N.Y. Giants: Rushing to Conclusions

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Offensive Line Inability to Create Daylight

Keeping Big Blue Fans Brooding in the Dark

New York Giants Football: After Three Weeks, Season Already Seems All But Lost.

It took three games, but the Giants finally broke the century mark in rushing.  They ran the ball 17 times for 49 yards during Sunday's 24-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, finally pushing them over the 100 yard mark in rushing for the season.

Through the first three games, the Giants backfield of Darkwa, Perkins, and Vereen, have rushed a total of 43 times for 134 yards.  That averages out to 14 attempts for 44.6 yards per game/ 3.1 yards per rush.

That's not complimentary football, folks, as Coach McAdoo likes to say.

Sure ... Eli threw three TD passes in the fourth quarter against the Eagles.  And on the one hand, Eli Manning and Odell Beckham proved that when they're in sync, they're among the most feared threats in football.  That being said, the Giants most gifted offensive player and lone scoring threat is at the same time the team's main source of controversy and fan irritation.

Eli clearly made adjustments heading into this game and got his throws off (more or less) within two seconds or less.  With regards to Coach McAdoo's version of the West Coast offense, that's the way it's supposed to be.  And in a micro sense, it worked.  Pressure on the offensive line was reduced.   They allowed no sacks and only four other QB hits.

But I ask, what good is this quick strike capability when their inability to run the ball and control the clock is continually putting Coach Spagnuolo's defense on the field for an average of 34:31 minutes a game?  Said another way, the Giants opposition is possessing the ball for ten more minutes per game.

More defensive field time equals more wear and tear.  In Week One, Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott rushed 24 times for 104 yards.  Detroit rushed 29 times for 115 yards.  Meanwhile, the Eagles oppressed the Giants defense with 39 rushes for 193 yards.  Said another way, they've already allowed a grand total of 437 yards on the ground, an average of 145 yards allowed per game.

With more wear and tear, injuries at some point could become problematic.  Janoris Jenkins, J.T. Thomas, and B.J. Goodson all had issues heading into Week Three.  Meanwhile, Olivier Vernon leaving Sunday's game with an ankle injury perhaps is not coincidental.

I derive no joy by saying the Giants regular season, and any aspirations of making the playoffs already seem like dust in the wind.

N.Y. Giants: Piling Weight of the Season on Eli's Shoulders

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Youngster no more.  

The old vet must be the Mann from here on out.

New York Giants: Unfairly, or not, Big Blue needs Eli Manning to be elite down the stretch.

The Fates are looking over the Giants.  I mean ... what more could Jerry Reese's broken pieces ask for?

Thanksgiving Day effectively eliminated the Cowboys from any meaningful conversation, and put the Eagles dysfunction on full display for the nation to see.  The Giants now get an opportunity to act on their own behalf by putting their last remaining division rival to pasture once and for all.

Yes Virginia, as improbable as it may seem, the stage is set for Big Blue taking one small step forward in the standings, and a Giant leap towards capturing an NFC East division flag by Christmas.

It's theirs for as long as they step up, keep their wits about them, execute, and take it.  But, as we've seen numerous times this season, particularly in the final minutes of games, that's been a task easier said than done.

Defensively, the Redskins have allowed 370 yards per game, while the Giants have surrendered 420 yards per game (2nd most in the NFL).  Yet, both average 25.3 points allowed per game, placing each in the bottom third of the league.

Offensively, the Giants average 27.3 points per game, while the Hogs have posted an average of 22.1 points per.

But let us not forget what Kirk Cousins did to the Giants secondary in Week Three.  Yes, he threw a pair of interceptions, but was also 30/49 for 316 yards, and a touchdown. Washington outscored the Giants 15-14 in the 4th quarter, in what ultimately ended up being a 32-21 Giants victory.

Just saying....

The return of Coach Spagnuolo means the Giants once again rank among league leaders in takeaways.  In fact, the Giants rank second.

There's your game.

Washington runs the ball as atrociously as the Giants do.  Both team's running games are ranked 7th and 8th worst, respectively.  So, the Giants better make sure they take away what little running game the Redskins possess, thereby putting Kirk Cousins in bad throwing situations.  Then it's a matter of Cousins offering the Giants defense opportunities to make big plays.

On the Blue side of the ball, the Giants lack of an effective running game makes the marrow in my bones boil over with frustration.  While injuries to the offensive line pose their own issues, this four-headed backfield they employ is nothing more than a mythical creature that needs to be eradicated.

Throughout football, I can not believe such learned minds have let the art of rushing to daylight become the road least traveled.  In the Giants case, it's avoidance by design.  But I digress...

If throw they must, then throw the damn thing with fury.

Time and again throughout Eli Manning's career, his leadership, and that ridiculous "elite" tag has been brought into question.  Unlike his earlier years, he no longer has a top grade offensive line, a punishing running game, nor a top ranked defense that made the Giants a well balanced team.

Today, there's only Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., a scratch-off lottery system of playing opportunities, and a litany of question marks.  Yet, many unfairly demand Eli Manning put any lingering questions regarding his leadership beyond the late Autumn shadows of doubt starting Sunday.

Fans want another miracle run from him, but I'd offer his support group is immensely inferior than that of previous Big Blue contenders.

Hakeem Nicks is a nice blast from the past, but hard to gauge his impact on the immediate future before they play the games.  There's an old saying - players become available for a reason.  Just ask Jon Beason....

My biggest takeaway from today's game will be how Coach McAdoo utilizes Orleans Darkwa.

We'll revisit everything, then.

Here's what I said in my PIGSKIN PICKS:

Giants -2 1/2 (D.C. HOGS)

This is not your father's NFC East of the 1980s, folks.  If the Hogs win, they'll tie the Giants for the division lead with sub par 5-6 records.  A Giants win, however, would at least somewhat legitimize their standing in a poor bracket.  Many would argue the Giants could, and should be 8-3 right now.   They had their chances, sure, but as Bill Parcells would say - they are what their record says they are. That said, the Giants should be better than Washington, period.  I'd be thankful if they just went out there and seized the day.

N.Y. Giants: Reese's Pieces and Defensive Malfeasance

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

First Half Report Card

D-

DEFENSELESS

NEW YORK GIANTS: The Defense Rests, Every Sunday!

What did we learn last Sunday?  That if left unattended, the Saints can score 52 points.

With every passing week since his dismissal, Perry Fewell must snicker with satisfaction in the bowels of FedEx Stadium as the Giants defense sinks deeper into the abyss.

That by no means absolves Fewell from implementing an utterly ponderous system which fostered mass confusion, but he nonetheless squeezed out the very last bit of goodness Ernie Accorsi's old defense had to offer (or was the beneficiary thereof).

The unfortunate irony for Giants fans is that we got Coach Spagnuolo's system back - which I've always been a proponent of - but now lack personnel with which to execute a simple game of checkers.

The enduring poor state of this defense is 100% a personnel issue, which in turn, makes this Jerry Reese's problem.

How bad is this defense?  Let us count the ways:

• The second most total yards allowed.
• The most total yards allowed per game.
• The 6th most total points allowed.
• The 9th most points allowed per game

• The most total passing yards allowed.
• The most passing yards allowed per game.

• The 9th most total rushing yards allowed.
• The 14th most rushing yards allowed per game.

• Last in QB sacks.
• First in INTs.
• Forced 6th most fumbles.
• Recovered 16th most fumbles.
• First in Give/Take ratio.

That last stat, if you remember, is very indicative of Coach Spagnuolo's style.  Everything else about the Giants first half defensive performance, though, is forgettable.

Look around - there's nothing left of Ernie Accorsi's defensive leftovers.  They're all retired, or should be.  Ernie and The Duke seeded the previous run for the new regime, with Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning being their only remaining legacies.

This era of Giants Football belongs to Jerry Reese and John Mara.  That said, the Giants owner must sit in his office at Snoopy Central thinking how he watched the Giants win four Super Bowls with either Hall of Fame caliber linebackers, or with likewise elite pass rushers, and wondering why he presently has neither.

In truth, the Giants issues go far beyond JPP's situation.  Simply put, Jerry Reese has failed to sustain the talent level of the Giants, particularly on defense.  And after watching Drew Brees and Saints tight end Ben Watson go buck wild, perhaps no one on the Giants realizes that more than John Mara.

In fact, the defense has been in a state of devolution since 2011, with JPP serving as the prime example.  That's not a mutation crack  - when JPP was a rookie, he was surrounded by three other elite pass rushers, and had two quality linebackers behind him, with Webster and Ross on the corners. The choreography between pass coverage and the pass rush back then was championship caliber.

They aren't even Snow Day caliber at the moment.

Did injuries help ruin the Giants best laid plans?  Yep, that's what they do - in more ways than one.

The GM gave large sums of money to a linebacker whom repeatedly demonstrated an inability to stay healthy.  When feeling well and contributing, Jon Beason is an actual difference maker.  But, at this juncture, he couldn't make a difference for my local bar's flag football team.  He's given fans less than zero since his arrival.  They say he's great in the locker room.  So, keep him there!  Jon Beason's body obviously does not respond well to prolonged NFL level physicality anymore.

• Is JB tough?  I'm sure.  
• Is JB fragile?  Without question.  
• Is that ideal for linebacker?  Obviously not.

Cut him!

Then there's poor rookie Landon Collins.  Drew Brees stuck it to him good last Sunday, didn't he?   He's going to have a hard time shedding last week's stink (that was permeable stuff). That said, Prince Amukamara can't get back on the field soon enough.  In the mean time, Dominique Rogers Cromartie is so alone in the secondary he might as well be on Revis Island.

Jerry Reese is inside his 8th season as general manager.  Over the last four years, his drafting is proving largely inconsequential, while his reliance of free agency has steadily increased.  That in turn has inspired some curious salary cap maneuvering.

It's Week Nine and the Giants are faced with a must win situation.

At some point, objective analysis must compartmentalize two Lombardi Trophies away from Reese's trending body of work.  Jerry Reese has been with the Giants since 1994, therefore he will be treated with the utmost dignity and respect by ownership.

But John Mara is not going to appreciate an 8-8 NFC East title, or worse.

N.Y. Giants: Steve Spagnuolo's Impact Immediately Noticeable

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Short on personnel, the onus is on Steve Spagnuolo 

for creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

NEW YORK GIANTS: Despite losing their season opener, the differences in defensive style between Perry Fewell and the returning Steve Spagnuolo were comfortingly apparent in Game One.

Tony Romo went virtually untouched last Sunday because Dallas' offensive line happens to be very good, but mostly because without JPP the Giants have no pass rush to speak of.

The Giants registered exactly one QB touch all game - ONE, authored by Devon Kennard.  Dallas held the ball for 37:10, while Tony Romo completed 36 of 45 attempts for an 80% completion rate.

By the 4th quarter, the Giants defense was sufficiently gassed.  Their last stand bend-don't-break posture failed to outlast both Dallas and the clock.  Romo easily dinked and dunked his way down field before connecting with, who else but Jason Witten for the winning touchdown.

That's the worst I have to say regarding last week's season opener.

On a more positive note, the Giants defensive style, technique, and overall intensity shouted Coach Spagnuolo is back!  The change in philosophy was clear as the sky is big and blue.  They induced Romo into a pair of INT's, and caused three turnovers overall.

• Dominique Rogers Cromartie had 8 solo tackles and returned an INT for a touchdown.

Unlike Perry Fewell, Coach Spags will blitz, but he'll pick and chose his moments and nail the logistics.  Therefore, I'm giving Coach Spags a pass for calling off the dogs on that last drive.  I just hope last week was a lesson learned in the art of applied aggression.

Otherwise, Coach is being forced to offset the Giants lack of personnel and a pass rush with clever schemes and deception.

The effort against the run was particularly noteworthy.  They recovered one of three caused fumbles. I find it ponderous, though, Dallas would not elect to run more often behind that offensive line.   Nevertheless, the Giants held them to 81 yards on 21 rushes for a 3.5 average gain.

WEEK TWO:

The Atlanta Falcons fly into town still feeling sky high 

after their victory over the Eagles.

After a rather decent performance last week, Prince Amukamara and DRC will be tasked with shutting down Julio Jones and Roddy White.  Their play will largely dictate the Giants ability to mount pressure on Matt Ryan, whom enjoyed as much unmolested time in the pocket against the Eagles, as Tony Romo did against the Giants.

This much is certain: The Giants' defense can not, and should not, spend anywhere near 37:00 on the field this week.  That was arguably a determining factor as to why Dallas marched down field and scored so easily with less than 2:00 to go.

Linebacker Jon Beason is still not ready for a return to action, but the ever lasting question is how long will he last once, and if he does?  That said, I'm thinking Devon Kennard will be Week Two's game MVP.

Let's see.

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

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

When GIANTS ruled the world...!

New York Football Giants: Gone are Scapegoat One and Scapegoat Two. Will the axe fall next on Who One or Who Two?

It should read like Dr. Seuss...!  Because somewhere between the Cat in the Hat and the Isle of Dr. Moreau lies my opening statement with regards to the upcoming season.

I watched pre-season game #1; three words ~ What a Mess!

Otherwise I have nothing constructive to offer regarding the game.  

In fact, the Football Giants should count their blessings,

 the Baseball Mets are presently doing well and have me distracted.

But I Got Your Pre-Season Right Here!

General manager Jerry Reese's window for winning a third Vince Lombardi trophy with Eli Manning is closing fast.  That would also suggest the window remains open.

Right?

In truth, all Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin can do is look at each other dismayed over what Jerry Reese has done to the House of Mara.

• Remember how proud Wellington was when his much maligned Giants won the 2000 NFC Championship Game on a field of green painted mud?  There's always that chance, which is exactly why I exhort the Giants to always DO IT FOR THE DUKE!

Unfortunately, the Giants have Big Blue issues my friends.  So, be afraid.  Be very afraid.

THIRD and LONG: If at first, second, or third you do not succeed, try, try and try again, and again, and again...

I'm being kind when declaring the New York Giants are at a crossroad.  According to Albert Einstein's definition, Big Blue is a team bordering on insanity for repeatedly facing the same fork in the road over the last 3 seasons, and veering toward the wayward path each time.

Subsequent to 2011, a series of unremarkable drafts and pedestrian free agent signings failed to effectively replace prominent retiring players.  In fact, center Shaun O'Hara still serves as a prime example of the inability to back fill positions with any type of quality, much less any continuity.

Moreover, Jerry Reese's reliance on free agency consequently reached its zenith over the last two seasons.  In my book, that's called straying from your core values.  But in terms of modern football economics, the salary cap ramifications have proven prohibitive.

That said, injuries continue sabotaging Reese's best laid plans as well.  He has spent several drafts exhausting numerous picks attempting to remedy the secondary, yet, at this very moment injuries continue ruling, if not ruining the day (see Bengals game).

Ironically, Tom Coughlin vehemently denounced injuries upon assuming head coaching duties back in 2004.  But mounting casualties at key positions already stand poised to compromise a fourth straight season, while also threatening to end Coughlin's Big Blue career on a sour note.

Make no mistake, Tom Coughlin is indeed winding down his career as head coach of the Giants.  He is 68-years old now, and his recent record will not allow a continuance unless something special happens at Giants Stadium this season.

To that I say, good luck.

As Bill Parcells used to say - You are what your record says you are.  Translated, that means the Giants are in regression.  They posted their second straight losing record last year, and failed to make the playoffs in each of Coughlin's last 3 seasons.

Moreover, the Giants have posted a 22-26 record since their last trip down Broadway's Canyon of Heroes after winning Super Bowl XLVI.

No one needs reminding, Tom Coughlin is an offensive minded coach.  But it was his friend, and former O.C. Kevin Gilbride that got scapegoated for the Giants 7-9 record and overall disappointing 2013 season.  Outwardly, we know the situation was made to appear as if Gilbride initiated his own retirement.  Our (my) better sense, however, says he paid the price in lieu of firing Coughlin.

And so the Giants moved forward last year with new Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo.

There is considerably less debate with regards to scapegoat number two.  Former defensive coordinator Perry Fewell earned his dismissal with honors.  Injuries took a heavy toll on Fewell's unit as well, but his philosophy and (secondary) schemes were overly confusing and wholly ineffective. Most disheartening and unbearable to watch was their absolute failure to stop the run.  That was an insult to the great history of this organization.  Perry Fewell's dismissal came years later than I had hoped, but it finally came nonetheless.

Perry Fewell is now out, and Steve Spagnuolo is back in.

The next bell, therefore, will toll for Tom Coughlin.  The Giants are not an organization that deals in lame duck coaching.  They treated Coughlin with dignity, extending him through the 2016 season.   They also provided him two new lieutenants with which to march forward.  Whether Tom Coughlin realizes the final year of his contract, however, will be decided this season.

That circles things back to Jerry Reese.

PUNT: If I'm thinking it, John Mara already knows it..!

If there's anyone within the Giants organization keenly adept at recognizing trends, whom understands the business and cyclical nature of football, that instinctively senses when proactive measures are in order, and likewise knows when to pounce, it would be the general manager's boss.

John Mara possesses what Jerry Reese does not - the ultimate bird's eye view, family DNA, a pigskin resume that dates back to the club's days at the Polo Grounds, and most importantly, the final say in all things Giants.

Jerry Reese has yet to hire a head coach during his tenure as general manager.  Tom Coughlin was Ernie Accorsi's doing.  In fact, much of what Ernie Accorsi left behind was what Reese smartly supplemented, and ultimately parlayed into a pair of Super Bowl victories... back then.

But outside of Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning, Ernie Accorsi's New York Giants narrative is complete.  The Giants 22-26 record since 2012 largely falls on the shoulders of Jerry Reese.

Not only did Ernie Accorsi assemble one of the most formidable offensive lines in Giants history, they became an NFL record setting line at that.  The Giants became and remained one of the most feared rushing teams in football in the years prior to Eli's acquisition, through his rookie and early years, and right up until the winter of 2011/2012.

Under Jerry Reese, the focused then shifted towards providing a mature Eli Manning with more down field weapons.  Many receivers have come and gone, but Reese has largely remained successful in that respect.  However, he was slow to address the offensive line, which is now the team's most worrisome liability.  In turn, the Giants running game likewise became and remains among the worst in all the NFL.

Defensively, Jerry Reese continually ignored the position of linebacker by his own design.  He no longer boasts an elite pass rusher up front, while his efforts to upgrade the secondary have been constantly stymied by injury.

Put another way, when a punter (Steve Weatherford) becomes your team's MVP by default, that team is in big trouble.  If Wellington Mara were still around, he'd agree.  But I'm positive John Mara remembers well how Dave Jennings became a Big Blue MVP punting for his Pop's ponderously bad teams of the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Presently, Jerry Reese's primary focus is rebuilding the Giants into a Super Bowl contender one last time during Eli Manning's post-prime seasons.  Eli is now 34-years old; not old by any stretch.  In terms of rebuilding this football team, however, time is of the essence.

John Mara has never been one to act hastily.  Jerry Reese is still very well respected, but I'm starting to question whether John Mara will let Jerry Reese continue his mission beyond the 2015 season.

As a Giants fan, no running game, no linebackers, poor defense - that freaks me out.

I digress.

Free from the influence of Ernie Accorsi, Jerry Reese's record is what it is.  The Giants would have to post a 10-6 record this season in order to achieve .500 since winning XLVI.

Signed,

a staunch Reese supporter...

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

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

The Architects of Super Bowl XLII

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Mike

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

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

No defense for his defense...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Mike

N.Y. Giants ~ G-Men and the Dept. of Defense

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:   Big Blue Unleashed Their Version of the Doomsday Defense Against Tony Romo and the Cowboys. 


Health, Experience, and Cohesion Finally Seem to be on Perry Fewell's Side.  But Suddenly, Steve Spagnuolo is Available Again.  So How Will Perry Fewell Deploy His Boys Now?



OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:  Eli Leads Giants' Ground Game (?)



Let's face it, when the Defensive Front doesn't generate overwhelming pressure, and does little to disrupt timing, and can't crumble pockets, or cause fumbles, or get sacks, odds are the Giants lose.  Outside of Eli's arm, the more pressure they mount, the greater the Giants' chances are of winning.  That's the way it's played out all season.





For the simple fact that we are even talking about this today, you can thank Jason Pierre Paul for putting Big Blue on his back.  He recorded one of the Giants' six sacks Sunday.  But his relentless pursuit of the quarterback and overall indefatigable play through the first fifteen games delivered the Giants to Sunday and into position to play for the NFC East Title.  Then.., you can thank Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck for getting us past Dallas and into the playoffs.





With six sacks under their belts against Dallas, the Giants won convincingly by a 31-14 final score. That's no coincidence.  With Osi Umenyiora missing nearly half the season, and Justin Tuck not playing up to his standard because of a nasty neck stinger this season; more so than most things wrong with this team; point to an inconsistent pass rush for Big Blue's stumbling through the season en route to a 9-7 record.  Then point to Justin Tuck's late season health and Osi's return to the playing field these last two weeks against the Jets and Dallas, and well..., the results speak for themselves.





Perhaps one of the biggest sacks of the night came when Justin Tuck chased down Tony Romo.  Tuck was initially blocked on the play, but stayed persistent and finally got his man.  The play reminded me so much of the time Leonard Marshall hunted down Joe Montana in a legendary playoff battle of yore.  They were eerily similar plays in many ways.





In addition to ringing Romo's bell six times, the number of times they reached out and touched him were more than Romo and Dallas' offensive line could handle before Coach Garrett's switch board blew.  Because the pressure brought on by the Giants' pass rush also caused Tony Romo to fumble.  Keeping him under constant duress also induced a Tony Romo interception.  In the end, the Defense held Tony Romo under 300 yards passing, forced two turnovers, and totally shut down Dallas' running game.





I think Tony Romo dropped back to pass forty-five times in all.  Dallas only ran the ball sixteen times which perhaps played right into the Giants' pass rush.  However, the few times Dallas did elect to run the ball, the Giants stopped them cold.  Take away two Tony Romo scrambles (...for his life and limb), and the Giants limited the Cowboys to forty-six yards on fourteen carries.  The Giants' defense against the run has come a long way this season.  Where once they routinely gave up Giant gallops through their middle, they have become somewhat of a resolute bunch against the run lately.





For a portion of the season, Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was asked to some how keep things together with four rookies in the rotation.  Today, much of the reason for the turn-around against the run has been a return to health by Michael Boley and the continuing maturity of Jacquian Williams.  The two led the Giants in tackles Sunday.  And on top of corralling Dallas' run game, the Giant Linebackers also rendered Jason Witten inconsequential.  The emergence of Jacquian Williams was also reflected with a sack of Tony Romo.  And then there was the play in which Michael Boley launched himself over the pile-up at the line of scrimmage to prevent Tony Romo from literally sneaking a fast one past the Giants and getting into the end-zone for a score.  It was a great play by a Giant Linebacker; the way it used to be around here....once.





For Dallas, play-action went out the window.  The Linebackers shut down the run game and as mentioned, were tasked with spying Jason Witten.  The pass rush was able to tee-off on Romo because Dallas was playing from behind and had obviously abandoned the run.  Most importantly, Perry Fewell finally decided to rush five people against Tony Romo and it worked to the tune of six sacks and seven more QB touches as noted.





For Dallas, all element of surprise was gone.  Thus the Secondary was afforded many opportunities to look back at the quarterback and still maintain coverage.  So it stands to say that in the last game of the season, the battle-torn Secondary had perhaps their finest day.  And just in time too.  There was nothing open down field for Tony Romo and his receivers nor anything available over the top.  Dallas' main receivers remained covered and out of step with the Giants' pass rush.  When Romo checked down to Mr. Reliable Jason Witten, Antrel Rolle knew it was coming.





The Giants forced Romo to accept the underneath pass and limited them to a ten yard average per catch.  Perry Fewell simplified coverage and played a lot of base-Cover-Two.  And it worked.  The only knock against the plan was Kenny Phillips was still a little slow in his recognition.  But the bottom line is the Secondary pretty much took away the deep pass.  Only Dallas' Laurent Robinson seemed to find empty spaces in the Defense.  In the third quarter, the Cowboys started to speed things up with success until Coach Fewell adjusted.  Otherwise, the longest play the Secondary allowed through the air was a thirty-four yard gain.  And their tackling was sound.  As the pass rush kept Romo in a harried state, Antrel Rolle was able to come down with an interception.

*     *     *     *

The end of the regular season ended on a good Defensive note;  -  not great; but very good.  Lest we forget all the problems they really still have.  But the conversation regarding the Defense is now one which involves many players (key word - many) doing big things together again.  Health, a year of Experience; and Cohesion seem to be finally bringing things together for this Defense.  We hope.





Chris Canty continues to take Giant steps forward.  He also recorded a sack of Romo.  Osi Umenyiora, fresh out of the M*A*S*H tent steps on the field and records two sacks.  For the second week in a row, Justin Tuck looks like - Justin Tuck; and it's great to hear him talkin' trash after being so down on himself just three weeks ago.  Because a happy Tuck is a dangerous Tuck!  Dave Tollefson's game has also been up-ticking as well.





Rookie Jacquian Williams is officially no longer a rookie.  Has an entire regular season under his belt now after seventeen weeks of on-the-job-training, and he's all the better for it.  He might very well be a major contributor in the upcoming game against Atlanta.  Michael Boley tapped into his inner-Superman and sprung to action in the nick of time (and space), to keep the Giants out of the Twilight Zone.  And with Mathias Kiwanuka, the Linebacking Corps just might be up to the challenge of the playoffs.  The only test that concerns them now is how to stop Michael Turner and Matt Ryan.





Antrel Rolle, Deon Grant, and Kenny Phillips had a much easier go of things with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross off in man-coverage.  And perhaps the Safeties, the Corners, and Perry Fewell have finally found some common ground with which to work on.  What ever they did Sunday contributed to the pass rush.  And in return, the pass rush made coverage look good all game long.  It's a symbiotic relationship.  We can only hope the two units keep that timing going against Atlanta's offense.





Which causes which to succeed?  It doesn't matter for as long as the pass rush and the Secondary are in sync.  Timing is everything.  And it appears as if the Giants Defense is getting healthy, gaining cohesion, and feeling aggressive at the right time.  As the Defensive play continues to rise, will Perry Fewell now turn up the heat against Atlanta?





Much of his dilemma with the Giants' pass rush came in part because Coach tried cheating to help the coverage.  He relied on the front four to provide pressure without any blitzing or any real kind of deception.  Osi was still out and Tuck was ailing then.  Perry Fewell's Secondary confusing zone coverage; four rookies at linebacker; and injuries to the pass rush all conspired against the Defensive Coordinator.





Let's say this much about Coach Fewell's adaptability.  He ditched his experiments in zone coverage and simplified things for the Secondary considerably.  Then up front, he added a fifth guy to the pass rush.  But that came with healthy bodies.  Injuries and "Coordinator pragmatism" have force his hand at times.  While Eli Manning was the star of the game, the dominance the Giants exhibited over the Cowboys Sunday was the major reason the Giants won.  Can they carry the Giants moving forward?





Perry Fewell may not be as diabolical as Coach Spags was with his schemes, or as creative for that matter.  But I do know Perry Fewell knows a thing or two about aggression if he feels he has all his chess pieces in place.  Well Coach, the gang is all here now.  And after last game, they look like a bunch of  "crazed dogs" wagging their tails mightily with ears pointing up just waiting for you to give them the signal to attack.





Perry Fewell has had his moments.  But his overall body of work remains average.  Steve Spagnuolo is officially a free agent again.  The St. Louis Rams fired him as Head Coach at the conclusion of the season.  And yes, I'd fire Perry Fewell and rehire Coach Spags in a N.Y. minute.  But that's for the future.  How fast that future descends upon Perry Fewell and the Giants' Defense is now in Coach's hands.







Mike.BTB