Monday, August 30, 2010

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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Monday, August 23, 2010

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.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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

Monday, August 2, 2010

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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