Giants thoughts of the day ...
In the wake of their season-opening 16-7 win over the Redskins last night at Giants Stadium ...
* In the end, there was some ugliness to it, especially offensively. Bottom line: a win. At home. Against a divisional opponent. And now 10 days off.
* Defense looked absolutely incredible for the first 28 minutes, holding the Redskins to just six yards offense. Six!
* Redskins finally able to move the ball on their last drive of the first half and then into the second half, but Giants still manage to pitch a shutout after Washington's late first-half TD.
* The big problem on defense is lack of depth, no question. When Mathias Kiwanuka went down on the final play of the game with an ankle problem, you could see the air go out of the team. The sense of relief was palpable after he got up. The Giants cannot afford to have either Kiwanuka or Justin Tuck join Osi Umenyiora on the sidelines.
* Very cool moment having Michael Strahan pop out of the replica Vince Lombardi Trophy in pre-game ceremony. Fans went nuts.
* We're told that Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms were asked to make an appearance at the pre-game show, but they couldn't agree on financial terms. Strahan got $75,000 for the appearance. (UPDATE: The Giants have said Strahan did not get paid for the appearance.)
* I know Brandon Jacobs isn't happy that the team didn't give him a contract extension. But football wise, that might be a good thing, because Jacobs is clearly a man on a mission. The emotional tailback led the way with 116 yards on 21 carries.
* The running game will be crucial to the Giants' success. The 1-2 punch of Jacobs and Derrick Ward (9-39) worked well. And we didn't even see Ahmad Bradshaw, who I believe will have a major impact before it's all over.
* Plaxico Burress agrees to a five-year, $35 million deal moments before the game, and then goes out and has 10 catches for 133 yards. Cause-and-effect? Ya think?
* Eli Manning needs to be better than he was last night. There were flashes, especially early on. But 19-of-35 for 216 yards and an interception just doesn't cut it. He'll get better.
* No turnovers produced by the Giants defense. That has to change.
* Grumpy old men, Part I: Three of Jeff Feagles' four punts were inside the 20.
* Grumpy old men, Part II: Newly signed kicker John Carney made all three field goal attempts. Huge.
* Giants' secondary is very, very good. With much-improved cornerback Corey Webster on the right and shutdown corner Aaron Ross on the left, and with safeties Michael Johnson, James Butler and rookie Kenny Phillips, this is a very deep group.
* Thought on the Redskins: Horrific clock management out of rookie head coach Jim Zorn late in the fourth quarter. Needing two scores, there was no sense of urgency in the no-huddle. And he burned his timeouts way too quickly, especially after a stoppage in play preceding a Giants' punt with 1:38 to play.
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Comments (8)
Greetings Bob!
Who was responsible for shutting down Chris Cooley last night? Was it an individual effort, a group effort, or the QB just not looking his way? It took Al and John a long time to notice that one of the best tight ends in football was without a catch!
No reason for Big Blue to not be 3 and 0 going into the bye week, and at least 5 and 1 before the meat of the schedule.
If there was one guy responsible for it, it was SLB Danny Clark, although other coverages helped. Clark is a really good player who people just don't know about it. It'll show up eventually.
Agreed on 3-0.
Can the Giants arrange for Carlos Rogers and his golden shoes to play against them every week?
Jim Zorn is in so far over his head it isn't even funny. He's never been a co-ordinator before, much less a head coach and he's doing both now for the first time. But who that is qualified and not desperate for work (Hi Fassel!) would want to work for Daniel Snyder anyway?
Yeah, Fassel is no solution, but watching Dannyboy stumble into Zorn was hilarious. Vinnie the C's lies re Spags fooled no one. Skins are a laughing stock. Maybe they should hire the chubby fish from NJ once he tires of his gig in huricane alley.
BG, thanks for the scoop re LT and #11, was wondering where they were.
BG-
Nice to know about Clark, looks like a great pickup so far.
Wish the play calling was more inclined to let Manning get into a groove. It seems they're back to trying to keep the defense off balance rather than getting their own offense in balance. During the playoffs, they got the O in groove, in my opinion.
A few things about Jacobs-
1) I love the sweeps and outside runs. Let the big man get up to speed and he's tough to take down (love how he's still knocking people over WHILE he's being tackled). Just like to see a little less traffic, maybe a pitch to the weakside, let the WR block down, and give the CB a clear shot at Jacobs (poor CB).
2) Once Jacobs starts slowing down in the open field when contact is made, and concentrate on keeping his balance during the "hit" (by hit I mean people flailing at his hips and legs), and then speeding up after contact, he's gonna be hitting a bunch of Home runs, cause he aint easy to catch up to, and hard to take down. Keep balance is something Tiki and Bradshaw was/is good at.
3) Giants need to sign Jacobs ASAP. Each game will just cost them more in the contract. Beyond being a really good back, Jacobs is a perfect NY Giants running back. Money won't spoil him either, he loves playing and hitting and wants to be better (and will be).
4) I know how to take out the other teams star DEs. Have the OT chip them, and move to the second level, and let Jacobs run a dive right at them! They'll be gun shy and foggy the rest of the night!
"We're told that Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms were asked to make an appearance at the pre-game show, but they couldn't agree on financial terms."
Can't speak for Simms, but my sources say it was more than financial terms that kept LT away.
Something about a certain NY football reporter violating copyright laws and referring to a California running back as LT.
I understand that there is a Cease and Desist writ being issued this afternoon.
BG, You asked me too and I shall post! The only problem I had with the Strahan thing was did he have to hold his crotch while telling the fans to Stomp the Redskins out? Bizzare. And I did enjoy the five fans being arrested after the game. I thought I was at a Jets contest. As always you do a brilliant job. See you at Jets-Pats.
Glauber's fault that LT didn't show. That's a shame.