WATCH THAT SCOREBOARD!

     The Giants have an afternoon date in Washington Sunday at 4 Eastern to finish out the regular season, at the same time the Bears will be in Green Bay playing the Packers.  This scenario doesn't require any computers or confusing explanations.  The Giants need to win and hope the Bears do too in order for the G-Men to continue playing football this season.
     This will not need be an easy task this weekend.  Hakeem Nicks is doubtful for Sunday with a broken big toe, and Corey Webster has not practiced all week.  It will be tough sledding for the offense again, trying to find open receivers, and ones that Eli can feel comfortable with their decisions in pressure situations.  The O-Line is back changed up again with Shaun O'Hara, who inexplicably made the Pro Bowl this week while only having participated in 6 games, back on the sidelines.  This could be a good thing however.  The Giants had their most successful running attack while Rich Seubert was at center this year, and that is where he will be Sunday.  The Giants must return to physical football.  They must run the ball on Sunday and get after Rex Grossman on Defense.  The Redskins have one weapon, and that is Santana Moss.  They can shut down that weapon with good pressure on the QB, and also stopping the anemic running game of the 'Skins.
     I feel like I should be talking about the Bears as much as the Giants this week.  They have said the right things all week long about wanting to win their game.  They say they want to knock their arch-rivals out of the playoffs, which makes sense when you think about it.  Why not dispense of them now if possible, instead of waiting for when it's win or go home for them too in a few weeks.  The Bears have also stated that they want to make sure their defense is back in a good mindset after giving up 31 points to the lowly Jets offense.  As Bill Parcells once said...no sense in taking three weeks off.  I believe the Bears will put up a strong effort as long as the game is close and no one important gets injured.

The Giants will want to finish strong....prove they belong in the conversation, and will be keeping one eye on the scoreboard Sunday afternoon.

ANOTHER DEPRESSING DAY

    The Giants managed to ruin yet another Sunday in New York yesterday.  The Offense committed 6 turnovers, leaving the Defense to defend short fields and get no rest while they played over 37 minutes of the game.  The Giants have left themselves in a very precarious position.
     The Packers on the other hand played great.  They made every tough catch, recovered most of their own fumbles, and managed to take advantage of the Giants Defense by utilizing quick counts, and even quicker passes.  This is the recipe for defeating pressure and the Pack have all the talent needed to execute that plan.  The Giants admittedly were late in getting aligned, and also were caught switching looks at the snap.
     The offense is a mess.  The O-Line should never have been switched back to the "regular" five just because they seemed to be healthy.  The receivers continue to work, but they are clearly not on the same page as Eli when it comes to adjustments.  The running backs unfortunately fell back into their careless handling of the ball, and that all led to disaster.
     So, now we need help.  This is always a strange time of year as fans need to root for others they would normally despise.  It starts with rooting for the Eagles Tuesday night to defeat Minnesota, thus forcing Chicago to play hard in Green Bay next weekend.  The rest of the scenario goes like this:

The Giants MUST defeat the Washington Redskins in Maryland next Sunday at 4:00 Eastern, that coupled with any of the following gets us a spot in the playoffs.

A Green Bay Loss or tie to Chicago
New Orleans loses tonight to Atlanta AND next week to Tampa Bay
or the always improbable...NYG tie with a GB loss and a TB tie or loss

It's that simple...we need help!

WIN AND Y'ER IN!

     The Giants have made it simple for themselves if not easy.  Win Sunday in Green Bay and you are in the playoffs...guaranteed the six seed, and maybe better if others things happen.

     The G-Men will re-visit the site of their 2007 NFC Championship game, and hopefully have some more good memories when they leave.  The Packers will have Aaron Rodgers back in the line-up Sunday, but will still struggle to move the ball on the ground.  They had some success against a very iffy New England defense last week, but I don't expect that success to continue against a not too happy Giants defense.  Look for the obvious to happen here.  The Packers will have no running attack except the mobile Rodgers who is coming off his second concussion of the season, and might be a bit hesitant to pull the ball down and run.  The pass rush will need to be at it's best, and the pressures exotic.  I do not expect any sort of hangover for this defense or this coordinator.

     The Offense will continue to gel with the old and new pieces coming together, and will need a strong effort against a very talented Green Bay defense.  They rush the passer well, and the offensive line will be tested yet again.  Look for the Giants in the cold to run, run ,and run some more.  The wide-outs will need to make some plays, but the main weapons this week will be Bradshaw and Jacobs.

This should be a very good game.  The Packers have no chance to make the playoffs with a loss....and the Giants want to change the conversation from last week to one about who they will play and where once the post season begins.

Root hard for the Saints to lose......they will need to lose to Atlanta and Tampa the next two weeks to give us the 5th seed......assuming we take care of business Sunday afternoon.

THE BIG PICTURE

     The Giants played a perfect game for three and a half quarters yesterday, but were ultimately done in by the freak of nature that is Mike Vick.  It's not the punters fault alone....The Maningham fumble, the Phillips missed tackle on Brent Celik, and the missed sack attempt by Deon Grant all contributed and led to the poor snap and punt to end the game.

     The Big Picture is that yesterday was one of those days in the NFL.   New Orleans lost, Tampa Bay lost, Green Bay lost, and that leaves the Giants in the same position they were in before the game started.

     I still would not want to face the GIANTS defense in the playoffs.  I am also very impressed with an offense that rushed for a hundred and threw for 290 with a 47% third down conversion rate playing behind an O-Line that hadn't seen each other in a while.  This game will turn out to be be more of an indictment of the Eagles that it will the G-Men.  That Eagle defense will never stand up for 5 more games.

Off to Green Bay next week followed by a trip to Washington........if it ended now a rematch with the Eagles is in the making, this time in Philly.

For all of you hearing or even spouting rumors about Bill Cowher, let's recap a bit.  Anyone remember when Coach Cowher was actually coaching?  He was known as the guy who couldn't win the big one.  Lots of regular season success followed by failure in the playoffs...sort of like say the Chargers of today. He won one Championship in a game the NFL has called the worst officiated game in NFL history.  Ask anyone in Seattle who won that game, then get back to me.  The great coach then quit, at a young age, and no one in Pittsburgh tried to get him to stay, and no one has missed him since.  He has been out of football for 4 years...making (wrong) predictions on TV every week doesn't make you a head coach.  Mr. Coughlin on the other hand has won one championship and been on the staff for another.  He is number one in successful challenges, does a great job with clock management (see '07 super Bowl final 2:32) and gets his team prepared every week without false bravado, or tearing the other team down.  He also takes the blame when necessary, and is truthful about his own teams chances, not like others who always say the better team lost today ( ala Wade Phillips).
Coach Coughlin is here to stay a while.......one game, no matter how bad, is not going to cost this coach his job.  Many coaches and fans wish their team had a chance to finish 11-5 and play in the post season.

Preview on Friday....and keep your heads up, it's still just one strange game.

THE BIG PUSH

      The Giants accomplished their mission for the previous three weeks....and that was to survive.  They have placed themselves back into position to win the East.  Three dominating wins with some "backup" personnel.  Pretty impressive.  They did it by playing GIANTS Football.  They have rushed the ball extremely well with both backs contributing behind any combination of Offensive lineman.  The Giants have proven that running the ball is an attitude, and that they want to dominate in that category.  This week the Giants have 53 guys in pads for practice, a rare treat for the coaches.
     Sunday at one at Home....The Eagles step into the fray tied for the division lead.  The Giants however are the team in position to clinch a playoff spot with a win.  Winning this game will put the Giants alone atop the NFC East, and hopefully pave the way to some post season football.  A loss here for the Giants means they will need some help down the stretch, and would be looking at a rematch with these Eagles on Wild Card weekend.  The Giants tried some interesting combinations Monday night in Detroit, at times they had 6 offensive linemen in the game pass blocking.  They ran some interesting formations with multiple tight ends and fullbacks catching passes.  They have become a versatile group, and will need to finish the season that way after losing Steve Smith for the remainder of the campaign.
     The Eagles have played well since the last meeting, but have shown a propensity for losing a lead in the third quarter of their recent games, and then rallying from behind to win.  They saw what they did well last time, and what the Giants tried to prevent.  The Eagles will look to provide some extra protection on Mike Vick's right side..so he doesn't get flushed that way and be forced to throw off balance or run.
     The fun thing about this game is both teams will do what they do well.....The Giants will run the ball, pressure the QB, and play clock management field position football.  the Eagles will look for the Big Play, gamble on defense with blitzes, and try to make the Giants match score for score.

The edge goes to the Giants here for a few reasons.  The Eagles lost their starting MLB last week and his replacement did not practice this week due to a hamstring issue.  They may still be without their top corner in Asante Samuel, and they are missing their starting defensive end.  The Giants will need to have zero turnovers, have great coverage on kicks and punts, and most importantly have much more success running the ball than they did in their last meeting (61 yards).

This one means a lot...and with Green Bay missing their QB and having no running game...it could mean everything.

Enjoy!

ANOTHER VIKING FUNERAL

     A few years back, after the NFC Championship game of 2000, a friend and I took a small wooden sailboat equipped with a Vikings Sail and lit it on fire as we set it to sail in my swimming pool.  A true Viking funeral performed for the benefit of our friend who was at the time the Special Teams coach for the Vikings.  I believe we need to re-create this moment again Sunday afternoon.  Of course this time it could be a double funeral for Brett and the Vikes, maybe Chilly would like to light the torch?
     The Giants finish up week three of their survival tour this week.  The good news is that Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks seem to be preparing to play.  David Diehl also looks to return to the line up Sunday.  The troops are healing and practicing just in time to make a stretch run, but this game cannot be overlooked.  I know the Eagles are on the horizon, and that game will probably decide the division, unless the Cowboys or Bears do us a huge favor down the stretch.  This game has to be won to set up that matchup the following Sunday at home.  It is believed the Giants will need to win 3 of their last 4 to make the playoffs, and with a Christmas trip to Green Bay on the schedule, this one cannot be overlooked.
     The Giants have faired well lately on offense despite being short players at key positions.  Now that Eli has some of his favorite weapons back, the depth of this offense is incredible.  Nicks, Hagan, Boss, Beckum, Smith, Manningham, and others have all contributed this year and have fought through adversity.  Manningham was the "main" receiver last week and was supposed to be locked down by the Redskins.  He caught some balls and contributed.  All these guys have stepped up and it bodes well for the future.  The backs and O-Line, no matter who is playing where, has also been magnificent.  No sacks in 5 games, both backs rushing for over a hundred yards in a game, and putting points on the board can all be attributed to this teams effort.  They should have no problem continuing their fine play against a weak Viking pass defense (12th in the league) and a surprisingly soft rushing defense.  The Vikings brutal pass rush has been absent in many games this year, we need that trend to continue.
     The Defense will be facing either and old statue at QB, or a mobile youngster who is prone to more than a few mistakes.  Let's all remember that Jackson has been second choice for the Vikings for years behind anyone they could think of, even a 41 year old retired (three times) shadow of his former self.  I loved Brett in Green Bay, and was looking forward to he and Michael Strahan being inducted into the Hall of Fame together, but that Brett is gone and this one really should forget his streak and go home.
Either way the Giants Defense will need to bring the pressure, cause turnovers like they did last week, and be ever so careful of the great Adrian Peterson.  This will be a a good rehearsal for the speed of the Eagles coming next week.  The Vikings have that same speed in Percy Harvin, when healthy, Sidney Rice and A.P.  I'm sure Mr Fewell has a good plan in place, but it will have to be a good one to slow down this Viking offense.  Turnovers, special teams, and limiting the big play will be the keys to this game.

If the GIANTS get through this road test, and they do have a small chip on their shoulder because of how they played in Minneapolis last year, they will have set themselves up for a great stretch run to the Division Title.

Sunday at 1:00 on Fox.........Enjoy!

STEP TWO.....

     The last few weeks here we have been speaking of the need to return to Giants Football.  Holding the opponent under 75 yards rushing, 4 Sacks, 2 Int's, 4 Fumble recoveries, a partially blocked punt, and rushing for 200 yards on a windy day in the Stadium with 35 minutes of ball possession.  I would say THAT was GIANTS FOOTBALL.
The pressure on McNabb was relentless.  The Defense actually forced a few more fumbles that the Redskins were lucky enough to recover, or this could have been even worse.  Jason Pierre Paul is showing his potential, and the safeties and corners continue to play exceptional football.

The Offense again was supposed to struggle.  If you were listening to Moose Johnston, the Giants were going to have just an awful time protecting Eli (No Sacks in 4 games) and running would be near impossible with their make shift line.  Tony Siragusa pointed out that the Redskins knew that Mario Manningham was the biggest threat and would eliminate him from the passing game.  What were the Giants going to do?  How could they ever win this game?  Would they adjust, or just fold up and go home?

Well, after the first two drives, the first where they ran for every yard but 2, it was pretty obvious the O-Line would be fine and the Giants were on their way to a good day and a big win in the division at home.

Unfortunately this week will be all about will Brett Favre play or not......spare me.....I'll check in with you Friday as the Giants finish up their three game survival mode, and look for the cavalry to return for the stretch drive to the playoffs.

FAMILIAR FOE

     The Giants take the second step in their 3 week survival mode Sunday at 1:00 against the banged up Redskins at GIANTS Stadium.  The Redskins come in with their 3rd string running back, their starting safety out, and a host of other backups in their starting lineup.  But as we said last week, this is all about the GIANTS.

     The offense that performed so well last week will look pretty much the same.  Steve Smith and David Diehl did some work in practice this week, but seem to be targeting next week in Minnesota as their return date.  Shawn Andrews is still out with a bad back, and might be out for a while.  Look for the progression of players like Kevin Boothe, Wil Beatty, Michael Clayton, and Travis Beckum to be a factor this week.  They all have started to contribute and are growing stronger in their health and understanding of the offense.  Kevin Boss, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will still carry the load, but help is on the horizon, and all this playing time builds depth for the final three games.

     The Defense will again be tasked with stopping a mobile QB this week.  The major difference between Jacksonville and Washington however is that the Redskins have no running game.  With Clinton Portis out for the season, and Ryan Torain missing the week of practice, they will have to rely on Keiland Williams, an un-drafted free agent out of LSU.  Look for McNabb to use his tight ends, to throw the quick passes to the backs, and of course use max protection to set up a few throws to the ever pesky Santana Moss.  The GIANTS will know how to pressure McNabb, and he is usually good for a few errant throws during a game, and of course he is known for tiring in the fourth quarter.  Hitting him often, making him make the quick reads, and containing the receivers after the catch will be the keys to this game.

     The GIANTS will need to win Sunday to keep pace within their division, and continue on the road to the showdown with the Eagles.  Right now it looks like December 19th at home will decide the division, but as has been said before, their is a lot of football left, and every game is important.

See you Monday!  Enjoy

STEP ONE

    The Giants played an inspired second half of football yesterday and improved their record to 7-4.  The first step towards positioning themselves to control their own destiny.

     We mentioned in our last posting about the need to return to "Giants Football"  Well I can't think of a better definition of Giants football then ending the game with three consecutive sacks, the last resulting in a forced fumble and a turnover.  While the beginning of the game had some rough spots, an inspired speech by Justin Tuck and some key adjustments at halftime turned the game around.

     The offense was supposed to struggle this week with all it's new and moving parts, but they really held their own.  Although they came up short on some long drives and had to settle for 3 points at a time, they did not commit any costly errors.  No Turnovers is a major step for this team.  The new receivers seemed to have no impact, but after reviewing the tape, Michael Clayton did a very good job blocking in the running game.  Kevin Boss was the obvious star of this unit, not only making big catches and reading the defenses properly, but his blocking was also much improved yesterday.  The Giants ran for 135 yards with Brandon Jacobs leading the way with 14 carries for 87 yards and Ahmad Bradshaw adding 49 yards on 9 carries and 34 yards with 4 catches.  One difference I noticed was the amount of counter steps the two backs took during the game.  This is a new wrinkle for our running backs.  The first step away from where they are really headed seemed to cause the desired hesitation, and allow for some big holes to be opened.   The Giants responded with 15 points in the 4th quarter to win.

     The Defense struggled in the first half stopping the run.  All the mis-directions and options, along with slant patterns, and quick outs kept them off balance.  The announcers made a point that many teams don't run the option often because they don't have a QB with the skills of David Garrard, but it's also because not many coaches like seeing their QB get pounded after pitching the ball to the running back.  The Jaguars went away from the option and other finesse plays in the second half.  Garrard was off target early in the second half, and although he did make some more plays with his legs, the Giants really slowed down the two running backs and took away the quick slants, allowing the pass rush to be effective.  The GIANTS set themselves up to punish the opposition when they were down.  I love the way our defense continues to attack no matter the situation.  When some teams get a first and 20 on a team, they sit back and play coverage, allowing for the short throws and defending the first down line.  Not our team...we continue to pressure and try and get to the QB before any receiver has a chance to run 5 yards, let alone 25 yards.

    Even the Special Teams had a good day.  good kick and punt coverage, the one missed punt rolled for 53 yards, and we found out that the kick returner we have been searching for has been on the roster the whole year.  Danny Ware did a great job returning kicks yesterday.

5 games left....3 in the division....tied for first place with the number 2 defense in the league.  Not a bad spot to be in, and further proof that it is a long season.

Have a good week...Speak with you on Friday

THE NEXT THREE

     With 6 games to go in the season I think we need to split them into two threes.  The first three is survival mode, the final three is the final push.  The first three will be played with new players and backups, the final three should be played by the full roster with depth at all positions.
     It's all about the GIANTS for the next three, they need to play their game and worry only about themselves.  The Defense needs to stiffen, create turnovers, and see if they can put points on the board.  The Offense needs to play with some new parts, and create opportunities.  They need to be a positive influence on the game, stop the turnovers, and create some momentum.  Brandon Jacobs will start at running back this Sunday, with Ahmad Bradshaw coming off the bench, along with Danny Ware if necessary.  The new wide receivers will need to contribute, along with who is left on the roster.  Look for the Giants to return to Giants football and run the ball first.  Of course the O-Line is still in a state of flux, but the scheme, a strong and rested Jacobs, and a very rested and change of pace in Ware should provide a spark.  This is more about the Offense not committing any mistakes and playing patient intelligent football.  If they continue to turn the ball over, the season will be over shortly.
     The Defense knows that it is the healthy unit this year and might have to take this team on it's back and drag it through the next three games.  The will be aggressive, will look for opportunities to create turnovers, and most importantly get the pressure turned back up on the opposing QB.  The "experts" have characterized the Giants as being in a slump because the sack numbers have been low the past three games.  What they fail to take into account is that stopping Mike Vick for a one yard gain, or for a 4 yard gain on 3rd and 25 is pretty good.  It doesn't count as a sack in the stats, but that's why stats sometimes are useless.  The defense has to continue to execute the excellent game plans that they have been given.  They will make the difference in this stretch, and I think they relish the challenge.

Two home games in the next three.......let's see where that leaves us.  The opponent is meaningless, this is all about the Giants and The Next Three.........

BEATING OURSELVES

  The Giants continued their current trend last night of beating themselves.  Four more turnovers and some missed opportunities beat the G-Men last night.  They will need to figure out how to play smarter, hold onto the ball, stop some stupid penalties, and hopefully teach the punter how to kick a ball.

     The Defense was spectacular except for two plays last night.  They executed their plan, keeping Mike Vick in check, and keeping the team in the game after another sloppy slow start by the offense.  Two turnovers by the offense were converted into only 6 points.  They admittedly made two huge mistakes on Defense, but all in all they kept the game alive and gave the offense a chance to win the game.

     The Offense is still looking to replace some missing parts, but they did get a one point lead after trailing by 13 points.  The Eli fumble, the missed pass to Nicks, and the Bradshaw fumble were killers.  I know JPP jumped offside on a very critical play, but it's how you get in a situation that counts.  This offense will need to get back to solid execution and stop turning the ball over to give this team a chance in the last 6 games.  They can easily win 5 of the next 6, they have the talent, they need to execute.

     The special teams again disappointed last night.  The kickoff coverage was very much improved and was the strongest piece of the unit.  The punter again had trouble with taking a snap, and kicking the ball.  Pretty much the only two things he needs to perfect.  The biggest disappointment for me was the poor effort after making a great play.  Terrell Thomas makes a great play to block a field goal with no time left in the first half.  Corey Webster recovers the block and has pretty much just the holder to beat, and he allows himself to be herded out of bounds pretty much without being touched.  That could have been a huge turnaround in the game.

     The Jaguars are in town next week....but we need to see if these Giants can avoid beating themselves before we worry about the opponent.

INJURY UPDATE:  HAKEEM NICKS WILL BE OUT 3 WEEKS ACCORDING TO PAT HANLON OF THE NYG.....

MICHAEL CLAYTON WILL SIGN A CONTRACT TUESDAY AFTERNOON.  Michael Clayton was the 15th overall pick in the 2004 draft.  He played 5 years with the Tampa Bay Bucs.  He recently was playing for the UFL in Omaha for the Nighthawks.  Clayton is listed at 6'4" and 215 lbs.

TOUGH TASK

     If this weeks game were held between the two rosters, it would be an excellent test, and the game of the week.  Being in a game for the division lead in week 10 is a great place to be normally, however the GIANTS are missing some key players.  The offensive line might again be impacted by the loss of Shawn Andrews.  Andrews hasn't practiced all week, and rarely does a Giant play when they haven't participated in practice.  The line will be Beatty, Boothe, Seubert, Snee and McKenzie.  All good players, but as we know the O-Line really needs time together to gel and work as a unit.  The odd part about this line is that Kevin Gilbride has continued to run almost exclusively to the left side, the side missing the regular players. Maybe he looks at the defensive players and thinks thats where he needs to attack, but it was an odd sight seeing the GIANTS run left when they needed on or two yards, when Snee and McKenzie have started on the right all year.
      The GIANTS have a decision to make on defense this week.  They either need to pressure Michael Vick relentlessly from all sides and in all forms, or try and cover the receivers and frustrate Vick into short passes and changing the play to runs.  The plan seems to be to take the pressure to a new level, be creative, be deceptive, and never show the same package twice.  The GIANTS must be disciplined in any plan they use,  The Eagles are fast, use their wide-outs in the running and screen games, and love to use any mis-direction to get to the outside of the formation.  The Eagles a few weeks back needed a first down to run out the clock at the end of a game.  They ran two end-arounds with Jackson and got 18 yards....game over.
     The Offense needs to live up to it's potential this week even without Steve Smith.  The Giants are tied for the league lead in TD passes, and top two in yards per game.  They didn't convert last week when they had the opportunities, this week needs to be different.  They need to figure a way to get Eli time, block for Bradshaw, and really step up as a unit and put points on the board.  The turnovers must stop this week.  This is not an easy task with a make-shift line and inexperienced receivers, but Kevin Boss, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and Bradshaw/Jacobs are still there and capable of making plays.  They must deliver.

     As I said being in a game for the division lead in week 10 is exactly where you want to be, you just wish you had all your weapons to bring to the fight.

We will see where we stand Monday morning.........Enjoy!

A STEP BACK

      The Giants took a major step backward Sunday afternoon losing to the Dallas Cowboys.  It was the same old story unfortunately.  Too many penalties and at the worst possible times.  No pressure on the QB.  Long third conversions given up by the defense.  Turnovers and turnovers for points by the other team.  Poor communication and mistakes by the players executing the game plan.

     The team needs to stick together.  The team needs to listen to the coaches.  This team needs to execute and execute on a high level on a consistent basis.  They still have all the weapons.  They still have a scary defense. They still have a good scheme.  This team needs to take itself seriously and start punishing people again.  The Cowboy game was a clear example of having no sense of urgency.  They should have  beaten this team by 10 points minimum, and yet they shot themselves in the foot repeatedly and beat themselves by 13!

The Eagles on Sunday Night Football for the Division Lead this week.  Not the best position to leave yourself, but these are the Giants, and nothing has come easy to them since the second half of 1986.

Back Friday with a preview and injury update.  Wide Out Derik Hagan was resigned this morning.

STICK TO THE SCRIPT

    The Dallas Cowboys (1-7) invade Giants stadium Sunday at 4:00 Eastern sporting a new Head Coach in Jason Garrett, (who's sister I once met in Aspen CO. but that's another story) and a new Defensive Coordinator.  Wade Phillips is gone, and along with him the soft treatment and built in excuses for his team's poor play.  Garrett seems to want to toughen the Cowboys up, and hold them accountable, but I can't see them suddenly changing their stripes.  If the players themselves couldn't instill a little pride and work ethic, I'm not sure how a familiar face with a different title will make a huge difference.  However, this is one of those games you will be uncomfortable with until it is put away.

     The two keys for the game as I see them are:  Do the Cowboys run the ball more than they have been, and can the G-Men walk up and down the field on offense as they did against this same Dallas team three weeks ago.  I'm not sure anyone was holding Garrett back from calling running plays when he was the coordinator, so how the offense changes will be interesting.  I think the Cowboys will be more aggressive on defense, but still have the problem of covering wide-outs with safeties, and undersized corners.

     The GIANTS on the other hand have some injury problems again.  The offensive line is re-shuffled.  Look for Andrews, Boothe, Seubert, Snee and McKenzie to start, with Mitch Petrus filling in when necessary.  This lack of healthy O-lineman also impacts the two tight end formation that the Giants like to employ.  This will be a bit of a concern, and will bear watching as the game progresses.  The really big blow is the loss of Steve Smith.  Smith, who usually has his biggest days against the Cowboys, hurt his pectoral muscle in practice Thursday and is thought to be lost for a few weeks.  In steps Mario Manningham, Duke Calhoun, and Ramses Barden.  It would seem that Hakeem Nicks will draw a lot more attention from the Cowboys this week, probably giving up on the notion of covering him one-on-one with a safety.  He will have to fight for his catches Sunday, and someone will need to step up for Eli, be it Kevin Boss, Travis Beckum, or one of the other previously mentioned wide-outs.  Of course the best case scenario would be to run the Cowboys out of the building.  The Dallas team is down three defensive ends.  If the O-Line can dominate one side of the line, they can pound the Cowboys all day with the running game and open the passing game up when necessary.  This is the Giants best chance to not only dominate the Cowboys, but break their will early and make the second half a laugher.

     The G-Men defense will be smart and have a solid plan as always.  They will be prepared for an increased running attack if it shows up, but will also be prepared for the increased performance of Dez Bryant.  Bryant showed in the last game how dangerous and how physical he can be, he won't catch anyone by surprise this time.  Look for most punts to go out of bounds, and for the kickoffs to be managed like they were in Seattle last week.

This needs to be an old fashioned, NFC East ,outdoor, smash mouth, in your face game.  The Giants can stay on their impressive roll if they stick to the script.

Enjoy!
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     So, we won't spend too much time on yesterday's dominating win.  Really all you need to know is the GIANTS held the ball for 21 minutes of the final 23 minutes of the game.  5 wins in a row, top of the division and tied for the conference lead with 6 wins.  Adam Koets did hurt his knee yesterday, and with Shaun O'Hara already missing games with injuries, this will become the conversation for the second half of the season.  But, again let's give Jerry Reese some credit.  The pick-up of Shaun Andrews, and the depth that has been developed on the offensive line will keep them from being de-railed as they were last year.  Look for Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe to return in the next few weeks to sure up the line.  The starters will probably be Andrews at LT, Diehl at LG, Seubert at Center, followed by Snee and McKenzie.  This actually might be their strongest combination, but no matter which way they go, the O-Line is still strong and in good hands.
      The Giants had one turnover yesterday, 5 penalties, and a time of possession of over 42 minutes while scoring 41 points for the second week in a row.  That is an offense that is in total control.

The G-Men play 5 division games in their final 8 games. The Eagles, who are one game back of the Giants do the same.  Washington, who is two back, play 4 division games.  With 6 wins, the Giants will still need to win 5-6 more games to win this division.  I believe the Redskins are only capable of winning a maximum of 9 games, but the Eagles with Mike Vick will be competition.  The Eagles have an awful offensive line, but with Vick at QB it really makes it tough to do what we do best...rush the passer.  The Giants will be able to shut down the Eagles run, and be disciplined enough to hold DeSean Jackson from making huge plays against them, however it is a different opponent from any other they play.  The Eagles also have no problem coming to New York and playing in the wind or the rain.  The two games remaining with the Eagles will most likely decide this divisional race.

Eagles remaining games: @Redskins, Giants, @Bears, Texans, @Cowboys,@ Giants, Vikings, Cowboys.
Giants remaining games: Cowboys,@Eagles, Jacksonville, Washington, @Vikings, Eagles,@Green Bay, @Washington

Much of this race will depend on how other teams are finishing the season..Will Minnesota stil be fighting for a playoff spot? Will Washington and the Cowboys be competitive in the final week? It will be a very competitive end to the season, but the Giants can control their destiny by beating the teams head to head.  You can't win much in October, but you can put yourself in position to not have to rely on  others to make the playoffs.

Cowboy week this week with a new head coach in Dallas.

Preview Friday

Enjoy!

DR. JEKYL OR MR. HYDE?

The New York GIANTS (5-2) take the long trip up to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) this week at 4:00 Eastern time.  The Seahawks have been a surprising team in some ways this year, and a bit of an enigma.  Here is a quote from Coach Coughlin:   


The Seattle Seahawks – the way we look at them is that they are 3-0 at home. They have an incredible plus-eight in turnovers at home, 12 of their 13 takeaways are at home, they've averaged 27 points a game, they've given up 12 points a game, they have an incredible kickoff return average of 44.5 yards at home. They average over 10 yards per punt return at home. 


Now we all know from listening to coach for the past few years that he never downplays an opponent.  These guys could be the very worst team possible, and Tom would find something nice to say about them, that's his style and he uses it to help his players stay focused.


The Seahawks however are in a bit of trouble this week.  They have already announced that their starting QB, Matt Hasselbeck is not going to play on Sunday.  He suffered a concussion last week and has failed the tests necessary for his return.  In steps Charlie Whitehurst making his first ever start in the NFL regular season.  He played his college ball at Clemson, and was drafted with the 17th pick in the third round of the 2006 draft by the San Diego Chargers.  A very curious pick since Phillip Rivers was all set to start by then, but that's the Chargers for you.  He played in 2 games in San Diego, but never threw a pass.  He is a mobile QB, which might come in handy Sunday as he faces the menacing pass rush of New York.  Seattle also will be missing the entire left side of their offensive line.  Actually the left tackle will be making his first start in 5 years, as the two guys in front of him are both out.


The Giants will need to do as they always do.  Shut down the run completely, contain and pressure the young and inexperienced QB, and show him plenty of looks, pressures, and coverages that he hasn't even dreamed of.  I was at the first game that Ryan Leaf played against the New York Giants.  They confused and baited him into more mistakes than you can imagine.  I don't know if Charlie Whitehurst is as bad as Ryan Leaf, but I am guessing he might make a few mistakes.


The Giants are on a roll.  They are playing in a building that has not been kind to them in the past, and is very difficult to play in and keep your composure.  They will need to overcome some difficulties to prevail, but that is what this team is all about.


The Special Teams coverage will need to be much improved this week.  I am sure the staff spent plenty of time working on some different looks and self scouting.  They will need to be good, this is the only area that the Seahawks can gain an advantage.


Simply put, only the Giants can win or lose this game this week.  If we falter on offense, let the crowd noise become a factor, or if we allow the Seattle Kick returners to run free.  We will be in trouble.  If not look for the Giants to have a happy and safe return to New York with a 6 win record in their pockets.


Breaking News:  Shaun O'Hara is ruled out for Sunday...Adam Koets will step in at Center and deal with the crowd noise.


Enjoy!

......DOMINATION

     The GIANTS statistically dominated the hapless Cowboys last night on Monday Night Football in Dallas.  Here are the highlights:
Time of Possession: 37:31
Rush Yards: 200 vs. 41
Pass Yards: 300 vs. 213
First Downs: 25 vs. 14
And the Cowboys became the second team the New York Defense has held to ZERO third down conversions this seeason (Bears 0/13).  That is statistical domination.  It actually was a lot worse with about 5 minutes to go in the third quarter...but the big picture is just as bad.  The other stats that are scary for the great Cowboy defense is that DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, and Jay Ratliff each had no more than three tackles a piece.

The Giants offense showed how good it can be, and the Defense is simply dominant against the run, which lets them rush the passer effectively...A great formula.

The Giants have a bye week that will be used to heal a few nagging injuries, and for self-scout.  They will look to clean up a few details, make sure they are not too predictable from their different formations, and see what they can develop as more options.  Look for Ramses Barden and Travis Beckum to be more involved in the second half of the season.  The turnovers must stop for the GIANTS to go deep into the playoffs this year.  They need to stop the fumbles as best they can, and Eli must do a better job of being under control in the beginning of games, and while protecting the lead.  They are on the doorstep of being a great offensive force, but must stop the turnovers.

The punter, Matt Dodge, made great strides Monday night.  It has finally hit him that 70 yard punts aren't always the most desirable, but a 50 yarder that goes out of bounds is perfect.  Look for more of this in the coming weeks.

5-2...top in the NFC...Bye Week...long trip to Seattle, and then a return home to face the now Romoless Cowboys.

Enjoy the week off..........

D IS FOR......

     The New York Football Giants (4-2) visit the Dallas Cowboys (1-4) on Monday Night Football tonight.
While many in the media are looking to the desperate, dysfunctional, sometimes dumb Cowboys as having to have this game to save their season, I view it in a different way.  I think this is the perfect opportunity for the Giants to make a statement to the rest of the NFC and the league.  The Cowboys are very talented, poorly coached, and prone to mistakes.  Mistakes that cost them ball games.  The Giants need to go on the road, in a very hostile environment, against a division opponent, and prove once again that they are the class of the league.
     The Defense tonight will see a very mobile quarterback, some very speedy receivers, a talented, but injured tight end, and a running game that begs to be used more.  The Giants tonight need to give the Cowboys coaching staff a reason to abandon the run early.  They need to give them the excuse they seem to search for every game to put the ball exclusively in Tony Romo's hands.  The Cowboys have three talented running backs of varying degrees, and with different talents.  They don't seem to know what to do with any one of them on a consistent basis.  The Giants D-Line, linebackers and safeties will keep them bewildered tonight.  On the back end, it's all about speed and size for the Cowboys.  Roy Williams has played better this year, which means he hasn't dropped as many passes as usual.  Miles Austin is a true deep threat, who runs some bad routes, but will stretch your defense and will keep Kenny Phillips busy tonight.  The G-Men do have one big advantage tonight, the Cowboy offensive line is a mess.  Injuries, rookies, replacements abound.  This is the major week point of the Dallas team and it has to go up against the strength of the New York Giants.  Minnesota didn't take full advantage last week, because they just rush the passer, and mainly from the outside.  Tony Romo was able to step up, and buy time, or run for big yardage.  The Cowboys also threw 10 outlet passes to their backs and many many screen plays.  The Giants have the advantage of having healthy tackles inside to apply pressure up the middle as well as the outside, forcing Romo to throw quickly.  The Giants are disciplined in their rush and cover screens and outlets well with Boley, Grant, Rolle, and the corners supporting the line.  Pressure on Romo is key, smart pressure that keeps him in the pocket and allows him to make the mistakes that have made him famous.
     On offense tonight, its all about the run.  The Cowboys play a three-four defense.  They have good pass rushers from the middle and the outside.  Their non-rushing linebackers are solid, and their secondary weak.  The Giants must run the ball effectively to slow down the pass rush, keep the 'Boys honest, make them walk their safeties to the line, and then exploit the Cowboys down the field.  The match-ups favor the G-Men all over the field.  Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Kevin Boss can run free in this secondary, if the Giants prove they can run the ball, and give Eli the time he needs to carve this team to pieces.
     This game comes at a perfect spot in the schedule.  The Giants have some nagging injuries they need to play through tonight.  Next week is an off week.  They will have time to heal the weary.  The next 9 games consist of 5 divisional games, and 3 more against NFC opponents who will be in the playoff hunt.  The GIANTS can make a statement tonight that they are the team to beat, as long as they stay disciplined, and beat the disappointing Cowboys.

Cowboys favored at home by 3...which means its an even money game.

Enjoy!

LIONS AND TEXANS AND BEARS....OH MY!

     The Giants kept the train rolling this week with their third straight win, knocking out another quarterback along the way.  This obviously was a game the G-Men should have won, but those are always the fun ones around here.
     As stated in Friday's entry....the Lions did what they have been doing all season, they put themselves in a position to win or tie the game on their last possession.  Michael Boley was predicted to be the key to the Defense this week, and he came through with a team leading 9 tackles for the game.  I also stated that the 10 point or more line was not a good bet...I hope you all saved your money.  Heck, it's getting so you don't have to watch the games anymore, just follow along here, and I will walk you through it!
     Ahmad Bradshaw continues to grow into the featured back, and Jacobs looks like the light has gone on.  His teammates have done a remarkable job in letting him know they need him, and that he is one of them.  He really has turned it around since week one.
     The Defense made one mistake, being a little too aggressive on a long pass play to Calvin Johnson, other than that they were solid again.
    And the punter continues to be a project, however after the first disaster, he really became the weapon he can be in this game.  Good hang time and some really well struck balls.  The return game seemed to gain a little life, and even though people will say we still haven't beaten anybody, the confidence level within still grows.

First place in the division, First place in the conference.  The division schedule gets started next week with a Monday night trip to big D....which stands for big disappointment this year.

Blog will be posted Monday before the game.

Enjoy!

LIONS TRAP?

     The Giants (3-2) host the 1-4 Detroit Lions Sunday at the New GIANTS Stadium.  The Lions are 0-23 on the road the past three years.  This would normally be a danger game, an easy opponent to overlook.  This week should be different however.  The Lions won their first game only last week, showing a potent offense, and an opportunistic defense.  They also have lost to Chicago 19-14, Philly 35-32, and Green Bay 28-26.  This is not a bad team, it is an unlucky, young team with a lot of talent, that hasn't learned how to win. You don't get top ten picks in ten drafts and not get some talent on your team, even if their were some mistakes and injuries factored in.  They had the ball last possession against Chicago and had a TD called back.  They had the ball last possession against Philly, after recovering an onside kick, and threw 4 incomplete passes.  They have come from behind in every game, and have come up just short until last week.
     Tom Coughlin should be able to show enough film, recap the stats, and show enough highlights of this team to keep the GIANTS motivated.  They know the talent level is there, it's just a matter of imposing your will on this team, and keeping the pressure on for the entire game.  Get them down early, and keep working.
     The defense should continue it's growth this week.  Keith Bullock might be back available for the defensive rotation, but it will be the Michael Boley , Gerris Wilkinson show at linebacker most of the day.  The Lions have an explosive running back in Jahvid Best.  Best is best when catching the ball out of the backfield over the middle and on screens.  We will need the quickness of our defense to contain him.  Also the Lions have potentially the best receiver in the game in Calvin Johnson.  Every week he can be seen winning a jump ball over cornerbacks, mainly for touchdowns.  The Giants will have to continue the pass rush they have shown in past weeks, and shorten the field for the Lions offense.
     The offense will have to contend with a very good pass rush again this week.  This time the pressure comes mainly up the middle, and the linebackers are not much of a factor.  Look for many screens, to the WR's as well as Bradshaw and Boss.  The Lions secondary is their most glaring weakness, and again if the run is successful, and the O-Line stands up, look for Eli to have another big day.
     The penalties need to continue to diminish, the turnovers to disappear completely, and the dominant Defense must be so for 60 minutes this week.  The Lions should never be in this game.....but they have been in almost all so far, up to their last possession.

GIANTS favored by 10....no lock here

Enjoy!  Cowboy week next week

EXECUTING A PLAN

     The Giants got an impressive road win on Sunday in Houston.  They executed their plan to perfection, and kept themselves atop the NFC Eastern Division.
     As discussed in the preview to this game, the Giants needed to stop the run game of the Texans, who came into the game as the leading rushing team in the NFL.  Houston had 24 yards rushing...Mission Accomplished.  The Giants knew that they had to establish their own running game against the number one rushing Defense in the league.  The G-Men rushed for 117...Mission Accomplished.  The Giants also knew they could exploit the young pass Defense of the Texans.  The Giants had 297 yards passing and three touchdowns....Mission Accomplished.  Even the special teams chimed in with a net punt average of 42.8.
     Bear Pascoe did play some fullback, and Shawn Andrews contributed at both tackle and tight end.  This team is continuing to grow together and gel.  The offense gave up no sacks, and seldom were heard the names of the big play guys on the Texans defense.  Hakeem Nicks continues to show why he was worthy of a number one pick, and will only get better as his confidence grows.  Although this offense did get a little sloppy and pass happy (something seldom said about a Kevin Gilbride offense) in the third quarter, it is obvious they are on the right track.
     The Defense is ranked number 1 in the NFL as of today.  NUMBER 1.  They continue to have a solid game plan put together by Perry Fewell, and they seem to execute it flawlessly.  An element that was missing last year was the big play on Defense.  This year when the pressure gets turned up, they respond with a timely sack, a tipped ball, an interception on a deep throw.  The Texans were 2 for 11 on third down yesterday. That's 2 for 24 the past two weeks.  The energy is back in this Defense and it also shows that the pieces were right all along.  The line is healthy, the linebackers are athletic, and those three magnificent safeties make it all work.
     It has been an up and down start to the season, but the GIANTS are now on track, have dominated a team on the road, and need to continue to grow in their own confidence.

I guess Bill Cowher should see if he can get an extension at CBS if he wants to work in New York next year.

Also check out:  www.midwestsportsfans.com  for an interesting read on officiating football

ADJUSTMENTS CONTINUE

     The GIANTS face the Houston Texans Sunday in Houston at 1:00 Eastern time.  The G-Men continue to make adjustments to their offense.  This week it is mostly due to injuries.
     Adam Koets will again start at center, but with a knee injury suffered last week, he may not last the entire game.  If he struggles look for Rich Seubert to move to center, Diehl to guard, and Shawn Andrews to get his chance at tackle.  I think you will see Andrews play some tight end this week also, as a little help against the very talented front four of the Texans.  Also look for Bear Pascoe to work a lot at fullback.  Kevin Gilbride has realized that if you line Pascoe up in the backfield, it gives you more flexibility and doesn't tip off the defense as much to the play call.  The defense will need to respect the ability of Pascoe to run a route from the backfield, or be a lead blocker.
     The Giants Defense will have their hands full this week.  The Houston Texans lead the league in rushing yards and have a terrific blocking scheme.  The Giants will need to put all efforts into stopping the run, and get the Texans into third and long.  Unfortunately, Houston has one of the top receivers in the league, when healthy, and also a strong arm Quarterback.  They have the ability to exploit whatever your weaknesses are, and they can pass for 500 yards, or run for 200.  They are comfortable with either, and are very talented in all areas.  Their main weakness is a re-shuffled offensive line.  The GIANTS of course showed last week what they can do to a line in chaos, so look for Houston to build up their protection schemes, throw some short passes to a very talented tight end, and take shots down the field while utilizing a max protect system for their Quarterback.
     The Texans are first in rush defense, however this is solely because they are last in pass defense.  The Giants and Eli will need to take their shots down the field, utilize Kevin Boss, and use the screen passes to both the backs and wideouts.  The Texans have two rookies as starting corners, and another rookie that comes in with their nickel and dime packages.  No doubt the Giants will look to establish the run as always, but it will be big plays that win this game.  The strength of the Texans is their front 7, just like the Bears, strong pass rushers and linebackers that attack.  Play action, strong blocking schemes, and tough running from Bradshaw and Jacobs will be necessary to move the chains.  The offensive line needs to continue to gel, utilize all it's depth and talent, and make a difference in this game.  The Giants need to force the Texans to overplay the run, commit safeties to the line of scrimmage, and then take advantage of the one-on-one match-ups on the outside.

A very intriguing game, and a real tough road test.  This is not one I put in the win column when the schedule first arrived.  The adjustments continue, and now are put to one of the toughest tests of the season.

Enjoy!

A FITTING TRIBUTE

The GIANTS paid homage to their past Sunday night by unveiling their Ring of Honor at halftime.  The GIANTS defense paid homage to their past by getting 9 sacks in the first half!  That's how you honor the past.
     The G-Men made all the adjustments we discussed earlier, and certainly did their film work this week.  Jay Cutler was under constant pressure from all sides and when his first option was covered, he had no chance to look anywhere else.  The Bears offense is a strange one.  I have never seen a QB at any level walk to the line and make no adjustments.  Cutler doesn't identify the MLB, doesn't call protections, doesn't adjust to what he sees, and therefore ends up laying on the ground most of the night.  Mike Martz might be an offensive genius, but he might want to think about keeping his QB healthy while he makes all his in game adjustments.
     The GIANTS had another slow beginning offensively, and turned the ball over way too many times.  The penalties were down, and the Bears are a very good defense against the run.  Once again, as GIANTS fans, we can see how we could have scored 30 points minimum.  We are going to need to see the actual points on the board starting this week.  Look for Bear Pascoe to replace Madison Hedgecock at fullback, and look for more double tight end looks utilizing Shawn Andrews.
     The defense had fun last week, and that is a good thing.  Theses guys need to be loose, have some fun, and enjoy the new system.  They will continue to gel and make big plays.
     The Special Teams did not beat us this week, and that was the goal.  Matt Dodge will need to continue to improve, and the regulars will continue to work special teams.

Someone commented last week after reading this blog that it sounded like Chicago was the worst 3-0 team ever, and the Giants one of the best 1-2 teams......I think the point was proved.

Houston on the road next week.

See you Friday

A SERIES OF ADJUSTMENTS

     The GIANTS play the 3-0 Chicago Bears Sunday night at  The New Giants Stadium.  On display will be Jay Cutler and a Mike Martz Offense, along with a strong Chicago Defense against the run.  The GIANTS will need a series of adjustments to be victorious Sunday Night.
     The Chicago offense is intriguing because it is a non-audible offense.  They make no adjustments at the line of scrimmage, and always run the play that is called in the huddle.  All adjustments are then made by the coaches as they see how you react to their formations and motions. This is the reason the Bears are a good second half team.  This will be a key element for the G-Men defense.  They will need to understand the different options presented by the similar formations, and mix-up their defensive fronts and pressures.  The worst thing you can do against a non-audible offense is to become predictable in your response.  Perrry Fewell's talents will be on display Sunday as he tries to out duel Mike Martz with various personnel, pressures, and alignments.  One thing that the GIANTS will need to be consistent with throughout the game will be how they handle Tight End Greg Olsen.  This is the first talented tight end of many they will face this season, and it will be a test.
      The GIANTS have made some adjustment on Special Teams as we discussed earlier in the week.  Look for "regular" players like Kiwanuka, Boley, and others to participate on coverage teams especially.  The GIANTS have a particular challenge on special teams this week in the person of Devin Hester.  Hester single-handedly beat us in 2006, and was a large reason the Bears defeated the Packers last Monday night.  Rookie punter Matt Dodge will be instructed to kick the ball out of bounds at all costs.  Hopefully he can execute this plan successfully, or it could be a long night for the struggling special teams.  The GIANTS will have their special teams captain Chase Blackburn back this week, and they are accepting the challenge ahead of them.  Let's hope they show up.
     The Giants keep talking about how they need to run the ball to be successful.  This might not be the team you want to facing when you need to establish the run and build confidence in your own team.  The Bears are a very good defense against the run, have good pass rushers, including an aging Julius Peppers who plays on passing downs. They specialize in forcing turnovers. They try and strip the ball from every ball carrier.  They are weak in the secondary and another strong performance by Eli will be needed in this game.  The offensive line will be led by Adam Koets again at center this week.
     Jay Cutler is a very good quarterback who makes a lot of mistakes and hates pressure.  You need to be in his face and around his feet constantly.  He will pull the ball down quickly if you keep high pressure on him.  He will throw the ball up for grabs, and try and fit it into the tightest of windows.  Without the ability to audible at the line, he is forced into some decisions you would rather he didn't have to make, if your the Bears.  The GIANTS will have opportunities for interceptions, sacks, and tackles for losses on many occasions Sunday night, they need to take advantage of those opportunities.

So....as usual....Special teams, turnovers, penalties, and execution of the game plan will decide this game.

The Giants will also be unveiling their Ring of Honor at halftime, so a few past greats will be in attendance for this one.  Hopefully NBC will spare us some of their "expert analysis" at halftime and show the ceremonies.

Giants come up big and keep the hopes of the season alive.  Enjoy!

Graphics by LadyBlue

FRUSTRATION DEFINED

     The GIANTS played a statistically superior game on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.  Four Hundred Seventy yards of offense, Twenty Six first downs,  No punts, and over Thirty Three minutes of possession. Unfortunately statistics don't win games, but they can lose games.  Stats such as 5 personal foul penalties, 3 turnovers, and opposing teams field position.  Those stats will lose you games.
     Unlike last week when the plan for the game was flawed, this one was right on.  Again it was execution, bad penalties, tipped passes, and poor special teams that led to a frustrating day.  The GIANT defense set out to stop Chris Johnson from running all over them.  They accomplished this for the most part in grand fashion.  I'm not sure CJ had been hit as hard as he was this past Sunday.  He was limited to just 53 yards on his first 20 carries.  The scheme drawn up by Perry Fewell was executed well with Barry Cofield, Justin Tuck, and Antrell rolle leading the charge.  Even first round pick Jason Pierre-Paul got into the act rushing from a linebacker position to make a big stop on third down in the backfield.  Fewell's use of Mathias Kiwanuka continues to be well planned and lets Kiwi use all his skills to be successful.
     The frustration of losing Sunday's game after dominating it statistically has brought up plenty of issues concerning Head Coach Tom Coughlin, Special Teams Coach Tom Quinn, and the state of the leadership on the Giants team.  I personally believe you will see changes, not in this group, but in the plays and players utilized.  The changes suggested and some already made are as follows:

Jacobs has complained about playing time and his role on this team.  On Sunday he gets in the game and makes a nice run, North South, running people over, etc.  He follows it by taking a personal foul penalty, thankfully offset.  However, on the very next play, he misses an assignment and the play leads to Eli being sacked and almost fumbling the ball away. Have a seat Mr. Jacobs.  Pass protection is the most important function of his position.  He can't miss blocks.

The Andrews for Diehl experiment might take a bit longer to develop.  Andrews was consistently late off the ball, in is home stadium, and seems to being thinking more than reacting.  He still needs some work before he can be trusted on the back side.  Moving Diehl inside where he wouldn't have to deal with speed would be a huge improvement, but without Will Beatty, or Andrews ready to step up, it's just not possible at the moment.

Adam Koets can play.  He was very steady on Sunday, consistently made the right reads and blocked well.  If O'Hara is out for a while, Koets will be fine.

Eli leads the league in interceptions...with maybe one being his fault.  The receivers will spend a large part of their days this week catching high balls, and should think about running their routes like Jerry Rice and Fred Biletnikoff used to...with their hands at chest level...not by their sides.

Special teams will have a different look next week.  Look for more and more "regular players" to join the ranks of the return and cover teams.  I think this will help tremendously.  Matt Dodge needs to step up a great deal.  His free kick with a net of 30 yards was embarrassing, and the delay of game penalty on the field goal is entirely on him.  Actually if you watch the tape the G-Men ran the clock out on the missed FG try in the first quarter also, it wasn't called, but the clock clearly read zero.  Actually I wish that had been called, T.C. would have then punted, and changed the field position battle for the remainder of the half.

All in All a very frustrating loss, mainly because it didn't have to happen.  Lack of execution, penalties, and turnovers will always lose you games.  This is exactly what happened on Sunday.

I think it's a turning point.  The game plan was solid. The Offense looked better. Eli was fantastic. The Defense seems to be gelling.  Let's see how they react through the week.

One Team, One Goal will be Tom's message this week.  He is taking the blame, but it is a confidence building exercise by the master.  Personnel changes will be evident Wednesday in practice.

Talk to you all on Friday

TIME FOR REDEMPTION

     The GIANTS need to make a statement this week at home against the Tennessee Titans.  They need to make a statement to the fans, to the league, and most importantly to themselves.  Last week might have been an un-winnable game under any circumstances, you have those in this league, and the circumstances I described last week certainly were stacked against the Giants.
     One change this week will be Adam Koets at center for Shaun O'Hara.  O'Hara has been battling an achilles problem all through training camp and it has now kept him from practicing all week.  Koets has been here a while, and played a lot in pre season.  We will see if he is ready for Sunday.  The other option was to move Seubert to center, move Diehl to guard, and put Andrews in at tackle, but making three moves instead of one is not desirable at this point.
     The offensive line is on the spot this week.  The O-Line, tight ends, and in particular the fullback need to step-up and make some plays.  Eli needs time to hit his very good receivers.  Bradshaw needs a crease to run through.  Jacobs, who has apologized to everyone who would listen, not just for last week but for his attitude the last month is re-dedicated to running strong and straight ahead.  Jacobs and Hedgecock the fullback have had a dis-connect since 2008.  I think Jacobs has taken some unwarranted heat because of the poor play by the FB and Tight ends.  They need to figure this out now.  The return of Kevin Boss should be a big boost this week.  Travis Beckum still seems lost during certain plays.  Last week he was caught numerous times missing blocks, and even looking around at the snap count.  The pass rushers for the Titans are very good and fast, but with the home field advantage, and a week to adjust, the Giants should be able to keep Eli upright.
     The Defense will take a 180 degree turn this week.  The 4-1-6 formation that started last week will be replaced by the 6-3-2 at times.  Chris Johnson of the Titans, as many of you know, is perhaps the best running back in the league.  He was held to 38 yards last week by the Steelers, anyone think that can happen two weeks in a row?  Probably not.  The GIANTS will need to limit the big plays against them, load the line with linebackers and safeties, and hope Vince Young has a bad day (again).  The run must be stopped in this game.

The Giants are favored by three at home, which means the game is dead even.  The only way this game is even is because of the poor performance of the G-Men last week.  Giants cover at home.

Back to 1:00 Est for a week, then another annoying Sunday Night game next week against Chicago.

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A TACTICAL ERROR

The GIANTS had a plan Sunday night. A plan that made some sense, but they just couldn't execute it.
     The Defensive plan was to force Peyton Manning into choosing run over pass.  The G-Men thought if they could make Peyton one dimensional, if they could make him choose long drives over quick strikes, if they could force him to be patient, he would make mistakes and he would chew up the clock for them.  It didn't work.  The base defense of 4 down linemen, 1 linebacker, and 6 defensive backs was designed to do all of the above.  It didn't work.  The defensive linemen were manhandled by the O-Line of Indy.  The O-linemen were able to get to the second level and block safeties and corners instead of facing linebackers. The D-Line was supposed to get penetration and force Peyton into long third downs, where he would be throwing into coverage.  It didn't work.
     Our Offense is in trouble, and I think the battle for jobs is about to heat up.  Shawn Andrews will be a starter soon.  The offensive line, the fullback, and the back up tight ends are not working well together.  The amount of guys standing around at the end of a play, having missed a block, blocked someone momentarily, or having been pushed out of the play is amazing.  As was shown last night Eli has less than 3 seconds to make a read and a throw which limits his abilities, and those of the receivers. This group of linemen has sentimental value to us as fans, but it is time for some changes, and a lot better effort.
     We, as GIANTS fans, know it is the offensive and defensive lines that control a football game.  Last night they lost the battle on both sides of the ball and the score reflected that fact.  The GIANTS had a plan....It didn't work!

Tennessee next week at home.....an easier task.  One difficult road game down, and again I think this is the theme for this year.  They must win all games at home and try and steal two victories from a very tough road schedule.

THE TEST BEGINS

     Well, here we go.....Indianapolis at 0-1, home opener, Sunday Night Football on NBC, and oh yeah, Manning Bowl II.  Just another easy road game on the GIANTS schedule this year.  This is exactly what I was speaking about a few weeks back, the G-Men have a brutal road schedule, and outside circumstances only add to the difficulty.
      The key tomorrow night for the GIANTS is to not get caught up in all the hype, not chase points or try and match Indy's style, and put their collective minds and efforts into winning a game for their star QB.  The GIANTS will try and exploit the porous Indy run defense.  Being successful in the run game will of course serve two purposes.  One is to run the clock and keep the Indy offense off the field, and the other is to keep the Indy defense honest.  If the GIANTS get into a must pass situation because of score, the game will be over.  Keep an eye on the tight end spot as well as Madison Hedgecock this week.  The run blocking by these two spots was awful all preseason and was a huge problem last week.  Hedgecock in particular whiffed on some assignments, and got pushed back into the runners constantly last week.  This area need to improve greatly.
     I am not as worried about the defense as some people are this week.  I believe the scheme, that I was lucky enough to see first hand, is solid.  I think the multi-personnel packages place the best talent on the field at all times.  I think Perry Fewell, the defensive backs and D-Line are up to the task.  Peyton Manning is a lot like Tom Brady was in the Super Bowl of 2007.  Hit him, rush him, pressure him from all sides and he will make mistakes.  The Giants may give up some plays tomorrow, but I believe they will keep the game in reach for the offense to perform normally.
     Also I think this is a huge opportunity for the team to pay Eli back in a nice way.  he has been their unquestioned leader since 2006.  He has never missed a start, despite shoulder injuries, foot injuries and most recently a severe gash to the head.  He is a tough guy. The O-Line loves him.  Coach Coughlin and the rest of the time would love for him to outshine his big brother for at least one night.  Look for these guys to work just a bit harder tomorrow night to try and deliver a win for Easy E as he is known to his teammates.
     The run game gets going, the defense is stout, and once again it comes down to turnovers, and special teams.  My call is it is a field goal game.

Enjoy the game.

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A ROUGH START....A GOOD ENDING

The opening of the New GIANTS stadium was a little rough yesterday both on the field and off. The weather didn't cooperate and put a damper on the usual jovial mood in the parking lot. Obviously there was more than a little confusion for us first timers, but it all worked out in the end. The National Anthem and pre game speech was interrupted by a very loud radio playing WFAN commercials near the Legacy Club. The F-16 flyover came a little early, and the fireworks for the players entrance was a little late. All forgivable offenses on such a big day.
What did come right on time was the play of the defense. The GIANT fans have waited since game 6 of last season to see if the team would have a defense they could be proud of and call a GIANT defense. They did not disappoint. A good first series gave a glimmer of hope. A good first quarter calmed most nerves. A last minute drive by the PAnthers to close th first half seemed to dash all hopes, but the second half proved that Perry Fewell has them on the right track for success. Gone were the selfish grumblings and fear of losing playing time. Perry Fewell found a way to get all three safeties key playing time, even lining up together in the same backfield at times. Osi and Kiwi not only shared time, but again lined up in the same formations for much of the fourth quarter. The aggressive deployment of 4 linemen, one linebacker, and 6 defensive backs kept the Panthers down once they were forced to abandon the run by the score of the game. The GIANTS defense challenges itself every week to 1. Hold the opponent to 17 points or less. 2. Stop the Run. 3. Create at least 2 turnovers, and 4. Either score points themselves or put the offense in a positive position to score. They over-achieved in all areas.
The offense also had a very rough start to their day. Mis-steps, and mis-timing, along with the Kevin Boss injury, made it seem like the side of the ball we all had confidence in had suddenly become the problem. They too were able to re-group, score some points, and contribute a good ending to a very rough day.
While there is certainly work to be done both on and off the field, this certainly was a good ending on what started out to be a very rough day.

MY TWO KEYS

While there are many factors to every new season, and many you cannot control, I believe this season will come down to two key elements.

1. Road Play.  The GIANTS have an extremely difficult road schedule this year.  They play prime time games in Dallas and Indianapolis.  They travel to the farthest reaches of the northwest, and they face some all too familiar foes in Green Bay and Minnesota.  They will need to win at least 4 of their 8 road games to have a chance at post season play.  This will be a major test for the new defense, and an offense that can be explosive at times, but is mainly a steady force.  A return of the road warriors would be a welcome sight this season.  While the normal trips to Philly, Washington and Dallas always a challenge the added  pressure of facing Houston, Indy, Seattle, Green Bay and Minny will define this team.

2. Covering the Tight End.  The new defensive scheme has yet to be unveiled. The new defensive coverages, pressures, and blitz packages have yet to be seen.  One thing that did seem to be an issue all preseason, and the past few years in general has been how to cover the tight end.  We have tried line backers, safeties, corners, and even defensive ends dropping into coverage.  The GIANTS defense needs to figure a way to be physical and proactive in covering the tight end position.  This years opponents reads like an all star squad at that position.  Brent Celek, JerMichael Finley, Owen Daniels, Olsen, Shiancoe and of course Jason Witten.  This position alone could cost us games this year.  The pass defense and run defense in general must be good enough to hold the opponents to 17 points or less, this will not happen if the tight end position is allowed to roam the field freely.  Look for this as a key element in the early part of the season.

Game notes and scouting report for Carolina published on Friday.

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TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

The GIANTS will go from 90 bodies to 75 before Tuesday night.  Gone will be some familiar faces, but mostly the undrafted free agents that did not show well during the first 3 pre-season games.

The GIANTS played what some have called an uninspired game the other night in Baltimore.  After watching the game again, I would have to agree with Coach Coughlin's interpretation that some players did not seem to perform with a high level of energy.  However, I believe that this game served it's purpose.  It was an odd game in that the Ravens who are usually a run first team, ran the ball just a few times in the first half.  They came out throwing and continued to throw all night.  The GIANTS played their base defense all night, with man coverage, in order to test some young players that want to make this team.  Some showed themselves to be worthy, others did not.  That is what the preseason is all about.  Their was no way Coach was going to change to a nickel or dime coverage, or show exotic blitzes, just to match the Ravens offense.  In preseason you look for execution of your scheme, play from individuals, and team concept.  The defense actually showed well in many categories.  The hitting of safety Kenny Phillips for instance.  He forced a fumble and put the starting RB for Baltimore out for the game.  He showed his recovery is for real, and he is ready to become his old self again.  Antrel Rolle showed his toughness and quickness.  They will be the feared tandem we envisioned when play starts for real.  Justin Tuck was unstoppable.  The center of the D-Line got a good push and the pressure on the qb was consistent.
The linebacking corp is still in a state of flux to the fans.  Perry Fewell continues to mix and match linebackers in all different positions.  In one series we saw Gerris Wilkerson play outside isolated on a back, inside against the run, and then blitz on the next play from the opposite side.  I don't believe it is a desperate search for someone to do the job as many have thought.  I think he is putting guys in different positions, on different plays, that will all work into his grand scheme when the season arrives.

The offense is a different story in some ways.  The offensive line is a unit that needs to work as one.  I also know guys need to step in at any time for any reason and perform as if they are part of that unit.  Their is great depth at these positions this year.  Shawn Andrews was a great pick up for this team and will pay big dividends down the line.  The rookie center Jim Cordie looks good.  This unit however is the key to this teams success.  Bradshaw is healthy and ready for a break out season at running back.  Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith are ready to dominate.  The offensive line, tight ends, and fullbacks need to step up and play as a unit.  They need to impose their will on the opposing team.  Right now, there are a lot of guys standing around at the end of some plays, looking lost, having blocked no one.  This is not GIANT football.

The punting unit had a good game Saturday.  An average of over 41 yards net.  Nothing to complain about.  The return game will be a cause for concern, but we will get a better feel for that Thursday against New England.

As we learned the last time we switched defensive schemes, there can be confusion, and a learning curve.  That is why it is critical for the offense to get itself set, practice as a unit, and be prepared to carry this team through the first few weeks if necessary.

Roster moves were made Tuesday morning.  The GIANTS placed QB Jim Sorgi, WR Sinorice Moss and Rookie LB Adrian Tracy on injured reserve, thus ending their seasons. Cut was WR Nyan Boateng who had one catch this pre-season against the lowly Jets.

New England Thursday night. More roster moves Saturday to get to 53.

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A KEY WEEK

  This is a huge week for the New York Giants.  It is time to settle the lineups, get everyone on the practice field that is going to be healthy, and make a statement on offense.  This third week of preseason has become the dress rehearsal for the season.  The Baltimore Ravens are the next opponent, on the road, and they are very good.  They will play their starting defense for 3 quarters if necessary, and they completely shut down and beat up the Washington Redskins last week.  Not that I think the 'Skins are a talented team, but you need to be well prepared and work as a team to survive a game against the Ravens defense.  The GIANTS offense has not even spent an entire practice together, let alone played any games together.  The offensive line needs to become a unit, practice together with the guys that will start the season, and set the tone early Saturday night.  The running game has shown some very encouraging signs the past two weeks, despite not having Brandon Jacobs, Rich Seubert, or pro bowler Chris Snee.  All three will practice this week and play Saturday providing there are no setbacks.  The offense will have a tough team to prepare for this week, but with Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Kevin Boss, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and a healthy Eli at the helm, the offense should show well this weekend.  They need to play and practice as a unit from now until September 12th to ensure they will be  ready for the season.

     The defense is starting to gel.  You can see how healthy Osi and Canty are this year.  You can see Tuck has his strength back.  You can see the impact Antrelle Rolle will have.  You can see what Kenny Phillips and Keith Bulluck will bring when they are completely healthy.  They do seem to be a bend and not break defense currently.  They have been tremendous in the red zone.  A complete turnaround from last year.  They look very strong against the run, and good against the long ball.  They look quick, stout, and smart.  The question as always will be about the pass rush.  We obviously have not and will not see the entire scheme until the season begins.  Right now as a basic, vanilla defense, they look strong.

     The special teams continue to improve.  The kicking game of Tynes looks solid, from kickoffs to field goals, he has performed very well.  The coverage units look fine.  The two units that need more consistency are the return teams and the new rookie punter.  The punt return team looked good with Aaron Ross last Saturday, however he know has a foot injury, and may be out of the running for the position.  Victor Cruz must continue to work hard and learn on the job if he wants to be a player and contributor on this team.  The punter needs to learn to relax, get his confidence back, or he might be looking for work sooner than later.

     This week of practice, and Saturday's game, will be the first step towards learning what this team can accomplish this year.

ROUND ONE

The GIANTS have now officially won the first game played in the New Meadowlands Arena...here to for known as Giants Stadium.  This will put the Jets to bed for a while.  Of course, now that they lost, the real first game is not until September.  While the Jets continue to talk to themselves and rationalize their little world, we will continue to cover the New York Football Giants.

The GIANTS did not get off to a rousing start in game one of the preseason.  The starting offense while missing 4 tight ends and 3 wide outs did not look impressive in the least.  They did have a few nice running plays, and the toss to Bradshaw in the 2nd quarter gave everyone a glimpse of what he is capable of, and how he has recovered from his many injuries.  That was very encouraging.  

The defense looked good all in all.  Forgetting some missed assignments, and formation issues, the defense looked like a unit.  They worked well together, pressured the QB a bit, looked much better in pass coverage, and rallied to the ball.  Perry Fewell's philosophy of watching the QB while in pass coverage will pay dividends this season.  Reading the drop and routes, instead of just following a receiver, will allow for more turnovers and more people defending the pass.

The punting unit is in for some long practices this week.  Remembering the fact that Matt Dodge is a rookie replacing a legend will not be a problem.  He looked shaky, slow, and had zero hang time on his punts.  This will be a work in progress fort he entire season going forward.

On the bright side we saw the emergence of a young man named Victor Cruz.  Cruz caught 3 TD's Monday night, among his many catches of the second half was a one handed grab over a Jet defender.  This young man out of UMASS took a huge step towards making this team.  He is quick, fast, and has great hands.  He seems to really understand the game and how to run routes.  He already looks like he can read defenses and adjust on the fly.  If he can return punts, he may make the squad easily.  

The GIANTS came out of the game with no major injuries.  Eli had 12 stitches in his forehead, but as soon as he can put a helmet on without damaging the cut, he will be back at the helm.  

So the GIANTS got a good look at themselves, won an over-hyped game that meant nothing, and did it without losing any players.  All in all a very good start.

Pittsburgh this Saturday at the New Giants Stadium...this time lit up in BLUE

ALL PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR, SIR!

As has become the norm, the GIANTS opened training camp yesterday (Aug. 1st) with all their draft choices signed sealed and delivered.  Tom Coughlin will have his entire team in meetings and on the field from day one.  That makes Tom a happy man.  To add a little icing on the cake, for the first time in his memory, the entire team came in underweight and in condition.  This team is looking for redemption.

The offensive line will look to pick up it's collective lunch boxes at the door and get back to the form that made it the toast of the league in 2007.  The GIANTS were not up to speed in the running game last year.  While injuries, both serious and nagging, seemed to be to blame, the offensive line certainly could have done a better job creating holes and working as a unit.  The unit needs to improve, maybe get a bit younger with the addition of Will Beatty, and work towards being dominant in the trenches.  The competition between Seubert, O'Hara, McKenzie, Diehl, Beatty and of course Chris Snee will be intense.  The starting 5 will come from this group in some alignment.  The competition will also create depth at different positions.  This unit should return to being a major strength of the team.

The offense is loaded again.  Eli has a tremendous amount of weapons, and again depth will be created by intense competition.  Domenik Hixon is gone for the season with an injury.  Hagen, Smith, NIcks, Manningham, Barden, and Sinorice Moss are the returning vets and will compete for the top spots.  Without any major surprises from free agents, this will be the receiving corps for 2010.  Look for Nicks and Barden to make the greatest strides, Steve Smith and Manningham should continue to improve and build on their break out seasons of last year.  The tight ends are also deep with Boss, Pascoe, Beckum, and rookie Jake Ballard fighting for three spots.  As usual special teams performance and blocking on running downs will decide this fight.

The running game needs to return to form also. Jacobs, who was apparently nicked up since week 3 last season, Ahmad Bradshaw who is now completely healthy after playing last season with basically two broken ankles and a broken foot, Andre Brown and D. J. Ware will most likely be part of the rotation.  The thought of Ahmad Bradshaw being completely health has to be scary for opposing defensive coordinators and bring a smile to Eli's face.  he will have a huge year if he remains upright.

The defense and special teams will be under the microscope all season.  These two units will decide the fate of this team in 2010.  On Special teams we will have a new punter, and new return group.  The loss of Hixon opens the door for others to step in and make a difference.  Hixon was a great kick returner, and a real force in coverage of punts.  With Feagles gone, the ball may be in the middle of the field more, and that will put a premium on the coverage unit.  The kick return game and punt return game is all about field position.  I affects both what the offense and defense can do.  It is essential that these units perform at a very high level.  

Now to the biggest disappointment of 2009.  The Defense.  In comes a new fiery coordinator, a new physical leader at safety in Antrelle Rolle, and a veteran at MLB in Keith Bullock.  These changes alone will make the unit watchable again.  The coordinator could be a show all by himself.  This is a guy GIANT fans will like.  He is involved, loud, demonstrative, and will be on his players for better or worse.  In camp the other day Terrell Thomas dropped an interception and immediately dropped and did pushups as punishment.  This guy has their attention.

Antrelle Rolle will be a major upgrade at safety.  He is extremely physical and smart and if he is paired with a healthy Kenny Phillips, they will be a tandem feared throughout the league.  Keith Bullock was, in my eyes, the prize of the linebacking free agency class until he was hurt in week 13 last year.  This guy is solid, and seems to make big plays in big moments.  He is great in coverage, and with 10 years experience will definitely bring stability to a young group. A healthy Michael Boley should thrive in the new system as well.  The defensive line will be the definition of competition.  With too many names to list here it is safe to say this will be the most entertaining group to watch during this training camp.  

As always Health, Luck, Scheduling, and the bounce of the ball will decide the success of this season.  A new stadium, some familiar faces in strange places, and upstart rookies will provide a great backdrop.  With everyone in camp, happy, and in a very competitive mood, The Giants have taken a good first step towards a very anticipated season.

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