In training camp, no one thought the season would hinge on one game this early on. The threat level is bordering orange into red. The season could be in danger.
This week’s game against San Diego, and almost every game from here on out, will be “must-win” affairs.
Coach Tom Coughlin has his group on high alert and even Eli Manning has a sense of urgency about him.
“You don’t always like to put too much pressure on one game, but I think in this scenario that’s kind of what you have to do,” Manning told The Daily News. “We need to get a win going into the bye week and get back to playing our style of football.”
The Giants went from first to third in the NFC East in one fell swoop last Sunday, and with a challenging schedule ahead, they will need all hands on deck to secure a playoff spot.
Canty, Boley Readying Their Returns
Yes, you heard correctly. DT Chris Canty practiced in full yesterday and is likely to rejoin the lineup this Sunday vs San Diego. LB Michael Boley worked about half the snaps and could possibly dress Sunday as well.
The Giants need Canty in the worst way to augment their sagging DL rotation. Boley is a top-notch LB against the pass. Needless to say the Giants have missed them both.
As for Aaron Ross, the team is still not sure when he will be able to play, but the Denver game on Thanksgiving looks like the soonest that he’ll be back.
Help at Safety – Anyone?
We have heard nothing about a possible move at safety, which is unnerving. The word is out that that C.C. Brown and Aaron Rouse are pitiful in pass coverage, so why haven’t the Giants explored other options?
With a half-season remaining, GM Jerry Reese will be at fault if the team does not find an answer soon. You can blame the coaches, but it’s apparent the talent is not there, so there is only so much that they can do with these guys.
Someone mentioned bringing back James Butler. Bad idea. First off, Butler was signed to a 3-year, $14 million contract by the Rams before the season. A trade for him would be idiotic. Second, he has missed four games with a sprained MCL. Third, he was never a very good cover safety to begin with.
I’d like to hear some real suggestions. Better off, we need to see a solution. The pass rush was supposed to offset the poor safety play, but that hasn’t happened. Anyway, the Giants can’t hide these guys any longer.
Something’s gotta give.
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I agree with your assessment on Butler. He was the run support Safety while Johnson was the pass coverage Safety. Johnson has improved his angles in run support, but still has room for improvement.
As for Reese, I am not sure that he can do much right now. Safeties are pretty valuable these days. No one gives them away. Especially Safeties that are good in coverage.
It is clear we need a top Safety in the Draft next year, fortunately, there are a lot available.
The Giants have a young team and trading a draft choice for someone who can help right now would not be a bad move….esp if it means missing the playoffs
Can you think of anyone? All I could come up with was Sam Huff, and Maybe Atogwe. Atogwe will be a free agent next year.
Spags could replace him with a guy like Eric Berry, or a Taylor Mays. I would resign Atogwe though. Its better to keep the talent you have and add to it through the draft then removing and replacing IMHO.
By the way, Travis Becham is starting to feel like a wasted pick to me. Time will tell, but he gets crappy releases.
Any idea who may be deactivated if/when Boley and Canty suit up on Sunday?
Hard to say right now because the DL is basically healthy, just undermanned.
The inactives are sure to include Ross and Sinorice Moss. The other six will probably be the usual suspects: Barden, Koets, Whimper, Gartrell Johnson, etc
Maybe Jerry Reese could give the Raiders a call? See what he would want for Michael Huff?
Solution #1:
Have Sheridan actually show up with a playbook and a gameplan.
/end
john this post is a bit confusing
1) NFL trade deadline has come and gone
2) The Giants safeties do not go by the typical free/ strong labels, they are often interchangeable, however butler was by far more of the “cover deep” safety in spags system, and was usually the high man, while Johson spent most time in the box. While I am not calling for butler to come back (like you said he was signed for 3 yrs. 14mill) but he was very well coached and did a good job of being in the right spot. Butler did get beat because he lacked speed but he rarely got out of position like CC, at this point he would have been a huge improvement over CC.
Point taken…..the trading deadline has passed, so this becomes moot, but their are plenty of players that will be let go as the season goes on….