Raiders fan is thinking right now with this guy. He has no sense of urgency, he has no idea how to read defenses, hes slow in feet and in brain, and he fumbles the ball more than Kerry Collins which is really saying something. The guy has a great arm, GREAT arm thats it. I cannot believe this guy went number 1 overall.
-Not only is Tom Cable a terrible coach, he is going to get arressted. You cant make this stuff up. Absymal organization is being too kind when it comes to the Raiders. Literally, they should do what the Knicks did in the movie "Eddie" with the head coach. They should give it away to a DIE HARD Raiders fan, who even now, still loves the Raiders, have them coach the team, and I mean how worse can it get? Cant get worse than this, plus maybe a new "Ivan Make Charge" guy can emerge. It would be the best storyline in sports and make the Raiders look very fan friendly as an organization. By the way, I am completly serious with this idea, it cant get any worse than this.
- Eli had a perfect game as a passer in what seemed like a preseason game. He looked fantastic throwing the ball, but again it was the Raiders. Eli has been the best he has ever been in his career this year, but of course the big test will be against the Saints. Yes, the heel will be an issue, but not as big as I think it has made out to be.
- Dont look now, but Steve Smith is the leading NFL reciever. Pretty amazing for a guy who almost got traded for Braylon Edwards. Sometimes the guy who has the most talent doesnt mean its going to equate to being the best reciever, as Smith is not that athletic, but has great hands and is a fantastic route runner.
- Great fade route to Manningham for a TD in the first.
- Fantastic job by the defense, it looks like Justin Tuck is back, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and two sacks. Literally, not one player on the defense played badly, after all, the Giants are the #1 overall defense in the league statistically.
- Sinorice Moss. I have had enough, the guy should be cut RIGHT NOW. He is Chad Morton/R.W McQuarters rolled into one. Why cant the Giants ever have a good kickoff returner....O yea he is Dominick Hixon and if he isnt going to be used a a reciever (and really he shouldnt hes isnt that good, plus Manningham, Smith, Nicks, Beckum, and Boss are all better) THAN PUT HIM BACK THERE COUGHLIN!! Its getting really bad, and I am starting to think Moss should have been cut in training camp. One of the only mistakes made in the last couple of years, but this was a waste of a second rounder. He fumbles way too much, and runs east-west like a guy running from the cops. I cant take anymore games with this bum returning punts or kicks.
Not really much else to say on this game other than the Giants played a team that my middle school team could have played with. Jeremy Shockey is already talking noise, saying he is going to kill us next week. Nothing would make me more happy if someone SLAMMED him over the middle and ended his career. I loved Shockey, I really did, but the way he handled himself in 2007 really proved it was all about him, and for a guy who I thought was team first, I could not forgive him.
Heres whats on tap for the week, we got Yankees ALCS Game 1 Sabathia vs Lackey on friday, ALCS Game 2 on saturday and Giants-Saints NFC showdown 4:00 on sunday. Pretty outrageous weekend if your a Yanks and Giants fan, one of the best I have seen in a while.
- Lew
Monday, October 5, 2009
Giants-Chiefs Recap
Yawn. I like how the Giants are playing high school teams, but it is also rather boring. I think this is the first time in my life as a Giants fan that I am actually starting to get bored when they play these high school teams. If you look around the league, there are so many of these "really bad teams" and it just so happens the G-Men play almost all of them in a row besides Carolina and Washington again. Yes, this game was somewhat more entertaining than the Bucs game, but it was still a major blowout. 27-3 in the 4th quarter is a blowout. Kansas City never was even in the game, besides that field goal early to make 7-3, but you never had any doubt the Giants were going to lose.
QB
Obviously the main concern is Eli's heel. Everywhere I hear (except ESPN who completly misdignosed Eli a few years ago and actually did it again on Countdown this afternoon by saying he was out for two weeks. Like where does ESPN get their info from, I dont understand how you can make up a report like that. Just another reason why I hate ESPN) says that Eli will be fine, that it is just bruised and that he will play next week. My theory is that he will play but that the Giants will run an insane amount of times next week. As for yesterday, Eli looked very good, but again he is playing a high school team. 3 Tds's and the pick and fumble were not his fault (Manningham and Diehl) and he showed once again why he is so important to this team.
Matt Cassell on the other hand is atrocious. I said this last year, and it literally was as easy as saying the sky was blue, that Cassell would suck this year, and the contract he got was absolutly insane. Great, he threw 2 tds at the end down 27-3 congrats, here is $50 mil to go with it.
RB
Concerned and happy is how I feel. Let me explain. I am concerned with Jacobs, though he looked better, he still did not look good. 4.4 per carry is good, but not great against KC. He just doesnt seem to have that power and explosivness he has had for the last two years. I know he said no excuses, but he did hint on the Brandon Tierney show the other day that his knee was bothering him. I am not liking what I am seeing out of the big guy, he needs to improve and fast. However, his backup, Ahamd Bradshaw, continues to look great. Every time he has open space I feel like he is going to take it to the house.
Remember when Larry Johnson was good? Yea, I mean he had two good runs and thats it. Again, congrats, why dont you hold out again like you did on "Hard Knocks" two years ago. That really worked out for you right?
WR
Ok, at some point, and good job for FOX having the graphic up, you have to start referring to Steve Smith as the real Steve Smith. I cant say enough about what Steve Smith has done thus far for the G-Men. Literally EVERY 3RD DOWN HE CATCHES THE BALL FOR A 1ST. He is our saftey net, and he comes thru pretty much everytime. I am so confident now with Smith it is not even funny. But, he also can go long, as evident on that 25 yard TD. If I would have told you that after four game Steve Smith would be leading in catches, yards, and TDS for recievers how many people would believe me. In fact, I dont think Smith himself would have believed me. He has pretty much solidfied a spot in the pro bowl after week 4. Amazing job so far. Now, Mario Manningham. I wont get on him as much as I want to because of the fact he has been great so far, but wow, was he bad yesterday. He dropped five passes, including one that went for a pick, and almost dropped 6 if not for somehow pulling it in. I dont know what to say, but if he pulls that crap again, he is going to slowly creep into the Lew's house of dogs. Big Boss man apparently is ok, he got hurt on a play at the end of the game, and what can I say about Hakeem the Dream? Amazing play, which by the way was all him the blocking sucked on that screen, and this kid could actually be something. Well, at least the foot looks fine. Congrats Hakeem on your first TD.
I mean, Dwyane Bowe dropped a few passes, and that big white tight end Ryan looked amazing at the end of the game. Besides that, not much to say here.
O-Line
36 games and counting for the O-Line. What a streak. However, the didnt look SO crisp this week, like they did the last three. Maybe they took KC litghtly or maybe Hali is actually really good. I'll go with the ladder, because this group actually gives a crap about winning.
Exactly the same as the G-Men o-line except the exact opposite. Enough said.
D-Line
They made big plays early, and big plays often. The broke out of the sack funk with five yesterday and they never let up on Cassell until the end when it did not matter. Justin Tuck looks fine, and Kiwi suprisingly played well. O, and also an Osi sighting, good to see he is still alive. The big question is who is fatter: Big Fred Robbins or Monster Rockey Benard? Lets take a vote.
Liked what I saw out of Hali, hated what I saw out of Glenn Dorsey. Could this be another waste of a high draft pick for the Chiefs (paging Dwyane Bowe). People out of New England say that Pioli was Belichick's b**** and I think that is evident. This team flat out stinks.
LB
Well word just got in that Michael Boley is on crutches. Great, but it looks like its just from the plane ride his knee stiffened up. Anyway, the linebackers were fine, not great, but fine. Pierce is Pierce you know what your getting out of him. Boley played well, and I thought Danny Clark actually made a contribution, five tackles on the day. Bryan Kuhl had a fumble recovery and an onside kick recovery. Good for him.
Bad unit, VERY bad unit. The middle was WIDE open all day, and they could not stop the Jacobs/Bradshaw attack. Mike Verbal looks like a guy who went from working as the AD of Florida, to the AD of South West Middle Missori State.
Secondary
Sucks no Kenny Phillips but really, did you notice? The unit was really untested until the fourth quarter. Webster made some nice plays when they actually threw to him and hey, Kevin Dockery is back, good to see you, about time. Seriously though, this unit wont be tested until the Saints game, which I plan to write about a page for each corner.
Again, this is a really bad unit, who made one pick (Brandon Flowers) because of Mario Manningham. Besides that, absolutly putrid, Eli picked these guys apart.
Special Teams
Two things I have had enough of and they both are on Special Teams: Sinorice Moss and Laurence Tynes. First Moss. He is R.W McQuarters 2.0, he shy's away from punts, every time he has the ball I think he is going to fumble, and he dances way to much, this east-west running crap. Replace him with a guy like Derek Hagan or somebody please. Now Tynes. This guy is so bad he makes me want to put my head through the wall. He is atrocious get him out and dont let the door hit him on the ass. Another chip shot missed last week, the guy makes me sick everytime he is out there. God only knows how he made that kick against Dalls in week 2 and somebody higher than God only knows how he made that 47 yarder against Green Bay in the NFC Title game. Fly like a Feagles is still the man.
Nothing to really say here.
Coaching
I was really fine with everything they did yesterday. The offense had a good scheme and the defense did as well. Very good called game overall.
Todd Haley is a maniac. He was Coughlin pre "I was this close to being fired stage" I dont know if Haley will last that long.
Overall
What can you say other than another dominating Giants win. They have played four games, and three of them have come against high school teams. Thats a fact. However, in all of those games they have flat out dominated the game and made the other team look silly, and in the Dallas game, which was an ENOURMOUS game for Dallas, they won even though Tuck didnt really play. I am extremely pleased with this team, and looking at the schedule I dont see how they dont win 11-13 games. Its almost a given unless more injuries occur. This team is very, very, very good. I will tell you one thing, if they beat New Orleans than they are by far the best team in the NFC. And to be honest with you, I feel like they will, I am JUST NOW starting to give the Giants the benifit of the doubt. I honestly feel they can win every game, it wont happen, but I feel they can. Lets be fair, there obviously beating Oakland next week, so it comes down to a HUGE 5-0 Giants vs 4-0 Saints in week 6. The Super Bowl was never won in week 6, but thats about as big a game early in the season as it gets. I like the Giants chances, I always do.
- Lew
QB
Obviously the main concern is Eli's heel. Everywhere I hear (except ESPN who completly misdignosed Eli a few years ago and actually did it again on Countdown this afternoon by saying he was out for two weeks. Like where does ESPN get their info from, I dont understand how you can make up a report like that. Just another reason why I hate ESPN) says that Eli will be fine, that it is just bruised and that he will play next week. My theory is that he will play but that the Giants will run an insane amount of times next week. As for yesterday, Eli looked very good, but again he is playing a high school team. 3 Tds's and the pick and fumble were not his fault (Manningham and Diehl) and he showed once again why he is so important to this team.
Matt Cassell on the other hand is atrocious. I said this last year, and it literally was as easy as saying the sky was blue, that Cassell would suck this year, and the contract he got was absolutly insane. Great, he threw 2 tds at the end down 27-3 congrats, here is $50 mil to go with it.
RB
Concerned and happy is how I feel. Let me explain. I am concerned with Jacobs, though he looked better, he still did not look good. 4.4 per carry is good, but not great against KC. He just doesnt seem to have that power and explosivness he has had for the last two years. I know he said no excuses, but he did hint on the Brandon Tierney show the other day that his knee was bothering him. I am not liking what I am seeing out of the big guy, he needs to improve and fast. However, his backup, Ahamd Bradshaw, continues to look great. Every time he has open space I feel like he is going to take it to the house.
Remember when Larry Johnson was good? Yea, I mean he had two good runs and thats it. Again, congrats, why dont you hold out again like you did on "Hard Knocks" two years ago. That really worked out for you right?
WR
Ok, at some point, and good job for FOX having the graphic up, you have to start referring to Steve Smith as the real Steve Smith. I cant say enough about what Steve Smith has done thus far for the G-Men. Literally EVERY 3RD DOWN HE CATCHES THE BALL FOR A 1ST. He is our saftey net, and he comes thru pretty much everytime. I am so confident now with Smith it is not even funny. But, he also can go long, as evident on that 25 yard TD. If I would have told you that after four game Steve Smith would be leading in catches, yards, and TDS for recievers how many people would believe me. In fact, I dont think Smith himself would have believed me. He has pretty much solidfied a spot in the pro bowl after week 4. Amazing job so far. Now, Mario Manningham. I wont get on him as much as I want to because of the fact he has been great so far, but wow, was he bad yesterday. He dropped five passes, including one that went for a pick, and almost dropped 6 if not for somehow pulling it in. I dont know what to say, but if he pulls that crap again, he is going to slowly creep into the Lew's house of dogs. Big Boss man apparently is ok, he got hurt on a play at the end of the game, and what can I say about Hakeem the Dream? Amazing play, which by the way was all him the blocking sucked on that screen, and this kid could actually be something. Well, at least the foot looks fine. Congrats Hakeem on your first TD.
I mean, Dwyane Bowe dropped a few passes, and that big white tight end Ryan looked amazing at the end of the game. Besides that, not much to say here.
O-Line
36 games and counting for the O-Line. What a streak. However, the didnt look SO crisp this week, like they did the last three. Maybe they took KC litghtly or maybe Hali is actually really good. I'll go with the ladder, because this group actually gives a crap about winning.
Exactly the same as the G-Men o-line except the exact opposite. Enough said.
D-Line
They made big plays early, and big plays often. The broke out of the sack funk with five yesterday and they never let up on Cassell until the end when it did not matter. Justin Tuck looks fine, and Kiwi suprisingly played well. O, and also an Osi sighting, good to see he is still alive. The big question is who is fatter: Big Fred Robbins or Monster Rockey Benard? Lets take a vote.
Liked what I saw out of Hali, hated what I saw out of Glenn Dorsey. Could this be another waste of a high draft pick for the Chiefs (paging Dwyane Bowe). People out of New England say that Pioli was Belichick's b**** and I think that is evident. This team flat out stinks.
LB
Well word just got in that Michael Boley is on crutches. Great, but it looks like its just from the plane ride his knee stiffened up. Anyway, the linebackers were fine, not great, but fine. Pierce is Pierce you know what your getting out of him. Boley played well, and I thought Danny Clark actually made a contribution, five tackles on the day. Bryan Kuhl had a fumble recovery and an onside kick recovery. Good for him.
Bad unit, VERY bad unit. The middle was WIDE open all day, and they could not stop the Jacobs/Bradshaw attack. Mike Verbal looks like a guy who went from working as the AD of Florida, to the AD of South West Middle Missori State.
Secondary
Sucks no Kenny Phillips but really, did you notice? The unit was really untested until the fourth quarter. Webster made some nice plays when they actually threw to him and hey, Kevin Dockery is back, good to see you, about time. Seriously though, this unit wont be tested until the Saints game, which I plan to write about a page for each corner.
Again, this is a really bad unit, who made one pick (Brandon Flowers) because of Mario Manningham. Besides that, absolutly putrid, Eli picked these guys apart.
Special Teams
Two things I have had enough of and they both are on Special Teams: Sinorice Moss and Laurence Tynes. First Moss. He is R.W McQuarters 2.0, he shy's away from punts, every time he has the ball I think he is going to fumble, and he dances way to much, this east-west running crap. Replace him with a guy like Derek Hagan or somebody please. Now Tynes. This guy is so bad he makes me want to put my head through the wall. He is atrocious get him out and dont let the door hit him on the ass. Another chip shot missed last week, the guy makes me sick everytime he is out there. God only knows how he made that kick against Dalls in week 2 and somebody higher than God only knows how he made that 47 yarder against Green Bay in the NFC Title game. Fly like a Feagles is still the man.
Nothing to really say here.
Coaching
I was really fine with everything they did yesterday. The offense had a good scheme and the defense did as well. Very good called game overall.
Todd Haley is a maniac. He was Coughlin pre "I was this close to being fired stage" I dont know if Haley will last that long.
Overall
What can you say other than another dominating Giants win. They have played four games, and three of them have come against high school teams. Thats a fact. However, in all of those games they have flat out dominated the game and made the other team look silly, and in the Dallas game, which was an ENOURMOUS game for Dallas, they won even though Tuck didnt really play. I am extremely pleased with this team, and looking at the schedule I dont see how they dont win 11-13 games. Its almost a given unless more injuries occur. This team is very, very, very good. I will tell you one thing, if they beat New Orleans than they are by far the best team in the NFC. And to be honest with you, I feel like they will, I am JUST NOW starting to give the Giants the benifit of the doubt. I honestly feel they can win every game, it wont happen, but I feel they can. Lets be fair, there obviously beating Oakland next week, so it comes down to a HUGE 5-0 Giants vs 4-0 Saints in week 6. The Super Bowl was never won in week 6, but thats about as big a game early in the season as it gets. I like the Giants chances, I always do.
- Lew
Monday, September 28, 2009
Giants-Bucs Recap
This is going to be short and sweet. What else can I say, the Giants played one of the worst teams I have ever seen in my life and they beat the living s*** out of them. It was absolutly embaressing and it could not have gotten any worse. For all you Giants nay-sayers, all this team does is win games, no matter how they do it. I am not even going to do a blurb of the Bucs this week because they played about as well as any college team would play against the Giants, they dont deserve me writing anything for them.
QB
Eli was once again very efficent and effective. A typical Eli game his stats were not overwhelming (14-24 161 2 Tds) but he accruate, and most of his incompletions were drops. He lead a balanced attack, and when he was done shredding Tampa's defense he gave way to the Giants dominating running attack and defense. All Eli does is win games. End of story.
RB
The Jacobs/Bradshaw combo looked as good as ever. Jacobs carried the load, and Bradshaw was simply unstoppable, racking up an absolutly outrageous 7.4 yards per carry. The only thing I am concerned about though is Jacobs. Yea he gained 92 yards but it was on 26 carried, for a 3.4 yards per carry. He has not looked good in all three games, and he even admitted after the game that he has not been the same. I personally think he just hasnt found his groove yet, and that will come. There is no way hes washed up or hurt, but if he keeps wearing down the defense and let Bradshaw gain the yards, this team will be fine. I mean, they did gain over 220 yards on the ground, granted against the Flordia State....Ummm I mean Tampa Bay Bucs. Gartell Johnson showed me that he can play, 26 yards on just 6 carries.
The only blurb I will say on the Bucs is about Derrick Ward. I was expecting him to be motivated and come out and pound the Giants. I could not have been more wrong, if your going to talk trash back it up. Not only did he not show up, but he was dreadful. Five carries for two yards, and did not even talk to the media after the game. What a b****, and to make matters worse the Giants are the same exact team without him, he was another interchangable part. Jerry Reese is simply doing wonders with this organization.
WR
Steve Smith another 7 catchers, Manningham another 50 yards and....A SINORICE MOSS SIGHTING!! Smith is quitely turning into a 1,000 yard reciever and Mr. reliable as Manningham is the over the top, lighting rod reciver. So much for trading for Braylon Edwards, Smith and Manningham are both in the top 10 in catches and top 5 in yards, with Smith being 2nd and 3rd in each catagory. Travis Beckum made an apperance, look more for him in the Red Zone in the future. Big Boss Man made a nice play, but I think he is having trouble getting open, plus Coughlin doesnt love using the tight ends in passing situations, but I would like to see more of # 89.
O-Line
What else can you say but wow. 43 mins, no sacks. This line put the Bucs to shame. Update on Mckenzie is that it is a sprained knee and that initially he should be fine, but worse case scenario he misses next week. As for Seuburt, he aggrivated his shoulder and will be fine and go next week.
D-Line
Again, without Canty and Tuck playing only on third down passing situations, they still dominated. Kiwi played the best I have seen him play in awhile, while Osi in my opinion continued to struggle a bit. Fred Robbins was also unstoppable yesterday. No sacks again, but its all about the pressure and for the second week in a row, the pressure was very good.
LB
Completly shut down the running game. There were no swing passes, and only let up when it was 24-0 with 6 mins left in the game. The defense, individually speaking, was almost unoticable because the Bucs were so inept and the defense as a whole were just all over the place.
Secondary
No Kenny Phillips, no Aaron Ross, no Kevin Dockery no problem. Terrell Thomas is improving every single week, and made a nice pick yesterday. Teams continue to not throw to Cory Webster. They threw to his side three times yesterday and he still picked up four tackles. He continues to amaze me by his progression. The Bucs never had success throwing the ball until the second unit came in.
Special Teams
Tynes is beginning to worry me a bit. This guy is utter garbage, despite the kick last week, has looked very shakey this year. I am surprised they kept him over Carney who missed 3 kicks (including postseason) last year. I think Coughlin thought that Carney in the clutch was miserable, which he was. He missed the game winner vs the Vikings and two in the loss to the Eagles in the playoffs. Still, Tynes cannot continue to miss easy kicks like he did yesterday. It wont hurt them next week or the week after, but down the road it might.
Coaching
I didnt even know the Bucs were being coached until I saw their press conference. Gilbride has to call a better game inside the red zone, they are still too vanilla, and need to break out the offense a little more.
Overall
In all honesty, that was one of the biggest lopsided games I have ever seen. Top five most dominating New York Giants performence I have EVER seen. Now, it did not hurt that the Bucs are about as good as the University of Maine's football team, but holding a team to under 100 yards (86) is INSANE. Think about that for a second, the team DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH OFFENSE TO GO FROM GOAL LINE TO GOAL LINE IN THE GAME. First road shut out for the G-Men since 1983 and first shutout since the 36-0 game over the Redskins which was the first game after Wellington Mara died in 2005. They were even more dominating than I was expecting, and after the game I felt very good at the state of the Giants and that NFC showdown Oct. 18 @ New Orleans. I will be back tomorrow with a full NFL recap at the week that was week 3 in the NFL. Enjoy your miserable lives at work.
-Lew
QB
Eli was once again very efficent and effective. A typical Eli game his stats were not overwhelming (14-24 161 2 Tds) but he accruate, and most of his incompletions were drops. He lead a balanced attack, and when he was done shredding Tampa's defense he gave way to the Giants dominating running attack and defense. All Eli does is win games. End of story.
RB
The Jacobs/Bradshaw combo looked as good as ever. Jacobs carried the load, and Bradshaw was simply unstoppable, racking up an absolutly outrageous 7.4 yards per carry. The only thing I am concerned about though is Jacobs. Yea he gained 92 yards but it was on 26 carried, for a 3.4 yards per carry. He has not looked good in all three games, and he even admitted after the game that he has not been the same. I personally think he just hasnt found his groove yet, and that will come. There is no way hes washed up or hurt, but if he keeps wearing down the defense and let Bradshaw gain the yards, this team will be fine. I mean, they did gain over 220 yards on the ground, granted against the Flordia State....Ummm I mean Tampa Bay Bucs. Gartell Johnson showed me that he can play, 26 yards on just 6 carries.
The only blurb I will say on the Bucs is about Derrick Ward. I was expecting him to be motivated and come out and pound the Giants. I could not have been more wrong, if your going to talk trash back it up. Not only did he not show up, but he was dreadful. Five carries for two yards, and did not even talk to the media after the game. What a b****, and to make matters worse the Giants are the same exact team without him, he was another interchangable part. Jerry Reese is simply doing wonders with this organization.
WR
Steve Smith another 7 catchers, Manningham another 50 yards and....A SINORICE MOSS SIGHTING!! Smith is quitely turning into a 1,000 yard reciever and Mr. reliable as Manningham is the over the top, lighting rod reciver. So much for trading for Braylon Edwards, Smith and Manningham are both in the top 10 in catches and top 5 in yards, with Smith being 2nd and 3rd in each catagory. Travis Beckum made an apperance, look more for him in the Red Zone in the future. Big Boss Man made a nice play, but I think he is having trouble getting open, plus Coughlin doesnt love using the tight ends in passing situations, but I would like to see more of # 89.
O-Line
What else can you say but wow. 43 mins, no sacks. This line put the Bucs to shame. Update on Mckenzie is that it is a sprained knee and that initially he should be fine, but worse case scenario he misses next week. As for Seuburt, he aggrivated his shoulder and will be fine and go next week.
D-Line
Again, without Canty and Tuck playing only on third down passing situations, they still dominated. Kiwi played the best I have seen him play in awhile, while Osi in my opinion continued to struggle a bit. Fred Robbins was also unstoppable yesterday. No sacks again, but its all about the pressure and for the second week in a row, the pressure was very good.
LB
Completly shut down the running game. There were no swing passes, and only let up when it was 24-0 with 6 mins left in the game. The defense, individually speaking, was almost unoticable because the Bucs were so inept and the defense as a whole were just all over the place.
Secondary
No Kenny Phillips, no Aaron Ross, no Kevin Dockery no problem. Terrell Thomas is improving every single week, and made a nice pick yesterday. Teams continue to not throw to Cory Webster. They threw to his side three times yesterday and he still picked up four tackles. He continues to amaze me by his progression. The Bucs never had success throwing the ball until the second unit came in.
Special Teams
Tynes is beginning to worry me a bit. This guy is utter garbage, despite the kick last week, has looked very shakey this year. I am surprised they kept him over Carney who missed 3 kicks (including postseason) last year. I think Coughlin thought that Carney in the clutch was miserable, which he was. He missed the game winner vs the Vikings and two in the loss to the Eagles in the playoffs. Still, Tynes cannot continue to miss easy kicks like he did yesterday. It wont hurt them next week or the week after, but down the road it might.
Coaching
I didnt even know the Bucs were being coached until I saw their press conference. Gilbride has to call a better game inside the red zone, they are still too vanilla, and need to break out the offense a little more.
Overall
In all honesty, that was one of the biggest lopsided games I have ever seen. Top five most dominating New York Giants performence I have EVER seen. Now, it did not hurt that the Bucs are about as good as the University of Maine's football team, but holding a team to under 100 yards (86) is INSANE. Think about that for a second, the team DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH OFFENSE TO GO FROM GOAL LINE TO GOAL LINE IN THE GAME. First road shut out for the G-Men since 1983 and first shutout since the 36-0 game over the Redskins which was the first game after Wellington Mara died in 2005. They were even more dominating than I was expecting, and after the game I felt very good at the state of the Giants and that NFC showdown Oct. 18 @ New Orleans. I will be back tomorrow with a full NFL recap at the week that was week 3 in the NFL. Enjoy your miserable lives at work.
-Lew
Monday, September 21, 2009
Giants-Cowboys Recap
Statement game. Thats what I kept hearing from Giants fans yesterday ad the Giants came away with a thrilling 33-31 win over the hated Dallas Cowboys in the opening of their new stadium.
A couple of thoughts before I get into the game. This Cowboys stadium is a circus. As Don Banks said today on SI.com, this is more like a Vegas Casino opening that happend to have a football game going on. Now dont get me wrong, the stadium is probably RIDICULOUS and from the looks of it, looked like it was, but it is also an amusement park. (Side note: What the hell was NBC doing comparing the stadium to the St. Louis Arch...You can put two St. Louis arches in the stadium. Like what a random thing to compare it to.) Jerry Jones looked like he got another face lift before the game, in fact they probably offer that in this new stadium. Listen, I am a die hard Yankee fan, so I cant talk about stadiums, but this seemed a little over the top. Also, this was not a good litmus test for the punters hitting the screen. Jeff Feagles is not a booming punter, nor is Mcbriar, so dont let last night fool you with that. The story should not end with last night. With that, lets get to the game, and a recap of a huge Giants win.
What a win for the Giants. They are now 2-0 in the NFC and more importantly in the NFC East. They already got Dallas on the road out of the way, and now have three EXTREMELY winnable games on their plate. In fact, if they dont go 5-0 I am going to be furious. The G-Men should last night why they should be a force like they were last year, and made me trust this franchise and organization more so than I ever have before.
Eli Vs Romo 
Wow, can you have two more contrasting games. Eli played one of the best games I have ever seen him play. I have seen them all, and here are my top 5 best WHOLE games Eli has ever played. (Note *=Playoffs)
5. @ Seattle 2005: 29-53 344 yards 2 Tds 1 Int
4. @ Dallas 2007: 28-41 312 Yards 4 Tds 1 Int
3. @ Dallas 2009: 25-38 330 Yards 2 Tds 0 Int
2. @ Philly 2006: 31-43 371 Yards 3 Tds 1 Int
1. @ Green Bay 2007*: 21-40 251 Yards 0 TD 0 Int
4. @ Dallas 2007: 28-41 312 Yards 4 Tds 1 Int
3. @ Dallas 2009: 25-38 330 Yards 2 Tds 0 Int
2. @ Philly 2006: 31-43 371 Yards 3 Tds 1 Int
1. @ Green Bay 2007*: 21-40 251 Yards 0 TD 0 Int
Notice a couple things. For one, I did not put the Super Bowl on there. Eli played a brillant first and fourth quarter, but in the middle quarters was brutal at times. Second, the NFC title in my opinion is his best full game because of the conditions (being that it was -1 degrees, and the third cooldest playoff game in NFL history) and the pressure he was under. He made every big throw and his recievers dropped about 5-7 balls in that game. Lastly, every game was on the road proving my point that the swirling winds at Giants Stadium are deadly for QB's.
Eli was good enough last night to put him 3rd on that list. He made every throw, every right decision, and that ball to Super Mario for a TD was one of the best balls I have seen him throw. Dont look now, but Eli Manning folks, is turning into one of the top 3 most clutch QB's in the league right now. I would put him behind Brady and then its a toss up. I am dead serious. Eli Manning is more clutch than his brother right now. Everytime you ask him to move the team down the field in the wanning moments of a game, he does it. In fact, there is literally not a time I can think of he did not do it. Last possession of a game, down by a score, and Eli has the ball tell me a time where he didnt come thru. You cant because it never has happend. Thats how clutch this guy has been, and it wasnt any different last night.
Conversely, Tony Romo is proving why he might be out of the league pretty soon. The guy is an average QB. Remember in 2006 when everyone annoited him the new Cowboys savior? Well look now in 2009, do you have any faith in Tony Romo? I dont, and I think Cowboys fans are slowly realizing that as well. He will go down as another average QB that people will remember more for his chokes and off field relationships, than on field product.
RB
This was one of the first times I have seen a team completly shut down the Giants rushing game. Jacobs was silent, rushing for 58 on 16 carries, while Bradshaw had only 37 yards on 9 carries. Though it surprised me, it shouldnt have. In 2007 the Cowboys and Giants had a shootout in pretty much both games, in which the Cowboys neutrilized Jacobs, and the same in the home game in 2008. Jay Ratliff played an outstanding game and the Cowboys put 7 and sometimes even 8 in the box to shut down Jacobs.
Barber and Felix Jones put on a show for the Cowboys last night, as Barber ran for 124 and Jones for 97 and thought he had the game winning TD in the closing mins of last night. 251 total rushing yards, a fantastic number for the Cowboys, and a trend they should see some of in the future. Barber is a huge back with speed but its Felix Jones, who is the one to really worry about. He reminds me so much of Darren Sproles and remembering him at Arkansas supplanting Darren Mcfadden, he is doing much of the same in Dallas. I like his game, and I think he is going to be very valuable to Dallas in the future, and he showed why last night.
WR
The Giants have no recievers. The Giants cant win with out Plax. Who is the number one guy. That is all I heard leading up to the season. Well, I think we have an answer for all three. Yes they do, yes, and Mario Manningham/Steve Smith. What a game for those two. Its the first time in New York Giants history that two recievers have caught 10 or more balls in a game. Lets start with Super Mario first. He looked like a big time reciever last night. He caught everything, even when he juggled the ball, and had an explosive first step and tore up Terrance Newman. I said this before the season and I will say it again, I think Mario will step up and become this teams number one guy. After tonight, he is making me look good. As for Smith, what can you say, the guys the best route runner on the team, and made a defender look silly with his TD catch late in the game. He has all the tools to be a fantastic number 2 guy, and with 10 catches and 134 yards last night, those were number one guys numbers. Eli had 25 completions and 20 were to Manningham and Smith. Boss had a huge catch during the game winning drive, and Domink Hixon ended up leaving the game. Tremendous job by this so called "mysterious" recieving core.
Jason Witten usually destroys the Giants. Not yesterday. In fact, the Cowboys recievers were what everyone thought the Giants recievers would be: Non exsistent. They completely did not show up and made me realize that TO might be missed more than some might let on. T.O might be a distraction, and a clown, but he sure does help in the passing game, something the Cowboys desperatly needed last night.
O-Line
Fantastic job. Absolutly fantastic. The Giants O-Line completly shut down the Cowboys line in the passing attack. The run game, as I said, was non-exsistent, so I will let them have it for that, but as far as the passing game is concerned, what can you say other than brilliant. Eli did not get sacked, barely got touched, and Demarcus Ware, maybe the best pass rusher in the game, was absolutly shut down by Dave Diehl. Remember last year, Ware sacked Eli about 4 times and Diehl was visibly and emotional upset. Revenge is a bitch, and Diehl got his on Ware last night.
I am starting to hate this group more so than anybody on the Cowboys. Forget Leonard Davis who is a notriously dirty player, and a human monster at 6'8 375 pounds. Marc Columbo is a dirty player who got into some scuffles yesterday. Then there is Flozell Adams. Flozell Adams' leg whip on Justin Tuck should have gotten him ejected and most certainly will get him fined. He has a knack for leg whipping D-Ends who beat him, and Tuck was killing him off the edge so what does Adams do, he hurts Tuck on purpose. What an asshole. But this is why I love Justin Tuck, after the game he called the play bush league and basically said Adams is lucky he didnt get back into the game. I am already calling for three or more sacks by Tuck the next time these two teams play each other. Mark my words, the Giants will destory, DESTROY this team the next time they play.
D-Line
This was a tale of two games for this unit. Before Tuck got hurt they looked fine, they were getting after the ball, making some plays, and doing their job of hurrying Tony Romo. After Tuck got hurt this unit fell apart. This means a couple things. One, Justin Tuck is by far and away the most valuable player outside of Eli and maybe Jacobs on this team, and most certainly the most important player on defense. Second, it means that the ends that we thought we great, are not AGAINST THE RUN. Against the pass there fine, but the run not so much. In fact, there down right bad. I always loved Strahan and defended him to the death as best all around D-End when he played because he was the only guy outside of Reggie White that I have ever seen that could get after the passer AND the running game. Strahan was brilliant against the run. Tuck is molding into his mentor Strahan. Not only is he capable of 15 sacks a year, he stuffs the run with the best of them. This brings me to one guy, and one guy only and that is Osi. Osi played probably the worst game I have ever seen him play. There were times were he looked like he was lost. Remember a few weeks ago when Osi just left practice because D-Coordinator Bill Sheridan yelled at him? Well, it was probably because Osi cant play the run and was looking like shit. Osi never played the run well, but too be an elite and I mean ELITE like Justin Tuck, Demarcus Ware, Jared Allen type player, you need to stuff the run. Osi simply cannot, and that is why he is wildly overrated. He is like Robinson Cano. He has all the talent, puts up the stats, but when you really need him to be the guy and too come thru he does not. Hes not a big time player, never has been and never will be. Kiwi filled in for Tuck and did not do much, and I am souring a bit on him as a player. He has never filled out to be where I would like him to be as a rusher. No Canty, which meant the run stuffing was not going to be where it will be but Rickey Benard did not do well as the fill in.
For the Cowboys, this unit did a great job against the run, but awful with their rush. Jay Ratliff made a name for himself as he dominated in the run department. But where was Demarcus Ware? This is the first game I have seen him where he completly vanished. Non factor.
LB
The play Antonio Pierce made on the Bruce Johnson pick 6 was why he is so valuable to this team. As my friend Jesse knows, I defend Pierce and almost got into a brawl last year arguing about Antonio Pierce. Here is my take on Pierce, as a player he is not the same, he is fat, he is slow, and he cannot make the plays he used to or should. However, as a leader and a defensive coach on the field, he is up with the best of them. He audibled from an all-out blitz to cover two which led to the pick and the TD. That was all Pierce when he smacked his helmet screaming ALERT, ALERT!! Other than that, the linebackers looked BRUTAL. The run game is mainly the responsiblity of the linerbackers. Sometimes there are exception, but majority of the time it is there sole responsiblity to stop the run. The Giants gave up 251 yards on the ground. That reflects very, VERY poorly in the linebackers. Sure, you can say it was Boley's first start and he didnt know the defense that well. Bullshit I say. The real problem is that Pierce and Clark/Blackburn are not doing their jobs and getting after the runners. For the good Pierce does, he also does a lot of bad, and is somewhat of a liability on defense. When you give up 31 points and your offense had zero turnovers, and the special teams played had solid coverage, that is a very bad sign. I will give this week a pass because of the win, and because Tuck missed half the game, but I did not like what I say from the D-Line and LB's, ESPECIALLY the LB's.
Do I even have to cover the Cowboys LB's? We know what they did, they were great against the run, and just beyond atrocious against the pass. They let up every big play and did not get any pressure on Eli. Can we end it on that?
Secondary
Kenny Phillips showed why he was a first round pick and why everyone has been raving about him. First, that one pick off of Witten's foot would not happen if you tried that 1,000 times. However, the wherewithal of Phillips to run it to the house was very impressive. He could have easily just stopped because he might have thought the play was dead. Also, terrible, ATROCIOUS job by the officials to call that incomplete. They should have not blown the whistle, have the booth look at it since it was under two mins and have it showen that it was an INT and it would have resulted in a TD. Instead Giants ball at the Cowboys 28. The second pick was right to him, but he was in perfect position at the time. He also caught down Felix Jones a number of times and Barber once on a run near the end of the game that could he could have scored on. Phillips played very well. How about Bruce Johnson. After the NFL draft he was unemployed, 5 months later he gets the first defensive TD in Cowboys Stadium. Again, great job by Pierce adjusting everyone on that play. Webster was fantastic as well, shuting down Roy Williams. He did miss a big tackle thought that resulted in a first down. The secondary overall wss very excellent.
Again, not much to say on the Cowboys front. They were awful, Terrance Newman was schooled a number of times by Smith and Super Mario. Orlando Schandrik had 6 tackles but looked awful in coverage.
Special Teams
I guess Tynes is back. He has been an actuve Giant for two years and has sent them to the Super Bowl and won a huge game at Dallas. Not bad considering he was supposed to be gone after a dreadful start to the 2007 season. Going into the big thing was would Feagles or Mcbriar hit the huge video screen. Neither came close. Moss did nothing in the return game. The Giants coverage looked ok, but made a huge play after Bruce Johnson's pick 6 where they recovered a Felix Jones fumble on the ensuing kickoff return.
Coaching
Coughlin outsmarted Wade Phillips (Well, I could have outsmarted Wade Phillips, I think everyone who is a football fan could outsmart Wade Phillips) and officially put Phillips on the hot seat. Phillips has been in Dallas since 2007 and has done this:
2007: Went 12-4 and was the number 1 seed in the NFC, looked prime for a Super Bowl berth, far and away the best team in the NFC and 2nd or 3rd best in the NFL and lost in the Divisional Round at home vs the hated Giants, who of course went on to win the Super Bowl (had to put that in there).
2008: Went into the year a Super Bowl contender and ended up going 9-7 despite trading for Roy Williams in the middle of the year. The Cowboys had a prime playoff spot and collapsed losing three in a row including an embaressing 35 point loss to the Eagles in week 17.
2009: Lost the home opener of Jerry Jones' $1.2 Billion stadium on Sunday Night Football to the hated Giants.
Not a really impressive resume is it Wade. I am 99.999999999% sure he will be gone at the end of the year and either Bill Cowher, Mike Shannahan or Jason Garrett will be the coach. Gilbride called a good game outside the red zone. Inside it, the Giants have big, BIG problems that could very well bite them in the ass in the future. Sheridan's defense had a good scheme but they couldnt do much against the run without Justin Tuck.
Overall
An enourmous win for the G-Men. They proved that they are the team to beat in the NFC and possibly in the league. The are flying under the rader because they are a somewhat boring team, but all this "boring team" does is win games. Including Playoffs, they are 28-11 since 2007, and since the 2007 playoffs are 18-5. I can no longer use the "suffering Giants fan card" or be a negative Giants fan. They are a fantastic team. They are now expected to win and usually do. Good things now happen to them. These are not the Bills or the Jets where the fans think they will lose no matter what. This is now three years of winning, and four years, maybe going on five, of making the playoffs in a row. The Giants keep proving that they are a team to be wrecken with, and the Cowboys were victim number two. Next up for the Giants is a rematch of the 2007 wild card game against the Bucs. This SHOULD be an easy win but in the NFL you simply dont know. The Giants have put themselves in sole possesion of first place in the NFC East, and are in good shape with the next three games coming @ Tampa Bay, @ Kansas City, and home against Oakland. Going into New Orleans, they should be 5-0 and that will be an interesting game to say the least if they are 5-0.
Since this was an incredibly look Giants recap, look for the NFL recap tomorrow so I can include the monday night game. Go G-Men!!
-Lew
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