Quick Hits on an Actual Game
With all that is being written about Plaxico Burress, and his Cheddar Bob moment, the actual game seems to have taken a back seat. Well, to almost everyone except the Die hards and the Giants themselves, so lets get to some thoughts on the actual game.
1) Daryl “Moose” Johnston is not a bad analyst but there are times when I wonder if he has ever watched a Giants game. Here are two comments that made me loose my mind in the first quarter alone.
Regarding Sean Taylor’s induction into the ring of fame – “I just don’t see how the Giants can match Washington’s emotions on this day.” Really? Did you not see the Giants rattle off 11 straight road wins? Including three in the playoffs. Are you really telling me that the fans in Green Bay, in the championship game, weren’t even more pumped up? I am not denigrating Sean Taylor’s ceremonies, but the Giants have been in far more hostile environments.
Comment 2, regarding a possible ShaunO’Hara injury – “If there is one guy the Giants can’t lose it’s O’hara.” – Really? Look, O’hara has had a great year, maybe pro bowl level (although I think that’s a bit overblown due to the Giants success), but the fact is the Giants win because they are deep. In fact, as Albert pointed out, the Giants beat the Buccaneers last year on the road with Grey Reugammer starting at center. There is only one player on this team who is irreplaceable and I will not mention his name in fear that he goes down and this comes back to haunt me, stay healthy easy (that’s code no one can figure out)
2) Kevin Boss is becoming a force, not only as a receiver, but as a blocker as well.
3) I know Corey Webster touched Santana Moss‘s face mask, but he grazed it. It was as though the referee were looking for it, ticky tac call, otherwise Webster has another pick.
4) Antonio Pierce seems to know every play call before it happens - on the slip screen to moss the whole defense flowed left and Webster looked like Campbells target.
5) Jon Carney cannot kick in the cold weather, his kickoffs were the only measure of hope for Washington’s lame offense. Look for Tynes to be activated against Philly. Perhaps dueling place kickers.
6) In Coughlin’s post game media session he smiled as he mentioned Sinorice Moss’s name, just pointing it out. Perhaps he just likes all the depth, and down the stretch Sinorice and perhaps even Manningham will get some reps.
7) I mentioned in a post on Saturday that Jeremy Clark had been signed off the practice squad and Sammy Knight was placed on injured reserve. What I didn’t realize is that Fred Robbins would sit out and Clark would play an integral part in the game. He was not credited with a half sack but I thought he should have been. He showed great hustle on a screen pass as well.
8) The Giants secondary is significantly improved from last year, and here is why. Corey Webster is as close to a shut down corner as one can get in this day and age. Aaron Ross has been up and down in his sophomore year, but he is no slouch and leads the team in picks with 4. James Butler is sound, and never out of position. Michael Johnson is honing his aggressiveness (which killed him on the reverse TD) and Spags is using him in perfect spots as a LB in the nickel. Lastly and most importantly, Kenny Phillips is coming on. The guy never misses a tackle and he can cover a wideout/te/ or running back. Soon he will become a play-maker but for now he is the best tackler in the secondary.
9) Tony Siragusa continues to be useless.
10) Toomer was fired up yesterday, it seemed De’Angelo may have influenced that, or perhaps it was just the rivalry.
11) Justin Tuck said something after the game that should make all Giants fans breathe easier. He basically said Dallas was in the same spot last year, and the Giants will not forget that.
12) Perhaps the Redskins did not improve after the first game of the year. Perhaps the Giants really are that good, after all they scored the same amount of points once again, but that was probably a fluke, right?
13) If you bring 8 in the box Eli Manning can and will beat you.
