N.Y. Giants: Line of Scrimmage Still in the Dark

From the desk: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

WEEK THREE

Falcons

vs.

GIANTS

If The Hog Mollies Can't Push Around The Atlanta Falcons, Then Who Can They Push?

Some intelligent guy from Greece once said: man is the measure of all things.  If we apply this to football, the Atlanta Falcons will measure the Giants' offensive line.  Because, as I say: once is an event, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a trend.  

Thus, into Game Three, we go.

Another intelligent person on Twitter said that if the Giants get more first downs, the defense spends less time on the field.

Indeed!

1. Week One, the Broncos achieved 24 first downs, 17 passing, four running, and three on penalties. 
2. Week Two, Washington completed 25 first downs, 13 passing, eight running, and four on penalties.

• Through two weeks, opponents have achieved 49 first downs, 30 passing, twelve running, and seven on penalties.

1. Against the Broncos, the Giants earned 19 first downs, 13 passing, three running, and three on penalties.
2. Against Washington, they completed 21 first downs, ten passing, seven running, and four on penalties.

• All told, the Giants have achieved 40 first downs, 23 passing, ten running, and seven on penalties.

Said another way, the Giants are getting outplayed.  But do with these numbers as you will.  Just know they're being polluted by Daniel Jones.  The Giant quarterback leads the team through two games with 122 yards running on 15 romps, with two touchdowns, one fumble, and no trip-ups ... yet.

The backfield of Saquon Barkley and Devontae Booker together has rushed 29 times for 99 yards.  If you take away Barkley's 41-yard run against Washington, Saquon finishes that game with twelve rushes for 16 yards.  With his 41-yard romp, Barkley has now rushed 23 times for 83 total yards, averaging 3.6 yards per run.  He carried ten times against the Broncos and 13 times against Washington.  Is he being eased back into action coming off last year's injury?  Indeed he is.

However, the numbers still speak for themselves.  In light of Saquon's soft return, there are two, actually three, big reasons why Devontae Booker is not helping bring the rushes per game up from 14 and 15 to upwards of twenty-plus per game.  

Sometimes stuff like this needs to be revisited ...

ONE  -  The days of the highly skilled blocking fullback (Maurice Carthon) have gone the way of the Dodo Bird - flightless, grounded, extinct.  Phil Simms and the Giants do not win Super Bowl XXI without Joe Morris; Jeff Hostetler and company do not win XXV without Otis Anderson.  Heck, Kerry Collins, and Jim Fassel do not get to XXXV without Tiki Barber.  What these three teams had in common was a formidable offensive line.  After the 2000 season, Ernie Accorsi further supplemented it, and that offensive line set a record for consecutive games played together.  They all waited for Eli Manning to grow up, and when he did, the Giants won two more Super Bowls.  But, of course, that doesn't happen without Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.  What did the 1986/1990 Giants have in common with 2007/2011 Giants, you ask?  Both teams featured Pro Bowl-caliber centers in Bart Oates and Shaun O'Hara.

TWO. -  Bill Parcell's Giants were straight out smash mouth.  Simms was tasked with being a field manager.  That's why he glistened in Super Bowl XXI because entering that game, the Giants had already stamped the NFL with their running game.  Nor did 2007 and 2011 happen without offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, who, despite pass-happy Tom Coughlin, called a balanced game; after all, the Giants featured a formidable running game.  The point being, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is the one calling plays.  His style often works contrary to the available talent pool; his sense of pass/run balance is nonexistent.  Everything in between is rightly within questioning.

THREE  -  Forget the history lesson; the Hog Mollies are simply not performing at a contending level, never have.  After 2011, Jerry Reese then Dave Gettleman have never satisfactorily rebuilt the offensive line.  Instead, they effectively ruined the latter part of Eli Manning's career.  But I digress.  The offensive line is not creating enough daylight.  Open a lane, and I can push a mailbox through for positive yardage.  Otherwise, the line of scrimmage remains dark.  Whether by design or taking what is given, yardage gained by Daniel Jones is strictly opportunistic football.  It's the complete antithesis of what we Giant fans know works because it's been proven: clock-control smash-mouth football.

The season-ending injury to Shane Lemieux, and presently to Nick Gates (IR) further compound matters.  The Giants will be moving forward with Andrew Thomas, Ben Bredeson, Billy Price at the center, Will Hernandez, and Nate Solder, with Matt Peart and recently signed (C) Jonothan Harrison on call.  

Newly inserted center Billy Price did not at all have a good game against Washington.  Andrew Thomas was better from week one to the next.  Nate Solder and Will Hernandez remain pedestrian, and Ben Bredeson performed under par. 

What more can I say, other than there's a reason teams like the Steelers and others make such huge investments into their (center) offensive lines.  

First downs or bust ...

I will go to my grave believing Atlanta lost the Super Bowl to New England because (their then) All-Pro quality center Alex Mack broke his leg just before halftime.  Afterwhich, the Falcons running game completely collapsed like a cheap poker table.  Atlanta's inability to achieve first downs compromised their entire second half.  They instantly became one-dimensional; Bill Belichick and Tom Brady and took care of the rest.

The Denver Broncos have a good defense, and Washington features better security.  But the same cannot be said of the Atlanta Falcons.  We shall see if these Hog Mollies are trending or not.

ICYMI

• All Eyes On Daniel Jones, and the Man Who Drafted Him
• Stumblin' and Fumblin' in Week One Loss to Broncos
• Still In Search of the Elusive Hog Mollies
• Week Two Marred By More Mistakes and Another Fourth Quarter Meltdown
• The Pressure is On For Some, Off For Others

N.Y. Giants: Novice Nick Gates is Latest Center of the Day

From the desk of: DO IT FOR THE DUKE

IN SEARCH OF THE ELUSIVE

 ALPHA HOGMOLLIE

The New York Giants Latest Attempt at Center: Guard Nick Gates

It's ponderous to me how such an integral, physical, cerebral, technical position as center warrants so little consideration.  There's always some stop gap measure available to fill the slot, never a premiere talent.  Smart teams know better and reap the benefits, others not so much.  The Giants are grouped in with the latter and it drives me nuts.  I'm not just talking about Dave Gettlemen either.

The Colts recently made Ryan Kelly the highest paid center in the NFL.  Why do you think the Steelers locked up Maurkice Pouncey long term?  Remember in SB51 how the Falcons crumbled in the second half against the Patriots?  All that transpired after center Alex Mack sustained a broken leg late in the second quarter.  Atlanta's running game vanished from sight, pass protection was compromised and Matt Ryan came under attack.  Not even Bill Belichick can defend against a great center.  Ask him ... I'll wait .......  The Falcons ability to sustain first downs was completely wiped out all due to losing Alex Mack.  Just a few first downs, two first downs, one more first down, and the Patriots do not win.  A formidable New York Jets running game among other things withered away once Nick Mangold hung up his uniform.  Ask Tom Brady what he thought of Dan Koppen.

I can go on because I believe center is the fifth most important position on the field.  It's a multifaceted position.  No one touches the ball more.  Every play starts with them.  They're in charge of an entire unit - the offensive line.  On each and every play they must analyze and adapt to what is being presented before them, then disseminate this information and insure the line operates in unison.  In that regard, centers are not allowed to be wrong, unlike, say, a receiver running a wrong route or a running back rushing the wrong gap.  For as long as the line is operating as one, defective and broken plays can be altered and even saved.  Otherwise, a center needs to be correct with each and every call, be it pass protection or run blocking.  Defensive linemen will also tell you the shortest path to the quarterback goes through center.  They must identify the blitz despite being entangled with a nose tackle.  Thus centers work with quarterbacks and even help call audibles and influence play calling.  They must know a quarterback's snap count like his heartbeat.  How come you rarely ever see a center jump off-sides?  Because they're smart and disciplined, and they have the damn ball!

Show me a legitimate Super Bowl contender and/or winner and I promise you in most instances there is a Pro-Bowl quality center nearby.  This a not a foreign notion to the Giants.  Bart Oates was a five time Pro-Bowl center and member of the Super Bowl XXI and XXV champions.

In 2000, Dusty Ziegler is imported from Buffalo as the upgrade over Derek Engler and Brian Williams.  No Pro-Bowls, no Super Bowl victory either, just good enough for an NFC title.

In 2004 Shaun O'Hara is brought in to solidify the middle of the line.  It becomes a dominant offensive line that would set a record for most consecutive starts together.  O'Hara is a three time Pro-Bowler and center for the XLII Super Bowl champions.

George Young .. Bart Oates .. strong running game .. Lombardi trophies.
Ernie Accorsi ..  Shaun O'Hara .. strong running game .. Lombardi trophy.

Before the 2011 season O'Hara is cut and replaced with former San Francisco Niner David Baas.  He is decent but a noticeable downgrade.  Fortunately he is playing alongside four line mates chasing down a second Super Bowl trophy.  Any David Baas deficiencies where covered up by them.  He was never a Pro-Bowl quality center and was fortunate to win a Super Bowl (with the Giants).

Nick Gates is young, tenacious, willing and able.  Alas he is not a center.  Gates is a guard who will start the season at center.  This will be his second active season with the Giants.  He appeared in all sixteen games last season, but all at guard.  Which is to say this will be his first regular season experience at the new position.  He is 6'6", 318 lbs., out of Nebraska.  If I'm stereotyping line men, well then he fits the traditional description.  But can a novice master the responsibilities of playing center and still develop effective technique.  This very transition has overwhelmed many linemen in the past.  Center is a unique and demanding endeavor requiring a measure of leadership skills as well.

Gates replaces Spencer Pulley as the starting center.  However, both will man the position.  Pulley was the one who replaced Jon Halapio who couldn't stay on the field due to injuries.  Halapio was drafted in 2014 by the Patriots, but did not play his first NFL game until joining the Giants in 2016.  For you locals, Halapio in 2015 played for the Brooklyn Bolts at Coney Island prior to his arrival at MetLife Stadium.  What the heck does that tell you?

Fuhggeddaboudit..!!

The position of center has been problematic ever since the team and Shaun O'Hara parted ways.  That's on Jerry Reese and Dave Gettleman, who still doesn't seem to care.

But, hey, I hope Nick Gates wins the day.

N.Y. Giants: What The Fluker Was That?

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

SUNDAY

Seattle Seahawks

vs.

New York Giants

FROM

Jimmy Hoffa Grounds

New York Giants: Was Last Sunday Just a Fluker?

Seattle will be ready.  The Giants won't be able to pull a fast one over the Seahawks like they did against the Broncos in Denver.

It was painfully evident last week, offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan was not going to put Eli Manning in harms way.  Yes, the offensive line allowed another three sacks, but that's routine stuff at this point.  Instead, Coach Sullivan limited Eli to 19 passes, who completed 11 of them.  Only five receptions were made by four different fill-in receivers.  Rookie tight end Evan Engram accounted for another five receptions, and one toss went to Orleans Darkwa out of the backfield.

Denver is a good team with a top tier defense.  Yet, the Giants rushed 31 times for 148 yards; an average of 4.6 yards per carry.

Were the Broncos simply caught off guard?  Did they simply have a bad day at the office?

One now has to wonder about the impact D.J. Fluker played in Sunday's game.  He single-handed opened up swaths of daylight for Orleans Darkwa starting at center in place of Weston Richburg (concussion protocol).

Bart Oates was the Giants starting center from 1985 through 1993, during which time he appeared in three Pro Bowls.  He was their center in 1986, and went to the Pro Bowl during the Giants 1990 Super Bowl season.  He played out his final two season with San Francisco, making the Pro Bowl each time.

Shaun O'Hara was brought over from Cleveland in 2004, and became the Giants starting center for the next seven seasons.  He started for the 2007 Super Bowl champions, and appeared in three straight Pro Bowls between 2008 - 2010.

David Baas was signed as a free agent to replace O'Hara the following season.  Despite winning a Super Bowl in 2011 with Baas at center, he went on to become an expensive bust.  But then again, the 2011 season was the last bit of goodness Jerry Reese was able to squeeze out of that offensive line.

Since then, it's been all downhill.

Now in his fourth season, Weston Richburg, 25, was selected by the Giants in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2014 draft.  He has missed the last two games, placed in concussion protocol, which brings us to D.J. Fluker.

Now 29-years old, D.J. was selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 2013 draft by the Chargers.  Only problem is, he is used to playing right guard.

So what do we make of last Sunday?

The man is 6'5", and weighs 339 pounds.  Weston Richburg is 6'3", 298lbs.

Hmm.

Seattle will be expecting the Giants to run ... again.  I'm sure of it.

So, I'm going to reserve judgement until after Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

I have a saying: Once is an event; twice is a coincidence; and three times is a trend.

Nuff ced.

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?

*     *     *     *

 

 

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 ~ NFC EAST Showdown...If Eagles Dare

Week 15

N.F.C. EAST

SHOW-DOWN

Philadelphia Eagles

vs.

NEW YORK GIANTS

I've largely given Eli a pass this season regarding his high number of interceptions based solely in my opinion that he'll do more to win me a game, than lose one.  He's my guy and I'm a loyalist that way.  But there's no escaping many of his high passes have resulted in tipped balls this season, which in turn resulted many times in an interception.  Another select group of interceptions I have blamed Coach Gilbride and poor, unnecessary play selection, like that one against the Redskins in the end-zone.

But last week, Eli, buddy, those two picks were disgusting and all on you dude.  We can not afford to turn over the ball like we did the last time we played the Eagles in Philly.  The turn-overs in that game had more to do with Ahmad Bradshaw's fumbles, but that seems to have been corrected for the moment.  Eli's picks however, continue to pile-up and it's something Eli has to control this Sunday.  Turn-overs were the single biggest reason for that loss to Philly in Week 11.

But if we've learned anything as Giant fans about Eli and Coach Gilbride and how they work together, we know they are fearless passers and won't let anything like an INT stop them from throwing.  So, against the Eagles Sunday, we should be expecting the customary 35 pass-attempts.  Let's just hope they keep finding Big Blue Hands.  We should have Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham available for duty.  Kevin Boss makes three reliable receivers Eli will have to work with in the face of crippling injuries to our receivers which includes losing Steve Smith for the season.

But ever since Eli Manning connected with Kevin Boss for a touchdown against the Jaguars to seal that game, Eli hasn't had to be the onus in the Offensive game-plan.  Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have alleviated much of that responsibility from Eli recently.  While that's meant to be very complimentary towards the running game, that is in no way a slight against Eli.  He's only been tasked lately with managing things but his time is coming very soon when we'll look for him to be a hero for us.  And when that time comes, my dude with 24 TD passes good for 5th best in the NFL, will get it done because he's DONE it before.

In the mean time, the running game is devouring yardage with fury.  Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have been a Big Blue Running of the Bulls stampeding and trampling over defenses.

The Eagles Defense has given up as many points as the woeful Redskins have.  They will not be able to stop our running game because Eli will keep them honest.  If they dare Eli to beat them, my Dude will make them pay...then..Jacobs and Bradshaw will make them suffer.

Eli, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will be fronted by the reunited, and still great G-Men of the Offensive Line.  Shaun O'Hara, the Center, will return after a long nagging foot injury.  David Diehl will have another week and a game under his belt with no set-backs.  This formidable Offensive Line is finally back together again (Shawn Andrews should be available for reserve duties also) after many weeks apart.  That's great news for the running holes Jacobs will be running through; great news for the blockers Bradshaw will be following and cutting behind; and great news for Eli's passing lanes and protection.  If you're the Eagles Defense, that's bad news for you.

Outside of the Giants turning the ball over, there will be nothing the Eagles can do to stop us.

The Giants Defense will handle Michael Vick just as they contained him last time around.  If he isn't careful about sliding feet first, he may turn into another Giant Defensive statistic.  Last week, the Giants were denied the opportunity to get their hands on Brett Favre so they pounded Tarvaris Jackson into submission instead.  I believe he was the 6th or so quarterback the Defense has knocked out of commission this season.  Justin Tuck, Cofield, Osi and Jason Paul-Pierre I'm sure will be looking to add another QB to their collection.

This Defense has given up the NFC East's least amount of points.  All the Giants' division foes have given up over 300 points thus far.  The Giants have allowed 250 points.  That's good for first in the division and fifth best in the Conference.  Coach Perry Fewell and his Defense are gaining greater understanding of each other and the results are bearing that out.  The Front Four have been getting sacks without the Giants having to blitz too often as Antrel Rolle and Terrell Thomas have been reaping the rewards in the secondary as a direct result with their roles easier to disguise.

The Linebacker Corps. which have done a more than respectable job this season just took a big hit when we lost Clint Sintim for the rest of the season to yet another Big Blue injury.  But Jerry Reese will address that like he has every other injury situation this year; effectively!



Welcome to the Greatest Days of Fall and being a Giants fan.  I relish days, games, opponents and opportunities like today.  This is where you want to be as a fan at this point in the season..; That is, feeling good about your team and great about your chances as you face-off against your toughest competition and one of your most hated rivals. 

This is December Football.  This is what it's all about. 

My clock just hit 3:42 a.m. as I post these Big Blue Thoughts.  In nine hours and seventeen minutes, the New York Football Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles will square off in an epic battle for the right to sit atop the NFC Eastern Division.  I'll get a few hours of sleep, but the truth is I'm all fired up.

After suffering consecutive and deflating losses to the Cowboys and Eagles in weeks ten and eleven, the New York Football Giants have played their way back into a position to have their 2010 season be considered "great" again.

I relish the opportunity to play Philadelphia for sole rights to occupy the mountain top;

If Eagles Dare.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Purple Daze ~ Week 14 Preview

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS:  It's Time Big Blue Helps Brett Favre Come To Grips With Retirement...
(If The Vikes Don't Do It First).


Brett Favre is not only compromised, he's old hat.  I don't know what steps he's taking to get his shoulder in game-shape for Sunday, but he may be just what the doctor ordered for the Giants.

Captain Kronos' shoulder is hurting and he remains questionable for Sunday's game.  He has said putting on a shirt and his socks is a struggle for him.  Friday, he threw very lightly at practice for the first time this week.  But then again he never needed Training Camp, did he?  And as always with him these days, questions swirl regarding his retirement.

Yea right!

Minnesota continues to willingly hold themselves hostage to Brett Favre's whims. This week that means continuing his consecutive games played streak, which is up to....# Who Cares...!  Brett Favre will have his way because it's all about him and therefore will play. I relish the opportunity against the Old Goat. Silver Chin is an interception or two waiting to happen if he plays Sunday.


It's time for the Giants to knock another QB out of commission and particular to this game, finally send Brett into retirement, to battle Jenn Sterger in court, back to Mississippi, or to go play Football back on the ranch with his Wrangler Jeans Posse.

But Favre playing Sunday remains a very big IF.  The Vikings are not only in the midst's of internal chaos, they are a wounded "Viking" hemorrhaging Purple Ooze everyday they allow Brett Favre to keep killing them.  The Vikings might decide to sack Brett before we can get to him first.

It's time someone sent this NAG to Ye Old Glue Factory for Aged Football Players.  This job falls on the Vikings and is owed to all Football organizations in the known universe.  If the Vikings won't, the G-Men should.



BIG BLUE: Teams In Turmoil Are Usually A Big Problem.
*Tarvaris Jackson and Adrian Peterson can leave us in a PURPLE DAZE.

If the Vikings have a backbone they will start Tarvaris Jackson who changes things a little bit and in my view, makes this a tougher game for the Giants to handle.  With Brett Favre dropping back in the pocket, the toughest thing we'll have to contend with on their way to sacking him are pigeons.

Tarvaris Jackson gives the Giants something else to think about besides trying to stop Adrian Peterson from running wild, which is a mobile quarterback.  Jackson can move the pocket on the Giants' D and create all sorts of broken play dilemmas for us.  You won't find any pigeons on Jackson like you will on Favre the Statue.

Favre inspires jokes now-a-days, but I'm taking a Tarvaris Jackson/Adrian Peterson combo very seriously.  To me, the Vikings are similar to the Cowboys; skilled teams who's seasons went awry.  I still think Minnesota is very dangerous and capable of quick strikes and many points.

To that point, the Giants secondary concerns me this game.  Last week, when it was clear the Redskins running game was going no-where, everyone knew Donovan McNabb was forced to throw the ball the rest of the day.  The Skins' receivers dropped so many passes and McNabb still threw for over 300 yards.

Jokes aside, Favre can still find 60 more minutes in his fading career to be great and/or Jackson can wind up being very disruptive for the defense much in the way Michael Vick is and McNabb used to be.  There's a silver lining to that however.  Even though we lost to the Eagles, Michael Vick was contained well enough and with McNabb, the (defense) secondary still held the Skins and McNabb to 7 points in a Bend-Don't-Break kinda way.  I just refuse to take-on the troubled but still very skilled Vikings team without due caution.  We can't afford to let a team in disarray knock us off our game.  There is something about teams in the midst's of internal conflict that make them reckless on the field.  In turn, reckless teams are very unpredictable. 





BIG BLUE:  The Running Game Is In Gear.  Time To Get Pass Attack Back In Order After Injuries.

The O-Line is now getting healthier with every passing day.  Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have been running towards all kinds of daylight because of it.  But somehow, I still envision the Giants having to win this game in a mini shoot-out.  Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith are returning this week.  While Derek Hagan did an admirable job last week, hearing Nicks and Smith will be back is most welcome news.

Now that Nicks and Smith are back, along with O'Hara and Diehl, while they may not be 100% yet, they are reunited with the Offense none-the-less.

Now finally, Coach Gilbride, your time has come.  Get the passing attack back up to snuff and in harmony with the running game.  I'm not looking to alter the ground game as we've run it the last few weeks, but for a game, this game against the Vikings, I'd like to see Coach air things out.

There's a time and a place for everything and right now, a good airing-out is needed.  The Eagles and Packers are coming up.  So, go ahead Coach Gilbride, this week, without any flack from me....,

LET THE PIGEONS LOOSE!!



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

N.Y. Giants ~ Dallas Aftermath

NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS:
Coaches Not On Same Page.

One of the more disturbing things I saw Sunday versus the Cowboys was Coach Coughlin and Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell bickering with each other.  The way Dallas and Dez Bryant torched our secondary I can see why they'd both be frustrated.

But here's my concern.  Coach Perry Fewell has been mentioned lately as a candidate to become a Head Coach.  The talk originally surfaced when Wade Phillips was fired from Dallas.  I'm hoping this was just an isolated in-game argument during a game gone bad, that was quickly forgotten by the two.  What I'm hoping against is this being the beginning of a rift between the two.  I don't want Coach Fewell leaving to take a Head Coaching job so soon after taking our position like Coach Steve Spagnuolo did; it's just disruptive to the big picture.



What Happened To Perry Fewell's Defense?

The cat is out of the bag.  The Giants have been exposed.  Attack our suspect secondary utilizing three step quarterback drops.  Our pass rush is predicated on our Defensive Front-Four.  The best way to thwart them is getting rid of the ball quickly.

I'd suspect Coach Coughlin had a bigger problem with the gaping holes in secondary coverage than the lack of a pass-rush.  It seemed as if Coach Fewell didn't have any reasonable solutions for containing Dallas' Dez Bryant.  Corner-back Terrell Thomas offered, "They attacked our weakness.  They went right after us and kind of caught us off guard."

My questions are how and why?  How did they catch you off guard and why did they catch you off guard?

If this be the case then maybe Coach Coughlin was justified snapping at his Defensive Coach.



Oh, Our Aching Line!

With every pun intended, it's painfully obvious, injured Center Shaun O'Hara is one of the most important players in a Giants' uniform.  It was painfully evident when the Giants could not convert a fourth down and one with a hand-off to Brandon Jacobs.  Although I thought he made the first down, there was little to no surge from the Offensive Line.  Shaun O'Hara's importance was painfully evident when Kevin Boothe got called for a holding penalty calling back a touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks.  It was also painfully obvious on the missed snap and Eli's ill advised pass attempt.  While iron-man David Diehl's importance to this line should not go under-spoken, everything starts with the Center position.

Kevin Boss added his name to the list of casualties by injuring his tail bone making a stellar catch and having his legs removed from under him.



Fourth Down and Gilbride To Go..

Because our Offensive Line is compromised my next comment should be taken in stride.  It's been my pet-peeve this season, as you know.

The failure to gain one yard and get a first down when faced with 4th down and 1 is representative of something I've been saying and stand by.

Coach Gilbride calls plays based on what he wants to do.  He's pass happy; gets cute and greedy.  Blah blah.  There are enough play calls to go around to throw the ball less than he does, and invest those plays into getting Brandon Jacobs more touches and a better vibe for attacking the line of scrimmage.  There's things Coach Gilbride likes to do, but there's things we absolutely must do in dire situations.  Whether you like it or not, Jacobs is on this roster and has to be looked to in short yardage situations as your bread and butter.  Coach Gilbride just has not given him enough touches this year.  As the inclement weather gets closer, the ability to execute when you absolutely have to becomes more detrimental to a team's success.




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

PIGSKIN ~ WEEK 9 ~ GIANTS Last Word



WEEK NINE

We are at the midpoint of the season and after 8 weeks of rolling out Bagels, I am Plus 8 for the season.  I'm still surfing a bit under .500 on the Sunday games.  The strength of my Picks of the Week are what keeps me in the positive zone.  I remain perfect for the season on the SHMEAR of the WEEK at 7-0 (I value those games at 3 Bagels apiece).  Let's get started on Week Nine's Picks:



The WEEK 9 Bagel Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)

Jets -4 (LIONS)
Look for the Jets to bounce back after loss to Green Bay.  I'm sure REX used many curse words this week.
Loss 23-20 Jets

Giants -7 (SEAHAWKS)
This game would appear to be a Giant lock.  That's the scary part.
Win 41-7 Giants

BILLS +3 (Bears) *Toronto, Canada
The Bears are falling apart like wet toilet paper.  The Bills have to win one game.  Why not now?
Push 22-19 Bears

Chargers -3 (TEXANS)
Texans give up too many points and San Diego/Rivers will gladly oblige.
Win 29-23 Chargers

PANTHERS +6 1/2 (Saints)
Apparently New Orleans isn't over their Super Bowl hangover; Too inconsistent.  Fox's guys will play up.
Loss 34-3 Saints

Cardinals +8 (VIKINGS)
Vikings are slipping, I like the Cards to cover; not much else.
Win 27-24 Vikings

Bucs +8 1/2 (FALCONS)
I believe the Falcons will win but I think the Bucs cover the points.
Win 27-21 Falcons

RAVENS -5 (Dolphins)
I don't like any team coming off the BYE, but the Ravens are just flat out better than Miami.
Win 26-10 Ravens

Patriots -4 (BROWNS)
I wouldn't let Mangini mail a letter for me.  How does he still have a job?  Patriots Big!
Loss 34-14 Browns!

Raiders +1 (CHIEFS)
The Black and Silver is hot and putting up a lot of points.  Chiefs will look ordinary tomorrow.
Win 23-20 Raiders

Colts +3 (EAGLES)
This game makes no sense to me.  Eagles can't pick between Vick or Kolb and are favored?  Uh...No.
Win 26-24 Eagles

PACKERS -7 1/2 (Cowboys)
The Cowboys have folded like a cheap tent.  They'll be lost in Green Bay this week without a map again.
Win 45-7 Packers

12 Bagels into the oven.


SHMEAR of the WEEK:  (7-0 season)
Jets -4 (LIONS)


**POST GAME RESULTS:
Shmear of the Week = 1st loss of season.  Jets failed to cover.  Now 7-1 for the season.
Sunday Roll-Out = 8-3-1   MY BEST WEEK.

I started today +8; add another 8 for +16 Bagels.  Subtract my loss on the Shmear (-3)...
I leave WEEK NINE +13 Bagels!   Woo-Hoo.



NYG ~ Giants Can't Ask For Better Than This:

Everything is set up perfectly for the Giants to come away from Seattle big winners tomorrow.

The mission of this week is "SEIZE THE MOMENT"!

Seattle can't run the ball.  They are last in the NFL.  Matt Hasselbeck QB SEA, will miss the game.  The Seahawk back-up Chuck Whitehurst has never thrown an NFL pass before.  The Seattle Offensive Line is compromised.

I can not see the Giants losing this game.  Nothing about this match-up sells me on a Seattle victory.  The only way the Giants lose this game is by turning the ball over 10 times and amassing 1000 yards in penalties.

None of my opinions going into this game have changed during the week.  I posted twice during the week expressing my concerns for the Giants and Week 9.  You can read the Early Peek here, and you can take a look at my Closer Look here.

I am expecting Osi, Justin Tuck and Barry Cofield to have a big game up front while Kenny Phillips and the rest of the Defense have a dominant afternoon.  On the Offensive side of the ball, I fully expect Coach Gilbride to drive me up a freakin' wall with his play calling.  I'd like Coach Gilbride to make extensive use of Kevin Boss and yes...like every week, I want to get Brandon Jacobs more carries.  I'm just being consistent because I think he'll be a major factor in late December. 

Injuries:  Center Shaun O'Hara will not play and Mathias Kiwanuka is out for the year.

Enjoy Football Sunday Everyone!

FINAL

NEW YORK GIANTS  41

Seattle Seahawks         7

FINAL

NEW YORK JETS   23

Detroit Lions          20

OVERTIME

Mike.BTB

NYG ~ A Closer Peek at Week 9 ~ Giants

Seattle Crowd Noise Calls for Brute Force and Ignorance:

Center Shaun O'Hara is going to sit; bad peg.  That's a big blow because of the surge we've been getting from the O-Line as they've been getting healthier week by week.  But that's OK.  Kid Koets has my confidence as he's surrounded by the most veteran of O-Lines in the biz.

Sit Shaun, and get healthy for the cold weather's arrival.  It's OK.  Really.

What? 

I'm the one who's been talking up the Offensive Line and Brandon Jacobs all year right?  Yea, I have been, because I felt they were and still are pressing matters in my opinion.  My mind is on December and that's why I'm so preoccupied with them.

All the unnecessary passing Coach Gilbride calls for, some of those high pass attempts Eli lets off, and  resulting tips and in many cases interceptions.....are play calls that can be invested a little more wisely into getting Brandon Jacobs more carries.  You understand my problem is with unnecessary pass attempts and Coach Gilbride and not with Eli, the receivers and such....don't you?  Good.

If Coach Gilbride can find it within his Pigskin to invest some more of the play calling into a concerted Brandon Jacobs pounding attack (which by the way just makes life that much more easier for the NFL's leading rusher; Ahmad Bradshaw), not because that's been my want, but because that crowd will render Eli inaudible at the line; That's why.  This game should be 'Pound Away'.  I know I've been saying it a lot this season, but this week I say it because it just gets too damn loud in Seattle's place.

But I'll play into Gilbride's ego for a second and offer him some advice.  The last couple of games he's been employing some hocus-pocus using two and even three tight-end sets.  Well, if I'm hip to his jive, doesn't it stand to reason Defensive Coordinators are light years ahead of me?  Before you get too predictable Coach, try rediscovering and loading up a steady diet of Kevin Boss.  Fool me once fool me twice Coach; teams will adjust to what you've been doing; which has been brilliant by the way.  It's just that some of it has been unnecessary.  If he didn't try getting too cute, I'd leave him alone more.  He conflicts me.  He's the best Offensive Coordinator we've had since Ron Erhardt but so different in methodology.

However, less so this week than any other week so far, I am not so preoccupied with said Line, Running Game and Coach Gilbride.  Week nine in Seattle is all about Big Blue's Defense.

I have spent very little time talking about them because they haven't been a concern for the most part.  But let it be known I am an Old School Giants Fan in that I believe in Defense, a Running Game, and don't screw up, in that order; Just like Coach Parcells programmed me.

Coming into the season I thought, like many, Linebacker would be our soft white underbelly.  They have put in solid, lunchbox efforts.  There have been injuries to contend with; A Kenny Phillips knee here and an Osi knee there.  Now we learned we'll be without the services of Mathias Kiwanuka for the rest of the season suffering from neck/disk complications.  In a Football context, we've been dealing with that all season; no change.

Perry Fewell seems to have the Defense's attention and they are responding with dominating efforts.  The scores have been a little skewed lately but make no mistake, Big Blue has been laying the smack-down in an impressive manner.  More importantly in the Giants grand scheme of things, they've been getting it done with the front four.  I'll forgive the D for the lapses in judgement and spotty play if they set themselves right Sunday by playing four quarters of consistent rabid defense.

I believe the Giants' body count stands at five (?) ~ Five quarterbacks the Giants have knocked out of commission.  Now I hear Hasselbeck might miss Sunday's game? ~  Malingering trying to avoid...Pain?  Shhhh.  Nonsense.

But if there is a game I am calling on the Defense to dominate, I'd ask them to do it this game.  It just gets too damn loud in Seattle.  The crowd cranks up the noise when they need to and it's deafening; even on TV.  I just don't want Blue to take the crowd out of the game.  That's the easy thing to say.  I want them making the day easier on the Offense.  Like I said, it gets too damn loud in there.  And losing the last time we visited Seattle still speaks to me from the back of my mind.

So, what I need this week is for Brandon Jacobs to pound out first downs and for the Defense to dominate a compromised Seattle offensive line.  Seattle's Hasselbeck (head/poss-concussion) may not play which further hammers home the notion the Giants need to seize the moment this week against the Seahawks and grab the NFC Conference by the neck.

The Defense needs to lead the way and the Offense needs to pound it home because it gets too damn loud in there.  That's the way it needs to go down.  It gets so damn loud you can't even hear yourself think sometimes.  That's why this game calls for some brute force and ignorance and Big Blue are just the guys to do it.

...too damn loud!



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

NYG ~ Week 5 Big Blue Review

The New York Football Giants started the 2nd Quarter of the season with perhaps their most complete effort so far.  In a game most (including me) thought spelled trouble for the G-Men, they proved the naysayers wrong winning convincingly over the Houston Texans, 34-10.  They improved their record to 3-2.  Except for Dallas who are a surprisingly disappointing 1-3, the Giants sit atop the NFC East but with identical records as the Eagles and Redskins.

The Offensive Line did not give up a sack and they blocked the running game to a 100 yard-rushing game.  Combined, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs rushed the ball 26 times for 108 yards behind an O-Line still missing SHAUN O'HARA (lost to lingering injuries).  DAVID DIEHL continues to play good soldier and had an effective day after having a tough go of it in previous weeks.  Personal foul issues seem to have been resolved.  The Offensive Line was a good looking unit Sunday.

AHMAD BRADSHAW "sprained some defensive ankles", for sure, shaking and baking as he does.  He's not only elusive, quick, and can cut on a dime; he's so strong for his size.  He's a compact, well balanced rusher whom many times it takes more than one tackler to bring him down.

BRANDON JACOBS deserves good mention as well.  He's been quietly going about his job.  The drama of being benched, the helmet toss, and rumors of wanting to be traded seem like a distant memory as well.  Winning will do that, you know?!  Coach Gilbride managed to up his rush attempts if only slightly to 10 versus 6 the week before.  Jacobs is starting to attack the holes better, like Coach Coughlin asked.  He is doing a lot less east/west running, punching through, where the O-Line creates their holes now.  Increasingly you see Safeties making tackles on Brandon and not so much him getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage anymore.  Some of that is due to the O-Line's improving play, and I definitely say Jacobs' renewed efforts are an equal part.

But...., but...but.... COACH GILBRIDE still needs to get Brandon Jacobs more carries.  Brandon needs to grow into a game to have an effect.  He isn't something you unleash for sudden impact.

ELI MANNING and HAKEEM NICKS are the Leagues' newest sensation. 

Hakeem had himself a career day.  He caught 12 passes for 130 yards, and two touchdowns.  He tied Amani Toomer's team record for receptions at wide receiver in a game.  And....and...His day could have been even better.  There's little flaws in his game that experience and maturity will cure.

Eli almost got Steve Smith killed on another high pass.  If Eli keeps putting his receivers in prone positions having to make them stretch out and come off the ground to make catches for him, he's going to get one of his receivers hospitalized.  That's an adjustment and nothing really to be killing Eli about.

He had a stellar day.  He attempted 42 passes and completed 27 of them for 297 yards and two touchdown.  The key stat of the day? ~ No Interceptions.

I'm still having a hard time adjusting as a Giants fan.  I still can't come to grips we are a passing team now.  We are not the "Run-with-Power" ~ Ball Control ~ Eat the Clock team I'm accustomed to.  Maybe that's why I have my issues with Coach Gilbride.

He sets up the run with the pass; not the other way around.  He throws constantly.  The Giants won this game 34-10...a 24 point lead did not deter Coach Gilbride from throwing the ball.  He called on Eli to throw the ball FORTY TWO TIMES!  Good grief!  Eli threw the ball 42 times in a 34-10 win and threw for only 297 yards?  That's Gilbride and that's what drives me crazy.  He is still calling for pass plays late in games while the Giants nurse leads.  I know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em...  I get that.  But he throws way too often when the situation doesn't call for it or worse yet, when the situation doesn't necessitate it.  Is this being nit-picky of me coming off an all-around well played victory?  NO!  This is an old issue for me.  But I will be fair.  At 13:38 of the 2nd quarter, Gilbride called for a play to Hicks that resulted in a touchdown.  It made the score 21-0 and was Hakeem's 2nd TD of the day.  That play came off a Giants' called Time-Out.  When it plays out like that, off the time-out, there is nothing you can say but,"Great Call"!

On the other side of the ball, the Defense backed up their dominating performance against the Bears with an even more impressive performance against a solid Texans team; less the "58" sacks.

The Defensive Line was stellar.  Justin Tuck seems to be growing into his role.  I'm not sure he really grasped that before.  What?  What role?  I think he finally understands how influential he really is, or could be, on this unit.  Recognizing it, I sense a change in his game-attitude already.

Osi Umenyiora is thriving, playing full time in the absence of M.Kiwanuka.  Osi is also nursing a barking knee.  He'll need some monitoring. Safety Kenny Phillips' knee has also been barking at him.

The much-maligned Line-backing Corps., is taking shape and creating their identity.  None of them in particular stands out.  But collectively they have strung together 8 very good quarters of Football.  They have been exceptionally good along with the D-Line in stifling some very good running games (and that goes as well for the game against the Colts....that's right).

Over-all, the Giants defense is beginning to be spoken about as a dominant force.  Right now it would appear injuries are working against the Giants.  They've managed to roll with the punches.  Perry Fewell and the players will only be getting more and more comfortable with each other as the weeks progress.  Coach Fewell seems to have stabilized the highs and lows of this bunch.  The low no doubt was the Colts' drubbing at the hands of Peyton in which Perry Fewell implemented his 6-defensive backs system.  The high, of course was the "93" sack game we had against Da Bears.  Somewhere in the middle is this Giants defense and I think they may be starting to really emerge.

Maybe, a surging Offensive and Defensive squads can rub off on the Special Teams Units because they are trying every one's patience.  They were fairly bad again last game with regards to coverage.  Penalties were their biggest infraction this time, not so much poor execution.  Like past practice, I have not and am not going to start using Special Teams as a reason to hype Giants success or misfortunes.


Next:  Looking at Week 6 and the Detroit Lions.


Mike.BTB