From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL - The Big Blue Purge Has Begun. Salary Cap Forces General Manager's Hand.
Call this Blue Wednesday. Giants general manager Jerry Reese acted swiftly and decisively. The rebuilding of the Giants has commenced...again. Jerry Reese spent a second consecutive day pairing down the salary cap by releasing team veterans.
On Tuesday, the Giants parted ways with linebacker Michael Boley. For at least two seasons now, the Giants linebacking corp has needed considerable upgrades. But I believe no one ever speculated the Giants should start by cutting Michael Boley, who has arguably been their best linbeacker. If Jerry Reese believes this is a good move, that's all I need. In truth, Michael Boley provided little impact in his four seasons with the G-Men. The club will saving $4.25 million dollars by releasing Boley.
Then today, Chris Canty and enormously popular Ahmad Bradshaw were given their releases as well. Bradshaw has been increasingly hobbled in recent years by numerous ankle and foot injuries. However, Jerry Reese found his upcoming 2013 $3.7 million dollar salary even more prohibitive. It is still possible Ahmad could be asked back, but only at a reduced rate. If you remember, the Giants asked Brandon Jacobs to re-work his deal in order for them to re-sign Bradshaw to a free agent deal two seasons ago. The free agent contract Chris Canty signed four years ago also became a drain on the Giants. The club will save $6.5 million dollars by releasing him. Although hobbled by injuries of his own, Chris Canty is going to be a hard body to replace. In both stopping the run, and keeping younger team mates accountable, his presence will be missed.
Combined, the three moves shave roughly $13 million dollars off next season's projected salary cap.
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Michael Boley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Boley. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
N.Y. Giants Wrap-Up: The Defense
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL ~ The Defense That Wasn't.
No Super Bowl title defense for you... So what happened? For me, the failures were equally on both offense and defense. I am also inclined to agree with the coaching staff's general consensus that there was a tremendous lack of execution this past season. After Hurricane Sandy, I didn't get to watch many games on TV. In hindsight, perhaps that was best. But I certainly didn't like what I heard on radio.
I will start this post season assessment with the Defense, and coordinator Perry Fewell. His victory parade is over. It's time for him to get back to the drawing board. I'll let him slide for throwing his players under the bus at season's end regarding their overall performance. But next season, his defense must yield far better results. There is much change that needs to emanate from the top, meaning from Mr. Fewell. He doesn't exactly fit the mold of Giants offensive coordinators and their strategies of the past. Bill Belichick, John Fox, Steve Spagnuolo - they were very good coordinators here. Perry Fewell's Read and React schemes however drive me batty. His defenses are not terribly aggressive. But that's as far as I'll criticize Perry Fewell. Many other factors contributed to an overall poor defensive effort. As a unit, the Giants Defense couldn't stop the run. They couldn't stop the pass. And they couldn't stop themselves from looking downright amateurish at times.
At Cornerback, year one in the post-Aaron Ross era was a disaster. For starters, the secondary was ravaged by injuries for a second consecutive season. On that note, for the second consecutive season Terrell Thomas was lost for the year. Michael Coe was lost for the season as well. Prince Amukamara is still yet to play like a #1 draft pick but showed improvement. And Coery Webster had perhaps the worst season of his career. Rookie Jayron Hosely had his moments. But he is too short for the position I believe, and is easily picked on.
At Safety, I feel yet another injury to Kenny Phillips was also a huge blow to the defense. He was turning into an impact safety until sidelined....again. On the bright side however, Antrel Rolle had a stellar season. Will Hill and the amazin' Stevie Brown filled in tremendously.
Next, there are two ways I would describe the Giants situation at Linebacker - average and without impact. Chase Blackburn, we hardly knew ya. Where would the Giants have been without him? Because truth be told, Michael Boley, Keith Rivers, Jacquian Williams, Mark Herzlich, and Spencer Paysinger put forth rather inconsequential seasons.
Up front, it's like the Defensive Line kept bumping into each other in the fun house. No one ever adequately explained what happened to the Giants pass rush last season. Osi was his own worst enemy, constantly playing his way out of a sack or tackle. The league made adjustments against JPP. He will now be taking lessons from Michael Strahan on how to deal with getting double-teamed. That's not a bad idea. But Justin Tuck remains a bit mystifying. I was satisfied with Chris Canty when he managed to stay on the field. He only played nine games.
Staying on the field - what a task. With regard to injuries, the Giants have questions that need answers. How long should the Giants stick it out with Terrell Thomas before cutting the cord? As mentioned, he has missed the last two seasons with the same injury. Kenny Phillips can be viewed similarly. We also need to consider Chris Canty missed almost half the season. And Keith Rivers, dealing with his fair share of injuries, also has not fulfilled his potential here.
On the free agent front, GM Jerry Reese has his hands full. Osi's situation is well known to us by now. He has most likely played his last game as a New York Giant. Kenny Phillips is also an unrestricted free agent. I do not want to see him leave. But since he first hit the field as a rookie, he's had troubles staying on it. When Chris Canty went down with an injury, Rocky Bernard teamed up with Linval Joseph and plugged the Tackle position well. Rocky Bernard is also now an unrestricted free agent. Some very fine play at linebacker just might have earned Chase Blackburn a handsome little raise for him and his family. It just won't be with the G-Men. I can't see them paying-up for Chase. The Giants cap situation is too restrictive for that.
What now? If I had my druthers, I'd have Jerry Reese address the linebacker situation. The Giants need more impact from that position. While Boley is still a fine player, and Rivers is worth a further look, the rest of the corps perhaps needs fresh meat. Unfortunately, I do not believe there is any money in the budget to spend quality dollars here. If Osi has indeed played his last game as a Giant, then Mathias Kiwanuka seems certain of returning to the defensive line.
In spite of the injury to Kenny Phillips, I'm hoping he can be re-signed to an extension. In his absence however, Stevie Brown was able to show what he's capable of. And it was good. With Antrel Rolle, the Giants are looking pretty good at Safety. It is the Cornerback situation they need to fix. Jerry Reese faces a quandary as to how, be it holding out hope for a healthier Thomas, revamping the position, or throwing money at it. And we know the latter suggestion is simply not the Giants way. That said, Jerry Reese also has a very hard decision to make regarding Corey Webster as well. After two very sub par seasons, Webster comes with a mighty hefty price tag next season. He could very well get cut.
On the defensive line, my concern is at Tackle. The Giants might be forced to take a closer look here. While Chris Canty has an ally in me, the position has not been right since Barry Cofield left. Linval Joseph played okay. No major gripes. But overall, the Giants ability to stop the run must improve. Improvements to the linebacker and tackle positions would be my way to go about that. As far as stopping the pass, give me less Jayron Hosely and give me more size at the corners.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL ~ The Defense That Wasn't.
No Super Bowl title defense for you... So what happened? For me, the failures were equally on both offense and defense. I am also inclined to agree with the coaching staff's general consensus that there was a tremendous lack of execution this past season. After Hurricane Sandy, I didn't get to watch many games on TV. In hindsight, perhaps that was best. But I certainly didn't like what I heard on radio.
I will start this post season assessment with the Defense, and coordinator Perry Fewell. His victory parade is over. It's time for him to get back to the drawing board. I'll let him slide for throwing his players under the bus at season's end regarding their overall performance. But next season, his defense must yield far better results. There is much change that needs to emanate from the top, meaning from Mr. Fewell. He doesn't exactly fit the mold of Giants offensive coordinators and their strategies of the past. Bill Belichick, John Fox, Steve Spagnuolo - they were very good coordinators here. Perry Fewell's Read and React schemes however drive me batty. His defenses are not terribly aggressive. But that's as far as I'll criticize Perry Fewell. Many other factors contributed to an overall poor defensive effort. As a unit, the Giants Defense couldn't stop the run. They couldn't stop the pass. And they couldn't stop themselves from looking downright amateurish at times.
At Cornerback, year one in the post-Aaron Ross era was a disaster. For starters, the secondary was ravaged by injuries for a second consecutive season. On that note, for the second consecutive season Terrell Thomas was lost for the year. Michael Coe was lost for the season as well. Prince Amukamara is still yet to play like a #1 draft pick but showed improvement. And Coery Webster had perhaps the worst season of his career. Rookie Jayron Hosely had his moments. But he is too short for the position I believe, and is easily picked on.
At Safety, I feel yet another injury to Kenny Phillips was also a huge blow to the defense. He was turning into an impact safety until sidelined....again. On the bright side however, Antrel Rolle had a stellar season. Will Hill and the amazin' Stevie Brown filled in tremendously.
Next, there are two ways I would describe the Giants situation at Linebacker - average and without impact. Chase Blackburn, we hardly knew ya. Where would the Giants have been without him? Because truth be told, Michael Boley, Keith Rivers, Jacquian Williams, Mark Herzlich, and Spencer Paysinger put forth rather inconsequential seasons.
Up front, it's like the Defensive Line kept bumping into each other in the fun house. No one ever adequately explained what happened to the Giants pass rush last season. Osi was his own worst enemy, constantly playing his way out of a sack or tackle. The league made adjustments against JPP. He will now be taking lessons from Michael Strahan on how to deal with getting double-teamed. That's not a bad idea. But Justin Tuck remains a bit mystifying. I was satisfied with Chris Canty when he managed to stay on the field. He only played nine games.
Staying on the field - what a task. With regard to injuries, the Giants have questions that need answers. How long should the Giants stick it out with Terrell Thomas before cutting the cord? As mentioned, he has missed the last two seasons with the same injury. Kenny Phillips can be viewed similarly. We also need to consider Chris Canty missed almost half the season. And Keith Rivers, dealing with his fair share of injuries, also has not fulfilled his potential here.
On the free agent front, GM Jerry Reese has his hands full. Osi's situation is well known to us by now. He has most likely played his last game as a New York Giant. Kenny Phillips is also an unrestricted free agent. I do not want to see him leave. But since he first hit the field as a rookie, he's had troubles staying on it. When Chris Canty went down with an injury, Rocky Bernard teamed up with Linval Joseph and plugged the Tackle position well. Rocky Bernard is also now an unrestricted free agent. Some very fine play at linebacker just might have earned Chase Blackburn a handsome little raise for him and his family. It just won't be with the G-Men. I can't see them paying-up for Chase. The Giants cap situation is too restrictive for that.
What now? If I had my druthers, I'd have Jerry Reese address the linebacker situation. The Giants need more impact from that position. While Boley is still a fine player, and Rivers is worth a further look, the rest of the corps perhaps needs fresh meat. Unfortunately, I do not believe there is any money in the budget to spend quality dollars here. If Osi has indeed played his last game as a Giant, then Mathias Kiwanuka seems certain of returning to the defensive line.
In spite of the injury to Kenny Phillips, I'm hoping he can be re-signed to an extension. In his absence however, Stevie Brown was able to show what he's capable of. And it was good. With Antrel Rolle, the Giants are looking pretty good at Safety. It is the Cornerback situation they need to fix. Jerry Reese faces a quandary as to how, be it holding out hope for a healthier Thomas, revamping the position, or throwing money at it. And we know the latter suggestion is simply not the Giants way. That said, Jerry Reese also has a very hard decision to make regarding Corey Webster as well. After two very sub par seasons, Webster comes with a mighty hefty price tag next season. He could very well get cut.
On the defensive line, my concern is at Tackle. The Giants might be forced to take a closer look here. While Chris Canty has an ally in me, the position has not been right since Barry Cofield left. Linval Joseph played okay. No major gripes. But overall, the Giants ability to stop the run must improve. Improvements to the linebacker and tackle positions would be my way to go about that. As far as stopping the pass, give me less Jayron Hosely and give me more size at the corners.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, November 08, 2012
New York Giants: Big Blue Begging For Trouble
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
I didn't get to watch last week's game against the Steelers. I had to settle for listening on the radio instead. Never the less, I didn't like what I heard. As it relates to the Giants, the sack attack and turnovers can only get you so far. When you can't stop the run, and your team itself can not run the ball, you're begging for trouble.
Take away Michael Boley's fumble recovery touchdown, and the Giants offense only scored thirteen points. Eli had one of his worst days of the season. All he could muster was 125 yards in the air. Beyond last Sunday, yes, Eli is in the middle of a bad stretch. But what are we going to do, lobby for Eli to be benched? Right, so why bother dwelling on the quarterback.
Ahmad Bradshaw and the running game got stopped cold. The Giants were limited to sixty eight yards on the ground. Last week's game against the Cowboys went similarly. In fact, the last three weeks, statistically speaking, have a lot in common. The Giants are getting outplayed. Last Sunday it finally caught up to them.
And just for kicks....The Giants did not have a single punt return all game. What does that say about the defensive effort?
I'm going to stick to the bright side. What was most important was that the Giants took care of the Skins and the Cowboys previous to playing Pittsburgh to resettle their division record. The fact the Steelers are out of conference and the other NFC East teams lost Sunday works out just fine.
* With time, hopefully I can follow up on this, and start talking about the Bengals.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:
Poor Play Catches Up To G-Men
I didn't get to watch last week's game against the Steelers. I had to settle for listening on the radio instead. Never the less, I didn't like what I heard. As it relates to the Giants, the sack attack and turnovers can only get you so far. When you can't stop the run, and your team itself can not run the ball, you're begging for trouble.
Take away Michael Boley's fumble recovery touchdown, and the Giants offense only scored thirteen points. Eli had one of his worst days of the season. All he could muster was 125 yards in the air. Beyond last Sunday, yes, Eli is in the middle of a bad stretch. But what are we going to do, lobby for Eli to be benched? Right, so why bother dwelling on the quarterback.
Ahmad Bradshaw and the running game got stopped cold. The Giants were limited to sixty eight yards on the ground. Last week's game against the Cowboys went similarly. In fact, the last three weeks, statistically speaking, have a lot in common. The Giants are getting outplayed. Last Sunday it finally caught up to them.
And just for kicks....The Giants did not have a single punt return all game. What does that say about the defensive effort?
I'm going to stick to the bright side. What was most important was that the Giants took care of the Skins and the Cowboys previous to playing Pittsburgh to resettle their division record. The fact the Steelers are out of conference and the other NFC East teams lost Sunday works out just fine.
* With time, hopefully I can follow up on this, and start talking about the Bengals.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, October 07, 2012
New York Giants: Big Blue M*A*S*H Unit
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: As The Injuries Keep Mounting, Beware The Browns.
The Giants injury list is as long as lines around Foot Locker for Jordan re-issues - which is to say, ridiculous. In order of which injury I believe are most crucial to Giants success to the least worrisome injury, I cite the status of Michael Boley, Kenny Phillips, Rocky Bernard, Jayron Hoseley, Keith Rivers, Chris Snee, Hakeem Nicks, David Diehl, Ramses Barden, and David Bass as the most troublesome.
If last season taught us anything, is that without Michael Boley, everything breaks down. He is the unsung glue which keeps the defense together and functioning as one.
Kenny Phillips was off to his best start. He is one of the team's best tacklers. Most importantly, the Giants simply can not sustain any more injuries to the secondary. Ditto goes for Jayron Hosely. Corey Webster might as well be hurt; which he is, sporting a cast on his hand. His season has been terrible thus far.
Losing Rocky Bernard would be huge. The Giants are already minus Chris Canty at defensive tackle. Philly killed the Giants primarily on cut-backs. Otherwise, Rocky Bernard and Linval Joseph have been pretty solid plugging up the middle.
Keith Rivers concerns me because I'm starting to question if this guy will ever stay on the field.
In place of Chris Snee and David Diehl, Mitch Petrus now gets an opportunity to show last season was no fluke. He provided the O-Line with a spark last season. Let's see if he can do that again. Sean Locklear hasn't become a problem. So I guess that is a good thing.
Hakeem Nicks we knew about. Now, third string Ramses Barden is out as well.
This much is certain. No one feels sorry for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: As The Injuries Keep Mounting, Beware The Browns.
The Giants injury list is as long as lines around Foot Locker for Jordan re-issues - which is to say, ridiculous. In order of which injury I believe are most crucial to Giants success to the least worrisome injury, I cite the status of Michael Boley, Kenny Phillips, Rocky Bernard, Jayron Hoseley, Keith Rivers, Chris Snee, Hakeem Nicks, David Diehl, Ramses Barden, and David Bass as the most troublesome.
If last season taught us anything, is that without Michael Boley, everything breaks down. He is the unsung glue which keeps the defense together and functioning as one.
Kenny Phillips was off to his best start. He is one of the team's best tacklers. Most importantly, the Giants simply can not sustain any more injuries to the secondary. Ditto goes for Jayron Hosely. Corey Webster might as well be hurt; which he is, sporting a cast on his hand. His season has been terrible thus far.
Losing Rocky Bernard would be huge. The Giants are already minus Chris Canty at defensive tackle. Philly killed the Giants primarily on cut-backs. Otherwise, Rocky Bernard and Linval Joseph have been pretty solid plugging up the middle.
Keith Rivers concerns me because I'm starting to question if this guy will ever stay on the field.
In place of Chris Snee and David Diehl, Mitch Petrus now gets an opportunity to show last season was no fluke. He provided the O-Line with a spark last season. Let's see if he can do that again. Sean Locklear hasn't become a problem. So I guess that is a good thing.
Hakeem Nicks we knew about. Now, third string Ramses Barden is out as well.
This much is certain. No one feels sorry for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, September 30, 2012
New York Giants: Philly Showdown - I
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Might As Well Play This Game In A School Yard. Let's Get It On!
Uh.., yeah! Remember us? And why would you? The schedule makers won't let us play at the same time everyone else does. While we're at it, why even bother playing this game on a football field? It's Philly - might as well play this game in a school yard.
Despite all the popular talk lately, I for one do not like relying on turnovers to win games. I don't care how many times Philly has turned over the ball this season. No - instead of sniffing around for turnovers, Philly/Giants games are usually more a matter of brute force, ignorance, seeing who can deliver a bigger hit, who can withstand more pain, AND the obligatory freak occurrence. It doesn't fall short on any Giants fan to know the damnedest things happen when these teams play each other. So why plan? But I'll take the turnovers when I can get them.
Last week's win over the Panthers was nice and flashy and all.., but lets get back to basics, shall we? It is time to play football in the trenches again. Here's why I think the Giants will win Sunday evening. Big Blue's defensive line is healthy, and the Eagles offensive line is not. Michael Vick is one or two big shots away from missing time this season. Who better to get after him than the Giants? Four games into the season...it is time they do.
The Giants have had trouble when plays bounce outside. Otherwise, the Giants have stayed resilient up the middle. Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard stabilized Tackle in Chris Canty's absence. Michael Boley and Jacquian Williams continue to play well together. If Keith Rivers can ever rejoin Mathias Kiwanuka, Boley, and Williams, what a fine linebacker unit this could be; and depth with Chase Blackburn to spare. At Safety, Antrell Rolle and Kenny Phillips have been solid. Rolle's knee should be fine. And Kenny Phillips is slowly putting together the type of season we've been waiting for. So if the defense can collectively can keep Michael Vick in the middle of the field, that would create ideal conditions for the pass rushers. That in turn minimizes the exposure of the Corners. It's all relative.
The key here is Michael Boley. As the team's corner backs disintegrate behind him, Boley's responsibility of directing traffic and setting the defense increase exponentially. At Corner, Corey Webster's hand is in a cast, and Jayron Hosely is out. Webster will still play, but then again, he's been getting burnt like toast in two of three games. Prince Amukamara and Michael Coe are still trying to get off the carpet as well.
So it falls back on Michael Boley and his unit to ensure the front seven pose major problems for Michael Vick. If the G-Men keep Vick contained inside the numbers, and make him wait for something to open up down field, the pass rush will come. If the Eagles O-Line is as banged up as advertised, the G-Men should be upon Vick quickly.
Why is this game going to come down to a field goal? The Eagles are going to defend the run a lot better than the Panthers did. Be sure of that. So look for a one week down tick in Andre Brown's performance. Ahmad Bradshaw will play. He has always bounced back well. We'll see how he bounces back this game.
As well as the Giants reconfigured Offensive Line has played these last two games, Philly's defensive front line is no joke. For Sean Locklear, this is like getting thrown into the fire. He's in, and David Diehl is out. Some will even argue the O-Line has played better in Diehl's absence. To that I say show me against the Eagles. Odds are Eli gets to talk with some of Philly's defensive players up close this Sunday evening. If recent history repeats itself, Eli might even throw an INT. He'll be going it without Hakeem Nicks. But Eli, and the rest of the available receivers should do just enough to squeeze out a close win in Philly.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Might As Well Play This Game In A School Yard. Let's Get It On!
Uh.., yeah! Remember us? And why would you? The schedule makers won't let us play at the same time everyone else does. While we're at it, why even bother playing this game on a football field? It's Philly - might as well play this game in a school yard.
Despite all the popular talk lately, I for one do not like relying on turnovers to win games. I don't care how many times Philly has turned over the ball this season. No - instead of sniffing around for turnovers, Philly/Giants games are usually more a matter of brute force, ignorance, seeing who can deliver a bigger hit, who can withstand more pain, AND the obligatory freak occurrence. It doesn't fall short on any Giants fan to know the damnedest things happen when these teams play each other. So why plan? But I'll take the turnovers when I can get them.
Last week's win over the Panthers was nice and flashy and all.., but lets get back to basics, shall we? It is time to play football in the trenches again. Here's why I think the Giants will win Sunday evening. Big Blue's defensive line is healthy, and the Eagles offensive line is not. Michael Vick is one or two big shots away from missing time this season. Who better to get after him than the Giants? Four games into the season...it is time they do.
The Giants have had trouble when plays bounce outside. Otherwise, the Giants have stayed resilient up the middle. Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard stabilized Tackle in Chris Canty's absence. Michael Boley and Jacquian Williams continue to play well together. If Keith Rivers can ever rejoin Mathias Kiwanuka, Boley, and Williams, what a fine linebacker unit this could be; and depth with Chase Blackburn to spare. At Safety, Antrell Rolle and Kenny Phillips have been solid. Rolle's knee should be fine. And Kenny Phillips is slowly putting together the type of season we've been waiting for. So if the defense can collectively can keep Michael Vick in the middle of the field, that would create ideal conditions for the pass rushers. That in turn minimizes the exposure of the Corners. It's all relative.
The key here is Michael Boley. As the team's corner backs disintegrate behind him, Boley's responsibility of directing traffic and setting the defense increase exponentially. At Corner, Corey Webster's hand is in a cast, and Jayron Hosely is out. Webster will still play, but then again, he's been getting burnt like toast in two of three games. Prince Amukamara and Michael Coe are still trying to get off the carpet as well.
So it falls back on Michael Boley and his unit to ensure the front seven pose major problems for Michael Vick. If the G-Men keep Vick contained inside the numbers, and make him wait for something to open up down field, the pass rush will come. If the Eagles O-Line is as banged up as advertised, the G-Men should be upon Vick quickly.
Why is this game going to come down to a field goal? The Eagles are going to defend the run a lot better than the Panthers did. Be sure of that. So look for a one week down tick in Andre Brown's performance. Ahmad Bradshaw will play. He has always bounced back well. We'll see how he bounces back this game.
As well as the Giants reconfigured Offensive Line has played these last two games, Philly's defensive front line is no joke. For Sean Locklear, this is like getting thrown into the fire. He's in, and David Diehl is out. Some will even argue the O-Line has played better in Diehl's absence. To that I say show me against the Eagles. Odds are Eli gets to talk with some of Philly's defensive players up close this Sunday evening. If recent history repeats itself, Eli might even throw an INT. He'll be going it without Hakeem Nicks. But Eli, and the rest of the available receivers should do just enough to squeeze out a close win in Philly.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, September 06, 2012
New York Giants: Game One - Tony Romo Hogties Big Blue Secondary
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: Cowboys Strike Texas Tea in East Rutherford.
The Giants left us with much to be desired out of Wednesday's effort. In defense of their title, they decided to make their season interesting right out of the runway. I'm not going to get too bent out of shape though. I always felt Game One is a coin flip anyway. But if you want a list of topical items to ponder, start with the Secondary.
The real question is, who didn't think they were going to get lit up? We suspected it, and it happened. The place smelt like burnt toast after Tony Romo got done with the Giants Secondary. Corey Webster looked especially crispy In a word, the Secondary was, terrible. We've been here before. However I do not believe this badly. The ramifications of Aaron Ross' departure are being felt right away. Michael Coe wound up leaving the game with a leg issue which means the Giants are now three down at right conerback. Additionally, Tom Coughlin didn't look too pleased with rookie Jayron Hosely. Antrel Rolle was solid however, making nine solo tackles.
No sacks for Justin Tuck, Osi, or JPP last night. On the heals of me saying the Giants were hurting at defensive tackle, Rocky Bernard and Linval Joseph provided the Giants with their only two sacks of the game. Otherwise, outside of a near pick-six interception by Michael Boley, Tony Romo shake and baked his way out of the pocket, and buttered us.
Here's another question. How long before David Wilson sees meaningful time again? We know he'll eventually have to rejoin the mix. But how long will Coach teach his rookie back a lesson? Fumbling the ball on the Dallas twenty-seven yard line, on only your second rush in your first game in the NFL, is no way to start a career son. Coach Coughlin doesn't take too well to fumbles in the first place. After coughing up the rock, no more rushes for him. In light of the Giants cutting D.J. Ware, does Coach give Wilson a fresh start next game? Or, does Coach Couglin continue teaching the rookie an early, hard, and valuable lesson that will no doubt benefit his career moving forward? In the past, Tiki Barber and Ahmad Bradshaw both suffered Coach Coughlin's wrath over fumbling. It would behoove the rookie to not become the next.
Benching Wilson Wednesday night was nothing. That happens to the best of them. It is just unfortunate when it happens to rookies; otherwise no different. In Coach's eyes, it is how David Wilson responds faced with adversity so soon into his NFL career. Fumbling the ball can be corrected. Coach will now be testing his character, not his ability. Jerry Reese is on the hook for that part.
Penalty flags, and non-calls played an interesting part of this game. The replacement Refs were curious at best. A preponderance of yellow flags were thrown against Dallas. After giving the Giants practically a whole field worth of penalty yardage, Big Blue couldn't take advantage. The stripes also negated a touchdown pass to Victor Cruz with a non-call on clear interference. Such as life. Dropped passes by Martellus Bennett and Victor Cruz caused more damage than the Refs did.
How about that Jason Witten playing last night with a compromised spleen?! Stupid - but what isn't there to admire about that? His presence alone helped Tony Romo destroy the Secondary.
Mike.BTB
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FINAL:
Cowboys 24
GIANTS 17
NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: Cowboys Strike Texas Tea in East Rutherford.
The Giants left us with much to be desired out of Wednesday's effort. In defense of their title, they decided to make their season interesting right out of the runway. I'm not going to get too bent out of shape though. I always felt Game One is a coin flip anyway. But if you want a list of topical items to ponder, start with the Secondary.
The real question is, who didn't think they were going to get lit up? We suspected it, and it happened. The place smelt like burnt toast after Tony Romo got done with the Giants Secondary. Corey Webster looked especially crispy In a word, the Secondary was, terrible. We've been here before. However I do not believe this badly. The ramifications of Aaron Ross' departure are being felt right away. Michael Coe wound up leaving the game with a leg issue which means the Giants are now three down at right conerback. Additionally, Tom Coughlin didn't look too pleased with rookie Jayron Hosely. Antrel Rolle was solid however, making nine solo tackles.
No sacks for Justin Tuck, Osi, or JPP last night. On the heals of me saying the Giants were hurting at defensive tackle, Rocky Bernard and Linval Joseph provided the Giants with their only two sacks of the game. Otherwise, outside of a near pick-six interception by Michael Boley, Tony Romo shake and baked his way out of the pocket, and buttered us.
Here's another question. How long before David Wilson sees meaningful time again? We know he'll eventually have to rejoin the mix. But how long will Coach teach his rookie back a lesson? Fumbling the ball on the Dallas twenty-seven yard line, on only your second rush in your first game in the NFL, is no way to start a career son. Coach Coughlin doesn't take too well to fumbles in the first place. After coughing up the rock, no more rushes for him. In light of the Giants cutting D.J. Ware, does Coach give Wilson a fresh start next game? Or, does Coach Couglin continue teaching the rookie an early, hard, and valuable lesson that will no doubt benefit his career moving forward? In the past, Tiki Barber and Ahmad Bradshaw both suffered Coach Coughlin's wrath over fumbling. It would behoove the rookie to not become the next.
Benching Wilson Wednesday night was nothing. That happens to the best of them. It is just unfortunate when it happens to rookies; otherwise no different. In Coach's eyes, it is how David Wilson responds faced with adversity so soon into his NFL career. Fumbling the ball can be corrected. Coach will now be testing his character, not his ability. Jerry Reese is on the hook for that part.
Penalty flags, and non-calls played an interesting part of this game. The replacement Refs were curious at best. A preponderance of yellow flags were thrown against Dallas. After giving the Giants practically a whole field worth of penalty yardage, Big Blue couldn't take advantage. The stripes also negated a touchdown pass to Victor Cruz with a non-call on clear interference. Such as life. Dropped passes by Martellus Bennett and Victor Cruz caused more damage than the Refs did.
How about that Jason Witten playing last night with a compromised spleen?! Stupid - but what isn't there to admire about that? His presence alone helped Tony Romo destroy the Secondary.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
N.Y. Giants: Big Blue "D - FENCE" Preview
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
We pick up where we left off. The Secondary is in trouble. Coach Perry Fewell will have to be just a tad bit more creative this season than last. From bad to worse, Prince Amukamara has a high ankle sprain. Aaron Ross left town taking some very valuable experience and leadership with him. And Terrell Thomas is out for the season...again.
Last season, Perry Fewell switched the Secondary off, then back on again. If it seemed the Giants were routinely giving up thirty-plus points through the air, that because they were. Then word leaked out through the Air Defense Corp themselves that Coach's newly implemented zone schemes confused the hell out of them. When Coach scrubbed his idea and went back to more conventional methods, Corey Webster and Aaron Ross played shutdown football the rest of the way. Those two had a great run together. But that is now officially the past.
While Prince Amukamara heals, the Giants have a choice. Do they go with an experienced Michael Coe? Or was rookie Jeyron Hosely's pre-season good enough to warrant a few games at corner? There is always Justin Tyron. But if pressed to pick someone, I'd kindly ask Michael Coe to please stand up.
Expect teams to pick on the corners right away. That means others need to pick up the slack. Antrel Rolle never really found favor with me before. But I admit now, he proved me wrong. With the Secondary in its current state, Antrel Rolle is now invaluable. He not only played hurt last season, he demanded his team mates put their injuries aside, and get their posteriors on the field as well. That turned out to be a bigger moment in the season than we initially thought. Something about that clicked in Justin Tuck's head too, and away the Giants went. Additionally, Antrel stepped in, and covered the slot receivers of the league, while never feeling comfortable doing it. If Antrel's partner, Kenny Phillips, is going to be All Pro like some once projected him to be, this would be the season to step up and get it done. He is a fifth year player now. So with that, come higher expectations for him.
On the next defensive front, if the Giants linebackers stay healthier than last season; namely Michael Boley; the Giants should hold up much better during the meat portion of their schedule. Those are the games Boley missed last season; see the 49ers game. Right out of the box, Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim both went belly up and never contributed.
This year, I have high hopes however, for second year Jacquian Williams. I liked him a lot last season. With Michael Boley on the field mentoring him, he played very well for a rookie. And where the hell would the Giants have been without Chase Blackburn last season? But having him, also shows the G-Men are a little thin at this position. All the same, it's nice to see him back. Greg Jones and Spencer Paysinger, like J-Will, are second year players, but in my opinion, have a little more to prove. I believe Keith Rivers will surprise a lot of Giants fans, and quickly move up the depth charts if he can adapt to playing left, middle, as well as right. I think there is still an ongoing tryout for middle linebacker. It will take much on Rivers part to convince Coach Coughlin to start him over Blackburn. I wouldn't rule it out though..., just not to begin the season.
Somewhere between being a linebacker and a defensive lineman is the Hybrid; Mathias Kiwanuka. The guy is a freak isn't he? And he finally seems to have injuries under control. I want you to say this out loud - Matthias Kiwanuka - JPP - Osi Umenyiora - Justin Tuck. They are like the Four Blue Men of the Apocalypse. Chilling..., isn't it?
If anyone is going to help make the Secondary better, it's going to be these guys. Where would the Giants have been had Jason Pierre Paul not carried the defense on his back for a significant portion of the regular season? Your answer is - with the Jets. He kept things going while Osi and Tucks ailed and required time to heal. The Jets game and Dallas game wouldn't have even mattered if not for JPP. It is only appropriate then, JPP blocked Dallas' last ditch field goal attempt in last year's regular season finale. It goes without saying, as Osi and Tuck go, so go the Giants. When they are hurt, the Giants suffer greatly. Lastly, please, please - I can't allow myself to get excited about rookie Adewale Ojomo yet.
But while I'm at it, defensive tackle has suffered ever since Barry Cofield left. Chris Canty going down is a big blow. Linval Joseph is a three year guy now. And for the moment, left tackle is his to keep or lose. I'm not sure about him. Just as I believe teams will pick on our corners, I also believe teams will try to run right up the middle on us. Teams figured that out about the Giants too late last season. Once Michael Boley returned healthy to plug the gaps, that notion kind of went away. After a decade-plus of service, Rocky Bernard is also being depended upon to plug the tackle spot. I do not like the Giants depth at tackle at all. Although Marvin Austin can change my mind.
Let's wrap this up with Coach Perry Fewell. Did he prove anything last season? Do you like him now? Are we collectively over Steve Spagnuolo now? I'll say this about Perry Fewell regarding last season. He contended with a lot of injuries to his unit, and proved himself to be very adaptable. He was deceptive in his packages, but clearly not as devious as Spags was. But Perry is his own man, and overall he ran a tight ship. Bottom line, Perry was deceptive enough to win a Super Bowl. But he had veteran leadership from Tuck, Osi, Webster, and Aaron Ross to help get it done. Coach Fewell will have a greater challenge on his hands this season.
Mike.BTB
Justin Tuck Salutes The Crowd
2012 OFFENSIVE PREVIEW:
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Coach Perry Fewell Has A Greater Challenge On His Hands This Season. And Of Course, The Defense Must Stay Healthy.
We pick up where we left off. The Secondary is in trouble. Coach Perry Fewell will have to be just a tad bit more creative this season than last. From bad to worse, Prince Amukamara has a high ankle sprain. Aaron Ross left town taking some very valuable experience and leadership with him. And Terrell Thomas is out for the season...again.
Last season, Perry Fewell switched the Secondary off, then back on again. If it seemed the Giants were routinely giving up thirty-plus points through the air, that because they were. Then word leaked out through the Air Defense Corp themselves that Coach's newly implemented zone schemes confused the hell out of them. When Coach scrubbed his idea and went back to more conventional methods, Corey Webster and Aaron Ross played shutdown football the rest of the way. Those two had a great run together. But that is now officially the past.
While Prince Amukamara heals, the Giants have a choice. Do they go with an experienced Michael Coe? Or was rookie Jeyron Hosely's pre-season good enough to warrant a few games at corner? There is always Justin Tyron. But if pressed to pick someone, I'd kindly ask Michael Coe to please stand up.
Expect teams to pick on the corners right away. That means others need to pick up the slack. Antrel Rolle never really found favor with me before. But I admit now, he proved me wrong. With the Secondary in its current state, Antrel Rolle is now invaluable. He not only played hurt last season, he demanded his team mates put their injuries aside, and get their posteriors on the field as well. That turned out to be a bigger moment in the season than we initially thought. Something about that clicked in Justin Tuck's head too, and away the Giants went. Additionally, Antrel stepped in, and covered the slot receivers of the league, while never feeling comfortable doing it. If Antrel's partner, Kenny Phillips, is going to be All Pro like some once projected him to be, this would be the season to step up and get it done. He is a fifth year player now. So with that, come higher expectations for him.
On the next defensive front, if the Giants linebackers stay healthier than last season; namely Michael Boley; the Giants should hold up much better during the meat portion of their schedule. Those are the games Boley missed last season; see the 49ers game. Right out of the box, Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim both went belly up and never contributed.
This year, I have high hopes however, for second year Jacquian Williams. I liked him a lot last season. With Michael Boley on the field mentoring him, he played very well for a rookie. And where the hell would the Giants have been without Chase Blackburn last season? But having him, also shows the G-Men are a little thin at this position. All the same, it's nice to see him back. Greg Jones and Spencer Paysinger, like J-Will, are second year players, but in my opinion, have a little more to prove. I believe Keith Rivers will surprise a lot of Giants fans, and quickly move up the depth charts if he can adapt to playing left, middle, as well as right. I think there is still an ongoing tryout for middle linebacker. It will take much on Rivers part to convince Coach Coughlin to start him over Blackburn. I wouldn't rule it out though..., just not to begin the season.
Somewhere between being a linebacker and a defensive lineman is the Hybrid; Mathias Kiwanuka. The guy is a freak isn't he? And he finally seems to have injuries under control. I want you to say this out loud - Matthias Kiwanuka - JPP - Osi Umenyiora - Justin Tuck. They are like the Four Blue Men of the Apocalypse. Chilling..., isn't it?
If anyone is going to help make the Secondary better, it's going to be these guys. Where would the Giants have been had Jason Pierre Paul not carried the defense on his back for a significant portion of the regular season? Your answer is - with the Jets. He kept things going while Osi and Tucks ailed and required time to heal. The Jets game and Dallas game wouldn't have even mattered if not for JPP. It is only appropriate then, JPP blocked Dallas' last ditch field goal attempt in last year's regular season finale. It goes without saying, as Osi and Tuck go, so go the Giants. When they are hurt, the Giants suffer greatly. Lastly, please, please - I can't allow myself to get excited about rookie Adewale Ojomo yet.
But while I'm at it, defensive tackle has suffered ever since Barry Cofield left. Chris Canty going down is a big blow. Linval Joseph is a three year guy now. And for the moment, left tackle is his to keep or lose. I'm not sure about him. Just as I believe teams will pick on our corners, I also believe teams will try to run right up the middle on us. Teams figured that out about the Giants too late last season. Once Michael Boley returned healthy to plug the gaps, that notion kind of went away. After a decade-plus of service, Rocky Bernard is also being depended upon to plug the tackle spot. I do not like the Giants depth at tackle at all. Although Marvin Austin can change my mind.
Let's wrap this up with Coach Perry Fewell. Did he prove anything last season? Do you like him now? Are we collectively over Steve Spagnuolo now? I'll say this about Perry Fewell regarding last season. He contended with a lot of injuries to his unit, and proved himself to be very adaptable. He was deceptive in his packages, but clearly not as devious as Spags was. But Perry is his own man, and overall he ran a tight ship. Bottom line, Perry was deceptive enough to win a Super Bowl. But he had veteran leadership from Tuck, Osi, Webster, and Aaron Ross to help get it done. Coach Fewell will have a greater challenge on his hands this season.
Mike.BTB
Friday, March 16, 2012
N.Y. Giants ~ Big Blue Business
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: A not so exact look into the off-season and Big Blue's needs.
In my opinion, the biggest move of the Giants' off-season, by far, remains placing the Franchise tag on punter; Steve Weatherford. Go figure - a punter.? I said on numerous occasions during the season, aside from Eli Manning, Weatherford was the Giants' MVP. I said it in jest then. But it's as close to absolute truth as you're going to get. That man's right foot played an invaluable role for the Giants last season. And it's our good fortune the Jets didn't think too much of him and let him walk away when they did.
The second biggest move of the off-season? Eli Manning restructured his contract to give the Giants more cap maneuverability. Some of last season's back lash to losing Kevin Boss and Steve Smith was directed at Eli for not volunteering to restructure his deal just as Brandon Jacobs had in accepting a pay cut to facilitate Ahmad Bradshaw's resigning. Eli answered those critics this past season with another Super Bowl MVP award, and has now reworked his deal. So I ask you, - What more can he do?
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Super Bowl XLVI left the Giants with a huge hole at Tight End. Thursday, they apparently signed their man. It won't be Kevin Boss returning after being cut by Oakland. It won't be Jeremy Shockey who seems to be begging for a Giant handout. And not incidentally, he is making a fool of himself in the process, as he tried kicking-up some dirt on Amani Toomer Thursday on Twitter. It should be noted however, that Shockey's comments came in reaction to initial statements made by Toomer.
Drama aside, the Giants instead found their man hidden behind Jason Witten in Dallas. After four years as the Cowboy's back-up tight end, Martellus Bennett, will get his shot at starting with Big Blue next season. He and GM Jerry Reese agreed on a one year deal. The only thing I know about him is he's big; he's agile; and can catch. That sounds good to me. If he can run block, even better. And if Jerry Reese likes him, I like him too. Welcome to the Family!
Mario Manningham is no closer to signing with another team today than he was yesterday. I think the League recognizes him for what he is; a very dependable third, or maybe even second-tier receiver. The premium isn't too steep for those. Perhaps his price range can fall into the Giants' lap unlike the Kevin Boss situation last season. It would certainly be nice to have him back in the fold. But I can understand if Jerry Reese doesn't meet his price. The truth is, he's actually expendable as the Giants have created depth at the position since Plaxico Burress' departure.
The Giants also now need someone in the backfield to replace Brandon Jacobs and more importantly, give Ahmad Bradshaw's feet an occasional rest. Brandon Jacobs was cut by the team. They could not agree on a new reduced rate deal.
As goes the Giants' Offensive Line, so goes the running game. Last season, Jerry Reese started it's reconstruction. Center Shaun O'Hara and Guard, Rich Seubert, were both released prior to the season. That leaves David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, and Chris Snee, remaining from the Giants' former record setting front five. I think Kareem McKenzie had one on his best seasons as a pro. And together with Chris Snee, the right side of the Line provided the Giants' running game with the most daylight. David Diehl was to moved to Left Tackle again. He was dependable enough for albeit short yet consistent yardage on the right side. And as always, his pass protection was dependable. But the three Linemen are getting up in age, and will soon be meeting the same fates of their former team mates.
The question is, how much attention will Jerry Reese pay to the Line this off-season? In addition to eventually having to move on from Diehl, Snee, and McKenzie, and without knowing for sure if he will return, I believe the Giants should take a pass on Will Beatty moving forward. He missed most all of last season with an eye injury. Kevin Boothe suits me fine at Left Guard. It's at Center where I'm concerned. David Baas turned in a season that wound up a little less than advertised. And I also think he's undersized for the position. But he was last season's big free agent pick up. And with him signed, I guess Jerry Reese will concentrate elsewhere. However, I would like Jerry Reese to re-explore acquiring more depth at Tackle-Guard for either side, or Guard-Center. Mitch Petrus supplied some surprisingly inspired Line work last season and helped open up the running game somewhat when he received playing time in David Baas' absence. But at the moment, he is all the depth we have. And then there were none....
ON BRANDON JACOBS BEING RELEASED:
I have spent much time fending off Jacobs' detractors; not because I was any great fan of his, but because I thought he was being misused. Because he absolutely abhorred the Media, I also knew he never quite knew how to deal with them. They often flustered him, or just pissed him off. Thus he was made to look bad and was vilified at times as a result.
But he was always a very good, supportive team mate, and always respected Tom Coughlin. He always had respect for this organization. And after winning his second Super Bowl with the only organization he's ever known, the man was humbled.
He gets it. And we should too. When it came to matters of Football, he was always a professional, so to speak. He took over Tiki's job without any pomp or braggadocio on his part. He just worked quietly and let Tiki Barber implode. Then for a few years, he went on to become a Destroyer of Wills. What criticisms he drew for holding out in a contract dispute, or say Helmet Gate, or some ill-spoken words directed at the fans, should have long been forgiven for giving back what he originally held out for, and helping the Giants financially in the age of non-guaranteed contracts. Forgive him for accepting his secondary role behind Bradshaw. And for doing so with not only class, but his dignity in tact, as he had nothing but encouragement for his team mate and friend, and never gave the Coach a problem about it.
Did you see him after the Super Bowl during the locker-room celebrations? Did you see him in complete appreciation of the moment standing along side John Mara and his Mom? Brandon Jacobs knows what it means to be a Giant. He's relatively undeserving of the impression of him the Media has led many to adopt.
Instead, in saying goodbye, say thank you for chipping helmets, and for helping us win two Super Bowls. Think and say, thank you, and we appreciate you for being the N.Y. Football Giants' All Time Rushing Touchdowns Leader. Give him that, and let him run off to daylight with it. Don't let him leave off on bad terms like Tiki did. Remember him as the 2-time champ, and the BULLY!, that he was. I defy a fellow Giant Fan to tell me he or she didn't appreciate how Brandon Jacobs responded to the Dallas Cowboys. And tell me you weren't filled with a sense of vindication and satisfaction when he told Rex Ryan where he could go, or what he could do with his Big Green self.
In any event, his time is over now. And for GM Jerry Reese, it was the right thing to do.
DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Cornerback Terrell Thomas, sorely missing from action last season, was also re-signed by GM Jerry Reese. I just hope he can finally stay on the field this time. Aaron Ross still remains unsigned at Corner. And as Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have indeed been playing together for some time now, Jerry Reese may need even more of an overhaul of the Secondary than initially meets the eye. Injuries have hampered this unit extensively; not to mention stunting the overhaul Reese initiated, or thought he initiated, most recently with Amakumara. Depending on the Aaron Ross outcome, this unit should still be able to put together one more solid season as is. They deserve their fair share of credit for some of the complete break-downs in coverage last season. But Coach Fewell deserved a chunk as well. Once they ditched zone, things ironed out. They always tackled well and coverage vastly improved as the weeks went by.
The Giants Safeties are a different matter. Free agents have served to plug these holes in recent years. And I guess I should be giving Antrel Rolle more credit than I have. But the Giants clearly need reinforcements here, and are officially in need of at least one replacement. My hope is Kenny Phillips comes back to have a stronger 2012-2013 season than this last campaign. Overall, they played well enough against the run, and were sure tacklers. But they lost too many receivers lined up in the slot.
Other areas the Giants need addressed, either during the free agency period, or in the coming Draft, are Linebacker; Linebacker; and Linebacker. Linebacker has been an issue for two; near three; solid seasons now. Michael Boley ended the season superbly. But the differences in the Defense with and without him in the game and healthy, were like night and day. Jacquian Williams had himself a fine rookie season. And Mathias Kiwanuka remains The Hybrid. But injuries depleted the Giants of any depth heading into the season and were forced to be overly reliant on their rookies. The Giants were behind the 8-ball from go, as Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim were both lost to season ending injuries before ever getting started.
I trust Jerry Reese will handle all these matters, and those regarding the salary cap, while still resigning some more of our own key players, smartly.
Let's Go Giants!
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: A not so exact look into the off-season and Big Blue's needs.
In my opinion, the biggest move of the Giants' off-season, by far, remains placing the Franchise tag on punter; Steve Weatherford. Go figure - a punter.? I said on numerous occasions during the season, aside from Eli Manning, Weatherford was the Giants' MVP. I said it in jest then. But it's as close to absolute truth as you're going to get. That man's right foot played an invaluable role for the Giants last season. And it's our good fortune the Jets didn't think too much of him and let him walk away when they did.
The second biggest move of the off-season? Eli Manning restructured his contract to give the Giants more cap maneuverability. Some of last season's back lash to losing Kevin Boss and Steve Smith was directed at Eli for not volunteering to restructure his deal just as Brandon Jacobs had in accepting a pay cut to facilitate Ahmad Bradshaw's resigning. Eli answered those critics this past season with another Super Bowl MVP award, and has now reworked his deal. So I ask you, - What more can he do?
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Super Bowl XLVI left the Giants with a huge hole at Tight End. Thursday, they apparently signed their man. It won't be Kevin Boss returning after being cut by Oakland. It won't be Jeremy Shockey who seems to be begging for a Giant handout. And not incidentally, he is making a fool of himself in the process, as he tried kicking-up some dirt on Amani Toomer Thursday on Twitter. It should be noted however, that Shockey's comments came in reaction to initial statements made by Toomer.
Drama aside, the Giants instead found their man hidden behind Jason Witten in Dallas. After four years as the Cowboy's back-up tight end, Martellus Bennett, will get his shot at starting with Big Blue next season. He and GM Jerry Reese agreed on a one year deal. The only thing I know about him is he's big; he's agile; and can catch. That sounds good to me. If he can run block, even better. And if Jerry Reese likes him, I like him too. Welcome to the Family!
Mario Manningham is no closer to signing with another team today than he was yesterday. I think the League recognizes him for what he is; a very dependable third, or maybe even second-tier receiver. The premium isn't too steep for those. Perhaps his price range can fall into the Giants' lap unlike the Kevin Boss situation last season. It would certainly be nice to have him back in the fold. But I can understand if Jerry Reese doesn't meet his price. The truth is, he's actually expendable as the Giants have created depth at the position since Plaxico Burress' departure.
The Giants also now need someone in the backfield to replace Brandon Jacobs and more importantly, give Ahmad Bradshaw's feet an occasional rest. Brandon Jacobs was cut by the team. They could not agree on a new reduced rate deal.
As goes the Giants' Offensive Line, so goes the running game. Last season, Jerry Reese started it's reconstruction. Center Shaun O'Hara and Guard, Rich Seubert, were both released prior to the season. That leaves David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, and Chris Snee, remaining from the Giants' former record setting front five. I think Kareem McKenzie had one on his best seasons as a pro. And together with Chris Snee, the right side of the Line provided the Giants' running game with the most daylight. David Diehl was to moved to Left Tackle again. He was dependable enough for albeit short yet consistent yardage on the right side. And as always, his pass protection was dependable. But the three Linemen are getting up in age, and will soon be meeting the same fates of their former team mates.
The question is, how much attention will Jerry Reese pay to the Line this off-season? In addition to eventually having to move on from Diehl, Snee, and McKenzie, and without knowing for sure if he will return, I believe the Giants should take a pass on Will Beatty moving forward. He missed most all of last season with an eye injury. Kevin Boothe suits me fine at Left Guard. It's at Center where I'm concerned. David Baas turned in a season that wound up a little less than advertised. And I also think he's undersized for the position. But he was last season's big free agent pick up. And with him signed, I guess Jerry Reese will concentrate elsewhere. However, I would like Jerry Reese to re-explore acquiring more depth at Tackle-Guard for either side, or Guard-Center. Mitch Petrus supplied some surprisingly inspired Line work last season and helped open up the running game somewhat when he received playing time in David Baas' absence. But at the moment, he is all the depth we have. And then there were none....
ON BRANDON JACOBS BEING RELEASED:
I have spent much time fending off Jacobs' detractors; not because I was any great fan of his, but because I thought he was being misused. Because he absolutely abhorred the Media, I also knew he never quite knew how to deal with them. They often flustered him, or just pissed him off. Thus he was made to look bad and was vilified at times as a result.
But he was always a very good, supportive team mate, and always respected Tom Coughlin. He always had respect for this organization. And after winning his second Super Bowl with the only organization he's ever known, the man was humbled.
He gets it. And we should too. When it came to matters of Football, he was always a professional, so to speak. He took over Tiki's job without any pomp or braggadocio on his part. He just worked quietly and let Tiki Barber implode. Then for a few years, he went on to become a Destroyer of Wills. What criticisms he drew for holding out in a contract dispute, or say Helmet Gate, or some ill-spoken words directed at the fans, should have long been forgiven for giving back what he originally held out for, and helping the Giants financially in the age of non-guaranteed contracts. Forgive him for accepting his secondary role behind Bradshaw. And for doing so with not only class, but his dignity in tact, as he had nothing but encouragement for his team mate and friend, and never gave the Coach a problem about it.
Did you see him after the Super Bowl during the locker-room celebrations? Did you see him in complete appreciation of the moment standing along side John Mara and his Mom? Brandon Jacobs knows what it means to be a Giant. He's relatively undeserving of the impression of him the Media has led many to adopt.
Instead, in saying goodbye, say thank you for chipping helmets, and for helping us win two Super Bowls. Think and say, thank you, and we appreciate you for being the N.Y. Football Giants' All Time Rushing Touchdowns Leader. Give him that, and let him run off to daylight with it. Don't let him leave off on bad terms like Tiki did. Remember him as the 2-time champ, and the BULLY!, that he was. I defy a fellow Giant Fan to tell me he or she didn't appreciate how Brandon Jacobs responded to the Dallas Cowboys. And tell me you weren't filled with a sense of vindication and satisfaction when he told Rex Ryan where he could go, or what he could do with his Big Green self.
In any event, his time is over now. And for GM Jerry Reese, it was the right thing to do.
DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING:
Cornerback Terrell Thomas, sorely missing from action last season, was also re-signed by GM Jerry Reese. I just hope he can finally stay on the field this time. Aaron Ross still remains unsigned at Corner. And as Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have indeed been playing together for some time now, Jerry Reese may need even more of an overhaul of the Secondary than initially meets the eye. Injuries have hampered this unit extensively; not to mention stunting the overhaul Reese initiated, or thought he initiated, most recently with Amakumara. Depending on the Aaron Ross outcome, this unit should still be able to put together one more solid season as is. They deserve their fair share of credit for some of the complete break-downs in coverage last season. But Coach Fewell deserved a chunk as well. Once they ditched zone, things ironed out. They always tackled well and coverage vastly improved as the weeks went by.
The Giants Safeties are a different matter. Free agents have served to plug these holes in recent years. And I guess I should be giving Antrel Rolle more credit than I have. But the Giants clearly need reinforcements here, and are officially in need of at least one replacement. My hope is Kenny Phillips comes back to have a stronger 2012-2013 season than this last campaign. Overall, they played well enough against the run, and were sure tacklers. But they lost too many receivers lined up in the slot.
Other areas the Giants need addressed, either during the free agency period, or in the coming Draft, are Linebacker; Linebacker; and Linebacker. Linebacker has been an issue for two; near three; solid seasons now. Michael Boley ended the season superbly. But the differences in the Defense with and without him in the game and healthy, were like night and day. Jacquian Williams had himself a fine rookie season. And Mathias Kiwanuka remains The Hybrid. But injuries depleted the Giants of any depth heading into the season and were forced to be overly reliant on their rookies. The Giants were behind the 8-ball from go, as Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim were both lost to season ending injuries before ever getting started.
I trust Jerry Reese will handle all these matters, and those regarding the salary cap, while still resigning some more of our own key players, smartly.
Let's Go Giants!
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
N.Y. Giants ~ Coach Fewell's New Dogs of Winter
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE - NFC Championship Game Edition
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: A Still Growing BIG BLUE Wave of Destruction Spotted Off The California Coast.
N.Y.G. 29 - N.Y.J. 14
N.Y.G. 31 - DAL 14
N.Y.G. 24 - ATL 2
N.Y.G. 37 - G.B. 20
Going back to the Jets game, the New York Giants have outscored their opponents by a combined 121-50 score. Obviously, the other way of saying that is the Giants have held their opponents to fifty points in their last four games. That averages to 12.5 points allowed per opponent. Say hello to the new "Crazed Dogs" of Winter.
The Giants have slowly and methodically regained their Defensive dominance and poise via health, cohesiveness, and adjustments made by the adaptable Defensive Coordinator; Perry Fewell. In the previous four games prior to the Jets (WSH; DAL; G.B.; N.O.) the Giants gave up (144 points) an average of thirty-six points. What started when the Saints marched over us with forty-nine points, dropped to thirty-eight points against the Packers. That number dropped to thirty-four points against Dallas. And the number dropped again to twenty-three against Washington. The Jets game followed and here we are today.
On the Defensive Front, since returning to action Osi Umenyiora has no doubt had a tremendous impact on this Defense. He had two of the Giants four sacks against Green Bay. Justin Tuck, is finally healthy again but lately has only provided flashes of his former dominating self. Perhaps that changes next week because he's close; really close. And looking ahead to Sunday, Rex Smith doesn't present the bi-pedal problems Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers do; ...or did. However what we view as a 90% Justin Tuck is still more than most of the League can handle.
Jason Pierre Paul has been getting banged up these last few games but the kid is holding up very well and remains highly effective against the run when he isn't getting sacks. With all his team mates behind him again, JPP may be a force in trying to stop Frank Gore this coming Sunday. And the emergence of Chris Canty continues. He says he's OK and Sunday will not be an issue. Good! Because his game is coming on like a hurricane. Most importantly heading into Sunday's game, this unit has all it's depth back. Dave Tollefson and Linval Joseph are turning into big blocks of granite in the middle. Even Rocky Bernard is getting a piece of the action.
Now let's eliminate any doubt about what they've been doing together. The Giants' Defensive Line battered Marc Sanchez and basically made him give up. But many naysayers said that was due to Brian Schottenheimer's play calling. The Giants similarly battered Tony Romo into submission. But the naysayers said Tony Romo wasn't able to do more with a swollen throwing hand. So, the Giants then proceeded to batter Matt Ryan and effectively made him quit also. And the Giant detractors said "Matty Ice" wasn't up to the challenge of the playoffs. Then this last Sunday in Green Bay, the Giants held the offensive juggernaut; Aaron Rodgers of the Twenty-Fourth and a Half CENTURY! - to twenty points and under three-hundred yards passing. Along the way they sacked Rodgers four times, induced an interception, forced him to fumble, and flushed him from the pocket all night long. Because of that, the Giants turned him into Green Bay's leading rusher. The naysayers still insist the Packers dropped too many passes. But how do you explain ALL of them, to include Aaron Rodgers, having a bad day together? There is no answer why Rodgers was so off his mark as well other than a recent lack of games played. So what next? Credit the Giants for sound pressure, coverage, and tackling.
Unlike the last game we played against the Packers, while Aaron Rodgers did in fact inflict damage with his legs again, he still wasn't about to take any chances this time around with a healthy Michael Boley patrolling the middle and leading the team in tackles along with another pair of resurgent Dogs..., Antrel Rolle, and Deon Grant. The three led the team and accounted for twenty-three hard hitting tackles. Michael Boley got the other two Giants sacks of Aaron Rodgers and recorded a sack against the Falcons too. Additionally, in consecutive weeks, he made Dustin Keller; Jason Witten; Tony Gonzalez; and Jermichael Finely all disappear. And if you remember his dive over the pile to stop Tony Romo, then you know he's had three dominating performances now. The Giant Linebackers once again led a group of Safeties and the Line in limiting Green Bay's backfield to seventy-six yards rushing before taking Rodgers' yardage into account. Since Michael Boley came back from a hamstring injury in the first Packers game, the Giants have effectively shut-down all attempts to run against them. And the fact that Michael Boley is getting sacks shows Coach Fewell is indeed being more aggressive with the pass rush now that he has most of his Blue henchmen back.
The Giants' Secondary has not given up the deep play that plagued them from Week One all the way through Week Fifteen. Since then, not only have there been few down field completions against them, there have been even fewer pass attempts made against them. Quarterbacks are pumping, double-pumping, and triple-pumping their way into trouble waiting for something to open up down field. And to the credit of Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Deon Grant, Antrel Rolle; and Kenny Phillips, it just hasn't happened like opposing QB's were hoping. In this latest Giant Lambeau Field conquest, it can be argued the pass rush rode the backs of the Secondary. Marc Sanchez was just an all out mess. But Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, and most recently Aaron Rodgers, all took very good and long looks down field, saw nothing, then ran for their lives.
It was recently revealed and reported in the tabloids that ever since the first Packers game, Antrel Rolle said he and the Secondary reinvested their efforts and routinely met for weekly pre-game prep pow-wows where ever they could on their own. Their efforts are paying off at the best time possible. Theoretically, the biggest threats to the Giants; Rodgers and Brees; are behind them or in Drew Brees' case, already gone. Next up is Alex Smith; the guy who led a tremendous comeback against the mighty Saints, and who beat Drew Brees at his own game. - And who incidentally beat us in a well played game by both teams back in Week Ten.
Not incidentally, Perry Fewell has long turned away from the Turtle Shell zone-coverage he devised when both Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck were injured and out of action at the same time. The new system left the Secondary admittedly in a trance because there were too many options they needed to think through. - Hence, the mass confusion we were witnessing on a near weekly basis; replete with blown assignments and receivers with nary a Giant within twenty yards of the play. Today, man-coverage and good ol' cover-two is back and working to a tee.
Lastly, many didn't care to understand why the blitz disappeared from our game plan. The health of Michael Boley, Osi Umenyiora; and Justin Tuck were at the heart of that matter. All that is behind us now. The Blitz stands poised to ride in like the cavalry just in time for the NFC Championship Game.
But that's because everything else is now working again as well. As in Perry FeWELL.
Mike.BTB
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NEW YORK GIANTS
vs.
vs.
San Francisco 49ers
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: A Still Growing BIG BLUE Wave of Destruction Spotted Off The California Coast.
Perry Fewell is in Position to Place an Indelible Stamp on
a Whole New BIG BLUE Demolition Crew.
N.Y.G. 29 - N.Y.J. 14
N.Y.G. 31 - DAL 14
N.Y.G. 24 - ATL 2
N.Y.G. 37 - G.B. 20
Going back to the Jets game, the New York Giants have outscored their opponents by a combined 121-50 score. Obviously, the other way of saying that is the Giants have held their opponents to fifty points in their last four games. That averages to 12.5 points allowed per opponent. Say hello to the new "Crazed Dogs" of Winter.
The Giants have slowly and methodically regained their Defensive dominance and poise via health, cohesiveness, and adjustments made by the adaptable Defensive Coordinator; Perry Fewell. In the previous four games prior to the Jets (WSH; DAL; G.B.; N.O.) the Giants gave up (144 points) an average of thirty-six points. What started when the Saints marched over us with forty-nine points, dropped to thirty-eight points against the Packers. That number dropped to thirty-four points against Dallas. And the number dropped again to twenty-three against Washington. The Jets game followed and here we are today.
On the Defensive Front, since returning to action Osi Umenyiora has no doubt had a tremendous impact on this Defense. He had two of the Giants four sacks against Green Bay. Justin Tuck, is finally healthy again but lately has only provided flashes of his former dominating self. Perhaps that changes next week because he's close; really close. And looking ahead to Sunday, Rex Smith doesn't present the bi-pedal problems Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers do; ...or did. However what we view as a 90% Justin Tuck is still more than most of the League can handle.
Jason Pierre Paul has been getting banged up these last few games but the kid is holding up very well and remains highly effective against the run when he isn't getting sacks. With all his team mates behind him again, JPP may be a force in trying to stop Frank Gore this coming Sunday. And the emergence of Chris Canty continues. He says he's OK and Sunday will not be an issue. Good! Because his game is coming on like a hurricane. Most importantly heading into Sunday's game, this unit has all it's depth back. Dave Tollefson and Linval Joseph are turning into big blocks of granite in the middle. Even Rocky Bernard is getting a piece of the action.
Now let's eliminate any doubt about what they've been doing together. The Giants' Defensive Line battered Marc Sanchez and basically made him give up. But many naysayers said that was due to Brian Schottenheimer's play calling. The Giants similarly battered Tony Romo into submission. But the naysayers said Tony Romo wasn't able to do more with a swollen throwing hand. So, the Giants then proceeded to batter Matt Ryan and effectively made him quit also. And the Giant detractors said "Matty Ice" wasn't up to the challenge of the playoffs. Then this last Sunday in Green Bay, the Giants held the offensive juggernaut; Aaron Rodgers of the Twenty-Fourth and a Half CENTURY! - to twenty points and under three-hundred yards passing. Along the way they sacked Rodgers four times, induced an interception, forced him to fumble, and flushed him from the pocket all night long. Because of that, the Giants turned him into Green Bay's leading rusher. The naysayers still insist the Packers dropped too many passes. But how do you explain ALL of them, to include Aaron Rodgers, having a bad day together? There is no answer why Rodgers was so off his mark as well other than a recent lack of games played. So what next? Credit the Giants for sound pressure, coverage, and tackling.
Unlike the last game we played against the Packers, while Aaron Rodgers did in fact inflict damage with his legs again, he still wasn't about to take any chances this time around with a healthy Michael Boley patrolling the middle and leading the team in tackles along with another pair of resurgent Dogs..., Antrel Rolle, and Deon Grant. The three led the team and accounted for twenty-three hard hitting tackles. Michael Boley got the other two Giants sacks of Aaron Rodgers and recorded a sack against the Falcons too. Additionally, in consecutive weeks, he made Dustin Keller; Jason Witten; Tony Gonzalez; and Jermichael Finely all disappear. And if you remember his dive over the pile to stop Tony Romo, then you know he's had three dominating performances now. The Giant Linebackers once again led a group of Safeties and the Line in limiting Green Bay's backfield to seventy-six yards rushing before taking Rodgers' yardage into account. Since Michael Boley came back from a hamstring injury in the first Packers game, the Giants have effectively shut-down all attempts to run against them. And the fact that Michael Boley is getting sacks shows Coach Fewell is indeed being more aggressive with the pass rush now that he has most of his Blue henchmen back.
The Giants' Secondary has not given up the deep play that plagued them from Week One all the way through Week Fifteen. Since then, not only have there been few down field completions against them, there have been even fewer pass attempts made against them. Quarterbacks are pumping, double-pumping, and triple-pumping their way into trouble waiting for something to open up down field. And to the credit of Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Deon Grant, Antrel Rolle; and Kenny Phillips, it just hasn't happened like opposing QB's were hoping. In this latest Giant Lambeau Field conquest, it can be argued the pass rush rode the backs of the Secondary. Marc Sanchez was just an all out mess. But Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, and most recently Aaron Rodgers, all took very good and long looks down field, saw nothing, then ran for their lives.
It was recently revealed and reported in the tabloids that ever since the first Packers game, Antrel Rolle said he and the Secondary reinvested their efforts and routinely met for weekly pre-game prep pow-wows where ever they could on their own. Their efforts are paying off at the best time possible. Theoretically, the biggest threats to the Giants; Rodgers and Brees; are behind them or in Drew Brees' case, already gone. Next up is Alex Smith; the guy who led a tremendous comeback against the mighty Saints, and who beat Drew Brees at his own game. - And who incidentally beat us in a well played game by both teams back in Week Ten.
Not incidentally, Perry Fewell has long turned away from the Turtle Shell zone-coverage he devised when both Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck were injured and out of action at the same time. The new system left the Secondary admittedly in a trance because there were too many options they needed to think through. - Hence, the mass confusion we were witnessing on a near weekly basis; replete with blown assignments and receivers with nary a Giant within twenty yards of the play. Today, man-coverage and good ol' cover-two is back and working to a tee.
Lastly, many didn't care to understand why the blitz disappeared from our game plan. The health of Michael Boley, Osi Umenyiora; and Justin Tuck were at the heart of that matter. All that is behind us now. The Blitz stands poised to ride in like the cavalry just in time for the NFC Championship Game.
But that's because everything else is now working again as well. As in Perry FeWELL.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, January 12, 2012
N.Y. Giants ~ Coach Perry Fewell's Time is Now
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: It's Coach Perry Fewell's Responsibility to Keep the Heat On the Packers in Chilly Green Bay.
The Giants are heading back to the Frozen Tundra of Green Bay for another game of the ages. But unlike the last time these teams met back in East Rutherford, the Giants are much better equipped to battle the Packers; not to mention the elements; during Sunday's upcoming arctic expedition to the Dairy State.
We last played the Packers at Giants Stadium without the services of Osi Umenyiora. Justin Tuck still wasn't feeling so well. Michael Boley was still getting his legs under him in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Chase Blackburn hadn't become the smart reinforcement yet that he is at the present time. Chris Canty and Antrel Rolle hadn't yet achieved their present levels of play either. Only recently do things seem to be coming together. And when you consider the Giants' Secondary hasn't suffered any more of those embarrassing meltdowns they endured prior to and during the Packer game, it's reasonable to say Green Bay's offense will be facing a slightly different unit than the one the Packers narrowly defeated in Week Thirteen.
The three things that stick out most about that last game are Eli's pick-six; the Packers returning the last kick-off back to mid-field setting up an easy game winning field goal; and Aaron Rodgers continually scrambling out of the pocket and exploiting acres of empty field in front of him. Every one of his rumbles were back-breakers. With several reasons to chose from as to why the Giants lost that game, I say Aaron Rodgers' legs were a huge difference in the game. That goes hand in hand with an inability to stop Green Bay on third down.
Interceptions and Special Teams can be worked on and corrected however. That last matter about Aaron scrambling isn't so easy. Last game Aaron Rodgers managed to stay a finger tip away from the Giants' (depleted) rush. He created plenty of time living outside the pocket and as a result, coverage eventually broke down. Or, he just tucked the ball and ran for big yardage.
In this season's big rematch, first and foremost, the biggest difference going into this game is the Giants are healthier. In addition to the past casualties mentioned above, Aaron Ross appears to have been cleared to play Football again after being taken out of last week's game with concussion symptoms.
The Giants now have something I've dubbed Defensive Synchronicity. The state of The G-Men and the Department of Defense heading into Sunday looks promising.
Perry Fewell has demonstrated his willingness to turn up the heat as well. With the return of key players he's been much more aggressive lately. That was far from the case last time we played Green Bay. In that game, Coach Fewell decided to rush only three men for a substantial portion of the game. Early on it had it's affect. But like I mentioned, because the three man rush never did get to Fee Range Rodgers, and because Coach Fewelll refused to blitz, the game turned out to be one continuous down field study in busted coverage.
Even though it was the Chiefs who ruined Green Bay's undefeated season, I happen to like how the Lions handled Aaron Rodgers even more, regardless that it came in a losing Thanksgiving effort. The Lions didn't let their Defensive Ends over-pursue Aaron Rodgers and risk blowing by him when he stepped-up in the pocket. Detroit instead brought pressure up the middle. The Ends maintained discipline and kept lane integrity. When Aaron Rodgers stepped up or tried scrambling, the Defensive Ends caved in on him. I caught that on ESPN by the way.
In the Giants last three games, it didn't take long before Marc Sanchez, Tony Romo, and Matt Ryan were all made to look like they quit at some point in the game. The Defensive Pressure oppressed them like 100% humidity in Costa Rica. Aaron Rogers won't be nearly as meek or as accessible to the Giants as the last three QB's were. Rodgers is a much more polished cat than that. So, they'll have their work cut out for them trying to get a hold of an elusive guy.
Amid my confidence right now, I have one major concern. The Giants have not come up with an answer for the no-huddle offense. When teams speed up the game, the Giants Defense gets bogged down. And why not; no substitutions. I would imagine the Packers are fully aware of this flaw in the Giants game. As I trust Coach Fewell is aware of it as well. While Atlanta never had a chance in last week's game, Dallas employed hurry-up tactics in the third quarter in the season finale with great success until the Giants closed that game out.
I haven't hammered Perry Fewell nearly as much as I usually pound Coach Gilbride. Somehow, especially after last game, Gilbride has somehow managed to stay on my good side this season. In his second full season as Defensive Coordinator, Perry Fewell is still trying to win many people over even though the Giants already signed him to an extension.
I will say this much about Perry Fewell, on a week to week basis, he is very adaptable. When it comes to schemes and deception, he's no Spagnuolo. But that's fine. Defensively speaking, Jason Pierre Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka have carried this unit. But Perry Fewell's adaptability has gotten the Giants to within a game of playing for the Conference Championship. Somehow he kept it all together with band-aids and scotch-tape, and finished strong as we head into Sunday. With his side of the ball decimated by injuries this season, through sheer necessity we've witnessed Perry Fewell employ everything from Turtle Shell Mode at times, to watching him unleash fury upon three straight teams. So it's safe to say that adaptability and heavy doses of straight forward aggression are his strengths. Then, there's always a measure of individual effort that a Coach has no control over, nor can account for. For instance, no one coached Osi how to bend Offensive Linemen backwards (see Falcons game) and still bring both him and the quarterback down simultaneously.
Super-human feats of strength are one thing, but what the Giants need now more than ever, is for Perry Fewell to get this one right. Whether it's by brute force and ignorance, or through more scientific methods of planning and preparation, we are about to find out if Coach Fewell was worth the extension he signed, and if he can follow through this Sunday in the spirit and tradition of Giants Football; which in part is predicated upon a dominating Defense.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: It's Coach Perry Fewell's Responsibility to Keep the Heat On the Packers in Chilly Green Bay.
The Giants are heading back to the Frozen Tundra of Green Bay for another game of the ages. But unlike the last time these teams met back in East Rutherford, the Giants are much better equipped to battle the Packers; not to mention the elements; during Sunday's upcoming arctic expedition to the Dairy State.
We last played the Packers at Giants Stadium without the services of Osi Umenyiora. Justin Tuck still wasn't feeling so well. Michael Boley was still getting his legs under him in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Chase Blackburn hadn't become the smart reinforcement yet that he is at the present time. Chris Canty and Antrel Rolle hadn't yet achieved their present levels of play either. Only recently do things seem to be coming together. And when you consider the Giants' Secondary hasn't suffered any more of those embarrassing meltdowns they endured prior to and during the Packer game, it's reasonable to say Green Bay's offense will be facing a slightly different unit than the one the Packers narrowly defeated in Week Thirteen.
The three things that stick out most about that last game are Eli's pick-six; the Packers returning the last kick-off back to mid-field setting up an easy game winning field goal; and Aaron Rodgers continually scrambling out of the pocket and exploiting acres of empty field in front of him. Every one of his rumbles were back-breakers. With several reasons to chose from as to why the Giants lost that game, I say Aaron Rodgers' legs were a huge difference in the game. That goes hand in hand with an inability to stop Green Bay on third down.
Interceptions and Special Teams can be worked on and corrected however. That last matter about Aaron scrambling isn't so easy. Last game Aaron Rodgers managed to stay a finger tip away from the Giants' (depleted) rush. He created plenty of time living outside the pocket and as a result, coverage eventually broke down. Or, he just tucked the ball and ran for big yardage.
In this season's big rematch, first and foremost, the biggest difference going into this game is the Giants are healthier. In addition to the past casualties mentioned above, Aaron Ross appears to have been cleared to play Football again after being taken out of last week's game with concussion symptoms.
The Giants now have something I've dubbed Defensive Synchronicity. The state of The G-Men and the Department of Defense heading into Sunday looks promising.
Perry Fewell has demonstrated his willingness to turn up the heat as well. With the return of key players he's been much more aggressive lately. That was far from the case last time we played Green Bay. In that game, Coach Fewell decided to rush only three men for a substantial portion of the game. Early on it had it's affect. But like I mentioned, because the three man rush never did get to Fee Range Rodgers, and because Coach Fewelll refused to blitz, the game turned out to be one continuous down field study in busted coverage.
Even though it was the Chiefs who ruined Green Bay's undefeated season, I happen to like how the Lions handled Aaron Rodgers even more, regardless that it came in a losing Thanksgiving effort. The Lions didn't let their Defensive Ends over-pursue Aaron Rodgers and risk blowing by him when he stepped-up in the pocket. Detroit instead brought pressure up the middle. The Ends maintained discipline and kept lane integrity. When Aaron Rodgers stepped up or tried scrambling, the Defensive Ends caved in on him. I caught that on ESPN by the way.
In the Giants last three games, it didn't take long before Marc Sanchez, Tony Romo, and Matt Ryan were all made to look like they quit at some point in the game. The Defensive Pressure oppressed them like 100% humidity in Costa Rica. Aaron Rogers won't be nearly as meek or as accessible to the Giants as the last three QB's were. Rodgers is a much more polished cat than that. So, they'll have their work cut out for them trying to get a hold of an elusive guy.
Amid my confidence right now, I have one major concern. The Giants have not come up with an answer for the no-huddle offense. When teams speed up the game, the Giants Defense gets bogged down. And why not; no substitutions. I would imagine the Packers are fully aware of this flaw in the Giants game. As I trust Coach Fewell is aware of it as well. While Atlanta never had a chance in last week's game, Dallas employed hurry-up tactics in the third quarter in the season finale with great success until the Giants closed that game out.
I haven't hammered Perry Fewell nearly as much as I usually pound Coach Gilbride. Somehow, especially after last game, Gilbride has somehow managed to stay on my good side this season. In his second full season as Defensive Coordinator, Perry Fewell is still trying to win many people over even though the Giants already signed him to an extension.
I will say this much about Perry Fewell, on a week to week basis, he is very adaptable. When it comes to schemes and deception, he's no Spagnuolo. But that's fine. Defensively speaking, Jason Pierre Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka have carried this unit. But Perry Fewell's adaptability has gotten the Giants to within a game of playing for the Conference Championship. Somehow he kept it all together with band-aids and scotch-tape, and finished strong as we head into Sunday. With his side of the ball decimated by injuries this season, through sheer necessity we've witnessed Perry Fewell employ everything from Turtle Shell Mode at times, to watching him unleash fury upon three straight teams. So it's safe to say that adaptability and heavy doses of straight forward aggression are his strengths. Then, there's always a measure of individual effort that a Coach has no control over, nor can account for. For instance, no one coached Osi how to bend Offensive Linemen backwards (see Falcons game) and still bring both him and the quarterback down simultaneously.
Super-human feats of strength are one thing, but what the Giants need now more than ever, is for Perry Fewell to get this one right. Whether it's by brute force and ignorance, or through more scientific methods of planning and preparation, we are about to find out if Coach Fewell was worth the extension he signed, and if he can follow through this Sunday in the spirit and tradition of Giants Football; which in part is predicated upon a dominating Defense.
Mike.BTB
Friday, January 06, 2012
N.Y. Giants ~ Defensive Synchronicity
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: For the Giants' Defense, Timing Will be Everything. In Order to Search and Destroy Matt Ryan, the Giants Still Must Keep Down Field Safe and Secure.
POST: N.Y. Giants; G-Men and the Department of Defense
The Giants are 2-2 against Birds this season; (Philadelphia 2x; Arizona; Seattle). If you include the Jets game, the Giants are 3-2 against things that fly. So naturally, the question begs to be asked - how do the Giants ground the Falcons? Very simply, the answer is with Synchronization.
Here's the difference between the Green Bay and New Orleans games per say versus Giant wins against the Jets and Cowboys. Drew Brees and Aaron Rogers managed to stay just a finger tip away from the rush. But they faced a depleted rush, as there was no Tuck and no Osi, in addition to no Michael Boley. The point is, at least against Green Bay, the coverage for the most part was there (and no, I'm not talking about the utterly confusing aspects of the Secondary's failures in zone coverage -not right now). OK, they've sucked all season. But coverage only lasts so long before a dipping and dodging QB dances long enough until a down field break down occurs. That's exactly what happened against Aaron Rogers. What happened against Drew Brees was just mass confusion and something else all together. So let's grade on a curve here. The Giants still came frustratingly close to Brees; quite literally within hands reach. But he just skipped away and killed us. There were many things wrong with the Giants Defense that night. Among other things, we were ill prepared for the task personnel wise.
I still don't have an answer for the Redskins game. But these last two weeks, a fully loaded pass rush got their hands on the QB as they were still going through check-downs. At first glance Marc Sanchez' and Tony Romo's first and second options were covered. However this time, the pass rush got their man. In these last two weeks Coach Fewell largely ditched his confusing zone as well. The horrific gaffes that occurred against the Packers and Saints that left receivers all alone have not happened since then.
I leave the Giants win over the Patriots out of this because Tom Brady is a freakin statue. He leads the NFL in completed passes with pigeons on him. He's as fleet of foot as a table. That's why we continue to play New England well. But I digress. Matt Ryan isn't exactly a mad-scrambler either. He CAN be found in the pocket. The only question is how quickly can the Rush get to him, and how long will the Secondary afford them. If Justin Tuck; Osi; Jason Pierre Paul; Chris Canty; and Dave Tollefson are all in the rotation Sunday, the Giants may have something. But Justin Tuck had a week of limited practice and Osi admitted he's sore as hell. Then, if Ross; Webster; Grant; Rolle; Phillips; and Prince, can manage coverage long enough in order for the rush to get at Matt Ryan, the Giants may have something going for them again. And in that case, mission accomplished. But it's going to take synchronization on the part of the Secondary and the Pass Rush to make good things happen on defense.
Now should the Falcons decide they want to establish the run against us with Michael Turner, I'd welcome that. The Giants are not the same team they were against the run through the first half of the season when they were at their worst. The Problem lied quite obviously with our Linebackers or lack there of. Heading into Sunday, Michael Boley appears to be operating at full capacity again. While Jacquian Williams is a vastly improved player since week one till now. And of course, the hybrid- Mathias Kiwanuka always poses a problem for offenses. Over all, the stats say the Giants are the worst team in the NFL against the run. But not lately. They've defended the run below their season average and are allowing 86+/- yards over their last four/five games. Additionally and not so quietly anymore, Chris Canty is doing an increasingly good job plugging up the middle. And Jason Pierre Paul is exhibiting discipline against the run as well.
If the Giants appoint Michael Boley or Jacquian Williams to Tight-End Tony Gonzalez like we did against Jason Witten of the Cowboys, Big Blue should get the same result. The Giants neutralized Jason Witten very well last week. I have no reason to think they can't repeat the effort again.
These teams are pretty evenly matched. So what's not to like about our chances? As fans, the most frustrating part of this season was knowing we should have done better. We know the Giants have enough personnel to accomplish great things. That's what makes the let-downs so heavy.
This game against the Falcons is pretty well set up for the Giants. This will be our first home playoff game since the 2000 NFC Championship and the first playoff game in the new Giants Stadium. And for everything I detailed in my last posting; G-Men and the Dept. Of Defense; health, experience, and cohesion finally seem to be on Perry Fewell's side. This posting basically puts a bow on what I started then.
Next up - The Offensive Plan
Let's Go Giants!
Mike.BTB
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
2011
WILD CARD WEEKEND
PLAYOFFS
Atlanta Falcons
vs.
NEW YORK GIANTS
FROM
GIANTS STADIUM
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: For the Giants' Defense, Timing Will be Everything. In Order to Search and Destroy Matt Ryan, the Giants Still Must Keep Down Field Safe and Secure.
POST: N.Y. Giants; G-Men and the Department of Defense
The Giants are 2-2 against Birds this season; (Philadelphia 2x; Arizona; Seattle). If you include the Jets game, the Giants are 3-2 against things that fly. So naturally, the question begs to be asked - how do the Giants ground the Falcons? Very simply, the answer is with Synchronization.
Here's the difference between the Green Bay and New Orleans games per say versus Giant wins against the Jets and Cowboys. Drew Brees and Aaron Rogers managed to stay just a finger tip away from the rush. But they faced a depleted rush, as there was no Tuck and no Osi, in addition to no Michael Boley. The point is, at least against Green Bay, the coverage for the most part was there (and no, I'm not talking about the utterly confusing aspects of the Secondary's failures in zone coverage -not right now). OK, they've sucked all season. But coverage only lasts so long before a dipping and dodging QB dances long enough until a down field break down occurs. That's exactly what happened against Aaron Rogers. What happened against Drew Brees was just mass confusion and something else all together. So let's grade on a curve here. The Giants still came frustratingly close to Brees; quite literally within hands reach. But he just skipped away and killed us. There were many things wrong with the Giants Defense that night. Among other things, we were ill prepared for the task personnel wise.
I still don't have an answer for the Redskins game. But these last two weeks, a fully loaded pass rush got their hands on the QB as they were still going through check-downs. At first glance Marc Sanchez' and Tony Romo's first and second options were covered. However this time, the pass rush got their man. In these last two weeks Coach Fewell largely ditched his confusing zone as well. The horrific gaffes that occurred against the Packers and Saints that left receivers all alone have not happened since then.
I leave the Giants win over the Patriots out of this because Tom Brady is a freakin statue. He leads the NFL in completed passes with pigeons on him. He's as fleet of foot as a table. That's why we continue to play New England well. But I digress. Matt Ryan isn't exactly a mad-scrambler either. He CAN be found in the pocket. The only question is how quickly can the Rush get to him, and how long will the Secondary afford them. If Justin Tuck; Osi; Jason Pierre Paul; Chris Canty; and Dave Tollefson are all in the rotation Sunday, the Giants may have something. But Justin Tuck had a week of limited practice and Osi admitted he's sore as hell. Then, if Ross; Webster; Grant; Rolle; Phillips; and Prince, can manage coverage long enough in order for the rush to get at Matt Ryan, the Giants may have something going for them again. And in that case, mission accomplished. But it's going to take synchronization on the part of the Secondary and the Pass Rush to make good things happen on defense.
Now should the Falcons decide they want to establish the run against us with Michael Turner, I'd welcome that. The Giants are not the same team they were against the run through the first half of the season when they were at their worst. The Problem lied quite obviously with our Linebackers or lack there of. Heading into Sunday, Michael Boley appears to be operating at full capacity again. While Jacquian Williams is a vastly improved player since week one till now. And of course, the hybrid- Mathias Kiwanuka always poses a problem for offenses. Over all, the stats say the Giants are the worst team in the NFL against the run. But not lately. They've defended the run below their season average and are allowing 86+/- yards over their last four/five games. Additionally and not so quietly anymore, Chris Canty is doing an increasingly good job plugging up the middle. And Jason Pierre Paul is exhibiting discipline against the run as well.
If the Giants appoint Michael Boley or Jacquian Williams to Tight-End Tony Gonzalez like we did against Jason Witten of the Cowboys, Big Blue should get the same result. The Giants neutralized Jason Witten very well last week. I have no reason to think they can't repeat the effort again.
These teams are pretty evenly matched. So what's not to like about our chances? As fans, the most frustrating part of this season was knowing we should have done better. We know the Giants have enough personnel to accomplish great things. That's what makes the let-downs so heavy.
This game against the Falcons is pretty well set up for the Giants. This will be our first home playoff game since the 2000 NFC Championship and the first playoff game in the new Giants Stadium. And for everything I detailed in my last posting; G-Men and the Dept. Of Defense; health, experience, and cohesion finally seem to be on Perry Fewell's side. This posting basically puts a bow on what I started then.
Next up - The Offensive Plan
Let's Go Giants!
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
N.Y. Giants ~ G-Men and the Dept. of Defense
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Big Blue Unleashed Their Version of the Doomsday Defense Against Tony Romo and the Cowboys.
Health, Experience, and Cohesion Finally Seem to be on Perry Fewell's Side. But Suddenly, Steve Spagnuolo is Available Again. So How Will Perry Fewell Deploy His Boys Now?
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING: Eli Leads Giants' Ground Game (?)
Let's face it, when the Defensive Front doesn't generate overwhelming pressure, and does little to disrupt timing, and can't crumble pockets, or cause fumbles, or get sacks, odds are the Giants lose. Outside of Eli's arm, the more pressure they mount, the greater the Giants' chances are of winning. That's the way it's played out all season.
For the simple fact that we are even talking about this today, you can thank Jason Pierre Paul for putting Big Blue on his back. He recorded one of the Giants' six sacks Sunday. But his relentless pursuit of the quarterback and overall indefatigable play through the first fifteen games delivered the Giants to Sunday and into position to play for the NFC East Title. Then.., you can thank Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck for getting us past Dallas and into the playoffs.
With six sacks under their belts against Dallas, the Giants won convincingly by a 31-14 final score. That's no coincidence. With Osi Umenyiora missing nearly half the season, and Justin Tuck not playing up to his standard because of a nasty neck stinger this season; more so than most things wrong with this team; point to an inconsistent pass rush for Big Blue's stumbling through the season en route to a 9-7 record. Then point to Justin Tuck's late season health and Osi's return to the playing field these last two weeks against the Jets and Dallas, and well..., the results speak for themselves.
Perhaps one of the biggest sacks of the night came when Justin Tuck chased down Tony Romo. Tuck was initially blocked on the play, but stayed persistent and finally got his man. The play reminded me so much of the time Leonard Marshall hunted down Joe Montana in a legendary playoff battle of yore. They were eerily similar plays in many ways.
In addition to ringing Romo's bell six times, the number of times they reached out and touched him were more than Romo and Dallas' offensive line could handle before Coach Garrett's switch board blew. Because the pressure brought on by the Giants' pass rush also caused Tony Romo to fumble. Keeping him under constant duress also induced a Tony Romo interception. In the end, the Defense held Tony Romo under 300 yards passing, forced two turnovers, and totally shut down Dallas' running game.
I think Tony Romo dropped back to pass forty-five times in all. Dallas only ran the ball sixteen times which perhaps played right into the Giants' pass rush. However, the few times Dallas did elect to run the ball, the Giants stopped them cold. Take away two Tony Romo scrambles (...for his life and limb), and the Giants limited the Cowboys to forty-six yards on fourteen carries. The Giants' defense against the run has come a long way this season. Where once they routinely gave up Giant gallops through their middle, they have become somewhat of a resolute bunch against the run lately.
For a portion of the season, Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was asked to some how keep things together with four rookies in the rotation. Today, much of the reason for the turn-around against the run has been a return to health by Michael Boley and the continuing maturity of Jacquian Williams. The two led the Giants in tackles Sunday. And on top of corralling Dallas' run game, the Giant Linebackers also rendered Jason Witten inconsequential. The emergence of Jacquian Williams was also reflected with a sack of Tony Romo. And then there was the play in which Michael Boley launched himself over the pile-up at the line of scrimmage to prevent Tony Romo from literally sneaking a fast one past the Giants and getting into the end-zone for a score. It was a great play by a Giant Linebacker; the way it used to be around here....once.
For Dallas, play-action went out the window. The Linebackers shut down the run game and as mentioned, were tasked with spying Jason Witten. The pass rush was able to tee-off on Romo because Dallas was playing from behind and had obviously abandoned the run. Most importantly, Perry Fewell finally decided to rush five people against Tony Romo and it worked to the tune of six sacks and seven more QB touches as noted.
For Dallas, all element of surprise was gone. Thus the Secondary was afforded many opportunities to look back at the quarterback and still maintain coverage. So it stands to say that in the last game of the season, the battle-torn Secondary had perhaps their finest day. And just in time too. There was nothing open down field for Tony Romo and his receivers nor anything available over the top. Dallas' main receivers remained covered and out of step with the Giants' pass rush. When Romo checked down to Mr. Reliable Jason Witten, Antrel Rolle knew it was coming.
The Giants forced Romo to accept the underneath pass and limited them to a ten yard average per catch. Perry Fewell simplified coverage and played a lot of base-Cover-Two. And it worked. The only knock against the plan was Kenny Phillips was still a little slow in his recognition. But the bottom line is the Secondary pretty much took away the deep pass. Only Dallas' Laurent Robinson seemed to find empty spaces in the Defense. In the third quarter, the Cowboys started to speed things up with success until Coach Fewell adjusted. Otherwise, the longest play the Secondary allowed through the air was a thirty-four yard gain. And their tackling was sound. As the pass rush kept Romo in a harried state, Antrel Rolle was able to come down with an interception.
The end of the regular season ended on a good Defensive note; - not great; but very good. Lest we forget all the problems they really still have. But the conversation regarding the Defense is now one which involves many players (key word - many) doing big things together again. Health, a year of Experience; and Cohesion seem to be finally bringing things together for this Defense. We hope.
Chris Canty continues to take Giant steps forward. He also recorded a sack of Romo. Osi Umenyiora, fresh out of the M*A*S*H tent steps on the field and records two sacks. For the second week in a row, Justin Tuck looks like - Justin Tuck; and it's great to hear him talkin' trash after being so down on himself just three weeks ago. Because a happy Tuck is a dangerous Tuck! Dave Tollefson's game has also been up-ticking as well.
Rookie Jacquian Williams is officially no longer a rookie. Has an entire regular season under his belt now after seventeen weeks of on-the-job-training, and he's all the better for it. He might very well be a major contributor in the upcoming game against Atlanta. Michael Boley tapped into his inner-Superman and sprung to action in the nick of time (and space), to keep the Giants out of the Twilight Zone. And with Mathias Kiwanuka, the Linebacking Corps just might be up to the challenge of the playoffs. The only test that concerns them now is how to stop Michael Turner and Matt Ryan.
Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, and Kenny Phillips had a much easier go of things with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross off in man-coverage. And perhaps the Safeties, the Corners, and Perry Fewell have finally found some common ground with which to work on. What ever they did Sunday contributed to the pass rush. And in return, the pass rush made coverage look good all game long. It's a symbiotic relationship. We can only hope the two units keep that timing going against Atlanta's offense.
Which causes which to succeed? It doesn't matter for as long as the pass rush and the Secondary are in sync. Timing is everything. And it appears as if the Giants Defense is getting healthy, gaining cohesion, and feeling aggressive at the right time. As the Defensive play continues to rise, will Perry Fewell now turn up the heat against Atlanta?
Much of his dilemma with the Giants' pass rush came in part because Coach tried cheating to help the coverage. He relied on the front four to provide pressure without any blitzing or any real kind of deception. Osi was still out and Tuck was ailing then. Perry Fewell's Secondary confusing zone coverage; four rookies at linebacker; and injuries to the pass rush all conspired against the Defensive Coordinator.
Let's say this much about Coach Fewell's adaptability. He ditched his experiments in zone coverage and simplified things for the Secondary considerably. Then up front, he added a fifth guy to the pass rush. But that came with healthy bodies. Injuries and "Coordinator pragmatism" have force his hand at times. While Eli Manning was the star of the game, the dominance the Giants exhibited over the Cowboys Sunday was the major reason the Giants won. Can they carry the Giants moving forward?
Perry Fewell may not be as diabolical as Coach Spags was with his schemes, or as creative for that matter. But I do know Perry Fewell knows a thing or two about aggression if he feels he has all his chess pieces in place. Well Coach, the gang is all here now. And after last game, they look like a bunch of "crazed dogs" wagging their tails mightily with ears pointing up just waiting for you to give them the signal to attack.
Perry Fewell has had his moments. But his overall body of work remains average. Steve Spagnuolo is officially a free agent again. The St. Louis Rams fired him as Head Coach at the conclusion of the season. And yes, I'd fire Perry Fewell and rehire Coach Spags in a N.Y. minute. But that's for the future. How fast that future descends upon Perry Fewell and the Giants' Defense is now in Coach's hands.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Big Blue Unleashed Their Version of the Doomsday Defense Against Tony Romo and the Cowboys.
Health, Experience, and Cohesion Finally Seem to be on Perry Fewell's Side. But Suddenly, Steve Spagnuolo is Available Again. So How Will Perry Fewell Deploy His Boys Now?
OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING: Eli Leads Giants' Ground Game (?)
Let's face it, when the Defensive Front doesn't generate overwhelming pressure, and does little to disrupt timing, and can't crumble pockets, or cause fumbles, or get sacks, odds are the Giants lose. Outside of Eli's arm, the more pressure they mount, the greater the Giants' chances are of winning. That's the way it's played out all season.
For the simple fact that we are even talking about this today, you can thank Jason Pierre Paul for putting Big Blue on his back. He recorded one of the Giants' six sacks Sunday. But his relentless pursuit of the quarterback and overall indefatigable play through the first fifteen games delivered the Giants to Sunday and into position to play for the NFC East Title. Then.., you can thank Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck for getting us past Dallas and into the playoffs.
With six sacks under their belts against Dallas, the Giants won convincingly by a 31-14 final score. That's no coincidence. With Osi Umenyiora missing nearly half the season, and Justin Tuck not playing up to his standard because of a nasty neck stinger this season; more so than most things wrong with this team; point to an inconsistent pass rush for Big Blue's stumbling through the season en route to a 9-7 record. Then point to Justin Tuck's late season health and Osi's return to the playing field these last two weeks against the Jets and Dallas, and well..., the results speak for themselves.
Perhaps one of the biggest sacks of the night came when Justin Tuck chased down Tony Romo. Tuck was initially blocked on the play, but stayed persistent and finally got his man. The play reminded me so much of the time Leonard Marshall hunted down Joe Montana in a legendary playoff battle of yore. They were eerily similar plays in many ways.
In addition to ringing Romo's bell six times, the number of times they reached out and touched him were more than Romo and Dallas' offensive line could handle before Coach Garrett's switch board blew. Because the pressure brought on by the Giants' pass rush also caused Tony Romo to fumble. Keeping him under constant duress also induced a Tony Romo interception. In the end, the Defense held Tony Romo under 300 yards passing, forced two turnovers, and totally shut down Dallas' running game.
I think Tony Romo dropped back to pass forty-five times in all. Dallas only ran the ball sixteen times which perhaps played right into the Giants' pass rush. However, the few times Dallas did elect to run the ball, the Giants stopped them cold. Take away two Tony Romo scrambles (...for his life and limb), and the Giants limited the Cowboys to forty-six yards on fourteen carries. The Giants' defense against the run has come a long way this season. Where once they routinely gave up Giant gallops through their middle, they have become somewhat of a resolute bunch against the run lately.
For a portion of the season, Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was asked to some how keep things together with four rookies in the rotation. Today, much of the reason for the turn-around against the run has been a return to health by Michael Boley and the continuing maturity of Jacquian Williams. The two led the Giants in tackles Sunday. And on top of corralling Dallas' run game, the Giant Linebackers also rendered Jason Witten inconsequential. The emergence of Jacquian Williams was also reflected with a sack of Tony Romo. And then there was the play in which Michael Boley launched himself over the pile-up at the line of scrimmage to prevent Tony Romo from literally sneaking a fast one past the Giants and getting into the end-zone for a score. It was a great play by a Giant Linebacker; the way it used to be around here....once.
For Dallas, play-action went out the window. The Linebackers shut down the run game and as mentioned, were tasked with spying Jason Witten. The pass rush was able to tee-off on Romo because Dallas was playing from behind and had obviously abandoned the run. Most importantly, Perry Fewell finally decided to rush five people against Tony Romo and it worked to the tune of six sacks and seven more QB touches as noted.
For Dallas, all element of surprise was gone. Thus the Secondary was afforded many opportunities to look back at the quarterback and still maintain coverage. So it stands to say that in the last game of the season, the battle-torn Secondary had perhaps their finest day. And just in time too. There was nothing open down field for Tony Romo and his receivers nor anything available over the top. Dallas' main receivers remained covered and out of step with the Giants' pass rush. When Romo checked down to Mr. Reliable Jason Witten, Antrel Rolle knew it was coming.
The Giants forced Romo to accept the underneath pass and limited them to a ten yard average per catch. Perry Fewell simplified coverage and played a lot of base-Cover-Two. And it worked. The only knock against the plan was Kenny Phillips was still a little slow in his recognition. But the bottom line is the Secondary pretty much took away the deep pass. Only Dallas' Laurent Robinson seemed to find empty spaces in the Defense. In the third quarter, the Cowboys started to speed things up with success until Coach Fewell adjusted. Otherwise, the longest play the Secondary allowed through the air was a thirty-four yard gain. And their tackling was sound. As the pass rush kept Romo in a harried state, Antrel Rolle was able to come down with an interception.
* * * *
The end of the regular season ended on a good Defensive note; - not great; but very good. Lest we forget all the problems they really still have. But the conversation regarding the Defense is now one which involves many players (key word - many) doing big things together again. Health, a year of Experience; and Cohesion seem to be finally bringing things together for this Defense. We hope.
Chris Canty continues to take Giant steps forward. He also recorded a sack of Romo. Osi Umenyiora, fresh out of the M*A*S*H tent steps on the field and records two sacks. For the second week in a row, Justin Tuck looks like - Justin Tuck; and it's great to hear him talkin' trash after being so down on himself just three weeks ago. Because a happy Tuck is a dangerous Tuck! Dave Tollefson's game has also been up-ticking as well.
Rookie Jacquian Williams is officially no longer a rookie. Has an entire regular season under his belt now after seventeen weeks of on-the-job-training, and he's all the better for it. He might very well be a major contributor in the upcoming game against Atlanta. Michael Boley tapped into his inner-Superman and sprung to action in the nick of time (and space), to keep the Giants out of the Twilight Zone. And with Mathias Kiwanuka, the Linebacking Corps just might be up to the challenge of the playoffs. The only test that concerns them now is how to stop Michael Turner and Matt Ryan.
Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, and Kenny Phillips had a much easier go of things with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross off in man-coverage. And perhaps the Safeties, the Corners, and Perry Fewell have finally found some common ground with which to work on. What ever they did Sunday contributed to the pass rush. And in return, the pass rush made coverage look good all game long. It's a symbiotic relationship. We can only hope the two units keep that timing going against Atlanta's offense.
Which causes which to succeed? It doesn't matter for as long as the pass rush and the Secondary are in sync. Timing is everything. And it appears as if the Giants Defense is getting healthy, gaining cohesion, and feeling aggressive at the right time. As the Defensive play continues to rise, will Perry Fewell now turn up the heat against Atlanta?
Much of his dilemma with the Giants' pass rush came in part because Coach tried cheating to help the coverage. He relied on the front four to provide pressure without any blitzing or any real kind of deception. Osi was still out and Tuck was ailing then. Perry Fewell's Secondary confusing zone coverage; four rookies at linebacker; and injuries to the pass rush all conspired against the Defensive Coordinator.
Let's say this much about Coach Fewell's adaptability. He ditched his experiments in zone coverage and simplified things for the Secondary considerably. Then up front, he added a fifth guy to the pass rush. But that came with healthy bodies. Injuries and "Coordinator pragmatism" have force his hand at times. While Eli Manning was the star of the game, the dominance the Giants exhibited over the Cowboys Sunday was the major reason the Giants won. Can they carry the Giants moving forward?
Perry Fewell may not be as diabolical as Coach Spags was with his schemes, or as creative for that matter. But I do know Perry Fewell knows a thing or two about aggression if he feels he has all his chess pieces in place. Well Coach, the gang is all here now. And after last game, they look like a bunch of "crazed dogs" wagging their tails mightily with ears pointing up just waiting for you to give them the signal to attack.
Perry Fewell has had his moments. But his overall body of work remains average. Steve Spagnuolo is officially a free agent again. The St. Louis Rams fired him as Head Coach at the conclusion of the season. And yes, I'd fire Perry Fewell and rehire Coach Spags in a N.Y. minute. But that's for the future. How fast that future descends upon Perry Fewell and the Giants' Defense is now in Coach's hands.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, December 11, 2011
N.Y. Giants ~ TEXAS SHOWDOWN
From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE
WEEK FOURTEEN PICKS
POST: Secondary Issues a Primary Concern
Two things happened on Offense last week that are worth discussing; A) - For the first time in many weeks, the running game rushed for 100 yards behind... B) - a revamped Offensive Line due to Center-David Baas being a late minute scratch with migraine head-aches; and maybe more than just that.
But what that did was get Mitch Petrus inserted into the game at left Guard while David Diehl slid over to Tackle again. Kevin Boothe moved over and started at Center. And together, along with the return of Ahmad Bradshaw, turned up the power on the Giants' Running Game again. Is there something to that O-Line combination? After all, it was Mitch Petrus' first career start.
We know Ahmad Bradshaw often finds his own cracks and creates his own holes to run through. Last week in his return, he didn't have quite the day Jacobs had rushing the ball however. The clearest evidence the O-Line was doing something right was noticeable in the way Brandon Jacobs got into Green Bay's secondary. The maligned back rushed eight times for fifty-nine yards. And with a hop here and a skip there, he could have rushed for much more. But he's never been accused of being a hurdler, now has he? Those tree trunks of his were made for running in two directions; straight; and right at people.
Sounding like a broken record now, with pitches and screens; etc.; the Giants can minimize Dallas' run-blitz which is what every team has been doing against Jacobs up the middle. Most of Brandon's success has been coming on either side of the Tackle; usually with Kareem McKenzie opening things up and Bear Pascoe doing a better job lately at Fullback.
Last week proves Brandon Jacobs is not just a useless cog with a big mouth. And the relationship between the O-Line and the backfield is a symbiotic one. That's why I never came down too hard on Jacobs; not without pointing out the ground work for a poor performance first. I never did say the criticisms against him weren't fair though. I just felt he's been misused.
But here we are at the precise point of the season why I always said it's important for Coach Gilbride to give Brandon Jacobs more touches throughout the season. Independent of Eli Manning, this is the time of season when the Giants need Brandon most. This is the game when we need THE BULLY, to push Dallas around; and to revive a term; playing smash-mouth football. With Ahmad Bradshaw back; a seemingly effective combo on the left side of the O-Line; and Jacobs showing he can still thump and bump, the Giants need to regain their identity; stay true to themselves, and play Giants football in order to beat Dallas Sunday.
A guy like Jacobs needs touches; even ineffective touches. And with Bradshaw still uncertain on his foot, Brandon just may get the touches he's craving for against the Cowboys. And finally the Giants may have stumbled across a combination on the left side of the O-Line that could finally benefit everyone. Coach Gilbride deserves his credit for sticking with the running game. And as it turned out last game, Bradshaw turned into the set-up man for the big-rumblin' Brandon Jacobs.
Go back to Smash-Mouth 101. Use as directed: 1) - Run the ball. 2) - Run with Power. 3) - Control the clock. 4) - No stupid penalties against the O-Line; and converting third downs all will serve to keep Tony Romo off the field.
So what exactly was the O-Line doing right? They pushed the Packers D-Line backwards off the snap. But you can do that against the Packers because in Rogers they trust. I don't know if the Giants will be able to push the Cowboys' front around as easily. But let's hope so, because Brandon Jacobs has promised to unleash "The BULLY" against a very chatty Dallas team. After a week of much flappin' on their part, the Cowboys could use a good slap in the face. But Jacobs will only be able to "punk Dallas" defenders if the O-Line performs similar to the way which opened up holes last week against the Packers. And well, Dallas' defense is just a little more stout against the run than Green Bay's is. But the run must be sold none the less for the sake of Play-Action.
The left side of this O-Line also kept Eli Manning's blind side well protected, while the Line as a whole kept him upright long enough for Eli to engineer better than ten points over the Giants' season average against the Packers...which should have been good enough - But wasn't for reasons other than lack of Offense.
So Offensively speaking, if the Giants are to win the most important game of the season with their playoff chances in the balance, it all has to start up front with the Offensive Line. They must keep DeMarcus Ware away from Eli Manning. That will fall on David Diehl, and to a lesser degree, Mitch Petrus, the Tight-Ends and backfield. With help, I'm satisfied Diehl can handle the challenge and minimize damage Ware brings from Dallas' right side. Dallas will get through once in a while, but Diehl won't get embarrassed.
Coach Gilbride should also roll Eli right from time to time. Eli does that fairly well. When it comes to stepping-up inside the pocket or literally shaking a pocket loose, I don't think Eli is nearly as good as Brees, Rogers, and yes...even Tony Romo. Inside the pocket, those guys can dance. Eli not so much. And then again, Eli's scrambling is a complete wash versus Dallas' speed on defense. So it looks like there will be a lot of hanging in the pocket for Eli Sunday. It could hurt at times but Eli can take a good shot. Eli has been throwing off his back foot again lately, so the closer Dallas gets to him, the more likely they can make Eli do the same. So it's incumbent on the O-Line to limit most of Dallas' harassment. At least long enough for Eli to exploit Dallas' Secondary...which Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz should find very.....exploitable.
If the O-Line allows Bradshaw and Jacobs to get to daylight and Eli can successfully continue connecting with Nicks; Cruz; Ballard; and get some other less heralded catches, enough Giants' points should be on the scoreboard by game's end for a win. And it would certainly be nice if we could score early in the game. Playing with a lead can help immeasurably with any plan to disrupt Tony Romo.
That's if the Giants can hold back the Cowboys on Defense.
Coach Fewell's reluctance to blitz has left the last bunch of QB's with a ton of time to wait and allow something to open up down field. It just so happens in the last two weeks, the Giants have played two QB's who expertly juke and snake their way inside the pocket. In the process, they've given up damn nearly ninety points. Tony Romo, like I said, is another QB who slips just out of reach. The guy hops, dodges, back-pedals, skips, and scats into open spaces, and can either kill you running the ball or by identifying the busted coverage in broken plays. Even off balance, he gets off amazingly accurate throws. Because the pass rush never really got to Brees and Rogers in time, they continually side-stepped any on-comers and killed us on third conversions by running when the eight men in coverage kept things tight down field. It's been a damned if you do; damned if you don't sort of deal.
Is that a message for Coach Fewell to get back to the four man rush and take chances with the Linebackers and hope they are up to the task? Michael Boley is back. Chase Blackburn is back from outer space to help. And Jacquian Williams looks like he enjoys getting physical. But one of them will have to be responsible for Dallas Tight-End Jason Witten. Every one in the Western Hemisphere knows he's Tony Romo's go to guy. Keep him out of the picture, and Romo goes into panic.
Maybe that's the way to go. This Defense is never better than when they are on the attack. Last week's plan almost worked. This week's plan needs to be different. Coach Fewell has been compensating for poor coverage by flooding the Secondary with bodies. But it's turned us into a read-and-react defense at the expense of aggression. And as a result, we've given up well over 300 points this season. I'm willing to take my chances that we can force Romo into mistakes before he can abuse our Secondary across the middle or over the top. If Coach Fewell tries that three man rush again like he did against the Packers, Romo will most certainly run silly on us underneath. At least with a four man rush, The Giants can maintain containment and keep Tony Romo in front of them like they do with Michael Vick.
So, it's probably time to change things up front. We need to go after Romo, and force him into hurried and harried mistakes. After all, he's good at screwing up too. And he's ripe for a December let-down! As a matter of fact, I'm banking on it. I say amp up the pass rush Coach, and make our Safeties and Corners do their jobs. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. As inconsistent as Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have been this season, Tony Romo is an old foe whom they should have a full account of his body language by now. Familiarity has to count for something; no? After that, I'm just crossing my fingers our Safeties don't get burnt like forgotten toast.
That's all I got. We know the rest. This is the Giants biggest game of the season because they made it so. The Giants were once 6-2 this season. Heading into Sunday they are now "Six and Sick" with four games to go. I only see this one way. The Giants must win out. I'm not interested in needing help from other teams. Convince me this is a playoff team by winning your way in. It all starts in Dallas, Texas, where they like everything big. But in Big Blue Country, nothing is looms larger than a Giants win.
There's been a lot of smack talk lobbed back and forth between camps. Both these teams are old, bitter rivals. The fan bases hate each other. Both teams stand in each other's way for the Division crown. And nothing would satisfy either city's fans more than a win Sunday. But both teams need two wins against each other in order to secure the division. And there's the matter of some other pressing games as well. But if your team is set on doing something special, like pulling out a crucial game against a heated foe, then I can't think of a better team to "make my day" against other than the Dallas Cowboys.
NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:
With a Record of "Six and Sick" and Four Games To Go,
Big Blue's Season Boils Down to a Showdown Against
Our Old Nemesis, the Dallas Cowboys.
WEEK FOURTEEN PICKS
POST: Secondary Issues a Primary Concern
GIANTS vs. COWBOYS:
Two things happened on Offense last week that are worth discussing; A) - For the first time in many weeks, the running game rushed for 100 yards behind... B) - a revamped Offensive Line due to Center-David Baas being a late minute scratch with migraine head-aches; and maybe more than just that.
But what that did was get Mitch Petrus inserted into the game at left Guard while David Diehl slid over to Tackle again. Kevin Boothe moved over and started at Center. And together, along with the return of Ahmad Bradshaw, turned up the power on the Giants' Running Game again. Is there something to that O-Line combination? After all, it was Mitch Petrus' first career start.
We know Ahmad Bradshaw often finds his own cracks and creates his own holes to run through. Last week in his return, he didn't have quite the day Jacobs had rushing the ball however. The clearest evidence the O-Line was doing something right was noticeable in the way Brandon Jacobs got into Green Bay's secondary. The maligned back rushed eight times for fifty-nine yards. And with a hop here and a skip there, he could have rushed for much more. But he's never been accused of being a hurdler, now has he? Those tree trunks of his were made for running in two directions; straight; and right at people.
Sounding like a broken record now, with pitches and screens; etc.; the Giants can minimize Dallas' run-blitz which is what every team has been doing against Jacobs up the middle. Most of Brandon's success has been coming on either side of the Tackle; usually with Kareem McKenzie opening things up and Bear Pascoe doing a better job lately at Fullback.
Last week proves Brandon Jacobs is not just a useless cog with a big mouth. And the relationship between the O-Line and the backfield is a symbiotic one. That's why I never came down too hard on Jacobs; not without pointing out the ground work for a poor performance first. I never did say the criticisms against him weren't fair though. I just felt he's been misused.
But here we are at the precise point of the season why I always said it's important for Coach Gilbride to give Brandon Jacobs more touches throughout the season. Independent of Eli Manning, this is the time of season when the Giants need Brandon most. This is the game when we need THE BULLY, to push Dallas around; and to revive a term; playing smash-mouth football. With Ahmad Bradshaw back; a seemingly effective combo on the left side of the O-Line; and Jacobs showing he can still thump and bump, the Giants need to regain their identity; stay true to themselves, and play Giants football in order to beat Dallas Sunday.
A guy like Jacobs needs touches; even ineffective touches. And with Bradshaw still uncertain on his foot, Brandon just may get the touches he's craving for against the Cowboys. And finally the Giants may have stumbled across a combination on the left side of the O-Line that could finally benefit everyone. Coach Gilbride deserves his credit for sticking with the running game. And as it turned out last game, Bradshaw turned into the set-up man for the big-rumblin' Brandon Jacobs.
Go back to Smash-Mouth 101. Use as directed: 1) - Run the ball. 2) - Run with Power. 3) - Control the clock. 4) - No stupid penalties against the O-Line; and converting third downs all will serve to keep Tony Romo off the field.
So what exactly was the O-Line doing right? They pushed the Packers D-Line backwards off the snap. But you can do that against the Packers because in Rogers they trust. I don't know if the Giants will be able to push the Cowboys' front around as easily. But let's hope so, because Brandon Jacobs has promised to unleash "The BULLY" against a very chatty Dallas team. After a week of much flappin' on their part, the Cowboys could use a good slap in the face. But Jacobs will only be able to "punk Dallas" defenders if the O-Line performs similar to the way which opened up holes last week against the Packers. And well, Dallas' defense is just a little more stout against the run than Green Bay's is. But the run must be sold none the less for the sake of Play-Action.
The left side of this O-Line also kept Eli Manning's blind side well protected, while the Line as a whole kept him upright long enough for Eli to engineer better than ten points over the Giants' season average against the Packers...which should have been good enough - But wasn't for reasons other than lack of Offense.
So Offensively speaking, if the Giants are to win the most important game of the season with their playoff chances in the balance, it all has to start up front with the Offensive Line. They must keep DeMarcus Ware away from Eli Manning. That will fall on David Diehl, and to a lesser degree, Mitch Petrus, the Tight-Ends and backfield. With help, I'm satisfied Diehl can handle the challenge and minimize damage Ware brings from Dallas' right side. Dallas will get through once in a while, but Diehl won't get embarrassed.
Coach Gilbride should also roll Eli right from time to time. Eli does that fairly well. When it comes to stepping-up inside the pocket or literally shaking a pocket loose, I don't think Eli is nearly as good as Brees, Rogers, and yes...even Tony Romo. Inside the pocket, those guys can dance. Eli not so much. And then again, Eli's scrambling is a complete wash versus Dallas' speed on defense. So it looks like there will be a lot of hanging in the pocket for Eli Sunday. It could hurt at times but Eli can take a good shot. Eli has been throwing off his back foot again lately, so the closer Dallas gets to him, the more likely they can make Eli do the same. So it's incumbent on the O-Line to limit most of Dallas' harassment. At least long enough for Eli to exploit Dallas' Secondary...which Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz should find very.....exploitable.
If the O-Line allows Bradshaw and Jacobs to get to daylight and Eli can successfully continue connecting with Nicks; Cruz; Ballard; and get some other less heralded catches, enough Giants' points should be on the scoreboard by game's end for a win. And it would certainly be nice if we could score early in the game. Playing with a lead can help immeasurably with any plan to disrupt Tony Romo.
That's if the Giants can hold back the Cowboys on Defense.
Coach Fewell's reluctance to blitz has left the last bunch of QB's with a ton of time to wait and allow something to open up down field. It just so happens in the last two weeks, the Giants have played two QB's who expertly juke and snake their way inside the pocket. In the process, they've given up damn nearly ninety points. Tony Romo, like I said, is another QB who slips just out of reach. The guy hops, dodges, back-pedals, skips, and scats into open spaces, and can either kill you running the ball or by identifying the busted coverage in broken plays. Even off balance, he gets off amazingly accurate throws. Because the pass rush never really got to Brees and Rogers in time, they continually side-stepped any on-comers and killed us on third conversions by running when the eight men in coverage kept things tight down field. It's been a damned if you do; damned if you don't sort of deal.
Is that a message for Coach Fewell to get back to the four man rush and take chances with the Linebackers and hope they are up to the task? Michael Boley is back. Chase Blackburn is back from outer space to help. And Jacquian Williams looks like he enjoys getting physical. But one of them will have to be responsible for Dallas Tight-End Jason Witten. Every one in the Western Hemisphere knows he's Tony Romo's go to guy. Keep him out of the picture, and Romo goes into panic.
Maybe that's the way to go. This Defense is never better than when they are on the attack. Last week's plan almost worked. This week's plan needs to be different. Coach Fewell has been compensating for poor coverage by flooding the Secondary with bodies. But it's turned us into a read-and-react defense at the expense of aggression. And as a result, we've given up well over 300 points this season. I'm willing to take my chances that we can force Romo into mistakes before he can abuse our Secondary across the middle or over the top. If Coach Fewell tries that three man rush again like he did against the Packers, Romo will most certainly run silly on us underneath. At least with a four man rush, The Giants can maintain containment and keep Tony Romo in front of them like they do with Michael Vick.
So, it's probably time to change things up front. We need to go after Romo, and force him into hurried and harried mistakes. After all, he's good at screwing up too. And he's ripe for a December let-down! As a matter of fact, I'm banking on it. I say amp up the pass rush Coach, and make our Safeties and Corners do their jobs. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. As inconsistent as Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have been this season, Tony Romo is an old foe whom they should have a full account of his body language by now. Familiarity has to count for something; no? After that, I'm just crossing my fingers our Safeties don't get burnt like forgotten toast.
That's all I got. We know the rest. This is the Giants biggest game of the season because they made it so. The Giants were once 6-2 this season. Heading into Sunday they are now "Six and Sick" with four games to go. I only see this one way. The Giants must win out. I'm not interested in needing help from other teams. Convince me this is a playoff team by winning your way in. It all starts in Dallas, Texas, where they like everything big. But in Big Blue Country, nothing is looms larger than a Giants win.
There's been a lot of smack talk lobbed back and forth between camps. Both these teams are old, bitter rivals. The fan bases hate each other. Both teams stand in each other's way for the Division crown. And nothing would satisfy either city's fans more than a win Sunday. But both teams need two wins against each other in order to secure the division. And there's the matter of some other pressing games as well. But if your team is set on doing something special, like pulling out a crucial game against a heated foe, then I can't think of a better team to "make my day" against other than the Dallas Cowboys.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
"Battle for the NFC East"
NEW YORK GIANTS
vs.
vs.
Dallas Cowboys
From
The Double J Ranch
Texas
Mike.BTB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)