Giants Talk: The Time Is Now

Losses to Eagles must end Sunday

DETROIT – What was to be a potentially dangerous game was not much of a contest sometime around the third quarter.

Yes, it was men against boys out there (and the statistics back it up). And yes winning 21-3 was nice when you consider everything the team went through in the previous 48 hours.

However at the end of the day, the win was only for bookkeeping purposes. It gave them the same record as their rival Eagles going into this Sunday’s big one.

The Real Big One.

Not many will be as big as this tilt at the New Meadowlands Stadium between these two. With even records, this game will go a long way in determining how each other Road To Dallas will shape up to be.

What is in it for both teams? It is the potential of not only winning the NFC East, but also the ability to claim a first round bye in the playoffs.

Chicago currently holds that spot, but if the Giants can end up with the same record, they would become the second seed in the NFC.

The loser would likely need three road victories in order to reach the Super Bowl.

The stakes are that high.

Philadelphia has been the hammer in this rivalry to the New York’s nail the last five times they have met.

There was the loss several days after finding out Plaxico Burress shot himself in that nightclub in December ’08.

There was the playoff loss in ’09 when the team in Blue had thoughts of a repeat trip to the Super Bowl.

There were the two losses last season, embarrassing because of the lack of defense by the Giants, surrendering 85 points in two games.

Then there was last month.

Every which way, the Eagles have been able to find a way.

The main reason is because the Giants have given it away.

Literally.

This cannot stand.

In addition to the five losses, the Giants have turned the ball over an astonishing 15 times. This is never going to get it done when the margin between these two teams are more even the 5-0 record the Eagles have suggests.

Call it “not getting out of your own way”, but any success the offense will appear to have mostly seems to end in the ball going the other way. None was more evident than last month when the Giants turned the ball over five times in a 27-17 defeat at Lincoln Financial Field.

Yes, the Eagles should have blown the game wide open by halftime, but they did not. Two turnovers deep in their own territory led to only six points. With the game on the line down by eight, Eli Manning had a first down on a scramble, yet somehow forgot his sliding mechanics and lost control of the ball as he fell to the ground that cost the Giants a chance to further move down the field for the tying score.

The flashy players in this matchup belong to Philadelphia so it is incumbent on the Giants defense, resurgent after their dominant performance here against Vikings, are looking for a second chance to stop Mike Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.

In the first matchup, they were able to contain them for the first three-plus quarters before the Eagles embarked on a 90-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to take the lead.

However, as teams figure out creative ways to get pressure on Vick, he has take an inordinate amount of hits. The Giants defense made Tavaris Jackson their sixth victim of the season last night and would love to make Vick the seventh.

What needs to happen is for the offense to wear down the smaller Eagles defense by pounding them with the running game. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have each had big game the last two weeks and with both backs feeling fresh and the return of David Diehl to the offensive line, they should be a market improvement over the 61 yards gained in the first meeting when all but one run in that game went to the right.

Also, this game is on Eli Manning, who has also been a major culprit in these losses, to protect the football and not put the team in disadvantageous positions.

Note to Eli: Assuming he plays, you may not want to throw in the direction of Asante Samuel (four interceptions in five games).

You are not going to beat the Eagles on sheer talent, raw emotion or brute force.

The Giants need to play with their minds. Smart plays instead of dumb ones.

No need for anyone to be a hero. If a play is not there, move on to the next one.

Too many times, the Giants have made the game too easy for the Eagles. Whether it be a missed tackle, long third down, poor kick coverage, running shorter routes or not protecting the football.

This has to end now.

You can get away with sloppy play against the Tavaris Jackson led Vikings. You cannot do the same against the Eagles.

This is the chance, finally to put this “Eagles Hex” to end.

The time to do it is on Sunday.

Giants Talk: Happy Road

Giants run over Vikings, keep pace with Eagles

DETROIT – After 48 hours of hanging out in airport gates, airplanes and hotel rooms in different cities, the Giants finally got on the field Monday night.

No one could have blamed them for being sluggish or a bit off their game considering everything the events of the past weekend. Yet, as evidenced on the field, this is as tough group in between the ears as any you will see.

The depleted Vikings were the victims in the Giants 21-3 victory at Ford Field, who with the win, stay tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East lead setting up the division game of the year on Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium.

“We’re pleased with the win,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “I was proud of the way our guy’s handled the inconvenience.”

If you were looking for style points, this was not the game for it. It was a workmanlike effort once they were able to find their running game and put the clamps down defensively, rendering the Vikings offense useless.

“It would’ve been easy for us to come in here and be distracted and not be focused at the task at hand,” said Justin Tuck. “But we did a good job. We did show the mental toughness this football team has.”

The combination of Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and offensive line had their way with the normally stout Minnesota run defense, which came into the game ranked fourth in the league.

Both running backs gained over 100 yards for the first time in December 23, 2007 in Buffalo and gained over 200 yards for the second time this season to bail out the skittish performance of their quarterback.

“We know we’re a good running team,” Jacobs said after his second straight 100 yard game, finishing with 116 yards on 14 carries. “Ahmad and I just go out do what we have to do to help the team no matter what it is.”

“We have a (offensive) line that wants to run the ball, and that’s what we do best.”
Most notable from this game was the absence of quarterback Brett Favre, whose shoulder injury was too severe even with the extra day of rest to allow him to play, ending his streak of 297 straight consecutive starts.

“I’m kind of upset that he had to end (the streak) against us,” Tuck would say. “I wanted the opportunity to hit him one more time.”

Instead, Tavaris Jackson was behind center and it did not take long to see that if Favre was in the game, he likely would not have made it through with the relentless pressure put on from the Giants defense.

The Giants gave Jackson and the Vikings several chances early in the game. Early in the first quarter, the turnover bug continued as Frank Walker stepped in front of Hakeem Nicks to intercept an Eli Manning pass, returning it to their 34 but was only able to get a field goal.

In the second quarter, Manning threw his second interception of the game, this time to Asher Allen, returning it to the Vikings 41.

For Manning, it was his 19th interception of the season and 11th against the Vikings in his seven game career. However, Minnesota only got three points out of the two turnovers as the first three Giants possessions yielded only one first down.

Jacobs would provide the spark the offense needed when he exploded for a 73-yard run down to the Vikings 13. Four plays later, he would score on a one-yard touchdown to give the Giants the lead.

“Our defense was playing outstanding,” said Manning. We just played kind of smart and didn’t give them any more chances.”

Late in the half, Manning would find his rhythm, completing six-of-eight passes on a 71 yard drive ending with a six yard touchdown strike to Kevin Boss in the back middle of the end zone to make it 14-3.

The Giants run defense, showing leaks the last several weeks, closed up all of the holes and there was nowhere to run for All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson. He would finish the game with only 26 yards on 14 carries.

“We just had to make sure he had no cutback lanes,” said Justin Tuck. “We played physical upfront, the linebackers filled hold and our secondary tackled well when he tried to bounce outside.

“We just played an all-around great game against him.”

Bradshaw effectively put the game away when he found daylight off the left side of the line and took it 48 yards for the touchdown, increasing the lead to 21-3.

Without a running game, the loss of receiver Percy Harvin (migraine) and guard Steve Hutchinson (thumb) in addition to Favre, Jackson had little place to turn to with the ball and became prey to a swarming defense.

“We wanted to have at least 11 men at football,” said safety Deon Grant.

The Vikings gaining only one first down in the second half until less than two minutes remained evidenced this. Jackson’s scrambling ability and elusiveness was to be a help, but it was not, sacked four times and hit 10 more on a night where he completed only 15-of-30 passes for 118 yards and an interception, eventually having to leave the game for a brief period.

Finally with 0:16 left, Jackson would become the sixth quarterback knocked out of the game by the Giants defense in a truly dominant effort that limited the Vikings to only 165 yards, the fourth time they have held an opponent to less than 200 yards this season.

In all, it was a resilient performance given the circumstances.

“I think they handled this in a very professional manner,” Coughlin said. “There wasn’t any complaining. No nothing. We didn’t have any frustration.”

With the win and the Eagles looming on Sunday, they probably said to themselves, “There’s no place like home.”

Giants Talk: Boos to Cheers

Real cheers to come as season hits critical point

EAST RUTHERFORD – What a difference a week makes.

All of those deafening boos the Giants players heard going into the locker room last Sunday were in complete contrast to what they heard after 30 minutes yesterday when nothing but cheers filled the air.

See Antrel Rolle, we want to cheer as long as you give us a reason to, and there was plenty to root on with the score 21-0 at the half en route to a 31-7 crushing of the Redskins.

”We’ve got to continue,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “Many, many big games coming up down the stretch.”

While the victory was nice, even the fans, despite initial worry of the 30 MPH winds at the New Meadowlands Stadium, knew the team from DC was going to serve as little resistance despite all the injuries the Giants had at receiver and on the offensive line.

Coughlin continued, “Getting better each week, playing better in the games, play stronger, being physical.”

After beating Washington for the eighth time in the last nine games, it has become apparent they are the equivalent of the “Homecoming Game”.

However, the fans look ahead and see that the real season will begin this Sunday in Minneapolis, where the Giants see the finish line. Their road to the playoffs will likely be decided over the next three games, and if necessary, the final game against these same Redskins at FedEx Field.

As Coughlin calls the final part of the season, “the fourth quarter”.

“It’s the time. It’s December in the National Football League. It’s the time.”

Facing the Vikings on Sunday, followed by the rematch with the Eagles the week after along with a day after Christmas game in Lambeau Field against the Packers is what the Giants have to go through in order to make the playoffs. Win at least two of those games in addition to beating the Redskins in the last game of the year would gain entrance into the postseason.

Four wins can get you a bye week and maybe even three. Winning only two may not gain entrance.
Justin Tuck would say after the win, “The reason we are still in this race is because a lot of guys have been thrown into the fire and have really stepped up.”

By getting two wins while depleted with injuries, the Giants will now begin to get some of them back. David Diehl is expected back on the offensive line and so is Steve Smith.

Hakeem Nicks may return this week, but it is likely he will be back along with Shaun O’Hara in two week against the Eagles. Given the way the reserves have been able to perform in their absence, getting them back can only be a bonus.

“Steve (Smith) and Hakeem (Nicks) back practicing so that would give us some more options,” said Eli Manning.

While those players were out, the Giants offense had to change the way it did business. The high wire attack that produced points but a league-leading amount of turnovers has had to rely on its rushing attack out of necessity and it has been very successful.

Facing a porous Redskins defense without the enigmatic and indignant Albert Haynesworth on the field, the Giants moved the ball on the ground at-will for 197 yards, with little need to pass with the wind conditions.

Manning said, “I thought we played really well, smart football.”

The new “conservative” offense proved to be just as effective and it is needed for the team going forward when there will be days when chucking it up 35 to 40 times will not be possible.

Manning continued, “When it comes to December in Giants Stadium you are going to have to run the ball and we were able to do that.”

They will also continue to continue the stifling defense put on display. Over the last six quarters since “The Booing”, they have given up only 13 points, returning to the type of effort that made them among the top units in the league. Harassing quarterbacks with their pass rush with their pass rush with their pass rush with four sacks and taking the ball away, which they did Sunday to the tune of six turnovers and if they would have held on to a few others, would have taken them in for touchdowns.

“it’s an important win for us,” said Terrell Thomas. “A very dominating win on our part, four quarters of football again.

“I’m proud to say that we’re back on track.”

Going forward, they will need to continue that effort to slow down a Vikings attack that despite the erratic play of Brett Favre, still possess big play weapons in Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and the recent return of Sidney Rice to go along with numerous talented players on defense inspired under new coach Leslie Frazier.

However, if the Giants have long memories, they can think back to the final game of last season for motivation. With their season over and the Vikings headed for the playoffs, Favre and his team elected to rub their noses in it with the game already in hand late in the second half.

“We haven’t forgotten,” said Chris Snee.

Sunday is a chance to extract revenge.

After that, they get their rematch with Philadelphia at home with a chance to stop their string of five straight losses to them and with a win, really begin to think big.

With wins, the cheers will only get louder.

Giants Talk: Running away

Jacobs, Bradshaw and defense key blowout win

EAST RUTHERFORD – Before the game, it appeared New Meadowlands Stadium was going to play against the Giants with the winds howling around up to 35 MPH.

In reality, it was the Redskins only chance.

Any real chance Washington may have had going into the game when away amidst their own internal dissension, the pounding administered by the Giants running game and an unrelenting defense in a thorough 31-7 beating to win their second straight.

“Good team win for us,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

“We added to our two core goals – the goal of playing solid, trying to get four solid quarters in, winning the physical battle and winning the turnover battle, and I was glad we were able to do that today.”

The win was their eighth in the last nine meetings against the division rivals. It also allowed them to keep pace with the Eagles in the NFC East and continue their edge over the Packers for the Wild Card. It was an impressive victory for a team still playing without its two starting wide receivers and offensive lineman.

Winning while those players were out loom large now as the Giants go into Coughlin’s self-described “fourth quarter” of the season with most of the healthy players expected back for next Sunday’s game at Minnesota.

“That would give us some more options,” said Eli Manning.

The combination of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw gashed the Redskins from the opening possession to the tune of 197 yard, making the wind a non-factor. It was the fourth time this season the rushing attack ran for at least 185 yards or more.

Said Manning, “When it comes to December in Giants Stadium, you are going to have to run the ball.”
A big part of the reason for the success was the loss of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who was a late scratch prior to the game by Head Coach Mike Shanahan after reportedly feeling sick late in the week and not practicing on Friday. The loss in the middle of their already porous run defense created plenty of lanes that patchwork offensive line, led by second year man Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe on the left side was able to find from the opening drive of the game.

On the second play from scrimmage, Jacobs took the handoff left tackle and go around the corner, exploding for a 39-yard run that set the tone of the game. Five plays later, his eight-yard touchdown run gave the Giants their first touchdown on an opening possession this season.

“That is a big help, just to set the tempo for the game,” Manning said.

The second drive was just as easy. Bradshaw ripped off a 21 yard run as part of a seven play, 59 yard drive ending in him powering his way for a four-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0 just over nine minutes into the game.

Only the Giants themselves could keep the game from reaching blowout proportions in the first half as Eli Manning threw into triple coverage on a first-and-goal from the Redskins 4 and had the pass intercepted by London Fletcher.

It was one of the few blemishes in an otherwise mistake-free game. Four plays later, Redskins receiver Anthony Armstrong would fumble that was picked up by Keith Bulluck at the Giants 49. He would have gone in for a touchdown if his momentum did not keep him from stumbling to the ground.

“I blame it on myself,” Bulluck said afterwards. “I have a handful of NFL touchdown off scoops, but that was the first time that had ever happened to me.”

However, there was no worry as Bradshaw scored his second touchdown of the game five plays later to make it 21-0.

The swirling winds affected a field goal by Graham Gane late in the first quarter. With the Giants running the ball the way they were, there was not a need to put the ball in the air as much. Instead, the offense resorted to short, quick passes, many of them going to Derek Hagan, who finished with seven catches for 65 yards and was getting so open that Shanahan has to bench his cornerback Phillip Buchanon at halftime.

Coughlin felt the wind was a factor during the game saying after, “both ends from the 30 in you could feel it, but in the middle of the field, it didn’t seem too bad.”

Manning only finished the game 15-of-25 for 161 yards, playing the role of “game manager” to a tee. The offensive line gave him plenty of time to throw when they wanted, not allowing a sack for the fifth consecutive game, a Giants team record


The defense, armed with the lead, the wind and an inept Redskins offense went to work, harassing their former tormentor Donovan McNabb, sacking him four times, two of them by rookie Jason Pierre-Paul, who recovered a fumble and appears to be growing into a force on the field.

“Coaches tell me, “Just go out and make plays”, said Pierre-Paul. “That is what I was able to do today.”

Jacobs capped off his day in the third quarter with a pretty 28 yard touchdown run to make it 28-0. On the play, he found a hole up the middle and put a shifty move on safety Reid Doughty, bouncing to the outside and strolling into the end zone for the seventh time this season.

“Just coming out and reading what I had to read, making a lot of one-cut runs,” Jacobs said after finishing the day with just eight carries, but for 103 yards. “(Ahmad) and I just had to come out, go downhill, no dodging, come right down the hill and whoever is in the way is going to feel it.”

Washington could not get out of its own way, turning the ball over five times in the second half on their final seven possessions, their only positive coming on a blown coverage that saw Anthony Armstrong wide open for a 33-yard touchdown for the Redskins only points of the afternoon.

Said Pierre-Paul, “We would have like to have had the shutout.”

Thankful for them, if they need it, the final game of the season is against this same Redskins team.
Perhaps then, they can get their shutout.