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!