Major Blog Announcement

I have currently switched my blog over to wordpress.com  I am working on making Giants Outsider into a .com.  You can visit the new Giants Outsider @  http://www.giantsoutsider.com/

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NY Giants 20 SD Chargers 21 Week 9 Post Game

After yesterdays loss to the San Diego Chargers the New York Giants are getting closer and closer to the end of the 2009 season. Now that the Giants are 5-4 heading in to their bye week, they better have a good plan heading into the final seven games of the season. They will have to win at least five of the last seven games to get into the playoffs.

Here is my post game breakdown of yesterdays 21-20 loss to the Chargers.

Good

• Eli Manning truly stepped up and played a great game. He had one delay of game penalty whcich would be nice if he could totally negate those. Other then that his numbers were very strong. ( 25-33 215 yards and 2 TD's )
• Brandon Jacobs once again came out and ran the ball very well. He had well over five yards a carry. Unfortunately the Giants didn't stick with him the way they did on their first drive. He ended the day with 11 carries for 67 yards.
• The defense as a whole played with fire and inspiration for 58 minutes of the game by recording 5 sacks within that time.
• Eli Manning and his receivers got back in their groove of hitting on third and long situations throughout the game.
• The Giant defense was able to shutdown the Chargers run game to 37 yards total.

Bad

• The botched field goal. Not matter whose fault it is, it is a bad play that in the end was part of the reason the Giants lost.
• Corey Webster's coverage on Vincent Jackson was really bad. It seemed like Jackson had no problem shaking Webster when ever he wanted to.
• Why is Danny Clark covering Antonio Gates?
• Why is Justin Tuck covering Antonio Gates?
• The two questions above lead me to believe that Bill Sheridan has been trying to be a little to cute with the defense. Keep Michael Boley covering the tight end. And before Gerris Wilkinson got hurt, why couldn't he cover Gates? Or better yet, Clint Sintim has the speed and ability to be in space as well.
• Also Mr. Sheridan, why were the Giants in a cover 2 when Jackson scored the game winning touchdown? The defense should have been playing the end zone since the Chargers needed a touchdown with less then a minute in the game and only one time out.
• Kevin Gilbride played it conservative on the Giants last drive and settling with a field goal. The Giants had the oppurtunity with the Terrell Thomas interception to put the game away. Nevermind the Chris Snee holding, the offense could have taken some shots at the end zone to put the nail in the coffin.
• The main reason the Giants lost this game is because of penalties. You can't win a game when you are not worried about letting your teammates down. The Giants racked up 9 penalties for 104 yards.

Log on to Giants Outsider throughout the week for continued New York Giants coverage and analysis.

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NY Giants - San Diego Chargers Week 9 Preview

WHEN:  Sunday November 8th at 4:15pm EST
WHERE:  Giants Stadium,  East Rutherford, NJ
TV:  CBS

It is no secret that when the New York Giants play the San Diego Chargers on Sunday that the Giants must win going into the bye week to put a hault to thei three game losing streak.

KEYS TO THE GAME

• Contain Darren Sproles on kickoff and punt coverage as well as in the running game because this guy is lightning in a bottle that can strike at any moment.  With Sproles being small and quick the Giants will need to make sure they are on point with their tackling and positioning.
  
• Pressure Philip Rivers to keep the Chargers from being able to attack down field.  The Chargers have a great passing game and are able to make big plays by throwing down field.  The Giants need to take advantage of the injuries along the Chargers offensive line.
• Set the tone on offense by giving the ball to Brandon Jacobs to run through the Chargers defense.  I would like to see Jacobs put Shawne Merriman on his butt all game.  Running the ball will slow down the game and keep the Charger offense off the field as well. 
• And of course most importantly the Giants need to communicate.  C.C. Brown isn't that bad.  He just hasn't been on the same page as the rest of the defense and he hasn't been the only guy out of sync and out of position.

Log on to Giants Outsider for continued New York Giants coverage and analysis. 

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The NY Giants Main Problem

Whoever thinks C.C. Brown is the main person to blame for the New York Giants woes lately is totally not in tuned with what is going on. The main problem that has manifested itself with this team is complacency. It is purely common sense that this is the problem and my first reason is that the Giants had a soft first five weeks excluding the Cowboys who took some time to get in the flow they are in now. When you get complacent you take things for granted and make minor mistakes. When you make those mistakes,  it will cost your team in a big way.

For example last week against the Eagles a simple miscommunication between Corey Webster and C.C. Brown on what coverage was being implemented gave Donovan McNabb a wide open DeSean Jackson to throw to. And in the end they got an easy 6 points to close the half out.

Another situation was when Lesean McCoy broke through the Giants defense for a huge touchdown run. If you notice at the beginning of the play the Giants have only two guys with their hands on the ground. Osi Umenyiora and some other defenders are standing and looking at Antonio Pierce for direction. This took them out of the play since they were not prepared for the play to start.

These have been the types of things that have not haunted the Giants for a while and now they have creeped back in.  Right now they have dug themselves a hole that they know how to get out of. They need to just play the game and not worry about all of the audibles and play calls. They need to use their instincts and ability and play with heart and emotion.

That is what has been reiterated throughout the team this week and I totally agree. This weeks game will be no different from the past few weeks in regards to the competition when the Giants face off against the San Diego Chargers.

I am calling it now, this will be the week that starts the run at the Super Bowl for the New York Football Giants

 The reason I say this is that it is times like these that have brought the Giants together and made them a very dangerous team. Don't forget,  "Talk is cheap play the game".

Log on to Giants Outsider throughout the week for New York Giants coverage and analysis.

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Outside The Blue - Week 8

Observations from Week 8 in the NFL

• The New Orleans Saints defense is looking more and more for real. It will be interesting to see how they hold up being undefeated as the season wears on. Their schedule is very favorable for them to go undefeated. 
• The Titans got their first win of the season and it was Vince Young who started at quarterback. He will have to rest of the season to prove his worthiness of being a top pick. 
• The Broncos finally got their first loss and it came at the hands of a very good Ravens team. The Broncos will still be a very tough team to play as the season rolls on. 
• The Eagles team speed is very scary right now. I don't know who can keep up with Jackson and Maclin stride for stride.  
• Each week the Cowboys are looking more and more like a playoff team with the emergence of Miles Austin as a number one receiver they are very dangerous. 
• Brett Favre finally got what he wanted. He got to go into Lambeau Field and light up his former team with four touchdown passes. Now you can retire again Brett. 

NFL's Top Ten Teams 

1. New Orleans Saints 
2. Indianapolis Colts 
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 
4. New England Patriots
5. Minnesota Vikings 
6. Denver Broncos 
7. Philadelphia Eagles 
8. Dallas Cowboys 
9. Cincinnati Bengals 
10. Baltimore Ravens 

Log on to Giants Outsider next week for Outside The Blue as well as throughout the week for New York Giants coverage.

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Why the NY Giants Are Tanking

I didn't think things would get worse and I'm afraid to say they have.  It is truly amazing how the New York Giants have gone from one of the top teams in the NFL three weeks ago,  to a team that no one believes is  good anymore.  After yesterdays 40-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles  I can't blame the doubters. at this point.

I am not even going to bother to break down this weels game but instead I will breakdown what I see are the Giants problems.  I will break down each position below.

• Quarterback -  Eli Manning right now looks like he is a rookie and there is only one reason why I believe he is looking this bad.  I believe i is due to the heal injury he suffered back in week four.  His passes are very erratic and way off the mark and from what I can tell it is the way he is planting and throwing the ball that is making him make bad throws.
• Running Backs - One of the few bright spots in my opinion is Brandon Jacobs.  The past two games he has produced back to back games where he has averaged well over four yards a carry.   
• Receivers -  Its not the receivers fault.  If you think the losing has to do with them your crazy.  Like I said above with Eli Manning not throwing well the receivers cant make plays.  Kevin Boss and other open receiver have been overlooked many times and Eli has forced the ball into coverage.
• Offensive Line - From what I can see they aren't owning the line of scrimmage the way hey need to and are simply being out played by opposing defensive lines.  I don't see the effort and desire to go out and run over the opposition.
• Defensive Line - Its the same thing I see with the offensive line.  The lack of desire to get to the quarterback and to dominate the opposition.  The Giants front four look weak and pitiful right now.
• Linebackers - I will not question Antonio Pierce at this point but I don't understand why a guy like Danny Clark or Chase Blackburn are covering people on pass routes when they have Gerris Wilkinson who proved in '07 that he can cover Randy Moss down the field.  The Giants have been waiting for him to stay healthy and now that he finally is,  he isn't playing.  Until Michael Boley comes back I would at least have Wilkinson in for Clark who is way to slow to be playing.
• Cornerbacks - Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas have been playing their hearts out and doing a great job.  Bruce Johnson and Kevin Dockery have been up and down but solid at the very least.
• Safeties - I am not concerned with Michael Johnson.  Lets get to C.C. Brown.  I am sorry C.C. but your career as a Giant should be over.  Week after week you have done nothing but proved that you cant cover receivers deep and for some reason each and every game guys are getting past Brown and making big plays down the field.  Teams are exploiting his limited range and sending guys deep for big plays.
  
• Special Teams - You know things are bad when Jeff Feagles had a terrible game against the Cardinals and with Domenik Hixon's fumble yesterday things didn't look any better.

Overall I see a team that is flat and doesn't show the desire, unity or discipline that they have had over the past couple of seasons.  I really believe that this will continue to be a rough season for the Giants but in the end they will make the playoffs.  You don't just forget how to win over night and turn into a losing franchise.

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NY Giants - Eagles Week 8 Breakdown

When: Sunday November 1st @ 1:00PM

Where: Lincoln Financial Filed, Philadelphia, PA

TV: FOX

This will be the third week in a row the New York Giants will be facing a legitimate playoff contender in the Philadelphia Eagles. Right now things have looked really bleak for the Giants, after losing their last two games.

Breakdown

• As I said earlier in the week, the Giants safeties will have their work cut out for them when they will have to handle DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin deep. I know Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas will do a great job covering but the help up top needs to be on their game.


• Its time for the Giants front four to get hungry and win the battles up front. Justin Tuck will be lined up against Winston Justice. Yes that's the same Winston Justice that let up six sacks against Osi Umenyiora two years ago. I'm sure he is better now but expect him to get help from the tight end and/or running backs in max protection.


• Run Brandon Jacobs until the Eagles defense submits. Force the safeties up and exploit the one on one coverages that the Eagles will be forced into. The Giants offense needs to get back to running first to wear the defense down and then pass off of the run.


• Its time for Hakeem Nicks to step up. Mario Manningham is a bit banged up (questionable for Sundays game with a shoulder injury from practice on Thursday) and has dropped some key passes lately. With the respect that Steve Smith is getting from defenses it will open things up for Nicks to keep making a name for himself.


• The Giants defense will need to limit the Eagles big plays since that is how they have been most of their touchdowns.

This is a very difficult game to predict. I like Philly in this game but I can't see the Giants losing a third straight game. They have to be as hungry as they have ever been, after losing three straight games.

Prediction: Giants 30 Eagles 24

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NY Giants Have a Big Problem

The biggest problem the New York Giants may have this coming Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles will be defending the deep part of the field where Michael Johnson and C.C. Brown roam.

The last two weeks the Giants have been tested by two teams with serious aerial threats and the Giants safeties have failed. Most notably C.C. Brown and I hate to say it and it is obvious to everyone that he cannot cover and make up ground when needed in order to make a play. Kenny Phillips is being missed a lot more then people thought and it will be up to the Giants coaching staff and players to solve the problem.

The task this week will be covering Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Two players that are burners and stretch the field end zone to end zone. The Eagles so far through seven weeks have done most of their damage with the deep ball down the field. Teams have struggled to slow down Jackson and Maclin who have combined for five touchdowns in six games.

Not only do the Giants have to cover Jackson and Maclin but they may have to worry about Brian Westbrook if he is cleared to play after suffering a concussion on Monday night.

The key once again this week will be to pressure McNabb in order to limit his time in the pocket to keep big plays to developing.

Log on to Giants Outsider for continued New York Giants coverage and analysis.

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Giants Don't Have An Identity

For years now the New York Giants have been known as a run first team. Their main identity has been to hit teams in the mouth and roll over them with their bulldozer, running back Brandon Jacobs.

Coming into this past Sundays game against the Arizona Cardinals had the best run defense in the NFL. I think that kept the Giants from running they way they needed to. The Cardinals loaded up the box all game and the Giant backed down. It is not like the Giants to back off from running the ball. It shouldn't matter if they load the box or not. When Brandon Jacobs got the ball he was carrying defenders for an extra 2-3 yards. He had his best game of the season and the Giants did not allow him to set the tone.

Ahmad Bradshaw may have had his worst game of the season because they didn't run Jacobs enough to wear down the defense or even have a change up like Bradshaw come in. Brandon Jacobs had 76 yards on 13 carries. Which is an outstanding average of 5.8 yards a carry. It is frustrating to think that he was limited to only 13 carries.

The Giants seem to be having some kind of serious identity crisis and this week they need to run over the Eagles and it will start with Brandon Jacobs delivering the first blow.

Log on to Giants Outsider througout the week for New York Giants coverage and analysis.

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Outside The Blue - Week 7

Week 7 in the NFL was a week of blowouts across the NFL. This season the bad teams are bad and the good teams are good. I don't believe the league will be like this next season. There are a lot of teams rebuilding this season and a lot of teams that are ready to make a playoff run. Here are my notes from week 7.

• The Cowboys continue to look very strong with a big win over the Falcons. I didn't think the Cowboys would lose, but they impressed me with how they dominated the game. They were always a step ahead of the Falcons.


• The Saints were able to escape the trap of their own ego this week after pounding the Giants the previous week. Their ego and confidence almost got the best of them. They are a great team and it seems Drew Brees can score whenever he wants and control the game.


• Its time for Dan Snyder and the Redskins to clean house and what I mean by clean house is gut the whole thing. From front office people to players. Its time to rebuild in Washington.


• Its a shame a team like the Carolina Panthers who were so good last year- are horrific this year because their quarterback gets confused as to which team he is throwing to. They have a great running game but cant sustain drives. Time to draft a quarterback and hope for the best.


• Talk about an impressive win for the Bengals. They totally manhandled the Bears 45-10. Its amazing what a healthy Carson Palmer and a great run game can do.


• The Steelers proved they are the Champs for a reason with a big win against the Vikings. The defense stepped up to close the door on Brett Favre and company.

Week 7 Top Ten Teams

1. Denver Broncos


2. New Orleans Saints


3. Indianapolis Colts


4. Minnesota Vikings


5. New England Patriots


6. New York Giants


7. Cincinnati Bengals


8. Pittsburgh Steelers


9. Atlanta Falcons


10. Philadelphia Eagles

Log on to Giants Outsider next week for the Outside The Blue.

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