5 Keys to Beating the Boys
1) Find a way to stop LB DeMarcus Ware - The Cowboys pass rush lead the league in sacks last year 
with 59. Ware lead the charge last year with a franchise record 20 sacks and has had success against LT David Diehl. Ware is starting to reach that LT status, where you must always know where he is on the field at all times, and almost always have two blockers ready for him (No he is not LT, I said almost…I just fired myself up for even comparing him to the greatest LB of all time…relax me) In last years game on Dec 8th the Cowboys had 8 sacks, three of them by Ware, that is twice as many sacks the Giants had allowed to an opponent all year. The solution – run the ball down the Cowboys throat and use a quick passing game (slants/ slip screens) to neutralize the aggressive rush, Bradshaw and Hixon should be factors in these schemes. While helping Diehl with a chipping tight end/back will also help, in order to make some plays down field Diehl will have to hold his own when he goes one on one with Ware.
2) Run the ball down the Cowboys throats- This goes hand in hand with neutralizing the Cowboys pass rush, and last year they struggled to do this as Brandon Jacobs was nursing a bad knee. This year the Cowboys have lost 2 of their man run stuffers in Chris Canty and Greg Ellis. Still the defensive line boasts NT Jay Ratliff and DE Igor Olshansky two players very adept at stuffing the rush. Bradie James is a beast at linebacker and an excellent run supporter, but the Cowboys struggled mightily with the Tampa Bay rush allowing 174 yards rushing with a 5.6 yards per carry. One thing I saw on the film is that the Cowboys did not load the box, choosing to match the Bucs personnel straight up. Do not expect the same against the vaunted Giants attack. I think you will continue to see the trend of Jacobs pounding early and Bradshaw dominating late. Bradshaw runs with an angry streak and runs much tougher then his smaller frame, just ask the black Whale Albert Haynesworth who left the field after Bradshaw ran into him.
3) Pick on everyone not named Newman – Despite a nice week 1 effort by the Giants inexperienced receiving core, Dallas is bound to load the box, and make them prove themselves a second week in a row. Terrance Newman is the Cowboys best cover corner, while he is not a shut down guy and can be thrown at, his counterparts are not nearly as skilled. 2008 1st round pick Mike Jenkins has yet to flourish as a top flight corner, in fact 5th round pick (same draft) Orlando Scandrick has emerged as the second starter. Hamlin is a beast at free safety but former Jaguar Gerald Sensabaugh is more of a run stopper at strong safety. There is the off chance that the Cowboys have Newman shadow Steve Smith, but it’s unlikely they roll coverage to him, still this should leave chances for Hixon, Manningham and Moss against players even less experienced then them. Shhh….Kevin Boss is developing into a very good Tight End.
4) Putt Romo on the ground over and over again – I’m not sure why I just don’t copy and paste this key, because we all know the Giants defense is based on the premise of “getting home.” Say what you will about Tony Romo (choker, can’t win the big one, not dedicated enough, jerk , a-hole…woah woah…ok there you said it) but he has the ability to dominate a game, and has done so against the Giants numerous times, 5-2 against the Giants in his career. Still there is no quarterback in the league who can dominate when he is on his butt. The Cowboys offensive line is big and nasty but they are getting older. The biggest matchups will probably be Flozell Adams vs. Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck vs. Leonard David (when Tuck goes inside). Tuck and Osi have has success against the Cowboys but I wonder if it won’t be a third pass rusher who enters the fold. Clint Sintim? Matias Kiwanuka? Fred Robbins?….eh it’ll probably be Tuck and Osi, but no matter what Romo has to feel heat early and often.
5) Don’t allow the big play- The Cowboys receiving core had numerous big plays week one, in fact an astonishing amount. Patrick Crayton had an 8o yard reception, Roy Williams had a 66 yard reception, Miles Austin went for 42 and Marion Barber had a 23 yard scamper (Barber really plows more then scampers). Still the Giants have to force the Cowboys to move the chains methodically rather then huge chunks at a time. Romo is best when he is improvising so it’s best to keep him in the pocket, and be extra careful when a play breaks down. With Dockery coming back the Giants should have more depth at corner, and they will need it. The Cowboys receivers are all over 6 feet tall and have good speed, the trio of Austin, Crayton and Williams are more then formidable. This would have been a great game to have Michael Boley starting with Jason Whitten’s ability to wreak havoc in the seams. Hopefully Boley and Phillips help neutralize Whitten and Marcellus Bennett, although I think this may be an area the Giants struggle.
There it is, your five keys to victory. I realize I left out the Cowboy run game and special teams but I only get 5….your thoughts?
