The Agony of Defeat

Giants fans have endured two straight losses of exponential suffering. What's worse is the Giants playoff hopes are all but non existent as a result of the latest loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Where did the defending champs go wrong? It's been a ludicrous season of ups and downs that have left football fans puzzled with the results of the Gmen.

The Giants did what they have done every year under Tom Coughlin: They had a great first half. Following the dominance of a 6-2 record, the Giants lost 5 out of 7. Important players like Sean Locklear, Andre Brown, and Kenny Phillips are just some of the numerous injuries this team suffered from. The Giants had injuries left and right throughout the season, perhaps more than usual. Prince Amukumara, Justin Tuck, Chris Snee, Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty, Dave Diehl, and Hakeem Nicks are some of the numerous injuries this team has had to deal with as well. A lot of these Giants came back and played when it was clear they were not ready to play. Frankly, this team was completely decimated with injuries, but the biggest problem was in the past two games the Giants were completely embarrassed up front on both sides of the ball. Injuries was without question a big part of that.

To be fair, injuries are a way of life with this great game of football and they are never an excuse. The Giants had more injuries than usual, but even during the magical seasons of Super Bowl XLII and XLVI the Giants had their fair numbers of injuries, as has every Super Bowl champion. A big problem with this team was the attitude. As defending champs, there is no doubt the Giants had the toughest schedule in the NFL. They were able to slaughter two NFC powerhouses in San Francisco and Green Bay, but also lost exponentially to Baltimore, Atlanta, and Cincinatti. All of these teams are of playoff caliber, but there's no excuse for the Giants downright pitiful performance the past couple of weeks. This team got scared, there's no question. They doubted their capabilities as defending champions, perhaps following the one point loss to Washington. Yes, they were able to beat New Orleans, but that was one of the easiest games the Giants had on their schedule. Over the past two weeks the Giants completely lost the fire and who they are as a team. Coach Coughlin lost them. Their response to the blowout against Atlanta is what's particularly frustrating. The Giants still had a chance to control their own destiny and they failed to cease the moment.

That's definitely one thing that deserves some criticism: the coaching. Throughout the week before Baltimore it was clear that Coach Coughlin was uneasy going into the game. He did not have an answer for the teams loss to Atlanta and as the week progressed, it was clear the Giants probably did not have the personnel to be prepared to win a game in the trenches against Baltimore. Instead of preaching to his team to rise to the occasion, there seemed to just be this weird sense of doubt. Coughlin did not give up, he never has, but he was not confident his team could win. That much was clear in his press conferences following the Atlanta humiliation. But if that's the case, and you knew your offensive line was banged up, why on earth did you try to run it down there throat? When an offensive line is struggling the scheme has to change, there's no question. West coast offenses are able to thrive in situations like this. Quick flair and out routes, it's all about the yards after catch. Instead the Giants game plan involved establishing the run with Bradshaw and his sprained knee, and then airing it out with routes 10-15 yards down field while Eli was under duress due to the inefficient banged up offensive line. It made no sense, it was a big part of the struggle and the agony Giants fans had to experience.

Not to even mention the defense, which may have been an even bigger joke than the offense. The secondary looked terrible the past two weeks, especially with Jayron Hosley getting toasted against Atlanta. But he's a rookie, against Baltimore our veteran cornerback Corey Webster looked even worse as Torrey Smith torched him on every snap. The secondaries play was disheartening but the biggest disappointment of the Giants this season was the pass rush. Week after week the Giants failed to generate pressure consistently and it's the biggest reason for the Giants identity crisis. The Giants defense had some good games this season but mostly that was from takeaways, the pass rush really failed to get the job done. Jason Pierre-Paul did not live up to the expectations he created last year, and that's partly due to the back spasms he suffered from, and partly due to the fact that he's been double teamed frequently this season. Osi was inconsistent and will likely not be with the team next season, but the biggest problem was that of our captain, Justin Tuck. No one can question Tuck's character and heart, but there were numerous games where Tuck's names did not come up the whole game. Perhaps it's due to his shoulder problem that he's clearly been playing through, but regardless, the defensive ends did not come through for us in generating consistent pass rush this season. And as for the run stop, that was even worse. The problem starts up front.

Eli had a few bad games this year, but he's not the problem. Never has been. People saying Eli had a bad game against Baltimore just don't get it. He was off for Atlanta, but for Baltimore there was virtually nothing he could do. The oline was in shackles, he was getting hit on every play. Hakeem Nicks was not healthy enough to play wide receiver. Martellus Bennett looked aloof and very out of it, as he occasionally tends to. Eli did all he could with banged up targets and awful protection, and most importantly he didn't quit. Arguing that he's not elite because he couldn't transform the teams success when desperate on his own is just stupid. Drew Brees hasn't been winning this season but no one criticizes him. Peyton Manning's success in Denver doesn't mean he's a freak of nature, Denver was good and won a playoff game with Tebow remember? And Tom Brady has always been in position to have success due to the brilliance of coaching and management from Bill Belichick. No knocking on any of these quarterbacks, the point is these "elite" quarterbacks are not only in great positions to win because of their abilities but because of players and coaches around them. No football player alone can be the reason a team wins on its own. Blaming it all on Eli is stupid and irresponsible as a Giants fan. He could do better no question, but this is a team game.

Now all pain and agony aside, the Giants still have a potential chance to sneak in to the playoffs if the Packers, Redskins, and Lions all win. That's tough, but fans need to accept that as long as there's a statistical .0000001% chance all hope cannot be lost. Although the most important thing is the Philadelphia Eagles, our worst enemies, are coming into our house. Naturally Nick Foles is hurt so Mike Vick will be getting the start in potentially his last game as an Eagle. Not to mention it's also likely to be Andy Reid's final game as head coach for the Eagles. Over the years, Reid and the Eagles have fucked us time and time again. Heck we even lost to them this year on a field goal that was two yards short of being game winning. My how things would be different if that had gone in. But no matter what, this game is personal. These teams could be 0-15 or 15-0 going into this game and they'd still both want to kill each other. The Giants are coming off two stinkers, but they can't lay down against the Eagles. They simply can't do that to the fans. Things are bad, players are hurt, and a lot of confidence has been lost. But the fans still bleed Giants blue, and the Eagles are still our sworn enemies. It's time to just beat these bastards, they're the worst.

Alas, the reign of the Super Bowl Champions may seem dim. But fans can't forget that Giants football is forever. Teams struggle, it's part of the game. If teams didn't struggle, the sweetness of victory wouldn't be sweet at all. It's all part of this beautiful game that will never end. Giants football is a tradition shared from generation to generation, and the phrase, "through thick and thin," is something every fan should oblige by. Yes, the pain and bitterness is there, but there's always a tomorrow, and there's always another play. The Giants can't quit, and neither can the fans. But always remember, there's always going to be more. That's what's truly awesome about this game at the end of the day. Moments of spectating glory, and victory aside, it's the loyalty to the tradition that makes everything special. This Giants season has had ups and downs, and no matter what happens, there's always a next year.

But it aint over till it's over. Don't quit, gear up for the Eagles. Beating the Eagles is enough significance for any Giants fan despite any circumstances. More importantly, remember what Coughlin said, "Play for Pride." Players are hurt, fans attitudes are low, and the overall mentality is down. But don't give up, keep fighting.

Go Big Blue...and go Lions and Packers..............and that team in red and white. (Vomits).

Lets get psyched to beat the Eagles though. This always does it for me:

We're in Hell

Wellington Mara rolled over in his grave on Sunday as the Giants were absolutely demolished, annihilated, and bombarded into oblivion against the Atlanta Falcons. Clearly still remembering last years wild card match up, the Falcons jumped out quickly. Asante Samuels got back to his old ways of tormenting Giants fans on the games opening play and the Falcons never looked back. A missed field goal from Tynes, and the Giants utter inability to convert on third and fourth down resulted in the Giants getting shut out for the first time since 1996. It was a true day of misery for Giants nation as the Gmen can no longer control their own destiny in the NFC East.

The Giants playoff hopes however are far from lost. In light of the Packers defeating the Bears, if the Giants can win out they clinch a wild card birth.

The question now becomes, how do the Giants overcome this abomination of a football game and get their heads on straight? The answer is simple, in response to enduring the pain, don't forget who we are. Being defending Super Bowl champs may seem long ago after this recent humiliation, but it's the ability to overcome adversity that has driven this team for the past decade.

And adversity has just royally punched us in the balls. The Falcons took advantage of every opportunity the inept Giants offense provided them, while the defending champs rolled over and showed no fight. This Giants team is banged up. Perhaps Wilson is not ready to take the torch with an injured Bradshaw. Not to mention Nicks is clearly still hurt, he can't get out of his breaks and he put in no effort to dive for a ball that could have been a huge gain. And this secondary is not the same without Amukumara, Hosley is nowhere near ready to be a starting cornerback in the NFL. No matter where Giants fans look, there seems to be no hope.

Giants fans, consider this the pivotal moment of the 2012 regular season. The Giants had every right to think they were a top notch NFC playoff contender and after this pathetic excuse for a game all those good feelings are turned to dirt. But by miracles of circumstance, the Giants can still get in the playoffs based on their own ability to win out. 10-6, that has to be the vision now. Anything less cannot be tolerated from anybody in the Giants organization.

So the defending champs can either embrace this blessed opportunity, or dwell on recent issues. Coach Coughlin should throw out the tape from this game because any breakdown of footage will only disgust the Giants, and quite frankly wondering about the "what could have been" is a pointless, torturous exercise. Especially in a game like this.

The Giants have to find a way to forget about this game, and ultimately move on. Remembering the fact that we're Super Bowl champs is not how to do that. But remembering how the Giants became Super Bowl champs is. Overcoming obstacles, and coming together as a team in times of darkness are keys to success.

The Giants are a family, and now is when they need fans to believe in them more than ever. Two games, two wins, that's all that can happen. The odds of getting bailed out by other teams losing is not a reliable way to get in the playoffs. The Giants need to put the exclamation point on their season and simply remember that it aint over till the fat lady sings. The Baltimore Ravens are next, so to think optimistically, the Giants should understand their obvious game plan. Do whatever's possible to slow down Ray Rice. Force Flacco to throw, and that's when the pass rush has to capitalize. In must throw situations, Flacco has suffered numerous costly turnovers throughout the course of his career. Focus on the task at hand, and capitalize on the opportunity to beat a Ravens team that is also limping around of late.

The final match up against the Philadelphia Eagles will be crucial. But regardless, the Giants can't even remotely think about that right now. This is the pivotal moment of Giants football this season. It's been a roller coaster of ups and downs, highs and lows. The Giants have blown out teams like the 49ers, Saints, and Packers, and yet suffered embarrassing losses to the Steelers, Bengals, and Falcons.

But it's all history. All of it. Football is like life, no matter what it throws at you there's always another game, another drive, another snap.

Another moment that can live in Giants folklore forever...

Giants fans, do not dwell on the agony and the pain, think of the future and the opportunities at hand. It's the Giants anything is possible. Fans have learned that over the years. In times of darkness and despair, think of any cheesy movie out there. Does Batman rise up? Does Frodo destroy the ring? There's always a twist but the movie or story always ends with an upbeat moment of triumph where the protagonist overcomes obstacles that hurt their character and the story at hand.

Yes, these are movies and a foolish analogy, but the Giants are remarkably iconic of a hollywood lifestyle. Never give up. Believe until the very end.

Because we're in hell right now Giants fans, but in the words of Winston Churchhill, "If you're going through hell...keep going."

"I'm Sorry Wilson!"

By Anthony Beers

A message from Tom Coughlin to David Wilson:






"Wilson...I'm sorry Wilson!"

On David Wilson's first career carry against the Dallas Cowboys he committed the worst crime in all of football: he fumbled. That crime is even more significant as a rookie under head coach and royal hard ass Tom Coughlin. Over the next twelve games Wilson would see just 28 total carries at running back.

Over the course of the season, Wilson waited for his chance to truly contribute to this team. He gave it his all as the Giants kick returner, but there's no question the Giants 2012 first round draft pick was dying to get some snaps on offense. Coughlin's restraint of the rookie, even after the injury to running back Andre Brown two weeks ago, put a hunger deep inside Wilson. If he wanted to see snaps he had to earn it.

Then yesterday, the moment came. Early in the first quarter Eli Manning threw a pick six to New Orleans Saints defensive back Elbert Mack. The presence of fear began to take hold of Giants fans. After the Redskins and Cowboys both put together miracle wins just moments before the game started, the Giants simply could not afford to lose this game. The fans, whether they're willing to admit it or not, for a brief moment started to feel that doubt. But alas, on the ensuing kickoff, David Wilson had the eye of the tiger. The kids time had come. After awesome lead blocking on kick return, Wilson saw the seam and exploded. Bam. Six points. The crowd goes wild. The Giants were right back in it and the fans could feel the momentum swing.

Everything clicked following that kick return. The Giants took the ball away on defense, Eli Manning threw four touchdown passes, and the Giants blew out the New Orleans Saints who were also in desperate need of a win. As a result of this loss the Saints playoff hopes have been significantly diminished. The Giants reminded the football world that if you don't have a defense, you aint goin' to da show. And the New Orleans 'Aints aint got no D. Da Giants said dey gonna beat dem Saints, and dey did.

Mockeries of the Saints inept defense aside, (a pure result of the Saints defense scandal this past off season), a huge part of this win goes to the Giants defense. The Giants have the best safeties in football even without Kenny Phillips. Antrel Rolle, (who leads the team in tackles), and Stevie Brown are both playing on a pro bowl level. Will Hill stepped up in his role as the third safety as well. The Giants three safety set with Rolle as the nickle option back, seriously works. It's what propelled the Giants in the post season last year, and it's the reason the Giants have been able to beat two great quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees this season. Defense. Winning. Awesome.

The hero of yesterdays game however was without question David Wilson, who made Giants history with 327 all purpose yards. Wilson was unleashed, and finally took advantage of the chance that the kid was dying for since that infamous fumble so many moons ago. Wilson was the first Giants kick returner to bring one to the house since Domenik Hixon against the Patriots in December of 2007. Following the game, and several back flips, Wilson was all smiles.

This is not the first time Giants fans have seen something like this. In fact, in December of 2007 on the door step of the Giants first super bowl run under Tom Coughlin, the Giants had to win a crucial game against the Buffalo Bills in week 16 of the regular season. With a win, the Giants would clinch the playoffs with an NFC wild card birth. The game had horrible weather conditions with wind, freezing rain, and snow and as a result the passing game struggled. So still needing to put the game away, Tom Coughlin decided to put in a rookie running back who had been benched earlier in the season due to fumbling problems. On the rookies first play, he busted a run eighty-eight yards for a breath taking touchdown. That rookie, was Ahmad Bradshaw.

Tom Coughlin, ex running back at Syracuse University, knows what he's doing. By benching rookies with any signs of struggle, he is humbling them and making them more appreciative of any chance that follows. It's Coughlin's way of bringing out the best in his players, and making sure these rookies are on board with the team concept. Sometimes when these great players come out of college with a big NFL deal, they forget what it's like to appreciate the beauty that is playing this great game of football. Coughlin is simply reminding these confident rookies that the margin for error in this game is far too small to not be weary of. Give it 100%, all the time, and truly love and cherish every moment that is shared with your teammates.

Yup, that's the ol' Tommy Coughlin winning football formula. All in, doing whatever it takes to win. The Giants should be proud of this romping of the Saints, but should know that every game needs to be played at the intensity that Wilson showed Giants fans yesterday. Because this is what football's all about, battling with every ounce in your heart and soul to get into playoff contention. December football is the best time of year, and right now the Giants playoff hopes are very much alive.

But as the players, coaches, and fans all know, that can all disappear in a flash. That's what's so awesome about winning in December, it's do or die. It's as Al Pacino says in Any Given Sunday, "coming together now...as a team...or dying as individuals." It's go time man. It's officially the "Dirty Bird" segment of the Giants schedule with the Falcons, Ravens, and Eagles coming to town over the next three weeks. It's likely that if the Giants wish to win the division, they won't know it until that final game against their most bitter rivals of all time.

That's fucking poetic shit man. Time to mess up these dirty birds, take it one week at a time. Right now the Giants are at the top and have the ability to control their own destiny. The Falcons are coming off their first loss in quite some time to play the Giants on Sunday at 1:00. There's no question the Falcons clearly remember how the Giants embarrassed them in the first round of playoffs last year in a humiliating 24-2 defeat. Atlanta should come out with a chip on their shoulders, to say the least.

The Giants are right where they want to be...you better bELIeve it...time to make a serious statement in the NFC on Sunday.

NFC East Madness

The Giants suffered a very painful loss to the rising Washington Redskins on Monday night. It was a disappointing loss to Giants fans and the results are costly. The NFC East is now much tighter with the Giants leading the division by one game with the Cowboys and Redskins breathing down their neck. What's even more unfortunate is due to divisional woes this season the Giants will lose most tie breakers to the Cowboys or Redskins. The Giants will likely have to keep the lead if they wish to make the playoffs.

On Monday night the Giants came out and had a very good first half. Up 13-10 the Giants had a solid running game and Eli looked sharp. Penalties and a missed field goal (due to a bad snap by DeOssie) hurt the overall score but the Giants were effectively moving the ball and the defense was playing tough against the head ache that is the Redskins offense. The Giants threw a couple deep balls and struggled to put together the big play but it seemed like fans were in store for another Cruz bomb that fans witnessed the first time these teams played together. On a couple of throws to Cruz and Nicks they were there, but simply couldn't connect on the big play.

The second half was a completely different story. The Giants attempted to continue their running success from the first half with Ahmad Bradshaw but the Redskins had nothing of it. And in what was supposed to be a big debut for the rookie David Wilson he saw only four carries. The running game struggled against a tough run-stopping Redskins defense, but for reasons very mysterious to everybody, the Giants offense kept trying to hand the ball off to no avail. It put more pressure on the  Giants to convert these difficult third and longs. The offense did not adjust to what the Redskins were doing in the second half and as a result the Giants scored a measly three points in the second half.

Defensively the Giants gave up a lot of rushing yards to Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris, but they played extremely tough and held one of the hottest offenses in football to just 17 points. Fans may see the Giants gave up a lot of rushing yards but don't let that fool you. Stopping Washington's rushing attack with RGIII in the pistol formation is virtually impossible. With multiple running threats in the backfield it really isolates defensive assignments and virtually makes it a seven on seven game for RGIII. Griffin knows every Giants defender has a different match up, and on every snap the defense has to respect the running threat that he provides and everybody knows about. With explosive receivers like Pierre Garcon and Santana Moss in the passing game as well, the Redskins are a huge headache for defensive coordinators everywhere. Give the Giants defense credit, they played tough and one of Washington's touchdowns came off of the luckiest fumble recovery I've ever seen. Of course the media plays it as Griffin making a great play, that was just plane luck dude.

The Giants lost this game because of a lack of discipline on offense and a failure to exploit the Redskins biggest weakness: defending the passing game. The Giants were so close on a few deep balls from Eli in the first half that it seemed virtually unavoidable that the Giants wouldn't connect in the second half. But the Giants rarely attempted this, the only time they did Eli connected with Cruz on a big catch on the sideline, and that resulted in the Giants only field goal of the half. Kevin Gilbride and Eli Manning's combined play calling for the running game really hurt the team. And David Wilson only getting four carries while Bradshaw was getting stuffed in the second half remains a mystery. The only Giant on offense that had a complete game was Martellus Bennett, aka the Black Unicorn. It was good to see Bennett have some success in a big game and the Giants will need that to continue if they wish to win the division.

As a result of these recent wins for the Redskins, everyone in the sports media has RGIII fever. Man it is impossible to not hear RGIII this and RGIII that. Heck I've even heard murmurs from NFL fans that believe RGIII is better than Eli Manning. Pardon my french, but let me clear that fucking shit up right now. RGIII is an explosive player and quite frankly seems like a gentlemen. But in no way shape or form is a .500 rookie quarterback better than a two time Super Bowl MVP. Not to mention RGIII's scrambling ways are not traditionally the formula for super bowl success due to the fact that mobile quarterbacks take way too many hits. The Giants did not sack RGIII in this game, but man did he take some shots in the open field. This will hurt RGIII at some point in his career, just as it did Mike Vick, and Donovan McNabb in his younger days. The point is though, this conversation simply can't be had right now. Robert Griffin III's accomplishments come nowhere near to the great Elisha Nelson Manning's. Fans saying things like that are just a response from the overdose of media hype that ESPN and other networks provide of everybody royally bowing down and kissing RGIII's ass because he happens to be very fast. Eli will never get media attention like that because he's not nearly as flashy and quite frankly avoids any controversy whatsoever. The only time Eli got a lot of hype in the media was due to the "elite/non-elite" controversy on the Michael Kay show last year. Either that or the fact that Eli is Peyton Manning's baby brother. That stuff is all pish posh. Eli Manning is a great football player and if fans don't recognize that they are oblivious to the truth. And this great football player that every Giants fan should cherish, (seeing as he's the best quarterback the teams ever had), is without a doubt 100% better than Robert Griffin III.

Alas, the drama that is the NFC East continues next week. Every game from here on out is the most important game the Giants will play this year. Next on the list is the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees and the Saints will be coming to the Meadowlands after an embarrassing  loss to their division rival Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. That night Drew Brees threw five interceptions and did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time in over fifty games. Brees and the Saints will really want to bounce back after a tough loss, and the Giants are right in the same boat. The past few years the Saints have absolutely torched the Giants, but this year the Saints defense is nowhere near as threatening as it has been in years past. That's obviously due to the scandal and suspensions that followed for the Saints this off season, but the point is the Giants offense has absolutely no reason to not produce, and they may have to if Brees decides to get hot.

Naturally the Giants lost to the Redskins because it was mathematically a loss the Giants could afford. But those days are officially over. It's time for the Giants to stop fooling around and show the world the defending world champs are still the kings of this insane division. This race may be down to the wire though. Every Giants fan deep down knows that the week 17 match up against the Philadelphia Eagles may have big meaning. Giants fans probably have known that since the schedule was made.

The Giants have made two miraculous runs to the Super Bowl with their backs against the wall. As a result, over the years when the Giants could afford to lose a game they in fact tended to do so. The Giants know they still are in a great position though because they control their own destiny. Win or lose, the defending champs will come to play. New Orleans is next, and Giants fans know this is no time to give up. Fasten your seat belts because the NFC East madness has likely only began.





I'd like to make a shout out to this dude Chuck Knoxx, who is a Giants fan that everybody should admire. Chuck makes bad ass videos on his youtube channel and is an optimistic fan for everything Giants football. He also has a Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check out Chucks videos if you need to get in the right mindset. Go Big Blue.

90% Half Mental

By 

Anthony Beers 

The concept that drives this team and weakens them is the same thing: the mentality. Football is an emotional game and if a team is not mentally prepared to play it can be an ugly site. This coincides with players and coaching staffs. Taking games lightly is something that can't happen, but for no particular reason sometimes does happen. 

It could be why the Giants under Coughlin always seem to struggle towards the second half of the season. And it may explain why out of nowhere the Giants laid two stinkers in a row to make things more difficult on themselves. It's also probably why the Giants absolutely buried any hope of a Green Bay victory last night. 

After suffering back to back losses, and a bye week to cope with the struggles, the Giants immediately got down to business at home against the red hot Green Bay Packers. On the games opening drive, the Giants ran a fake reverse roll out running back screen to Ahmad Bradshaw for 57 yards. The play most likely came as a complete shock to any Giants fan, considering the Giants are hardly ever about trickery and deceit as an offensive scheme, but that's probably why it shocked the Packers as well. That is a play that really set the tone for the night. The Giants came to play. 

The second play that really symbolizes the outcome of this game came towards the end of the second quarter. The Packers were down 24-10 and had a chance to drive and score making it a one possession game knowing they get the ball at halftime. At the start of the drive, Rodgers dropped back to pass but was sacked by Osi Umenyiora. Osi did an inside move to get to the quarterback. I repeat, Osi did an inside move to get to the quarterback, as a result Rodgers fumbled the ball and it was scooped up by Jason Pierre-Paul. It was a huge chance for the Packers to get back into the game, and as quickly as the opportunity presented itself, it was diminished by a big blue pass rush that had Rodgers under duress all night long. A lot of pressure on Rodgers resulted from great play in the secondary. Upon Kenny Phillips return the Giants ran a three safety set with Phillips, Antrel Rolle, and Stevie Brown. This scheme simplified things on the defensive end, and really resulted in a lot of sacks and hits on Aaron Rodgers. The Giants had the Packers number all night. 

Eli Manning was back to his old ways, throwing three touchdown passes that put Eli past Phil Simms with 200 touchdowns all time. Manning has officially thrown more touchdowns than any Giant that has ever been proud to wear the royal blue. It was a terrific moment for Eli and one of the many terrific moments in this Giants victory. 

Despite the domination, there are always areas of concern with the Giants future. Running back Andre Brown broke his leg in the fourth quarter. Andre the Giant had been a great contributor and was averaging over 5 yards a carry on the season. This loss could hurt the Giants running game because Brown had been consistent all year. Browns return this season remains questionable, but this is a terrific opportunity for the youngster David Wilson to emerge as a running back. There is no questioning Wilson's athleticism and break away speed, Giants fans have seen that on special teams and with Wilson's limited time at running back. But the real question that will shape Wilson's success is will he be able to step in and pick up a blitz to protect Eli. Brown was a terrific blocker and was a big part of a much improved pass protection last night. As far as Wilson's future if he don't block, he don't get the rock. 

The Giants have every right to feel good about this win and the more comfortable position they're in for the NFC East. But several big games are to come and the Giants lead is not secure. The Giants simply have to stay focused and mentally prepared for every snap. The Giants have to stay hungry, and that starts with Tom Coughlin and his ability to help his team overcome injuries or set backs. On Monday night the Giants have a very exciting game in Washington against the dynamic, explosive, and awesome Robert Griffin III. The Redskins are coming off a big win against Dallas and still have plenty of time to make things interesting in the NFC East. The Giants have to be ready for this challenge that lies ahead. 

Taking it week by week is the right mentality, but the Giants schedule clearly says that after Washington the Giants still have to play New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore and Philadelphia in that order. These are some tough teams, and the Giants are at their best against great competition. This sequence of games will give the Giants a healthy dose of work going into the playoffs. 

From a mental standpoint, the Giants don't want it any other way. If they want to be the best they have to beat the best. The Giants should embrace this tough schedule and competition whole heartily because they'll have a great understanding of how to feel going into the playoffs. 

Confidence is key in football. And right now the Giants have their confidence, mojo, swagger, or whatever you want to call it back right where they want it. Giants fans have rights to be excited but this game of football is unpredictable. It's a long season, and any team can beat anyone on any given day. That's a truth that can't be taken for granted. And a good reason for the Giants to stay hungry as December rolls around. 

It's crunch time. And the Giants control their own destiny. Monday night should be another battle to remember. 

Also, after the game, New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett actually caught a fan that was falling onto the field. It is an interesting story from a player like Bennett who seems to have an interesting personality. Here's the story. 

Cue the Critics

The Giants were absolutely humiliated in Cincinnati on Sunday. The tone was set on the opening drive of the game when Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green waltzed into the end zone untouched. The opening blown coverage was the first of many mistakes during a long afternoon of pain for Giants fans. The offensive line got blown off the ball on every snap, the offense didn't protect the ball, and the defense was a joke to start the game. To make matters worse, the Giants had several opportunities to change the momentum of the game and failed to seize any one of them.

Getting into the details of the loss is painful for me, but there's a few things I have to address: 1) David Diehl was a complete joke. The entire line as a whole struggled, but Diehl was downright disgraceful, and as a result Eli took some abuse. Sean Locklear is clearly a better option for the Oline. 2) Running back Ahmad Bradshaw for some reason still has no idea when to protect the football. In a crucial situation, with the Giants knocking on the door of a turn around score down 17-6, Bradshaw initially had eight yards on a carry and decided to fight for more yardage. His toughness is an admirable quality, but an eight yard run on first down is nothing anyone will complain about. Instead, Bradshaw tries to carry three men on his back, and while doing so he shows no regard for the football. It was forced out immediately, and the drive was ruined. Andre Brown deserves to start. 3) The receivers played terribly as well. The only one with a credible day was Hakeem Nicks, aside from that nobody showed up to play. Martellus Bennett failing to get his feet down at the end of the half to reel in a score was infuriating. It was a big time pass from Eli as the clock was winding down with no timeouts, and all he had to do was drag his feet a second earlier. That's a lazy play, and it cost the Giants big time. Cruz was out of it as well, he did virtually nothing the whole game, and failed to reel in a touchdown in the fourth quarter after a picture perfect pass from Manning. You can read an accurate breakdown of the Giants passing woes here. 4) To defend the Bengals passing game A.J. Green has to be double teamed on every play. Because aside from Green, there is no passing threat on the Bengals worth sweating about. On the embarrassing opening drive, it appeared Corey Webster was anticipating safety help from Stevie Brown in a cover 2 type situation but never got it. It's a big time blunder on the young Stevie Brown, but cover 2 is also a risky play call against a seriously valid deep threat in A.J. Green.

That was a painful recollection of an utterly awful football game for the Giants, but now it is time to look ahead for the Gmen. The Giants will limp into the bye week with a record of 6-4. There once very comfortable lead is now much closer, and the Giants still have to play the Falcons, Saints, Packers, Ravens, Eagles and Redskins. As usual for the time of the year, the Giants have made it much harder on themselves and the critics will begin to sing their song as the pressure piles up for the team. This is a routine the Giants are all too familiar with, and for some reason seems to happen almost every year with this team under Tom Coughlin. Over the years of brilliant first halves and sub par second halves, the Giants have blundered so much that they've missed the playoffs on a few occasions, and they've also bounced back so well they've won two Super Bowls.

Is this year any different? The Giants have real concerns (listed above) but the answer is no. The Giants will gear up and play their hearts out for the best competition against teams like the Falcons, Packers, and Ravens, but the margin for error is officially much smaller than it was two weeks ago. This week the Cowboys play the Browns, and have a chance to gain some ground in the division race with the Giants on a bye.  As Giants fans, we are used to this dance of the ups and downs of a regular season. But due to a New York media market that is hungry for any controversy whatsoever, the murmurs of choking and the criticism of Coughlin will now be cued once again, as they do every year.

The latest controversy came from that of no other then Giants quarterback legend Phil Simms. Wonder-Phil is known for arguably the most impressive stat ever, and that's 22/25 completed passes (with 2 dropped passes) on the path to a Giants victory in Super Bowl XXI. But for some reason the same stupid question about whether Eli Manning is an elite quarterback or not came up and Simms flat out said he doesn't think so. Simms explained that he felt elite quarterbacks have the ability to win games purely by themselves, no matter what. He explained he felt players like Brees (a player on a team without a winning record), Rodgers (another example of a team that's struggled a bit), and Brady (the player Eli out dueled on the worlds biggest stage twice), are more elite than Eli Manning.

With Simms' "winning quarterback" logic, the NFL's elite quarterbacks consist of Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub, and Matt Ryan. But he failed to mention any of those names. The point is, why do all these ex-giants (Toomer, Barber, Shockey, Strahan, Warner and now Simms), choose to criticize the Giants after they've left? Yes, they are in sports media fields and are entitled to say whatever they want, but there's just no coincidence as to why this keeps happening. It's because controversial stories, especially those involving ex-players, are big news and therefore big money! I'll go as far as to say it's a complete conspiracy and an attempt at media coverage, by making a story out of virtually nothing.

Heck, the passing game has struggled. That can't be denied when Eli hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in almost 100 attempts making it a career low for him. But any Giants fan will tell you the passing game is struggling as a group, as a TEAM. Pointing out Eli and bringing up the elite/non-elite garbage is just ridiculous, especially from Phil Simms. Eli quite frankly is a better quarterback already then Simms was in his entire career. It's all pish posh man. Another example of the media world trying to meddle with the purity of sports teams, instead of telling the stories as they happen for the public. What a crazy concept.

As Giants fans, it should be our duty to tune out stupidity like this and stick to what we know: the football. So what we should take out of this game is the Giants have some work to do in this bye week, but quite frankly it's nothing they can't handle. After a week of rest, expect Eli and the offense to come out guns hot against the Packers. Because Eli's taken enough senseless criticism throughout his career, but he's always just cared about one thing: THE FOOTBALL.

So Giants fans, in the wake of the teams recent struggles, the adversity that has followed, and the unnecessary criticism that Eli Manning knows far too well, just try and remember it's about the freaking football man. The Giants have been down this road before. It's tough to go an entire season without a breaking point where the team begins to struggle. But now the Giants have an opportunity to do what they do best, and that's to overcome the adversity that's been laid upon them. Forget the fact that it's a Giants legend and complete garbage, just remember that if there's one thing the Giants have done under Coughlin it's that they've embraced the critics.

Because the Giants, especially Eli, feed off that doubt. That total disregard for the respect the Giants truly deserve. The Giants will turn things around, there's no doubt in my mind.

But until then, cue the critics. Because the Giants don't need love from the media, just from each other.

Deja Blue

11/6/12
By Anthony Beers

After a 6-2 start the Giants lost the first game of the second half of the season. Yes it's happened again, that tough loss where an entire month of dominance is already questioned. The Giants offense looked pitiful on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Good thing the Giants are all about overcoming adversity, because adversities here.

Maybe saying that after one loss is dramatic, but maybe it's not. The good news is the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins all lost this past weekend and this loss didn't hurt the Giants place in the division in any way. But it's officially time for sports media to question the offense, and in New York if there's any remote sign of  a team going through struggle, it's well known throughout the media.

Against Dallas two weeks ago, the Giants offense was able to squeak out a win. But they had to settle for a field goal on five separate occasions in the red zone. On Sunday against the Steelers, the offense was even more inept. Eli has not had a passing touchdown in two weeks, and he only passed for a measly 125 yards on Sunday. That's simply not the expectations Giants fans should have of Eli. There's no question he can play better but it's not entirely his fault.

The entire offensive unit struggled against a tough Steelers defense, and that conversation begins with the battle upfront. The Giants offensive line was a complete joke against the Steelers. Maybe the Giants should consider starting Sean Locklear again, because David Diehl did not look like he was prepared to play a football game. Tom Coughlin recently had Diehl's back in a press conference and made it clear he's sticking with him. There's no question he has done great things for the Giants in the past, but quite frankly, Sean Locklear had not given up a sack in his previous 542 snaps. That's a stat worth thinking about.

Another thing worth thinking about is the Giants running game. The Steelers absolutely humiliated it on Sunday, and yes Pittsburgh's known for that, but that was embarrassing. Ahmad Bradshaw has a lot of heart, has played through injuries, and is a fan favorite of many Giants fans. But it's time to question his game. The blocking up front was not good enough, but throughout the season Bradshaw has been a little shifty at the line when the hole is right in front of his face. Bradshaw has also had a few fumbles and has not nearly seen the same criticism that David Wilson did. Sure Wilson is a rookie, and Coughlin rightfully put the kid in his place, but if Bradshaw puts the ball on the ground and is forgiven how is it a fair policy for the running backs? Coughlin obviously is more critical of the rookie, but there is a point where consistency of coaching is important. That all being said, Andre Brown has been the most consistent of the three backs. When Bradshaw went down he was quite dependable, perhaps against weaker teams, but he never put the ball on the ground and when the holes in front of him he hits it. Bradshaw is also overcoming a lot of physical pain, like he always is, so perhaps more carries for Andre the Giant should be in order.

Defensively the Giants were playing great, but unfortunately the fourth quarter came around and the Giants were gassed. A lack of offense means one thing, the defense can't get off the field. And it showed when the Steelers scored fourteen unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Mike Wallace's touchdown was simply awesome. The guys speed was truly stunning, he made Prince Amukumara look slow and uncoordinated as he ran up the sideline untouched. Give Roethlisberger credit. He was getting hit a fair amount throughout the game but he hung in there in the fourth quarter and made the plays. That's something Giants fans are used to feeling on the other side of the ball. Then later in the game when the Giants desperately needed the ball back, Isaac Redman was running the ball right down the Giants throat. Fatigue was a factor, but at the end of the day they were overpowered by an impressive Steelers running game.

It may be true that any rabid Giants fan that has watched them under head coach Tom Coughlin over the years, had a deep wretched feeling at the start of this game. That's because every Giants fan knows this let down game. The great first half, and now's when the problems come. Do the Giants stick with struggling veterans in Diehl and Bradshaw or give other players a chance? Is it just one game that the Giants can overcome and put behind them easily? There are a lot of serious questions to think about as a result of this loss.

All of will be answered on Sunday! This game against the Cincinnati Bengals is now magnified quite a bit after this loss. The gap between being 6-4 and 7-3 is a huge swing. Other teams in the NFC East are struggling, time to capitalize, because any Giants fan knows that no lead is safe in this division. Does anybody recall a 4-8 Eagles team that finished 8-8 last year? The Giants need to take this loss seriously despite the comfortable lead and get right back on to rolling. The Bengals have struggled as of late and will have every right to be pissed off against the Giants on Sunday.

The Adversities officially here, time to overcome it. Captain Justin Tuck is confident this wont be another second half fall off. Confident statements are always grand, but in the world of football actions speak louder than words.

The Giants can still overcome this. Time to protect Eli and get this passing game back to it's former dominance of a few weeks ago. Nicks has looked a little slow and that's going to happen when you play hurt. Cruz can't do it all himself, and that showed on Sunday. A true third option in the passing game needs to emerge. To start the season it appeared to be Martellus Bennett, but the dudes been a little ghostly as of late. Rueben Randle was exciting fans a few weeks ago, but he looked like a rookie on Sunday. And Giants fan saw know sign of Domenik Hixon either. Any one of these players could be the third option that the passing game needs. Time to step it up.

It's time for the Giants to overcome the unfortunate feeling of deja vu Giants fans are feeling. Go Big Blue! Time to hang tough.



A special shout out from this weeks blog post goes to all victims of Superstorm Sandy. The amount of damage in the area is coming as a shock to me. My family is still without power back home on Long Island, and the scary thing is they're some of the lucky ones. This storm was pretty devastating, but to any victims do your best to hang in there. We can overcome this awful situation.

Another shout out goes to Chuck Pagano. Pagano is head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. He recently took a trip from the hospital to congratulate his team on their big win against Miami. It was a truly humbling thing to see, and his speech was enough to make any grown man cry. Hang tough Chuck, I think deep down there's a little part of most football fans that's now rooting for the Colts.

And lastly, Giants fans, be sure to check out this awesome sports blog that is everything Giants Football. Fans are encouraged to comment and talk about anything going on in Giants world! It seems pretty sick to say the least.

Football is Poetic

One picture says it all. On a pass to Dez Bryant that would have been the game winning touchdown, Bryant's fingers grazed the end line. Originally ruled a touchdown, the officials reviewed the score and reversed the call. The Giants stole the victory, stopped the Cowboys comeback, and gained some breathing room in the NFC East.

The Cowboys were not ready to play this one when the game started. The Giants jumped on to a 13 point lead when the Cowboys had some early turnovers. The Cowboys finished with six turnovers in the game, but remarkably the Giants had to settle for field goals on five different occasions. The Cowboys defense under coordinator Rob Ryan was ranked sixth in the league going into this game, and as the Giants struggled to get in the end zone, the Cowboys showed the Giants their defense is for real. The tough stops on defense for the Cowboys are what allowed their offense to get there game plan together and get back into the game. After the early lead, the Giants didn't necessarily play conservatively, but they were on their heels a bit. 

Romo, with four interceptions on the day, started to tune out the bad and find his favorite target Jason Witten to propel the Cowboys back into the game. The Cowboys took at the end of the third quarter and went up 24-23. Eli Manning furiously led the Giants back into field goal range in the fourth quarter, but once again the Cowboys would not allow a touchdown. Eli managed to scrape another field goal later in the quarter, meaning the Cowboys would need a touchdown to win the game. 

And then it happened. The whole world stood still as Dez Bryant got a step on Corey Webster and Michael Coe failed to get over in coverage. The Giants pressed several defenders at the line with safeties up top as opposed to lining up in a prevent, and it almost cost them the game. The Giants felt they had to play aggressively, but they almost gambled and lost as Dez Bryant almost came down with what would have been the catch of the year. But somewhat instinctively, Bryant put his hand down to break the fall and by a matter of centimeters, the game was won and then lost. 

In division rivalries the biggest moments can be so close it's infuriating to any football fan. The Cowboys almost put together an incredible comeback. In fact many fans may argue that the Giants won because they got lucky. 

Now the Giants were certainly fortuitous, that's undeniable. But there has never been a football game won from luck. The Cowboys had six turnovers. It's a testament to their defense that they were in the game until the final seconds, but when the Giants come away with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, where's the luck in that? Every win in football is earned, no matter how close or ridiculous the ending result is. 

The Giants earned this victory in another epic division battle for the second week in a row. The Giants are 6-2 to start the season and are 1st place in the NFC East and are one of the best teams in the NFC and blah blah blahhhhh. Wait a second this has happened almost every season for the past seven years. Some years they've kept it up, others they've slipped up in the second half, or maybe even collapsed. This is where the Giants truly have to be resilient. Because this is where it's gonna get hard. Players are going to go down, opposing teams are going to figure things out, and games are going to become tougher and tougher to win. 

The irony is, there's some good news in the fact that the Giants have been down this road several times before. And that is they know they can't get first half happy. Eli and Coughlin know that for sure. They've seen too much pain, and experienced too many times the "what could have been." The 2006 season where Mathias Kiwanuka allowed Vince Young to escape, the 2009 season where the mediocre Carolina Panthers under Matt Moore made a joke out of the Giants defense to end the season, the 2010 season where every Giants fan stood stunned as Desean Jackson mockingly jogged into the end zone to complete a 28 point walk off rally. These are some awful, gut wrenching memories. But they are recent, and have happened under head coach Tom Coughlin, even when the Giants have had really great first halves to their season. 

Heck it almost happened last year! The Giants were 5-2, then all of a sudden were 7-7. But the Giants discovered that they had yet to play their best football. With their backs against the wall, the world saw the Giants best game. When they had that chance, they took it, and ran with it. The Giants won six straight on their path to Super Bowl XLVI, their second title in four years. Super Bowl XLII consisted of a 6-2 start as well, the Giants finished 10-6 and came together in the final weeks of the season.

Right now, things are good for the Giants. They have an identity of being clutch and knowing how to win. This not a bad persona to have, but the Giants haven't truly come together as a team. That moment has yet to come. The point is, this is when it all gets real. There are still some big division games left in the season, and next week the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to town. 

There are no easy wins. There is no luck. Great teams find ways to put it together. That often happens when teams have looked failure dead in the face. Coughlin knows the feeling of pain when you realize the season's over. He knows what it's like to see Jackson's punk ass dance into the end zone and ruin your season. 

The Giants have to keep the fire. The first half of the year is over and the Giants have looked excellent. The two games they lost were one possession games. But the leadership of Eli and Coughlin can't let this team get comfortable. This is where teams are made. This is how championship teams are made. 

By coming together as a team in desperate times. 

Those desperate times are coming, it may not seem like it but just watch. The Giants will be ready, and if they overcome the obstacles that stand in their way the sky's the limit. 

Play the schedule. Don't quit, keep taking it one week at a time. Because Giants fans kind of like this identity of being a clutch club that knows how to win. 

Lets keep it that way. 

Week In Week Out

Carlos Rogers referred to the Giants as kings of the NFL. Yes Giants fans, our beloved Gmen thrashed the 49ers in what was supposed to be an epic showdown. Instead the Giants beat the 49ers on both sides of the ball, physically and mentally. Upfront the Giants overpowered the 49ers and ran the ball right down their throat in front of a stunned crowd at Candlestick Park. It was simply an awesome performance. But this win has sports media everywhere beginning to talk about how great the Giants are. How quickly things change in the span of a couple games.

This absurdity that the Giants are Super Bowl bound or the best team in the NFL is all an example of over hype. The win was sweet, that's undeniable. But just a week ago the Giants were a very questionable team with a defense that was playing soft to say the least. This victory over the 49ers is a statement, but was that really the 49ers best game? If these teams were to meet again would it go the exact same way?

The point is it's not always about who you play it's about when you play them. Credit should be given when it's due and the Giants deserve it. But no goals for the season are ever accomplished in October (unfortunately for the Giants). This NFL season has been complete madness. Who's beating who hasn't made any logical sense at all. For instance, earlier this season the Jets lost to the Texans, but the Texans lost to the Packers. The Packers, lost to the Colts, who the Jets just slaughtered this past Sunday. There's nothing logical about it. It's football.

Any team can beat anybody on any given day. The Falcons are perhaps the worst 6-0 team ever. They've dodged disaster the past three weeks to teams that have a combined record of 5-11. Saying the Giants are the best team in the NFL is crazy. The best team in the NFL will not be determined until February, but the media can't wait that long for a story. Reputations of who's the best will change week in and week out. So basically, sports writers will be wrong time and time again and it's the teams that start to believe what they're saying that suffer.

That's why the Giants don't pay attention to any of that stuff. Now there are facts that are undeniable, under Tom Coughlin the Giants are superb in the month of October. Time and time again the Giants have had dominant first halves to their season. This time it sort of feels like the same thing to any Giants fan. But as truthful as that all is, from a football standpoint it's completely irrelevant. Football is meant to be taken one week at a time, with different priorities each week. This week the Giants are coming off of a sick win but need to readjust their focus to the division. The Washington Redskins are coming to town in what is sure to be a battle, and a real test for the defense. With Robert Griffin III bringing new excitement to the Redskins, and the NFL for that matter, the Giants now have a second mobile quarterback to worry about in the NFC East.

Redskins tight end Fred Davis has referred to Robert Griffin III as "black Jesus." And after last weeks win against the Vikings, he's not the only one in Washington to think that. Griffin III had a clutch 74 yard touchdown that put the game away against a tough Minnesota Vikings team that has been surprising a lot of people. This match up in the Meadowlands this Sunday is sure to be another classic NFC East battle.

The Cowboys beat the Giants 24-17, and the Eagles 19-17. Those are the Giants only two losses, but they're two huge losses. If the Giants do not defeat Washington on Sunday they will be in a quick 0-3 hole in the division and just making the NFC East tighter than it already is. In fact, if the Giants lose you can kiss that "best team in the NFL" reputation good bye. In just one week, it'd become something more like "weak in the division" or something along those lines.

That's an absurd truth. Every week the media and the power rankings will portray every team in a new light. Being on a football team is about showing people one thing: wins and losses. That's why Tom Coughlin's only focus this week is preparing the Giants for the Redskins. It's a similar approach to when the Giants faced Vick, but seeing as RGIII is a rookie, he's going to run even more. And after last week, he has every reason to.

The topic of concern over the past few weeks has been the Giants defensive ends. Against San Francisco, Jason Pierre-Paul had his best game this season. The mental discipline to trust others around him ironically is what gave him more sacks, and was a big part in the Giants 3 takeaways on the day. Alex Smith has speed but he runs a much more standard offense. RGIII will be in the shotgun for most of the game, and running option draws with running backs and slot receivers. It's a big normality in college, and some young players are so talented at it, it's having a stint in the NFL. Cam Newton was very successful with it in Auburn and his rookie season in the NFL last year. RGIII is running a very similar offense under Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan.

If Osi Umenyiora continues to create this parting of the red sea hole with every snap, it's time for him to sit down. Either that, or use it to the Giants advantage. Blitz linebackers through the gap Osi's been creating with his foolishness. Perhaps it can cause RGIII to take more drop steps and Osi can get sacks and feel like he's contributing. The point is, if Osi continues to create holes with his pass rushing tactics and they go unchecked, it's going to be off to the races for RGIII. Ask Minnesota how that worked out.

That's the biggest concern, but it's safe to say Coach Coughlin is well aware of it. It's the players discipline that needs to coincide with the game plan. Last week was a taste of what the Giants are capable of when everybody's on the same page. Hakeem Nicks being healthy was a big part of why the Giants were able to run the football so successfully. San Francisco simply had to pay attention to Cruz and Nicks, even though Nicks doesn't even seem to be completely 100%. But Eli saw this and simply handed the ball off to Ahmad Bradshaw, who has been playing his best football lately. A lot of that credit goes to the toughness of this offensive line and full back Henry Hynoski. If the Giants have the ball in their hands, they have a lot of options of what they can do with it.

But the defense has to give them a chance to win. Don't allow RGIII to get fantasy points and be on sports center. Be smart and contain. Play Giants football. Because with the right attitude the Giants team fans saw last week could be here to stay.

It's all about taking it week to week. Washington's next. Huge game. Go Gmen, Tom Coughlin will have this team prepared.

California Love

The 3-2 New York Giants are returning to Candlestick Park this Sunday to take on the 4-1 San Francisco 49ers. Last time the Giants were out in California they were claiming a trip to Super Bowl XLVI. It was a thrilling 20-17 overtime win in the NFC Championship that no Giants fan will ever forget. It is sure to be another battle this time around as the 49ers will be looking for revenge.

Tensions are already higher than usual after the talk between Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Gilbride was asked about 49ers defensive end Justin Smith and said, "Smith is a beast inside, he's strong he does a good job of grabbing a hold of offensive linemen and allowing those twists to take place. He never gets called for it, so he gets away with murder." Harbaugh had a furious response in saying, "Kevin Gilbride's outrageous, irrational, statement regarding Justin Smith's play is, first, an absurd analogy. Second, it is an incendiary comment targeting one of the truly exemplary players in this league. It's obvious that the Giants coaching staff's sole purpose is to use their high visibility to both criticize and influence officiating." 

Although Gilbride was most likely simply trying to answer the question as honestly as he could, Harbaugh had every right to have his players back. But to claim that Gilbride's intentions were to influence the officials? That is quite the accusation. Gilbride probably hasn't had this much media attention around his name since Buddy Ryan punched him in the mouth. The point is, Gilbride simply is not known for drawing attention of any kind, especially being a part of the New York Giants. Harbaugh is simply dramatizing what was said and trying to get his players in a lather. 

The Giants on the other hand, don't need any additional trash talking to get psyched for this game. These are the match ups that they live for, and Tom Coughlin knows it. The 49ers will be the favorite having had the better season so far, and being the home team. The Giants are the underdog, with their backs against the wall. With the world against them, these Giants have proven everyone wrong so many times it should be expected they win simply because they're not supposed to. Now Harbaugh has only motivated the Giants more by raising the stakes with his recent trash talk. Coughlin is probably smiling thinking Harbaugh has much to learn. Don't be mistaken, Harbaugh is a terrific coach but as far as mental discipline and experience, it cannot be denied that Coughlin has the edge. 

All the trash talk aside, the individual match ups in this game are enough to excite anybody. Another round of Victor Cruz vs. Carlos Rogers is about to take place. Rogers had the edge against Cruz in last years regular season game which the 49ers won. But Cruz, who remembered how Rogers made a mockery of his signature salsa dance after an interception, tore apart Rogers in the NFC Championship with ten catches and 142 yards. Rogers depended on help in the second half of the Championship game from safeties to double team Cruz. It was a huge part of the Giants victory. Both players will be on their game for one another, and it  will be exciting. Fellow Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks' status is uncertain at this point for Sundays game. Nicks is listed as questionable but if he is good to go it's safe to assume the Giants wide receivers will win the match up against the 49ers secondary. 

With the 49ers smash mouth football style of play, this game is all about who is going to win the battle up front. The Giants offensive line is coming off of a great week, and their pass protection has been consistent so far this season. But this defensive line is by far the Giants biggest challenge. Not to mention linebacker Patrick Willis blitzing and wreaking havoc from all over the field. As far as protecting Eli the Giants will have their work cut out for them, but hopefully that good ground game Giants fans saw against the Browns last week can be established to make it much easier on the lines pass protection. 

On the other side of the ball, without a doubt the 49ers offensive line is favored against the Giants defensive line. The Giants dline has been mediocre at best and has not been able to generate any consistent pass rush or run stopping ability. All those facts aside, this is the game they wake up. This is the game the Giants remind everybody what big blue defense is all about. Stop the run, have some fun, get to the quarterback. It's simple and there's no question the Giants don't have the talent to do that. The only question is when is it going to be. Coach Harbaugh's mouth might be the trigger that causes this defense to explode. Containing Frank Gore will be a challenge, but if the Giants need a refresher they can just watch the tape from the NFC Championship. Stopping the run is all about emotion, fire, and discipline all rolled into one. It's safe to bet you'll get all three of those things on Sunday.

As for the 49ers passing game, the biggest threat for the Giants defense is tight end Vernon Davis. Davis is an absolute beast with his combination of size and speed. And due to a banged up secondary, that now includes a suspended Will Hill, there will be a lot of dependence on the linebackers to contribute in pass coverage. No linebacker is fast enough to play straight man on Davis, but knowing their assignments in zone or on double teams is crucial. Everyone in pass coverage has to have their head on straight without any mental mistakes. The Giants will get safety Tyler Sash back with the team this week, but the last couple weeks there have been a couple plays that resulted in touchdowns from bone headed mistakes. It's true that those plays are more likely without any real pass rush, but regardless everybody needs to be on the same page. 

Sunday. 4:25. Candlestick Park. Over the last couple years the Giants have brought back an old rivalry with the 49ers. The ghosts of the past will be watching. How can anyone forget Mark Bavaro carrying four men on his back? Not to mention Jim Burt and Leonard Marshall BOTH knocked out Joe Montana on separate occasions. The days of Rice, Montana, Lott, Simms, Bavaro, and Taylor are over. But this rivalry has sort of redeemed itself the last couple years. 

The tradition of hard fought football games between these two teams will continue on Sunday. Be ready for the Giants defensive line to break out and get to Alex Smith. Should be a great game.  

"Back in Business"

Tom Coughlin's post game speech was short and sweet. He claimed that the Giants were "back in business," and after the Giants 41-27 victory over the Cleveland Browns, that was certainly apparent.  The most exciting thing the Giants showed was their ability to run the football. The game started off painfully when running back Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. But following the mistake Bradshaw ran hard and downhill throughout the rest of the game. Bradshaw accumulated 200 rushing yards on 30 carries with a touchdown. David Wilson scored his first touchdown as well and had 2 carries for 44 yards. The Giants running success was mostly due to the Giants offensive line overpowering the Browns on every snap. Bradshaw deserves great credit, but the offensive line always comes first.

The positives of the emerging run game for the Giants were numbed by a seriously struggling defense. The Giants linebackers and banged up secondary have played respectfully, but the problem is the defensive line. Opposing quarterbacks have had way too much time in the pocket the past few weeks and the Giants defense hasn't been able to get off the field when it's absolutely necessary. The frustrating part is it's not a matter of talent. Giants fans have seen it before, these defensive ends can be some of the best in football and be an absolute nightmare for quarterbacks. The problem has been a lack of discipline. Sure, the Giants are missing a great defensive tackle in Chris Canty, who's return has been pushed back and back with every week. But the defensive ends are making it harder on themselves than it's supposed to be. Why on earth does Osi Umenyiora feel it is necessary to line up several yards apart from the offensive tackles outside shoulder creating a split of at least three yards? He then will try to go around the pass protection by practically doing a figure 8 swoop that most ballerinas can't even accomplish. There is no question it's a questionable strategy.

And forget stopping the run with defensive ends who wander and don't follow assignments. The Giants currently give up an average of 111.4 rushing yards per game. That stat right there is exactly why the Giants have two early division losses. Discipline fellas, Tuck has remained the most consistent but nobody knows it because runs typically aren't to his side. Why would other teams even bother? The film is as clear is day, Osi is magnifying the hole for running backs. And Jason Pierre-Paul has not been playing to expectations that he set for himself last year.

The good news is, Tom Coughlin's not stupid. Coughlin knows where the team is struggling and why. But he's been down this road before, and in the past he would add additional pressure that in some cases would cause tension in the locker room from players. Coughlin is wisely keeping his cool to address this problem and he knows the Giants have plenty of time to improve their defense. Last year before the end of the regular season, the Giants defense was extremely inconsistent. It was only when they came together as a team where they truley excelled and learned how to go "all in."

To bring out the best of the New York Giants, there has to be substantial competition. Often a game that the Giants are highly unfavored is where fans will see their best game. It's a weird phenomena, but mentally under Tom Coughlin the Giants play their best football with their backs against the wall. Going to San Francisco is a great opportunity for the Giants to get a taste of real competition.

But if the Giants can't stop the run, is it possible to think the Giants will stand a chance against the powerhouse 49ers on Sunday? Well generally speaking, no it's not. But it's ironically also the big opportunity that the Giants need to make a statement game. If they can't get their heads on straight for this game then there's a serious super bowl hangover going on. The Giants have a chance for redemption and to seriously be back in business if they can get a 4-2 record against a tough 49ers team on the road. It's not going to be easy, but expect this game to be much harder faught, and fundamentally sound.

More on the 49ers game later, but keep in mind this Giants team is still coming together and will emerge when the time is fit. This is a long season but expect a fired up Giants team to clear the air of their two division losses and questionable defensive performance against the Browns.

The Giants can win this game and all will be forgiven. That's the fact that Tom Coughlin is well aware of but keeping hushed up. Obviously the mentality shouldn't be different on any given week and the effort should remain consistent, but is it really true that the Giants will be just as emotionally ready against the 49ers as they were the Browns? That's what makes football crazy. Emotion is what drives this game. Just look at the Indianapolis Colts incredible win over the Green Bay Packers after they learned their head coach has leukemia. The Giants were a bit overzealous to start their game against the Browns on Sunday. But they got a crucial win and now they can get geared up for the game that any NFL fan should get excited for.

And that is why Tom Coughlin has remained calm, and exactly why the Giants are back in business.

Dust off the Pain

Add it to the list of Giants Eagles games that got away. Games as close as this one are torturous, there are multiple plays that could have made the pivotal difference in the game. But the Giants have to take this bitter loss as a learning experience. There is plenty of football to be played and with that comes a lot of adjustments. A big problem with the Giants is the fact that they are extremely vulnerable against the run.

The Giants have two divisional losses, in the first game it was Demarco Murray, in the second game it was LeSean McCoy. Good running backs are giving the Giants trouble. It's not a matter of personnel, there's no question the Giants defense should have the ability to be a good run stopping team. The problem is mental discipline. Understandably, it's much easier for McCoy to give the Giants trouble when they've got Vick to worry about as well, but they weren't disciplined against either threats. Poor angles were taken from the defensive ends in this game. Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul were trying to make some big plays and it cost them. For Vick's running, they did not contain the outside consistently allowing Vick more pocket space and the ability to roll out. As for McCoy it was very similar, Osi and Pierre-Paul did not set the edge that would force McCoy to stay inside. Instead they tried to make plays themselves and unintentionally magnified holes for McCoy. This allowed the Eagles to develop a very reliable running game in the second half and is the key difference in the game that gave the Eagles the advantage.

Not to mention the Eagles ability to stop the Giants running game. Surprisingly the Giants gave Brown limited carries after a dominant performance in Carolina. Bradshaw got most of the work, and he struggled. As has been the pattern, the Eagles won the game on the ground against the Giants. That's what determined the victor of this game. Giants fans can talk until they're blue in the face about how Ramses Barden shouldn't have interfered, or how Tynes was only three yards short of kicking the game winner, but those are a couple of crazy plays that are a part of football. What the Giants have to take out of this game is what they can improve on for the future and be ready for the next time they play the Eagles in December.

Now it was an excellent matchup and both teams played well. But the Eagles definitely attacked a Giants weakness in this game, and used it to be the pivotal difference to win the game by two points. In the future the Giants pass rush has to be more disciplined. Sometimes the best plays on defense are the plays you don't make. But playing smart and allowing others to excel goes a long way. The Giants have the ability to run the ball on offense and they have the ability to stop it on defense. It's up to the coaches to prepare them for it and get it done. In all honesty, playing the Browns next week is the perfect test. Committing to stopping Trent Richardson is what the Giants have to do. Eleven hats on the ball every time he touches the ball. With the Browns mediocre passing game, this will allow the Giants to take some chances and see what they're capable of when they really want to stop a running game. An experience the Giants need to have to develop some confidence in the run stop.

More on the Browns later in the week, but as for the Giants and Eagles passing game, I'd say it was a dead even matchup. The crucial difference was obviously the one turnover. The Giants were able to get over 300 passing yards against a tough Eagles pass defense and that's something to be proud of, but if they had that interception back that Rodgers-Cromartie snagged in the end zone, this game would be a whole different story. As is the theme of this bitter loss, take it as a learning experience. Eli will be the first to admit that was a crucial mistake.

If the Giants learn how to respond to these issues they can become an extremely dominant football club. It's all very realistic to think that the Giants can adjust. If they can get it together and get some consistency in the defense and the running game, the Giants passing game would not have to bail them out at the end of every game like it did last year. The Giants were able to make a super bowl run last year because their defense was just as productive as their clutch passing attack. Eli has proven he is as clutch as they come, but if this team comes together Eli wont have to be Mr. Miracle man every single week. And as a result you would see a dominant New York Giants football team.

But right now the facts are the facts. The Giants are .500 and are in need of a serious bounce back game against the 0-4 Cleveland Browns next week. The Browns are more of a threat then their record claims. There really aren't any games in the NFL this year that are easy. It's more competitive than it's ever been. The Giants need to get their season together and get ready for four huge remaining division games.

So Giants fans, when you feel like blaming Ramses Barden or Lawrence Tynes for this loss, remember it's a team game and there's a whole lot the Giants can still improve on. Coach Coughlin's gotten things together time and time again for this team. The Giants are still coming together as a team, and seeing what they're truly capable of. It's a long season, and the Giants have to stay optimistic and hungry so we can beat these bastards when we play them again in the last game of the season.

As Good as it Gets

This rivalry is as old as football itself. Countless games range from the bitterest of heartbreaks, to the sweetest of victories in a division rivalry that defines what football is all about. Pure hatred is what drives these games. This isn't just football, this is Giants Eagles. The emotional attachment to the results of this game are higher than usual for the players and the fans. This game is what it's all about. And another episode that has provided generation after generation with the craziest games imaginable is about to be written.

No one can know what to expect from a game like this. The Eagles are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Cardinals and the Giants are coming off a dominant victory against the Panthers. Vick has been struggling and murmurs of him losing his starting job have already been rumored. Eli on the other hand, has percolated and is leading a very good offense. Logically the Giants could be favored simply due to the fact that they recently appear to be on the rise while the Eagles seem to be declining. This is all true indeed, but this is a Giants Eagles game, so forget any kind of logic. 

In fact, forget that both teams are 2-1 and are competing to stay afloat in a tight NFC East. It wouldn't matter if this were a 15-0 team against an 0-15 team. These are the most important games all season and both teams will come to play no matter what. It will be intense, it will be passionate, it will be dramatic. 

Recently the Eagles have had the upper hand in these games. The Eagles have won 6 of the last 7 games between these two teams. The Giants however managed to get a big win last year in Philly to end the drought. Since Andy Reid has been head coach of the Eagles he has always done an excellent job of figuring out the Giants run game. Even in years like 2006 and 2008 when the Giants had some of the best running games in football the Eagles had them beat. Defensively the Eagles always seem to be very well prepared for the Giants. This time around, Eli is not nearly as dependent on the running game and has proven that he can win big games without it. The Giants ranked dead last in rushing last year when they won the super bowl. Nonetheless, Andre Brown has emerged from the bottom of the depth chart after an Ahmad Bradshaw injury and shown he can get it done. Now Bradshaw is back and expected to play in this game. In other words, Eli who has had success without a good run game, actually has one now. The Eagles defense will be fired up and play well, but this Giants offense is not so one sided as it has been in recent years. The Eagles may slow them down, but the Giants are playing really well offensively right now and it should get it done. 

What will define the winner of this game, is Mike Vick's performance. Lately Vick has seemed lost. He is holding on to the ball way too long and getting killed. He is turning over the ball left and right with interceptions and fumbles. Vick was fortunate to come away with a victory after an awful performance in Cleveland. The Eagles are even more fortunate to be sitting at 2-1. Philadelphia has the talent there's no question. Dependable running back in LeSean McCoy, explosive receivers in Maclin and Jackson (although Maclin's health is a concern), and a defense that has the ability to keep you in games and rush the passer. The Eagles have the depth, it's a matter of showing the world they are a team. Something they failed to do last year, but showed signs of turning around after ending their season on a four game winning streak. 

Two veteran coaches in Tom Coughlin and Andy Reid going at it. Will a Giants defense that desperately needs a statement game be able to get to the elusive Mike Vick as his struggles continue? Or will he be able to turn it around and make a statement of his own. No matter what if the Giants want success they are going to have to pressure Vick but be disciplined about it due to his speed. If Vick is going to be flushed out of the pocket it is highly favored that Vick runs to his right, seeing as he's a lefty and it's a more difficult throw and he'll most likely choose to run it himself. That's when the Giants have to hit Vick hard and make sure he doesn't wanna run it again. Make him want to stay in the pocket. That's where he's been throwing most of his turnovers lately. 

But if the Eagles were smart they'd try to run the football. The Giants have to prove they'll be able to stop a decent run game this year. Demarco Murray had his ways against us in week one, that's footage that Andy Reid will see and want to remember. Expect the Eagles to go to LeSean McCoy early and establish a dependable run game and make Vick more comfortable. It would also put the Giants defense on their heals. 

That's why it is crucial that the Giants get a dominant start offensively and get points on the board. Make the Eagles feel hesitant to try and run that football and make them more one dimensional. The Giants jumped on the Panthers last week and that caused an absolute field day. That opening drive silenced the crowd in Carolina, and if the Giants can come out and score the first time they touch the ball that would be a serious statement in a hostile Philadelphia environment. 

It's Giants Eagles baby in the city of brotherly love. It's going to be loud, it's going to be exciting, and as any Giants or Eagles fan could have guessed, it's going to be crazy. But if the Giants stick to the game plan of getting on the board early and committing to stopping LeSean McCoy before things get out of hand, it may be logical to think that the Giants will be able to overcome the madness. The regular officials are back thank goodness, and they better be ready to break up lots of fights. 

Who knows what will happen. Games like this aren't scripted. They often end in ludicrous fashion. Which is why the Giants got to remember to keep their cool. They can beat this team and they know it, but they have to prove it. 

Just have to be smooth and easy, like Easy E. With two minutes left down a score the only quarterback I'd ever want out there is Eli Manning. That's a true luxury for a Giants fan. A clutch quarterback that knows exactly what he's doing. 

Go Giants baby. Eagles suck.

The Midst of Madness...More to Come

In the midst of a chaotic NFL weekend the Giants could kick back and relax knowing they pulverized the Carolina Panthers on the road Thursday night. Despite many injuries, and everyone on the NFL network picking the Panthers to win, the Giants simply dominated.

A lot of the Giants offensive dominance was because of the excellent run game provided by Andre Brown. Brown had 20 carries for 113 yards and two scores. That is without a doubt the best performance a Giants running back has provided for quite sometime. If the Giants could develop a consistent running game it would obviously be huge. Thursday night was a glimpse of what Eli Manning is capable of with a dependable running back. He wouldn't have to take as many chances and it wouldn't matter who was playing receiver. Perhaps that's why Ramses Barden was finally able to emerge with nine catches for 138 yards. If it aint broke don't fix it. Brown deserves to remain the starter until further notice.

On defense the game plan should never change. Stop the run, and then have some fun. The Panthers were behind early so being able to establish the run was sort of meaningless. As a result the Giants were able to rush Cam and even our banged up secondary was able to come away with some interceptions. But the defenses ability to stop the run is still very questionable. DeAngelo Williams only had 45 yards rushing for the Panthers, but he only had 11 attempts. In games that aren't as one sided the Giants are going to have to consistently stop the run if they wish to compete. They honestly still have not proven that they can do it.

A big part of that is discipline from the defensive ends. Osi did not have a horrible game, but there was one drive when Pierre-Paul was out for a series that the Panthers ran right at Osi's side repeatedly. Osi struggles against the run, lets face it. But it's not because of his skill level, it's his discipline while shedding a block. Stopping the run from a defensive end standpoint, is not always about getting tackles. It's about sealing edges, holding blocks, and waiting for help without giving up space. Something Osi absolutely has to learn to do. Especially with the Giants facing a big running back like LeSean McCoy next week, and another mobile quarterback in Mike Vick.

This upcoming Giants Eagles game will be a good matchup, and another great episode of a classic division rivalry as old as football itself. But a real concern going into this game isn't anything the Giants or Eagles can help. It's what everyone has been talking about, and that's the controversial referee replacements. The replacement refs clearly do not have the experience to be prepared for NFL games. They've missed some calls, and made some nonexistant ones. Last nights should have been interception for the Packers was the breaking point for most NFL fans. If this is referee situation is not figured out by Sunday there is going to be trouble. This is Giants Eagles we're talking about. The refs have really struggled with keeping the game under control in a hostile environment. The Patriots Ravens game Sunday night is a good example of how the game became a circus.

The disturbing part is that the league has punished head coaches for getting frustrated with the horrible officiating they've had to put up with, when it's the leagues fault for this situation in the first place. How is it fair when it is indirectly the NFL's fault for not handling this situation during the offseason? Siding with the refs is how most NFL fans are seeing it, but once again the main source of the profit in the NFL has been exploited. The fans are the ones who suffer the most from this dispute. After the lockout last year, the fans should not have to put up with this insanity. The NFL needs to do whatever they can to reach an agreement immediately, FOR THE FANS. Because lets face it the fans suffer more than the NFL does from this referee situation.

But from the Giants standpoint, there is nothing they can do when it comes to the ref situation. They simply must go about their business as usual, and be thankful for the long week going into this game. This will be a good one, and there will be much more to talk about as the week progresses.

Thursday Night Football

Due to a ludicrous schedule that has the Giants playing on a Wednesday, Sunday, and Thursday the first three games, the Giants will find themselves in Carolina tonight for a little Thursday Night Football. The Panthers and Giants are both 1-1 and this matchup could go either way. It's an interesting matchup and for the Giants, it's a pivotal game with the Eagles game coming next week.

The Panthers lost to the Bucs and the Giants beat the Bucs. But both games were completely different styles. Carolina played a tough game against the Bucs. But Tampa Bay slaughtered the Panthers running game and embarassed running back Deangelo Williams. When the Giants played the Bucs both teams defenses struggled. The Bucs capitalized on their three early takeaways, but in the fourth quarter the Giants ran away with 25 points, and the win orchestrated by the fourth quarter bandit Eli Manning.

Speaking of fourth quarters, last year the Panthers were one of the NFL's worst teams at closing out games. In fact six times the Panthers were either tied or had the lead in the fourth quarter and failed to secure a win. The Giants, as most know, were dead opposite. Finishing games was their specialty.

But lets not forget this is a banged up Giants defense. It will be a challenge for this weak secondary to step up and rise to the occasion of guarding the explosive Steve Smith. Him and Cam had a great connection last season and there's no reason to think that trend will not continue. So it's crucial that this pass rush plays their best game. It was an improvement against Tampa Bay but nowhere near the potential this front four has to get to the quarterback. Everybody knows about Cam Newton's mobility so the defensive ends have to play disciplined. Cam is right handed to if you're going to force him to run it's wiser to make him run left, therefore Cam is more inclined to run and our linebackers and secondary can anticipate laying a big hit. It's an old strategy against mobile quarterbacks that eliminates the element of surprise of whether it being a run or pass. If he attempts to pass running left pick it off. He's not talented enough to get away with that all night.

As usual the Giants offensive production is in the hands of quarterback Eli Manning. With Hakeem Nicks, Domenik Hixon, and Ahmad Bradshaw sitting out the Giants are missing some offensive weapons. Andre Brown has a serious opportunity to show what he's made of in this running game, and Eli thrived throwing the ball last week as a result of his success. But without Nicks, receiver Ramses Barden will be getting the call for more snaps. As everyone knows, (exhibit A: tackle eligible 65 last week) Eli will throw to whoever's open. It doesn't matter who's on the field. This is a team and anyone on the field can get the job done or they wouldn't be there. Cruz and Bennett are coming off big games and need to keep it going. But if the oline can give Eli time, there shouldn't be any problems throwing the ball even with a hurt Nicks. David Diehl's injury hurts our oline depth as well but the show must go on. Protect your quarterback.

This game is crucial. Get through it and the Giants have a long week of rest and practice for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants are more experienced then the Panthers and they know how to win. The Panthers are flashy but they do not know how to win. Their defense was not able to get clutch stops last year, and Cam Newton's skills are impressive but he has yet to show he can march down the field with the game on the line.

That's the X factor the Giants have that the Panthers don't. At least they didn't last year. It's a new year and it's still early and no one wants to be 1-2. This should be a good game given the circumstances and the matchup. Can the banged up Giants overcome an explosive Panthers offense? If this were December I'd say hands down no problem, but this is earlier in the year and you never know what can happen. In fact this year the NFL has the most 1-1 teams since 1997. So it's still tough to know who the good teams are.

The Giants have injuries but they should still win this game. They can't make excuses. They can't come out flat because of the short week. They have to get it done.

The Giants are up for the challenge, you better bELIeve it. Go Big Blue. Time to make a statement about what this pass rush is capable of.