Three Things To Watch For in the New York Giants’ Final Two Preseason Games

As we have all come to learn, a team’s preseason play and record truly means nothing when it comes to the regular season.

Just take the 2008 Detroit Lions, for example. The Lions went undefeated in the preseason, but then went on to have a winless regular season campaign.

On the other hand, there is the New York Giants and their passionate and fierce head coach, Tom Coughlin. Coughlin usually expects his team to play well no matter if it’s the Super Bowl or the preseason. 

In the preseason opener, the Giants took on the Carolina Panthers and played a fairly good game. The first-team squads, on both sides of the ball, played well, and the reserves really didn’t miss a beat when they entered the game.

The Giants came out of the game with a victory, and more importantly, no injuries that could cause massive panic over Giants nation. The same could not be said this past Saturday night when the Giants took on the Bears in Chicago.

New York looked awful in all phases of the game, and it didn’t matter if it was the first-units or the backups. On top of the extremely poor play, Coughlin was not happy with the performance and let his team know about it.

The Giants broke camp at Albany today and have their next game Saturday night against the Jets, followed by a Super Bowl XLII rematch against the Patriots on Sept. 3.

Here are three things to watch for in the Giant’s final two preseason games.

 

1. The Wide Receivers

This past year’s offseason was filled with one question: “Who will step up and replace the former No. 1 guy, Plaxico Burress, and trusted veteran, Amani Toomer?”

Giant’s GM Jerry Reese got on that quickly when he used the team’s first-round pick in this past April’s draft on North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and one of the third-round picks on 6’6″ Ramses Barden.

Both players have had just average camps, even though Barden has opened some eyes and has somewhat out-played Nicks. Yet, Nicks and Barden haven’t really showed up in the first two preseason games, and it will be interesting to see if they can adapt to the NFL style of game.

Other than the two draft picks, the Giants have tons of depth at the receiver position, starting with Steve Smith and Domenick Hixon. Smith was sidelined throughout camp but made his debut against the Bears, and Hixon has been a non-factor in the first two games.

Rounding out the depth chart is Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham, David Tyree, and Derek Hagan. Moss and Manningham are both the same type of receiver and are battling for the third-slot receiver spot.

The battle between Tyree and Hagan is interesting because the winner will most likely see most of his time on special teams, while the other will probably be the odd man out and get cut.

 

2. The Defensive Line

In the offseason, before free agency hit, the Giants had one of the best defensive lines in the game. Then free agency time came about, and an already loaded defensive line got even better.

The Giants signed defensive tackles Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty from the Seahawks and Cowboys, respectively. Adding them to the mix, along with the Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins, and Jay Alford, New York’s defensive front four looked unstoppable.

Yet the injury bug has once again hit Giants camp, and it doesn’t look very good.

Bernard and Canty, who may be out longer than expected, have been injured throughout all of camp, and it looks like Alford’s season may be done after he did some damage to his ACL and MCL in the Bears’ game. 

Umenyiora looks fresh coming off of last year’s season-ending knee injury, but Robbins and Cofield are both still battling knee injuries of their own.

The area that is supposed to be New York’s hot spot on defense must make sure it stays healthy in these next two games, or bad things could come about for the defense as a whole.

 

3. Eli Manning

It looks as though Manning’s fat, new wallet was holding him down a little bit out on the field.

Manning, who is now a part of the $100 million club, has looked sluggish and out of sync with his teammates in the first two games. Nothing has happened in the passing game, resulting in two mediocre offensive performances.

Even though both starting offensive guards, Chris Snee and Rich Seburt, have not played due to injuries, that is no excuse for Manning’s poor play. He is a Super Bowl MVP and should be able to be productive, even when everything isn’t going perfectly for him.

Before the season opener against the division rival Redskins, Manning better make some solid chemistry with his receiving targets and just learn to trust them. He must get it through his head that Burress and Toomer, his two favorite targets, are now gone, and he has to be able to spread the ball around to a variety of different receivers to be productive.

The Giants cannot just walk through these two final preseason games and must make sure that they get solid productivity from everyone on the field, especially in these three areas.

Return of the Wind: Danny Ware Will Be Fine Replacing Derrick Ward

The combination of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward last season for the New York Giants was lethal, and was a key reason why the Giants won the NFC East.

Both running backs rushed for over 1,000 yards and were among the league’s best duo’s, along with the Titan’s Lendale White and Chris Johnson, and the Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

Ahmad Bradshaw, who was used mostly used to run down defenses in the fourth quarter, was also part of that three headed running game monster labeled, “Earth, Wind, and Fire.”

Yet, Ward left the Giants after that productive 2008 campaign, and shipped himself off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bradshaw will now be called upon to be the No. 2 guy being Jacobs.

Bradshaw as already shown that he can get the job done, when in 2007, he was called to get a majority of the carries behind Jacobs when Ward went down with an injury earlier in the season.

Entering 2009, Jacobs will obviously have to carry the load, and Bradshaw will be there to be the change of pace back.

Earth and Fire are set, but will the three headed monster come alive again?

Danny Ware, a University of Georgia product, is now in the picture to become the new Wind and replace Ward. Although the depth chart doesn’t go with the order of, “Earth, Wind, and Fire” these three running backs together can be better then last season’s group.

Ware, 6’0″, 234 lbs., somewhat erased the memory of Ward’s 1,000 yard season last year when he ripped off a a long touchdown catch coming off a screen pass last Monday night against the Panthers. For an average sized running back, he his quick, but could also deliver with the powerful run game.

Coming into training camp, Ware was in a competition for the third running back spot with the Giant’s fourth round draft pick in this past year’s draft, Andre Brown from North Carolina State. The competition quickly ended when Brown went down with achilles injury and his now out for the season.

If Ware can fill the Giant’s third running back spot, and Jacobs and Bradshaw can still be productive, the Giants should have no problem having a dominant running attack.

Plaxico Burress: His Legacy As a New York Giant

“Manning, lobs it. For Burress. Alone. Touchdown New York.”

Those infamous words from Joe Buck when Plaxico Burress caught the game winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII was the greatest line Giant nation heard since “Wide Right.”

Burress, right there and then, became an icon. He will always be remembered as the player who hauled in the most important touchdown in New York Giant history.

Burress signed with the Giants in the ’05 and he provided that number one target that young quarterback Eli Manning needed. Amani Toomer was always a good receiver to throw to, but Burress provided that vertical, big-play ability.

In his first few seasons with New York, Burress was putting up outstanding numbers and was always leading the Giants’ receiving corps. Whenever head coach Tom Coughlin was in need of a big play, he knew that Burress was the right guy to be called upon.

Although the Giants were a solid team, Burress’ first two years with New York both ended with first round playoff loses to the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles, respectively.

In ’07, New York was a Cinderella team and made a magical run throughout the playoffs, capping it off with a monumental upset of the once undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Burress and his teammates were on top of the world, and it seemed that nothing could go wrong.

New York entered the ’08 season with a chip on its shoulder. No one was giving the defending Super Bowl champions the respect that they deserved. The Giants started off the season hot and it seemed like capturing back-to-back championships was possible.

Then tragedy struck to not only Burress, but an entire organization.

On a November night in ’08, Burress was at night club when he accidentally shot himself in leg. Burress, who was with current Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, was rushed to the hospital to get medical attention.

Burress came away from the incident without any major injuries, but major consequences were soon to come.

He was out for the rest of the season, killing the momentum of the Giants’ offense. Manning looked lost without Burress and had to depend on young receivers to step up to be number one threats.

New York’s thoughts of another Super Bowl title were being questioned. They were totally erased from their minds after another first-round playoff lose to the Eagles.

Burress was released by the Giants this past offseason and is now going through the process of seeing of how much jail time he is going to receive.

Burress did a lot of great things for the Giants, and not many players can handle the number one receiver job in New York. He brought joy and tears to all when he caught that game-winning touchdown pass over Ellis Hobbs.

Unfortunately, all great things come to an end, and the Giants, as well as Burress, have to move on.

Antonio Pierce: Leader No Matter What

Antonio Pierce has always been overlooked and overshadowed ever since his college career ended at the University of Arizona.

Pierce was not selected in the 2001 NFL Draft, but signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins.

He played well with the Redskins but was still not a standout player, and it was understandable why he wasn’t drafted.

In 2005, he signed with the New York Giants and became one of the leaders of a defense that was on its way to greatness.

He was soon named one of the captains of the defense and truly showed what it meant to be a New York Giant linebacker.

As the past has told us, Sam Huff, Lawrence Taylor, and Harry Carson are some of the greatest linebackers ever, and although Pierce is not in that elite category, his heart and determination may soon propel him to that level.

The high point in Pierce’s relatively young career was when his Giants defeated the once undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. That defense rallied around Pierce and his leadership throughout that entire run.

Yet, he is still looked down upon and has not been able to change people’s minds about him.

During last year’s somewhat disappointing campaign, Pierce was under the microscope many times. His leadership was now being questioned more than ever because Strahan was gone.

Once November hit, it seemed as though the wheels were falling off the bus for Pierce, and everything was going in the wrong direction. Brian Westbrook was running up and down the field, and a Super Bowl repeat started to become uncertain.

Then tragedy struck, and former Giant wide receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at a night club. Pierce was there with Burress and tried to help him out.

Although there are many sides to the story, Pierce started to get into legal trouble.

This off-field distraction led to on-field chaos, and New York never looked like its old self, resulting in a first round playoff loss to the Eagles.

This leads us to present time and the upcoming 2009 season for the Giants. Big things are going to be expected from the team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Osi Umenyiora is back from injury, key free agents were signed, and the defense is starting to come together as a solid unit.

Even though some may disagree, this defense will not be successful in 2009 if Pierce is not in the middle of everything to call out plays and be the leader that he was meant to be.

Pierce has the right to wear the “C” on his jersey because he is not only a true leader for the defense, but for the entire team.

Also check out this article that I have written on www.BlogNYG.com and www.MetroAreaSports.Blogspot.com

Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are Bound For Greatness

Throughout the entire history of the New York Giants, they have always had a solid defensive unit and had great players on those defenses.

Whether it was Sam Huff leading the charge in the 1950’s and 1960’s, or Lawrence Taylor winning Super Bowls in the 1980’s and 1990’s, the Giants’ defenses have always been filled with outstanding players.

Yet, even though those two Hall of Fame players had great players and teams around them, two players on the 2009 Giants’ defense might make people think twice and may re-write the history books of the organization.

Those two players are defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, and both players are ready to lead this Giants’ team to another Super Bowl run.

There are no comparisons to make between Tuck and Umenyiora, and Huff and Taylor because both of those players played on different teams and different positions. But, the combination of Tuck and Umenyiora may make people reconsider how great this 2009 team can truly be.

Dating back to the 2007 Super Bowl season, Umenyiora was becoming one of the best defense ends in the league alongside of Giant great, Michael Strahan. Tuck really came into his own and really made a name for himself during that postseason.

The Giants then entered that off season with a Super Bowl ring and retired legend when Strahan decided to call it quits. That opened the door for Tuck and all the attention turned toward himself and Umenyiora, and what a lethal combination they were going to be in 2008.

The 2008 preseason came about and the Giants were playing their Giants Stadium brother, the New York Jets. Umenyiora and his defense were on the field when tragedy struck. He was making a move up field when he made an awkward cut on his leg. That awkward cut turned into a horrific knee injury, which caused him to miss the entire 2008 campaign.

If the pressure wasn’t already enough for Tuck, who was trying to fill the shoes of Strahan, he now had to be the main player on that defensive line without Umenyiora being there. The 2008 Giants went on to win the NFC Eastern division, but the absence of Umenyiora was highly noticed.

This now leads to present time, and the 2009 off season and training camp. Tuck has as solid, starting year under his belt and Umenyiora looks as though he his better and healthier than ever.

These two players have really never started alongside one another, but both of their styles are different, so this combination can work out well and go down as one of the greatest combinations ever.

Tuck provides the power and the strength, while Umenyiora is quick and fast off the edge. Offensive tackles throughout the league will always be having difficult matchup problems when they come across this duo.

The combination of Tuck and Umenyiora coming off the edge at defensive end will be giving opposing quarterbacks nightmares, and will make the 2009 New York defense one of the best in the NFL.

*Also check this article that I have written on www.blogNYG.com and www.MetroAreaSports.Blogspot.com

Boley Injury: Panic Or Patience For New York Giants’ Defense?

One of the worst case scenario’s that could have happened for the New York Giants this off season, happened last week.

Earlier this off season, the Giants signed free agent linebacker Michael Boley and had plans for him to fill in and start from day one with Antonio Pierce and Danny Clark. That linebacker core looks fantastic and would be very productive throughout the entire season, until something terribly wrong happened.

Boley had to go through surgery for his injured hip and will most likely be out for 8 – 10 weeks. That basically means that if that healing and recovering time is accurate, he will miss the next two months and who knows if he will be ready to play by Week one of the season.

With this injury taking place, do the Giants’ defensive coaches panic and try to rush players like Gerris Wilkinson and Chase Blackburn back into the starting rotation, or should they be patient and make sure that all players get their time and snaps?

If New York’s coaches did panic, that would not be the right thing to do and that would not allow the players to play their full potential. If they are just to be patient with everything, then the linebackers taking Boley’s repetitions will feel more comfortable and build chemistry with their teammates.

This also isn’t new for players like Wilkinson and Blackburn, who both started the majority games at the weakside linebacker position last year. They should have no problem at all getting back into the groove of things.

Second year man Bryan Kiehl, who saw most of his time last season on special teams, is another option the Giants can turn too to get some linebacker time in.

If Boley is not ready to go opening week against Washington, then the Giants will just move on with whoever is playing the best football at the time and wait till he is 100% and ready too go.

*Also check this article that I have written on www.blogNYG.com and www.MetroAreaSports.Blogspot.com

2009 New York Giants’ Defense: Shades Of 1986

When you think about the New York Giants organization, you automatically think about defense.

From the days of Sam Huff, too Lawrence Taylor, to even present day and the Super Bowl 42 winning team, the Giants have always been about hard nosed defense.

Yet, even though there have been great New York defenses, the 1986, Super Bowl winning team was one of the elite. Players such as Harry Carson, Carl Banks, Pepper Johnson, Leonard Marshall, George Martin, and of course Taylor, roamed the field for this outstanding squad that made offenses look embarrassing.

They were feared, and had a swagger about themselves, and made sure that none of their opponents left Giants Stadium without bumps and bruises, and black and blues.

Looking at the 2009 Giants, this team’s defense has the ability to be just as good, or even better then that 1986 squad. Veteran players are coming back, free agents are filling vacant spots, and rookies are finding their role on the team.

Marshall and Leonard were two of the best Giant defensive lineman in the organization’s great history, but Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck are looking to break that mark.

Umenyiora and Tuck, who have really started next to one another, can become one of the scariest tandems on the line. The combination of Tuck’s strength and Umenyiora’s speed can provide a lot of havoc for opposing offenses.

To go along with that lethal combination, New York also has veteran defensive tackles Fred Robbins and Barry Coefield, and two excellent free agent signings in defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and defensive line utility man, Chris Canty.

Although it is hard to compare anybody with the linebacker combination of Taylor, Carson, Johnson, Banks, and Reasons, this seasons Giants’ linebackers are very solid.

Defensive captain and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is coming back and ready to bring his defense back to the top. After Michael Strahan retired two years ago, Pierce has stepped up as the heart and soul of the defense.

Second year Giant Danny Clark and free agent acquisition, Michael Boley will line up beside Pierce and both bring unique qualities to the table. Clark is an excellent run stopper, and can also cover the pass, while Boley is quick and athletic, and can probably run with most tight ends and running backs in the league.

The 1986 defense did not really have that stand out defensive back, but the 2009 defensive back field is on the verge of being great.

Corner back Corey Webster as the been the number one man ever since the 2007 post season, and is counter part Aaron Ross should have a nice bounce back year after a rather disappointing campaign in 2008.

Kevin Dockery and Terrel Thomas, who have both made a splash over the past few seasons, will also get some more valuable time in certain packages.

Kenny Phillips, the Giants’ 2008 first round draft pick, is looked upon to be the next great safety in the league. He a big time player, who can run and hit with recklessness, which is exactly what New York needs. Michael Johnson, who emerged as a starter last season, will be relied on to have another successful season.

The 1986 New York Giants’ defense is one of the greatest of all time, and the 2009 team is trying to capture that same title.

 

*Also check this article that I have written on www.blogNYG.com and www.MetroAreaSports.Blogspot.com

Life After Toomer: Can New York Giants Succeed Without Veteran?

This entire offseason for the New York Giants has been circled around one question: How are the Giants going to replace Plaxico Burress at wide receiver?

It seems as though that question has been answered with Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, both getting drafted by New York in this year’s draft.

Yet, the bigger question that might be floating around the Giants’ wide receiver position is, how are the Giants going to to succeed without veteran leader Amani Toomer on the team?

Replacing a leader like Toomer might more a little more difficult than replacing a play-maker like Burress.

Toomer is the definition of what it means to be a New York Giant. He was a vocal leader on all the teams he was a part of and never bad mouthed anybody, no matter what the situation was. He wasn’t one these “present day” wide receivers who show boat and dance after touchdown receptions.

He acted like he had been there before and always respected the game.

From catching the game winning touchdown against the Denver Broncos in 1998 to ruin their perfect season, to defeating the once unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42, Toomer was always a beloved player by the Giant faithful.

Heading into this season, Toomer is no longer there, and New York will have to try to find a way too succeed without such a great leader on the field, as well as in the locker room.

The first player that comes to mind when replacing Toomer is third-year man, Steve Smith. Toomer and Smith have the same characteristics as a player and both play a similar game.

With Toomer no longer being around, quarterback Eli Manning will be looking to get Smith the ball on all three downs, instead of of him just being a third down option.

The Giants must also find another player who is going to be a vocal leader in the locker room, which is just as important as replacing him on the field.

Although his statistics might have gone down over the past couple of seasons, replacing Amani Toomer will be a hard task for this Giants’ squad, and they must find a way to win ball games without him.

*Also check this article that I have written on www.blogNYG.com and www.MetroAreaSports.Blogspot.com

New York Giants: Three Breakout Players in 2009

As the New York Giants go through their OTA’s and off season workout programs, the team is looking for some new stars to step up and have break out seasons.

Some shoes must be filled from the 2008 squad, especially those of Plaxico Burress who was released from the Giants earlier this off season.

Although Burress’ spot is biggest to fill on the offensive side of the ball, New York must also have great productivity on defense, as well as on special teams.

The defense must have a player whose going to take over the role of James Butler, who is now with the St. Louis Rams, because he was a veteran leader on that side of the ball.

A unique special teams player must also rise to the occasion, because if Domenik Hixon is going to be getting a lot of time on offense, then New York must have a solid return man who has the threat of taking it for six every time.

Here are the three breakout players, from all three phases of the game, who are projected to have fantastic seasons.

 

Offense – Steve Smith, Wide Receiver

With Burress now long gone, the Giants’ offense must now look for that one threat to go to when the time is needed.

New York drafted Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden in this year’s draft, and both players will be called upon to have great years.

Yet, as in the past two seasons, quarterback Eli Manning has always looked for a certain receiver to throw too when he is getting in trouble.

That player is third year man Steve Smith whose role should increase after the departure of Burress. Smith as always been used in the slot position and Manning always looked for him to be open on critical third downs.

Smith will now be looked upon more often because he has the most experience out of all the wide receivers. Hixon only started to come on towards the end of the 2007 season and throughout last season, Nicks and Barden are both rookies, and Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham, and David Tyree have all been plagued with injuries in their first few seasons with the Giants.

Manning will be looking to get Smith the ball on all three downs, instead of just relying on him to always be open on third down.

 

Defense – Kenny Phillips, Safety

Although James Butler was not the super star player of the Giants’ defense the past couple of years, he was a key component to the Super Bowl run as well as in last year’s division winning season.

He followed ex-defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo to St. Louis and New York is looking for a stud to play along side Michael Johnson in the defensive backfield.

2008 first round draft pick Kenny Phillips should have no problem filling in as the full time safety for Butler.

Even though Phillips was only on the defensive side of the ball on certain packages, he did have two starts throughout the year, and also got some valuable time on special teams.

Phillips is a hard hitting, hard nose guy who loves to fly to the ball, which we saw glimpses of last season and throughout his entire college career at Miami.

He is looked at by many critics and analysts to become one of the next super star safeties in the league, and if he continues to learn and grow as an NFL player, there will be no difficulty in him taking over.

 

Special Teams – Ahmad Bradshaw, Kick Returner/Punt Returner

This part of the game is very important to the Giants and Coach Tom Coughlin loves winning the battle of field position.

Hixon and R.W. McQuarters did a very nice job in returning kicks and punts for the Giants, but with Hixon’s role on the offense more demanding and McQuarters no longer being on the team, the battle for the return specialist is up for grabs.

Ahmad Bradshaw should come out of camp winning this job, even though his role on offense has also gone up and he will be the second running back due to Derrick Ward leaving for Tampa Bay.

Bradshaw also has experience returning kicks for the Giants and with his speed and agility, he always as the ability to take it all the way.

If he does a good job of setting up the Giants with good field position, he would be helping out his offensive teammates, as well as himself, in scoring more touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.

 

These three Giants’ players should all have breakout seasons and contribute to the success that this team is bound to have.

*Also check this article that I have written on blogNYG.com

Running Back Battle: Ware and Brown Compete for Third Spot

For the past two seasons, the combination of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw have gone by the name of, “Earth, Wind, and Fire.”

Jacobs was deservingly named, “Earth” because of his hard nosed style of running, Ward went by the name of, “Wind” because he was the most versatile of the backs, and Bradshaw was nicknamed, “Fire” because of his ability to show up defenses late in games.

Entering OTA’s and training camp, the Giants will have to replace their last group member, as Ward signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the off season.

This leaves room for third year Giant, Danny Ware, and fourth round draft pick, Andre Brown, to compete to be the third running back on the depth chart.

Although Ware has been around the league for a while, he really doesn’t have excellent experience in the game, and Brown is just a rookie, so it may take time to see if he really has full potential to be a productive NFL running back.

After catching glimpses of Ware in the preseason and toward the end of last season, you can tell that he has the ability to be New York’s third down running back. He is a fairly big guy, with pretty good speed and movement.

Brown, a 6’0″, 224 pound North Carolina State product, seems to be a pretty powerful player who could also balance out his style by having break away speed as well.

This competition will be very interseting to watch throughout camp, and whoever gets the nod as the third running back will have no problem replacing the shoes of Derrick Ward.

**Also check out this article that I have written on blogNYG.com and MetroAreaSports.Blogspot.com

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