It is the magic of three. And if you believe the third time is a charm and are superstitious about things like that, then you probably already know and believe that the Giants will win this Sunday when they travel to Tampa to take on the 9 - 7 Buccaneers.
So what is all this talk about 3? The Giants will face Jeff Garcia for the third time in the playoffs come this Sunday. In the first meeting the Giants lost when they botched a field goal (worth 3 points). In the second meeting they lost on a last second field goal by, you guessed it, 3 points when David Akers kicked the game winning field goal for the Philadelphia Eagles. Along with that, this will be the third year in a row the Giants have made the playoffs.
This year, the Giants get their chance to finally overcome the issue that has been called Jeff Garcia. And this Sunday the third time could really be a charm.
Many experts are split on this contest. Some say since the Giants are 7 - 1 on the road they should win this game, while others say after the emotional loss to New England on Saturday, the Giants might not have much left in the tank.
It was a smart move by Coughlin to play the starters on Saturday as they are still in "game" mode, where the Coach Gruden of the Bucs decided to sit his starters for most of the last two games and keep them fresh.
It will be interesting to see if the Bucs come out flat. And if they do, and the Giants play anywhere near what they showed on Saturday, the Giants should roll over Tampa.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Giants Hold Their Own Against the 16* - 0 Patriots
Eli Manning played one of the greatest games of his career, Kevin Gilbride called one of the greatest games of his career, and all of the players, played as if there was no tomorrow. When it was all said and done the Giants fell just 3 points short. Experts and analysts can go back and forth all day about how great the New England Patriots are. However, regardless of their 16 - 0 * (I'll talk about the asterisk in a second) record, I am not sold that they are great.
A great offense yes, a great defense? Not even close. If any of you, like me, were around for the '85 Bears, then you already know that team would more than likely beat this Patriots team. A great team doesn't surrender 35 points to another team, that, lets face it, should have no business competing with.
This has gone on for the Pats in a few games. A coupld of lucky bounces, a few favorable calls by the refs, and whoala, a 16 - 0 record. This doesn't mean the Pats aren't good athletes, but the best ever? No way.
Now back to that asterisk. We have entered an age where athletes take drugs to make themselves better at their sports. Coaches illegally video tape other teams. And what is the punishment for these acts? Absolutely nothing! In sports today it is shown to everyone that as long as you have enough money or can produce enough money with your skills, then the penalty for cheating is minimal. Will Mark McGwire or Barry Bonds' homeruns be removed from the record books? No. They cheated, made millions, and there will be no consequences.
Earlier this year, the Patriots were caught red handed cheating. They admitted to it and the coward Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, fined them some money and took away a draft pick. Whoopie! Now here they are, the cheaters themselves being celebrated for a 16 - 0 season (hence the astersik).
The proper punishment would have been to forfeit the opening game to the Jets and then ban them from the post season. But this is profressional sports, where money is king and cheating is ok.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com
A great offense yes, a great defense? Not even close. If any of you, like me, were around for the '85 Bears, then you already know that team would more than likely beat this Patriots team. A great team doesn't surrender 35 points to another team, that, lets face it, should have no business competing with.
This has gone on for the Pats in a few games. A coupld of lucky bounces, a few favorable calls by the refs, and whoala, a 16 - 0 record. This doesn't mean the Pats aren't good athletes, but the best ever? No way.
Now back to that asterisk. We have entered an age where athletes take drugs to make themselves better at their sports. Coaches illegally video tape other teams. And what is the punishment for these acts? Absolutely nothing! In sports today it is shown to everyone that as long as you have enough money or can produce enough money with your skills, then the penalty for cheating is minimal. Will Mark McGwire or Barry Bonds' homeruns be removed from the record books? No. They cheated, made millions, and there will be no consequences.
Earlier this year, the Patriots were caught red handed cheating. They admitted to it and the coward Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, fined them some money and took away a draft pick. Whoopie! Now here they are, the cheaters themselves being celebrated for a 16 - 0 season (hence the astersik).
The proper punishment would have been to forfeit the opening game to the Jets and then ban them from the post season. But this is profressional sports, where money is king and cheating is ok.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com
Friday, December 28, 2007
Giants Brace for the Storm of the Century
It may not be on the Weather Channel's radar, but come this Saturday, the Meadowlands and the NY Giants are going to be hit with the biggest most fiercest storm this team and stadium has ever seen.
Hurricane New England Patriots will arrive around 8:05pm EST and experts predict although the storm may last for roughly 2 and half hours, the greatest devastation that it will cause will probably occur within the first hour or so.
Although I use these analogies to describe what the Giants will encounter this Saturday, rest assure they are in for a big battle. However, the big question will be, do the Giants rest the starters and get ready for Tampa, or play them and try to foil the Patriots chances at history.
An even more glaring question is, can the Giants, even with their starters have a chance against mighty New England. Many experts, and most I agree with, say they have no chance, so sit the starters and get ready for the playoffs.
Although on paper the Giants are clearly not as good as the Patriots, this game has that same eery feeling that a similar match up had in 1998. That is when then the 13 - 0 Broncos marched into the Meadowlands, to face the Kent Graham lead Giants. The Giants had no business winning that game as they were to be no match for John Elway and the Broncos. A late TD pass from Graham to Amani Toomer sealed the victory, and as fate would have it, Toomer is yet again playing this Saturday in a similar game.
Toomer and Strahan are the only two players that remain from that contest in 1998, so maybe they can shed some light on what it might take to defeat the odds.
Regardless of what happens Saturday, the fate of Tom Coughlin rests in what the Giants accomplish in the post season and not in week 16. My guess is Tom will play the starters to try and win the game, but if it gets out of hand and the Patriots pull away early, look for the backups to get plenty of playing time.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/.
Hurricane New England Patriots will arrive around 8:05pm EST and experts predict although the storm may last for roughly 2 and half hours, the greatest devastation that it will cause will probably occur within the first hour or so.
Although I use these analogies to describe what the Giants will encounter this Saturday, rest assure they are in for a big battle. However, the big question will be, do the Giants rest the starters and get ready for Tampa, or play them and try to foil the Patriots chances at history.
An even more glaring question is, can the Giants, even with their starters have a chance against mighty New England. Many experts, and most I agree with, say they have no chance, so sit the starters and get ready for the playoffs.
Although on paper the Giants are clearly not as good as the Patriots, this game has that same eery feeling that a similar match up had in 1998. That is when then the 13 - 0 Broncos marched into the Meadowlands, to face the Kent Graham lead Giants. The Giants had no business winning that game as they were to be no match for John Elway and the Broncos. A late TD pass from Graham to Amani Toomer sealed the victory, and as fate would have it, Toomer is yet again playing this Saturday in a similar game.
Toomer and Strahan are the only two players that remain from that contest in 1998, so maybe they can shed some light on what it might take to defeat the odds.
Regardless of what happens Saturday, the fate of Tom Coughlin rests in what the Giants accomplish in the post season and not in week 16. My guess is Tom will play the starters to try and win the game, but if it gets out of hand and the Patriots pull away early, look for the backups to get plenty of playing time.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Giants Defense Steps Up Big Against Eagles
It was from 57 yards away, had the leg and distance but was just wide right. That was the game tying field goal, missed by Eagles kicker David Akers on Sunday. More importantly the missed kick represents a new trend for the New York Giants and that is a re found defense that makes stops when it has to.
For so many years, the Giants defense has been known as one that couldn't get the stop when it needed to. This year, with some better players and a much better defensive coordinator, Big Blue has its defense moving in the right direction.
I say the right direction, because they aren't "there" just quite yet. They do not have the top 3 style of defense that is synonymous with, "oh man we have to go up against that defense." Right now they are an excellent pass rushing, get after the QB defense with the players they have, but they aren't the physical, beat you up defense just yet.
In a few years, as Jerry Reese builds this team and brings in the right players, which it looks like from last year's draft, (that included Aaron Ross, Michael Johnson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss, all of who made the team) this guy knows what he is doing. I have no doubt this team is heading in the right direction.
So what do they need? Another young shutdown corner to start. Lets face it, Sam Madison isn't getting any younger, and Corey Webster can't play, so another corner to compliment Ross would help. As we saw on Sunday with both Safeties out for the Giants, that two rookies can step in and play just as well. That's not good if you are a Giants fan. Does that mean the starters can't play or that the rookies are that good? You wish for the latter, but accept the fact it is the former.
The safety situation is mediocre for the Giants. With Wilson as a steady starter at one spot and a revolving door at the other. These are positions that will need to be filled with guys that are top notch in this league, for the Giants secondary to improve.
Along with secondary help, they still need at least one, maybe two top quality linebackers that are physical, can cover tight ends and get after the quarterback. It was that style of linebacker play, that helped the Giants win two Superbowls, and it will be that type of linebacker play they will need if they expect to be dominate.
There is no question this defense and this team as a whole have improved greatly, but with a year or two more of building within the same system, this Giants team could very well be one, that could dominate this league for many years to come.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/ or iTunes.
For so many years, the Giants defense has been known as one that couldn't get the stop when it needed to. This year, with some better players and a much better defensive coordinator, Big Blue has its defense moving in the right direction.
I say the right direction, because they aren't "there" just quite yet. They do not have the top 3 style of defense that is synonymous with, "oh man we have to go up against that defense." Right now they are an excellent pass rushing, get after the QB defense with the players they have, but they aren't the physical, beat you up defense just yet.
In a few years, as Jerry Reese builds this team and brings in the right players, which it looks like from last year's draft, (that included Aaron Ross, Michael Johnson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kevin Boss, all of who made the team) this guy knows what he is doing. I have no doubt this team is heading in the right direction.
So what do they need? Another young shutdown corner to start. Lets face it, Sam Madison isn't getting any younger, and Corey Webster can't play, so another corner to compliment Ross would help. As we saw on Sunday with both Safeties out for the Giants, that two rookies can step in and play just as well. That's not good if you are a Giants fan. Does that mean the starters can't play or that the rookies are that good? You wish for the latter, but accept the fact it is the former.
The safety situation is mediocre for the Giants. With Wilson as a steady starter at one spot and a revolving door at the other. These are positions that will need to be filled with guys that are top notch in this league, for the Giants secondary to improve.
Along with secondary help, they still need at least one, maybe two top quality linebackers that are physical, can cover tight ends and get after the quarterback. It was that style of linebacker play, that helped the Giants win two Superbowls, and it will be that type of linebacker play they will need if they expect to be dominate.
There is no question this defense and this team as a whole have improved greatly, but with a year or two more of building within the same system, this Giants team could very well be one, that could dominate this league for many years to come.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/ or iTunes.
Plax's Big Day
He was hurt, hobbled and even went back to the locker room before kickoff, however wide receiver Plaxico Burress may have also been the inspiration that drove the Giants to a victory on Sunday over the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I'm getting healthy at the right time," claims Burress in the post game press conference, and if he is, the Giants offense may get that lift they were looking for as they head into the post season.
Healthy wasn't a word the broadcast team described Burress as he had to go back to the Giants locker room during pregame warmups and was nearly a scratch. The Giants wide receiver has been plagued with an ankle injury all season long. He hasn't paracticed yet, with the exception of the last few weeks, has bee having a great season.
On Sunday the Giants' top receiver caught 7 balls for 136 yards and a touchdown and has added to his totals of great perfomances against the Philadelphia Eagles, who he seems to dominate, and in this case, even when he is hurt.
There is no secret to Manning's success and that is Burress. He needs Burress to be healthy and have days like this in order to succeed. There were some catches out there on Sunday that Burress made that helped Manning have a nice day, and it is that type of performance Burress will need to put up in the post season if the Giants offense plans on helping this team finally get out of the first round.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/
"I'm getting healthy at the right time," claims Burress in the post game press conference, and if he is, the Giants offense may get that lift they were looking for as they head into the post season.
Healthy wasn't a word the broadcast team described Burress as he had to go back to the Giants locker room during pregame warmups and was nearly a scratch. The Giants wide receiver has been plagued with an ankle injury all season long. He hasn't paracticed yet, with the exception of the last few weeks, has bee having a great season.
On Sunday the Giants' top receiver caught 7 balls for 136 yards and a touchdown and has added to his totals of great perfomances against the Philadelphia Eagles, who he seems to dominate, and in this case, even when he is hurt.
There is no secret to Manning's success and that is Burress. He needs Burress to be healthy and have days like this in order to succeed. There were some catches out there on Sunday that Burress made that helped Manning have a nice day, and it is that type of performance Burress will need to put up in the post season if the Giants offense plans on helping this team finally get out of the first round.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/
Giants Nearly Fumble Away Game To Eagles
When Tom Coughlin arrived he made many claims as to what he would do for this franchise, with obviously, winning being the most important. That has been accomplished. For the third straight year the Giants will have a non losing season and will more than likely, barring a miracle by the New Orlean Saints (the only team left that can knock them out of a playoff spot) it looks like the Giants will wrap up a wildcard spot, and are still in the driver's seat for the #5 seed.
As a Giants fan you would have to look back to 1991 for the last time the Giants had this many non losing seasons in a row, as well as the same number of playoff appearances consecutively. There is no question, regardless of the heat Coughlin took early on here in NY, that the only thing he does do, and does it well, is win. More on that in a moment.
When he also arrived an even bigger challenge was to solve the fumbling problem that haunted former Giants running back Tiki Barber. He did that as well, and he went on to become the greatest running back in Giants history. That challenge has seemed to resurface these past few weeks, and it almost cost them the game against the Eagles on Sunday.
In for the Giants to go anywhere come January they need to start learning how to hold onto the ball in December. On Sunday, Jacobs put the ball on the ground twice, and Amani Toomer (although the call was correct, that it was not a fumble), put it out there as well. Whatever Coughlin did to fix Barber's problem, he needs to do the same for Jacobs. It is clear that in order for this team to be a contender they will need Jacobs now more than ever with the season ending injury to Ward.
When Coughling arrived in NY he was labeled as a "General", wears his players down, too much old school. Isn't that what you want out of your head coach? Someone who will make the players accountable for their bad play? There seemed to be a revolt against him early on in his tenure here, however those bad apples were weeded out and now he finally has most of his own guys here that play extremely hard for him.
Nothing was more evident in that as we saw the Giants defense step up big when they had to on Sunday against the Eagles after the first Jacobs fumble. When there backs were against the wall with the offense putting the team in a bad situation for the second straight week, the defense responded. The knock on the Giants defense for the past 15 years has been, that they just can not make a good stop. It looks as if Tom Coughlin and defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnualo just may have solved that issue as well.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/
As a Giants fan you would have to look back to 1991 for the last time the Giants had this many non losing seasons in a row, as well as the same number of playoff appearances consecutively. There is no question, regardless of the heat Coughlin took early on here in NY, that the only thing he does do, and does it well, is win. More on that in a moment.
When he also arrived an even bigger challenge was to solve the fumbling problem that haunted former Giants running back Tiki Barber. He did that as well, and he went on to become the greatest running back in Giants history. That challenge has seemed to resurface these past few weeks, and it almost cost them the game against the Eagles on Sunday.
In for the Giants to go anywhere come January they need to start learning how to hold onto the ball in December. On Sunday, Jacobs put the ball on the ground twice, and Amani Toomer (although the call was correct, that it was not a fumble), put it out there as well. Whatever Coughlin did to fix Barber's problem, he needs to do the same for Jacobs. It is clear that in order for this team to be a contender they will need Jacobs now more than ever with the season ending injury to Ward.
When Coughling arrived in NY he was labeled as a "General", wears his players down, too much old school. Isn't that what you want out of your head coach? Someone who will make the players accountable for their bad play? There seemed to be a revolt against him early on in his tenure here, however those bad apples were weeded out and now he finally has most of his own guys here that play extremely hard for him.
Nothing was more evident in that as we saw the Giants defense step up big when they had to on Sunday against the Eagles after the first Jacobs fumble. When there backs were against the wall with the offense putting the team in a bad situation for the second straight week, the defense responded. The knock on the Giants defense for the past 15 years has been, that they just can not make a good stop. It looks as if Tom Coughlin and defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnualo just may have solved that issue as well.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Giants' Focus Now Shifts Towards the Eagles
The commotion of last week's game against the Bears has settled down as the Giants prepare for their upcoming battle against division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last week the Eagles were in an uproar with a QB controversy after AJ Feely had a mediocre game in a losing effort to the New England Patriots. After he sputtered even harder against the Seahawks, fans in Philly are realizing that their 5 time pro bowl QB named McNabb, you know the guy who lead them to 4 NFC championship games and a Superbowl, should really be their starter.
Coming off of an ankle and thumb injury, McNabb claims he is ready to play. This match up against the Eagles will be far different then the one a few weeks back when the Giants defense completely dismantled the Eagles offense with 12 sacks, 6 of them by Umenyiora. Westbrook will be in this game, where he was out the last time as will LJ Smith and Brian Dawkins. More importantly the Eagles will have their pro bowl left tackle, William Thomas playing, and already that should slow down the Giants pass rush from the last time these two teams met.
Regardless of who is playing, the Eagles are a mediocre team, barely hanging in the playoff race. The Giants have an opportunity to put them away this week and end their season, something they didn't do last year when they had the chance.
Giants have a stronghold on the first wild card spot while the Eagles are dead last in all tie breakers for the final spot. A Giants win this week will all but assure them a spot in the January tournament while the Eagles start talking about what went wrong.
The win against the Bears was a huge one for the Giants. It has breathed life back into a team that seemed to sputter the last few games. The defense is doing well, and Manning actually showed some enthusiasm on the sideline after the touchdown call to Toomer was reversed in the Giants favor.
Maybe that win was the spark the offense needed to get out of its slump and start getting on a roll as they head to the playoffs. Last year the Giants limped in on the heels of now retired running back, Tiki Barber. This year, according to Antonio Pierce on WFAN's Mike & the Mad Dog show Tuesday afternoon, the goal is to roll into the playoffs, have momentum and carry it through the first week.
This Sunday will mark a huge game for both teams. A win by the Giants and they are pretty much in, rolling along, sending the South Philly team packing for warmer weather and some golf clubs. A loss, and the Giants just gave life to a team, who has the post season experience, to do some damage, if given the chance.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/.
Last week the Eagles were in an uproar with a QB controversy after AJ Feely had a mediocre game in a losing effort to the New England Patriots. After he sputtered even harder against the Seahawks, fans in Philly are realizing that their 5 time pro bowl QB named McNabb, you know the guy who lead them to 4 NFC championship games and a Superbowl, should really be their starter.
Coming off of an ankle and thumb injury, McNabb claims he is ready to play. This match up against the Eagles will be far different then the one a few weeks back when the Giants defense completely dismantled the Eagles offense with 12 sacks, 6 of them by Umenyiora. Westbrook will be in this game, where he was out the last time as will LJ Smith and Brian Dawkins. More importantly the Eagles will have their pro bowl left tackle, William Thomas playing, and already that should slow down the Giants pass rush from the last time these two teams met.
Regardless of who is playing, the Eagles are a mediocre team, barely hanging in the playoff race. The Giants have an opportunity to put them away this week and end their season, something they didn't do last year when they had the chance.
Giants have a stronghold on the first wild card spot while the Eagles are dead last in all tie breakers for the final spot. A Giants win this week will all but assure them a spot in the January tournament while the Eagles start talking about what went wrong.
The win against the Bears was a huge one for the Giants. It has breathed life back into a team that seemed to sputter the last few games. The defense is doing well, and Manning actually showed some enthusiasm on the sideline after the touchdown call to Toomer was reversed in the Giants favor.
Maybe that win was the spark the offense needed to get out of its slump and start getting on a roll as they head to the playoffs. Last year the Giants limped in on the heels of now retired running back, Tiki Barber. This year, according to Antonio Pierce on WFAN's Mike & the Mad Dog show Tuesday afternoon, the goal is to roll into the playoffs, have momentum and carry it through the first week.
This Sunday will mark a huge game for both teams. A win by the Giants and they are pretty much in, rolling along, sending the South Philly team packing for warmer weather and some golf clubs. A loss, and the Giants just gave life to a team, who has the post season experience, to do some damage, if given the chance.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Giants Season Saved On Forgotten Play, Coughlin Gets Lucky
Giants Season Saved On Forgotten Play
Eli Manning received all of the accolades for leading two touchdown drives that eventually lead to winning the game. The defense received its praise for making big stops when they had to. Something a Giants defense hasn't done since it was anchored by a guy named Taylor. No need to mention a first name of the greatest linebacker in history.
But the game saving play that no one is talking about, even though it should not have gotten to that point in the first place (more on that in a bit), is an open field tackle by rookie defensive back Michael Johnson.
With the game on the line and time running out for the Bears, head coach Lovie Smith signaled in a screen to Bears running back Adrian Peterson. The play went to the right side and was executed near flawlessly. The only man able to have a crack at him was Johnson, who made a diving shoe string tackle. If he had not, there was nothing in front of Peterson except the end zone and 60,000 screaming Bears fans.
Was it something that Johnson did right or did the Bears do something wrong? A little of both actually. When Grossman threw the screen, the wide receiver's job was to take out the defensive back covering him which he did, leaving the Safety, Johnson, to be taken out by a lineman. However the lineman threw a block on blitzing linebacker Reggie Torbor which slowed him to get out in the open field to hit Johnson. Johnson then side stepped the other blocker leading to the tackle, and ultimately saving the game.
Coughlin Gets Lucky
Let us rewind the game a bit. It should have not even made it to this point. With a minute and thirty one seconds remaining in the game, the Bears had one timeout left, it was first down and the Giants were on, roughly, the two yard line.
I believe Coughlin made a mistake by going for the touchdown. Instead he should have ran the clock out, and went for the game winning field goal. We saw it last year when the Saints did it to the Eagles, and it worked to perfection.
If you calculate the time you would see the following. First down, Manning hikes the ball, runs 4 to 5 seconds off the clock, then kneels, Bears use their last time out and now there would be about a minute twenty-seven. Second down, Manning does the same thing and the Giants are down to a minute twenty-three. Run off thirty-nine seconds for the play clock, the Giants are then down to fourty-four seconds. It is now third down, same play, and the Giants can now let the clock run do to four seconds left and let Tynes kick the game winning field goal of about 22 yards. With this scenario, your defense never sees the field, there is no threat of Devin Hester and no chance for a hail mary play.
We know that Tynes hasn't been the best kicker, but the bottom line is this. If you are afraid to put him in that situation, then he shouldn't be on the team in the first place.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com.
Eli Manning received all of the accolades for leading two touchdown drives that eventually lead to winning the game. The defense received its praise for making big stops when they had to. Something a Giants defense hasn't done since it was anchored by a guy named Taylor. No need to mention a first name of the greatest linebacker in history.
But the game saving play that no one is talking about, even though it should not have gotten to that point in the first place (more on that in a bit), is an open field tackle by rookie defensive back Michael Johnson.
With the game on the line and time running out for the Bears, head coach Lovie Smith signaled in a screen to Bears running back Adrian Peterson. The play went to the right side and was executed near flawlessly. The only man able to have a crack at him was Johnson, who made a diving shoe string tackle. If he had not, there was nothing in front of Peterson except the end zone and 60,000 screaming Bears fans.
Was it something that Johnson did right or did the Bears do something wrong? A little of both actually. When Grossman threw the screen, the wide receiver's job was to take out the defensive back covering him which he did, leaving the Safety, Johnson, to be taken out by a lineman. However the lineman threw a block on blitzing linebacker Reggie Torbor which slowed him to get out in the open field to hit Johnson. Johnson then side stepped the other blocker leading to the tackle, and ultimately saving the game.
Coughlin Gets Lucky
Let us rewind the game a bit. It should have not even made it to this point. With a minute and thirty one seconds remaining in the game, the Bears had one timeout left, it was first down and the Giants were on, roughly, the two yard line.
I believe Coughlin made a mistake by going for the touchdown. Instead he should have ran the clock out, and went for the game winning field goal. We saw it last year when the Saints did it to the Eagles, and it worked to perfection.
If you calculate the time you would see the following. First down, Manning hikes the ball, runs 4 to 5 seconds off the clock, then kneels, Bears use their last time out and now there would be about a minute twenty-seven. Second down, Manning does the same thing and the Giants are down to a minute twenty-three. Run off thirty-nine seconds for the play clock, the Giants are then down to fourty-four seconds. It is now third down, same play, and the Giants can now let the clock run do to four seconds left and let Tynes kick the game winning field goal of about 22 yards. With this scenario, your defense never sees the field, there is no threat of Devin Hester and no chance for a hail mary play.
We know that Tynes hasn't been the best kicker, but the bottom line is this. If you are afraid to put him in that situation, then he shouldn't be on the team in the first place.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://BigBlueReviewPodcast.Blogspot.com.
Monday, December 3, 2007
In 7 Minutes the Eli Manning Era Could Have Ended
An ending to what could have been the biggest trade blunder in the history of the New York Giants nearly cam crashing down on Sunday as the Giants trailed the Bears 16 - 7 with less than 7 minutes to go.
Giants QB Eli Manning has struggled for the better of the last 6 quarters he has played. His timing has been off and his decisions have been atrocious at best. Fast forward to Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears and you would have hoped young Eli would work himself out of the slump he was in.
For the first 3 and half quarters Eli Manning looked more like the remnants of Dave Brown, an offense that could not score, while the defense doing everything they could to keep the team in the game.
Throwing two bad interceptions, including one in the red zone, and fumbling the ball away when no one even hit him, Eli Manning's QB career, the Giants playoff lives and Tom Coughlin's future all laid in the balance of mistakes that were now magnified. As Joe Buck said during the broadcast, with each passing second and the Giants staring down defeat, the NY Media and the fans were licking their chops to scream at Giants ownership, that it might be time for a change.
Now in most cities, (even had they lost the game, would still be the #5 seed in the playoffs), the media frenzy, would not be this great. However, this is New York, where a guy can hit 50 home runs and the fans can't get him out of town fast enough.
With all of that in the balance. And all of the pressure beating down on his shoulders, Eli simply drove down the field, over 70 yards two times to score two touchdowns and now all of that bad play and all of those "oh no, here we go again emotions" are swept under the rug, at least for one more week.
In the final 7 minutes of the game, it was the Eli Manning that we all saw against Denver a few years back, and the Eli that we had all hoped the Giants mortgaged their future for. And it is the complete package of Eli Manning that frustrates Giants fans everywhere, because you just don't know which one will show up.
In week 1 against Dallas, he looked like a big time QB ready to step up this year. Then last week against Minnesota he looked like one of the worse QBs in history. No one can quite understand why he does his Jekyl and Hyde routine on a week to week basis, but we can all agree, we need to see more of what we saw in the final 7 minutes against the Bears.
One thing is for sure, the kid rose up in a big time situation, with a lot of people's jobs on the line. How did he respond? All he did was drive twice down the length of the field, and win the game.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/.
Giants QB Eli Manning has struggled for the better of the last 6 quarters he has played. His timing has been off and his decisions have been atrocious at best. Fast forward to Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears and you would have hoped young Eli would work himself out of the slump he was in.
For the first 3 and half quarters Eli Manning looked more like the remnants of Dave Brown, an offense that could not score, while the defense doing everything they could to keep the team in the game.
Throwing two bad interceptions, including one in the red zone, and fumbling the ball away when no one even hit him, Eli Manning's QB career, the Giants playoff lives and Tom Coughlin's future all laid in the balance of mistakes that were now magnified. As Joe Buck said during the broadcast, with each passing second and the Giants staring down defeat, the NY Media and the fans were licking their chops to scream at Giants ownership, that it might be time for a change.
Now in most cities, (even had they lost the game, would still be the #5 seed in the playoffs), the media frenzy, would not be this great. However, this is New York, where a guy can hit 50 home runs and the fans can't get him out of town fast enough.
With all of that in the balance. And all of the pressure beating down on his shoulders, Eli simply drove down the field, over 70 yards two times to score two touchdowns and now all of that bad play and all of those "oh no, here we go again emotions" are swept under the rug, at least for one more week.
In the final 7 minutes of the game, it was the Eli Manning that we all saw against Denver a few years back, and the Eli that we had all hoped the Giants mortgaged their future for. And it is the complete package of Eli Manning that frustrates Giants fans everywhere, because you just don't know which one will show up.
In week 1 against Dallas, he looked like a big time QB ready to step up this year. Then last week against Minnesota he looked like one of the worse QBs in history. No one can quite understand why he does his Jekyl and Hyde routine on a week to week basis, but we can all agree, we need to see more of what we saw in the final 7 minutes against the Bears.
One thing is for sure, the kid rose up in a big time situation, with a lot of people's jobs on the line. How did he respond? All he did was drive twice down the length of the field, and win the game.
By: Michael C. Podlesny
About the Author:
Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)