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.

Giants Show Their Stuff

Yes, it was only one game. And only the first game of the season which is probably one of the least reliable games as indicators go. But, with that proviso having been said, the Giants still answered a lot of questions in their 23-17 win over the Redskins in yesterday's home opener.

The passing game looked solid. More than solid, it was diversified and dynamic. If I were an opposing coach, I would be concerned about defending against the passing game. It isn't as simple as doubling one receiver and taking him out of the mix as the solution. That won't work against this passing attack. You have to defend all of the pass catchers and defend the entire length and width of the field.

The offensive line, especially in passing situations, was all-world. They get the game ball from me.

The defensive line rotation was incredible. Not as much pressure as one would hope (which is a scary thought since most teams would have been thrilled by the pressure in this game), but it was evident that they are going to be very strong in the 4th quarters of games this year.

Corey Webster was a monster. Best game of his career in my opinion. True shut down capability.

Bruce Johnson, an undrafted rookie starting in the nickel in the season opener of his rookie year. You had to believe Washington's game plan called for targeting him whenever possible. And he was solid, solid, solid.

So, yes, this was only one game. And it was only the season opener. But this team showed that they have all the pieces in place and will do nothing but get stronger as the season progresses. That doesn't mean they'll win every game. After all, they are unlikely to go 16-0 and may very well lose their first game in Dallas next week. That isn't the point. This team showed yesterday they are the real deal. And, with rookie wide receivers who will do nothing but get better as the season progresses, and with Canty and Boley not yet having played enough snaps to get familiar with the system, and with Ross and Dockery temporarily out - this team is going to do nothing but get stronger.

2009 Roster (for now)

Yesterday the Giants made their mandatory cuts to reduce the preseason roster to 53. In doing so they said good-bye to David Tyree and traded Michael Matthews to NE for an undisclosed conditional 2011 draft pick.

However, this is clearly not the final roster because suspended LB Michael Boley does not count against the game one roster. Thus one player on the opening day roster will have to be cut (or traded) when Boley returns for the second week game against Dallas. In addition, the positional numbers seem out of balance and further tinkering before Sunday's game against Washington would not be surprising.

The roster on offense numbers 26 including 7 wide receivers and 10 linemen, leaving only 3 running backs (plus one blocking fullback) and only 3 TE including H-Back rookie Travis Beckum. On defense the positional numbers seem even more skewed. The total count of 25 includes 9 linemen and 8 linebackers, leaving only 5 corners and 3 safeties.

Current Roster:
QB (2): Eli Manning, David Carr
RB (3): Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware
FB (1): Madison Hedgecock
WR (7): Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, Derek Hagan, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden
TE (3): Kevin Boss, Darcy Johnson, Travis Beckum
OL (10): David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, Kevin Boothe, Adam Koets, Guy Whimper, William Beatty, Tutan Reyes

DL (9): Justin Tuck, Osi Umeyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins, Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, Leger Douzable, Dave Tollefson
LB (8): Antonio Pierce, Danny Clark, Clint Sintim, Chase Blackburn, Jonathan Goff, Bryan Kehl, Gerris Wilkinson, Zak DeOssie
CB (5): Aaron Ross, Corey Webster, Kevin Dockery, Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson
S (3): Kenny Phillips, Michael Johnson, C.C. Brown

K (1): Lawrence Tynes
P (1): Jeff Feagles

Suspended list (1): LB Michael Boley