Friday Morning Hangover: Giants Shaping Up
After watching last night’s game from the press box and witnessing first hand the re-vitalization of the New York Giants, I feel better than I recently have about the upcoming season.
The offensive line was intact, sans C Shaun O’Hara (Adam Koets got the start in his absence) and they finally began to get some traction. Of the substitutes, FA pickup Shawn Andrews simply kicked butt during his time out there last night. He could be a steal and and half for this team. He was manhandling his men and picking up the missed assignments of others.
Kevin Boss is my favorite Giant, (O’Hara is second and Mathias Kiwanuka is 3rd) in case you haven’t noticed. Not only because their classy guys, but because they are tremendous competitors. Nothing excites me more during a game when one of those three do well.
Last night, Boss made two fabulous plays: a 22-yard reception over the middle and a 13-yard catch and dash to the end zone for a TD. His ankle and hammy problems appear to be behind him. It was good to see Eli trusting Kevin again. Let’s see a lot this in 2010. 75 catches for Boss would make me happy….
Kiwanuka sacked Brian Hoyer for an 11-yard loss in the second quarter. He’s getting good pressure and is playing the run better as well.
Matt Dodge is doing better, too. He will be fine. The only area where he might hurt is on the FG and PAT holds. Last night, Zak DeOssie snapped the ball a bit low on a PAT and Dodge could not get the ball in place in time for Lawrence Tynes to kick it. He got out of his crouch and attempted to throw it for a 2-pt conversion. It was intercepted by the Pats’ Jerrod Mayo.
Does Rhett Bomar worry me? Of course, but I’ll take him over Matt Leinart any day. Bomar is a good kid, who is learning and getting better, while Leinart’s career is going in the opposite direction.
Will Duke Calhoun make the team? I don’t think so. Victor Cruz is ahead of him, but that is no reflection on Calhoun. Cruz is ahead of everyone right now. It would be ideal for the Giants to get Calhoun back after Saturday’s cuts for the practice squad. That will be chancy, because a lot of teams saw that 60-yard catch-and-run he made for a TD last night. Someone else may grab him.
I’d hate to think the secondary was a problem area again this year after all that was done to address it over the off season. Antrel Rolle is a player. He had another pick last night. Kenny Phillips is getting his sea legs back. Michael Johnson and Deon Grant can be helpful just be being steady and consistent. But, it pains me to think what Chad Jones could have added to this team…..
Also, the Aaron Ross injury is troubling me. How long will it take him to heal that heel? I’m afraid to hear the answer. Bruce Johnson is not playing as well as he did this time last year. Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas are taking turns sitting out with leg ailments…..but the real games start next week. They’ll be no sitting unless the doctor calls for it.
