Jints receivers need to step up against Skins
EAST RUTHERFORD – On the first day of free agency in late February, the Washington Redskins fired a salvo by signing Albert Haynesworth, the best defensive player on the market, to anchor their defensive line at the hefty cost of $100 million.
His presence was brought to strength a good Washington defense, but it also was directed as their way of trying to shrink the gap between them and the Giants, who they will see on Sunday in the opener.
By placing Haynesworth in the middle, the goal was to slow, if not, shut down the running game and force Eli Manning to win the game by putting pressure on his wide receivers to make plays.
Yes, those wide receivers.
The never-ending topic surrounds the Giants this season as 2009 kicks off. On a team that is stacked talent and depth wise on both sides of the ball, it is this position that lingers as the only obstacle that lists them as a “very good team” instead of a “Super Bowl contender”.
Gone are Plaxico Burress (shot himself off the team) and Amani Toomer, two veteran guys that Manning trusted in critical situations have been replaced by a group that is talented, but unproven and inexperienced and until they keep defenses honest, will be disrespected.
Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon have been elevated to the starting lineup as the Giants look to incorporate a passing game to emphasis the whole instead of just focusing on one main target. The organization may or may not have kicked the tires on a possible deals for disgruntled Browns receiver Braylon Edwards and appeared to be close before the April NFL draft before finding the price tag to be too high in terms of draft picks, players and compensation needed to extend his current deal.
Instead, GM Jerry Reese opted to go into the draft for his receiver and selected Hakeem Nicks out of North Carolina. Early returns on him have been impressive, as he has slowly moved up on the depth chart with his work in training camp and showing great flashes during the teams preseason games. It would not be a surprise if he were to vault into a larger role and Manning’s favorite target as the year progresses.
EAST RUTHERFORD – On the first day of free agency in late February, the Washington Redskins fired a salvo by signing Albert Haynesworth, the best defensive player on the market, to anchor their defensive line at the hefty cost of $100 million.
His presence was brought to strength a good Washington defense, but it also was directed as their way of trying to shrink the gap between them and the Giants, who they will see on Sunday in the opener.
By placing Haynesworth in the middle, the goal was to slow, if not, shut down the running game and force Eli Manning to win the game by putting pressure on his wide receivers to make plays.
Yes, those wide receivers.
The never-ending topic surrounds the Giants this season as 2009 kicks off. On a team that is stacked talent and depth wise on both sides of the ball, it is this position that lingers as the only obstacle that lists them as a “very good team” instead of a “Super Bowl contender”.
Gone are Plaxico Burress (shot himself off the team) and Amani Toomer, two veteran guys that Manning trusted in critical situations have been replaced by a group that is talented, but unproven and inexperienced and until they keep defenses honest, will be disrespected.
Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon have been elevated to the starting lineup as the Giants look to incorporate a passing game to emphasis the whole instead of just focusing on one main target. The organization may or may not have kicked the tires on a possible deals for disgruntled Browns receiver Braylon Edwards and appeared to be close before the April NFL draft before finding the price tag to be too high in terms of draft picks, players and compensation needed to extend his current deal.
Instead, GM Jerry Reese opted to go into the draft for his receiver and selected Hakeem Nicks out of North Carolina. Early returns on him have been impressive, as he has slowly moved up on the depth chart with his work in training camp and showing great flashes during the teams preseason games. It would not be a surprise if he were to vault into a larger role and Manning’s favorite target as the year progresses.
As we have seen in these glorified scrimmages, the wide outs have been able get separation from their defenders, but Manning’s passes have either not found them, or the receivers have come down with terminal case of the “drops”.
Back in 2007, the team led the NFL in dropped passes. The percentages are likely they will lead the league in that statistic again. Many will remember in the dress rehearsal against the Jets where at their own 10 yard line, Manning ran a play-action fake and Smith was able to get separation on a deep post where, if completed, would have gone for a 90 yard touchdown. Problem was, the pass slipped right through his fingertips.
Hixon was also open on a curl route later in the quarter, but the pass slipped through his hands and into a Jets defender for an interception and eventual touchdown several plays later. Being able to convert on big plays and making catches in crucial situations will make the difference in whether this team will revert to the team that was among the leagues most prolific before December, or find themselves stuck in the mud, scraping for points.
As of today, Smith would be Manning’s most trusted target. Last year, the third year USC standout shined by delivering key receptions on third down to move the chains. Now his role expands to someone who is going to have to be consistent every week.
One player who will look to play a key role is Mario Manningham. A leg injury slowed him down in training camp and his few opportunities when he finally got into the game left much to be desired. A game breaking receiver while at Michigan was anything but for the third round pick who draft stock slipped because of various off the field issues. He claims that the injury set him back along with learning the complex terminology of the offense. This year, he is healthy and not thinking about where he should be, and rather, reacting. In the preseason games, he was able to get open and make a few plays.
The Giants are looking for more of the same.
Not every Super Bowl champion had a dominant number one receiver. The 1986 and 1990 championship teams featured the likes off Bobby Johnson, Lionel Manuel, Stephen Baker and Mark Ingram. It will take time to for this group to develop its niche in the offense and harmony with Manning.
It will need to develop quickly in a tough NFC East to stay afloat and be able to win a second straight division title, putting them in a prime position to gain home field advantage in the playoffs.
If they don’t develop, then Manning is going to feel helpless, teams will continue to disrespect them and they will not go where they want to this season.
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