Your mother always told you to wear clean underwear just in case you're in an accident. On Monday night the world watched a trainwreck unfold on live television in front of their very eyes while bearing witness to the fact that Eli Manning never learned that particular lesson from his mother. He didn't just have a bad game, he had a complete melt down. It wasn't only his continued, inexplicable, inability to throw a football. It was the defeat - defeat that was written all over his face and evident in his sagging posture. His feeble attempt to toss the ball away while being sacked was more than a simple act of desperation - it was a total nervous breakdown on national TV.
The issue has become larger than the destruction of a promising season - it has evolved into the possible destruction of a promising young quarterback. This young man, who supposedly is unaffected by the storm winds that swirl around him, may have lost more than the confidence of his coach and fellow teammates - he may have lost faith in himself. This is no longer about having a bad game - or a bad series of games. It is about his inability to throw an NFL football. Everyone has waited patiently for the superstar quarterback to finally emerge from behind the curtain where he has remained hidden. But over the three year watch, expectant hope has slowly evolved into a dawning realization that perhaps it may never be. At least not in NYC.
So, the trainwreck witnessed by millions on Monday night was not just the high hopes for a Super Bowl season being driven into a ditch. It was so much more. It was the hopes of this franchise - and the future of the head coach. Tom Coughlin has some tough decisions to make. This is no longer only about attempts to salvage the season. He now must be concerned about taking steps to avoid permanent damage to the psyche of the franchise quarterback.
The next two games will not only define the final act of this season. They will define the future of Eli Manning. Next up is Tennessee - the bottom of the barrel of the worst the NFL has to offer. It is a perfect opportunity for Eli Manning and the Giants to catch their breath and gather some much needed confidence. If they somehow manage to do just that and then, maybe - just maybe - go on to defeat the visiting Cowboys the following week, everyone will take a collective breath and all will potentially have been saved - the season and Eli Manning.
That, however, is the rosy scenario. A much darker cloud looms large on the horizon. Should Eli Manning continue his downward spiral and the Giants lose to TN followed by complete domination by the Cowboys in Giants stadium with Eli's meltdown on full display in front of the unforgiving faithful - the consequences will be much more than the complete collapse of a once promising season. It would place Eli Manning at the edge of a precipice with his very career hanging in the balance. And Tom Coughlin would then be facing some very difficult decisions for the Carolina game - decisions with lasting consequences for his quarterback, his coaching tenure, and the franchise itself.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Giants On The Ropes After Loss To Chicago
The Giants have been slammed to the mat with a right uppercut. The question is can they get up for the ten count? Most of the injuries are on the defensive side of the ball, but there seems to be enough depth on defense this year that, thus far, those injuries appear to be less of a concern - at least over the short term.
I believe the critical injury thus far is the loss of Toomer. Toomer was a perfect compliment to Burress and Carter. Carter provided enough of a downfield threat to stretch the field and keep defenses honest. Plaxico was the tall big play threat. But Toomer's role was the most critical - clutch third down, move the chains, possession receiver.
Unfortunately there is no ready replacement for this role. Carter is not the ideal choice. First of all he isn't capable of filling the role of possession receiver. He simply doesn't have the hands or the talent to make the kind of catches Toomer made. Time after time this season Toomer made clutch catches while on his tippy toes on the side and endlines. I do not recall a single occasion when Toomer dropped the ball or failed to keep his toes inbounds. He was the clutch receiver because he was so dependable - you could count on him to make the big play when the chips were down. Does anyone recall seeing Carter ever making those kind of catches?
Moreover, using Carter as the possession receiver eliminates his role as the only real downfield threat the team has, further weakening the Giants passing scheme. The impact of the loss of Toomer upon the passing attack simply cannot be overstated. What made the Giants offense to powerful - so difficult to defend - was its balance. They could beat you through the air or on the ground. You defend one, they beat you with the other. Your choice - but either way you lose.
However, the Giants are now left without any viable third down possession receiver - the first and most basic function of any passing game. Defending against the Giants receiving corp has now become much easier - stop Burress and you eliminate 90 percent of the passing attack. The passing game is no longer very difficult to defend - the Giants are no longer the balanced attack they were when the season started - and their offense is realistically now a much more easily defended one dimensional running attack.
But there was hope. Shockey had not been very involved in the offensive attack and it seemed logical that some of the passes that had been going to Toomer would now go in Shockey's direction. That is until Luke Petitgout went down in the Chicago game. As with Toomer, there is no adequate replacement available for the loss of Petitgout. Worse, the loss of Luke is a double whammy. First, it obviously impacts the passing game. There will be more sacks and overall pressure on Manning. There will much less time for long routes, further reducing an already diminished downfield and shortening the amount of field the defenders have to cover. Furthermore, it will increase Shockey's blocking responsibilities just at the point when he is needed in the passing game. Losing Petitgout just makes the Giants even more one dimensional.
But the second part of the double whammy may be the most damaging. Petitgout was a critical component behind the Giant's great success in running the ball. If the loss of Toomer (and Petitgout) makes the passing game easier to defend, the loss of Luke will make running the ball much more difficult. With a much less theatening passing attack, teams will almost certainly adopt a "stop the run and force Eli Manning to beat you with his arm" approach to Giants games the remainder of this year.
If so, then the balance of this season has suddenly be placed squarely upon the shoulders of Eli Manning, who has been struggling since demolishing Washington. Sure, the Giants went on a 5 game winning streak, but it wasn't Manning and the offense that won those games. That winning streak was the direct result of a resurgent defense. A defense that was suddenly pressuring quarterbacks and getting turnovers.
To my untrained eye, Manning still struggles hitting open receivers in the 8-15 yard range when he isn't under any great pressure. Like many quarterbacks, his completions come in streaks. However, what concerns me is that even during those times in a game when he is "hot" and putting a string of completions together, he is still not hitting his receivers on the run. More often than not the completions come as a result of the receivers making circus catches, reaching behind, up high, or diving to the ground, to grab the ball. Rarely do we see Manning throw the ball right on target without his receiver breaking stride.
It is something that has concerned me well before the season started. The good news is that Manning will learn from this experience. It is a big test for him. Here is a team that headed into the season with all the talent in the world and high expectations for a super bowl run. They find themselves in first place in the Division and with a great Divisional record. Now, it is a team on the ropes and their season could go either way. They are in position to still do something with this season, but they will need their quarterback to step up and shoulder a big part of the burden. In the end, regardless of how it turns out, Eli Manning will benefit merely by going through the ordeal.
A note about the Chicago game. I was very encouraged by what I saw, especially on the defensive side of the ball. During the first half I thought the Bears and Giants had switched uniforms. The Giants defense was dominant - totally kicking butt and playing incredibly physical aggressive football. By the end of the game the Bears put up some big numbers, but that was due in large measure to the total lack of offensive production all game long, along with the lack of depth and substitutions for the defense - they had to get worn down. They showed there is still enough talent on the defensive side of the ball for the Giants to do something this year.
I do not believe there is much reason to do any type of analysis about the match ups for Monday night's game. I am more interested in seeing how the Giants play. Moreover I don't think the match ups will have much to do with the outcome of the game. The outcome will depend more upon answering the questions the Giants will have to answer the rest of this season. Can the defense remain strong? And can Eli step up and create a credible passing attack sufficient to free up the running game?
I believe the critical injury thus far is the loss of Toomer. Toomer was a perfect compliment to Burress and Carter. Carter provided enough of a downfield threat to stretch the field and keep defenses honest. Plaxico was the tall big play threat. But Toomer's role was the most critical - clutch third down, move the chains, possession receiver.
Unfortunately there is no ready replacement for this role. Carter is not the ideal choice. First of all he isn't capable of filling the role of possession receiver. He simply doesn't have the hands or the talent to make the kind of catches Toomer made. Time after time this season Toomer made clutch catches while on his tippy toes on the side and endlines. I do not recall a single occasion when Toomer dropped the ball or failed to keep his toes inbounds. He was the clutch receiver because he was so dependable - you could count on him to make the big play when the chips were down. Does anyone recall seeing Carter ever making those kind of catches?
Moreover, using Carter as the possession receiver eliminates his role as the only real downfield threat the team has, further weakening the Giants passing scheme. The impact of the loss of Toomer upon the passing attack simply cannot be overstated. What made the Giants offense to powerful - so difficult to defend - was its balance. They could beat you through the air or on the ground. You defend one, they beat you with the other. Your choice - but either way you lose.
However, the Giants are now left without any viable third down possession receiver - the first and most basic function of any passing game. Defending against the Giants receiving corp has now become much easier - stop Burress and you eliminate 90 percent of the passing attack. The passing game is no longer very difficult to defend - the Giants are no longer the balanced attack they were when the season started - and their offense is realistically now a much more easily defended one dimensional running attack.
But there was hope. Shockey had not been very involved in the offensive attack and it seemed logical that some of the passes that had been going to Toomer would now go in Shockey's direction. That is until Luke Petitgout went down in the Chicago game. As with Toomer, there is no adequate replacement available for the loss of Petitgout. Worse, the loss of Luke is a double whammy. First, it obviously impacts the passing game. There will be more sacks and overall pressure on Manning. There will much less time for long routes, further reducing an already diminished downfield and shortening the amount of field the defenders have to cover. Furthermore, it will increase Shockey's blocking responsibilities just at the point when he is needed in the passing game. Losing Petitgout just makes the Giants even more one dimensional.
But the second part of the double whammy may be the most damaging. Petitgout was a critical component behind the Giant's great success in running the ball. If the loss of Toomer (and Petitgout) makes the passing game easier to defend, the loss of Luke will make running the ball much more difficult. With a much less theatening passing attack, teams will almost certainly adopt a "stop the run and force Eli Manning to beat you with his arm" approach to Giants games the remainder of this year.
If so, then the balance of this season has suddenly be placed squarely upon the shoulders of Eli Manning, who has been struggling since demolishing Washington. Sure, the Giants went on a 5 game winning streak, but it wasn't Manning and the offense that won those games. That winning streak was the direct result of a resurgent defense. A defense that was suddenly pressuring quarterbacks and getting turnovers.
To my untrained eye, Manning still struggles hitting open receivers in the 8-15 yard range when he isn't under any great pressure. Like many quarterbacks, his completions come in streaks. However, what concerns me is that even during those times in a game when he is "hot" and putting a string of completions together, he is still not hitting his receivers on the run. More often than not the completions come as a result of the receivers making circus catches, reaching behind, up high, or diving to the ground, to grab the ball. Rarely do we see Manning throw the ball right on target without his receiver breaking stride.
It is something that has concerned me well before the season started. The good news is that Manning will learn from this experience. It is a big test for him. Here is a team that headed into the season with all the talent in the world and high expectations for a super bowl run. They find themselves in first place in the Division and with a great Divisional record. Now, it is a team on the ropes and their season could go either way. They are in position to still do something with this season, but they will need their quarterback to step up and shoulder a big part of the burden. In the end, regardless of how it turns out, Eli Manning will benefit merely by going through the ordeal.
A note about the Chicago game. I was very encouraged by what I saw, especially on the defensive side of the ball. During the first half I thought the Bears and Giants had switched uniforms. The Giants defense was dominant - totally kicking butt and playing incredibly physical aggressive football. By the end of the game the Bears put up some big numbers, but that was due in large measure to the total lack of offensive production all game long, along with the lack of depth and substitutions for the defense - they had to get worn down. They showed there is still enough talent on the defensive side of the ball for the Giants to do something this year.
I do not believe there is much reason to do any type of analysis about the match ups for Monday night's game. I am more interested in seeing how the Giants play. Moreover I don't think the match ups will have much to do with the outcome of the game. The outcome will depend more upon answering the questions the Giants will have to answer the rest of this season. Can the defense remain strong? And can Eli step up and create a credible passing attack sufficient to free up the running game?
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Giants - Bears Preview
Busy week with no chance to post to my weblog. Or maybe I was just avoiding the task of recording my thoughts, hoping perhaps I'd see things differently with the passing of yet another day.
I was not at all happy with last week's win over the Texans. Yes, a win is a win. That is true and it gives the Giants a five game winning streak and an important two game lead in the Division. But... and there are plenty of "buts". The Giants didn't play well. They escaped. That is all they did.
Before last week's game, I was sharply focused on tonight's big match up with the Bears. Little did I realize that by the time tonight rolled around that winning tonight's game would be the least of my worries. I am extremely concerned about the entire second half of the season - for two reasons.
First, obviously, has to be the injuries. The defense has been decimated. I have not read anything indicating how serious the injuries to Osi and Tuck are - nor when we can anticipate their return. Add the injuries to Strahan, Arrington and Short and the ability of the defense to hold things together has to be seriously questioned. Generating a pass rush will be difficult, which will pressure an already suspect Giants secondary. And an inability to defend the pass will itself create cracks in the Giants strength against the run. Sure, things could be worse. They at least have a first round pick in Kiwi and rookie Wilkinson looks like the real deal. But...
Secondly, I have been concerned about the offense these past few games. The defense had been carrying the offense on this winning streak. The running game has not been dominant. Eli has not had to carry this team on his shoulders - which is a good thing because he hasn't look capable of doing so these past few weeks. But with the injuries on defense, now is the time for the offense to take over. But... (yea another but) the loss of Toomer is a major blow. There simply is no player on the roster capable of taking his place. They need that control receiver. The money receiver that will not drop the pass. That can do the toe dance on the sidelines. The "go to" receiver when they really need to move the chains.
Injuries on defense. The offense not ready for prime time. It just doesn't make me feel warm and cuddly all over. Last week's concerns regarding "confidence" when the Giants meet the Bears in Chicago next January are history. If the Giants lose tonight and are fortunate enough to find themselves in Chicago this January, the Giants will be a totally different team by then. What happened tonight won't really matter. Besides, with all the injuries, they will have plenty of excuses to explain away tonight's score.
No, my concern is more basic. Will the Giants go on a four week losing streak while waiting for the injured to return to the field? I sure hope not, but I am holding my breath.
Tonight's game has all the makings of a disaster for the Giants. The Bears were embarrassed last week. At home. The Giants are left to deal with the hornet's nest Miami stepped on last week. The Giants need a pass rush but I don't know where it will come from. They need their explosive offense tonight but the weatherman doesn't seem to want to help. They need to run the ball, but Chicago is dominating against the run. So they will try to pass but Eli has not exactly looked like his brother these past few weeks and now without Toomer...
The Bears are going to bring the pressure. Plaxico is right - the secondary is not the strength of the Bears defense. The front seven is where the tiger lives. And the tiger is hungry and growling and I feel that Eli will be their primary target. If I am the Bears, the secret to tonight's game is to put Manning on his back after every single pass.
If I am the Giants, I use the no huddle up tempo offense right out of the gate. A lot of two step drops with short crisp patterns to Shockey and Burress. Lots of Tiki and even more of Jacobs. It can be done. Look at Rutgers. But I am worried. Not about the Bears game but about the Giants ability to keep this thing together. It is time for the offense to step up and carry this team for the next 3-4 games. Let's hope they are up for the challenge.
I was not at all happy with last week's win over the Texans. Yes, a win is a win. That is true and it gives the Giants a five game winning streak and an important two game lead in the Division. But... and there are plenty of "buts". The Giants didn't play well. They escaped. That is all they did.
Before last week's game, I was sharply focused on tonight's big match up with the Bears. Little did I realize that by the time tonight rolled around that winning tonight's game would be the least of my worries. I am extremely concerned about the entire second half of the season - for two reasons.
First, obviously, has to be the injuries. The defense has been decimated. I have not read anything indicating how serious the injuries to Osi and Tuck are - nor when we can anticipate their return. Add the injuries to Strahan, Arrington and Short and the ability of the defense to hold things together has to be seriously questioned. Generating a pass rush will be difficult, which will pressure an already suspect Giants secondary. And an inability to defend the pass will itself create cracks in the Giants strength against the run. Sure, things could be worse. They at least have a first round pick in Kiwi and rookie Wilkinson looks like the real deal. But...
Secondly, I have been concerned about the offense these past few games. The defense had been carrying the offense on this winning streak. The running game has not been dominant. Eli has not had to carry this team on his shoulders - which is a good thing because he hasn't look capable of doing so these past few weeks. But with the injuries on defense, now is the time for the offense to take over. But... (yea another but) the loss of Toomer is a major blow. There simply is no player on the roster capable of taking his place. They need that control receiver. The money receiver that will not drop the pass. That can do the toe dance on the sidelines. The "go to" receiver when they really need to move the chains.
Injuries on defense. The offense not ready for prime time. It just doesn't make me feel warm and cuddly all over. Last week's concerns regarding "confidence" when the Giants meet the Bears in Chicago next January are history. If the Giants lose tonight and are fortunate enough to find themselves in Chicago this January, the Giants will be a totally different team by then. What happened tonight won't really matter. Besides, with all the injuries, they will have plenty of excuses to explain away tonight's score.
No, my concern is more basic. Will the Giants go on a four week losing streak while waiting for the injured to return to the field? I sure hope not, but I am holding my breath.
Tonight's game has all the makings of a disaster for the Giants. The Bears were embarrassed last week. At home. The Giants are left to deal with the hornet's nest Miami stepped on last week. The Giants need a pass rush but I don't know where it will come from. They need their explosive offense tonight but the weatherman doesn't seem to want to help. They need to run the ball, but Chicago is dominating against the run. So they will try to pass but Eli has not exactly looked like his brother these past few weeks and now without Toomer...
The Bears are going to bring the pressure. Plaxico is right - the secondary is not the strength of the Bears defense. The front seven is where the tiger lives. And the tiger is hungry and growling and I feel that Eli will be their primary target. If I am the Bears, the secret to tonight's game is to put Manning on his back after every single pass.
If I am the Giants, I use the no huddle up tempo offense right out of the gate. A lot of two step drops with short crisp patterns to Shockey and Burress. Lots of Tiki and even more of Jacobs. It can be done. Look at Rutgers. But I am worried. Not about the Bears game but about the Giants ability to keep this thing together. It is time for the offense to step up and carry this team for the next 3-4 games. Let's hope they are up for the challenge.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Giants Face Texans
As a fan, it is difficult to focus on this game. Obviously, the Giants cannot afford to overlook any opponent. This is the NFL - professionals who, even on the worst team, are still the best players in the world. However, I don't buy that "on any given Sunday" crap. The bottom line is that Super Bowls are won by dominant teams - and the very definition of a dominant team is one that soundly defeats greatly inferior teams - and does so consistently.
Houston has some players. At least on offense. They have a solid quarterback that has, however, been going through some ups and downs. They have a very good running back who has put up some big numbers in recent games. They have a very strong receiving corps led by Andre Johnson who is leading the entire NFL in receptions (56) and receiving yards (669). And remember - he needed a quarterback on the other side of that connection to get those league leading statistics. So this team has some offensive weapons.
On top of that, the Giants have a rash of injuries on defense - Arrington, Short, Osi, Madison, and Tuck. Yet, even with a depleted defense, the Giants should still make life miserable for Houston QB David Carr. If Houston has any chance on offense, it will be the match up problems they present at wide receiver. The Giants will have to once again stuff the run and bring the pressure. The good news is that they should have little trouble doing so. Strahan will probably get his record breaking sack this game, although I think it would be much more fitting for it to happen the following week against Chicago.
The reason this game should be an old fashioned beating is the advantage the Giants have on the offensive side of the ball. Unlike the 1986 team, it is the offense of the 2006 Giants that has the talent to dominate. As a defensive coordinator you can choose your poison. They can beat you running or through the air. Your choice. They can control the ball on the ground with Tiki and pound you to death with Brandon Jacobs. Or they can throw the ball - high to Burress - in clutch situations to Toomer - or to stretch the field with Carter. They also just happen to have a TE capable of dominating an opponent. And after all that - they have perhaps one of the game's greatest all time receivers out of the backfield in Barber.
Burress is hurting and may not play but, if so, it shouldn't really detract from this offense this week. I will be disappointed if Feagles has to take the field at any time on Sunday. In fact, I think the Giants should consider not dressing him and use the spot for a backup LB or WR (just kidding). The truth is that I am taking Houston lightly. That is my god given right as a fan who is having fun enjoying what is hopefully a great season. The Giants, however, do not have that luxury - not if they truly are SB bound. This is a team they must defeat - and must do so convincingly. If they do, the Giants schedule is such - with the exception of Chicago next week - that they legitimately could run the board the rest of the way.
Houston has some players. At least on offense. They have a solid quarterback that has, however, been going through some ups and downs. They have a very good running back who has put up some big numbers in recent games. They have a very strong receiving corps led by Andre Johnson who is leading the entire NFL in receptions (56) and receiving yards (669). And remember - he needed a quarterback on the other side of that connection to get those league leading statistics. So this team has some offensive weapons.
On top of that, the Giants have a rash of injuries on defense - Arrington, Short, Osi, Madison, and Tuck. Yet, even with a depleted defense, the Giants should still make life miserable for Houston QB David Carr. If Houston has any chance on offense, it will be the match up problems they present at wide receiver. The Giants will have to once again stuff the run and bring the pressure. The good news is that they should have little trouble doing so. Strahan will probably get his record breaking sack this game, although I think it would be much more fitting for it to happen the following week against Chicago.
The reason this game should be an old fashioned beating is the advantage the Giants have on the offensive side of the ball. Unlike the 1986 team, it is the offense of the 2006 Giants that has the talent to dominate. As a defensive coordinator you can choose your poison. They can beat you running or through the air. Your choice. They can control the ball on the ground with Tiki and pound you to death with Brandon Jacobs. Or they can throw the ball - high to Burress - in clutch situations to Toomer - or to stretch the field with Carter. They also just happen to have a TE capable of dominating an opponent. And after all that - they have perhaps one of the game's greatest all time receivers out of the backfield in Barber.
Burress is hurting and may not play but, if so, it shouldn't really detract from this offense this week. I will be disappointed if Feagles has to take the field at any time on Sunday. In fact, I think the Giants should consider not dressing him and use the spot for a backup LB or WR (just kidding). The truth is that I am taking Houston lightly. That is my god given right as a fan who is having fun enjoying what is hopefully a great season. The Giants, however, do not have that luxury - not if they truly are SB bound. This is a team they must defeat - and must do so convincingly. If they do, the Giants schedule is such - with the exception of Chicago next week - that they legitimately could run the board the rest of the way.
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