Giants Receivers Ruin Cowboys Gala Party

The Giants went into Dallas last Sunday night and spoiled the Cowboys home opener in their spanking new stadium because:

A. On defense, the Giants pass rush was so ferocious it had Romo running back to Mexico
B. On defense, the Giants heralded defense stopped the Cowboys running game cold
C. On offense, the Giants running game was unstoppable

Do I even have to list option D?

Since prior to the draft I've been saying the Giants' wide receivers would not only be fun to watch but would, by the last quarter of the season, be a strength of this team. I had that wrong. At least the timing part. On Sunday night, the Giants don't win the game without Steve Smith and Mario Manningham both of whom had 10 catches for more than 100 yards - the first time in Giants history that two wide receivers caught 10 passes apiece in a single game.

Sure, it's only one game. And its early in the season. And yes, they are still a very inexperienced group who are still going to make some mistakes that result in turnovers this year. But, so long as Nicks gets back on the field fairly soon, this group is going to turn some heads this post-season.

Of course, they are going to have to get better performances in the running game and on defense because this young group of kids is unlikely to have the consistency to carry the team game after game, all year long. And they are going to have to solve the red zone and short yardage issues. And it might be nice to see the players on the defensive side of the ball healthy and out of the training room. But the schedule gods gave the Giants an early break with three opponents they should beat handliy in a row while Tuck, Ross, and Dockery hopefully get some time to fully heal.

Again, it's only two games. And things could turn ugly quickly if the Giants, as they have been prone to do in the past, lose focus and let one or more of these next three games get away from them. But that has not been the history of Tom Coughlin led teams. Coughlin seems to have that rare ability to get his players to understand the necessity to stay focused on what lies directly in their path - all sights on Tampa. Go Giants.