1st Place Giants Ready for Second Half

So the giants are 4 -2 and in 1^st place in the NFC East coming out of the bye. A good place to be, but I think we all know the Giants need to be better if they hope to finish strong and win the division in 2011.

Let’s start with a look back on how Giants got to where they are today….

Giants were decimated by injuries before Week 1 even began. Thomas, and Goff out for year. Osi sidelined, and Tuck battling neck issues. Many prognosticators had the Giants struggling to a 7-9 or 8-8 like season. And there week 1 performance against Washington didn’t change any of those opinions. Gmen looked like a beaten team without an identity. Secondary and LBs played awful. Week 2 brought the St. Louis Rams and a much needed win. The weeks following this game have shown that the Rams are a bad football team, but a win is a win and the Giants needed it and got it. Week 3, the “Dream Team”. This is a game that everyone thought Giants would lose. The Eagles were coming off a loss and were the favorites to win the division. This Giants played inspired football for the first time all season and won a big game. Winning this game gave the Giants some much needed swagger. After a big win against Eagles, a lot of folks thought the Giants would steamroll the Cardinals. That didn’t happen. Giants could not stop the run(a trend that would continue). Although the Giants didn’t win, they did pull out an impressive come from behind win. Eli drove down the field when it mattered and the Giants pulled out a victory. Week 5 was a terrible loss to the Seahawks. A team the Giants are clearly better then, but Giants could not stop the run and made one too many mistakes on offense. This game may come back to bite us. Week 6 and a much improved Bills team came to town. Giants battled and again, Eli took the team down the field when it mattered. Big issue…Giants still couldn’t stop the run.

All in all the Giants are in good shape coming out of the bye. They fought through inconsistent play and a lot of injuries and should be happy being in 1^st place with a 4-2 record. That being said….Giants have been here many times before. Coughlin and Eli have had a lot of hot starts. The key is how we finish. That brings us to….

Looking forward:

Giants second half schedule is brutal. Giants are clearly better then 0-6 Miami, but after that they face 9 tough games to close out season. Giants need to play much better and more consistent if they plan on making the playoffs. They haven’t been able to run the ball or stop the run. Two things that need to happen to win big December games. There is some good news…Giants are the healthiest they have been all season. Tuck, Jacobs, Snee, Amukamara, and Barden are all practicing and expect to get some playing time on Sunday. Tuck should help with the run defense while Jacobs and Snee can help our running game get more consistent. Giants really need to get up early on the Dolphins so they can let Barden, Amukamara and the young LBS get some serious reps. These guys all have shown some talent and will be needed down the stretch. Not fair to expect them all to come out of bye and play lights out, but they will be expected to help win us big games when it counts.

My feeling is that the Giants battle all year and battle for an 11-5 or 10-6 record. That should put them in the playoffs and will have them in the mix for a division title. It is not going to be easy, but I have faith that a good head coach and good quarterback will find ways to win some of the close games down the stretch. Giants usually play up, and down, to their competition and I expect that trend to continue through end of the year.

To all of you Big Blue supporters out there…Hold on to your hats!! The second half of the season is going to be fun football filled with lots of ups and downs. And if the Giants come through itt and make playoffs…they will have certainly deserved it.

Week 6 Preview - Buffalo Bills

I am moving to a preview of the game, since my prediction didn’t go well and I don’t want to turn into a jinx for my beloved Giants.

Before the season started most prognosticators had this one marked as a ‘W’ but this is now a very tough game to predict. And this isn’t an ‘Any Given Sunday’ statement. The Bills have showed that that are not the pushover team of the last decade. That being said, I am not yet sold on the Bills as a top tier team and I don’t think the Gmen are as bad as they looked against Seattle.

Problem I have is that the Giants have proven they can lose to day team. The Giants have a talented roster, but we have a lot of that talent dressed in street clothes on the sidelines. Tuck and Jacobs are still out, and our Pro Bowl Guard, Chris Snee, also will watch from sidelines.

The Giants have enough to win NFL games and if they can find ways to win while the team gets healthy and the Oline ‘gels’ it will pay dividends down the road. The trick is they need to win games like last week. The Giants have a very difficult second half schedule and even though I think the team will be better weeks 8 through 16, it is going to be tough to get wins against top teams from around NFL.

What does it all mean…..BEAT THE BILLS! The Giants need to get back on track and pile up as many wins as possible before schedule gets tough.

Keys to the Game:

- STOP THE RUN!! I know it sounds easy, but the Giants have not been able to do it all year and it has hurt them. Fred Jackson has great vision and quickness and can do damage if our ‘D’ doesn’t keep him in check. I think one of the challenges the Giants have had against the run is that they have played a lot of Nickel Defense. Look for more Base Defense this week.

- ESTABLISH THE RUN. Something that in years past has been easy for the Giants(past struggles were against pass), that now seems like a huge challenge. I think a lot of this has to do with the new Offensive line and it won’t easier today without Snee.

- LIMIT TURNOVERS. Even as terrible as the Giants played against run last week, they still could have won. They drove down the field when they needed it, but a costly turnover gave Seattle the game.

*I know what you all are thinking…Doug, this are very basic keys that you hear every week for every NFL game..Well, you are right. The Giants don’t need to do anything special to beat the Bills. Giants are the more talented team and are playing at home. They should win!

Look for weather to be a factor. It is suppose to be a windy day in Northern Jersery and that could affect the passing games for both teams.

My Hopes for Sunday

I know every Giants analyst out there is trying to break down EVERY facet of this week's matchup against the mighty Bills of Buffalo.  Two things about Buffalo.  The city's Anchor Bar, which claims to have invented the buffalo wing, is a sham.  The wings suck, and you feel like a Swede in Times Square...freakin tourist trap.  The other thing, we should all forget what happened in 2007, when Bradshaw ran all over the Bills.  That was the fated Super Bowl season.  If the Bills have given up an average of 600 yards on the ground this year, you can rest assured it ain't happening this weekend at Giants Stadium.  It's just the way things work for Giants fans.  Our ulcers need to grow a bit more before the Giants turn it up.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants lay another egg and head 3-3 into the bye week.

I know, I know...why all the pessimism?

Because, the Giants need to toughen up in the trenches.  Until they do, it's going to be more of the same.  So, yeah, that's the realist in me talkin.

You want to hear what the optimist in me is hoping for?

Well here it is.

I hope the Giants were so thoroughly embarrassed last week that each and every one of these players takes a long hard look in the mirror and realizes he needs to listen to what coach Tom Coughlin preaches this week. Listens to every nugget of wisdom the coaching staff has to offer them, and takes it to heart.  Then, come Sunday, the toughest guys on the team (the offensive and defensive linemen) take it upon themselves to out-muscle and out-hustle the Bills on every single play from the line of scrimmage, creating HOLES for Ahmad Bradshaw to run through...and HAVOC for Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

So that's what I'm hoping for this Sunday....HOLES & HAVOC.

Say it with me....HOLES AND HAVOC!!

Bay's Bold Prediction - Week 5

Hello fellow Big Blue Bloggers.....

I have decided that each week I will give a prediction on the upcoming Giants game. As most of you know, I am a very optimistic fan so many of these predictions will be pro Giants...But hey...this is a Giants blog for Giants fans.

Anyhow..lets get to my prediction...

Giants 34 - Seahawks 17

The Seahawks just aren't a very good football team and are traveling across the country. Giants came off a big come from behind win and Eli is playing well.

Eli has a 105.6 QB rating and has thrown for 8 TDs, all while limited the dreaded INTs that haunted him last season. Look for the Eli to Nicks connection to blow up on Sunday. Nicks probably goes for over 100 yards and 2 TDs.

Even with the depleted Oline, I expect Bradshaw to put up decent numbers. Probably close to 100 with a TD. If Jacobs sits out look for Da'rel Scott to get some playing time. The kid is fast and could break one. Lets throw in a Ballard TD catch for good measure.

On Defense I think the Giants should play well and Tarvaris Jackson is likely to throw a pick. But Giants need to be careful here. Even with Mike Williams out, Sydney Rice can be dangerous. Look out for a few deep pass attempts to Rice. If this was Giants Defense of a few years ago, I would predict single digits for Seahawks...But with Tuck doubtful, the young LBs, and Fewell calling way too many zone defenses I think Seahawks will score enough to prevent a blow out. If Tuck doesn't play look for Kiwi to get some time the DLine. Osi, Canty, JPP, and Kiwi could be fun to watch.

All in all this should be an easy win for the Giants. As the Week 6 matchup against the Bills will not be as easy as some thought before season started.

New York Giants 1st Quarter Report Card

We've reached the first quarter of the 2011-2012 NFL season, which seems to be an appropriate time to evaluate the New York Giants up to this point.

As you know, the Giants sit tied atop arguably the toughest division in the NFL at 3-1.  That's all well and good considering the injuries NYG has sustained.  But how does it all break down?  Who's responsible for this early success?

QB: Eli Manning

The guy has proven he has the guts to throw an entire team on his shoulders. And with a 105.6 passer rating, he's got the stats to prove it.

Grade: A

RBs: Ahmad Bradshaw/Brandon Jacobs

Bradshaw and Jacobs are an interesting duo this season.  While they have certainly not been overwhelming any D-lines (They rank 24th in the league averaging 87.5 rushing yards per game), they have made up for it with valuable TDs when the Giants need them and in the air, as we all remember Jacobs' nifty catch to draw first blood against the Eagles.  But they still need to dig it out on the ground more to keep defenses honest.  Arguably the most important thing to note...They BOTH seem happy. 

Grade: B+

TE: Jake Ballard

Jake Ballard had big shoes to fill when Kevin Boss exited, but with that A1 steak sauce catch in the back of the end-zone, he's showing, just like Boss, he can be another weapon opposing defenses need to be aware of. 

Grade: B+

Defense: Perry Fewell and the Big Blue Wrecking Crew

The Giants Defense is making a name for itself again this year.  From that crucial goal line stand to break the will of the Philadelphia Eagles to a key interception taking the ball away from Arizona top-caliber WR Larry Fitzgerald, the G-Men are making it count on D.  But they desperately need to stop the run.  Getting Justin Tuck back in the mix will certainly help matters, however things still sound pessimistic on that front.

Grade: A-

Special Teams: Lawrence Tynes, Steve Weatherford, Devin Thomas and Aaron Ross

That's right, the Giants Special Teams has been nothing but pedestrian so far this season.  When your best Special Teams play is a Center squeezing the ball and a hard-count by your kick holder, you know you need to step things up.   

Grade: C

Coaching: Tom Coughlin

Coughlin has proven to the naysayers that he still has the support of the guys in the locker room.  How else can you explain motivating a team decimated by injuries to still play ALL 60 minutes of every ballgame (Week 1 excluded), orchestrating dominance against Philly and illustrating a "Super" comeback in Arizona.  I also love that Coughlin was STILL screaming at officials to get that timeout back practically a quarter and a half after the play...That's dedication.

Grade: A

KEY THOUGHT FOR WEEK 4: New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals, 4pm EST

Antrel Rolle MUST Contain Larry Fitzgerald and win the battle in the secondary in order for the Giants to triumph in Glendale, AZ.

As you may or may not know by now, I have MANY issues with Giants' CB Antrel Rolle, namely, I think the guy is the antithesis of what the New York Giants are all about; class, character, and an old school approach to the game of football.

That being said, the guy wearing #26 does wear blue and puts an NY helmet on his head each week these days, so I am semi-forced to support him. However, unlike a card-carrying Republican, I don't simply vote the party line.

Rolle needs to stop the trash talking.  Plain and simple.  His quotes after the Eagles game were untolerable in my opinion.  "At the end of the day, the coaching gets done Monday through Saturday. Sunday, when I’m on the field, I’m in the zone."  No.  You're wrong.  Last time I checked Coach Tom Coughlin has a championship ring on his finger and you don't....Listen to the guy during the game and respect his style of disciplined play...It's smart and it works.

Ok, I just needed to get that out of my system.  Now, the real issue at hand, shutting down Larry Fitzgerald.  Rolle did show some intelligence this week by saying that it can't be done and that the Giants will focus on double-teaming him.  But at some point in the game, Antrel Rolle is going to have to make a play. 

The Cardinals lead the NFL in yards per pass attempt on 1st down (11.0), something I hope Perry Fewell has been made aware of.  This means the G-men have to be ready for big plays right after key transition points in the game.  This also means the Giants need to get major pressure on Kevin Kolb. 

That being said, it's impossible to hurry the quarterback on every down.  That's what makes this Key Match-up so important.  Larry Fitzgerald is going to be thrown to.  If Antrel Rolle can make sound strong tackles like he made in the back-field against the Eagles last week, and if he can follow Fitzgerald's lead and keep his mouth shut and focus on the game at-hand, I think the Giants have a good shot at taking this one from the Cardinals.

No predictions here at The BBBC, but I will say my cousin and I played a throwback version of the game on Madden '93...the result? A 28-21 overtime victory by the Giants with a few key INTs.

Go Big Blue!