Amidst all the hoopla surrounding next weekend's Super Bowl, I think it's a great time to reflect on our own Super Bowl history here in New York.
Yesterday was the 20th Anniversary of Super Bowl XXV, in which the New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills by a score of 20-19. I distinctly remember watching this game because it's my very first memory of seeing pro football. My dad and I ordered a pizza and watched the game, start to finish, just the two of us. No girls allowed!
But getting back to the game itself, this remains the only Super Bowl ever decided by one point. Scott Norwood blew it wide-right and thus began a string a four straight Super Bowl losses for the Bills. Norwood's big miss also inspired the plot of Ace Ventura, in the form of a soccer-style kicker named Ray Finkle. Hopefully Frank Reich remembered to keep the laces out...
Anyway, since the Giants missed the playoffs and because Jets fans are surely still reeling from their second consecutive loss in the AFC Championship Game (but who's counting?), here's a chance to relive the sweet, sweet feeling of Super Bowl victory:
Showing posts with label New York Giants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Giants. Show all posts
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Same Old Giants Fall Apart in Green Bay
Walking onto the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field (TM) yesterday afternoon, the Giants had the late-season luxury of controlling their own playoff fate. Win and they'd be in. The Packers, meanwhile, really had to sweat. They had to beat the Giants, beat the Bears next weekend, and still their playoff ticket wouldn't be officially stamped. So to say this was a must-win game for both teams would be an understatement. And I couldn't have been more excited. This is how late December football is supposed to be: two playoff-caliber teams playing a do-or-die game in the freezing cold with the season on the line.
Except only one team played like the entire season was at stake. The Giants apparently never recovered from the hangover they sustained after collapsing at home against the Eagles last week. Ever since they had that fateful 31-10 lead against Philly with 8:10 to go in the 4th quarter, the Giants have been outscored 73-17. As painful as that statistic is to read, the actual gameplay has been even harder to watch. Put simply, the Giants have played some awful football.
Note to Tom Coughlin and the Giants: no more lollygagging!!!
So, where to start? Let's begin with the Giants' pass defense. Due to a recent concussion, Aaron Rodgers was something of a question mark heading into the game, but he surgically dissected the Giants' secondary like it was a practice squad. One thing I could not figure out through the entire game -- and apparently the New York Times also picked up on it -- was why Perry Fewell had the Giants in a Cover 2 scheme against a Packers team that's packed (heh heh) with talented deep-threat wide receivers in Greg Jennings, Jordan Nelson, and Donald Driver. Play after play, there was Rodgers throwing to a receiver at least 5 yards in front of the closest DB. You could see that Green Bay made an early (and obvious) adjustment to the Giants' defensive scheme. In fact, on the first play of the Packers' second possession, Jordy Nelson took a slant 80 yards right up the seam for a TD. This defensive approach may work next week against Rex Grossman, Chris Cooley & Co., but it was a weakness that the Packers exposed in a big way. The result was Rodgers passing for 404 yards and 4 TDs. Ouch.
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| Photo Credit: NY Daily News |
Note to Tom Coughlin and the Giants: no more lollygagging!!!
So, where to start? Let's begin with the Giants' pass defense. Due to a recent concussion, Aaron Rodgers was something of a question mark heading into the game, but he surgically dissected the Giants' secondary like it was a practice squad. One thing I could not figure out through the entire game -- and apparently the New York Times also picked up on it -- was why Perry Fewell had the Giants in a Cover 2 scheme against a Packers team that's packed (heh heh) with talented deep-threat wide receivers in Greg Jennings, Jordan Nelson, and Donald Driver. Play after play, there was Rodgers throwing to a receiver at least 5 yards in front of the closest DB. You could see that Green Bay made an early (and obvious) adjustment to the Giants' defensive scheme. In fact, on the first play of the Packers' second possession, Jordy Nelson took a slant 80 yards right up the seam for a TD. This defensive approach may work next week against Rex Grossman, Chris Cooley & Co., but it was a weakness that the Packers exposed in a big way. The result was Rodgers passing for 404 yards and 4 TDs. Ouch.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Look at the Giants: Giants Could Clinch a Playoff Spot This Week
Towards the end of the NFL season I always check out CBS Sportsline's Clinching/Eliminating scenarios for the week. I was shocked today to see the Giants appear on the list as one of the teams that could clinch a spot this week (this was especially true after playing around with ESPN's awesome Playoff Machine and finding out there are scenarios that the Giants could win 11 games and not make the playoffs). So there's a chance the Steve Smith-less Giants we talked about earlier could find their way into the postseason in Week 15. Here's the scenario:
Ok, simple enough, right? Well...no.NY Giants clinch a playoff spot:
Mario Manningham and the Giants could clinch a spot (MSNBC)
1) NYG win + CHI loss + GB loss + TB loss + NYG clinch strength of victory tiebreaker over Tampa Bay
NOTE: The explanation of the NYG tiebreaker is as follows:
If CHI and GB both lose, then if GB finishes 10-6 they win the North (beat CHI h2h in Wk 17 and would split h2h, finish tied in division and common opponents and would have better conference record because CHI would be losing to MIN this week). So since CHI could not finish ahead of NYG in tiebreaker with a h2h loss and at best 7-5 conference record, that would mean three teams in South would have to beat out Giants -- and if Giants clinch SOV over TB that would be impossible
And...the WORST CASE SCENARIO for NYG is a tie in strength of victory (SOV) tiebreaker with TB.
A Look at the Giants: Giants Tested By Injuries Headed Into Eagles Matchup
The Giants had Steve Smith back for one catch. That catch ended his season. Before the most important game of the season, the Giants learned they were going to have to go without Steve Smith, their top 3rd down possession receiver for not only the upcoming game against the Eagles, but for the entire year. So the Giants, who have also lost wide receivers Ramses Barden, Victor Cruz, and Domenik Hixon to injured reserve and have Mario Manningham questionable for Sunday with a hip flexor will once again have to dip into the well to find replacements.
It seems that's when the Giants perform best.
In 2007 the Giants lost Mathias Kiwanuka and Jeremy Shockey during the season and had Justin Tuck and Kevin Boss step up for them. This season they lost fullback Madison Hedgecock and had former tight end Bear Pascoe step into the role and perform brilliantly. They lost Kiwanuka again and Jason Pierre-Paul has emerged. When Smith and Manningham went down for a few weeks Derek Hagan came off his couch to play a huge role. Now they will have to find a way to adjust to the loss of Smith (and Clint Sintim who they also placed on injured reserve).
In 2008 the Giants lost Plaxico Burress and played the Eagles at home right after--but lost and never seemed to recover. The hope is that in 2010 they've learned from that and can find a way to win. The Giants still have two deep-play threats in Hakeem Nicks and Manningham and while winning that battle is what wins games, they will miss Smith as a third-down target. Hagan and Boss will certainly be looked at to help fill that role. You love to see a guy like Manningham playing through the pain and promising his teammates he'll be out there. That's what drives a team.
One huge positive for the Giants is that their patch-work offensive line is starting get healthy with Shaun O'Hara expected back soon. Although the backups played admirably, I think a rested veteran line down the stretch will be huge for the Giants--especially as they've just gotten then run game really going. On Monday night both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw topped 100 yards for the first time since...2007 (sense the theme?).
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| Manning will be without Steve Smith the rest of the season (ESPN) |
It seems that's when the Giants perform best.
In 2007 the Giants lost Mathias Kiwanuka and Jeremy Shockey during the season and had Justin Tuck and Kevin Boss step up for them. This season they lost fullback Madison Hedgecock and had former tight end Bear Pascoe step into the role and perform brilliantly. They lost Kiwanuka again and Jason Pierre-Paul has emerged. When Smith and Manningham went down for a few weeks Derek Hagan came off his couch to play a huge role. Now they will have to find a way to adjust to the loss of Smith (and Clint Sintim who they also placed on injured reserve).
In 2008 the Giants lost Plaxico Burress and played the Eagles at home right after--but lost and never seemed to recover. The hope is that in 2010 they've learned from that and can find a way to win. The Giants still have two deep-play threats in Hakeem Nicks and Manningham and while winning that battle is what wins games, they will miss Smith as a third-down target. Hagan and Boss will certainly be looked at to help fill that role. You love to see a guy like Manningham playing through the pain and promising his teammates he'll be out there. That's what drives a team.
One huge positive for the Giants is that their patch-work offensive line is starting get healthy with Shaun O'Hara expected back soon. Although the backups played admirably, I think a rested veteran line down the stretch will be huge for the Giants--especially as they've just gotten then run game really going. On Monday night both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw topped 100 yards for the first time since...2007 (sense the theme?).
Sunday, December 12, 2010
A Look at the Giants: Why the Metrodome Roof Collapse is Good for Week 14
Usually a huge snowstorm that collapses an entire dome and leaves one team stranded hundreds of miles away isn't a good thing for anyone involved. Questions were asked whether this game would be moved to the University of Minnesota outdoor field (which would have never worked because the Giants didn't bring their cold-weather gear with them and the college field would supposedly take a week to be ready), New Orleans, Indianapolis, or Detroit. But with no one reportedly injured in the Metrodome (or is it Mall of America Field?) roof collapse and the game now reportedly being moved to Monday night at 7:20 PM EST at Detroit's Ford Field (according to ESPN), the Giants look like the big winners in this situation.
Eli Manning never plays well against the Vikings but playing in Minnesota against the Vikings at the Metrodome--one of the best home-field advantage fields in the NFL--would have been a tough match-up for his audible-heavy system. Now Manning and the Giants get to go to a neutral field for an away game which certainly swings the game in their favor. Now, think about all the injured guys around Manning who get one more day of rest: David Diehl, Hakeem Nicks, and Steve Smith. A day and a half more rest can only be good for that trio.
On the Vikings side, this also means that Brett Favre gets a chance to be healthy enough to play. According to Favre, he would not have been able to play had this game been played at 1 PM on Sunday--but thinks he'll be able to go with the extra rest. This keeps his streak alive but it also means that the Vikings will have a QB who won't be 100% healthy. Although the New York Post may be a little over the top saying that "the Giants should be doing somersaults in celebration", I think that Favre on the field swings the advantage back to the Giants. The Vikings have a ton of talent, but the Giants would seem to be better equipped to deal with their offense with Favre slinging the ball under center.
When the Giants may be hurting because of this scheduling change is in Week 15. With the most important game of the season to be played at home against the Eagles next week, the last thing the Giants needed was a short week to prepare for the battle for the NFC East. Now they'll have to worry about the Vikings while simultaneously getting ready to play Michael Vick. But one of the things they won't have to deal with? The Metrodome noise which is certainly going to be a plus for Week 14.
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| Eli Manning and Big Blue have been stuck in KC |
Eli Manning never plays well against the Vikings but playing in Minnesota against the Vikings at the Metrodome--one of the best home-field advantage fields in the NFL--would have been a tough match-up for his audible-heavy system. Now Manning and the Giants get to go to a neutral field for an away game which certainly swings the game in their favor. Now, think about all the injured guys around Manning who get one more day of rest: David Diehl, Hakeem Nicks, and Steve Smith. A day and a half more rest can only be good for that trio.
On the Vikings side, this also means that Brett Favre gets a chance to be healthy enough to play. According to Favre, he would not have been able to play had this game been played at 1 PM on Sunday--but thinks he'll be able to go with the extra rest. This keeps his streak alive but it also means that the Vikings will have a QB who won't be 100% healthy. Although the New York Post may be a little over the top saying that "the Giants should be doing somersaults in celebration", I think that Favre on the field swings the advantage back to the Giants. The Vikings have a ton of talent, but the Giants would seem to be better equipped to deal with their offense with Favre slinging the ball under center.
When the Giants may be hurting because of this scheduling change is in Week 15. With the most important game of the season to be played at home against the Eagles next week, the last thing the Giants needed was a short week to prepare for the battle for the NFC East. Now they'll have to worry about the Vikings while simultaneously getting ready to play Michael Vick. But one of the things they won't have to deal with? The Metrodome noise which is certainly going to be a plus for Week 14.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Look at the Giants: Black and (Big) Blue
8-4. That's a pretty good place for this Giants team to be considering they started 1-2, have suffered through a ridiculous amount of injuries on the offensive end, and looked to be dead at halftime of the Jaguars game two weeks ago. Now, with a game coming up against the Vikings this week followed by a home game against the Eagles next week, the Giants have to be eying a division win. But while it's fun to look ahead, let's take a look back at this big Giants drubbing of the Redskins.
It's a bad idea to judge a team right after playing the Washington Redskins, but with all the Giants injuries, it was impressive to see how they methodically worked their gameplan on offense. Brandon Jacobs got 8 touches for 103 yards and two TDs (I don't have a problem resting him at the end of the game...Jacobs' biggest issue is he gets run down from so much physical running) and Bradshaw carried 25 times for 97 yards and a pair of TDs (getting him to 1,000 yards on the season). The most important part for me about the early run success is it allowed the Giants to start fast for the first time all season.
Derek Hagan has filled in fantastically at wide receiver catching eight tough passes on Sunday for 65 yards. Rich Seubert has adjusted to playing center so well that not only is he not a liability, but if you look at most of those Giants runs, Kevin Gilbride was running his backs right up the middle with Seubert--and the guards Chris Snee and Kevin Boothe--leading the way. Bear Pascoe has been awesome as well, having to fill in at fullback and not only throwing "some hellacious blocks", but proving to be a viable passing option as well coming out of the backfield (and with Kevin Boss and Travis Beckham gives the Giants three legit passing TEs). And on special teams Danny/D.J. Ware gave them a legit kickoff return man (can we just cut Darius Reynaud at this point?) while former Redskin Devin Thomas had a superb game on special teams with the triumvirate of a big tackle, punt downed inside the 5 and a blocked punt.
But while the offense was impressive, let's not forget what the defense did: 6 turnovers--and it could have been two more if Deon Grant had held on to an easy interception or pounced on a fumble he had his hands on. When Mathias Kiwanuka went down with a season-ending neck injury, the Giants looked to be in trouble but Jason Pierre-Paul (like Justin Tuck when Kiwi went down in 2007) has stepped up big time. Two more sacks for Pierre-Paul after two last week to go along with a forced fumble, a defended pass and a fumble recovery. He seems to be motivated by teammates and coaches challenging him. And the man plays special teams with speed that is usually reserved for guys half his size.
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| Brandon Jacobs had the Giants off to the races Sunday (NYT) |
It's a bad idea to judge a team right after playing the Washington Redskins, but with all the Giants injuries, it was impressive to see how they methodically worked their gameplan on offense. Brandon Jacobs got 8 touches for 103 yards and two TDs (I don't have a problem resting him at the end of the game...Jacobs' biggest issue is he gets run down from so much physical running) and Bradshaw carried 25 times for 97 yards and a pair of TDs (getting him to 1,000 yards on the season). The most important part for me about the early run success is it allowed the Giants to start fast for the first time all season.
Derek Hagan has filled in fantastically at wide receiver catching eight tough passes on Sunday for 65 yards. Rich Seubert has adjusted to playing center so well that not only is he not a liability, but if you look at most of those Giants runs, Kevin Gilbride was running his backs right up the middle with Seubert--and the guards Chris Snee and Kevin Boothe--leading the way. Bear Pascoe has been awesome as well, having to fill in at fullback and not only throwing "some hellacious blocks", but proving to be a viable passing option as well coming out of the backfield (and with Kevin Boss and Travis Beckham gives the Giants three legit passing TEs). And on special teams Danny/D.J. Ware gave them a legit kickoff return man (can we just cut Darius Reynaud at this point?) while former Redskin Devin Thomas had a superb game on special teams with the triumvirate of a big tackle, punt downed inside the 5 and a blocked punt.
But while the offense was impressive, let's not forget what the defense did: 6 turnovers--and it could have been two more if Deon Grant had held on to an easy interception or pounced on a fumble he had his hands on. When Mathias Kiwanuka went down with a season-ending neck injury, the Giants looked to be in trouble but Jason Pierre-Paul (like Justin Tuck when Kiwi went down in 2007) has stepped up big time. Two more sacks for Pierre-Paul after two last week to go along with a forced fumble, a defended pass and a fumble recovery. He seems to be motivated by teammates and coaches challenging him. And the man plays special teams with speed that is usually reserved for guys half his size.
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Look at the Giants: Eagles Flying High Heading Into Giants Match-up
In an episode of Season 5 of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Charlie, Mac and Dennis debate the merits of being "birdmen". These are sort of like eagles, but as the song they end up singing states "'Cuz we're birds of war now, but we're also men!" In some ways, this is Michael Vick too. As an Eagle he's been a bird (attacking through the air) as well as a man (attacking on the ground). It is with that convoluted story that I bring you to the greatest challenge for the Giants defense: how to contain Michael Vick.
Justin Tuck tells SI's Peter King that the Giants gameplan is to pressure Vick. After watching Vick pick apart a passive Redskins defense, the Giants have decided to disrupt Vick's timing which makes a ton of sense. I think with Vick's ability now to be a pocket passer (and also the fact that the Eagles very wisely play Vick out of shotgun to keep him away from the line) makes him too dangerous to just sit in the pocket. When Vick was with the Falcons, the Giants would basically allow Vick to run around the pocket with a "shadow" designed to watch him from the linebacking position. With Vick's passing ability, you can't do that anymore. Especially not with the Giants' serious issues on deep throws.
The real issue for the G-men on Sunday may actually not be Vick--it may be themselves. Already with injuries at the offensive line and wide receiver, the Giants saw Ramses Barden hit Injured Reserve and now Shawn Andrews isn't even a definite for Sunday. If Andrews can't go, Will Beatty will get the start at left tackle with Kevin Boothe at left guard. This normally wouldn't be such an issue if Eli Manning had his best short yardage receiver, Steve Smith, to go to. But with Smith out until at least early December, Manning will have to find some way to gain time to throw the ball (more tight end sets? more shotgun? more bootlegs? more playaction?). Or the Giants will have to win the game on the ground with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs leading the way to victory.
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| The Giants want to see Vick on the ground a lot Sunday (SI) |
Justin Tuck tells SI's Peter King that the Giants gameplan is to pressure Vick. After watching Vick pick apart a passive Redskins defense, the Giants have decided to disrupt Vick's timing which makes a ton of sense. I think with Vick's ability now to be a pocket passer (and also the fact that the Eagles very wisely play Vick out of shotgun to keep him away from the line) makes him too dangerous to just sit in the pocket. When Vick was with the Falcons, the Giants would basically allow Vick to run around the pocket with a "shadow" designed to watch him from the linebacking position. With Vick's passing ability, you can't do that anymore. Especially not with the Giants' serious issues on deep throws.
The real issue for the G-men on Sunday may actually not be Vick--it may be themselves. Already with injuries at the offensive line and wide receiver, the Giants saw Ramses Barden hit Injured Reserve and now Shawn Andrews isn't even a definite for Sunday. If Andrews can't go, Will Beatty will get the start at left tackle with Kevin Boothe at left guard. This normally wouldn't be such an issue if Eli Manning had his best short yardage receiver, Steve Smith, to go to. But with Smith out until at least early December, Manning will have to find some way to gain time to throw the ball (more tight end sets? more shotgun? more bootlegs? more playaction?). Or the Giants will have to win the game on the ground with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs leading the way to victory.
Monday, November 15, 2010
A Look at the Giants: The Dreaded Coughlin Trap Game Bites the Giants...Again
Yesterday's Giants game had all the makings of a trap game: a bad team that just fired its coach, a Giants team with a few key injuries, no one giving the opposition a chance to win the game, and, most importantly, a big match-up coming up the next game that the Giants were looking forward to and maybe looking past their current game. Every year under Tom Coughlin the Giants seem to play one of these games. For a coach who is supposed to be a disciplinarian who keeps his troops focused, this seems like it never should happen. But yesterday afternoon, as the power went out at New Meadowlands Stadium, the power went out of the Giants. Let's take a look at the trap games losses throughout the years under Coughlin:
Nov 14, 2010 (Week 10): Dallas Cowboys at Giants. The Giants had spoiled the home opener of the Cowboys in their new stadium and then had walloped them a few weeks ago. You knew that the Cowboys were going to come in and play with a purpose (so you thought maybe the Cowboys would cover the 14-point spread). But a 13-point win marred by a ton of Giants mistakes and 3 key turnovers? Awful. The Giants had plenty of chances to get back in this game and instead gave up long 3rd down gains, had a huge touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks overturned because of a penalty, threw a 101-yard Pick 6 after first down at the 1, and generally looked like, well, the Cowboys of the past few weeks (the Cowboys have the 4th-worst defense and point differential in the NFL). With the Eagles looming on the schedule, the Giants were definitely looking ahead to that game and totally underestimated their opponent. The Giants are now going from a possible 1st round bye to possibly having to fight for their playoff lives in a span of one week. Trap game, indeed.
Nov 26, 2009 (Week 12): Giants at Denver Broncos. The Broncos had lost 4 in a row and looked totally lost when the Giants came in town having just won a huge post-bye week game against the Falcons but had a quick turnaround to play a Thursday night game only 4 days later against the Broncos. With Dallas coming next, the Giants got caught looking ahead once again as they fell behind 16-0 and were unable to recover. The Giants committed three turnovers including a costly fumble by Eli Manning in the 4th Quarter to seal the deal for the Broncos. The Giants got killed on the ground game with Brandon Jacobs and Danny Ware sharing the rushing lead with only 27 yards. The Giants defense continued to get slaughtered as they would finish the season giving up the 3rd-most point in the NFL (26.7 per game). The Broncos finished the season 8-8 and the Giants missed a golden opportunity to win a game and have a chance at a playoff berth.
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| A big Eli Manning INT again led to a Giants "trap game" loss (Star-Ledger) |
Nov 14, 2010 (Week 10): Dallas Cowboys at Giants. The Giants had spoiled the home opener of the Cowboys in their new stadium and then had walloped them a few weeks ago. You knew that the Cowboys were going to come in and play with a purpose (so you thought maybe the Cowboys would cover the 14-point spread). But a 13-point win marred by a ton of Giants mistakes and 3 key turnovers? Awful. The Giants had plenty of chances to get back in this game and instead gave up long 3rd down gains, had a huge touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks overturned because of a penalty, threw a 101-yard Pick 6 after first down at the 1, and generally looked like, well, the Cowboys of the past few weeks (the Cowboys have the 4th-worst defense and point differential in the NFL). With the Eagles looming on the schedule, the Giants were definitely looking ahead to that game and totally underestimated their opponent. The Giants are now going from a possible 1st round bye to possibly having to fight for their playoff lives in a span of one week. Trap game, indeed.
Nov 26, 2009 (Week 12): Giants at Denver Broncos. The Broncos had lost 4 in a row and looked totally lost when the Giants came in town having just won a huge post-bye week game against the Falcons but had a quick turnaround to play a Thursday night game only 4 days later against the Broncos. With Dallas coming next, the Giants got caught looking ahead once again as they fell behind 16-0 and were unable to recover. The Giants committed three turnovers including a costly fumble by Eli Manning in the 4th Quarter to seal the deal for the Broncos. The Giants got killed on the ground game with Brandon Jacobs and Danny Ware sharing the rushing lead with only 27 yards. The Giants defense continued to get slaughtered as they would finish the season giving up the 3rd-most point in the NFL (26.7 per game). The Broncos finished the season 8-8 and the Giants missed a golden opportunity to win a game and have a chance at a playoff berth.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A Look at the Giants: Say it ain't sO
What was the second-most anticipated game (behind the opener) in the New Giants (Meadowlands) Stadium kicks off at 4:15 PM this Sunday between the Cowboys and Giants. Before the season even began Giants fans were already circling November 14th for what was expected to be a division influencing game against a heated, and highly competitive rival. This game was supposed to be a big test for the Giants, especially after the infamous Eli signature in the opener at the new Cowboys Stadium infuriated the Boys; they made it clear they would like nothing more than to return the favor in their first game in the Giants new house.
Unfortunately, as so often is the case in the NFL, that incredible matchup that had tickets going at a premium is not the game the game we will see this Sunday. The Cowboys, at 1-7, are off to one of the worst starts in the history of their franchise and have seemingly given up on the season and avoided contact while being absolutely demolished in their last two games. The losing attitude became so pervasive that despite Jerry Jones commitment to keep moribund head coach Wade Phillips in place through the end of 2010 he was dismissed this past Monday, leaving former heir-apparent Jason Garrett to pick up the pieces.
Unfortunately for the Giants they are now not without their own issues. Their aging offensive line, one of their strengths back in 2007 when they won the Superbowl, has begun to break down and deteriorate. Injuries to Center Shaun O'Hara, Tack David Diehl and backup Center Adam Koets will force reserve Shaun Andrews and newly activated Kevin Boothe into starting action, with Guard Rich Seubert moving over to center. While the Giants were able to maintain continuity last week while shuffling their line up in Seattle, this will be a much taller challenge with Demarcus Ware starting across from this group. Look for the Giants to employ some extra protect schemes to keep Ware, who would likely love to avenge the Giants knockout of Tony Romo on Eli. The game will certainly test the Giants O-Line depth, but given how poorly the Cowboys have played they will likely get away with it for this week at least.
Now on to predictions. With Steve Smith unable to play and the O-Line shuffled yet again I expect the Giants will struggle a little bit on offense.
Giants 24
Cowboys 13
Unfortunately, as so often is the case in the NFL, that incredible matchup that had tickets going at a premium is not the game the game we will see this Sunday. The Cowboys, at 1-7, are off to one of the worst starts in the history of their franchise and have seemingly given up on the season and avoided contact while being absolutely demolished in their last two games. The losing attitude became so pervasive that despite Jerry Jones commitment to keep moribund head coach Wade Phillips in place through the end of 2010 he was dismissed this past Monday, leaving former heir-apparent Jason Garrett to pick up the pieces.
Unfortunately for the Giants they are now not without their own issues. Their aging offensive line, one of their strengths back in 2007 when they won the Superbowl, has begun to break down and deteriorate. Injuries to Center Shaun O'Hara, Tack David Diehl and backup Center Adam Koets will force reserve Shaun Andrews and newly activated Kevin Boothe into starting action, with Guard Rich Seubert moving over to center. While the Giants were able to maintain continuity last week while shuffling their line up in Seattle, this will be a much taller challenge with Demarcus Ware starting across from this group. Look for the Giants to employ some extra protect schemes to keep Ware, who would likely love to avenge the Giants knockout of Tony Romo on Eli. The game will certainly test the Giants O-Line depth, but given how poorly the Cowboys have played they will likely get away with it for this week at least.
Now on to predictions. With Steve Smith unable to play and the O-Line shuffled yet again I expect the Giants will struggle a little bit on offense.
Giants 24
Cowboys 13
Friday, November 5, 2010
A Look at the Giants: New York at Seattle
For the rest of the NFL season one of us who are fans of Big Blue will be providing you a mini-preview of the Giants game coming up on the Friday before. Now as we say Bye-Bye Bye (week), the 5-2 Giants head up to the great Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks, a team coming off a drubbing. Here's what I see:
The Tom Coughlin/Eli Manning Giants don't play well in Seattle. In 2005 the Giants went into Seattle and lost in OT. A year later the Giants got the tar beaten out of them (the score made it look a lot better than it was as the Giants reeled off 27 4th Quarter point in garbage time). The Giants head into Seattle again with Eli Manning at the helm and this time, they're hoping for better results. But with a Seattle crowd to disrupt Manning (who is always dangerously close to an expiring play-clock), a careless manner to their recent play, and the Giants special teams in disarray, can they win a very winnable game and take down the 'Hawks?
The 2010 Seattle Seahawks have been easy to bet: beasts at home (thanks to a league-high 99 false starts since 2005) and brutal on the road. But this is a different level of home game. A quick look at ESPN's Power Rankings from the time that Coughlin took over in 2004 shows that most of the Giants teams he's coached have peaked around this time of the season (except for the disaster that was last year). This Giants team is no exception with Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks providing a QB/RB/WR combination as good as any Giants team and a defense that has stepped it up, especially Defensive Player of the Month, Osi Umenyiora and improved rookie Jason Pierre-Paul. It's usually bad news, however, when people start picking the Giants for the Super Bowl.
So what happens on Sunday? The Giants need to control first downs on both sides of the ball as well as they have so far this season--which can be a natural noise reducer--but they need to find a way to stop Leon Washington from killing them on special teams. With a much healthier Giants team (only missing their center, Shaun O'Hara with the dreaded Lis Franc sprain) than the Seahawks (who are without their starting quarterback), this should be a blowout. But, alas, the Giants seem to be unable to blow any bad teams out this season, winning closer-than-needed-to-be games over Detroit and Dallas--and I see another one of those this week. My prediction: Giants 20 - Seattle 16.
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| Pierre-Paul and the Giants D are looking to stop the 'Hawks (WSJ) |
The Tom Coughlin/Eli Manning Giants don't play well in Seattle. In 2005 the Giants went into Seattle and lost in OT. A year later the Giants got the tar beaten out of them (the score made it look a lot better than it was as the Giants reeled off 27 4th Quarter point in garbage time). The Giants head into Seattle again with Eli Manning at the helm and this time, they're hoping for better results. But with a Seattle crowd to disrupt Manning (who is always dangerously close to an expiring play-clock), a careless manner to their recent play, and the Giants special teams in disarray, can they win a very winnable game and take down the 'Hawks?
The 2010 Seattle Seahawks have been easy to bet: beasts at home (thanks to a league-high 99 false starts since 2005) and brutal on the road. But this is a different level of home game. A quick look at ESPN's Power Rankings from the time that Coughlin took over in 2004 shows that most of the Giants teams he's coached have peaked around this time of the season (except for the disaster that was last year). This Giants team is no exception with Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks providing a QB/RB/WR combination as good as any Giants team and a defense that has stepped it up, especially Defensive Player of the Month, Osi Umenyiora and improved rookie Jason Pierre-Paul. It's usually bad news, however, when people start picking the Giants for the Super Bowl.
So what happens on Sunday? The Giants need to control first downs on both sides of the ball as well as they have so far this season--which can be a natural noise reducer--but they need to find a way to stop Leon Washington from killing them on special teams. With a much healthier Giants team (only missing their center, Shaun O'Hara with the dreaded Lis Franc sprain) than the Seahawks (who are without their starting quarterback), this should be a blowout. But, alas, the Giants seem to be unable to blow any bad teams out this season, winning closer-than-needed-to-be games over Detroit and Dallas--and I see another one of those this week. My prediction: Giants 20 - Seattle 16.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Bad News for the New York (Football) Giants: Kiwanuka May Be Out for the Season
"Indefinite" timelines for injuries are never a good thing, usually signaling that the end of the player's season is near. Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka reportedly got that news today as ESPN New York reports that the herniated cervical disk in his neck will send to him to Injured Reserve, ending his season. The Blue Screen wonders if this means the end of Kiwi's Giants career as well.
This is not good news for a Giants team that we discussed more fully earlier is a team with a great record, but is a team with holes. It's a really sad end for a guy who has showed so much promise as a Giant. Through the first three games, Kiwi had 4 sacks, leading the Giants team and was an extremely versatile player in Perry Fewell's new defense, playing end, linebacker and even tackle. He was "The Guy" on defense and looked to be in the middle of a monster season. It looked like he was willing to rehab and come back this season. And his willingness to be flexible could have been invaluable for the Giants going forward. But it was reported that after speaking to Antonio Pierce whose career ended after a similar injury, Kiwanuka realized it wasn't worth rushing back and risking further injury.
This isn't the first time that an injury has derailed one of Kiwi's seasons; in November of 2007 the Giants placed him on IR as well after fracturing his left fibula. The Giants would, of course, go on to win the Super Bowl that year without Kiwanuka. This year their depth will certainly be tested without his presence.
To replace Kiwi on the roster, the Giants will reportedly sign former Packer DB Will Blackmon who worked out for Big Blue yesterday. Why they wouldn't just cut the inept Darius Reynaud is mind boggling, but Blackmon at least gives them another (read: better) option at kick and punt returner. The G-men seemed to come into the season believing that D.J. Ware was going to be the kickoff returner and Aaron Ross was going to return punts until Reynaud showed up. It seems that Blackmon will now take over some of those duties.
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| Mathias Kiwanuka is done for the season (Star-Ledger) |
This is not good news for a Giants team that we discussed more fully earlier is a team with a great record, but is a team with holes. It's a really sad end for a guy who has showed so much promise as a Giant. Through the first three games, Kiwi had 4 sacks, leading the Giants team and was an extremely versatile player in Perry Fewell's new defense, playing end, linebacker and even tackle. He was "The Guy" on defense and looked to be in the middle of a monster season. It looked like he was willing to rehab and come back this season. And his willingness to be flexible could have been invaluable for the Giants going forward. But it was reported that after speaking to Antonio Pierce whose career ended after a similar injury, Kiwanuka realized it wasn't worth rushing back and risking further injury.
This isn't the first time that an injury has derailed one of Kiwi's seasons; in November of 2007 the Giants placed him on IR as well after fracturing his left fibula. The Giants would, of course, go on to win the Super Bowl that year without Kiwanuka. This year their depth will certainly be tested without his presence.
To replace Kiwi on the roster, the Giants will reportedly sign former Packer DB Will Blackmon who worked out for Big Blue yesterday. Why they wouldn't just cut the inept Darius Reynaud is mind boggling, but Blackmon at least gives them another (read: better) option at kick and punt returner. The G-men seemed to come into the season believing that D.J. Ware was going to be the kickoff returner and Aaron Ross was going to return punts until Reynaud showed up. It seems that Blackmon will now take over some of those duties.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
This Year's Giants Look a Lot Like Last Year's Giants
24 hours after the New York Giants buried the Cowboys in Dallas, Giants fans are elated. Another game over and another quarterback knocked out. Moore, Cutler, Collins, Hill, and Romo has become a personal injury firm of beaten down QBs (and in the age of putting every hit under a microscope, all of those hits were legal). The passing game looks lethal and the defense looks dominant. The Giants are 5-2 heading into their bye week, tied for first in the NFC, on top of the NFC East, and looking like one of the best teams in football.
And it really doesn't feel too much different than last year.
At the quarter mark last year, the Giants were 4-0 and looked unstoppable. I predicted 11 wins, but Jay was more bold saying they were a 13-win team "at worse". Yeah, well, it was much worse. The injuries piled up. They got embarrassed on Monday Night Football to fall to 5-4. The Giants finally won their first game in 42 days and looked like they could jump right back into the playoff race. And then they laid down to end the season.
So what's different a year later? Well Big Blue has turned into "Jet Blue" and the Giants offense seems to be more in sync. Osi Umenyora is back as a defensive force and Perry Fewell's defenses are not just imaginative, they're effective. But although the defense has looked better, they still have allowed the opponents to stay in the game every game this season--a bad sign for a team that's supposed to go deep into the playoffs. They turnover the ball way too much and although Eli Manning is probably on his way to a Pro Bowl, he still makes decisions that make us all show our "Manning Face". The special teams is anything but special and actually has been the Giants biggest problem area. And let's not forget this team is less than a month away from calls for Tom Coughlin to be fired.
My thoughts? I think this is a playoff team, but the road there is not going to be easy. The Giants have a bye week at the worst possible time considering they're hot and they're healthy. They come back from the bye and go right to Seattle to play a Seahawks team who is very, very good at home, play Dallas at home in a very winnable game, and then they have to go to Philly for a very tough division match-up. After playing Jacksonville and Washington at home (again, two winnable games) the G-men's last 4 games will truly test their might as they play at Minnesota, host the Eagles, and then close at Green Bay and at Washington.
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| Overcoming injuries like Kiwanuka's is a sign of a good team (Star-Ledger) |
And it really doesn't feel too much different than last year.
At the quarter mark last year, the Giants were 4-0 and looked unstoppable. I predicted 11 wins, but Jay was more bold saying they were a 13-win team "at worse". Yeah, well, it was much worse. The injuries piled up. They got embarrassed on Monday Night Football to fall to 5-4. The Giants finally won their first game in 42 days and looked like they could jump right back into the playoff race. And then they laid down to end the season.
So what's different a year later? Well Big Blue has turned into "Jet Blue" and the Giants offense seems to be more in sync. Osi Umenyora is back as a defensive force and Perry Fewell's defenses are not just imaginative, they're effective. But although the defense has looked better, they still have allowed the opponents to stay in the game every game this season--a bad sign for a team that's supposed to go deep into the playoffs. They turnover the ball way too much and although Eli Manning is probably on his way to a Pro Bowl, he still makes decisions that make us all show our "Manning Face". The special teams is anything but special and actually has been the Giants biggest problem area. And let's not forget this team is less than a month away from calls for Tom Coughlin to be fired.
My thoughts? I think this is a playoff team, but the road there is not going to be easy. The Giants have a bye week at the worst possible time considering they're hot and they're healthy. They come back from the bye and go right to Seattle to play a Seahawks team who is very, very good at home, play Dallas at home in a very winnable game, and then they have to go to Philly for a very tough division match-up. After playing Jacksonville and Washington at home (again, two winnable games) the G-men's last 4 games will truly test their might as they play at Minnesota, host the Eagles, and then close at Green Bay and at Washington.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Great 24 Hours in New York Sports
Sunday nights are usually depressing times. After a weekend of fun, the realization of having to go to work/school the next day sets in. We realize all the things we forgot to do and try to get last minute things done before our free time ends. But this Sunday night is different for me: after 24 hours of great sporting results, I feel content and happy. And although I still don't want Monday to come, I can go to sleep tonight knowing that at least my sporting world had a perfect 24 hours.
The New York Rangers: The Rangers were picked to finish anyplace from 6th in the Eastern Conference to totally out of the playoffs so the expectations were pretty low to start. It seemed like a bridge year where the Rangers with young players at almost every position. So when the Rangers won 6-3 last night, it was a bonus. But there's was an even bigger bonus: rookie center Derek Stepan scored a hat trick beating the United States Olympic goaltender, Ryan Miller as Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News writes. Carp from LoHud has some other thoughts from the first win.
The New York Yankees: The second group was the most important as the Yankees finished up their sweep of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series. Besides the fact that they won and finished the series, there's was plenty of other good news. CC Sabathia didn't have to pitch in a Game 4 so it lines him up to throw in Game 1 of the ALCS and potentially go in three games if needed. The guy who did pitch--Phil Hughes--had a bit of a coming-out party as he dominated the Twins and proved to the Yankee naysayers that they do, in fact, have three starting pitchers. As Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal wrote: "it represented potential realized, seven innings of promise fulfilled."
On the offensive side, the have gotten a balanced attack from everyone from Nick Swisher (.333 with a homer and two doubles) and Mark Teixeira (.308 with a homer and 3 RBI) to the DH platoon of Lance Berkman and Marcus Thames (each with two hits including a home run) to the new Curtis Granderson (.455 with a hit in each game, two extra-base hits, a stolen base and 3 RBI). Overall the team hit .314/.351/.514 in the series. So they're hitting righties, they're hitting lefties, and they're pitching. And we don't have to talk about A-Rod not hitting in October.
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| CC Sabathia can enjoy his champagne & get ready for the ALCS (LoHud) |
The New York Rangers: The Rangers were picked to finish anyplace from 6th in the Eastern Conference to totally out of the playoffs so the expectations were pretty low to start. It seemed like a bridge year where the Rangers with young players at almost every position. So when the Rangers won 6-3 last night, it was a bonus. But there's was an even bigger bonus: rookie center Derek Stepan scored a hat trick beating the United States Olympic goaltender, Ryan Miller as Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News writes. Carp from LoHud has some other thoughts from the first win.
The New York Yankees: The second group was the most important as the Yankees finished up their sweep of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series. Besides the fact that they won and finished the series, there's was plenty of other good news. CC Sabathia didn't have to pitch in a Game 4 so it lines him up to throw in Game 1 of the ALCS and potentially go in three games if needed. The guy who did pitch--Phil Hughes--had a bit of a coming-out party as he dominated the Twins and proved to the Yankee naysayers that they do, in fact, have three starting pitchers. As Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal wrote: "it represented potential realized, seven innings of promise fulfilled."
On the offensive side, the have gotten a balanced attack from everyone from Nick Swisher (.333 with a homer and two doubles) and Mark Teixeira (.308 with a homer and 3 RBI) to the DH platoon of Lance Berkman and Marcus Thames (each with two hits including a home run) to the new Curtis Granderson (.455 with a hit in each game, two extra-base hits, a stolen base and 3 RBI). Overall the team hit .314/.351/.514 in the series. So they're hitting righties, they're hitting lefties, and they're pitching. And we don't have to talk about A-Rod not hitting in October.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tommy's Gotta Go! The times they are a-changin in the Meadowlands
A quick note before we get started: the title of this post is a nod to the song "Scotty Doesn't Know" that was featured heavily in the highly underrated comedy Euro Trip. Sung by the actual band Lustra, the ditty is heard multiple times in the movie with Matt Damon as the lead singer. It is a truly awesome song that features, in its closing moments, a line of Scotty's Gotta Go! that I think works well here in the head coaching context of the New York Football Giants.
In 2007, the Giants lost their first two games by a combined 32 points and nearly started 0-3, save for a last second comeback on the road in Washington. That win was the start of a six-game winning streak that rescued the Giants' season. Head coach Tom Coughlin ended up leading the team to three straight playoff road wins (including a gutsy battle on the literally frozen tundra of Lambeau Field) and a most unexpected Super Bowl title by taking down the then-undefeated New England Patriots with a little help from an overpowering D-line and a ridiculous heave-and-catch by Eli Manning and David Tyree.
But Coughlin realized that after the Week 3 comeback in DC, he needed to change his ways. He had lost the confidence of his players and the team just wasn't playing up to its potential. He saw a sign of improvement and he took advantage by loosening up, taking the edge off, and letting his players play. The more hands-off he became, the better the Giants did on the field. Less was more, and suddenly Coughlin was back in control of a winning team.
But there are problems once again in 2010. Coughlin has lost control of his team and the G-men are floundering. What's wrong and how do we fix it?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Crohn's Disease should not stop the New York Giants from drafting LB Rolando McClain
If you've been following the 2010 NFL Draft, then you know that the New York Giants need a linebacker. Don't believe me? Check here, here, here, here, here, and here. A Google search for "giants need linebacker" produces 7.59 million hits. Feel free to email me if you still need more proof.
The good news is that there is a deep and strong talent pool at the linebacker position this year.
The consensus is that Alabama's Rolando McClain is the best linebacker available. Just look at his numbers. He's 6'4" and 256 lbs yet he runs the 40 in 4.65 seconds. Nobody else ran a faster time at his size. He was a 3-year starter at Alabama and in his final season, he had 105 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss. (It sure would be nice if the Giants had a linebacker who can tackle!) He also had 4 sacks, 14 QB hurries, 2 interceptions, 3 deflections, and 1 fumble recovery. Oh yeah...he also helped the Crimson Tide with the "national championship."
But some people have suggested that the Giants might be concerned about his health after he announced that he has Crohn's Disease, which seems to run in his family since his mother is also afflicted.
That's hogwash. Here are three reasons why the Giants should not worry about drafting Rolando McClain.
The good news is that there is a deep and strong talent pool at the linebacker position this year.
But some people have suggested that the Giants might be concerned about his health after he announced that he has Crohn's Disease, which seems to run in his family since his mother is also afflicted.
That's hogwash. Here are three reasons why the Giants should not worry about drafting Rolando McClain.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
NY Giants release Antonio Pierce
The New York Giants have released middle linebacker Antonio Pierce. Pierce emailed the Newark Star-Ledger, saying: "I'm doing great, feeling great. Looking forward to endless possibilities. Loved every moment as a NY GIANT."
Pierce had one year left on the deal he initially signed back in 2005. According to ESPN.com, Pierce had 55 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in nine games last season, before being placed on IR with a bulging disk on November 30. He led the Giants in tackles the previous three seasons and missed only four regular-season games since leaving the Washington Redskins to join the Giants.
Obviously, the Giants had a terrible defense in 2009-10. I mean, they were awful. (Remember getting ripped by Carolina 41-9 at home in the last game the G-Men ever played at Giants Stadium?) Losing Pierce really hurt the team, not because he was terribly effective when he played earlier in the year with a bulging disk in his back, but because he is the captain and biggest leader on the Giants' D.
Needless to say, his performance...and his heart...need to be replaced next season. But probably not via the draft, says Todd McShay, who predicts the Giants will take a defensive tackle instead of an LB.
Pierce had one year left on the deal he initially signed back in 2005. According to ESPN.com, Pierce had 55 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in nine games last season, before being placed on IR with a bulging disk on November 30. He led the Giants in tackles the previous three seasons and missed only four regular-season games since leaving the Washington Redskins to join the Giants.
Obviously, the Giants had a terrible defense in 2009-10. I mean, they were awful. (Remember getting ripped by Carolina 41-9 at home in the last game the G-Men ever played at Giants Stadium?) Losing Pierce really hurt the team, not because he was terribly effective when he played earlier in the year with a bulging disk in his back, but because he is the captain and biggest leader on the Giants' D.
Needless to say, his performance...and his heart...need to be replaced next season. But probably not via the draft, says Todd McShay, who predicts the Giants will take a defensive tackle instead of an LB.
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