Justin Block Video #6

A Giant Reality Check

As most of you know, the Giants have gotten off to a 2-0 start, defeating division rivals Washington and Dallas to open the 2009 season. While this is absolutely terrific for Giant nation, we’ve all seen this happen before only to end the year bitterly disappointed (e.g. 2006, 2008). The following is a reminder/disclaimer to Giants fans that there are problems with Big Blue, and that these problems have the potential to cost the team somewhere down the line.

Before I start, I’d like to just say that, despite the negativity you are about to read coming from me, nobody is happier or more excited about this start than I am. Think about it: Big Blue holds an advantage over two division teams to open the season. It was also just great the way the games have been won. Beating the Zorn people in the last home opener at Giants Stadium was a great feeling. However, it was even sweeter to see over 100,000 Cowboys fans watch their team lose at the grand opening of “Jerry World” at the hands of Eli, who, for the eleventh time in his career, performed a fourth quarter comeback to win the game for the G-men. However, despite those feelings of excitement over the start to the season, there are obvious holes in the armor that should be dealt with.

First problem visible with this team is the Red Zone offense. This is nothing new, however, seeing as though Big Blue scored touchdowns 50% of the time in the red zone last year when they had Plaxico and Amani. However, from what we can see in the first two games, the problem has gotten even worse this year, with no touchdowns in eight red zone appearances (seven field goals scored in those appearances with one missed field goal). The reason for these struggles appears to be that the play calling by Kevin Gilbride gets more conservative once they reach the red zone. Outside the red zone, the Giants have absolutely no problem moving the ball down the field. However, in the red zone, teams key on the run, resulting in Eli having to force throws (facing blitzes) on third and long situations. Why don’t they mix up the play calling in the red zone? The run game as a whole is failing (we’ll get into that later), so why is it being used in these key moments of drives? My idea to fix it: use Ramses Barden, the 6’6 rookie receiver out of Cal Poly, as a safety net in the red zone (ala Plaxico), or even as a decoy to take attention off of other receivers. Hey, at least it’s an idea, right?

Second problem with Big Blue: time management. On at least four occasions in the first two games the Giants have wasted timeouts in order to avoid delay of game penalties. This is another problem the Giants have had for a few years. Its just plain sloppy and sickens me. That they’ve yet to fix it makes it even worse. While this may seem like a small problem, it can become a potentially big one very quickly. Over the last few years, the Giants have been in a love affair with close games. In close games, timeouts are very valuable. By wasting timeouts to avoid penalties, you waste important assets during close games. This could potentially cause big problems for the G-Men.

Lastly, the third problem with the Giants is the running game. What was the best running game in the NFL last season has turned dismal (which, oddly enough, means that Eli is the main source of offensive productivity). Sure, a little trouble was expected when Ward left, but to be honest we all kind of expected Bradshaw to fill the void. He’s yet to do that, however, this is not really his fault because he’s primarily been used on third and long, which is a down where Eli passes the ball 95% of the time. The bigger question is Jacobs, who goes down on contact. Normally, he would carry defenders on his back and tire out defenses. Regardless, if the run game can get going, there might be nothing that can stop this team (except injuries, trap games, and the occasional loss due to lack of focus).

Before I go, congratulations to Eli Manning on throwing his 100th career touchdown pass, as well as for obtaining his 11th fourth quarter comeback with Sunday night’s game-winning drive against Dallas. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget the following: a Super Bowl isn’t won with a 2-0 record, so keep supporting Big Blue until the job is done.

Greg Visone
NYchalktalk.com

Justin Block Video #5

NY Giants Season Preview

The New York Giants have their work cut out for them during this upcoming 2009-2010 season. They play in the hardest division by far in all of the National Football League. The key for the Giants to succeed will be if they can win their games against average opponents out of their division because everyone in it is very good.

Early September is going to be tough for the G-MEN with games against the Redskins and Cowboys but after that their schedule lightens up drastically. Next, they play Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Oakland, New Orleans and Arizona. These five games are all must wins for the Giants if they want to secure the NFC East crown. Once those games are complete, the final ten weeks of the season consist of a bye and four games against in division opponents. Ideally the Giants need to win three of these but two would also be okay.

The biggest move of the off season was signing Eli Manning to a six year, $97.5 million contract extension. The Giants hope that with Manning’s financial future set he will put his entire focus on winning. In theory, that is good logic but they greatly overpaid for a slightly above average quarterback who happened to win a Superbowl in dramatic fashion. Another highlight of the off season was a move that wasn’t made; the Giants did not resign Derrick Ward. Last year the Giants showcased three running backs; however, this year it will only be two. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will be splitting carries so they will each have enough rest to be efficient even though they lost a teammate.

The biggest question raised since the Plaxico Burress saga began was, “Who would Eli Manning have to throw to?” Many people have said, “No one” but the intelligent answer is, “A large group of young and talented wide receivers such as, Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.” Of course Eli will miss the downfield threat that Burress posed to defenses but the Giants believe in their young guys and they want to let them develop instead of trading for or signing a whiney established wide receiver.

Big Blue’s offense may be in question but the defense is not. The Giants will be putting out a tough and strong side every week, Osi Umenenyiora is back after being out all of last season and having two solid cornerbacks in Corey Webster and Aaron Ross greatly helps the secondary.

All in all, as like any team, the Giants have doubters but they have put together a very good team on offense, defense and special teams. If they defeat their easier opponents and win games against division rivals, the New York Giants should be playoff bound during this National Football League season.

Daniel Weberman
NYchalktalk.com