Giants Keep On Rolling

The Giants defeated Tampa Bay as coolly, methodically and nonchalantly as John Phillips commits incest. Tampa Bay was no match for Big Blue as the Buccaneers played like they were wearing eyepatches and had peg legs and hooks for hands (though that might come in handy on defense). Bucs coach Raheem Morris summed it up best: “We were beat by grown men, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us. Out-gunned us. It wasn’t even close.”

The stats back up his statement: 397 total yards for the Giants, 86 for Tampa Bay; time of possession – 43.38 minutes for the Jints, 16.22 for the Bucs; 27 first downs for the Giants, five for Tampa Bay (and they didn’t get their first one until five minutes were left in the third quarter).

The Bucs cured most of the Giants problems – at least for one day. Red zone issues? Going into the game the Giants were 0-8, but they scored a number of times with ease once they got inside the 20 yard line yesterday. Running game stalled? Big Blue piled up 226 yards rushing, with Ahmad Bradshaw leading the way with 104 yards. Brandon Jacobs gained 96 yards, but still doesn’t look like the Jacobs of last season. Maybe it’s too many two or three yard runs? And he’s not punishing the defense the way he usually does. Defense can’t stop the run? The Bucs had a total of 28 yards rushing. Poor Derrick Ward only gained two yards.

Eli Manning was 14 for 24, with two TD passes, one to Steve Smith and another to Sinorice Moss, who made a nice grab (and it was his first catch of the year). Smith had his third excellent game in a row, catching seven passes for 63 yards. Mario Manningham got into the mix, hauling in four catches for 55 yards. But the ground game led the way yesterday, just like old times.

The O line didn’t allow any sacks for the second game in a row, nor did the D record any themselves, also for the second game in a row. But the defense completely dominated the game, so they didn’t need any sacks. And Terrell Thomas picked up the Giants fifth interception of the year.

Finding any negatives in this game would just be nitpicking. Lawrence Tynes missed a field goal. Kareem McKenzie and Rich Seubert left the game with injuries. The Giants didn’t score a touchdown every time they had the ball. I had a cold and sore throat yesterday. Those are about all I could think of.

You can’t get too excited about this game because Tampa Bay is just not a very good team. But it was the first Giants shutout since October of 2005 (vs. Washington, 36-0) and first road shutout since November of 1983 (23-0 vs. Philadelphia). Big Blue is 3-0 and continues the soft part of their schedule next week when they take on Kansas City.

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Giants Keep On Rolling

The Giants defeated Tampa Bay as coolly, methodically and nonchalantly as John Phillips commits incest. Tampa Bay was no match for Big Blue as the Buccaneers played like they were wearing eyepatches and had peg legs and hooks for hands (though that might come in handy on defense). Bucs coach Raheem Morris summed it up best: “We were beat by grown men, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us. Out-gunned us. It wasn’t even close.”

The stats back up his statement: 397 total yards for the Giants, 86 for Tampa Bay; time of possession – 43.38 minutes for the Jints, 16.22 for the Bucs; 27 first downs for the Giants, five for Tampa Bay (and they didn’t get their first one until five minutes were left in the third quarter).

The Bucs cured most of the Giants problems – at least for one day. Red zone issues? Going into the game the Giants were 0-8, but they scored a number of times with ease once they got inside the 20 yard line yesterday. Running game stalled? Big Blue piled up 226 yards rushing, with Ahmad Bradshaw leading the way with 104 yards. Brandon Jacobs gained 96 yards, but still doesn’t look like the Jacobs of last season. Maybe it’s too many two or three yard runs? And he’s not punishing the defense the way he usually does. Defense can’t stop the run? The Bucs had a total of 28 yards rushing. Poor Derrick Ward only gained two yards.

Eli Manning was 14 for 24, with two TD passes, one to Steve Smith and another to Sinorice Moss, who made a nice grab (and it was his first catch of the year). Smith had his third excellent game in a row, catching seven passes for 63 yards. Mario Manningham got into the mix, hauling in four catches for 55 yards. But the ground game led the way yesterday, just like old times.

The O line didn’t allow any sacks for the second game in a row, nor did the D record any themselves, also for the second game in a row. But the defense completely dominated the game, so they didn’t need any sacks. And Terrell Thomas picked up the Giants fifth interception of the year.

Finding any negatives in this game would just be nitpicking. Lawrence Tynes missed a field goal. Kareem McKenzie and Rich Seubert left the game with injuries. The Giants didn’t score a touchdown every time they had the ball. I had a cold and sore throat yesterday. Those are about all I could think of.

You can’t get too excited about this game because Tampa Bay is just not a very good team. But it was the first Giants shutout since October of 2005 (vs. Washington, 36-0) and first road shutout since November of 1983 (23-0 vs. Philadelphia). Big Blue is 3-0 and continues the soft part of their schedule next week when they take on Kansas City.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Week 1 Waiver Wire: RB Pickups

RB Mike Bell (Saints): RB Pierre Thomas is expected to sit this week against the Lions. Thomas is suffering from a MCL sprain and a minor laceration on the same knee. He did not practice yesterday and the Saints should not play him to risk further injury. Last season  Bell scored his lone TD vs. the Lions.  He rushed for 115 yards on 15 carries during the preseason and makes a strong flex play this week.

RB James Davis: Jamal Lewis barely broke 1,000 yards last season and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. He is now 30 years old and his load could be decreased. Davis, was selected in the sixth round (same round as  RB Terrell Davis) out of Clemson.  He has  has good size 5′11″ 218 pounds and could eventually take over the starting job. The rookie ran for 186 yards on 24 carries, averaging  to 7.8 yards per carry.

Honorable mention: Glenn Coffee (49ers)

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New York Giants: Season Preview Quiz

Here’s an easy New York Giants quiz to get you ready for the 2009 NFL season.

1. The Giants pass rush will be so good that they’ll:

    a) Lead the league in sacks

    b) Wreak havoc on opposing offenses

    c) Break Joe Theismann’s leg…again

 

2. The unproven receiving corps will:

    a) Take a few weeks to gain chemistry with Eli Manning, but turn into a pleasant surprise

    b) Lead the league in dropped passes

    c) Piss off Tom Coughlin so much, that they’ll slowly “disappear” one-by-one as the season goes on

 

3. The Giants’ offensive line is one of the best in the league because:

    a) They’ve been a cohesive unit for a handful of seasons now

    b) They have the right combination of smarts, technique, and toughness

    c) Eli Manning found out Peyton’s bank account PIN, and Eli’s been giving all his brother’s money to his linemen to ensure extra protection

 

4. Jeff Feagles is so old that:

    a) He uses all of his experience to help place most of his kicks inside the 20-yard line

    b) He’s considered a wily veteran

    c) He psyches himself up before every game by watching Matlock

 

5. This season, Brandon Jacobs will:

    a) Gain more than 1,000 yards

    b) Make the Pro-Bowl

    c) Make a Brandon Jacobs-shaped hole in a 390-pound defensive tackle’s stomach

 

6. This year Tom Coughlin will:

    a) Continue his tough, but player-friendly ways from the previous two seasons

    b) Revert back to his rigid, old-school, take-no-guff style

    c) Explode

 

7. Rookie Hakeem Nicks will:

    a) Be a disappointment

    b) Be a Rookie of the Year candidate

    c) Shoot himself in the leg

 

8. New defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan will:

    a) Have a smooth transition because of all the talent on defense

    b) Use the D-Line depth to keep his linemen fresh for the end of the season

    c) Fantasize that he’s former Super Bowl-winning Giants’ defensive coordinator Bill Belichick and wear a filthy hooded sweatshirt, while calling all his players “LT”

 

9. Eli Manning makes so much money now, that he can:

    a) Live life to the fullest

    b) Never have to worry about money again

    c) Afford to get as far away from Peyton as possible

 

10. This year the Giants will:

     a) Close out Giants Stadium in style and win the Super Bowl

     b) Make the playoffs, but fall short of a championship

     c) Miss the playoffs and get so angry about it that they’ll break Joe Theismann’s leg

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Fantasy Football: Undervalued Players

Willie Parker (Steelers)-  Accoring to Parker’s average draft position (ADP) he is the 29th running back being selected. From 05-07 he missed two regular season games and averaged 1337 rushing yards and six TDs on the ground. Last year he missed five games and averaged a career low 3.8 yards per carry. However, he was healthy for the playoffs as he received 70 carries in three games and gained 146 yards vs. the Chargers  in the Divisional round. The Steelers plan on using Parker at the goal-line and would make a formiadble RB3 in the sixth round.

Eddie Royal (Broncos)- Royal has been creeping up the draft boards with the absence of WR Brandon Marshall. As a rookie last season he caught 91 passes for 980 yards and five scores. Even though he has a new coach (Josh McDaniels-OC with the Pats) and QB (Kyle Orton), the system fits him perfectly. The Broncos plan to run a lot of short timing routes which the role West Welker has with the Patriots. In points per reception (PPR) leagues Welker is going in the third-fourth round. Owners should select Royal two-three rounds later and expect close to 100 catches.

Kevin Smith (Lions)- If you select WR-WR in the first two rounds, Kevin Smith would be the ideal running back you can take in the third round. In his rookie season he totaled 1262 yards and eight touchdowns. From Weeks 10-18 he carried the ball at least 20 times except in two games. He also caught 39 passes and look for his carries to increase this year for an improved Lions team.

Chris Henry (Bengals)- Henry had a strong pre-season catching a TD in every game. He has always had the potential to succeed but has missed games due to his off the field troubles. However, he caught nine TD’s in his second season and if stays out of trouble the 6′4″ WR is poised for a big year. His value also depends on the health of QB Carson Palmer who has good rapport Henry. Henry is entering his prime and is being drafted in the eigth round, he would be a steal in round 10.

Jon Carlson (Seahawks)- Instead of jumping on a tight end in Round 4 owners should wait till rounds 8-10 to select one. Carlson caught 55 balls for 627 yards and five scores in his rookie season. Carlson should be the second option on his team and will have QB Matt Hasselbeck throwing to him. Hasselbeck missed nine games last season due to a back injury. However, he will be asked to block more with the injury to LT Walter Jones but he will still be targeted often especially in the red zone.

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Is it Time for Giants Fans to Panic?

With Plaxico Burress gone from the team and the Antonio Pierce situation cleared up, the Giants were supposed to have a smooth, stress-free summer. They’d work in their new receivers, tune up for the season, and beat Washington on September 13.

But injuries are piling up, their receivers can’t catch the ball, Osi Umenyiora stormed out of the team’s training facility yesterday (but did storm right back in) and their defense isn’t stopping anybody in the preseason.

Some fans out there seem to be panicking already. Just last night I had an argument with an obnoxious Giants fan (okay, it was me) who is ready to push the panic button.

“Steve Smith dropped a sure 91-yard touchdown pass on Saturday,” he wildly exclaimed. “Domenik Hixon had a pass slip right through his hands, which led to an interception. Ramses Barden was invisible. Hakeem Nicks has only done well against third-string defenses. The bad passing game will affect the great running game. I’m panicking!”

It’s only preseason, my friend. Were Nicks and Barden supposed to look like polished, seasoned veterans in the first three preseason games of their career?

Eli Manning has to get used to the speed of all his receivers. Everyone on this year’s team is faster than both Burress and Amani Toomer. The chemistry won’t happen overnight.

Smith’s not going to drop every pass thrown to him. He’s proven to be reliable. The receivers will be a work in progress all season.

Remember: It’s only preseason.

“But what about all the injuries? The depth is gone! I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna run for my life!”

Calm down, man, the players are already starting to come back. Chris Snee and Rich Seubert were back on the field against the Jets. Michael Boley and Antonio Pierce are back practicing again. Say it with me: It’s only preseason.

“Umenyiora left practice yesterday! He doesn’t like the new defensive coordinator! It’s a distraction! He’s a troublemaker! Aaahhh!”

Okay, now you’re just crazy. Osi already came back and apologized. He’ll get fined, and everyone will move on. It’s already over. And it’s only preseason.

“The D doesn’t look dominating! They’ve given up 61 points in three games! Why aren’t they in midseason form?!”

You’re obviously unstable. Repeat after me: It’s only preseason. It’s only preseason. It’s only preseason.

Is it time to panic? Of course not. We’ll have plenty of time for that right after the first game.

Giants Win But Nothing Is Learned

 

When we last saw the Giants in pre-season, Osi Umenyiora was being carted off the field, and with it came predictions of a last-place finish for Big Blue. But, of course, it wasn’t Umenyiora’s injury that derailed the season, but Plaxico Burress‘ Shot Heard Round the Latin Quarter (the D-line did wear down at the end of the year, though, and sure could have used Osi).

Last night’s main attraction for Giants fans was the new group of receivers, and to see if we could get a clue as to how they would do in the upcoming season. Will Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith prove to be capable starters? Will Sinorice Moss and Mario Manningham have productive seasons? Will Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden be difference-makers as rookies? Will Derek Hagan or David Tyree make the team? Can Homer Jones come out of retirement? Who’s going to catch the ball is the biggest question mark on the team (and may be the only one).

Unfortunately, all we got was a glimpse, as a ground-game-fest broke out in the sizzling New Jersey night. (Is there a better place to be than Jersey when it’s 800 degrees with 99% humidity? When the temps get into the 90s, the smells that come up from my sewer pipe to blanket my basement are a joy to behold.) It took every second of the game clock, but the Giants ran by Carolina to a 24-17 victory. The two teams played a thriller, with a wild finish, when the immortal Leger Douzable hit Panthers QB Hunter Cantwell, and Tommie Hill picked up the fumble and ran it into the end zone with no time left on the clock. The actual game wasn’t all that exciting – it’s just an exhibition after all—but it was more thrilling than watching Livan Hernandez and the Mets lose 10-1.

None of the receivers stood out, so not much was learned. Smith didn’t play, Hixon only caught two passes, Moss one, Manningham none and Hagan one. Barden and Nicks came into the game in the second half, and each hauled in one pass (Barden’s a 20-yard catch for a first down, and Nicks a nine-yarder). What we did see were things that we already know.

The bruising running attack picked up where it left off last year. Ahmad Bradshaw, penciled in to fill the Derrick Ward role, stood out, gaining 35 yards on five carries, including a TD run. Brandon Jacobs carried only four times, but gained 31 yards. And we saw a lot of Danny Ware. He carried 12 times for only 21 yards but also had a TD reception. Unfortunately, we also saw a lot of woeful Andre Woodson at QB. All you can say about his performance is: No es bueno.

The defense is, of course, the Giants’ bread and butter, with a stacked defensive line. And they started off on a strong note, as the starting unit didn’t allow any points. Umenyiora picked up a sack, and the team had a total of four. They also created five turnovers, including the fumble recovery that led to the game-winning touchdown. Rookie CB Stoney Woodson had the only interception.

The Giants next game is Saturday against the da Bears. Hopefully that one will be as injury-free as last night’s contest. And maybe the G-Men will throw a few more long passes in that game, and we’ll see if anybody will be there to catch them.

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