Tag Archives: DJ Ware
This is no breaking newsflash.
The Giants ineffectiveness to run the ball has severely hampered their ability to dictate tempo in games and it has to change.
Brandon Jacobs’ injury has only heightened the shortcomings of the running game. His status for Sunday is very much in doubt.
So, once again, Ahmad Bradshaw will likely shoulder the load.
Bradshaw has had a rough season thus far, only rushing for 286 yards on 72 carries and has yet to rush for 100-yards in a game.
However, Bradshaw has confidence that the run game will get going and is not worried that he has to carry the load.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, da'rel scott, DJ Ware, New York Giants, Tom Coughlin |
With the news that Brandon Jacobs has a sprained MCL and is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, this opens up the door for DJ Ware to step up and shine in his absence.
While most of the rushing workload will undoubtedly go to Ahmad Bradshaw, this game still presents a chance for Ware to see what he can do. Ware had a good preseason and is a capable runner. Ware is excited that his number will be called more often on Sunday.
“It was my goal,” Ware said about his opportunity. “I didn’t know what the situation was going to be with any of the other backs. I felt like it was my job (to) go ahead and sign and hope for one of these opportunities like I have this weekend. Now I just have to make the most of it.”
Tagged DJ Ware, New York Giants |
What does a 97 yard touchdown run get you? If you’re on the Giants, it gets you a spot on the bench, and perhaps, a ticket out of town. Da’Rel Scott, who received only one carry last week against the Bears and took it to the house, did not get a chance to build on his exciting run against the Jets. Even with Ahmad Bradshaw being limited and Brandon Jacobs getting ejected, Scott did not see the field once.
It’s possible that Scott will get an extended look on Thursday against the Patriots, as Coughlin could rest most of the starters instead of play them on two days rest (ridiculous…I can’t even play frisbee golf on two days rest). Regardless, it was disappointing that Scott didn’t have a chance to run behind the first (or second) team offensive line.
Scott was drafted because he has something the Giants have lacked from the running back position for years: true breakaway speed. He has already proven that he’s a legitimate burner in pads, he just needs to stay healthy and cut down on his fumbles (a fixable problem). The biggest remaining question for him, and every rookie, is how his talents will translate to NFL game speed. Well, there’s no way to find out if he doesn’t actually get a chance to play in real live games.
DJ Ware has looked solid this pre-season, and Giants brass seem as if they really want him to make the team. It could be that Scott and Andre Brown are battling for one roster spot, a battle in which Brown seems to have a leg up, for some reason I do not understand. Or it could be that neither has a real shot to make the 53-man squad.
One thing I do know is that the Giants would be foolish to believe they can sneak Scott onto the practice squad. As we speak, Al Davis is watching youtube videos of Da’Rel’s 40-yard dash.
Tagged Andre Brown, da'rel scott, DJ Ware, pre season |
Ahmad Bradshaw will likely not play in tomorrow’s pre-season battle versus the Jets, due to lingering soreness in his back. Bradshaw’s absence will result in more carries for the handful of running backs looking to make the roster. DJ Ware, Andre Brown, Da’Rel Scott and Charles Scott are likely battling for one, maybe two roster spots.
Ware scored on a short touchdown run against the Bears, but has not shown much otherwise. He has been around for a few years, and although he has had his moments, he’s never capitalized on the chances he has been given. Brown has impressed coaches with his renewed quickness in camp, but has not shown that explosiveness yet in the pre-season games.
Da’Rel Scott has not been given many chances in the first two games, leading me to believe that he entered week two of the pre-season behind Ware and Brown on the depth chart. After his 97-yard touchdown run on Monday night, I expect to see him get a much longer look the rest of the pre-season. He could benefit the most from Bradshaw’s absence.
Charles Scott is an interesting case. He’s unlikely to beat out any of the three aforementioned backs based on just his running ability, but it should be noted that he was in as a fullback on Da’Rel Scott’s long run, and he delivered a key block. With none of the other fullbacks showing much in pre-season games, perhaps the coaches will fall in love with Charles Scott’s versatility. I’d still consider him the long shot in this group, as Henry Hynoski has shown more in practice and is much more likely to be kept, but Charles Scott’s ability to play fullback is something to consider.
It should be interesting to see which of Ware, Brown and Da’Rel Scott inherit first team touches.
Tagged Andre Brown, Charles Scott, da'rel scott, DJ Ware |
OK…well as long as no one was injured in the last ten minutes, I think I’m ready to unveil my final roster projection for 2011. We still have two preseason contests to go, but right around now is when the decisions start to become clear. So let’s jump right in with QB.
QB Keeping 2: In 2011, NFL teams now have the luxury of dressing 46 players on game day. This essentially means that the 3rd string QB is no longer an “emergency option.” The Giants have chosen to forgo the 3rd QB all together since 2008, and I’m not so sure that changes this season. Obviously Eli is the number 1, but he heads up a current corps of 4 talented signal callers.
David Carr (first pick ever of the Houston Texans in 2002) is my favorite to win the job, and not just because he is less expensive than the other veteran alternative. Yes he is about 2 million cheaper than Sage Rosenfels, but he is also equally talented and more versatile. Quite frankly, I expected him to win the starting job in San Francisco last year and I still think he will be a starter again in this league before he retires. Rosenfels may also be trade bait for another CB (more later).
I don’t see Ryan Perrilloux, the raw first year player out of LSU/Jacksonville State making the team despite the new accommodation on gamedays for QBs. The roster is too tight in other areas to find room for a project at a position with an established starter.
Tagged Andre Brown, DJ Ware, Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, jimmy kennedy, Linval Joseph, mark herzlich, Matt Dodge, Terrell Thomas, Tyler Sash, Victor Cruz |
In 2010 The New York Giants went 10 & 6 and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. They were embarrassed at home against the Tennessee Titans, lost for the fifth straight time against a not as talented Philadelphia Eagle squad, only to suffer the largest collapse in team history against the same team 4 weeks later.
The once mighty NY Giants defense allowed 347 points ranking them 17th in this category. The fans waited and held their breath for 137 plus days for their beloved New York Giants to take the field after the lock out.
Tagged 2011 Free Agency, Barret Rudd, da'rel scott, DJ Ware, Jason Snelling, Kevin Boss, New York Giants Defense, Nick Barnett |
You may be asking yourself who is Da’Rel Scott? And why should I care?
Well, there is a myth that great running backs can be found in the later rounds and while there has been some great backs drafted in rounds four through seven…I wouldn’t say that drafting a back in the later rounds has proven reliable. Especially when you look at multi-year starting running backs in the NFL over the last 10 years
Yes, there has been some great backs like Terrell Davis, Michael Turner, Chester Taylor, Peyton Hillis, Leon Washington, Justin Forsett and Marion Barber all drafted in later rounds. The New York Giants even made a little back from Marshall named Ahmad Bradshaw a household name.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, da'rel scott, DJ Ware, Maryland Terps Football, Michael Turner, New York Giants Blogs, Peyton Hillis, Terrell Davis |
Sorry for the delay folks but we are going to do a brief version of Depth Detangler tonight.
The running back stable is pretty straight forward right now. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are the number 1s and as long as both can stay healthy, will see the majority of the carries.
The only real question mark lies with DJ Ware and whether or not the team has faith in him. Can he consistently stay healthy and provide a quick pair of legs to change the pace? Can he be counted on to return kicks and punts? If not, he’s gone, if yes he stays. I told you it was simple.
We will get a glimpse tonight as he is returning from his second career concussion. With Aaron Ross out indefinitely, the Giants may just be forced to keep him around if he can make any type of impact in the return game. His injury prone history could of course continue to be an issue. Return game wise, the Giants are desperate.
Andre Brown is a lock and has shown flashes of potential on both special teams and offense. Gartrell Johnson will be one of the 22 sent home this weekend.
Less than two hours before the last preseason game the more pressing question is which players will seize the last two or three slots. Most of the decisions are likely made but nothing is in cement. Victor Cruz can jump from 90% certainty to 100% with a nice kick return tonight. That is obviously a big point of interest for the organization as well as the fans.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Andrew Brown, Brandon Jacobs, DJ Ware, Gartrell Johnson |
A 7 point loss?…we’ll take it. This was no ordinary game for the Giants. No the game didn’t count. However, meaningless or not, the Giants found themselves with their back to the wall in the early month of August.
A 24-17 defeat is not exactly disappointing when you consider the circumstances. New York played the entire game with a third string QB. How many times have you witnessed a third string QB even play a series at the pro level, let alone an entire game?
That said, here’s what we learned:
-Rhett Bomar had an oppurtunity to solidify a roster spot and perhaps the nod for immediate backup to Manning. He struggled tonight and despite some good plays, including an impressive deep toss to Steve Smith in tight coverage, Bomar did not play up to par. He seemed to struggle more agasint Pittsburgh’s reserve players and was unable to keep a critical pass to Tim Brown in bounds on the final drive. In a regular season game, his play would be unnaceptable.
I still expect a veteran QB to be brought in after final cuts. The Giants waited on two major free agent signings this year (Keith Bulluck and ShawnAndrews). Just because they didn’t look to make a deal this week, don’t overlook the possiblity of a veteran presence being added.
Even if Jim Sorgi is healthy by Week 1, the fact remains that he is a veteran with very limited “hands on” experience. Bomar is a young player with very little experience period.
If Kerry Collins is cut by the Titans, the Giants will likely be interested.
-Victur Cruz was unable to match his explosive first game. His single catch for 10 yards coupled with his botched punt returns likely didn’t wow the coaching staff. He’s a work in progress but he is probably still in good shape roster wise.
Sinorice Moss was barely used tonight (if at all). Regadless of Moss, Cruz has shown the same amount if not more potential that Moss has in a fifth of the time. The Giants want to see what the young man can do. There is no sense in cutting him, only to see him wind up with another team as a main offensive weapon (see Ryan Grant, Packers 2007).
There are two other threats to Cruz’s claim for the final WR spot. Rutgers alum Tim Brown had a nice catch towards the end of the game. Unfortunately, that catch came on the same throw mentioned earlier by Bomar. The ball sailed too close to the sidelines for anyone to haul in with both feet in. Brown is likely headed to the practice squad. His main selling point this training camp was his return game prowess. He hasn’t been used thus far in a game situation as a return man though. The Giants like him and if he clears waivers they’ll have an oppurtunity to keep him.
Travis Beckum is also an indirect challenge to Cruz’s spot. Beckum is techinically a TE. However, he has promise as a slot receiver. He also showe some nice blocking ability tonight. despite being undersized. If the Giants choose to bring in 3 true TE’s and Beckum, Cruz might run into problems. This isn’t likely though. Scott Chandler isn’t making noise.
-DJ Ware was carted off the field waving and smiling to the fans. In all seriousness, that may have been because he was completely out of it. The Giants confirmed that Ware did in fact suffer anotehr concussion tonight. Ware makes Sinorice Moss looks like a pictures of health. He simply can’t stay off the injury report. For this reason, and the fact that he has now suffered multiple concussions, the Giants may have to part ways with him (or at least place him on IR). Aaron Ross’s big return tonight could help him solidify a return job, which would lessen the need for Ware on the roster. That said, Ross may see time as a starter this year and at the very least he’d be the nickel corner. Andre Brown will have to nail down the other return job for the Giants to feel comfortable.
-The defensive line made a statement on the opening drives. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora had a good night and made plays in the backfield. Chris Canty got decent pressure, as did Rocky Bernard. Bernard helped the Giants escape the first half with a goal line stand when he laid on top of the Steeler ball carrier an extra few seconds to keep the click winding down to 0:00.
Interestingly enough, Jay Alford entered the game after Linval Joseph. It would appear that the Orange, NJ native is now 5th on the depth chart at DT. Jason Pierre-Paul flashed potential tonight, but left the crowd wanting more. He let a sure sack slip through his grasp.
-Kenny Phillips and Keith Bulluck played 1 series during the first half. Bulluck, making his Giants debut was in on a tackle deep in the redzone. Phillips looked good after nearly a year away. The Giants hope that both him and Antrel Rolle become a staple tandem in the backfield for years to come. Both players have enormous potential and both players are from the legendary U.
Tagged Aaron Ross, Andrew Brown, Antrel Rolle, DJ Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jim Sorgi, Justin Tuck, Keith Bulluck, Kenny Phillips, Linval Joseph, Osi Umenyiora, Rhett Bomar, Rocky Bernard, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, Tim Brown, Travis Beckum, Victor Cruz |
-Victor Cruz. 3 TD’s? Granted they came agaisnt backups or lower, but the young receiver still showed valuable ball handeling skills and at least two of his big catches came in tight coverage. Cruz is also the first player to haul in 3 TDs in a single pre-season game since T.O. in 1998. If Moss beats him out… well frankly it just won’t happen.
- Chase Blackburn has a sprained knee. Clearly we won’t see him again before the regular season, if we see him at all. The linebacking corps is crowded. As good as Blackburn has been for New York over the past five years, if he can’t contribute for a month or two he might be headed towards the chopping block.
-Speaking of Blackburn, Gerris Wikinson, showed signs of life. Not good for a laid up linebacker.
-Jim Sorgi has a cannon and Rhett Bomar has wheels. The Giants will probably be forced to cut at least one and early on it seemed that Sorgi was a fish out of water without a clipboard in his hand. His poor play was likely a result of a struggling offensive line. His play swiftly picked up when Cruz and Hagan took the field. Sorgi is still the favorite to be the backup QB after showing marked improvement throughout the second half.
-DJ Ware had a decent showing against non 3rd stringers for the first time ever. Maybe Andre Brown isn’t entrenched at number 3.
-Jason Pierre-Paul seems to have come a long way from collapsing at his first pro practice back in May. 1 sack later, I am very interested to see how he factors in to the regular season attack this year.
Tagged Chase Blackburn, DJ Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jim Sorgi, Victor Cruz | ← Older posts
