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.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
