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During the week leading up to the game versus San Francisco, one claim was that the New York Giants’ non-existent pass rush was going up against the best offensive line in the league. Stats are always a favorite footnote for the media.
Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell knew that OL Joe Staley and crew were the primary strength of the San Francisco 49ers – it wasn’t QB Alex Smith or RB Frank Gore or even TE Vernon Davis. Without their o-line, they couldn’t do what they had been doing, so Fewell used this thought process and attacked with extra guys, speed, stunts and disruption. Pushing that line of scrimmage back and making it weak worked. As with any powerful configuration, once the foundation crumbles, the rest shall follow.
Defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora were constants to rush on their sides, but what changed a bit is what’s been lacking: the big push from the DT position. Yes, injuries have limited this position. DT Linval Joseph is considered the on-the-field veteran (at 23-years old). While he is making some plays, he can’t do it all and instruct the raw talent of rookie DT Markus Kuhn. Kuhn is learning and receiving more reps each week, but he has more homework to do – especially against big uglies that can render him useless at times. DT Marvin Austin is slowly making his way back onto the field on game day, but admits that he sometimes thinks too much.
Putting playmakers that possess speed and are disciplined in at their position was not something new for the Giants’ d-line. It just had yet to make an appearance. Using DE Mathias Kiwanuka and DE Jason Pierre-Paul in the middle created the push that was needed, but add those linebacker stunts from LB Spencer Paysinger and Jacquian Williams. Who does “the best o-line in the league” account for? Especially when the backfield defensive backs are covering their playmakers well enough that the quick-release from the quarterback couldn’t even work – on Antrel Rolle’s first interception, Smith couldn’t see him (or much for that matter).
Speed was only one aspect of what had to be present in the right positions for the Big Blue defense to be itself again. The other is discipline. Remaining in the assignment that’s drawn up in the particular defensive package and finishing on that assignment/gap was a large part of what needed to happen. Frustration is a definite game-changer. Being a complete team while each position plays their part builds confidence and pushes said frustration to the opposition. The Giants’ defense didn’t get caught up in any on-the-field jawing and remained focused on the task at hand. Penalties were only 2 for 20 yards and were on special teams.
If any bridge-building is to be done, this right here is it for the defense. With players like Chris Canty coming back into the lineup for the defensive line, things can only look up for Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell and his attack dogs in NY helmets. Giant steps/push forward (towards opposing quarterbacks) in dominating the line of scrimmage and containing beyond should remain number one on the Big Blue defensive list of materials necessary to build said bridge.
photo credit: Mike Morbeck via photopin cc
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Re-post from last thread:
I see Hixon much in the same vein that I saw Amani Toomer toward the end of his career here. While he may not exactly be the most talented receiver in the league, he is extremely reliable and is going to make plays when it counts. He has sure hands, runs good routes, and doesn’t make any mistakes out there.
I think every team needs a receiver like that; a glue receiver, if you will. Sure, Nicks and Cruz are clearly the two best wideouts on the roster and are both top 10 at their position (at least). However, if one of those guys gets hurt (a la Nicks) or is the focus of the defense’s attention, we have Hixon to act as Eli’s security blanket.
I love having him on the team, much like I loved having Amani.
Agreed…. good repost.
The Giants have been lucky enough to have had two such utility receivers.
One of them made a “CATCH” five seasons ago that most of us remember.
Both men put in some really hard work to shape themselves into what can only be described as quality NFL receivers. I think calling either man “serviceable” is an extreme insult. Hixson started as a really good return man/special team player. This guy has worked his rear end off sharpening his receiving/route running skills. Needless to say he’s overcome two serious injuries. The only thing he hasn’t done is quit. Not one time has he given up.
What’s more, he is no weak link in the receiving corps. And even with Wilson and Randal on board, he still returns punts and K/O with the best of them.
No matter what cut scenarios may come up, Hixson should not part of them.
He’s really earned his spot. As did David Tyree.
Jen , I think this weeks win can be posited with one word and you had it right
DISCIPLINE – There is no way that the Redskins should be able to beat the Giants unless ther Giants make mistakes containing RG111 and turn the ball over themselves . They should all remember how well the team played last week against a FAR superior team than the Redskins
So I guess some Eagles or Cowboys fan must have took a considerable amount of time out of their day to vote that the Giants would go 0-4 in October, even though it is no longer possible. LOL (look at the fan poll if you don’t know what I’m talking about).
So only rookies make mistakes. Wilson coughs up the ball, it’s proof. Bradshaw fumbles on his own 15, it’s a “freak fumble”. Because he is a vet, surely he’ll never put the ball on the ground again.
Look, I acknowledge that you should never, ever, ever question a single decision of a coach who has won 2 Super Bowls. Clearly, his methods and strategies are the only way to win football games, and clearly no other coach has done it better.
So sue me for suggesting that a rookie with a higher ceiling should get some reps early in the season. For suggesting that the best way to evaluate him would be to, you know, actually see him on the field for a few snaps.
Sue me for suggesting that a 2nd round pick might be able to make more plays than a guy who’s shown his ceiling is what it is.
Sue me for suggesting that a young guy like Randle could flash like Cruz when he was thrown into the lineup. Oh yeah, that happened already the one time he was given a chance, when he got 82 yards in his first real pro action. Why would we want to see if he could stretch that over 16 games 1,300 yards? That would be stupid.
Man, I’m surprised Coughlin hasn’t won 5 straight – what, with this fierce pass rush and elite quarterback, and studs like Hixon, the only explanation is that there was a conspiracy.
By the way, Terrell Davis and Joseph Addai called. They wanted to remind us how they spent their rookie seasons protecting future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and running successfully enough to earn their professional football player salaries and win Super Bowls. As rookies!! Nuts, right?
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that Hixon is more talented than Randle.
What I will say is that a No. 3 receiver in this offense is a No. 3 receiver in this offense, whether it be Hixon, Randle, or Manningham. They are likely going to get the same amount of looks and put up very similar statistics. You’re not going to see Randle putting up 1,300 yards with the likes of Nicks, Cruz, and even Bennett competing with him for catches.
This scenario is very different from last year. Last year, we had one great wideout and a solid one in Manningham when Cruz stepped up. This year, we have TWO great wideouts in Nicks and Cruz. Regardless of who steps into the No. 3 role, the results are probably going to be the same.
On Hixon: Everyone here was upset about the loss of Manningham and thought the offense would be easier to stymie but I thought that other players would EASILY fill Manningham’s lost production… last year Manningham had 523 yards through 12 games. If you extrapolate for 16 games he would have had around 700 yards. Now look at Hixon, he has 314 yards through 6 games. If you extrapolate for 12 games he would have 628 yards, and if you extrapolate for 16 he would have 837 yards. I think that is better production! To drive the point home through 6 games this year Manningham only has 258 yards. Just wanted to show how our offense has done fine without Manningham.
I was saying this all offseason. You can take any of us here at G101, throw us into the No. 3 receiver role with Eli as QB and Nicks and Cruz supporting us, and we would thrive.
RG3 is a college QB running a college offense. That can carry you a ways. Especially early in your career when you’re fresh, fast, and no one has mapped your tendencies yet. And that’s exactly where he is right now.
In a year or two he’ll either be much more of a drop-back QB … or he’ll be Michael Vick. But come Sunday he’s as dangerous as he’s probably ever going to be. And this is what worries me.
Our coaching staff can game plan with the best of them. But there’s no book on this guy yet. No analysis of any trends. No comparison of defenses against him.
He’s going to drop-back … and then run. Because that’s what college QBs do. And pros are not used to that.
Or … … … we decide to play it cute make him throw … putting almost no pressure on him and flooding the zones. Then you will see him hit some passes and the pundits will fe11ate him as never before. Face it … given unlimited time any NFL QB will complete slice you up.
I was confident we’d beat the Niners … but this game has me concerned. Next year not so much … but this Sunday … a lot.
I see Krow’s point in that this will not be a shootout between RG and Eli.
No, it could be a “run n shootout”. So again the weight falls on the defense and more to the point the defensive coordinator to devise way’s to keep RG from making moves on DB and safeties. And we seem to agree a coordinated pass rush mindful of making the youngster uncomfortable without being passive.
In a shootout Eli wins hands down. In a run n shootout Giant fans have up and down heart rates for most of their Sunday afternoon. I think the Giants win by 14 points. But the D-line is challanged to play a mix of aggressive and thinking football. And linebackers must be on top of their games.
More importantly, I feel Wilson, Cruz and Bennett have big days.