DE-FENSE. . . DE-FENSE. . .

“Even if we get a lead late, the other team will simply go down the field and score.” – Bill Kohut, fanatic Giants’ fan.

 Despite that quote from me a week ago (and several times late last season), I actually believed the ‘Skins weren’t going to score on Sunday and force OT. You could just see the defense was playing well. Hats off to them, as they really only gave up a touchdown (the offense was mainly responsible for the other 10 points) and made a great goal line stand to win the game. There were several positives. Great to see Kiwi ON THE FIELD on third down. The idea is to have your best players on the field, and having him stand on the sidelines on third down plays during the first two games wasn’t what I envisioned when he was moved to LB. Eight tackles and 1.5 sacks for the second year pro. Move the guy around and have offenses adjust to this. He saw time at DT along with Tuck giving the Giants what could be a fearsome third down pass rush. We even blitzed a corner (Madison) who came in untouched for a pressure. Perhaps this unit will start to come together. Good to see first rounder Aaron Ross in the game and around the ball. Webster was benched in the second half and thank goodness for that.

The offense struggled in the first half (two turnovers) which was the real reason for the 17-3 deficit. Dropped passes also didn’t help matters. But they buckled down in the second half and converted, at one point, 7 of 7 third downs which led to the comeback. Spearheading that was Manning, who despite two picks, played really well and made some big time throws. Manning took them down the field twice resulting in two rushing TDs by Reuben Droughns to tie the score. Then Plaxico made up for his first half blunders by literally snatching a Manning slant pass and galloping 33 yards for the go ahead score.

From Bad To Worse

The matchup couldn’t have been better. You’re 0-1 heading into your home opener. You gave up 45 points last week and are hosting a team that didn’t score an offensive touchdown and has nearly zero weapons. Just what the doctor ordered. Then you proceed to give up 35 points. Simply pathetic and embarrassing. Even more embarrassing than that was the look of the defensive unit as the camera panned the bench. Just sitting there, no anger, no nothing. Strahan shaking his head, that even looked fake.

The good? There wasn’t much. Manning played and did a good job, as did the offensive line. And Derrick Ward continues to prove he is a legit NFL back. Not a starter mind you, but a real good number two. Gibril Wilson, who I am not a big fan of, looks to be the only player on defense hustling and making plays. Coughlin keeping his cool. Second week in a row I was impressed that he didn’t blow a gasket. Hell, I threw my remote twice.

The bad. Dumb penalties by Toomer and Shockey (although the Shockey one shouldn’t have been called) that cost the team potential TD’s. Missed 34 yard FG. I said I was worried about the snaps from center and this is now two weeks in a row a mishap has occurred.

The f**cking ugly. The entire defense. How can this unit be this bad? Even with a new system, this was the Packers who have nothing, I mean nothing on offense. They have three rookies on the OL and we couldn’t get a sniff of Favre even when blitzing. Mitchell looks horrible on his drops. Even Pierce looks lost. Webster is playing like this a Sunday intramural league. Butler is always in the picture…..after a completion!! I have the same feeling I had over the last eight games last year. Even if we get a lead late, the other team will simply go down the field and score.

I’ll give it two more weeks (quarter of the season) before I start calling for lineup changes.

Looking To The Ol’ Ball Coach For Some Wisdom

“You’re never as good as you look, and never as bad as you look.” – Bill Parcells

The defense can take this quote and post it all over the locker room. But man were they bad versus the Cowboys. The defense generally resembled last year’s team. Play decently on first and second down, they give up third down conversions in the easiest of fashion. Where was the so-called “Eagles” style of defense? I surely didn’t see it. I know the defense will play better, because it simply can’t get much worse. And this is a continuing trend of Giants teams really struggling early in the season over the last four seasons. See 2004 in Philly, 2005 in San Diego, last year in Seattle, and last night (all pretty good offenses slicing the defense, all on the road). James Butler and Corey Webster appeared to be having the most trouble, while Kiwi was taken to school by Witten.

“You’re never as good as you look, and never as bad as you look.” – Bill Parcells

Eli Manning was the best quarterback on the field last night. Sure Romo threw for more yards and was game MVP, but don’t mistakenly think Romo was better. Manning was zipping and delivering the ball on time to every receiver. The O-line did a good job protecting in a hostile environment and the Giants showed depth at running back in the form of Derrick Ward after the injury to Jacobs. Burris was a total mismatch with the Dallas secondary and Toomer did a nice job in his return from an injury. Now the Giants aren’t scoring 30+ points every game. But we knew they had talent and it showed last night. Anyone who looks at that game as doesn’t think Eli is going to be a really fine QB just doesn’t like the Manning’s. Getting Smith, Moss (was he inactive?), and Bradshaw involved more will make them even more dynamic. Let’s just hope Jacobs isn’t out too long.

Let’s Get It On!!

Wow, I haven’t written anything since the draft, so it’s been awhile. But with my summer baseball season ending in early August and having just returned from vacation last week, I am pumped for the start of the 2007 season.

The Giants had a very good camp, not in terms of win and loses, but rather team continuity. The team really seemed to bond and appears unified. There was less talk of how good they are and more emphasis on the task at hand, namely training camp and getting ready for the season. Malcontent Tiki Barber still tried to drag his dirty laundry through Albany, but Eli quickly fired some zingers back and had the support of his teammates, a great sign. And even Strahan’s planned holdout didn’t adversely affect the team.

So how does the team look going into the opener versus Dallas? I would be concerned about the secondary, only because they have some big time inexperience there, especially at the safety position. The good thing is the front seven looks to be strong (and have some depth), and a secondary’s best friend is a pass rush which the Giants should be able to generate. The defense looked shaky at times during the preseason, but I think they’ll be okay as they adjust to a new coach and get that pass rush going. Another area of concern is the field goal unit, and not just the kicker. The Giants lost long snapper Ryan Kheul, one of the best, early on in training camp and it looks like they’ll rely on a pair of rookies to fill that roll. So many games are close in the NFL…the kicking game is really important.

Positives? Eli’s performance. I keep saying we aren’t going to see his best for a few more years, as he grows into the position, and it appears he is becoming more and more comfortable. He had a terrific camp. The receiving corp and running back positions also appear deep, giving Manning a lot of options. I’ve gone on record as saying Jacobs is the next Larry Johnson, and I still feel that way. I also like the Bradshaw kid. He’s going to return kickoffs and I think he could be that Dave Meggett/third down back I was wishing for in the draft. And the D-line looked good and should be the strength of the defense.  

The Draft A Week Later

Jerry Reese had two solid days in his first official draft as the Giants GM. Reese combined a nice blend of value picks (drafting the best available athlete) along with filling need. It’s all speculation at this point, as you really define how good a draft panned out two and three years down the line (maybe that’s why I waited a week to give my analysis). At the very least, you have to see the way these guys perform on the field and in an NFL training camp. But it’s always fun to evaluate, so away we go.
 
First round pick Aaron Ross was rated the third best CB in the draft, and when the Giants selected him at number 20, the other two had already been selected. While corner wasn’t one of my main areas of concern like many people, I liked the pick. Ross makes plays, hits, and for goodness sakes catches the ball!!!!! As a bonus, he is a return man and hopefully it will help solve the Giants woeful return game.
 
Second round pick Steve Smith certainly has the name to be a successful player. This was viewed as a solid pick by everyone. The word I keep hearing is “polished”. He comes from a big time program at USC and is projected as a third down receiver. Smith also gives the Giants insurance if Sinorice Moss doesn’t cut mustard, which while we believe he will, we need to see it on the field. Hopefully, both push each other for playing time and give Eli multiple options in the pass game. And ultimately you’d want one to become Amani Toomer’s successor in a few years.
 
Initially I was disappointed in third round pick Jay Alford. But after learning that Mathias Kiwanuka will move to linebacker full time in 2007 (more on that below), the pick makes much more sense. Alford has a great first step and makes plays behind the line of scrimmage. With Jason Tuck now the primary backup DE, the Giants needed someone who could be flexible enough to flip between end and tackle, and the Giants believe Alford can do that. He’ll need some more bulk but the Giants feel he has the natural moves to be a contributor.
 
Fourth rounder Zac DeOssie will help give depth to the LB’s, as he is able to play inside or out. DeOssie’s value went up at the Combine, and some said he was one of those guys who may impress more in workouts than actual production on the field. Still, he has the bloodline (dad Steve was a Giant), can long snap, and should be a special teams demon with his speed. Solid value pick at number four.

The Giants picked tight end Kevin Boss (Western Oregon) in the fifth. He has great size and terrific hands, but played against sub par competition. Sixth rounder OT Adam Koets (Oregon State) likewise is a project. Two seventh rounder proved interesting. Safety Michael Johnson (Arizona) could have went higher, has potential, and will have a shot at making the team. Ahmad Bradshaw (Marshall) is a third down type back who has some character issues.
 
Because the Giants already had Kiwi moving to LB, that position didn’t become such a primary concern. It’s an interesting move. He’s a number one pick who generally played well for a rookie, and the goal is to get your best players on the field. The Giants feel he is athletic enough to make the transition to a new position and it will certainly be one of the most scrutinized stories come training camp. I do like the move, and I also feel it will give Justin Tuck more of an opportunity to play next season, a fact that should not be overlooked. Again, the Giants want to get as many reps as they can for their better players.
 
So a solid weekend for the G-men. My only disappointment is not getting a better prospect at left tackle and a third down type back in the higher rounds, but you can’t get everything in one draft. I come away from the draft impressed and confident with Jerry Reese in charge of the Giants, just as I have been since he has taken over the post.

Draft Preview

A few thoughts about the draft: Only a small percentage of the players drafted actually start for their team when the NFL kicks off this September. Most will be backups and situational players, gradually working in more and more playing time as the season goes on. Some in fact, don’t play at all. It’s not easy being a rookie in the NFL. That being said, people tend to get overly excited about their team’s selections. Take the Giants for example. They were about as average as you can get last season, 8-8 and picking just about in the middle of the first round. How many positions can you name where a draft pick could start next year? I can only think of three: safety, corner, and outside linebacker. And corner, which is technically one of the more difficult positions, is probably a reach.  Every other position is entrenched with a pretty good player. Obviously that doesn’t mean the Giants will only pick at those positions. The draft is a way to build depth and secure future starters. This draft is important for the Giants to help build their roster three and four years down the line. The real key is how quickly you can get rookies to contribute in some capacity on the field and thus make your team better.

Okay, so here’s what the Giants won’t draft: a kicker, punter, a quarterback, or a defensive end. That’s my preview. Any other position is up for grabs. Again, that would seem to indicate the Giants have a weak roster. Quite the contrary. I believe the Giants have good players. Their line play on both sides of the trenches is pretty darn good and they have playmakers at the premium positions on the offensive side of the ball.

This team’s weakness right now is defense. The defensive line could use another tackle who can contribute (there’s that word again) and an athletic linebacker. Same deal at safety and corner. But I wouldn’t mind seeing the Giants draft a wide receiver if that was the best player available. That’s the key. Don’t reach for a player based on need; take the best available athlete. Since the draft is a building ground for future years, taking the best player is in my opinion the best draft philosophy.

This draft is interesting because I believe, between picks 20 through 35, you are going to get a comparable player. That would make a good case for the Giants trading down, and acquiring an additional pick(s) in say round three or four. 

Finally, for posterity, I do want to throw out three names that I’d love to see the Giants take with their first rounder. If they do indeed trade down, I like  Penn State LB Paul Posluszny. If they stay at #20, LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe or Pitt corner Darrelle Revis would be great additions. 

Wright Move?

I’ve been pushing for the Giants to sign another quarterback as insurance if Eli gets hurt. But is signing eight year vet Anthony Wright the way to go? Everyone loves Jared Lorenzen, that Hefty Lefty, but anyone who thinks he’ll step in and run the offense is just kidding themselves. Don’t be fooled by preseason. Tim Hasselbeck has some experience and leadership qualities, but clearly lacks the physical skills for anything long term. While the Giants have recongnized they need a backup QB, I’m not sure they have accomplished it with this signing.

It’s a tough call, really. He has thrown twice as many passes in real games compared to Hasselbeck. And that means he has much more experience than Lorenzen. Hell, he has even started an NFL playoff game for the Ravens.

My feeling is Wright will have to make the roster in training camp, with three guys competing for two spots.

Free Agency Review

Back on February 25 I gave my free agency preview and promised a review before the draft. And FootballGiants.net delivers…

Okay so I can toot my own horn. The Giants handled free agency perfectly.  How you ask? They followed my suggestions almost to a “T”.

http://www.footballgiants.net/blog/2007/02/25/free-agency-preview/

The lone exception was not re-upping kicker Jay Feely. Letting Feely go could be a mistake. Since that terribly frustrating Seattle game from 2005, where he missed three potential game winners, I never had the same confidence in Feely whenever he lined up for a kick. Still, over two seasons he hit 84% of his attempts.  Furthermore, in an upcoming season where the Giants could be in some tight games, a kicker can make all the difference.

The Giants then signed LB Kawika Mitchell, who I thought would be the best bang for their buck in a not-so-hot free agent field. If you read this blog (someone, anyone?) you know what I think about this move. Well done Jerry Reese.

Now there is even talk of signing a veteran backup QB, namely Jay Fiedler. The Giants need someone to be able to step in if Eli gets injured.

The one move I didn’t see coming was the trade that brought Rueben Droughns from Cleveland for a player who wasn’t going to make the team this year, WR Tim Carter. The Giants were extremely dissapointed in Carter, not stepping up last year when they needed him. Droughns will provide insurance in case Brandon Jacobs struggles in a starting role or is injured. He’ll also be a seven-10 carry relief pitcher. I still feel the Giants need a Dave Meggett-type, and hopefully they’ll look for one in the draft. A third-down back who can also double on kicks and punts.

Since free agency wasn’t anything to shake a stick at (and why no one should be predicting doom and gloom at this point), the draft does prove very important for the G-Men to replenish their roster with young talent. It will be Reese’s first draft as the top guy. I’m working on my preview and will have it in about a week.

2007 Schedule

The Giants 2007 schedule was released today, and I’m sure the ‘Net is propagated with game-by-game predictions and records for every team. I won’t try to do that here.

The highlight is five nationally televised games, including three on Sunday night. That includes the first Sunday night game on opening weekend versus the Cowboys in Dallas. The other Sunday games are in week 4 versus Philly and week 15 versus Washington, both home. There is one Monday Nighter in Atlanta (week 6) and the finale is a Saturday night showdown at Giants Stadium versus New England, provided by NFL Network. They battle the Jets for bragging rights in week 5 and of course play the Fish in London at the halfway point.

This year’s schedule is the 11th easiest in the league, based on opponent’s winning percentage last season (which ultimately means nothing to me.). But I can say the beginning of the schedule is a bit more favorable than last year’s, with three of the first five games at home.  After four weeks, the Giants will have played every NFC East rival and have an idea of where they stack up.

There is only one 4:15 game (Dallas, week 10), but basically half the home games are non-1pm contests because of those three prime time games. And while it is always exciting to have your team playing in the national spotlight, it becomes especially harder on fans to attend such games in my opinion.

complete 2007 schedule

Okay, so another appetizer has been given to us for the upcoming season. Next the draft…

Giants Sign Mitchell!!

And you ask why my excitment? I pushed for this guy back before free agency even started.

http://www.footballgiants.net/blog/2007/02/18/briggs-samuel-franchised/

This is a real nice move by Jerry Reese. He gets a fairly young LB (at 27) with some upside. Kawika Mitchell took a one year deal for just $1 million (more on that later) which works for both sides. If Mitchell excels halfway thru the season, both parties can think about an extension. If he bombs, the Giants aren’t on the hook for anything. And the Giants get a productive player who doesn’t miss games. The plan is probably to move him to either strong side or weak side with Pierce staying in the middle.

Now some odd things about this. How can the Giants get a player like Mitchell (productive, not great) for such a bargain price? When you see average players (case study: Visanthe Shiancoe) getting huge money from other teams, I had to really doubt the reports that Mitchell was going to sign for this. Then I read today that Mitchell hadn’t even met Tom Coughlin or DC Steve Spagnuolo yet. Not the usual signing procedure by either party. Still, I really like this move.

So right now the Giants will line up Gerris Wilkinson (last year’s number three pick), Pierce, and Mitchell. That versus Emmons, Pierce, and Arrington. The latter might seem more imposing, but only when healthy. And that’s the trap the Giants fell into last year. I believe they’ll be better off in 2007.