Loading ...A note from Mike Garafolo’s OTA report the other day mentioned that the Giants were doing lots of running drills, which isn’t all that surprising or telling, but it got me thinking: are we going to see the same ‘run first, run heavy’ Giants team that we’re accustomed to seeing under Tom Coughlin?
After all, Eli Manning threw for about 800 more yards than he did in the previous three years, setting career highs in touchdowns (27), yards per game (251), completion percentage (62.3) and passer rating (93.1) without setting a career high for passing attempts. And he did all this behind an offensive line that was banged up and uncharacteristically inconsistent, and (perhaps because of that reason) a running game that was at times non-existent.
Manning also has a battery of weapons that make opening up the passing game tempting: first round draft pick Hakeem Nicks will join young but reliable pro-bowler Steve Smith to create a stellar starting duo; the immensely talented (if mentally inconsistent) Mario Manningham will have a chance to break out as the third WR; TE Kevin Boss is still solid as a rock. Throw in complementary targets like Travis Beckum, Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon and you’re looking at a deep and versatile core, with plenty of directions to spread the ball around.
But here’s the question: just because they can, does that mean they should?
Eli Manning put up career-best numbers, to be sure. But in trying to pick up a woefully unproductive running game and overcome a defense that gave up points like it was going out of style, it looks like this passing game production should be taken as less of a statement about where the offense is heading, and more of a indication about how pitiful the rest of last year’s team was (and yet again, to the lingering Eli Manning haters, yet another instance of Elisha stepping up to the plate when it counts).
Unless the Giants running game falls apart like it did last year, there’s no reason to devise Saints’ or Patriots’ style game plan where throwing the ball 45 times is optimal. Running the ball maintains time of possession (a Coughlin fave), keeps the defense fresh, and ultimately makes the quarterbacks’ life a heck of a lot easier. Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and the rest of the crew are too talented not to get 25-30 carries among them. Last year’s eye popping numbers were more a function of necessity, less the birth of a new direction for the Giants offense. It sure is nice to know Eli can do it if he has to, but I don’t see Tom Coughlin and Kevin Gilbride coming to camp with a playbook that looks much different from seasons past (even if Jerry Reese has given them all these shiny new toys to throw to).
With what happened to last year’s team, a reestablishment of the running game seems of the utmost importance, and not just as far as X’s and O’s are concerned. This team needs to reassert an aggressive mentality, the ability to simply win physical match-ups and outplay your opponent, on both sides of the ball. The running game is the perfect start to establishing that physical mentality.
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Having an offensive coordinator who was creative and knew how to use the talent at hand, PROPERLY, would also help a great deal. I m prepared for back-to-back shot gun draws this season.
haha yes, yes it would. But, that’s exactly the thing. Whether you want to blame Gilbride or Coughlin, they are not gonna start airing it out because Eli has shown that he can (as long as Darren Sharper is not on the field).
“Throw in complementary targets like Travis Beckum, Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon and you’re looking at a deep and versatile core, with plenty of directions to spread the ball around.”
Oh man, how could I forget Sinorice Moss?!
Man all I wanna do is sit here and chat with you guys, but I’ve got to go to class. Any questions, or comments for me on the post just post your question I’ll be around later and we’ll pow wow it boys (and girls).
The Giants really have no excuse not to go back to the running game this year, assuming their defense isn’t as porous as it was last season. They have the talent at RB and the O line should be good enough. Having a solid running game will only make the passing game that much more effective. Especially considering how Eli’s career passing rating on play action is something like 40 points higher than on all other plays, setting up the pass with an in-your-face running game just seems the obvious way to go. Of course, it’s too obvious for Gilbride, but that’s a different story.
REPOST from last article – Sorry some of us are a bit slow posting !
I can only say that Im excited to see the potential changes in the defensive line . Samard ,to me flexibility in the positions that the defense lines up says that there is creativity . Hopefully the DC knows what he wants to accomplish on ANY given play and the players who are on the field are the best situational player at that time and are not worried about being labelled starters or substitutes . I see nothing wrong in potentially having 3 or even 4 DEs if the situation calls for an all out blitz say . In fact , its something Ive questioned why its not done more . With the depth that this team has , of course some of the players are going to complain about the lack of playing time ,but quite frankly I think its a moot point since there are bound to be injuries over the course of the season and the question of who gets to play
will sort itself out due to the nicks and injuries that will cut down who plays later on in the season .Im thinking that perhaps last years second half collapse can also be attributed to the many “minor ” injuries suffered by many of the players which caused them to slow enough to really bring down the quality of the defenses play , although offhand I dont have any evidence to support this . With this kind of depth and the ability to show all different kinds of fronts to the opposing offenses ,we should be able to keep up the defensive pressure which was missing in the second half of last year.
The Giants should only be afraid of going back to perdictability. Meaning, they need to start throwing on first down. And because of said lack of imagination of our offensive brain trust, Eli should be running the hurry up as a change up during the course of a game. That is his best tempo.
He now has targets to really make things happen. I do not want to abadon the running game. Basically because when it get cold and nasty, that part of the game
important to have. However, just like running for 4 yards on first down takes pressure off passing. Passing the ball for 5 to 7 yards on first down takes pressure off the running game.
The offense should balance it’s self in that manner. And you can throw quick outs, to get yards, and eat clock too. The key is mixing things up, and constructing an offense that is diverse. Another thing Giant opponents are not ready for is a running back on the recieving end of passes. That has to be added to the attack.
If Brown holds up, and he can also pose a threat as a runner the attack will be that much stonger.
The Giants will be returning to Albany for training camp for at least one more year. They made it official Tuesday by announcing that their 2010 camp will be held at SUNY-Albany from Aug. 1-20.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/index.html#ixzz0qMoKx5sh
GIANT
I think we are going to see plenty of 3 man fronts, and 4 linebackers.
Not to mention 5 man D-lines with 2 or 3 backers. Fewell is not perdictable.
His unit will (I hope) be is just the opposite of our offense.
By all accounts Fewell likes to show multiple fronts. So he will use each of his defensive lineman, and (I feel) linebackers according to what he wants to dictate to the offense. Sintum (if he proves to be versital) will be very valuable to this defense.
He has the tools (not counting JPP) along the line to mix things up. And put each player in a position to succeed. I really think he will attempt the same with what ever linebackers he has on the roster. I think Dillard will (if he proves it) see the field quite a bit. Fewell’s defense will provide his defenders plenty of chances to shine.
KD
What’s up bro? You still betting on the Celtics? Or were you ever?
Because Fewell wants to put Kiwi in side (punishment for riding a bike)
maybe we can trade Kiwi to Washington for Haynesworth.
Maybe the Pope will take up Break Dancing.
Because Kiwi at 260 with long legs and the resulting high center of gravity will be eaten alive. Unless maybe he bulked up over the winter? It would take close to 280 for Kiwi to even think about that.
Thanks for the Pizza guys!!!
My pizza idea was strictly about one thing… it doesn’t matter how many guys we have on our D-line or who starts…
There will be enough to go around! Everyone will play, and our defenisve line is going to dominate the shotty o-lines int eh NFC East this year, and for the next 3 until we are SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS IN NYC! Cant freakin Wait!!!!!!!