New York Giants: Injuries Causing Problems At Right Tackle

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: Offensive Line Depth Is Suddenly A Big Problem.

Hello again folks.  My post-Hurricane Sandy schedule is finally starting to loosen up.  So allow me a post or two in order to re-establish a flow.  The last time I posted anything about the Giants was just prior to the Bengals game.  Obviously many things have transpired between now and then.  And aside from the Packers game, I'm kind of glad I was unable to watch the other contests, although the radio did a fine job of raising my blood pressure all the same.  I'm not going to waste time rehashing stuff.  Let's just move this along..., shall we?

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The Giants now have a huge problem at Right Tackle.  Sean Locklear will be out for the rest of the season with an injured knee suffered Monday night against the Redskins.  He didn't exactly have his best game Monday.  In fact, it was probably his worst game.  But he was having a fine season substituting for David Diehl.  And therein lies the rub.  Most recently, Diehl has been sidelined by a stinger to his neck and shoulder.

 

 

Sean Locklear has done his part to improve the Giants running game somewhat over last season.   And his pass protection has been stellar.  The nine year pro definitely provided a noticeable difference on the right side this year.  David Diehl should be able to finish out the season.  But moving forward, the Giants' offensive line depth will be severely tested.  Second year Jim Cordle is more of an interior lineman.  That leaves second year Tackle James Brewer next on the pecking order.  Remember Mitch Petrus?  Well, Coach Coughlin would rather not.  He never found favor with Mitch.  But the Giants could use him right about now.

 

 

It is becoming more evident by the week, this may very well be David Diehl's last season.  His performance has not been up to normal David Diehl standards these last two seasons.  I have a strong sense Jerry Reese will make replacing Diehl an off season priority.  David Diehl will then join Shaun O'Hara, Rich Seubert, and Kareem McKenzie as former Giants.  That would leave Chris Snee as the lone remaining member of the Giants former record setting offensive line.

 

 

 

MONDAY FINAL:

GIANTS 16

Redskins 17

 

 

I'm not going to get bent all out of shape over Monday night's loss.  There is no doubt the offense has red-zone issues.  But you still have to like the way the Giants can move the ball.  Even though it has been a season long issue, going from three point to six point drives I feel is only an adjustment or two away.

 

 

The Giants only surrendered seventeen points, and six of those came on RGIII's freak TD fumble.  Big Blue also drew penalties at an uncharacteristically high rate, and at the worst possible times. Then quite obviously, if Lawrence Tynes nails that field goal, the Giants win.  So I take the loss in stride.

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

N.Y. GIANTS ~ Big Summer Time Blues

From the desk of:  My Giants Blog is yet un-named.  Maybe by Opening Day I'll think of one.




NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:  The Cold-Hearted Tentacles of Life in the NFL Have Reached Out and Touched Two Giant Greats.

With the Lock-Out officially lifted and an agreement in place, I think I join many fans in a mass feeling of dismay.  Yea, we got Football back.  But every body's situation is a complete mess with little time to fix it.  But in the NFL, he who adjusts best, wins.


Everything I say about the Giants in this post, I must preface by saying - I am an unabashed supporter of GM Jerry Reese; (until further notice).  So whether I like his decisions or not, I support and trust his judgement (until further notice).  So, let's get on with this because after all, it's still only July.


We Giant Fans knew our Offensive Line needed an overhaul.  The units' great stretch together has run it's course.  And well, Jerry Reese said it was time to break them up.  In what can be a cold-hearted League at times, perhaps this shake-up comes a year too late as the Giants for the most part, have always been classy about their long-time employees.  But make no mistake, when it comes time to make a move, the organization moves.  


Slated to be released will be long time Center, and as far as I'm concerned a Giants' All-Time great; Shaun O'Hara.  He, and who I think is/was equally great, Rich Seubert, will both be released this summer.  Admittedly, the Offensive Line has been ravaged by injuries these last few years.  O'Hara only managed six games last season and Rich Seubert's battles with injuries are, if anything, inspiring.


The O-Line's incredible record setting consecutive games played streak which coincided with the Giants' last Super Bowl run, is unfortunately now an ever-distancing memory.  Time stands still for no-one; and cruel more so to Offensive Linemen.  Yet these two have defied the odds of Football longevity.  It was additionally heart-breaking to watch Rich Seubert go down the way he did last year in the last game of the season.  He stepped in to start at Center in place of O'Hara and served as the core of the O-Line; keeping the Giants' running game rumbling throughout the season.  It's a hard way to end careers (maybe).  But then everything in the NFL is.


The Giants have made some preliminary moves.  Shane Andrews; decimated by injuries; also will not return.  They tentatively signed free-agent; David Baas; C/G from San Francisco.  He's twenty-nine years old.  David Diehl will also be switching positions again.  And it appears as if Will Beatty will be given every opportunity to win a job on the O-Line.


As the Offensive Line goes, so goes the Running Game.  I am extremely pleased to hear Brandon Jacobs is open to restructuring his contract.  Coach Coughlin made the (un)enviable, but all too late admission, that he and Coach Gilbride misused Jacobs last season; something I screamed my head off about.  They left off saying they would run Jacobs considerably more this (2011) season.  That was then.  In the NFL, things always change.  But I for one am interested to see if both Coach Coughlin and Gilbride remember what they said.


Being open to restructuring his contract is probably the only way the Giants can retain Brandon's Little Buddy and Partner in Grind; Ahmad Bradshaw.  And I for one, want him back in a big way.  I know he's somewhat injury prone, but he's at the same time durable and resilient.  He also suffers from Worst Case Scenario Fumblitis, but I'll take my chances with him hoping to correct that part of his game.  Retaining Ahmad Bradshaw is high on my list of things to do.


What isn't so high on my list is Plaxico Burress.  This one is fairly easy for me to hash out.  Would I welcome him back?  Yep.  Hey.., if he and Eli can rekindle some of that magic again...sure.  Does the thought of him paired up with Michael Vick in Philly make the hairs on the back of your head tingle with anxiety?  Me too.


The Receiving Corps. has already moved on and readjusted to life after Plax.  So in the scheme of things, Plaxico would be entering camp as a supplementary player until he earns different considerations in the offensive plan.  Steve Smith, a free agent, also throws a wrench into the spokes regarding possible Giant needs.


As far as Plax clashing with Coach Coughlin's discipline again?  Plax recently said things were better between them when Coach implemented the Leadership Counsel, and pointed out how the relationship between them deteriorated after Coach disbanded it.  Frankly, who knows if they can get along if reunited.  They (Plax and Coach) are reportedly having a meeting today to discuss a possible reunion.  Who knows if and how jail changed Plax's frame of mind.  But because the Giants are not dependent (per se) on Plax, he'll exist initially as a spare part in search of a larger role.  That, perhaps will humble him more than jail might have.  The Giants stand to gain much and lose very little taking a chance on Plax because he's no longer part of the plan....if you get what I'm saying.  Keeping him out of Philly might also run through their minds....but how do the Giants afford that in the (resumed) Cap Era?


It's a mute point right now because Osi is throwing a sissy-fit over his contract and supposed promises Jerry Reese might have made in the way of redoing his deal.  He is now a potential hold-out if the Giants don't re-work his contract or trade him.  Strictly speaking as a fan here, don't you just hate when your favorite players take this tact with your team?  But that's the Old School in me talking; isn't it?  I've heard along the way trading him for a Number Two or Three Draft Pick.  I'm not listening to that!  Just get a deal done.  And someone please advise Osi to clam up and conduct his business more privately.


I'm glad the Giants struck a deal to keep Mathias Kiwanuka.  I'm hopeful for health and a considerable up-tick in his game this season.  But I'm sorry to see Barry Cofield leave Big Blue.  The memory of that hit on Tom Brady to close out the Super Bowl will last a long time.  As a free agent, he received his market value from the rival Redskins.  He became too expensive to retain here.


Are you ready for some Football?  Uh...right now, this is a bit too much in July for my tastes.  But this will no doubt be one of the most interesting summers in recent Football history...for every body.






Mike.BTB

N.Y. GIANTS ~ End of Season; PART III

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS

"Finish 2010 Season, TEN and SICK"

THE AUTOPSY:

PART I;

HEAD COACH and The OFFENSIVE COACHES

Tom Coughlin - Kevin Gilbride - Mike Sullivan - Jerald Ingram

PART II;

The DEFENSIVE COACHING and SPECIAL TEAMS COACH

Perry Fewell - Tom Quinn

NOW PLAYING:

THE AUTOPSY; PART III

V - THE OFFENSIVE LINE

1 - OFFENSIVE LINE COACH ~ PAT FLAHERTY

Pat Flaherty just completed his seventh year as the Giants' Offensive Line Coach.  David Diehl, Shaun O'Hara and Chris Snee have all been Pro-Bowlers under Coach Flaherty.  This season, without a doubt, not only was Rich Seubert a GIANT MVP all the way up until his injury, he was arguably one of the best Linemen in all of Football and another sure Pro-Bowler.

Pat Flaherty coached the Starting Five unit of O'Hara, Snee, Diehl, Seubert and McKenzie to 38 consecutive games played together covering 2007 through 2009.

This year the Offensive Line was hard-pressed to stay healthy.  David Diehl missed a month while Shaun O'Hara lost well over half his season to injury.

Because of the trickle down effects of Shaun O'Hara's on going injuries, Coach Flaherty guided David Diehl through a slight rough patch when he was asked to switch positions and managed very well until he was able to return to his natural Tackle spot.  Coach Flaherty also had to position, and re-position Rich Seubert all over the Offensive Line.  Seubert did a masterful job at the Center position filling in for O'Hara.

Pat Flaherty Coached his line through ever depleting depth.  Shawn Andrews was thought to be a great looking acquisition to bolster this year's Offensive Line.  But he too was lost too injury.

Coach Flaherty was still able to utilize yet another casualty, Adam Koets, until he went down leaving young William Beatty and Kevin Boothe to fill major holes.

Pat Flaherty did arguably the best job of all the staff coaches on the Giants.



2 - THE LINEMEN

CENTER ~ SHAUN O'HARA :  33 years old.  He's been a Giant since 2004.  He just endured an injury riddled season with foot problems after starting every game last year.  Despite being injured he was voted-in for his 3rd Pro-Bowl.  He is under contract for next year, but 2011 is the last year of the deal.  He will have off-season surgery.

GUARD ~ CHRIS SNEE :  At 28 years of age, he's the youngest of the five starters..  He was drafted by the Giants in 2004 and is signed through 2014.  He is a three time Pro-Bowl Selection.  For this Brick House, 2010 was another solid season for the under-spoken Guard.

GUARD ~ RICH SEUBERT :  31 years old.  He is signed through 2012.  Undrafted, he's been with the Giants since 2001.  In 2003 he broke his leg in three places and came back in time to partake in the Offensive Line's consecutive games played streak.  2010 may have been his best season to date; playing three different Offensive Line positions and masterfully serving at the team's Center while O'Hara sat out with injury.  But now he's facing another major injury.  The scene of him dislocating his knee against the Redskins was so saddening.  He was having such a great season and truly was one of this team's ultimate MVP's.  He has more surgery and rehabilitation ahead of him now.  It's an awful lot for Jerry Reese to contemplate, but Rich Seubert vowed to come back...AGAIN!

TACKLE ~ DAVID DIEHL :  30 years old.  He was drafted by the Giants in 2003 and is signed through 2014.  He is yet another Pro-Bowl Lineman for the Giants.  He dutifully changed positions for the team, and didn't have premium results.  But he still offered play that was above average.  Now he's back at his natural Tackle spot as he continues to emerge into an elite Lineman.

TACKLE ~ KAREEM McKENZIE :  31 years old.  This Old Jet came to the Giants in 2005.  He signed a 7 year deal in 2005.  He's been nothing short of solid...again.  You never hear anything from him, but earlier in the season when he took big holding and unsportsmanlike penalties, he was front and center at his locker to account for himself.  He with the other four members of this Offensive Line have always been very disciplined and get few penalties called against them.



These boys were designed to stay together for another two more seasons.  Injuries may hamper than plan.  With age, injuries aren't usually far behind.  We're beginning to feel the ramifications of playing so many games in the trenches.  They have played many games together defying Football Odds and keeping the injury bug away.  That's a testament to their personal preparedness and Pat Flaherty's coaching.

There's a sense Shaun O'Hara may turn out fine.  But he represents a really big question at Center and not just because of back and foot problems he's had, but because Rich Seubert did such a good job filling in at Center and O'Hara happens to be the oldest of the group at 33 yrs of age. 

People were actually saying that right up until Seubert got hurt.  And now he represents yet another really, really big question on the Offensive Line going forward.  He's headed for big-time off-season surgery that could prove extremely disruptive to GIANT plans next season.

David Diehl was the third member of this vaunted Line to miss considerable time due to injury. He suffered a partially torn hamstring that was slow to heal.  But he showed no ill affects after his return.

The question - If these guys still had two years left together suddenly got a lot harder to answer.  This is an area Jerry Reese will no doubt have to address in the next Draft.  But in the mean-time, there are three young guys on the squad.

In 2007, Jerry Reese drafted TACKLE ~ ADAM KOETS who is now 26 years old and he drafted TACKLE ~ WILLIAM BEATTY in 2009.  He is 25 years old.

NYC native GUARD ~ KEVIN BOOTHE has been a Giant since 2007.  He was Oakland's starting Right Guard in 2006.

GUARD/TACKLE ~ SHAWN ANDREWS : 28 years old.  Jerry Reese signed him as a free agent from PHILLY to a 6 year deal that takes him through 2016.  It was thought to be, quietly, a great acquisition at the time.  But chronic back problems may force the 3-time Pro-Bowl player to retire.  He missed the 2009 season and could only sustain a handful of playing time this year when called into action, before he was literally forced to go to a hospital for his condition.


And now, JERRY REESE is about to walk a very FINE LINE as he's faced with having to make hard decisions about his Offensive Line situation.  They say TIME heals all wounds but it doesn't seem to want to give Jerry enough of it before August rolls around.  How Jerry manages the next 6 months may determine the following four months after that.

And then some.




Still to come:  JERRY REESE and the PLAYERS.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Offensive Line Regaining Health (and Greatness).

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS:
Offensive Line Has Big Blue Surging Forward With Power.

Shaun O'Hara, Rich Seubert, Kareem McKenzie, David Diehl and Chris Snee have been together a long time.  They have long been considered one of the best offensive lines in Football.  Prior to last year when their streak was snapped, they started 38 consecutive games together.

Last year injuries put that streak to rest and also took a heavy toll on the Giants' season.  This year has been no different.  Shaun O'Hara is still a question heading into Sunday's game with Minnesota due to a bum foot that won't let up.  David Diehl however should be back in action this week.  His practices went well and he seems like a go to return from a partially torn hamstring.

It's always been my contention the Giants will live and die with this Offensive Line.  Everything starts and ends with them.  Having said that, the Giants are not only very alive, this patched-up Offensive Line has been doing extremely well.

The whole left side of this line was decimated losing starters Diehl and O'Hara.  Then back-up Adam Koets was lost for the season after the Seattle game.  When it came time for his turn to step in, the unheralded signing of former Pro-Bowler Shawn Andrews in the off-season practically had everyone calling GM Jerry Reese brilliant over the acquisition right up until he went down with a back back of his own that is still barking at him.

If you're not willing to call Jerry Reese brilliant just yet, how about extremely damn good then?  I am an unabashed Reese cheerleader by the way.  But if you remember back to the Jim Fassell days and the first year Coughlin took over, we had a guy named Luke Pettigout on our Offensive Line who was a penalty waiting to happen.  Remember him and all the bad Football he engaged in?  Now remember how Jerry Reese in one of his very first moves as the new Giants GM told Pettigout in a stone-faced manner to Beat It!  That's the moment when this Offensive Line was finally free to become one of the most dominant units in the NFL.  It was all a matter of addition by subtraction.

Fast-forward to this season, and what you have is a GM who somehow supplied this team with more depth on the Line than we all realized.  Will Beatty, drafted by Reese and Kevin Boothe, imported from Oakland have stepped in and contributed mightily filling in for the Big Blue regulars.  No more proof of their effectiveness is needed than the holes they've created that Brandon Jacobs has run through these last two weeks and the fact Eli has stayed very well protected and clean.

Will Beatty was rolling right along Sunday then got caught in a series of bad holding penalties.  Give the kid credit and give Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty even more credit for on-the-spot, in-game corrections on his technique. 

Coach Pat Flaherty has been here for seven years now and is regarded as one of the best in the business just like the Giants Offensive Line is considered one of the best in the business.

The Boys who supply the Daylight held things together as the situation became more dire by the week it seemed, and did an outstanding Big Blue job.  Now that health is returning to fortify the Line, the Giants and their Big Blue fan base should move forward with an increasing confidence knowing Giants Football still means Running With Power.



Mike.BTB

NYGiants ~ O-Line; Oh No!

I made mention how hurtful Week 9's blow-out victory over the Seahawks was to the Giants.  It's time to read the bed charts.

Shaun O'Hara has been hobbled pretty much all season; ankles, feet, toes, nails...name it.  David Diehl will be out for several weeks with a partially torn hamstring.  He made a radio appearance this afternoon where he said his mind was on playing this weekend.  Don't count on it.  It's highly doubtful he plays.  Kid Adam Koets is out for the season.  The Kid who's been filling in quite admirably for Center Shaun O'Hara is done with a busted knee.  That's tough!  Kareem McKenzie has been banged up also.

The entire left side of the Offensive Line from the center, guard to tackle is decimated.  Today, Jerry Reese's signing of Shawn Andrews during the off-season looks nothing short of brilliant.  He will be sorely needed this week.

The Giants' Offensive Line IS our season.  You can take that to the bank.  If you've been reading my postings about Big Blue, you know I've been preoccupied about two things; the Offensive Line and Brandon Jacobs (aside from Coach Gilbride).

In the year of our most recent Super Bowl victory, our Offensive Line was healthy all year long.  That's the key and there-in lies the rub.  Last year was short circuited by injuries.  After starting out 5-0, week by week, injury after injury, the season went south.

When Jerry Reese was hired as General Manager, taking over for a retiring Ernie Accorsi, one of his first moves was releasing Offensive Lineman Luke Pettigout.  He was a penalty flag waiting to happen.  From that moment forward, this Giants Offensive Line, when healthy, has been among the most dominating units in the NFL.  When Chris Snee, David Diehl, Shaun O'Hara, Rich Seubert and Kareem McKenzie are healthy and in the line-up together, they dominate the line of scrimmage like very few others, if any, in the League.  This Offensive Line has been and still is a a great line.  Health is what hampers the unit now.  Injury compromises their greatness.  The fortunes of the Giants' season start and end here.

Eli's blind side is in peril.  This means Coach Gilbride will have to bring the two tight end sets to the left side.  And perhaps Kevin Boss has caught his last pass for the next couple of weeks.

Oh yea, Coach Gilbride; I'm forced out of necessity to put my personal gripe with Coach Gilbride aside for the time being.  If there's anyone who's going to coach his way out of this predicament, it's him.  I mean that.
I admitted before, and I'll do it again here; I think he's among the best Offensive Coordinators in Football today, and we are damn lucky to have him.  I'd even venture to say he's the best we've had since Ron Earhart, if not better.

Now Coach has got to do what Coach has got to do to alleviate the burden on our crippled O-Line.  Screen passes, draw plays, moving the pocket, pulling guards, throwing to the backfield, three step drops...all those little and basic things that disrupt defensive aggression at the line.

I don't think we should be taking too many chances having Eli throwing 40 passes Sunday with a suspect left side.  To say Dallas is struggling is an incredible understatement.  But more specifically their defense has been atrocious.  Sure they fired their Head Coach Wade Phillips and may get a little motivation from promoted coach Jason Garrett Sunday.  But maybe it's still best if we gave them an intensive dose of Brandon Jacobs?  I still don't trust Dallas and I'd like to beat them in an old school way.  Make them stop the run.  Simple run blocking schemes and power running may just be what the Doctor ordered.  Don't mock at the simplicity of the thought.  Just line up and put it in your mind to blow them off the line of scrimmage.  New Coach or not, the Cowboys are a deflated team with little spirit left.

I think Sunday's game plan calls for something other than our customary 7 step drop and locating our receiving corps.  And I have every confidence in the world Coach Gilbride can game plan accordingly with regard to our O-Line situation.

Was my preoccupations with the O-Line and Brandon Jacobs considered obsessive and petty now?  There's two philosophies at work here and I'm just trying to find the common ground.  There's a difference between what Coach Gilbride wants to, and likes to do (because he's an ego-maniac)...and then there's the things we absolutely have to do in trying times.

Ahmad Bradshaw is ignoring all kinds of ailments to his body.  There is still another 8 games in the season.  Bradshaw is only 5'10" (?) and only slightly heavier than...say, Dave Meggett was.  THAT'S why it's been important for us to ensure Brandon Jacobs was getting enough carries, and keep building up his effectiveness.  He's been a model citizen since HelmetGate and deserved the touches.  There were plenty of play-calls available for Jacobs, were not for Coach Gilbride's penchant to throw the ball to all the cardinal points of direction when he's up in games 35-0.  He treats the running game like a red-headed step-child at times.

*sigh*

This week is in Coach G's hands.  He's free to Coach Sunday as he sees fit without any criticisms from me on the other side.  I always root scared; another thing I admitted once before.  But this week I'm riding Coach's back to Daylight.  Right now, he knows best.  But I'll be back on him like a  puppy sniffing for Snausages in a few weeks hopefully coinciding with returning health to some our Offensive Line.


Mike.BTB

NYG ~ Mid-Week Big Blue Views; Offense

Coach Kevin Gilbride called thirty run plays and thirty pass plays against the Lions last week.  No matter what I say, that's balance.  It's hard to knock him for that.  But I'll take my shots.

In my WEEK 6 Preview  I pretty much nailed the number of plays at 60.  But what I had in mind, because I thought last week would be an optimum week to commit hard to the run game to the tune of 40 rushes, was Eli being limited to 20 to 25 pass attempts.  I wanted to see Brandon Jacobs' rushing attempts receive a substantial uptick.  I was thinking along the lines of 20 carries for Jacobs; 20 carries for Bradshaw and limiting Eli to the same (number) 20 passes (give or take).

Don't get me wrong.  I have always been Eli's staunchest supporter since he was a rookie...  The wide receiving corps are really coming into their own.  Hakeem Nicks and Eli are becoming all the rage. Manningham, Steve Smith and the rest have Plaxico Burress safely in our rear view mirror.   My issues are with Gilbride and his Pass Happy Philosophy.  He throws too much.  That's my problem with him.

It's just me.  I can not come to grips that the Giants, with Eli and Coach Gilbride, are a passing team now.  I'm 43 years old and that's just not what I was brought up on, nor what I'm accustomed to.  You think I would gotten over it by now considering Eli and Gilbride have been here a while.  Uh..., no.   I believe in the old Vince Lombardi and Bill Parcell's mantras:

"Run To Daylight"  and  "Run With Power".

Ahmad Bradshaw got his usual allotment of carries and broke 100 yards for the second consecutive week.  There appears to be zero to no lingering affects from his off-season surgery to both lower appendages.  On the contrary, he's breaking the ankles of defenses with his cuts, and elusiveness.

Brandon Jacobs, still a bit mystifying to us Giants fans, is progressing well.  He's been a force, pounding the ball into the end-zone when the Giants are down low.  This week he was good for two more short yardage touchdowns.  As the Offensive Line gets healthier, so will Jacobs' effectiveness.

But Coach Gilbride, I beg of you, increase his rushes and let him establish a groove.  Please, for one game, make him your feature back and see if he can still wear-out a defense.  We don't see effects of a Brandon Jacobs' type attack till well into the third quarter; and not till the fourth quarters do defenses start to get pushed back off the line of scrimmage; a result of just getting beat down by the O-Line and Brandon.  But you have to commit a game plan to that end.  That is something the Giants coaching staff seems unwilling to do.  But that's just me being idealistic.  The ground game has been effective over the weeks and getting better; Jacobs and Gilbride's usage of him included.


The Offensive Line is getting a little healthier and better every week.  Center Shaun O'Hara seems like he's back.  Adam Koets has done an admirable job in Shaun's place if you ask me.  Shaun O'Hara's return has to be a relief for David Deihl also.  Kareem McKenzie was a much more calm, cool and collected player this week inducing a personal foul.  His own personal fouls from a few weeks ago were a definite aberration.  Chris Snee and Rich Seubert have been solid.  When the veteran unit is finally re-assembled and fully healthy, I'm expecting to see a vastly different Offense.; one with much more consistency.

Last week against the Lions, the offense's inability to get first downs down the stretch (my water mark has been from the 8 minute mark of the 3rd quarter on..) kept Detroit alive.  We could not convert on third down. Period.  At one point it took the Giants seven plays to punch the ball into the end-zone from inside the 7 yard line.  What saved the Giants' hides last week was the Lions propensity to get called for penalties.  The Lions committed 11 penalties for a little under 100 yards.  That more than anything kept the ball moving for the Giants down the stretch; not so much Big Blue's execution.

And if Detroit didn't have to spend all their time-outs trying to get a stop and the ball back...., the Giants were facing even more trouble.

Time (and Detroit's lack of discipline) as much as anything, get an assist in the Giants victory over the Lions.


(next game ~ at Dallas)


Mike.BTB