Monthly Archives: December 2009
The weather was beautiful, the fans were pumped up and some of the greatest Giants players were on hand. Just one problem: the players forgot to show up. The result was the most embarrassing game of the year (this is the fifth time I’ve referred to a game that way this year).
* The Giants actually led 6-0 at one point…for about four seconds. Then Steve Smith‘s touchdown catch was called back due to a holding penalty.
* The Panthers rushed for 247 yards, including 206 from Jonathan Stewart.
* The Giants managed 60 rushing yards. Brandon Jacobs rushed for one yard on six carries.
* Eli Manning threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, but he was the Giants’ best offensive player today. He looked good at times, but got absolutely no help from his teammates.
* The Panthers converted 10 of 15 third down opportunities.
* If the Giants are going to make the playoffs, they now need the Cowboys to lose to the Redskins tonight and the Eagles next week. Then the Giants have to beat the Vikings next week. I’ll set the probability of this happening at just under 5%.
Inactive for today’s game vs Carolina…….
Ramses Barden, Corey Webster, DJ Ware, Aaron Ross, Kareem McKenzie, Rich Seubert, Sinorice Moss and Scott Chandler
Terrell Thomas and Kevin Dockery will start at CB; Kevin Boothe starts for Seubert and Will Beatty will be at tackle for McKenzie again today.
Tagged Giants Inactives |
The New York Giants (8-6) will host their final game at Giants Stadium today vs the 6-8 Carolina Panthers. The Giants moved into the building in “The Swamps of Jersey” in 1976. Beginning next year, they will play in the new $1.4 billion venue constructed adjacent to the old stadium across the parking lot.
TV: FOX (Ch 5 in New York) 1pm. Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Radio: WFAN 660AM Announcers: Bob Papa, Carl Banks and Howard Cross
Weather: Sunny, breezy. High 50. Wind: 13-15 mph
The Line: Giants by 8. Over/Under: 42 1/2
The skinny.…lots of sentiment today for Giants fans, many who will not be following the team to the new stadium for financial reasons…..the place will be rocking…..Giants will be weaker in the secondary than usual today if Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are out again, which is likely….it may not matter if the Giants get to fill-in QB Matt Moore on a consistent basis…….
New York is still alive in the NFC Wild Card race, where there are two spots open and three teams for them. The Giants, unfortunately, need the Packers and/or the Cowboys to lose a game (or two) to have a chance.
The
In an article from Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, he writes about 1st year D-coordinator Bill Sheridan and the recent effectiveness of his play-calling on the defensive side of the ball.
This somewhat (perhaps even too late) encouraging success on the defensive side of the ball has been sparked by a few different changes, starting with personnel and ending with philosophy.
Three weeks ago, head coach Tom Coughlin had asked Sheridan to shake things up. In doing so, Sheridan flipped starters Osi Umenyiora, Chase Blackburn, and Fred Robbins out of the starting lineup and inserted Mathias Kiwanuka, Jonathan Goff, and Chris Canty.
Since these three have taken over, the Giants new mindset has been primarily about stopping the run. and in the last three games, the Cowboys Eagles and Redskins have ran for 45, 77, and 89 yards respectively.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. Winning starts with control the rushing attack on both sides of the ball. Granted the Eagles did still manage to put 45 points up two weeks ago, but that had a lot more to do with the passing attack.
It seems that Sheridan is starting to get more comfortable with the fact that he’s calling the shots and with the personnel he has. It’s tough to step in for a guy who just got a head coaching job somewhere else and immediately have a defense just as effective as it was when he left it.
I think what I’m trying to say is, maybe we should ease off Sheridan a little bit and give him the benefit of the doubt…or maybe not. All I know is this; the defense really has been showing up more and more as the season draws to a close, and I just hope it will continue to show up tomorrow against the Panthers.
Panthers’ 1-2 RB Punch Derailed
Last season the Panthers’ running game was virtually unstoppable. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart rushed for a combined 2,351 yards an 28 TDs.
This season, although they are closing in on 2,000 yards and have 15 TDs, they have not been as imposing. Now, both are hurting and may not see much action in Week 16 at Giants Stadium. Williams is doubtful with an ankle injury and Stewart is hobbled with an Achilles problem.
The Original Steve Smith is Back
No disrespect to the Giants’ wonderfully talented WR Steve Smith, but the Panthers had a star with that name first.
Steve Smith of Carolina has been to four Pro Bowls and has been named All-Pro twice in his career. He is starting to heat up here late in the season.
Since Matt Moore took over at at QB three games ago, WR Steve Smith has averaged 106 yards per game with two TDs. In the previous 11 games with Jake Delhomme at QB, Smith averaged 54.9 yards per game with four TDs.
Fox’ Swan Song?
John Fox has been the head coach of the Panthers since 2002. Since then he’s compiled a record of 69-57 with three playoff appearances and one trip to the Super Bowl.
That resume may not be good enough to keep his job this off-season. The 6-8 Panthers appear to be going nowhere fast and ownership may opt for a change.
It is well documented that Bill Cowher would be interested in coaching in his home state of North Carolina….
Tagged New York Giants News |
Merry Christmas to all…..
Very quickly….the NFL finally fined Brandon Jacobs for his boxing exhibition last Monday in DC…..they hit him for $7500…..the Redskins’ DT Albert Haynesworth was fined $10k…..
It appears that CBs Aaron Ross and Corey Webster will miss this Sunday’s game vs the Panthers…..”They haven’t been able to practice, so we plan accordingly,” said defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. “If they are able to come around at the end of the week and play, that would be great.”
Struggling Carolina QB Jake Delhomme (finger) was placed on IR this week sparking questions whether he’ll return next season, or be released. “It all depends on the powers that be, what they decide. But I think they look at the whole body of work… We’ll just let that play out when it has to play out.”
In his place will be Matt Moore, a third-year player out of Oregon State. Moore had an eye-opening game last week vs Minnesota (21-33, 299 and 3 TDs) and even though he has a bruised shoulder is said to be ready for the Giants.
The Panthers’ defense has been tight the past month. The have allowed 13 ppg over that period…….they are still ranked 24th overall….their offense is ranked 30th overall….
Tagged New York Giants News |
I just wanted to thank all the readers and writers of Giantsfootballblog.com, but sadly I will be leaving this site. As usual always and forever go blue. I will still be writing about the Giants so catch me if you can elsewhere. Let’s hope the Giants win out and the Cowyboys/ Packers lose one of two.
-David Jacks signing off – STAY BLUE!
1. Stop Steve Smith
Last week against a good Vikings defense, Steve Smith caught nine passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, and that’s not including a ridiculous touchdown catch he had called back. Simply put, Smith is one of the most dangerous receivers in the league, and can be the best player on the field on any given day.
The Giants would have had their hands with him anyway, but with Corey Webster and Aaron Ross hurting, stopping Steve Smith will be one of Bill Sheridan’s greatest challenges. With new quarterback Matt Moore playing a competent brand of football (unlike Jake Delhomme), Steve Smith is again playing like the elite wide receiver we all know he is.
Smith can hurt you on deep, medium and short routes, and is impossible for one man to stop completely. It will be a team effort for the patchwork secondary. The majority of the work will have to be done by Terrell Thomas, who has had a great season. But the safeties will have to be in top form was well if the Giants are going to slow down this dangerous weapon.
2. Contain Running Game
In last year’s epic week 16 battle between these two teams, DeAngelo Williams thrashed the Giants for 108 yards and four touchdowns. Well Williams may miss this year’s game with an injured ankle, but his backup, Jonathan Stewart, is more than capable. Against a stout Vikings run defense, Stewart produced 109 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The Giants have done a good job of stopping the run recently, and they will need to continue that trend in order to stop the league’s third ranked rushing offense (148 yards per game).
And an added bonus to stopping the rushing game would be preventing Carolina from having two 1,000 yard running backs. Williams has already passed that threshold, and Stewart needs 198 yards in the next two games. If the Giants want to be the last team with two 1,000 yard rushers, stopping Stewart this week will go a long way.
3. Block Julius Peppers
Although he only had one sack against the Vikings last week, Peppers was an absolute monster. He dominated Bryant McKinnie all night, pressuring Brett Favre and forcing him to rush his throws. Aside from the sack, he hit Favre three times, causing coach Brad Childress to consider taking him out of the game when the Vikings were up by one point.
For the Giants, left tackle David Diehl draws the tough matchup, and he is not nearly the physical specimen that Bryant McKinnie is. The Giants are going to have to give Diehl as much help as possible, with double teams and help from tight ends and running backs.
4. Commit To The Run
For the past few weeks, I’ve been arguing that the Giants should not resist becoming more of a pass-first team. The way their team is built, with a strong quarterback and good young receivers, it would be foolish not to embrace the passing game. But in order to be able to pass the ball against teams with strong secondaries, you have to also commit to the run. Without a balanced attack, defenses can key on one part of your offense, making it one dimensional.
The Panthers have a great pass defense (fourth best in NFL), and while I wouldn’t let that scare the Giants from doing what has worked these past few weeks, I would suggest they try to stay as balanced as possible. Use the run to set up the pass, especially since Carolina’s run defense is seventh in the league.
Ahmad Bradshaw looked electric last week, so it would be a good idea to feature him heavily. And if Brandon Jacobs is ever going to reach 100 yards again, this is a great week to do it. Together, Bradshaw and Jacobs figure to put up a lot of yards if given the opportunity.
5. Cover the Tight End
Over the last seven games, the Giants are allowing the opposing team’s top tight end to average 6.4 receptions and 78.3 yards, allowing a touchdown 57% of the time. That is not very good, scientifically speaking.
The Carolina Panthers don’t have one tight end as talented as any of the guys the Giants have faced the past seven weeks, but they do have two solid young receiving tight ends in Dante Rosario and Gary Barnidge. Combined, the two don’t even have 40 receptions or 600 yards. But they are both talented enough to make plays when most of the defense’s attention is on the running backs and Steve Smith, especially against a team with the Giants’ recent track record for leaving tight ends open. It’ll be up to the linebackers and safeties not to forget about the tight ends.
Philadelphia Eagles: Well it seems the good are getting better. Starting RB Brian Westbrook has been officially cleared to play this Sunday for the Eagles when they play the Denver Broncos. Westbrook, who has only played in six games this season due to concussion injuries, will return to a Phili rushing attack that really hasn’t missed him all that much.
Both rook RB LeSean McCoy and FB Leonard Weaver have actually done more than they were expected to do filling in for the injured Nova alum.
Head coach Andy Reid said that Westbrook did “perfect” on his testing and he is “ready to roll” for Sunday’s game. Getting him back two games before the playoffs should help Westbrook and the Eagles to establish any lost chemistry there was before the injury.
Good news for the birds…I guess. I don’t really know though. Even when Westbrook was healthy enough to play this season, he hardly got on the field. The Eagles almost have too many weapons in their offense, which range from Michael Vick option plays, to FB screens, to DeSean Jackson streak patterns. I’m not really sure there is enough ball to go around for the playmaking Westbrook, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Dallas Cowboys: With a new kicker in town for the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo will be staying as the placeholder for field goals and extra points. However, his job did get a little harder with the new acquisition, as Mr. Suisham likes the ball held at a different angle than his predecessor Nick Folk.
“You’ll have to practice that and get things down,” Romo said Wednesday. “But I suspect that we’ll be fine with it.”
In other news from Dallas, FB Deon Anderson missed his second straight day of practice and it is expected that if he cannot go, backup TE John Phillips would take his place as a blocking back.
Frankly, I don’t think any of this matters if the Redskins come out and play like they did against us. Lets just hope the ‘Skins got some sort of east coast bias and an additional hatred for Jerry Jones’ Dallas team. Lets also hope that Washington gets the ball first in this game so Dallas can’t come right out and suck any existing heart left in that Redskins locker room.
Washington Redskins: This season just keeps getting weirder for the Redskins. Now, there is a controversy growing that secondary coach Jerry Gray has interviewed for the head coaching job within the organization.
Joseph White of edmontonsun.com writes, “There’s been a retired bingo caller hired as a consultant, a head coach stripped of play-calling duties, a front office chief fired and a general manager hired. Now there’s a question as to whether one of Jim Zorn’s assistants has interviewed for Zorn’s job — even though the position is not yet vacant.”
Apparently, Mr. Gray was asked whether or not he had interviewed for the job and had responded no. He then would not respond to the question again when asked. A few minutes later, team spokesman Zack Bolno had told reporters that the “no” had actually meant “no comment” further confusing the media.
I give up Washington…I’ve never seen a team in as much dissaray as you are. You’ve done it. You’ve officially become the most messed up franchise in the NFL. Good luck on hiring a quality coach to come next year.
Happy Holidays From The Staff at GFB………Here’s to a happy and a healthy to our readers and their families…..
Aaron Ross’ hamstring may keep him out of this week’s game against Carolina. He is day-to-day, but from what we’ve heard, the situation is not a good one….
No word on whether the league plans to sanction Brandon Jacobs for his role in Monday’s fight in Washington. If it hasn’t happened by now, it may not happen…….
After shattering the franchises’ single season receiving marks, Steve Smith will be seeking a lucrative contract extension. Smith, 24, is currently under contract until 2010 (at 550k per) and has earned a huge payday. Our thoughts: give it to him!
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The Giants’ players are fully aware that this Sunday’s game will most likely the last at Giants’ Stadium. The fans – both young and old – will be out in full force to say goodbye to the old girl, which has housed the Big Blue since 1976. It will be bittersweet to most, but for many – it’s time to move on.
……some random quotes…….
“If it is the last time we play at Giants Stadium,” said Justin Tuck, “we want to definitely go out with a bang.”
Tom Coughlin: “I remember many, many years ago before I ever got involved in professional football. Giants Stadium, I always thought, was the greatest football stadium in the world. It was always an honor, a privilege and an eye-opener to bring a college team, or whatever I was coaching, into that stadium.”
Rich Seubert: “I was fresh out of college, coming here for that rookie mini-camp,” Seubert said. “We came on a bus with all the other rookies, I didn’t know anything, I came from Western Illinois, when we walked down that ramp, I walked out that tunnel and took a little peek, it was special.”
Eli Manning: “I have only been here six years, but I have a lot of fond memories and great wins. Obviously for the fans and the ownership, it’s a special game for them. You think about how many great teams and great games have been played in Giants Stadium. It will be a special day for us.”
John Mara on his father’s decision to move the team to the Meadowlands in the early ’70′s: “I think people forget that at the time, it was about as controversial a decision as we have ever had in our history, and he was vilified, both broadcast and print at the time for “abandoning New York” and moving the franchise. But somebody pointed out at the time Giants Stadium was actually closer to Times Square than Yankee Stadium was…..”
Notes
The Stadium has hosted everything from pro and college football to professional soccer and landmark concerts including multiple tours featuring U2, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, The Grateful Dead, Green Day and Bon Jovi.
In 1995, Pope John Paul II held mass in the Meadowlands.
This Sunday, the team will have available approximately 60,000 programs that will sell for $1 – the price of game programs when the stadium opened in 1976. I have a copy of the original, btw……
At halftime, the crowd will be treated to a taped performance of Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball”, a song he wrote specifically for his last Giants Stadium appearance in October.
Tagged Giants Stadium, New York Giants News, The Meadowlands | ← Older postsNewer posts →
