A GLIMPSE OF GIANT FOOTBALL

Yesterday we were treated to a glimpse back to what GIANTS football looks like.  Great time of possession stats.  Good running game.  Eli accurate and careful.  The opposition held under 50 yards rushing for the game, and when it counted most the defense standing up and making the big sack, the big tackle for a loss, sniffing out the trick play, and then getting the big turnover when needed.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OPENING PARAGRAPH if the game ended with 2:00 remaining.

This team showed all the signs of coming out of their slump until the inexcusable play calling and offensive execution in the final minutes.  The defense showed up and stopped the Chargers 3 times in the final 8 minutes.  Making big play after big play and getting the energy back that the offense is supposed to feed off.  They backed the Chargers up to their own 2 and got the ball back oat the 35 yard line.  They then stopped the Chargers at the 50 with a sack and sniffing out an end around that lost 10 yards.  They then came up with what should have been the game clinching turnover.  Delivering the ball to the offense on the 4 yard line.  A holding call on the first play made it 1st and goal at the 14.  This is where Kevin Gilbride turned into Bill Parcells....."I don't want to throw it" used to be the mantra of the great coach.  Unfortunately, this was not the situation to go into a shell.  Steve Smith had been open all day, Hakeem Nicks has great hands and can jump, Kevin Boss may be the toughest player in the NFL, Ahmad Bradshaw has good hands and runs the screen well.........and what does Gilbride call?  A smoke screen to Nicks with one blocker, that he had called three times already and was obvious it was coming from the formation.  Then two draws to Jacobs......That was it.  Three points, one minute off the clock, and a 6 point lead.

The bye week will be interesting, and a lot of work will be done.  Looking ahead it is going to take a great effort to make the playoffs this year.  The focus has changed, we need to start watching the wild card teams in the NFC now.  Atlanta will be our next test, but teams like G.B., San Fran, Chicago, and Carolina are our new focus.

This team must still win 4 or 5 more games.  It is possible.  And as Justin Tuck stated yesterday, it's the team who plays well at the end that will go a long way on the playoffs.  Let's hope we are in that mix.

No preview Friday, but a few notes next Monday on any changes made and the games of the aforementioned teams.