Giants Clinch #1 Seed in OT Thriller

They scatched and clawed their way back from a 21-10 deficit in a high stakes nationally televised night game and then - with just over 3 minutes left to play - Manning and Jacobs both executed the fake handoff to perfection, and the Giants tied the game with a successful two point conversion. That play symbolizes this team in every way. Not only are they resilient but they are money when the chips are down. They believe. And are on a mission to put a final stamp of validation upon last year's Super Bowl trophy.

In overtime, with the ball on their own 13 yard line, the Giants delivered a knock out punch that demonstrated total phyisical dominance over Carolina. Ward for 51 yards. Ward for 14 yards. Ward for 17 yards. Jacobs for the TD (the other two plays were an incomplete pass and a 3 yard Jacobs run while Ward was catching his breath after his 51 yard scamper). Game over. With an exclamation mark.

They won last year's SB trophy with two all-pro defensive ends named Strahan and Umenyiora. Neither of whom played a single down this season. No problem. On offense, they entered the 2008 season without pro bowl TE Shockey. And they are without the best WR to have worn Blue in Giants history. No problem. There are not many teams that can survive the losses of such dominant players on both sides of the ball. Yet, on Sunday night this team clinched the #1 seed in the NFC and are the favorites to return to the SB one year after everyone declared them the most shocking upset team in SB history. Now, one year later, the rest of the world is starting to realize something the players knew all along - maybe it wasn't so shocking after all.

Giants/Panthers Battle For #1 Seed

I hate Giants games played any time other than Sundays @ 1:00. So I am less than pleased that today's game against Carolina was flexed, leaving the Giants with back to back Sunday night games. And I know I am going to pay for it in the morning.

But what can be better than playing at home for the #1 seed in the next to last game of the regular season? Two weeks ago it was the Giants defense that couldn't stop the run in the Eagles game. The good news last week was that the Giants defense showed up in Dallas. They pounded Romo, played stout against the run, and gave the offense more than enough opportunities to win the game. But the offense didn't show up and failed to score a touchdown for the second week in a row (not counting the TD with 15 seconds to go against Eagles).

According to Brandon Jacobs, he will play tonight. If he plays "Jacobs football", the Giants should win this game. The offensive line has to be feeling a bit chagrined after last week's dismal performance, both in pass protection and run blocking, and I have a feeling they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Add to that the weather prediction - 20 degrees, high winds, with a chance of some precipitation thrown in - and the Giants should dominate the running game on both sides of the ball. I know the Panthers are on a roll and that they have been running the ball better than the Giants over the past 3-5 games. But the Giants still lead the league in rushing and if Jacobs plays physical, I think the Giants defense will be more effective stopping the Panthers running game than vice versa.

The sole advantage I see for the Panthers is their Steve Smith. That is where the weather can be the great equalizer. The Panthers are going to ignore the Giants passing game, regardless of the weather. The Giants can't do that, unless the weather helps out and makes passing a futile exercise.

Prediction? Giants 17 Panthers 10

Giants Stumble Amongst Whirling Winds

The Giants couldn't deal with the variety of winds whirling around Giants stadium last Sunday - from the windstorm left in the wake of Plaxico Burress shooting himself - to the actual winds blowing in the stadium itself. By the end of the day the Giants were no longer the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Blame the offense if you want – after all, the NFL’s top scoring offense was essentially shut out, scoring its only points in garbage time (a TD with 15 seconds left) in the 20-14 loss to the Birds. But it was the Giants vaunted defense that was responsible for this loss. The Eagles converted on 9 of 13 third downs. There was no pass rush. And they couldn't stop Brian Westbrook all day - on the ground or in the air. Bottom line – the Eagles dominated the time of possession and the tone of the game. As a result the Giants offense had a very low number of possessions.

Yes, there were some missed opportunities such as Hixon's drop on a wide open monster down field pass. But the Giants success this season has been ball control - starting with the defense getting the ball to the offense, whether by three and outs or turnovers. There are two common themes to the only two times the Giants have lost a game thus far in 2008: the inability of the Giants defense to get off the field. Against Cleveland they had a stunning zero percent success rate - they failed to stop Cleveland even once - not one single turnover or punt. While the game against the Eagles wasn't as bad, the result was the same. The difference, this time, was that with limited possessions there wasn't any room for misfires such as Hixon's drop. Add in the wind which allowed the Eagles to load up against the run, and the result was almost ordained.

So, in my mind, the loss had nothing to do with Plaxico Burress. Indeed I wish it did - that would be more understandable and less disconcerting. What was perhaps most distressing is the total failure of the Giants to stop the run. You can't win games in this league if you can't stop the run. The Giants offense has been proving that in virtually every game all year long. The Giants defense provided further evidence last week. Stopping the run doesn't mean you will win - but failure to stop the run almost surely means you will lose.

Tonight the Giants travel to Dallas to play the most arrogant franchise in sports history. I don't tend to get emotional about other teams, but I must admit to a weakness when it comes to the Cowboys - a hatred for a franchise I developed in the 1970's and which has never lessened. Humility, a very positive character trait, has never been a word associated with this franchise - from its owners to every one of its players. I detest everything about them. I don't see much hope of the Giants prevailing tonight - and frankly next week's game carries far more importance - but I can't think of anything more satisfying than helping push this teetering franchise over the cliff into complete disarray with a victory tonight.

Giants Face Eagles Without Burress

My last post was early on Friday before the Redskins game and, more importantly, before Burress shot himself in the foot - both literally and figuratively (ok, he shot himself in the thigh but I'm permitting myself some literary license). The Giants, without Burress, proceeded to demolish Washington, and returned home with a heady 11-1 record. Washington's strategy was to put 8 and even 9 men in the box to force Manning to beat them with his arm. The strategy failed miserably as Eli Manning posted his first 300+ yard passing game of the season. Meanwhile the defense held Portis to 22 yards on 11 carries as the G-Men totally dominated the Redskins 23-7.

Later today the Eagles become the 7th straight team with a winning record to attempt to derail the Giants stampede. Their only hope is that the week long Burress circus created enough of a distraction to prevent the Giants' coaching staff from developing a game plan, and the players from absorbing that plan, to the same high level this Giants team has demonstrated each week. There is no doubt that the focus and intensity will exist on the field - the real issue relates to their focus on preparations during the week.

Frankly, what amazed me the most about the Burress fiasco, was the reaction of the media and the fan base as witnessed on BBI. The most asked question - most often stated concern - was whether the incident would be a distraction. There was virtually no talk about the impact of the loss of Burress on the field – almost as though it is a given that the team can move on without him as a player. That fact says quite a lot about (a) the lack of impact Burress has had this season; (b) the resiliency shown by this team and its ability to repeatedly demonstrate the axiom that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”; and (c) the depth at wide receiver and, in particular, the play of Dominick Hixon.

Having said that, I believe those concerns are backwards. The loss of Burress, especially in the long term, is likely to have a positive impact on the team's emotional, off the field, health. It will, however, be difficult to replace him on the field, especially in the red zone. I read a quote from Eli Manning that puts Burress' role in a bit of perspective. Eli pointed out that when the Giants are in the red zone, all he had to do was to be certain he had sufficient height on the ball and he knew it would be either a touchdown or an incompletion, but there would never be an interception. Burress' combination of height and athletic ability was such that it provided a very important safety net. That safety net is likely to be missed, especially in the playoffs.

This is not to say that the Giants can't win without Burress. Clearly they have demonstrated that they can. But the passing game, especially in the red zone, becomes riskier and Eli is going to have to be much more careful when and how the ball leaves his hands.

Today's game should have a playoff atmosphere because, with a win, the Giants can clinch the Division and a first round bye. They can clinch even if they lose if the Cowboys also lose to the Steelers (a good possibility). However, that would put a tarnish on what they have accomplished this season and would leave a foul taste. Giants fans deserve to see the Giants clinch at home where they can provide the Giants with a royal celebration worthy of what this team has done since the last regular season game of 2007. It is magical to watch this team grow from upstart underdogs to a widely recognized powerhouse.

Guts and Glory

Heading into last Sunday's game against Arizona the expectation was that Jacobs, pronounced "probable", would play and Burress would not. So Arizona, surprised when Plaxico took the field while Brandon didn't even dress, filed a complaint with the league. Then Burress quickly went to the showers and was done for the day after only the third play of the game, leaving the Giants without two of their primary offensive weapons.

But, have no fear, Hixon was here. Hixon, demonstrating yet again the resiliency of this Giants team, had a monster game especially on special teams. With Jacobs out, Bradshaw was removed from kickoff duties to keep his legs fresh and available for his running back responsibilities. Hixon responded by terrorizing the Cardinals with two monster kickoff returns, both of which could have (should have?) resulted in touchdowns. Hixon had 201 total return yards and 269 all purpose yards. It will be interesting to see who lines up for kickoff duties this Sunday in Washington.

My pre-game post emphasized the importance of Jacobs to the defensive game plan. And, indeed, the running game struggled without him. Ward had 69 yards while the Giants as a team had less than 100 yards rushing for the game against a not very good AZ defense. This was not, however, due only to the absence of Jacobs. AZ played 8 in the box all day long and Eli responded with a 26 for 33, 240 yard, 3 TD, 0 interception performance. Once again the Giants demonstrated their incredible depth and ability to play this game at a very high level in a multitude of ways. And the defense, held to just one recorded sack, put enough pressure on Warner to force him into two turnovers and limited the yards after catch by Arizona's prolific wide receivers. At the end of the day there wasn't any doubt about which of the two was the better team - quite a statement since the Giants were playing without either Jacobs or Burress. And that, folks, is the most impressive thing that can be said both about the game and this Giants team.

But now it is truly time to get down to business. Crunch time has arrived. The schedule gods presented the Giants with 5 divisional games in a 7 week span. Two are in the books. Now they face three straight games in a row - Redskins, Eagles, and then Dallas. Three games that have the potential to make or break this wonderful season. Lose all three - which is certainly possible - and this season takes on a very different look compared to how things appear today. Win at least two of three and the Giants almost certainly find themselves the number one seed and odds on favorites to become the first back to back Super Bowl winners in franchise history.

I don't want to minimize what they have done so far this year. 10-1 is an incredible accomplishment by any one's definition. But what has come before is all wrapping and show. Sunday begins the trek for guts and glory.

Late Friday afternoon there were reports that Burress has already been declared out for Sunday. We'll see. But with our without Burress, I have this hunch - based on absolutely nothing and certainly not on anything rooted in the past - that Sinorice Moss may have a break out game Sunday.

Giants reach 9-1 With 6 Games Remaining

Before the start of the season, a look at the schedule revealed a clear line of demarcation - the first six games were "soft" and the last ten games were horrendous. Based upon the schedule itself, I predicted the Giants would go 6-0 followed by 4-6 over the final ten games.

Well, four games into the tough part of their schedule and the Giants are 4-0. Most impressive of all are the three wins over Pittsburgh, Philly and Baltimore - probably 3 of the most physical teams in all of football - and the Giants were the more physical team in each of those games. Last week's game against the Ravens was proof just how physical this Giants team truly is. The Giants defense totally shut down the third best running game in all of football. On the other side of the ball, however, the Giants ran for more than 200 yards against the #1 ranked run defense. And they did that without Brandon Jacobs after the first quarter (ok, he played a few more downs, but he was injured on the first touchdown coming off the very first drive). Jacobs had 70 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. And he did it in bruising fashion, refusing to go down and carrying players on his back (and under his feet). He had the kind of game that lifts the rest of the team on his shoulders - an emotionally charged style that carries others with him.
I have watched the Giants since I was a young boy in the 1950s. I have not missed one single solitary snap since 1970. And Brandon Jacobs is the best running back I have ever seen wear Giants blue. Of course, he doesn't yet have the longevity to warrant that attribution, but I cannot see the Giants allowing him to go elsewhere in free agency. So, note to Giants management - sign Brandon to an extension now and don't wait until after the season. While I'm at it, and although I don't know where the dollars will come from, the Giants need to sign Ward too. He compliments Jacobs perfectly. Keep the three headed monster intact. If the only way to accomplish that would be to trade Burress and free up the dollars from his contract, then I'd literally give Burress away if it meant keeping Jacobs, Ward and Bradhaw long term.

Jacobs apparently will play today and Burress may not, so we may get to see what such a team would look like. The fact is that Jacobs and the Giants power running game is the best weapon the Giants defense has against a team with a high powered passing attack like Arizona. If the Baltimore Ravens couldn't stop the running game, what hope do the Cardinals have? As the first step to stopping Arizona, the Giants need monster drives that limit the number of times Arizona touches the ball. Then the Giants pass rush must return this week - pressure on Warner is going to be key. Finally, we learn whether Ross and Webster really are the future studs at corner. This is not a good match up for the Giants - passing teams scare me. But the Giants handled NE in the Super Bowl and will need another similar style game to win this one today.

Win or lose today, as I said last week, one thing has become clear about this team. They show up every week - every last man. They play with emotion and intensity -with a chip on their shoulder - and so long as they continue to do so, they are going to end up in Tampa in February winning the first back to back Super Bowl championship in team history.

Giants Run Over Eagles

Three things stand out from the Giants game over Philly:

1. The Eagles were unable to stop the Giants running game. From the first snap to the last, the Giants ran the ball at will. The Giants running back trio were quoted earlier in the week about trying to reach 300 yards rushing in a game. The only reason they didn't have 300 against the Eagles is because they threw passes once in a while. One had the sense that if the Giants decided to run the ball every down, they wouldn't have punted or kicked any field goals. That's how dominant they were running the ball.

2. The Eagles were unable to run the ball against the Giants.

3. The Giants were unable to generate any pass rush.

In addition to the absence of a pass rush, the Giants have to be concerned with the turnovers. Although only one fumble was lost, neither Earth, Wind or Fire seemed capable of securing the ball. This is now the second week in a row that the Giants have been careless with the football. If the trend continues it will eventually bite them in the tush and turn a W into a L.

This was a huge game. The Eagles now join Dallas a full three games behind the Giants, which probably relegates both teams as wild card hopefuls at best. With only seven games remaining, it appears that Washington is the only team left with any realistic chance of challenging for the Divisional crown.

If possible, things get even more difficult today against the Ravens in another physical test. The Giants surprised me with their physicality against the Steelers and last week they simply dominated Philly. It has become clear at this point that the Giants are going to show up for each and every game and that they are going to play very physical football. While they probably won't win out the rest of the season and will therefore lose one or two games, I don't think we are going to witness another Cleveland where they simply didn't compete. The Giants are going to war today and, win or lose, it is going to be fun to watch some great matchups. Jacobs vs Lewis. Number one run offense vs number one run defense. Yet the game itself is likely to come down to the Giants defense which needs to smother Baltimore's offense to a greater degree than Baltimore's defense restricts the Giants O.

As with all of their remaining games against quality opponents, this game could go either way, but I'm looking for 19-6 Giants.

Giants Stomp Out Cowboys - Face Eagles

Once again not much to say, which is a good thing. Very methodically the Giants just keep doing what needs to be done. The Steelers game was a "statement game", a season defining game - a game in which this Giants team showed that they were the more physically dominant of the two teams. They then followed that up one week later by stomping on the Cowboys collective throats. A cowboy team, weakened by injury, especially at QB, was simply no match. I'm sure Dallas players and fans are trying to convince themselves it would have been different had Tony Romo played and certainly that is true. The Cowboys would have been a stronger team. But Dallas would only be deluding themselves if they truly believe they would have been the better team with Romo. That is clearly not true. All that can be said is that Dallas would have been more competitive with Romo than without.

This Giants team is a very good team. Much has been said about their monster schedule over the final 10 games. And it is true - based upon won/loss records of opponents, the Giants have the most difficult final 10 games (now 8) in the entire league. And they are going to lose some of those games - it is highly unlikely they will go 15-1.

But what makes it clear just how good this Giant's team really is, nobody can look at that schedule and honestly say which games will result in losses. Which will end up being the 2 or 3 remaining games the Giants lose? This team can (should) win all of them. So, yes, because the old phrase "on any given Sunday" remains true (this is, after all, a game played with a weirdly shaped bouncing ball), the Giants almost certainly will lose a few of their remaining games. But they are so good I can't look at any game on the schedule and say "it's a loss".

Today's game against the Eagles is going to be very tough. First of all it's the Eagles. Add to that it is in their building, they are on a roll, McNabb is playing the best football of his career, they are basically healthy, they have this kid Jackson who is a game changer, yet, I can't say this is a loss. It is simply another tough football game that will be determined by the ebb/flow of the game. The Giants may lose but if they do, it won't be because they aren't good enough. Far from it. This is the most solid Giants team since 1985/1986 and in the best position to win back-to-back championships of any team in Giants history.

Giants Show Why They Are Super Bowl Champs

Playing the 5-1 Steelers in Pittsburgh was a very big test for the Giants. The story of the game was the Giants' defense being the more physical of the two teams and the Giants offensive line not allowing a single sack. Game over.

Game balls to Steve Smith, Kenny Phillips, and Kiwinuka.

Rumble in the Steel City

Last week's game isn't worth talking about other than the fact the Giants got a W. The paddy cake portion of the schedule is over and tomorrow the Giants head into the teeth of the schedule. Of all the teams in the NFL, I think the two that would cause the most problems for the Giants are the Steelers and the Eagles. The common denominator? Both are about as physical as you are going to see.

I saw a good portion of the Eagles-Steelers game a few weeks ago - the only Steelers loss so far this season. It was a war. A blood bath. A game so physical it still makes me shake my head in wonderment weeks later. Perhaps the most physical game of football I have seen in my lifetime.

I am not as worried about a loss as I am about how the Giants play. A loss is a one game thing and the Giants are not going to go 15-1 this year, so a loss here, especially to an AFC team, just wouldn't be all that big of a concern. What I fear more is the Giants being physically dominated... pushed around. If it happens, it could have lingering effects far beyond one game - both to the Giants' psyche as well as a confidence builder to the teams left on the schedule.

Worse, this game is being played in Pittsburgh where the Steelers rarely lose, especially to NFC teams. It is going to be a war and the key is going to be the Giants defense. The Giants offense is not going to score many points. I'll be amazed if the Giants score 20 points - 10 is a much more realistic number. The key is going to be the Giants defense, both for winning the game but more importantly for responding in kind to the physical dominance I expect to see from the Steeler's D. The Giants have to respond in kind and out hit the Steelers defense to come out of this game with any semblance of respect.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Giants 10

Giants Show Jekyll and Hyde Character

Two weeks ago the Giants played one of the most complete games in their storied franchise history when they totally dominated Seattle in every phase of the game. Inexplicably the encore one week later was one of the most embarrassing performances in franchise history. The Giants' defense was unable to stop Cleveland's #32 ranked offense even one time. Not one single punt. Not one single turnover. Cleveland's offense was only stopped when it stopped itself (missed field goal). Otherwise they scored on every single possession. The last time that happened to a Giants' defense was 1936.

Amazingly, mid-way through the 4th quarter, the Giants were still in a position to win the game. They had moved the ball the length of the field and appeared poised to score, bringing themselves to within 6 points, when Cleveland intercepted for a touchdown. Eli didn't have his best game, nor did the offensive line. But make no mistake about it, this loss was 100 percent on the defensive side of the ball.

Prior to the season, my prediction had the Giants going 6-0 to start the season, followed by 4-6 thereafter, ending with a 10-6 record and a wild-card berth. Such predictions are, of course, silly (anyone who truly had the ability to make accurate predictions would, by definition, by the wealthiest man on earth - but of course he doesn't exist). As a fan, a loss to Cleveland would have been disappointing but not overwhelmingly upsetting. But the way the Giants lost - the complete ineptitude of the defense - is impossible to comprehend. It is one thing to lose. It is quite another to match a record for ineptitude that is more than 70 years old. And against the NFL's last place ranked offense no less. How does one explain such a phenomenon? About as easily as explaining infinity.

Since there is no rational explanation possible, the best that can be done - indeed the only thing - is to ignore it and focus attention on how the Giants respond. Today's game therefore takes on added meaning. There is now a sub-text to winning/losing. How do the Giants - especially the defense - react to last week's performance? And it will not be necessarily easy against 49ers. They are a west coast style offense and we can anticipate that they will try to get the ball out very quickly.

The question that must be answered is whether this Giants defense be competitive without pressure on the QB? There are ways to design an offense that virtually eliminates the defense's ability to pressure the QB. Three step drops, screens, and reverses. Is that the secret to undress the Giants in public? I think we are about to find out - today and for the foreseeable future.

Giants Down Bengals, Take on Seattle Following Bye

Not much to say this week. Nothing much has changed about my view of the state of the 2008 Giants. The Giants have a very favorable schedule with their easier games early. Of course, having all the easier games bunched together up front puts pressure to win them all - which they should. As I posted from before the season, the Giants should start the season on a 6-0 streak. Of course saying that is the easy part, executing it is quite a different matter.

Last week the Giants faced a desperate Bengals team who took them into OT. They battered and literally bloodied QB Carson Palmer with 6 sacks, but none in the 4th quarter and almost lost the game. The good news, however, is that the Giants played an excellent game. The closeness of the game doesn't appear to have been due to any letdown of their guard - it was more a function of a desperate Bengals team getting its act together and playing tough.

Today's game against the SeaHawks is going to be their toughest challenge yet this young season. Oddly, losing Burress to a suspension may be the one factor that gives them an edge. From all the interviews I've read, the locker room, to a man, decidedly supports the suspension. Indeed, I get the sense Plaxico's teammates feel it was overdue and clearly justified. Almost as though this was the locker room suspending Burress, not just Coughlin and Giants management. And I think that carries over into today's game. A wake up call and yet another challenge - and one thing this Giants team has proven, there is nothing better than a challenge to grab their full attention and intensity.

They are half way to the 6-0 start this year's schedule dictates they will need and face yet another test of their resolve - their character as a team. They need to maintain their laser-like focus and continue to play angry. It will not be easy. Hasselback gets the ball out faster than almost any QB in the league and he will be doing so with greater purpose today facing the Giants pressure defense. As a result, it is going to be difficult to pressure Hasselback and the Giants may find themselves forced to play less of a pressure game than they would like. And Seattle is 2nd in the league in rushing and I feel they will use their short quick passing game to set up some big runs.

On the other side of the ball, Seattle will do everything possible to take Jacobs out of the game and force Manning to beat them. This would have been true with Burress playing and is absolutely true in his absence. It is critical for the Giants to get an early lead against this Seattle team and they'll have to do it by throwing the ball early and often.

Giants Roll Rams, Face Bengals

In my mind, the Giants faced what was potentially their biggest test of the season last week. A test of their character; their mental makeup. And while the final 41-13 score did not tell the entire story (the scoreboard showed St Louis down by only one score early in the 4th), it did accurately reflect the dominance the Giants displayed on the field.

But why was this any kind of test? The Rams certainly appear they are going to go down as one of the dregs of the NFL in 2008. Well, because, with rare exceptions, for most of my 56 year lifetime the Giants have habitually displayed a tendency to play down to their opponents - to outright lose or barely squeak out wins against bad teams. Those rare exceptions have been championship years - years when the Giants had teams comprised of players that were, to a man, maintained an intense focus on what it took to win the "easy" games.

During lunch yesterday, a co-worker asked me if I thought the Giants had any realistic chance to repeat this year. My response was "absolutely" primarily for two reasons:

1. First and foremost, this team seems very focused and mentally prepared, as demonstrated by last week's win over St Louis. That intensity and focus is critically important - perhaps the single most important factor that will dictate their chances of repeating - and why I considered last week's game such an important test. The result (their play, not the score) demonstrates that this teams seems to fully understand the degree of focus and intensity necessary to win in the NFL, especially games against weaker opponents you are "supposed" to win.

   
   

2. The schedule. It is a perfect schdule for a team that lost 5 of its 11 defensive starters from the just finished Super Bowl, including both of its starting defense ends. It is a schedule that allows them to win early while giving the defense time to acclimate itself, to garner valuable experience for the younger players, build overall confidence and get on a roll heading into the important second half. If they maintain their intensity and focus, there is no reason they should not be 6-0.

   Then they play 5 of their 6 divisional games over a 7 week span in the second half and while they may not win them all - indeed they may lose more than then win over that second half, but hopefully by that time the wins/losses will not mean as much as how they are playing. I don't mean to discount the importance of winning the division and getting a bye. It is important, and indeed very important. But last year this same Giants team showed it isn't fatal to a Super Bowl appearance.

The opportunity to repeat is a very, very rare thing. First, it requires winning a Super Bowl, something the majority of NFL players never accomplish even once over an entire career. Then it requires that you win it again that very next year - a one shot deal - a one year window of opportunity. Next year or the year after that doesn't count. This year and only this year, if you are going to "repeat". Last week this team demonstrated that it grasps the meaning of that challenge. And, tomorrow's game against the Bengals, poses the same theme for the exact same reasons. A win should be a given. I am much more interested in seeing continued validation that this team possesses the kind of focus and intensity it demonstrated last week.

Giants Down Redskins, Face Rams on the Road

You couldn't ask for a much better beginning to the 2008 season. Sure, the Giants left some points on the board. They didn't score in the second half. They only recorded one sack, that coming on Washington's very first offensive play from scrimmage. But make no mistake about it - the Giants dominated this game from beginning to end. Granted, the domination wasn't complete in the sense that they didn't finish off their opponent when they should have. But they still dominated in every sense of the word - on both sides of the ball.

For the first game of the season, it is difficult to be critical of such a dominating performance. The offensive line was strong. Brandon Jacobs, who truly is "the beast", continues to make "statement plays" that set the tone for the entire team. Manning was very sharp in the early going and he has a great group of receivers who are going to present match up problems for every team in the league.

But it was the defense that truly dominated the game, just as it did in the playoff run last year. In particular it was the run defense - where championship defense starts and ends - that was so encouraging. Robbins and Cofield were fantastic. Tuck's run defense has always been strong. And Kiwi was a monster coming down the line chasing plays away from him. And, perhaps in what may be a real harbinger of things to come, Kehl and Phillips saw lots of playing time and both made plays when getting their turn on the field.

And old man Carney may deserve a longer look - as in an all season long type of look. He nailed his kickoffs inside the 5 and hit three field goals with a sense of confidence that only comes from such long tenure in the league.

When this team plays angry - plays with an attitude - they can beat anyone. If they can maintain that attitude - a combination of confidence, arrogance, and plain old angry need to punch someone in the mouth - they will go a long, long way in 2008 with a legitimate chance to repeat. They remind me of a riled up hornet's nest, a swarming attack that can totally overwhelm an offense.

All four teams in NFC East were a top 10 defense last year. This year, after the first week, Dallas, Philly and the Giants were all in the top 5 of most power rankings. You can safely bet, however, that at least one of the three will drop from that position by mid season, but which one?

The Giants have a favorable schedule - the "easier" part portion being the first half with a much tougher second half - including a 7 week stretch in which they play 5 of their 6 divisional games. That allows the Giants to gather strength and, in particular, time for their rookies and younger players to gain some valuable experience heading into the second half. And it would appear that Tom Coughlin is already focused on exactly that. Brian Kehl was on the field a large portion of game one, as was Kenny Phillips (much less a surprise there). I think you will see Coughlin and the Giants take advantage of the weaker first half to give as much playing time to the younger players as possible.

Today is a big test for this Giant's team. They play a team that should stand no chance against them. In fact, they didn't face such an "easy" game all of last year. They are presented with a challenge to test their intensity for the first time since 2006. If they can stay focused and play angry today, they will dominate and that domination will show up on the scoreboard. That factor, more than any other, will be a huge indicator of whether this team has the makeup mentally to repeat.

Giants Ready to Defend Title?

The Giants made their final cuts yesterday, getting down to the league mandated final 53. The injury to Tynes forced them to carry two kickers which they accomplished by temporarily going without a third QB, releasing Wright and sixth round draft pick Andre Woodson.

The goal of every team is to build - to get stronger year over year - to begin each new season with stronger personnel than the 53 players who ended the season before. So, have the Giants improved themselves? How do these 53 compare to the team that just won the Super Bowl?

Let's start by looking at the draft. Five of this year's seven picks made the team:

#1 Kenny Phillips, S Miami (#31 overall)
#2 Terrell Thomas, CB USC (#63 overall)
#3 Mario Manningham, WR Michigan (#95 overall)
#4 Bryan Kehl, LB BYU (#123 overall *** Giants traded picks 130 & 194 to move up for Kehl)
#5 Jonathan Goff, LB Vanderbilt (#165 overall)

The Giants had two 6th round picks, Woodson and DE Robert Henderson, neither of whom made the final 53. This year's group of rookies are not likely to make contributions anywhere near last year's class - then again, who could? Phillips will be a starter - sooner rather than later. Thomas demonstrated some real athleticism this summer and I expect him to play a increasingly larger role in nickel and dime packages as the Giants progress deeper into their season.

Despite showing some real potential in the final pre-season warm up, "Super Mario" is not likely to see much action due to missing virtually the entire camp to injury. Kehl will see more game time action than otherwise would be the case due to Kiwi's move back to DE. Goff is injured and I was surprised to see him on the final 53 - either the injury wasn't sufficient to meet the league's IR rules or the Giants feel his talent is such that they are willing to carry him on the active roster while he heals.

On offense, the Giants are the same team as last year's version minus Shockey, Tyree and Whimper. The Shockey impact is likely to be felt more in the running game as the committee of three remaining tight ends struggled all pre-season with their blocking assignments. However, let's not forget that the Giants went into the post season last year - and won the SB - without Shockey's blocking. So, if they could do it against the elite of the league last year, what basis is there for thinking they can't manage it now? Well, for one, they didn't exactly run the ball with abandon during the post season - and make no mistake about it - the Giants - as with most championship teams - are first and foremost a running football team.

In that regard, in what is perhaps the biggest surprise involving the final 53, the Giants kept five running backs: Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw, Ware, and Droughns. They obviously did so because the coaching staff clearly believes all five are so clearly NFL ready that they are willing to carry all five on the active roster all season long if they aren't offered sufficient compensation in a trade. Could Ward or Ware be headed back to the Jets?

It is on the defensive side of the ball that the Giants are a completely different team than the one that won the SB. And, without diminishing the importance of the final drive and the heroics of MVP Manning, make no mistake about it, it was the Giants defense that won the SB. More specifically, it was the pass rush of Strahan, Osi, and Tuck - without whom there would be no Lombardi trophy. Now the Giants attempt to do what would have been impossible last February - win the SB without Strahan and without Umenyiora.

As I noted in my last post, the loss of Strahan was cause for concern not because there isn't a replacement for Strahan, but because there isn't a replacement for Tuck. His role last year cannot be overestimated. Now, with the additional loss of Osi, what was a concern takes on the portent of potential disaster. The Giants, in a twist of irony, find themselves in the same position as every other team in the league - searching for a way to emulate the ferocious Super Bowl pass rushing feats of, well, themselves.

The Giants hope to compensate for the loss of Umenyiora by moving Kiwanuka back to his natural position at DE. Even ignoring the fact Kiwi is still basically a rookie and has much yet to learn at DE, it is a bit much to expect a Tuck-Kiwi duo in 2008 to match the pressure generated by Strahan-Osi-Tuck-Kiwi during much of the season in 2007. Most teams were forced to double Strahan and Osi - something Tuck and Kiwi now face for the first time in their professional careers. Moreover, when Strahan and Osi took on double teams in 2007 they were part of a sack machine that included Tuck and Kiwi coming up the middle - a benefit that won't be enjoyed by Tuck and Kiwi in 2008 unless they find some way to clone themselves. The bottom line is that the Giants are very unlikely to lead the league in sacks this year - meaning they probably won't generate the type of QB pressure that played such a large role in overall team success last year.

So, are the Giants ready to defend their title? Are these 53 better than the team that just won the Super Bowl? It is difficult to conceive of any plausible argument that answers that question in the affirmative. To suggest that the Giants are a stronger team without Strahan and Osi is not only ludicrous, but an outrageous insult to two great Giants.

The Giants enter the 2008 season weakened on both offense and defense. They are likely to find running the ball more difficult than in 2007. On defense it will be interesting to see how Spagnuolo addresses the loss of much of his pass rush. Spags was heralded as a defensive genius in 2007 for his aggressive attack style schemes designed to pressure the QB. But now in 2008 he has far fewer chips to play with. It is interesting, however, that the secondary - an area of weakness heading into the 2007 season - is perhaps the defense's biggest strength heading into 2008. Can Spagnuolo create a scheme that uses the strength at secondary to compensate for the weaker front 7? It will certainly be an issue that will be very interesting - and fun - to watch as the season unfolds.

Fortunately, except for an early bye week, the Giants should benefit from a schedule that is difficult to complain about. They face the "easier" portion of their schedule early, ending the second half of the season with five of their six intra-divisional games over a seven week span (games 8 through 14). By that time Kiwi, Wilkinson, Philips, Thomas and all three tight ends should be much more adjusted.

Now for the silly - but fun - predictions. Giants go 10-6, make the playoffs yet again, and with an excellent chance to once again head into the post season playing their best football of the year. Once there, the Giants bring enough talent to the table - without Strahan and Osi - to beat any other team with tickets to the post season dance. My game by game forecast:

W- Washington
W- @St Louis
W- Cincinnati
Bye
W- Seattle
W- @Cleveland
W- San Fran
L- @Pittsburgh
L- Dallas
L- @Philadelphia
L- Baltimore
W- @Arizona
W- @Washington
W- Philadelphia
L- @Dallas
L- Carolina
W- @Minnesota

Pre-Season Begins

With the first pre-season game only four days away, how do the Giants appear to shape up as the 2008 season opener looms just over the horizon?

Let's look at the personnel changes from 2007. The Jeremy Shockey circus packed up its tents and moved to New Orleans. That makes me sad but not overly worried. Sad because of the legend he should have become. He had all the ability and potential to replace Mark Bavaro in that role. But Shockey didn't reach those heights and while some of the fault lies at the feet of the offensive scheme, at the end of the day his failures as a player rest squarely with Shockey himself. His best year was his rookie year after which he left me wanting more which never came. So I am content (ok, I have no choice) with his moving on. Oddly, the hole he leaves will impact the running game much more than the passing game and that will be one one area to watch this pre-season.

Strahan's retirement worries me more. The issue isn't replacing Strahan. I am confident Tuck will be more than adequate in that regard. The issue is - who replaces Tuck? He was critical - invaluable - as a regular member of the DE rotation on running downs and moving over to DT in passing situations. I believe his role last year was much more valuable than both Osi and Strahan. There is no one to replace Tuck and I am a bit surprised the Giants didn't move Kiwi over to Strahan's side and let Tuck continue to fill the critical role he played last year. I have no idea how the Giants plan to replace Tuck and I'm anxious to learn what new scheme Spags has conceived. Replacing Tuck, whose role resulted in Tuck becoming what I believe was 2007's most valuable defensive player, isn't going to be easy and is the biggest challenge facing the Giants in 2008.

The Giants let Kawika Mitchell walk and, while I thought he played very well last year, it is time to see what the Giants have in Wilkinson. The problem with that scenario is that Wilkinson's injury from last year hasn't healed sufficiently and found himself on the PUP list when camp opened and he hasn't been able to take the field yet. That cannot be a good sign, especially for a player trying to win an open competition at a vacated position. It looks like the Giants may have yet one more year (is this 6 in a row?) in which they fill one or more of the linebacker positions with one year contract free agents - this year's version being Danny Clark. No knock on Clark, but it would be nice to see the Giants finally fill the position with their own draft picks. If Wilkinson doesn't get healthy soon - and if the leg hasn't healed after all these months one has to wonder why there should be any hope it will suddenly be ok - then the job will almost certainly fall to Clark by default. The only good news is that rookie draft pick Bryan Kehl should get more reps in the absence of Wilkinson but it is unrealistic to expect him to challenge for a starting spot.

Gabril Wilson also moved on. I liked Gabril and his success from obscurity was fun to follow. But I am much more excited by first round pick Kenny Phillips than I would ever be by Gabril Wilson. I've wanted the Giants to go after a top notch safety for a long time. Phillips, the first safety taken in the entire draft, is going to be fun to watch and ten years from now most Giant fans won't even remember Gabril Wilson's name.

The other interesting issue facing the Giants this pre-season is WR. You can safely assume the Giants will carry a maximum of six. You can also safely assume four of those names will be Plax, Toomer, Smith and rookie Mario Manningham. That leaves Domenik Hixon, Brandon London, D.J. Hall, David Tyree, Michael Jennings, Craphonso Thorpe, and Sinorice Moss to battle for the last two positions. This is unquestionably the best WR group the Giants have had in my lifetime. And wouldn't it be nice if the Giants could simply keep the best six wide receivers. Unfortunately they are almost certainly not in a position to do that. The victors of the battle for those two remaining slots will likely be the two players who demonstrate the greatest special teams prowess.

So those are the areas I'll be watching this pre-season. Of course the most fun of every pre-season is getting to see the "new blood". Oddly, some of that fun is diminished by what the rookie class did last year. There will never be another rookie class in my life time that comes close to the contributions made by the 2007 draft class as a group. Beyond Phillips, it is unrealstic to expect any of the other rookies from this class to make any substantial contributions this year. But, as always, it will be fun to watch and that is what pre-season is all about - some rookie making a splash out of nowhere.

2008 Pre-Draft Analysis

First, I have been very much aware that my last post was before (the morning of) the Super Bowl. I've not posted simply because I've been unable to think of anything to say that would do justice to what the Giants accomplished. I've been an avid Giants fan for 40 some years and what the Giants did - starting with the last game of the season against NE - defies description. Until I think of something more appropriate, reality can speak for itself.

Now, turning to team needs for 2008 and the draft. What a difference a year (and a Super Bowl) makes. Last year at this time the Giants had multiple needs and it was no coincidence that 17 new faces graced the roster on opening day to start the 2007 season. Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Giants still have needs, but not nearly as many and not nearly as dire as a year ago.

There are two unknowns that will dramatically impact this year's draft. Like last year, whether Michael Strahan retires or plays another year is unknown. That decision has clear implications for Kiwanuka and team needs at linebacker or DE. In addition, this year there is trade talk surrounding Shockey. If he is traded it would create a crying need at TE, regardless of what you think of rookie Kevin Boss. This post presumes both Strahan and Shockey are wearing Giant Blue on opening night against the Redskins.

Offense
On offense, the Giants do not have any truly critical needs. As has been true for several seasons, the offensive line is a team strength and foundation of the entire offense. While depth was a concern heading into the season last year, I thought Whimper played very strong during his periodic appearances last season and must now be considered a solid backup (it wouldn't be at all surprising if Whimper is the starting tackle on opening day with Diehl back at guard). Likewise the Giants are set at running back, quarterback and TE (again, assuming Shockey remains).

The primary position of need on offense continues to be wide receiver. To truly upgrade their offense, the Giants need the ability to field a solid four WR set and they are missing the 4th piece of that puzzle. Furthermore, I have to believe this will be Toomer's final season and so they will need to groom his replacement. They have a great trio in Plax, Toomer and Smith, but they could use a receiver with world class speed (and hands) to stretch the field vertically. However, receivers fitting that definition are going to be a top 10 pick and the Giants aren't drafting high enough to get that kind of receiver this year. I'd still like to see a WR given priority in this draft (i.e. no lower than 3rd round).

Defense
The Giants finished the 2007 regular season ranked 7th in the NFL in team defense. Since 1983 every single Super Bowl winner (except one - Peyton Manning and the Colts) was ranked 8th or better in overall in team defense. That is an amazing statistic and in that regard note that in 2007 the four NFC East teams finished the season ranked 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th in defense in the entire NFL (not surprisingly, the only division in which every team was ranked in the top 10).

Whether this year or next, the Giants are going to have to face life after Strahan. That decision is complicated by Kiwanuka, one of the most natural and god gifted talents at defensive end I've ever seen. Right now the Giants have Strahan, Tuck, Umenyiora, and Tollefson at DE. If Kiwanuka is a permanent fixture at LB, the Giants have a need at DE when Strahan retires. If the plan is for Kiwanuka to move back to DE, then the Giants have a need a LB. I believe Kiwanuka's future is at DE - whether this year or next - and, if so, it makes sense for the Giants to make an investment at linebacker with one of their top (first 3) picks.

Defensive tackle has Robbins, Cofield, Alford, and Rodney Leisle. Of course, with their unique use of defensive ends, Tuck and/or Kiwi become part of the defensive tackle rotation. Having said that, the Giants could still use a run stuffing tackle on defense.

In the secondary, cornerback is not nearly as critical as it appeared heading into last year's draft. Of course much of the reason for that is the fact they used last year's first pick to select Aaron Ross. But Corey Webster is a big reason too. His play in the playoffs, compared to his struggles during the regular season, was a transition that can only be described as phenomenal. Football is all about confidence and that is nowhere more true than at the cornerback position. Nobody knows whether Webster's new found confidence will continue into the future, but clearly corner does not present the crying need that the Giants faced heading into last year's draft. The Giants still need to draft corners, but it would not be surprising if they didn't select one until the later rounds (after round 3).

Safety is a totally different story. Wilson is gone in free agency leaving the Giants with James Butler, last year's rookie Michael Johnson, this year's free agent pickup Sammy Knight, and Andrew Shanle (and I have no idea who he is). Despite all the pop culture about the importance of corners in today's pass happy NFL, I've always been a believer - and continue to believe - that you win championships with great defenses that stop the run first and foremost, and stop the passing game by rushing the passer. In other words, aggressive intimidating football. In such a system, I would much rather have two hard hitting - bone jarring - head hunting safeties than two top corners (if I had to choose). Safety is probably the weakest position on the team (although I am still very unhappy about the unsettled state at linebacker) - and will presumably be a priority during this year's draft.

Strictly from a positional standpoint, I'd like to see the Giants make the following selections:
1. S or LB
2. S or LB
3. WR
4. DT
5. OL
6a. WR
6b. DB
6c. DB

Super Bowl Sunday

With the Super Bowl just hours away, some reflections on the last game these Giants played. Eli Manning hitting big throws all day long. Antonio Pierce taking on two offensive linemen to foil a screen pass that looked like it could go the distance. Corey Webster stepping up yet again with tight coverage, making a huge tackle for a loss on a pass in the flat, and of course coming up big with the big interception in OT. Tynes with ice in his veins, not waiting for Coughlin to call his name, instead running out onto the field to kick a 47 yard field goal in minus 4 degree weather - the longest field goal ever kicked at Lambeau in playoff history - all this just minutes after having missed the game winner just minutes earlier. Toomer making a huge catch on the sidelines, his body stretched out horizontally full length with both toes barely dragging inches inside the playing field. Jacobs intimidating GB early by not only running through, but totally blasting and burying GB cornerback Woodson. Bradshaw getting huge run after huge run. Ruegamer taking over when Seubert goes down and the offensive line doesn't miss a beat. And Plaxico Burress taking Harris to school, catching pass after pass, holding off while getting drilled, getting up and going back for more.

It will take a similar effort by every Giant on the field today to overcome the first team in NFL history to ever go 18-0. If these two teams had to play a best of 10 series, the Giants would win 2-4 of those games. There is no reason why today cannot be one of those 2-4 times. Statistically speaking there is probably a 30% chance that these Giants make history today.

If 19-0 is the greatest single achievement in NFL history, by definition the Giants have a legitimate opportunity to accomplish the greatest upset in NFL history. Either way, for Giants fans, this is a moment in time to be cherished - of the approximately 25,000 days in a lifetime, a fan can consider himself lucky to experience a day like today 5 times. Enjoy!

Do You Believe In Destiny?

There is a lot of symmetry to this super bowl run. The Giants started the 2007 season in historic fashion, giving up 80 points in back to back losses to the Cowboys and Packers. Then, in total contrast to that horrendous start, they ended their regular season by playing their best game of the year in a game that had to shock the Patriots and established the Giants as a legitimate threat to end the Patriot's quest for perfection.

As it turned out, those first two losses were against the eventual #1 and #2 NFC seeds by season end. As they entered the post-season, the Giants had to face - and erase - the demons of those first two games. Against all odds (and all "experts") the Giants went on to make TO cry in Dallas and then traveled to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and made believers out of the Packers.

Now, with the type of symmetry that creates history, the Giants' last game of their regular season takes on much greater meaning. New England cannot be happy about this turn of events. The sense of destiny that pervades the Giants' improbable run to the Super Bowl is palpable. This Giants team and their historic march makes them a very dangerous team that NE would be wise to take very seriously.

Oh, and one last note. Before the season started I fantasized about how sweet the payback would be for the Giants to go on a historic Super Bowl run while Tiki Barber sat and watched. Sweet destiny.

How Sweet It Is

Going into the game, the Giants knew they couldn't win a shoot out with Dallas. They needed long time consuming drives to eat the clock and limit the number of Dallas possessions. And that's just what happened. Two monster 14 and 20 plays drives that consumed 18:35 minutes of the game. That it wasn't the Giants consuming the clock just misses the point. The Giants defense took away the big play and forced Dallas into the type of game they didn't want to play. Those two drives almost guaranteed this wasn't going to be another shoot out like the first two games.

Meanwhile the Giants three scoring drives took 6 plays in 3:10, 7 plays in 0:46, and 6 plays in 2:24. The 46 second drive to end the first half knotted at 14 was all Manning at his very best. I've never believed individual statistics are particularly enlightening in the world of football, especially the QB rating. But in this instance Eli's 100+ QB rating for three straight games is huge. Eli Manning is standing tall when it counts.

And it isn't only Manning who is "stepping up". Webster has turned his game around. Smith has been a huge contributor in the two playoff games. As has Boss. We all know about Bradshaw. And it isn't just the young guys. McQuarters played a huge game. Strahan, Osi, Tuck and Pierce got pressure on Romo. And Toomer may very well deserve MVP thus far in the playoffs. And have you noticed when Whimper has been inserted into the line up over the past month? Maybe not because it has been a silent smooth transition when he's been forced onto the field. Whimper is ready folks. Watch for him next year.

Playing as they are as underdogs the past three games, I truly believe this Giants team has tremendous togetherness and momentum that has changed the dynamics of this playoff season. You can bet NE is silently praying Green Bay wins on Sunday.

Oh, and by the way, I am smiling broadly when I think of Tiki Barber. How sweet it is. Just icing on the cake to this fan.

Giants Face Dallas In Playoffs

The Giants have played two games since my last post. And those two games dramatically change my thinking about this team. The Giants played two of the best back to back games I can recall in a very long time. Although they lost to NE in the season finale, the Giants went toe-to-toe for a full 60 minutes and gave NE everything they could handle. If the Giants somehow faced NE in the Super Bowl this year, which means the Giants beat Dallas today and Green Bay next week, the Giants would beat NE.

Following the NE game, the Giants went and won their first playoff game in the Coughlin/Manning era. After the first quarter, the Giants controlled the game. Eli Manning has played two straight games in which he is playing with a tremendous amount of self confidence. The Giants, as a team, seemed relaxed heading into the game, and it showed on the field.

Today's game is going to be very difficult and the Giants may not win. But I am not one of those who are claiming the Giants will not - and cannot - win today, because they can. This is a different Giants team that Dallas has yet to face. Not only is Manning playing with new found confidence, but so are so many others. Cory Webster had the game of his career last week. Ahmad Bradshaw is playing fantastic football. Kevin Boss has made an almost seamless transition to the starting TE position. Steve Smith is starting to make some impact plays. And Gerris Wilkinson has made a huge difference at LB. His speed adds a new dimension the Giants didn't have in week one covering Witten.

This will not be an easy game. The Giants may not win. But this is definitely a winnable game for the Giants. Manning, Webster, and Wilkinson will all have to play big today. The Giants have to avoid turnovers on offense and on defense the front four have to be in Romo's face without blitz help. Having already met all expectations for the season, the Giants should be loose heading into today's game. And if they some how find a way to win against Dallas today, the momentum from a loose team with no pressure, playing great football, will make them favorites in my mind to go all the way. But of course, winning today is no guarantee. But it sure is fun.