N.Y. Giants: Back to the Frozen Tundra

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

2007 

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP 

GAME

New York Football Giants: Best way to defeat Aaron Rogers is by keeping him on the sidelines..

Let the record show, that in his first campaign as head coach Ben McAdoo ended Big Blue's four year playoff drought, guiding them to a well earned Wild Card berth - considering, that is, the team punctuated their 11-5 record with two victories over this season's NFC East champion (and #1 seed) Dallas Cowboys.

That being said, let the second season begin!

The Giants will again trek to Green Bay's famed Lambeau Field where they'll resume their ongoing subarctic conflict against the Packers.  This time led not by Tom Coughlin, but by Ben McAdoo who returns to the place where he helped create the beast Big Blue must slay named Aaron Rogers.

Again.....

The Giants obviously emerged victorious in a pair of epic confrontations played at Lambeau during their 2007 and 2011 Super Bowl runs ... games Packer fans would much rather forget.  Which is why Sunday every cheese head in Wisconsin will have nothing but revenge on their minds.

*          *          *

But if the Giants are to be successful in Green Bay, and hopefully beyond, they'll need to gain a measure of ground control and clock management.  They'll need to run the ball whether they like it or not.  They must do so in order to keep the Packers defense honest, which is another way of saying keeping Eli Manning alive and maximizing play-action.  Running the ball will help keep Aaron Rogers on the sidelines, and perhaps lessen the burden being placed on the Giants defense (minus JPP) when Rogers is on the field.

• Question:  What is the single most factor differentiating these Giants from the Super Bowl champions of XXI, XXV, XLII, XLVI?

• Answer:  Previous opponents were forced to respect a formidable Giants running game.  Joe Morris and O.J. Anderson ran behind superb offensive lines led by all-pro center Bart Oates, while Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw rushed behind another superb offensive line anchored by yet another all-pro center, Shaun O'Hara.

Promising center (I'm being kind) Weston Richburg is good, and will get better.  In fact, the Giants do their best running up the middle.  However, he does not have the quality of personnel lined up to his left and right that Oates and O'Hara enjoyed.  The performance of left tackle Ereck Flowers has been the most distressing of the lot.  Otherwise, left guard Justin Pugh represents the best of the rest.

Having Shane Vereen on injured reserve combined with Rashad Jennings' unspectacular style and underwhelming performance only exacerbates the situation.

So what's a coach to do?

Everyone says the Giants should go right after Green Bay's weak secondary.

I could not agree more.

But I say do that by attacking Green Bay's more competent front seven.  Sit a third receiver from time to time, and at least attempt to smash mouth a way through to daylight.  Let Nikita Whitlock play like a true fullback.  Give Green Bay some double tight end sets.  Said another way, do what it takes to gain 3.5 yards per carry.  Give Weston Richburg, Justin Pugh, and John Jerry, the help they need to make this happen.

But a coach must first try, and commit.

Sell out.

Because at this point rookie Paul Perkins is the most powerful and elusive runner the Giants have.   Take that with a grain of salt, especially coming off a 102 yard performance during the season finale against a disinterested Washington Redskins defense.  That game nevertheless marked the first time this season a Giants running back rushed for 100 yards in a game.

To his credit, Perkins has been consistent.  He rushed 112 times this season, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.  He closed out the regular season on an uptick, rushing 47 times for 226 yards over the Giants final three games for an average of 4.80 yards per carry.

Run ... so Eli Manning can throw the ball to Miami Vice on his terms, not Green Bay's.

N.Y. Giants: Coach McAdoo Earns Week Two Game Ball

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE..!

Game Ball Goes to Coach McAdoo 

for demanding the New York Football Giants take better care of

"THE DUKE"

WEEK TWO FINAL

Saints    13

Giants   16

New York Football Giants: Coach McAdoo's reinvestment in the run, and Doing It For The Duke will get him far.

After two games head coach Ben McAdoo is undefeated.

Make no mistake, there's great value starting 2-0 in a 16 game season.  After all, you can't win division titles in September, but you certainly can lose them.  So, give the man his due.

But what Coach McAdoo has actually accomplished in two short weeks as first time head coach of the Giants needs more context.

Passing Aggressive Personality Disorder: Eli, Gilbride, and Coughlin.

For better and for worse, Eli Manning and former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride spent years routinely leading the NFL in most yards attempted per pass - all with Tom Coughlin's blessings, of course.

Their system was good enough to win a pair of Super Bowls.  But on a year-in-year-out basis, such high risk/high reward down field passing would certainly increase Manning's odds of getting intercepted.

Sure enough, in 2007 Eli led the league in interceptions during his first season under Gilbride.  In 2010, Eli attempted his most passes under Gilbride to that point of his career, and wound up topping the league for a second time with 25 interceptions.  By 2013, times grew considerably more dire for both Kevin Gilbride and Tom Coughlin. In his final season under Gilbride, Eli Manning led the league in interceptions for a third time in his career, which perhaps more than anything, spoke about the Giants depleted running capabilities, poor defense, and overall mounting desperation.

With the Giants disappointing 7-9 record requiring a sacrificial lamb, Kevin Gilbride took the hit for his friend Tom Coughlin by notifying the organization of his retirement from football.

Say what you will about Kevin Gilbride (I do), he still maintained a balanced attack. Although he often drew the ire of Giants fans (myself included) for what I called his endless search for the perfect pass play, he knew how and when, and did utilize his running game effectively (creativity withstanding) ... back when the Giants could.  But once center Shaun O'Hara retired, the rest of the offensive line and running game deteriorated in kind shortly thereafter.

That's a main reason why by 2014-15 Tom Coughlin had become an exponentially desperate head coach, who perhaps limited much of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's play calling autonomy.

Coughlin all but abandoned his already inconsequential running game that now featured an untenable, counter-productive four back rotation.  At the same time, Eli was setting career highs with 600+ pass attempts in consecutive seasons as the Giants began incorporating a more west coast style system.

But after two straight 6-10 seasons and 12 seasons overall as head coach of the New York Giants, Tom Coughlin unavoidably gave way last year for the promotion of Ben McAdoo.

Meet the New Boss

Jerry Reese arguably dealt Coughlin a losing hand in his latter years as head coach.  For the moment, that remains another matter.

Today, after just two weeks of play, there's little debating how much more head coach McAdoo is benefiting from better quality personnel, particularly on defense.

As offensive coordinator, he noticeably shortened up Manning's passing game, thus making him a more efficient quarterback. Eli limited himself to 14 INT's in each of his two seasons under OC McAdoo.

But the most welcome change from one regime to the next has been head coach McAdoo's reinvestment in the running game.

Last year, the Giants threw the ball 76 times, and only rushed 42 times through the first two games of the season against Dallas and Atlanta.  The Giants utilized four different backs against Dallas, while three rushed in week two against Atlanta.

This season, first year head coach McAdoo and first year offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan have elected to pass 69 times, and rush 52 times.  Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen have been the lone ball carriers, with the exception of Orleans Darkwa making his first and only rush of the season against the Saints.

All this sort of confirms Tom Coughlin's operational level of desperation.  The change is proving refreshing.

All that being said, once is an event, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a trend.  So let's see how things play out in Week Three.

Tugging at Big Blue's Heartstrings

Ben McAdoo spent ten years working under Mike McCarthy in New Orleans, San Francisco, and of course in Green Bay, prior to his arrival in New York.  With a credible resume, hiring McAdoo as offensive coordinator in 2014 was viewed, then, as somewhat of a layup - easily chalked up to career progression.

Instead, the general apprehension lay in having a 39 year old head coach.

Anyone savvy enough to invoke The Duke is wise beyond his years.  Perhaps a calculated move on McAdoo's part, but one that should have some members of the media feeling embarrassed of themselves for not catching it.

Starting the season 2-0 is nice too.

I'm sure Wellington would approve.

N.Y. Giants: Weston Richburg at Center of Running Attack Versus Cowboys

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

FINAL

GIANTS   20

Cowboys   19

New York Football Giants:  Weston Richburg and Justin Pugh spearhead effective ground game against Cowboys.

After suffering through the pre-season's slings and arrows of outrageous media, the Giants offensive line put their best foot forward.

We shall see as we move forward whether Sunday's ground performance is a sign of things to come.

Center Weston Richburg and left tackle Justin Pugh are easily the Giants best two linemen.  It is no coincidence, then, the Giants did the majority of their rushing behind them.

Rushing 12 times for 58 yards behind Richburg, the Giants averaged 4.8 yards up the middle.   Rushing nine times for 38 yards running left with Pugh, they averaged 4.2 yards per carry.  Along with guard Ereck Flowers, the center/left side of the line opened up 96 yards of daylight over 21 carries.

The caveat ... Dallas defensive front seven is widely regarded as an inferior group.

Back to the Giants...

Will Beatty's return is a clear indication all is not well on the right side of the line presently manned by guard John Jerry and tackle Marshall Newhouse.  Jerry did pull left on occasion with effectiveness against the Cowboys.  Sunday's plan, however, only called for three rushes to the right side, albeit for 13 very positive yards.

Rewarding Rashad Jennings with the lion's share of carries paid off with 75 yards on 18 carries, for a 4.2 average.  Shane Vereen gained 38 yards on six rushes, for a handsome 6.8 average.

Overall, averaging 4.7 yards on 24 carries for 113 yards is a nice way of kicking off the 2016 regular season.

Timing is Everything

Trailing 6-0 in the 2nd quarter, the Giants put their quick strike capabilities to work.  Their touchdown drive during their second possession of the game required just four plays and shaved a mere 1:33 off the clock.

After which, the defense resumed their positions on the field.

Clinging to a 20-19 lead late in the fourth quarter, three straight running plays during the Giants final possession of the game caused Dallas to expend all three of their time outs.

In fact, Mike Sullivan elected to run on every play, handing off to Rashad Bradshaw seven times in all.

That's called controlling the ball and owning the clock.

So, to whom do I owe my little debt of gratitude for such a rushing effort?  Coach McAdoo?  First year Giants' offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan?

I will answer that next time.

Till then, thank you for the correction guys.

N.Y. Giants: It's Why We Run The Ball

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

On Running Like Giants..

New York Football Giants:  Without a quality offensive line and effective running game, Eli Manning and OBJ will simply continue throwing into the wind.

Jerry Reese's Last Stand

The Giants woeful running game is a product of poor drafting.  That's on Jerry Reese.

Specifically, the Giants offensive line is not a weakness.  It is a liability.  Sunday withstanding, their run blocking is obviously very poor, and their pass protection is not much better.  The latter inevitably increases the chances of Eli Manning getting hurt.

It has been in full decline since Shaun O'Hara's retirement.  After which, Jerry Reese paid this unit little more than reactive attention.  The ramifications of his neglect are now coming to pass.

I find last year's three and four-man running back by committee infuriating, and feel Shane Vereen has been similarly misused.  Regardless, Rashad Jennings or whomever still need somewhere to run.

The Giants ranked 6th in the NFL last year in total points 6th in points per game, and ranked 8th in yards per game.  On the ground, however, they ranked 16th in overall rushing yards, and only 19th with (an improved) 100.6 rushing yards per game.

But what good is all that aerial yardage and all those points, if you have no running game to help control the clock and keep opposing offenses off the field?

The season opener in Dallas experienced five lead changes.  In other words, ball control and first downs matter.

Clinging to a precarious 20-19 lead, they Giants tried imposing the run with Rashad Jennings late in the 4th quarter until they ran into a 3rd and 12  situation at the two minute warning.  They handed off to Rashad Jennings again who came up one yard shy of a first down.  Not a bad effort.

But faced with a 4th and one with 1:12 left in the game, the Giants were forced to punt.

Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen were the only members of the backfield to touch the ball Sunday.
That's a good sign.

They combined on 24 rushes for 113 yards (4.7 average).  That's a good start.

LOST in a LEFT COAST STATE of MIND

Run.

Run to daylight!

Run like Giants ... like Joe Morris, Otis Anderson, Dave Meggett once did behind superior offensive linemen anchored by center Bart Oates.

Run to daylight and find glory ... as the Giants of 1986 did in Super Bowl XXI, when they ran 35 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns.  As was necessary to control the ball for 34:39 and keep a frustrated John Elway relegated to the sidelines.

Run to daylight and find glory ... as the Giants of 1990 did in Super Bowl XXV, when they ran 33 times for 172 yards and a touchdown.  As was required to maintain control of the ball for an incredible 40:33 and keep Jim Kelly and Buffalo's high powered offense mired on the sidelines.

Run like Giants again ... like Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw did behind a record setting offensive line in their own right, anchored by center Shaun O'Hara.

Run to daylight and find glory ... as the Giants of 2007 did in Super Bowl XLII, when Coach Gilbride elected to run 26 times for 91 yards (4.0 avg.) in order to both maintain possession for 30:27 and balance Eli Manning's 34 pass attempts.

Find glory ... as they did again in 2011, when the Giants controlled the ball for an impressive 37:05, rushing 28 times for 114 yards (4.2 avg.) and a touchdown.

In each instance, a strong running game played an instrumental role in keeping Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense off the field.

The list of opponents is impressive.  The Giants turned back best-of-the-best en route to becoming Super Bowl Champions.

• Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers
• John Elway and the Denver Broncos
• Bret Favre and Aaron Rogers, Green Bay Packers
• Tom Brady and the New England Patriots

None of the aforementioned teams necessarily ran offenses predicated on the run, where the Giants could, and did.

So, my question is this ... if smash mouth (to varying degrees) was good enough for defeating teams more generally associated with running West Coast style offenses, then why on earth are the Giants trying to adopt a West Coast style offense?

N.Y. Giants: Coach McAdoo Flicks On Orleans Darkwa, Then Turns Him Off

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

4-3

First Place

NFC EAST

NEW YORK GIANTS: Two games against the Cowboys brought out the best in Big Blue's running game.  See you again this time next year!

In the one hand, Sunday was refreshing.  On the other hand, maddening.

Do the Giants need to play Dallas every week?  Is that what it takes for Ben McAdoo to incorporate more running?  In any event, I guess he indeed wound up watching Game One's game film after all.

Let's rewind to the season opener in Dallas for a moment:

Right up until the Giants last, and fatal 4th quarter drive, Ben McAdoo called for a mere 16 rushes all game.  Then, during the Giants final drive (before handing the game to Dallas), McAdoo called on Rashad Jennings 7 times, and specifically targeted the Cowboys' middle 5 times.   In return, Jennings pounded out 38-net yards.

• middle: 3 yds.
• middle: 27 yds.
• middle: 7 yds.
• middle: 2 yds.
• left: minus 4 yds.
• middle: 2 yds.
• left: 1 yd.

In all, the Giants rushed 23 times for 91 yards that game.  Ponderously, this remained their best single-game output through the first six weeks of the season.  Eli went 20/36 for 193 yards that game, marking the only time this season to date Eli has thrown less than the Giants elected to run.

Otherwise, the Giants averaged 23 rushes for 80.1 yards, while Eli has averaged 39 attempts for 267 yards per game through the first six weeks of the season.

WEEK SEVEN

Cowboys   20

GIANTS   27

FINAL

The Dallas Cowboys amassed 460 yards of offense against the Giants, while Big Blue managed just 289 total yards.  

The Cowboys, however, insisted on turning over the ball four times, and it cost them the difference in Sunday's game.  Dominique Rogers-Cromartie had a pick-six, and a subsequent Matt Cassel INT (one of three) led to one of the Giants two field goals on the day.

Even then, Dallas still tied the score 20-20 with 7:14 left in regulation.  It took a 100-yard touchdown return from Dwayne Harris on the ensuing kick-off to seal the victory.

Now back to the business at hand.

Week One still remains the only game in which Ben McAdoo wound up calling more run plays than passes, although Week Seven came close.

This past Sunday, Eli went 13/24 for 170 yards.  Meanwhile, Ben McAdoo dialed up 21 rushes for a season high 128 yards.

Congratulations Orleans Darkwa on getting into his first game of the season.

And to a lesser degree, congrats to the Giants on hitting the century mark for the first time all year, and for topping 90-yards for a third time.  But, they shouldn't go patting themselves on the back just yet.

Here's the rub...

Ben McAdoo called on fourth string running back Orleans Darkwa during the Giants 2nd quarter scoring drive that went seven plays for 79 yards, putting them ahead 7-3.  He called on Darkwa four times (plus one uncompleted pass attempt):

• Left: 7-yard gain.
• Middle: 9-yard gain.
• Left: 10-yard gain.
• Final play of drive: 15-yards, touchdown.

All told, that was four rushes for 41 yards, or, 7.7 yards per carry.  Subtract that from the overall effort, and the Giants rushed 17 times for 87 yards.  That's a good day by their standards, but hardly anything that makes me feel better about the situation.

Furthermore, subtracting this drive means Darkwa only made 4 other touches all game.  If he was running like this to start the 2nd quarter, my next question would be, why stop?

Six touches for Shane Vereen likewise seems hardly enough.  Ben McAdoo's odd utilization continues.  If Shane Vereen rushed 4 times for 56 yards (one catch for six yards), why not give him more touches?  He's been limited, and I do mean limited, to just 3 receptions and 5 rushes per game.

Rashad Jennings is averaging just 11 carries and 2 receptions per game; Andre Williams 8 carries a game.

How is a back supposed to establish any kind of flow, or at the least gain a feel for the game, with that kind of indifferent, or dare I say ambivalent utilization?

Somewhere along the way, coaches forgot these players thrive on contact, and must negotiate their way through games with intelligence, but with physicality as well.  At some point, attempting to out-cute the competition will only garner lessons in concussion protocol.

To that I say, this generation of life coaches is too busy outsmarting themselves.

ICYMI: Running Game Making Me Green With Envy

Stop the madness and just continue running with power.

N.Y. Giants: Feeling Green With Envy

From the desks of:

DO IT FOR THE DUKE  and  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

THE ODD COUPLE

Can two teams share a stadium, without one of them driving their fan bases crazy?

NEW YORK GIANTS: Differences between Blue and Green are like Night and Day, Good and Bad, and just too much to bear anymore.

I do not like bleeding colors, but now that Washington has become a common opponent, I thought a comparison between Big Blue and Gang Green would be a great way to make a point.  It's a fairly accurate snapshot in so far as Washington played each team within the span of a few short weeks.

Why do this?  Because it's my blog and it applies.  I hope this pisses off someone working in one of the Blue offices at Snoopy Centre.  Otherwise, Jets fans, you're safe. Giants fans... what more can I say?

I - The Giants played Washington in Week Three; the Jets in Week Six.  Both walked away victorious by similar final scores:

• NYG 32; WASH 21
• NYJ 34; WASH 20

II - There's no arguing whom the more established, and more accomplished quarterback is.  After Eli's poor performance against the Eagles Monday, however, Giants fans may not be as forgiving.   For the Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick was clearly the better option over Geno Smith (I think), although some Jets fans might still debate that as well.  Both nevertheless posted similar statistics against Washington:

• Eli: 23/32 for 279 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT QB rating 119.1%
• Fitz: 19/26 for 253 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, QB rating 113.1%

III - That's where the similarities end, and the major differences begin.  The Giants run the ball and play defense extremely poorly. The Jets on the other hand run the ball and play defense extremely well.

In Week Six against Washington, Chris Ivory rushed 20 times for 146 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.  Zac Stacy rushed another 13 times for 46 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per.

• Between them, they rushed 33 times for 192 yards.

In Week Three against Washington, Rashad Jennings rushed 11 times for 32 yards, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.  Andre Williams rushed 14 times for just 29 yards, averaging 2.1 yards per carry.

• They combined on 25 rushes for 61 yards.

IV - Then there's the curious case of D.C. quarterback Kirk Cousins.  He's easily the worst of the three QBs mentioned here.  Jet fans believe that, while me and my fellow Giants fans are trying our best.

In each game against the Giants and Jets, Kirk Cousins threw one touchdown, two interceptions, and got sacked once.  That's where the similarities end, and the major differences begin, again!

• Cousins vs. NYG - 30/49 for 316 yards (6.4 ypp), with a 69.8% QB rating.
• Cousins vs. Jets - 25/43 for 196 yards (4.6 ypp), with a 57.9% QB rating.

V - Finally, here's your total yardage for the game:

• The Giants gained 363 total yards, but were outdone by Washington's 393 total yards.  In my math, they netted -30 yards for the game.
• The Jets gained 474 total yards against Washington, but only surrendered 225 total yards, for a 249 net yards advantage.

So, where am I headed with all this? Philadelphia of course.  I'll preface this by saying things have gone haywire for the Giants in the City of Brotherly Stuff, and against the Eagles in general, ever since I started following Big Blue back during Jimmy Carter's administration.  It's a little weird to explain, but irrelevant regarding Monday's game.

All three of the Giants loses have been so uniquely bad in their own right.  However, their most recent one followed a very familiar trend:

• Philly's DeMarco Murray rushed 22 times for 109 yards.
• Rashad Jennings rushed 13 times for 63 yards; Andre Williams was five for six yards, and Shave Vereen rushed once for no yards.  All told, they carried the ball 22 times for 69 yards.

Shameful!

After leading the league in pass attempts through the first four weeks, Eli has slipped down to 6th most, and is now ninth in passing yardage and 11th in touchdowns. Despite Sunday's bruising, he's still among the least sacked quarterbacks, and is arguably outperforming his older brother (big deal).

Eli Manning was 24/38 for 189 yards against the Eagles, with a touchdown, 2 INTs, and was sacked three times.  His opponent Sam Bradford threw three INT's, but don't discredit what he did against the Giants defense nonetheless.  He attempted the same number of passes as Eli, and likewise completed as many, yet managed to throw for 91 more yards than Eli.

What's more, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle were both nursing hamstrings, yet were targeted 14 times and made 12 receptions.

All of which means Ben McAdoo called for more passes than running plays for the sixth straight week.  His questionable utilization of Shave Vereen also continues to perplex.  Vereen made one reception out of the backfield, which means he had five touches all game.

All told (and getting four turnovers to boot), the Giants still only managed 247 total yards of offense.   The Eagles, meanwhile, accumulated 425 total yards.

I'll let the comparative numbers speak for themselves.  You can draw your own conclusions.

You already know where I stand.

N.Y. Giants: Running Away From Trouble Never Solves Anything

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Lack of a running game will finally come to bear versus the Eagles

New York Giants: The Running Game is a Disgrace! Four QBs Have Scrambled For More Yardage Than Rashad Jennings!

After six regular season games, Rashad Jennings leads the New York Giants with 180 rushing yards.

(insert uncomfortable silence here..)

You read that right.  To put that into a quantum physics perspective, he has averaged a mere 10.6 rushes for 36-yards per game.  Put yet another way, there are 33 other NFL running backs with more yardage than Rashad - that's more players than there are NFL teams.  Even worse, there are four - I said FOUR - quarterbacks with more rushing yards than Rashad Jennings.

This running game is a disgrace!  It's literally offensive to Giants fans (pardon the pun), and a direct result of this regime's pass-perverted philosophy.

While it's true Eli had ice flowing through his veins, there's two other major reasons why the Giants beat the Packers, TWICE, en route to the Super Bowl - Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.

Make no mistake, none of this is a reflection on Jennings, or Andre Williams for that matter. But, in the name of Rob Carpenter, I want to know what the hell coach Ben McAdoo, Tom Coughlin, and even Jerry Reese, are collectively thinking?

You've heard this all before.  I most recently went though it with:

    Running to Daylight With Sunglasses On  and
 Coach McAdoo Passing the Time Away

I initially offered my full expanded thought on this subject at the very start of the season.  If you're going to read anything, I suggest you please revisit the following, as it gets to the heart and genesis of everything:

A Rushing Mentality Must Flow Through One's Veins

Now the lack of a running game will finally come to bear against the Eagles.  That's because Eli Manning is nearly fresh out of healthy receivers.  Did you see Dwayne Harris drop an easy first down against the Niners?  I did too.

• Odell Beckham Jr. - hamstring/unquestionably compromised
• Rueben Randle - hamstring/unquestionably compromised.
• Victor Cruz is still listed as OUT - calf.

Reliability will come at a premium them.  Eli will once again be forced to utilize Larry Donnell and Shane Vereen out of the backfield as was the case against San Francisco.

In truth, it would have been nice get throw-happy against the Eagles.  Even though hobbled of late, the Giants are still ranked 12th in the league in passing yardage, while the Eagles have alternately allowed the league's 7th most yards through the air.  It could have, and would have been a good match-up for the Giants, if only...

But, such as life.

If there was ever a time to commit to the run, establish it early, stick with it throughout and let it wear down the opponent, and allow it to control the clock and ultimately the fourth quarter, it would be this Monday night in Philadelphia.  Do that, and the Donnell/Vereen connection should work out well enough to keep Philadelphia honest.

• Vereen led the Giants with eight receptions for 86-yards last week against the Niners, and was on the field late in the game when OBJ and Randle were no longer physically able.  That said, Coach McAdoo has utilized him quite oddly this season.

Exactly one week ago I said Rashad and Andre have moved the chains at times this season with power, but only as the play calling allows.  That said, Ben McAdoo has Eli Manning leading the NFL in pass attempts.  At last count, he's elected to throw 197 times, while electing to run only 118 times.   That translates to 23.6 rushes and 39.4 pass attempts per game.

That simply will not due.

It stands to reason that if he keeps overtaxing OBJ's and "the necessary" Rueben Randle's respective hamstrings, he'll jeopardize any continued effectiveness, or even compromise their playing time.   What good is getting Victor Cruz back on the field, if you're just going to lose OBJ, Randle, or both?

That's why this must be the week Coach McAdoo reverses his season long trend of passing noticeably more often than electing to run, and commit to a more ground oriented style.  I speak for Sunday and nothing more, because at the very least the Giants need to prove they're even capable.

As former Giants safety Antrel Rolle used to say, "at the end of the day" this is usually less a discussion about the ground game than it is playing a broken record.

Defense: There are just too many injuries, inadequacies, and idiots to keep up with the Eagles this week.

The Eagles aren't as terrible as their poor start led many to believe.  They'll score points Monday night.  Be sure.

With the Giants lacking a pass rush, and now missing two starting linebackers and a starting corner, this may easily to devolve into one of those prime time Big Blue disasters.

The Giants already ranked dead last against the pass even before more injuries mounted last week.  So, they stand every chance of making Sam Bradford look like Norm Van Broklin this week.

Remember how good they made Kirk Cousins look?

Exactly!

I bet the Eagles won't even run the ball much, which is presently the Giants only legitimate defensive strength.

Special teams anyone?

Defensive wounded list:

• Jon Beason - concussion
• Devon Kennard - hamstring
• Prince Amukamara - partially torn pectoral muscle
• Robert Ayers - hamstring
• George Selvie - calf
• JPP - missing digits and common sense

N.Y. Giants: Coach McAdoo Passing the Time Away

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Eli Manning leads the NFL in pass attempts

New York Giants

3-2

1st Place NFC East

NEW YORK GIANTS: Coach McAdoo demanding more and more from an increasingly beaten and battered group of wide receivers, while putting Eli's arm strength and durability to the test as well.

LARRY DONNELL'S GRAB SECURES FIRST PLACE

Opening the first quarter season without Victor Cruz, coupled with the general ineffectiveness of Rueben Randle, put an obvious strain on Odell Beckham Jr.  His hamstring has been barking at him, and by Week Five Randle's hamstring started barking too.

That said, had Eli connected with OBJ in stride during the 1st quarter against the Niners, the Giants could have potentially gone up 7-3 instead of settling for a field goal.  Beckham's YAC nonetheless put the Giants at San Francisco's 12-yard line.  To the Giants credit, they settled for a field goal only after attempting to pound the ball on 2nd and four from the six, then again on 3rd and one, to no avail.

Later, with the Giants up 10-3 before the half, Dwayne Harris dropped an easy third down pass, that again resulted in a Giants field goal.

*

Prior to the Buffalo game, I thought it high time the Giants start seeking out Larry Donnell.

Larry was targeted just four times in Week One then six times in Week Two, totaling seven receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta.  Eli targeted him another six times in Week Three against Washington, but only connected on three receptions for 32 yards.

Week Four marked an uptick in the Eli/Donnell connection.  He was targeted seven times against Buffalo, and made 5 receptions for a season high 38 yards.  Then came Sunday's big catch against the 49ers.  Larry was targeted another seven times Sunday and made 6 receptions for 35 yards, but none more important than his 12-yard touchdown reception with 0:21 left on the clock.

I guess if not by the run, punctuating an 8-play/82 yard drive to the tight end was just as classic.

See?  Necessity is indeed the mother of all invention.

Last season, Larry Donnell made 12 starts, and hauled in 63 receptions for 623 yards.  However, in 92 targeted plays, he and Eli were only successful 68% of the time.  They've completed 70% of their attempted connections thus far.

*

Enter Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo:

He has Eli Manning leading the NFL with 197 pass attempts (and to Eli's credit, he's thrown just two INTs).  His 66.5% completion rate after five games is presently hovering at a career high.  He also completed a career best 41 passes in 54 attempts for 441 yards against the Niners, also marking Eli's first 300+ yard game of the season.

Yet, a compromised OBJ and sub par complimentary receivers has meant even more throwing.  In fact, balance has gone out the window.

Coach McAdoo's utilization of the running game is one of the more quizzical things I've ever seen - as if he can just turn it on with the flick of a switch.  Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen have only combined for 119 rushes for an average of 23.8 carries a game versus 39.4 pass attempts for Eli.

Even Kevin Gilbride knew he had to start running in the 1st quarter in order to be successful in the 4th.  I have a real big problem when a guy like Rashad Jennings only averages 10.6 carries a game.

Then there's the even more curious case of Shane Vereen.  His game splits speak for themselves:

• GM1 - 3 rushes; 4 receptions.
• GM2 - 6 rushes; 8 receptions.
• GM3 - 6 rushes; 0 receptions.
• GM4 - 5 rushes; 0 receptions.
• GM5 - 5 rushes; 8 receptions.

Regardless of my personal observations, the Giants have registered the 4th most points in the NFC.   To date, their controlled short passing game has outscored opponents by a 132-109 margin.  They are winners of three straight and now sit atop their division.

Maybe Coach McAdoo's whole gig is based on mass confusion.  He's got me fooled.  They certainly outsmarted themselves in games One and Two, and damn near did it again versus the Niners, until they smartened up that is...

There's still much to learn much from reviewing the gains and gaffes of Game One.

McAdoo has me beat, though.  Controlled chaos rules the day.

N.Y. Giants: Running To Daylight With Sunglasses On

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

GAME FIVE

San Francisco 49ers

vs.

New York Giants

FROM

The Snoopy Bowl

NEW YORK GIANTS: There are no such things as dire circumstances in the NFC East, only chance and opportunity.

Part I of IV

COWBOYS 27; Giants 26

Falcons 24; GIANTS 20

GIANTS 32; D.C. Hogs 21

Giants 24; BILLS 10

The road to an NFC East title has remarkably been detoured through East Rutherford, proving time and again that one team's misfortune and/or dysfunction are another team's opportunity.

Ever mounting injuries continue taking a heavy toll on the Dallas Cowboys, and will do so for several weeks to come.  Elsewhere, the D.C. Hogs remain locked in an eternal struggle against themselves, while the Eagles are safely chained in the division basement until further notice.

In a tumultuous first quarter season, the Giants recovered from their 0-2 start to even their record with consecutive victories over Washington and a particularly convincing one over Buffalo.

Last week's game was certainly an attitude adjuster, causing fans to seriously rethink a great many things.  For instance, the Giants have effectively controlled roughly 235 of a possible 240 minutes played over four games and 16 quarters of football.  It's just that those two gaffes late in games One and Two were so self-destructive, and completely unnecessary.

The second quarter of the season begins with the NFC East locked in a three way tie.  Big Blue is seemingly in the best shape to seize control of a leaderless pack.

Part II of IV

49ERS

@ Eagles

COWBOYS

@ Saints

GAME FIVE: Niners @ Giants

ICYMI: Running of the Bills; Applied SPAGnology

Some of the Niners cast members might still be the same, but San Francisco's performance is far from what we grew accustomed to under Jim Harbaugh.  

The familiar Colin Kaepernick, Anquan Bolden, Vernon Davis, and the 49ers offense are last in total yards per game, and total points scored.  San Francisco's ground game is another matter.  Despite no longer having Frank Gore in the loop, the Niners have nevertheless accumulated the most rushing yards to date, and rank 5th in average yards rushed per game.  All told, however, the Niners are only averaging a mere 12 ppg after four weeks of play.

Defensively, the Niners have allowed the league's 6th most total points, and 10th most total yardage per game.

GIANTS DEFENSE

20.5 points allowed per game

386 yards allowed per game

The Giants, meanwhile, have allowed the NFL's 7th most overall yards.  They have allowed the second most yards through the air, and have averaged the most passing yards allowed per game.  But, they're number one against the run.  They've allowed opponents the 10th most time of possession, allowed the 13th fewest points, and average the 8th least points allowed per game.

GIANTS OFFENSE

25.5 points scored per game

335 yards gained per game

The Giants have rushed for the 8th fewest yards in the NFL, and average the 9th least rushing yards per game.  Through the air, the Giants have only thrown for the 18th most yards in the NFL, and are yet to surpass 1,000 passing yards through 4 games played. They're 19th in average passing yards per game.

Crossed Connections:

Eli Manning's first INT of the season came part and parcel with this whole perverted pass doctrine under Coughlin.  Just saying...

Moose Johnston was covering the game on FOX and pointed out that Rueben Randle should have fought harder to make that particular reception, and I couldn't have agreed more.  He was targeted 6 times but only made 3 receptions for 31 yards (and a touchdown).

The man is slow off the line, telegraphs his cuts, and as Moose pointed out, doesn't place himself between the defender and the ball well enough.  His ineffectiveness has done little to relieve OBJ of double teams.

Eli, meanwhile, has limited his INTs this season, but his in-game management has seemingly gone to pot.  The same spirits that possessed Eli in the latter stages of games One and Two, returned with about 4:00 left in Game Four.  Fortunately they were exorcised in time to stave off yet another 4th quarter disaster.  He must suffer occasional spells of voodoo from growing up in New Orleans  I guess....

If Eli does not audible, Rashad Jennings does not score a 51-yards touchdown on a play that should have been limited to a few yards at most.  I get that.  But running the clock down to zero and wasting time outs still seems routine.

In No Particular Rush:

The Giants stick with the run for sake of maintaining balance.  They certainly do not stick with it long enough to let it wear opponents down or dictate a game.  In previous seasons, the reasons were glaringly evident as to why.  This season, however, there's little excuse not to run more.

Ereck Flowers - Justin Pugh - Weston Richburg - Geoff Schwartz - Marshall Newhouse

The offensive line is coalescing into an effective unit.  They have protected Eli very well, allowing the NFL's 3rd fewest sacks (4) this season.  They have also executed strong run blocking.  Scheme-wise, however, the Giants continue running towards daylight with their sunglasses on.

Minus any yardage gained by Eli Manning, the combination of Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and Shane Vereen, have rushed 100 times for 343 yards, for an average of 25 rushes for 85.7 yards per game.

While not great, they've been reliable.  The manner in which they've run, however, has been impressive at times.  Rashad and Andre have moved the chains with power, but only as the play calling allows.

N.Y. Giants: Running of the Bills

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

MISSION-II

Gain Higher Ground

Week Four

Giants  24

Bills      10

FINAL

NEW YORK GIANTS: Two botched 4th quarter drives in each of the first two games of the season are all that prevented the Giants from a 4-0 start.

The Giants still kinda/almost folded like a cheap poker table in Sunday's 4th quarter again, but composed themselves in time to close the deal and get their record back to par.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, lost Sunday night in New Orleans, and Washington defeated the Eagles creating a 3-way tie for the division lead.  Such as life in the NFC East.

The Giants now have a clean slate with which to restart their season on the right foot.

Their upcoming schedule couldn't have been more accommodating.  They host the disintegrating 49ers next week.  After which, they'll head to Philadelphia in Week Six.  Week Seven will then feature a Week One rematch against the Cowboys at Met Life Stadium.

If the Giants take care of business, the division would effectively become theirs to lose.

Forgive Me Duke, For I Have Strayed

I admit it.  I fretted this game in Buffalo and picked against the Giants.

To my chagrin, Sunday's overall performance and victory over the Bills certainly puts things in a different perspective, doesn't it...

But, after considering...

* Victor Cruz' imminent return,
* Dallas will be without Dez Bryant and Tony Romo for a lengthy portion of the season,
* Washington's QB situation is as unsettled as Greenland,
* the Eagles are now 1-3,

...and, in the aftermath of beating Buffalo despite being a 6 1/2 point underdog, I'm still conflicted between feeling relieved and rejoicing Big Blue's return to zero, or, revisiting why this team should be 4-0 this season.

Test Results:

I ended last week by saying Buffalo would provide a true measure of the Giants offense, and the results are in.

Eli Manning was 20 of 35, for 212 yards, and connected on 3 touchdown passes to Rueben Randle, Dwayne Harris, and to Rashad Jennings out of the backfield on a well called audible that went for 51 yards.

Manning, however, threw his first INT of the season.  After leading the league for a third time in 2013 with 27 picks, he reduced that number to 14 during his first year under O.C. Ben McAdoo, and as stated, has just one so far this season.  That said, the play selection has not been as risk/reward as when Gilbride called plays.

The Giants rushed 25 times for 94 yards. Andre Williams ran with particular physicality, gaining 35 tough yards on 11 carries.

Overall, the Giants gained 303 yards from scrimmage.

The Giants 25.5 points per game ranks 9th in the NFL, and 5th in the NFC.  They are #24 in NFL rushing, #17 in passing yardage, and #22 in yards per game.

Like Night and Day

The Giants won a Super Bowl with Perry Fewell only after he relented from an extraordinarily complex (stupid) system which inspired hesitation and oft times mass confusion in the secondary.

That defense turned on a dime in time for the playoffs only after Fewell simplified, and allowed Corey Webster/Aaron Ross to play man coverage.   That team also had a pass rush, just saying....

Perry Fewell/Giants Defense vs. Run: (2010-2014)

• 2014 - #30
• 2013 - #14
• 2012 - #25
• 2011 - #19
• 2010 - #8

Look Who's #1: Applied Spagnology

Steve Spagnuolo is already getting far more out of far less than Perry Fewell previously could from his various (more talented) cast members.

What Coach Spags has lacked in personnel (and a pass rush), he's made up for through creativity and aggression.

His improvised blend of swarm/bend-don't-break ranks top five in giveaway/takeaway. Meanwhile, the Giants have allowed the 7th most yards in the NFL and the NFC's 2nd most, yet rank 13th in the NFL and 7th in the NFC in total points allowed.

The Giants are #1 against the run, as Buffalo found out.  They are still the only team to yield less than 300 yards (279) rushing this season.  They've only allowed 69.8 rushing yards per game.

The Giants allowed Buffalo 313 total yards, but only 10 points.  Somehow, Rex Ryan authorized a one-back attack.  In any event, the Giants provided no quarter for the NFL's #6 rated run game.  Karlos Williams rushed 18 times and was limited to a mere 40 yards.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor provided Buffalo with their only other ground gains, scrambling 6 times for 15 yards.

Here's to a better next quarter of the season.

N.Y. Giants: A Rushing Mentality Must Flow Through Your Veins

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Skip the game film, reopen the history books,

go directly to the chapter titled: 

Run With Power!

WEEK ONE

New York Giants  26

Dallas Cowboys    27

FINAL

NEW YORK GIANTS: Ben McAdoo, Tom Coughlin, and Eli Manning, were in perfect sync.  They couldn't have been more wrong, but make no mistake, they were all operating on the same page.

Entering Sunday night's opener, I did not think the Giants could rush for 100 yards against the Dallas Cowboys front seven.

They damn near pulled it off though:

• Rashad Jennings - 13 rushes for 52 yards.
• Shane Vereen - 3 rushes for 14 yards.
• Andre Williams - 6 rushes for 14 yards.
• Dwayne Harris - 1 rush for 11 yards.

Combined, they rushed 23 times for 91 yards, for an average 3.9 yards per carry.

These days, that's a solid effort against anybody much less the Cowboys - not ideal, but solid nonetheless.  

Or, maybe it's me.  Maybe I'm simply getting older and fixed in my ways.  Maybe I was overly spoiled (indoctrinated) by Bill Parcells and Smash Mouth football.

Maybe...

But, Bill Parcells always told his men to Run With Power!  

Sunday night, the Giants were seemingly doing just that.  Leading 23-20 with 5:08 left in the game, the Giants were zeroing in for the kill.  They marched 79 yards on 12 plays.

Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo called on Rashad Jennings 7 times during the drive, and specifically targeted the Cowboys' middle 5 times.  In return Jennings produced 38-net yards.

• middle > 3 yds.
• middle > 27 yds.
• middle > 7 yds.
• middle > 2 yds.
• left < minus 4 yds.
• middle > 2 yds.
• left > 1 yd.

Rashad Jennings and the Giants arrived at 3rd down on the Cowboys 1-yard line with 1:43 still left on the clock, which brings us to that fateful 13th play of the drive.

Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo inexplicably called for a pass in that situation.

At that very instant I'm sure everyone thought, WTF!  I mean, what learned football man functioning in his right mind would call for a pass in that situation?  Football-101 clearly dictates you pound it in from the one.

"This is why you lift all those weights!" - Bill Parcells

Rushing doesn't just happen.  It needs to be established.  It requires commitment, choreography, and flow.  Running the ball early also paves the way towards bigger gains later.

Smash Mouth Football was designed to wear opponents down, and grind them into a fine powder.

Running the ball is about control, controlling possession, controlling the clock, and ultimately controlling the game.  When you control that stuff, you control your opponent's ability to field their offense against you.

That Is Why You Run!

Run early, run late, and intensify the run when you have the lead.

Eli said he was guilty of bad thought management.  Okay, I agree.

But, as a veteran quarterback and 2-time Super Bowl MVP, Eli should have known exactly what his exit strategy was.  A potential breakdown should have already played out in his mind.  He needed to instinctively run the ball himself, take a sack, or just take a knee.  At the very least, he should have glared at the sideline and given Coach McAdoo the screw face for calling such a play.

But, he didn't.

Coach Coughlin said that was the wrong call, and that they should have run the ball in that situation.   Once again, I agree, but I think he was merely doctoring the room.

Hell, I say he was in on the fix.  Coughlin heard McAdoo make the call.  He's not listening to Bobby Darin on those headsets.  Tom Coughlin could have squashed the play right then and there.

But, he didn't.

It's not my intention to criticize Tom Coughlin.  After all, the man is a 2-time Super Bowl champion - just like Bill Parcells.  Same goes for Eli.  He and Coach Coughlin merely did things their way.

With regards to Sunday, though, Phil Simms would not have compromised that situation by stopping the clock with an incomplete pass.  Coach Parcells wouldn't have allowed it.  He detested players whom did not understand situational football.

And as for Tom Coughlin, he should have known better.  He remembers Smash Mouth.  He was part of Bill Parcells' staff.

And there's the rub.

Coughlin served as Giants wide receivers coach under Parcells from 1988 through the 1990 Super Bowl season.  He previously served in the same capacity for Philadelphia and Green Bay.  At the collegiate level, he was QB coach at Boston College, and served as QB coach/offensive coordinator at Syracuse.

In other words, Tom Coughlin is an offensive Wile E. Coyote.  He's a chucker.  Bill Parcells was defense first, and conservative offense second.  He wanted Phil Simms to manage his system, nothing more.

Tom Coughlin and Mark Brunell, however, were registered with air traffic control in Jacksonville.   Through the years, Coughlin and Eli have behaved the same way.  Eli, by the way, was the same way at Ole Miss.

Just saying...

Former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride paid a stiff price so as to allow Wile E. Coughlin to keep his job.  We (I) gave Kevin (Kill Drive) a lot of crap over the years.  But make no mistake, that was Coughlin's guy.  Together, they routinely led the NFL in most yards attempted per pass play.

This is not an echo - Coughlin and Gilbride routinely led the NFL in most yards attempted per pass play.  That means Ben McAdoo's play selection entered Tom Coughlin's left ear speaker and exited his right ear speaker approved for Eli's immediate execution.

That play was over 25 years in the making!

Running the ball is just not in Coughlin's blood the way it flowed through Parcells.

Don't give me that crap that time has changed this into a passing man's game.  That's what they said about the AFL 50 years ago.  Yet, the era was dominated by Vince Lombardi's supreme Run to Daylight.

Football, particularly rushing, is a simple matter of being stronger, smarter, and better.

Those that want to run the ball, do.

Happy Anniversary SB XXV.

N.Y. Giants: A Potentially Troublesome Season Kicks-Off in Dallas

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK ONE

New York Giants

vs.

Dallas Cowboys

FROM

JERRY'S HOUSE

Texas

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Fan favorite, Steve Weatherford recently became a salary cap casualty.  The fact a punter arguably became the team's MVP over the last two seasons was a leading indicator of just how far Big Blue has fallen.  For those fans old enough to remember Dave Jennings, you know exactly what I mean.

Sorry folks, this being the 25th anniversary of Super Bowl XXV will ultimately prove to be the best part of the 2015 season.

Recent history says the Giants have been a sub par team since winning SB XLVI.  This season, I fear the Giants will only continue their downward trend.

After paying more attention this pre-season than I have in a very long while, I did not like what I saw.

In fact, tonight's opening game in Dallas may very well end disastrously.  I'm consumed with the potential of a blowout.  I'd rather it not turn out that way, but as an aside, the Giants have lost their last 4 season openers, and two of those came against the Cowboys.

Just saying...

For all the talk of the Giants offensive potential, I feel they will will struggle to score 20 points.  I'll be paying particular attention to how many three-and-outs they commit.  Moreover, I defy the Giants offensive line to spearhead long, time consuming drives.

Dallas, however, will do just that.  Their offensive line is equipped to control the clock, and possession.  They'll get off more plays from scrimmage and face little resistance putting up points against an already depleted Giants defense.

If the offense does not optimize their limited possessions, the Giants are as good as done.

ICYMI:

A Big Blue Crucible Built For Two

1st Down and a Long Season to Go:

For starters, Steve Weatherford is gone - a salary cap casualty.  I get that, because you can't spend small fortunes on punters in the cap era.  But, I'm no less sorry to see him go.  He was effectively the team's MVP these last 2 seasons - which is an alarming indictment against Jerry Reese!

Damn right I'm feeling glum...


Last year's bad defense stands poised to become this year's worse nightmare.

• The JPP situation is so ponderous, that I haven't a clue where to start.  What I do know, is the Giants enter the season without a legitimate pass rusher.

• Linebacker remains in its usual state of neglect - again, thank you Jerry Reese.  Jon Beason is hurt again, leaving Devon Kennard as the team's lone inspiring talent at the position.

• The secondary, meanwhile, reads like an intensive care unit.  The departure of Antrel Rolle additionally created a major void in leadership.  He was the traffic cop on the field.  Outside of Prince Amukamara, we now have a bunch of Keystone candidates.

Offensively, Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. can't carry the Giants by themselves.

• During the pre-season, there was much talk regarding how Odell Beckham now wears a target on his back.  That situation will clearly be worth monitoring.  He won't get relief anytime soon though, as Victor Cruz is not yet ready for game action.  Therefore, this would be a fine time (as well as being about time..) for Rueben Randal to finally up his game.

• My opinion of tight end Larry Donnell is favorable, but still incomplete.  Over the past 2 seasons, the Giants haven't exactly utilized tight end to my satisfaction.  That stems from the position having to compensate, and assist a poor offensive line....

• Everything starts up front.  Rashad Jennings is a fine back, but what good is he if the offensive line can't create any daylight?  How well, then, will the Shane Vereen acquisition turn out?   What good is having Beckham if Eli Manning can't get him the ball, or worse, Eli gets repeatedly slammed to the deck?  Keep your eyes peeled on Justin Pugh, who is now the starting left guard.  Ultimately, the front five pose one Giant question mark.  As this offensive line goes, so goes Big Blue.

Whichever way you shake it, the Giants are about to embark on a long troublesome season, again.  I could be wrong about everything, but I doubt it.

And so goes my opening post....

Consider me punched in.  The DO IT FOR THE DUKE portion of this blog is now in session.

Snoopy Bowl 2015: Gang Green Leaves Giants Feeling Blue

From the desks of:  

DO IT FOR THE DUKE  and  WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

* * 2015 * *

SNOOPY BOWL

FINAL

N.Y. Jets        28

N.Y. Giants    18

Let's face it, the only thing worth talking about is the first half.  The rest was a matter of deciding whom gets cut when rosters get paired down to 75 on September 1st.

On the Giants side of the ball, much of today's talk centers around how the offense took important steps forward.  If one very effective scoring drive does a pre-season game make, then I guess Big Blue indeed did well.

After a listless 1st quarter, the Giants put forth a far more comforting effort in the 2nd.

Starting at their own 20-yard line, the Giants mounted a 14-play, 85-yard scoring drive that consumed 8:09 of the clock.  Including penalties, the Giants rushed 9 times during the drive, while Eli put 8 balls in the air.

...and If I may, I found the acute running effort very pleasing.

But, despite being a spectator at last night's game I must have missed all the other positive offensive steps forward being spoken of today.

In the all important 1st quarter, the Jets made 7 first downs against the Giants one.

The Giants were unable to capitalize on a rash of early Jets penalties.  They displayed an overall inability to sustain the run, leading to many impotent three-and-outs.  Rashad Jennings had 9 rushes for 28-yards, or, 3.1 yards per carry, and a touchdown.  Akeem Hunt performed better against the B-squads, rushing 5 times for 25-yards, with a long of 15-yards.  They combined on 14 rushes for 53-yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

Meanwhile, Eli chipped away throwing 10/11 passes for 71 rather inconsequential yards just prior to surrendering a pick-six.  He ended up 12/16 for 91 yards, or, 5.7 yard per pass.  Overall, Eli and Coach McAdoo showed little interest in throwing down field.

At times the pocket just proved too dangerous for making reads.... as if.  The offensive line allowed a pair of sacks and a whole bunch of touches.  Add that to a poor night of run blocking, and that spells trouble ahead.

On a more positive note, I watched Odell Beckham Jr. having a wonderful time on Revis Island.  He was targeted 6 times and completed 5 receptions, highlighted by another one of those remarkable one-handed catches, albeit with one foot out of bounds.

Subtract Eli's pick-six, and the defense still allowed 21 points depending on your personal accounting methods.  

To be fair, Ryan Fitzpatrick should have connected on that 1st quarter post to Eric Decker for a touchdown.  The Giants secondary presently has more problems than a math book.  And besides, all teams usually score on that play - it's just a matter of shading the safety and timing.

Good job by Fitzpatrick...

However, a high school team would have handled the Jets screen pass to Zac Stacy that went for a 24-yard touchdown.

Why did that play work so well?  

Answer: The play itself was well set-up.  Once the Giants began over-pursuing the run, calling a screen pass was a lay-up.  So obvious in fact, it bordered sickening if not for being a pre-season contest.  The Jets had spent the majority of their previous plays pounding the ball on the ground.   Overall, Zac Stacy and Chris Ivory combined on 19 rushes for 98 yards.  And just so you know, Tommy Bohanon put the Jets well over 100-yards for the game.

If you're a Jets fan, take everything I said as Giants fan, convert it, and be happy.

You can't help but be satisfied with Ryan Fitzpatrick's efficient performance.  He completed 9/14 passes for 127 yards (9.1 ypp) and threw a pair of touchdowns.  And as noted, the ground game had its way against the Giants defense, rushing behind a good offensive line led by Nick Mangold.

Why couldn't they do that for me? - something Rex Ryan might say...

If you're a Giants fan, stop scratching your head.  You're just gonna make it bleed.

ICYMI:

N.Y. Giants: A Big Blue Crucible Built For Two 

N.Y. Jets: Sucker Punch Was A Slap Of Reality

N.Y. Giants: Look Out, McAdoo's Blue Crew Coming Through

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

3-2

3rd place NFC East

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Wins and Losses Follow a Common Theme.

What do you know - three in a row!

After 2 opening losses, the Giants followed with 3 consecutive victories.  That means it's time to play our favorite game - WTF!

Here's the gist:

In each loss the Giants allowed 25 points or more, and only averaged 14 points themselves.  They lost the turnover battle, and failed to rush for 100 yards.

• Game One against the Lions was obviously an ugly affair, especially defensively.  However, it bears noting they only managed to rush for 53 yards on 22 carries, and turned the ball over twice.

• In Game Two's loss to the Cardinals, they rushed for 81 yards on 27 carries, and turned the ball over an inexcusable 4 times.

In each of their 3 consecutive victories, the Giants limited their opponent to 20 points or less, won the turnover battle, and rushed the ball well over 100 yards each time.

• Game Three vs. Houston - 193 yards in 42 rushing attempts.  The Texans turned the ball over 3 times.

• Game Four vs. Washington - 154 yards on 38 rushing attempts.  The Hogs turned the ball over 6 times.

• Game Five vs. Atlanta - 124 yards on 34 rushing attempts.  The Falcons turned the ball over once (but the Giants twice).

Throughout the 5 games, Coach McAdoo's shorter passing scheme has been a definite departure from Kevin Gilbride's style, which consistently led the league in most attempted yards per pass play - and to his credit, it's working.

In truth, ever since Eli turned things around midway through Week Two against the Cardinals, he's been stellar,  When Eli is on, he usually makes his receivers better - just ask Odell Beckham Jr., Rueben Randal, Preston Parker, and Larry Donnell (and the litany of tight ends that preceded him).

In the last 3 games, Eli has thrown 8 TD passes, with just 1 interception.

The scoreboard has reflected their recent offensive proficiency.  The Giants have scored at least 30 points in each of their last 3 games.

Of course, everything starts up front.  So far, the offensive line has done admirable work.  They've created enough daylight for Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams, and limited the opposition to a manageable 7 sacks in 5 games.  They've already proven themselves to be a better unit than last year's version.  So, the hope is they continue to improve and gel together.

In fact, over the next 2 weeks, we'll get to see how good this team really is.

The true battle for the NFC East starts Sunday night in Philadelphia, and continues the following week in Dallas.

Prior to the Giants facing the Eagles in Sunday night's game, the Cowboys will have already faced off against the Legion of Boom in Seattle.

If Big Blue takes care of business against the Eagles, and the Cowboys oblige with a crushing defeat in Seattle, we'll have a 3-way tie for the division lead by Monday.

Then with a Week 7 victory in Dallas, the Giants can conceivably tilt the division in their favor in time for their Bye - pending the Eagles outcome in Arizona that is.

Perchance to dream.....



Mike