N.Y. Giants: Steve Spagnuolo is Back in the Saddle Again

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

The Architects of Super Bowl XLII

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Steve Spagnuolo Returns For Second Stint As Minister of Defense.

For a change, the fan's minister of choice is coming back to reclaim his position as defensive coordinator of the Giants.

He returns like Winston Churchill.  When the blitzkrieg raged in Europe, and London's buildings burned, they went running back to Churchill for leadership and direction.

It's not like Steve Spagnuolo was fired after the 2008 season though.  He was merely following a coach's traditional career progression.  It's a natural then, that he should be welcomed back.

But, you know what they say - any executive who caters to the fans will surely become a former executive in a seat among them.

In this instance, it was Coach Coughlin's call; a loophole!

Coach knows he must produce a winning season in 2015, or risk having his own Big Blue career end. So, Coughlin is relying on the best man he was able to secure, but more importantly, someone he can trust.  That just so happens to be Spags.  If you think about it, the timing was perfect.  In any event, Coughlin's applied desperation heading into 2015 is a good condition for us Giants fans.  It means urgency has re-entered the building.

After six long seasons away from the organization he helped lead to victory in Super Bowl XLII, Steve Spagnuolo is back.  He's the guy I wanted.  I do not think many Giants fans are overly concerned with his lack of success with the Rams, and Saints.  All that matters is that he helped this team win a Lombardi trophy before departing.

What Steve Spagnuolo did better than any Giants defensive coordinator since John Fox was get the most out his linebackers.  Granted, Fox had Jesse Armstead, and in 2007 Spags had Antonio Pierce to work with.  However, Spags got the most out of guys like Kawika Mitchell, Chase Blackburn, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Danny Clark.  In fact, Kiwanuka was never the same since Spags left, and may not make the team this coming season.

Let's face it, for a team with such a rich linebacker tradition, the recent gaggle has been somewhat embarrassing.   At least this time around, it seems Spags will have a talented Devon Kennard leading his linebacker corp.

Speaking of linebackers, Pepper Johnson was an interesting candidate.  As one of the many feared linebackers in Giants history, he helped this organization win some hardware as well.  He's also paid his coaching dues.  Pepper not only played under Bill Belichick, but served for many seasons as a position coach on Belichick's staff.  I do not doubt there is a ton of knowledge packed into his head.

But, the choice has been made, and I'm pleased with the decision to hire Steve Spagnuolo.   What displeases me, however, is that linebackers coach Jim Herrmann gets to keep his job, and that to my knowledge, no audit has been conducted on defensive line coach Robert Nunn's recent work.

The Giants also hired former Rams defensive coordinator (2013) Tim Walton to replace Peter Giunta as corner backs coach.  I'm still a little curious to know why it is Peter Giunta should get fired, but David Merritt (safeties coach) should retain his position.

At face value, Tim Walton strikes me as a positive hire.  Of course, what the secondary needs above all else is health, but on an entirely other level, consider the unit already improved through a matter of subtraction; Perry Fewell and his perplexing, overly layered, ineffective system are gone.



Mike

N.Y. Giants: Tom Coughlin Fires Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

No defense for his defense...

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Tom Coughlin Wields Ax At Two Members Of Defensive Staff.

Preamble: No Quarter...
I thank the Giants for losing the final game of the season.  It keeps things in proper perspective, for we need to call the Giants what they were: a woefully inconsistent team.

I can't have a late season surge against the Titans, Hogs, and Rams, change any minds or lend false hope; not again.

Last season, this team lost six straight games.  This season, they lost seven straight games.  The only team they defeated in 2014 with a winning record were the (9-7) Houston Texans in Week Three.  Otherwise, their 25-24 Week Thirteen loss to the Jaguars was truly the low point of their disappointing 6-10 season.

Problem #1 - Building Up The Offensive Line Still The Way To Daylight 

Tom Coughlin Staying For A 12th Season; Who On His Staff Should Stay, 
And Who Should Go

Tom Coughlin Adresses Problem #2: Defensive Staff - Perry Fewell and Peter Giunta Fired.

Someone needed to pay a heavy price for what transpired this past season.  On Wednesday, it was announced that Giants head coach Tom Coughlin fired his friend and defensive coordinator of five seasons, Perry Fewell.

Not a single Giants fan was pleased to hear Coughlin's support, and apology for Fewell during the team's recent post-season presser.  But, Tom Coughlin is no fool; he knew he needed to make a change.  The results over the last two seasons screamed for corrective action.  This in effect was the unspoken trade off for Coughlin not getting fired himself.

The Giants will now move forward with a totally revamped cabinet; their new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, and an as yet to be determined new defensive coordinator.

Word is former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is among the lead candidates to get interviewed for the job.  He is someone I would welcome back with both arms, and not necessarily because we won a Super Bowl with him.  The fact is, he's been the only coach to get any kind of inspired play out of Giants linebackers.

That said, I still feel the Giants linebackers coach of the last 6 seasons, Jim Herrmann, needs to join Fewell on the unemployment line.  He has largely failed to develop or elevate guys like Michael Boley, Mathias Kiwanuka, Jacquian Williams, Kieth Rivers, Spencer Paysinger, or anyone, to higher levels of play.

In a somewhat surprising move, however, Tom Coughlin also dismissed his cornerbacks coach, Peter Giunta, who has been on his staff since 2004.

I tend to blame Perry Fewell's system for much of the confusion routinely demonstrated by the corners, not necessarily Peter Giunta.  Coach Coughlin perhaps knows better on this one.  That said, Peter Giunta is unemployed and I say he has Perry Fewell to thank.

My only question then, if Giunta goes, why does safeties coach Dave Merritt get to stay?



Mike

N.Y. Giants: Tom Coughlin Will Return For A 12th Season

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Colonel Coughlin Will Return!

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Perry Fewell Leading Candidate To Receive Pink Slip; Tom Quinn May Follow.

The Giants have been to the playoffs five times under Tom Coughlin, but not since 2011.  In fact, this year marked the 6th time they have failed to make the playoffs in Coughlin's 11 years as head coach.

The era is now officially sandwiched by 6-10 records.  In 2004, the Giants launched with a 6-10 record in Coughlin's first season.  With last Sunday's loss to the Eagles, they matched it.

This was also their second straight losing season, and now sport a 22-26 record since winning Super Bowl XLVI.

Was Tom Coughlin the reason for the Giants inconsistent play these last few years?

If Tiki Barber were still around, he'd still be whining how Coughlin repeatedly gets out-coached.   Well, he's not around, and that's really not the Giants case.  That is why Monday morning ownership announced Tom Coughlin will be back next season (coaching in the final season of his contract that is).

For 2015, it's the right move.  The Giants usually get this right, so, we'll cross the 2016 bridge when we get to it.  However, for some of Colonel Coughlin's lieutenants, it may prove a bridge too far.

As defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell's defense routinely ranks towards the bottom of the NFL.   Their run defense should be nicknamed the Alaskan Pass, because of the six months of daylight they provide, while their confusion in the secondary often makes them look like a Keystone Cops casting call.

This season was no different.  Despite injuries, there was enough talent to at least get a more representative showing from week to week.  The real problem lies with Fewell's style itself; it's overly complicated and clearly ineffective.  We've known this for years.

Sure, he earned some credit for limiting Tom Brady and helping win a Super Bowl.  But, Aaron Ross and Corey Webster threw their coach under the bus, admitting things didn't change until Fewell abandoned his failed system in time for the (2011) playoffs.

I'll say this for Perry Fewell, he's been persistent (stubborn) with regards to that dumb layered system no one can figure out.  Alas, he spent his credit..., and now it's time for him to go.

Special teams coach Tom Quinn is also reportedly on the hot seat, and for good reason.  Like Fewell, Quinn's dismissal has been several years in the making.  For at least the last two seasons, his units have either been inconsequential, or guilty of too many questionable performances.  The loss of David Wilson certainly hindered the Giants return game.  And to his credit, Tom Quinn has been here for both Super Bowls.  I'd give him one more season, but then his assistant Larry Izzo must pay the price for him.

Who Else Should Get Big Blue Pink Slips And Who Should Stay:

While I'm still a little ambivalent regarding Ben McAdoo, the organization thinks highly of him, so, he's obviously safe.

I think Danny Langsdorf is Eli Manning's 4th QB coach?  His 3rd at least....  but at this point in Eli's career, that shouldn't matter much.  Eli otherwise actually had a very good season in Ben McAdoo's system, with Langsdorf coaching him on the side.  Danny worked with Drew Brees in his previous gig with New Orleans.  (Drew Brees and the Saints sucked this season.  Just saying....)

I've been rough on guys like Rueben Randle and Preston Parker.  But Wide Receivers coach Sean Ryan still managed to at least get improvement out of Randle.  And, as talented as Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be, a 21-year old rookie still needs a good coach teaching him.  Sean Ryan also oversaw the emergence of the salsa dancer Victor Cruz.  Truth is, Eli Manning has benefited from a quality list of receivers ever since Ryan took over as coach in 2005.  In recent years though, the deeper the Giants dipped into their depth, the more tipped balls and blown routes we witnessed, which also coincided with Eli's escalating rate of interceptions.

Kevin Gilbride Jr. is a harder coach to rate.  The tight ends coach hasn't had much to work with lately.  Second year Larry Donnell hasn't been featured much ever since his hat trick early in the season.  You could say Martellus Bennett had a good season under Gilbride.  Otherwise, there's not much to point at in his 5-year body of work, but nothing much to criticize either.

Pat Flaherty has served as the offensive line coach for all Tom Coughlin's 11 seasons.  In my opinion, he is a fine coach.  Any criticisms regarding the offensive line should be redirected at Jerry Reese; this is his mess to figure out.  And you might as well include running backs coach Craig Johnson into this mess as well.

On the other side of the ball, if Perry Fewell is on the hot seat, then defensive line coach Robert Nunn should be starting to sweat as well.  Over his six years, he's endured the departures of Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Barry Cofield, etc.  But, simply put, this year's defensive line anchored by JPP (who's late season surge doesn't sway me) and Cullen Jenkins played atrociously.   They did so because of poor technique and attention to detail, over-pursuit, failure to contain, and other coaching related issues.  Time has depleted this unit, but this coach brings nothing to the table.

Jim Herrmann is the linebackers coach, and perhaps the most inconsequential coach of the bunch. Jerry Reese's treatment of the position makes this so.  At the same time, Jim Herrmann has largely failed to inspire guys like Michael Boley, Jonathan Goff, Mathias Kiwanuka, Jacquian Williams, Kieth Rivers, Spencer Paysinger, etc., to higher levels of play.  They almost had a keeper with the now defunct Jon Beason, but rookie Devon Kennard actually looks like a real deal linebacker.

Coaches Peter Giunta (corners) and Dave Merritt (safeties) are okay in my book.  Like Pat Flaherty and Sean Ryan, they've been here for both Super Bowl runs.  What issues I have with the secondary largely revolve around Perry Fewell's system.

Coaches that should be given a Big Blue boot:

• Perry Fewell
• Robert Leonard (Defensive Assistant)
• Robert Nunn
• Jim Herrmann
• Larry Izzo (Special Teams Assistant)

UPDATE:  just learned Danny Langsdorf has taken the offensive coordinators job at Nebraska.


Mike

N.Y. Giants: There's More Chatter Because Games Are Failing To Matter

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

The 2014 Giants are ill prepared to play their part in this great rivalry.

TODAY

San Francisco 49ers

vs.

NEW YORK GIANTS

from

Giants Stadium

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: A victory over the 49ers is always pleasing to Giants fans.  At least we'll have that to root for.

The Giants have been engaged in a month long battle against defeatism, and appropriately enter today's game with a slim-to-none chance of reviving their season.

They are losers of four straight, and are tied with the D.C. Hogs for last in the NFC East.  They've scored the least amount of points within their division, and have allowed the most.

The 49ers are perhaps more desperate for a win,  For them, the Cardinals remain in their sights, and now with the loss of Carson Palmer I'm sure there will be a renewed Niners effort to play more consistent football.

Both the Giants and 49ers have struggled equally on offense this season to the tune of 195 points (21.6 ppg) in nine games.  It's on defense where the 49ers hold a distinct advantage heading into Sunday, by their own merit, and because the Giants remain handicapped by Perry Fewell.

He has made a mockery of Big Blue's long tradition for playing defense.  These days, they play like Smurfs.

With no pass rush to speak of, Fewell still refuses to blitz.  And so an already confused secondary is   made to look like Keystone Cops for having to maintain lengthy coverage, and thus making superstars of nondescript receivers.

Of course, it gets worse.  If Fewell is committed to pass rushing solely with the front four, then how the hell does one explain the Giants ranking dead last in the NFL against the run?  Look no further than the Giants linebackers.  In the second half of last week's game, they looked like they wanted no part of the Seahawks.

This week, however, the defensive coordinator promised better results.

Ponderous!

When guilty participants additionally have to pledge support for their beleaguered defensive coordinator, and key players such as (free agent to be) Jason Pierre-Paul start speaking apathetically about their future with the Giants, you know things are going awry in the land of Giants.

Simply put, there's increasing chatter because more and more, games are failing to matter.

Tom Coughlin deserves his share of blame as well, for his own diminished performance.

When he assumed control of the Giants, he did so in a loud, abrupt, disciplinary manner.  In his opening presser he denounced penalties and injuries as evil.  Today, the Giants have devolved into the team he took over long ago, with nary an angry word or grunt from the head coach.

A Giants victory this afternoon would only improve their record to 4-6, with 6 games remaining.   Two of those are against the Cowboys and Eagles.

Sandwiched between those two games are four potential soft spots in the schedule:

• Jaguars (1-9)
• Titans (2-7)
• D.C. Hogs (3-6) 
• Rams (3-6)

At best, the Giants can accomplish too little, too late, just like last season.

I guess they better get busy then...

Mike

N.Y. Giants: Clueless In Seattle

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

No Defense For Lack Of Basic Understanding

New York Giants Football: Seattle Weather and Seahawks Rain Down On G-Men.

What would a strong second half prove anyway?  That the Giants are a grossly inconsistent team?   Didn't we finally arrive at that conclusion last season?

It's hard to write about the Giants when all I do is repeat myself.

The Giants now have allowed 30+ points in 3 straight games, and twice since the Bye.

If the secondary earned the ire of fans previously, the front seven certainly deserves crap this week.

Jason Pierre Paul had a god awful game.  He failed to stay in his lane.  He failed to provide containment.  He over-pursued plays, and fell victim to cut-backs all day long.  The linebackers were equally guilty.

In what has to be one of the most indicting resultants in recent Giants memory, Seattle's Russell Wilson rushed 21 times for 140 yards, while Marshawn Lynch only rushed 14 times for another 107 yards.  When was the last time you recall a QB attempting more rushes than his premier running back, and out-gaining him by over 30 yards?  What's more, Christine Michael rushed for another 71 yards on just 4 carries.  The total damage was 350 yards allowed on the ground ALONE!  Russell Wilson only attempted 17 passes.

Maelstroms are no stranger to Perry Fewell.

Remember how Michael Vick victimized the Giants for 100+ yards on the ground, and another 300+ through the air while still with the Eagles?  This buffoonery happens routinely under Perry Fewell.

Under Steve Spagnuolo the defense was disciplined, and had TWO very competent linebackers (attention Jerry Reese).  Under Bill Sheridan, the defense played like simpletons.   Under Fewell, they've been nothing short of confounding, confusing, bemusing, and just plain bad.

Debating a lack of talent or diminished depth weighs little when players are poorly coached.

Offensively, Eli's receivers put forth a productive, bounce-back effort.  After dropping numerous passes and generally under-performing in Week Nine, Odell Beckham Jr., Preston Parker and Rueben Randall were very sure-handed.

Once again, the running game was non-existent.  Four Giants combined to rush for a total of 54 yards, or, 1/7'th of Seattle's rushing yardage.

I always say - once is an occurrence; twice is a coincidence, but three times is a trend.

The Giants are now 2-5 within the conference.  Thus far, they've managed victories over the hapless D.C. Hogs and the unimpressive Falcons.  Otherwise, they have lost to the Lions, Cardinals, Cowboys, Eagles, and Seahawks.

They can't compete within their division; they can't compete within the conference.

In other words, the Giants are not competitive.




Mike

N.Y. Giants: Perry Fewell'd Rage

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

House of Blues

Monday Night Failure:

Colts   40

Giants 24

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Big Blue's season is bleeding blood red after taking a horseshoe to the jaw.

Giants Battling The Law Of Diminished Returns.  Tom Coughlin has never been this subdued. The talent hasn't been this thin since Dan Reeves was coach.  Not coincidentally, that was the last rebuilding period.  It's now time for the next rebuilding.

On the heels of Sunday's Cowboys loss (vs. Arizona), the only ones who didn't see Monday night's debacle coming were love blind Giants fans.

Sorry, but it's over Johnny.  The weeks and recent seasons of denial are done.  Monday night was not just a supremely poor performance.  Instead, Monday night's game was an indictment.

The Giants were losing 37-10 after three quarters en route to a 40-24 final score.

There were three main reasons for that: the offensive line allowed 3 sacks and failed to create even the faintest glimmer of daylight for Andre Williams; Eli Manning's receivers were flat out amateurish, if not incompetent, and Perry Fewell's defense is an ongoing joke.

Perry Fewell's defense allowed over 40 points, and over 400 yards of offense.  The MNF crew informed us that the Giants hadn't allowed 40/400 at home since 1948 against the (then) Chicago Cardinals.

The fault is not necessarily attributable to the talent at his disposal.  Far tooooo often, the defense looks completely lost.  THAT is an old, recurring problem under Perry Fewell since the days of Corey Webster and Aaron Ross (again, no knock against them).

The major fault is with Fewell's damn systems.  The Giants recovered in time to win Super Bowl XLVI because he had no choice but to simplify an unnecessarily layered and overly reactive system.   After that, the secondary played shutdown football.  Fewell has not learned his lesson though.

Yes, the secondary can only cover receivers so long - a pass rush would be nice.  I know.  But that does not explain the complete breakdown we witness time and again.  The depth Michael Strahan, Osi, Justin Tuck, and even Chris Canty provided is gone.  Jason Pierre Paul is alone in that respect.   Strahan at least had Keith Hamilton by his side during his early years.

You do not have to respect Ray Lewis, but, he was a great linebacker and someone who knows defensive philosophy, scheming, application and execution.  After the game, he lambasted the Giants defense, and it was well deserved.  And Lewis may not be the best ("FREAKIN") guy behind a microphone either, but it was high time someone told it the way it needed to be said.

Wanting Perry Fewell fired is hardly a knee jerk reaction to last night's game, last week, or this season.  It's an accumulated opinion formed throughout his body of work as Giants DefCo.  That said, it's time to fire Perry Fewell.

That's a first for this blog with regards to any coach or coordinator.

Moving on....

You can thank much of the positives regarding Monday's game to Eli Manning - yes.

Among the offensive highlights:

• An equal number of 1st downs; more total plays than the Colts; an equal number of drives; relatively equal yardage (443 vs. 438) gained; Eli throwing for slightly more yardage (349 vs. 345) than Luck; just 9 less yards rushing than the Colts.

We get it.  But hey, Big Ben and the Steelers scored 51 points against the Colts (and won).  Just saying....

Recall how Giants veterans were made to endure Eli Manning's first few years.  Eli is now being made to survive what should have been his most formidable years.  He went from playing behind what was arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, to what is arguably one of the NFL's worst.

Eli once had reliable receivers like Steve Smith, Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Hakeen Nicks, and even Domenik Hixon, Mario Manningham, etc., and of course, the injured Victor Cruz.  But it's been a far more harrowing world throwing to the likes of Ramses Barden, Jerrel Jernigan, Preston Parker, Rueben Randal, Odel Beckham Jr. etc., etc.

The revolving door of tight ends has been equally frustrating, and debilitating.

I've said it a bunch of times already - the Giants suffer personnel issues.  We squeezed out a 2nd Super Bowl with the old crew.  Since then, the roster around Eli has deteriorated.  Injuries have taken their toll on the Giants, for sure, but as much as Jerry Reese tried, the draft has failed to satisfactorily or consistently back fill team needs.

In the last five seasons, the Giants either won the SB, or failed to make the playoffs.  Now consider the overall consistency of the Packers, 49ers, and Patriots; the three main opponents during Big Blue's 2 Super Bowl seasons, and the measure of Giants success or failures.

The overall condition falls on Jerry Reese.  This is his mess to fix, or rebuild, if John Mara lets him.




Mike

N.Y. Giants: Week One - The Ford Field Follies

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: Game One Reveals Old Truths.

If that carnage was awful to witness, imagine how the Christians felt.  Amazing how getting fed to the Lions still makes spectators cheer with fury all these centuries later.  Goes to show how Roman we still remain today.

WEEK ONE FINAL:

New York Giants   14

Detroit Lions          35

The game I watched was not as close as this score may indicate.

In Ben McAdoo's first game as offensive coordinator, his unit attempted 57 plays, amassed 197 total yards, for 3.5 yards per play.  His QB only passed for 163 yards, got sacked twice, and threw 2 interceptions.  His running game averaged just 2.2 yards on 22 carries.  His already compromised offensive line performed woefully.

Detroit even subsidized the offensive unit with 8 penalties for 85 yards - more than half of Eli Manning's output.

In other words, last season's poor execution, and this year's poor pre-season have officially bled into the 2014 regular season.

Defensively, the Giants played nicely against run.  However, the Giants allowed a total of 417 yards.

You know what that means - Coach Fewell's secondary looked just as confused as ever.  This may be knee jerk of me after one week, but here's Fewell's pattern: begin the season by over-complicating assignments, then when the team is in late season dire straits, simplify secondary schemes resulting in much greater success. That's not necessarily my opinion either.  In the past, Corey Weber and Aaron Ross never really voiced the problem, but over the last few years, Antrel Roll has many times.

Monday night, Matt Stafford, Megatron, and the rest of Detroit's air attack lit up the Giants for 346 yards.  They're good, but the Giants need to do better.

The Giants also had a punt attempt blocked, so their ineptness was well distributed.

Much of this points to personnel issues, which ultimately puts Jerry Reese in the spot light.  At this point, hindsight is indeed everything.  He took Ernie Accorsi's team, supplemented it with 2 key drafts, and as we know, won 2 trophies.

His former running game and offensive lineman all generally deteriorated at the same rate, while talented (or at least par) replacements did not come in a timely manner.  His depth at receiver is long gone.  His defensive line is nowhere deep, or formidable as it once was.  His linebacking corp. is still pedestrian at best.  And no matter how many draft selections he spends on the secondary, the unit remains troublesome as ever.

In recent years, Reese has been relying on cast-offs, an overabundance of free agents, and has drafted rather poorly.  

Welcome to 2014.

Mike

N.Y. Giants: Defense Playing The Annual Simplification Game

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: Know What I Hear?  The Same Stuff As The Last Few Years.  Ponderous!

This isn't the first time the Giants defensive players needed Coach Perry Fewell to simplify his schemes!  It happened last year, and most glaringly two years ago, just in time to right themselves and win a Super Bowl.  I'm not even going to suggest the Giants will get there this season, but then again, an 8-8 record could conceivably win the NFC East.

After two consecutive victories, I'm more annoyed than anything.  Perry Fewell has consistently failed to realize the correlation between his cause, and his scheme's effects.  When Coach puts too much into his player's thinking, they struggle mightily, and oft look confused on coverage.  When he lightens their check-offs, the defense has thrived.  This condition is not this year's dilemma.  This has been a yearly pattern under Coach Fewell.  The only defense I offer for him, is that this has been a trying season for everyone.  Coach Fewell shouldn't be singled out as the primary problem here.  But this particular problem has certainly has been a recurring one.

Injuries haven't helped.  I get it.  On that note, the comeback of linebacker Jon Beason certainly has.  Ever since Dan Conner went down, middle linebacker was a huge problem, until Beason arrived.  He was in on nine tackles, and three solo tackles against the Vikings, and was in on four tackles against the Birds.  Spencer Paysinger, who was serving the position, all but disappeared Sunday.

It was Terrell Thomas who perhaps had his best game as a Giant last week.  He made ten solo tackles and recorded a sack against the Eagles.  While Antrel Rolle continues to be the most consistent Giant all season.

The schedule helped the Giants along.  Both Minnesota and Philadelphia both have more problems than a math book.  Perry Fewell now has two weeks to figure this out.  The Giants will sit out their bye week, then face the Oakland Raiders in Giants Stadium.

Of course with the Giants, if it's not one thing though, it's another.  While the defense was putting its act together over the last two weeks, Giants special teams have been getting exceedingly atrocious by the game.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants: Monday Night Fewell

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: Perry Fewell Insists His Players Must Win Individual Battles With Little Help.  If Adrian Peterson Romps Tonight, The Defensive Coordinator Might As Well Start Packing His Bags.

Stop Adrian Peterson and you stop the Vikings, right?  The Giants beleaguered linebacking unit will be front and center tonight.  For those of us watching on TV, it would be nice to hear Spencer Paysinger's and Jon Beason's names mentioned repeatedly throughout the telecast.  In a perfect world, that would mean they are making frequent tackles and containing Peterson who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season.  Linval Joseph should be able to get some of that tonight as well.

Otherwise, what can be said at this point, that hasn't been said already?  From either defensive end, the Giants still haven't been able to turn up the sacks.  Justin Tuck continues to underperform, while JPP continues to lightfoot his way back from back surgery.  But that's a tough criticism to make.  It's not my back that underwent surgery.

In any scenario, every player on defense is on their own.  That's the way Perry Fewell rolls, and  reiterated that again last week.  He is still putting everything on the players to win their individual battles.  In a way, that's not wrong when you have no depth, and a bunch of under-performers.  But desperate times call for desperate measures, however Coach Fewell seems to not feel the heat of the fire.  You would think he'd like to go out in a blaze of glory, shooting all his guns, and coming up with schemes we haven't seen before.  We have gotten none of that, and he will be gone because of it.  I'm sure of that now.

There are so many things to point our fingers at for the predicament the Giants find themselves.  But tonight, because the Giants have allowed over 200 points in six weeks, I put Perry Fewell in tonight's national spotlight.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants: Underwhelming Defense Getting Overwhelmed

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

 

WEEK FOUR

New York Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: The Defense Must Do More Than Offer Yet Another Yawn Inspiring Performance.

17th In NFL Against Pass

Watching Peyton Manning and Cam Newton dissect the secondary

makes it seem much worse.

 

27th In NFL Against Run

Denver and Carolina ran outside their Tackles at will,

and with great success.

 

In Week One, Dallas showed the Giants defense was flawed.  In Week two, Peyton Manning stripped them down and left the defense exposed.  Last Week, Cam Newton and the Panthers finished them off by thoroughly demoralizing them.  All told, the Giants got out-scored by a 115-54 margin in three games to date.  They will now face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, where the defense can either put forth a formidable Big Blue effort for a change, or continue to devolve.

Adversity is supposed to reveal character, but in the Giants case they are facing something much more primitive - the instincts to fight or flee.  Game Four is the crucible of their season.  And so begins the conversation as to whether this assemblage of defensive players is finished.

If I were drafting a defense from the pool of current Giants players, my first two selections would be JPP and Prince Amukamara.  My next two picks would be Mathias Kiwanuka and Linval Joseph. Everyone else you can have.

Jason Pierre Paul is getting a little healthier by the week.  He made five tackles against the Panthers, but still can't generate a pass rush.  Mathias Kiwanuka has suffered from what I'm calling the Joba Treatment (as in the Yankees handling of Joba Chamberlain), which was failing to establish him at one position or another.  This season he is back to being a lineman.  Mathias wouldn't have had to be moved to linebacker in the first place if GM Jerry Reese had paid more attention to the position.  There is still a lot of potential in Prince Amukamara's game, and with the departure of Chris Canty, Linval Joseph has not embarrassed himself one bit.

We all know the Giants present linebacker situation can be described as pedestrian at best.  Jesse Armstead was the last linebacker of impact drafted by the Giants.  A long succession of superior linebackers ended with him.  Antonio Pierce was a very good acquisition along the way.  But outside of the recent surprise seasons provided by Kawika Mitchell and Chase Blackburn, the position on the whole has been impotent.  The Giants caught a bad break when Dan Conner went down for the season in Week One.  He was supposed to solidify the middle.  But his injury only magnified how thin the Giants already were to begin with.

In the secondary, Ryan Mundy continues to play well, while Antrel Rolle continues to talk-up a good game. Injured - Corey Webster will sit out Sunday's game.  Truth is, he has looked no better getting burnt on deep plays, than say Aaron Ross or Terrell Thomas have.  Speaking of which, Terrell Thomas' knees just may be two years past their usefulness.  That's just speculation on my part, but talk is he's already wearing down.  The Giants corners haven't gotten help from the defensive line this season either, and that's not about to change unless Justin Tuck starts to play elite football.

The naysayers have already lined-up against him, saying Justin Tuck can't.  After a supposedly superior off-season training program, Tuck led us to believe he would be playing rejuvenated and inspired football this season.  So far, he's been perpetrating a daydream and making Subway commercials.  He has exactly one-half sack this season, and last week only made two tackles all game, which ranked eleventh on the team!  His sub-par play is now bleeding into its third season.

As a whole, the Giants defense is understaffed, and the offense currently has them overburdened, as offensive time of possession has been terrible this season.  At the same time however, the defense is collectively underachieving and has been underwhelming to say the least.  The once mighty sack machine is now among the worst pass rushes in the league.

There are many fans who would agree the Giants have enjoyed success in spite of Perry Fewell.  He continues to assemble yawn inspiring defensive game plans.  Coach Fewell believes in winning individual battles up front that the Giants defensive line have been increasingly less able to do over the last two seasons.  Don't expect any creativity on his part to compensate for depleted or compromised ability.  Coach Fewell has never been that "wiley" before.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants: Defense Still Panning For Fewell's Gold

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS: Still Panning Around In Fewell's Gold.  Jerry Reese and Defense May Need a New Direction.

The Giants allowed 129 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked 25th in all the NFL.  The 254 passing yards they allowed per game ranked 28th in the league.  The 383 total yards they allowed opponents per game ranked 31st, second to last in the NFL and ahead of only New Orleans.  Yet, they only allowed 21.5 points per game, which rated them 13th best in the league. Which also says, they give up an awful lot of yardage, but quite often held their opponents to field goals.

Somehow related to that is the fact Big Blue led the entire NFL in tackles made - like I said, somehow.  On that note, Chase Blackburn, Antrel Rolle and Michael Boley led the team in tackles, but only one of them is returning this season.  And while I'm at it, regarding their supposed forte' - they ranked 22nd last season with only thirty-three QB sacks.  To combat these numbers somewhat, the Giants ranked fourth in fumbles recovered and third in interceptions, but don't be misled.  Panning through the Giants 2012 regular season, time and again only turns up (Perry) Fewell's Gold.

Now what?

The Defensive Line:

The strength of the defense is still the front four, but they are evolving, or devolving.  Whether for better or worse is still to be determined.  At one point this squad had so much depth, they needed an unwelcomed, coach imposed rotation.  Of course that was by design, but the days of Osi Umenyiora, JPP, and Justin Tuck going full tilt together are done.  As per the contentious gentleman's agreement reached between Jerry Reese and Osi last year, Umenyiora chose to leave New York to spread his remaining feathers in Atlanta for one last big contract.  Meanwhile back in the land of Giants, Jason Pierre Paul is still on the mend after back surgery.  The Giants and fans are praying to their respective football deities and offering them sacrifices of burnt buffalo wings in hopes JPP can return to his rookie season form.  Even if he plays Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, his performance will still be a questionable proposition.  Until JPP is fully healthy again, Mathias Kiwanuka is once again entering a season as the x-factor.  He will be moved back on the defensive line this season.  That leads us to Justin Tuck, who is entering his tenth season with a lot to prove.  He is coming off two injurious and rather sub-par seasons.  If the Giants are to get back to the playoffs this season, Justin needs to become not just a major component towards that effort, but a feared force in the NFL once again.  Bottom line is Tuck needs to play an elite defensive end this season.  There is just no getting around that.

At defensive tackle and entering his fifth season, Linval Joseph has a fan in me, while former Eagle and eleven year veteran Cullen Jenkins was brought in to round-out and solidify the line.  He is a  respectable acquisition.  Jerry Reese used his second pick in April's draft to select Jonathan Hankins, a DT from Ohio State, and he used his third selection to take DE-Demontre Moore out of Texas A&M.  It would stand to reason then, the defensive line was of obvious concern to Reese.  That said, in the new NFL, having a formidable defensive line has served the Giants well.

Linebackers:

The Giants lost two of their top three leading tacklers from a year ago, both linebackers.  Michael Boley was released after failing to impress.  That's not to say he wasn't a solid player.  But he was expensive, and that factored into the decision.  Most of all, Michael just didn't have the presence in the middle that was expected of him.  Chase Blackburn parlayed his commendable play last season  into a contract with Carolina, that the Giants had no intentions of matching.  Good luck to him.

Linebacker is by far the thinnest, most untalented, and questionable squad of the entire Giants defense.  These are the guys charged with stuffing the run, covering tight ends and wandering mischievous fourth receivers, spearheading the blitz, and setting the overall defense.  Right....  Jerry Reese failed to select a linebacker with his first seven picks, and somehow continues to stick it out with Keith Rivers.  That situation is getting a little frustrating for me.  Entering his fourth season, Spencer Paysinger now gets to be a starter, while Dan Conner, formerly of Dallas and Carolina, suddenly finds himself in a starting role as well.  Jacquian Williams is entering his fourth season, and it would be nice if he too started making more of an impact.  That's the line-backing corps, and boy aren't they most unintimidating and yawn inspiring.

Secondary:

After Blackburn and Boley, safety Antrel Rolle was the team's leading tackler, and he continues to be an important team leader.  I never thought so before, but he has proven that out over his years here.  For those of us who fretted when Kenny Phillips left for the Eagles..., they cut him.  Tyler Sash played surprisingly well last season.  Can he do it again?  I'm still scratching my head over the Giants 2013 fourth round pick (a QB), but with their fifth pick, they selected a safety, Cooper Taylor out of Richmond.  He is 6'4" and 228 pounds - I like his size at safety.  He is big with speed which can take a measure of pressure off the linebackers forced into covering tight ends.  Who's Ryan Mundy?  He's a fourth year free-safety formerly of the Steelers who managed to start just five games for Pittsburgh in four seasons.  Suddenly, he is forced into a starting role here - it's ponderous actually.

The Giants finally may be the strongest they've been at corner in a few years now.  Corey Webster and Aaron Ross are reunited but will likely not be the starting corners together.  Prince Amukamara looks to have finally graduated to full time starter.  Jayron Hosely turned a lot of heads last season and garnered a lot of attention with his play.  Lastly, Terrell Thomas is determined to not be forgotten about.

The Defensive Coordinator:

Quite simply, he needs to get it together - and he needs to do it aggressively.  His read-and-react schemes are a 31st rate failure.  The Giants gave up an obscene number of huge yardage plays last season, both via the air and ground, and the year before for that matter.  Not because they lacked talent, but due to Fewell making his secondary reads too layered, and an overall inability to stop the run.  When there isn't a Giant player within fifteen yards of a receiver, something went terribly wrong, and that happened to them far too often.

When speaking of Perry Fewell's blitz packages, one is always forced into asking - what blitz packages?  There aren't many stunts going on within the front four either.  He puts it on his front line to play straight up, win individual battles and stay disciplined to their lanes.  Perry calls for safety blitzes with the frequency of a lunar eclipse.  Overall, there isn't much deception you're going to encounter playing against Perry Fewell's defensive game plan.

The defensive personnel was always capable of that shut-down, dominant performance.  They still have it in them.  I just think sometimes their coaching gets in the way of better defensive results and overall performances.  With this linebacking unit, I admit Perry Fewell has his work cut out for him.  I'd suggest more aggression and deception, and less reading and reacting.




Mike.BTB

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

N.Y. Giants: Big Blue "D - FENCE" Preview

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

 

Justin Tuck Salutes The Crowd

 

 

2012 OFFENSIVE PREVIEW:

Eli Manning Is Now Beyond The Coach

On Kevin Gilbride, And An Offensive Line Preview

Running Game Taking On New Persona

Wide Recievers: Life After Plaxico

 

 

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

N.Y. Giants ~ This TROLLEY Never Got Untracked

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

XXI

XXV

XLII

XLVI

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

There's too much to say and too many places to start.

The last five days have been a roller coaster of emotions for me, ranging from euphoria to rage.  On many levels, I feel like a NYC urban surfer who just rode the ultimate wave, but, who at the very end had some oblivious tourist get in the way and deny me a perfect ending.

This past weekend I was so high with things like my my birthday; Sunday's Rangers game against the Flyers; another night of celebration after the Giants victory; and then attending the Parade.  But then I went to the Rangers' game Tuesday night where The Devils and Refs happened to us.  It was a deflating loss to say the least.  In the last moments when the Rangers appeared to score, my son and I went into full blown celebration mode....again.  How perfectly was this week going I thought?The game however turned out to be a downer after a review.  Then Wednesday morning upon going through the NYC tabloids, I come to find myself in a Daily News pic from the Parade; well at least you see my arm, hands, and my phone.  I was filled with rage because the guy who ultimately ended up in front of me wouldn't stay his ass in place!  Otherwise everyone! - ...was really cool.  So wouldn't you know it, this guy blocked me from fully appearing in Wednesday's Daily News.  Hence, a moment of rage-filled laughter over coffee.  But yeah, I'm pissed.  That would have been a great picture to frame.

Now, I finally have a chance to sit and make my first run through the Giants and the Super Bowl.  And like I said, I don't really know where to start.  So I'm going to take a cue from the Giants themselves and be a little cocky about this first pass; and then most likely work in reverse order.

XXI     XXV     XLII     XLVI

First of all, I'd like to thank this blog for sticking with the Giants throughout.  The TROLLEY never got derailed.  I may have been pissed off after that second Redskins loss.  But rightfully so - C'mon, it was the Redskins.  But if you read me regularly, you know at worst, all I ever said after that Skins game was that they now had to prove to me they were the team I was defending all along.  In pre-season, I predicted this team would win (10+) eleven games this year.  I may have been off on their regular season record.  But I always felt this was a playoff team.  That, and thank goodness I'm a pragmatist.  This blog speaks for itself though.  I may have mentioned Super Bowl once or even twice along the way.  But I'm sure it was in some far-off goal context.  I pride myself in being able to compartmentalize week to week, then being able to separate the regular season from playoffs.

Today, I'm proud to say no one can deny me.  When the Giants were at 7-7, The TROLLEY was at it's most confident.  I predicted with strong conviction the Giants would beat the Jets and especially the Cowboys.  I told you the Giants would beat the Falcons outright.  I relished another opportunity to play Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau.  And once again, I said it with great  conviction - the Giants would beat the 49ers.  In Super Bowl XLVI, I held my ground again and strongly believed we would win.

I wouldn't throw all that out there like a frisbee unless this blog existed as testament to every reason why I believed those things to be true.  Additionally, I wouldn't have been so damn picky throughout the regular season about certain things if I didn't believe they were maybe underachieving in certain aspects of their game, or if I didn't believe they could do things better, or doing things that were correctable.  I wouldn't have waisted my time if I didn't think they were that good.  Because if you know me by now, I'll come crashing down if I think you suck and are in need of changes.

I also repeated over and over again my unyielding and blind faith in Jerry Reese.  Like most, I did not appreciate losing Kevin Boss, and to a lesser degree, Steve Smith.  Losing Barry Coffield was the one that stung me most.  But I said prior to the season starting and again along the way, if that's what Jerry Reese decided was best, then that was good enough for me.  I repeat; a blind faith.  If Jerry said no, that was fine.  And very quickly about Coughlin...; I always thought calls for his head were complete nonsense.

On Eli > I firmly believe if you think you have your guy, you take your rookie and put him into the fire and let him learn.  I was in full support when the organization decided to give Eli the ball when they did.  And I know full well part of the learning process is filled with failures.  But it's how things gets done.  It's not hindsight; it's philosophy.  And so when they took the ball from Curt Warner and gave it to Eli, I decided then to get behind the kid no matter what. I am proud to say today, I never wavered once.  Just look at Ernie Accorsi's acquisition now.

Now for my self-serving of humble pie.

When the Media put Coughlin on the hot seat to begin the season, I didn't even entertain the idea and instead said if anyone needed to save his job, it would be Kevin Gilbride.  Once again, I rode him hard this season as we headed into the Jets game.  But from that game forward, except for some minor running game issues I always seem to have with him, the man had a great run.  He did.  I kill him on game planning often enough.  But he deserves his due.  His game planning from the Jets game on was exceptional. -  (Except for the Packers game.  There's some things I won't let go.)

When the Secondary looked clueless and was suffering from mass confusion earlier in the season, I turned up the heat on Secondary Coaches Peter Giunta and Dave Merritt.  Not so much our Safeties,   but Aaron Ross, Corey Webster, and the two coaches I mentioned have worked together for some time now.  And that's why I was kind of stupefied by their play over the first nine weeks or so.

That's where Coach Perry Fewell comes in.  It was his zone schemes that left his Secondary with too many options to think through.  In a sense, it paralyzed them.  But one thing I always commended Coach Fewell this season was on his adaptability.  I knew he was contending with many injuries sustained on the defensive side of the ball.  The Secondary was hit hardest.  Then he lost two starting linebackers early in the season.  And Coach had issues up front with Osi and Tuck as well.  As guys started getting healthy again, I give Coach Fewell a lot of credit for ditching his experiments in zone coverage and reverting to a much more simplified and time-tested approach in coverage.  But things were looking bleak for him for a bit.  And I even said I'd gladly welcome Coach Spags back.  But just add up the opponent's point totals since the Jets game.  That speaks for itself.

No player has probably earned my wrath more than Center David Baas this season.  And I still have my questions about him going forward.  In Super Bowl XLVI however, he had himself a stellar game primarily dealing with Vince Wilfork.  He may prove me wrong yet.

And now, these are the moments when I felt, I knew we were going to win the Super Bowl.

1) - When the Giants recorded a Safety against the Falcons.  See #3

2) - In my SB pre-game post, I called Brady an individual, versus Eli being more of a team player.  Then when both teams ran out on the field for the first times before the game, Tom Brady was the only Patriot not wearing his helmet.  He was the only player; Giant or Patriot; to do so.  He stuck out - like an individual.  And when I noticed, I thought - Holy Crap I was right; we're going to win the Super Bowl.

3) - When the Giants/Patriots recorded a Safety on New England's first possession - I finally knew for sure we were going to win the Super Bowl!  I've adhering to a personal theme during the playoffs.  I feel like these last four seasons have played out similarly to the way things transpired in XXI through XXV.  Among the many similarities, there was a safety in XXI.  There was another safety in XXV.  There was another safety in XLII.  And when the Refs called one against the Patriots last Sunday.  I just knew.  Then it became only a matter of how.

Don't get me wrong, none of that means there weren't times during those games where I didn't think we were doomed.  But for as long as the Defense kept making plays against the 49ers and again against the Patriots, I knew Eli would give us a chance.  At this point, Giant fans who remember back to at least XXV, knew enough to buckle down for a long, tough, down to the wire game.  We've seen these runs before.  And that's why no one understands, and no one ever picks us, and no one ever believes in us, except the people who work and play for the Giants, and us Fans.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Coach Fewell's New Dogs of Winter

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE - NFC Championship Game Edition

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

NEW YORK GIANTS
vs.

San Francisco 49ers

Post ~ LEFT With Questions About Run Game

Post ~ California, Here We Come!

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