The New York Giants stuck a dagger in the fan base yesterday. While no one would abandon their team, the fans are frustrated, disappointed and down right angry. I heard a different roar from the crowd yesterday as I sat in Met Life Stadium.
One that I have not heard since early 2007…Rant & Rave: Week 5
Rant:
Tom Coughlin says that their game research shows in the situation of 4th & 5…the Eagles and new coach, Chip Kelly will go for it. Then shouldn’t they be prepared to stop a 3rd & 19? Michael Vick ran right up the gut untouched?
Linebacker, Jaquian Williams was actually still in a “back pedal” and in coverage when Vick ran right by him.
Rave:
Hello Hakeem Nicks! Nicks is still the number one receiver on this offense and he alone stretches the defense allowing other receivers to make plays. He might be one of two athletes on the Giants roster that defensive’s still fear. He makes the hard catch almost every time.
Rant:
Rueben Randle is a good receiver! He is still a #3 on this Giant team and is a clone of Manningham. He is not Hakeem Nicks. He can not make the hard catch in traffic or the come down with a jump ball. When the receiver is open in space he can make plays yet they still force him the vertical hot route.
example: Deep ball in to Randle…he drops it. A play later, same offensive call, same throw, same defense…Nicks catches it for 49 yards.
Rave:
Welcome back Will Hill., this guy is a player. He made several big time tackles, including 11 solo. His closing speed is fantastic and he tackles the appropriate way. Watching Hill shoot a gap, wrap up and take a receiver or back down was refreshing.
Rant:
Antrel Rolle is a gamer, but he should not be playing Weak-side or Strong side Linebacker. While the Giants have been undermanned at linebacker all year, one might ask what the Giant do when 3 linebackers are needed. Rivers(bust), Paysinger(Overachiever) and Williams(Tweener)? The linebackers on this team are terrible. With the addition of Jon Beason we can only hope that he returns to the 2010-2011 form.
Rave:
There “is” or “was” some life in there. During the 3rd quarter the Giants defense showed some life. The high-definition boards were playing a motivational video of current players unloading on Running Backs, Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks. Eleven players got together in a huddle and began to bounce to the music. Cool visual.
Rant:
Perry Fewell needs to let this defense succeed. For example, the pass rush is not getting there with four players…so why the ego? Send 5!
According to radio announcer and former Giants linebacker, Carl Banks when the Eagles inserted Nick Foles into the game for an injured Vick, Perry Fewell was still running the “spy” on the quarterback as if Nick Foles was an option to run?
Rave:
Second round draft pick Johnathan Hankins received some playing time yesterday. He was credited with 5 tackles…all of them solo. He also was credited with a hit on the quarterback. Nice showing from a guy who has been on the bench for 4 weeks.
Rant:
10 years in the league and Eli Manning is still making rookie mistakes. It is frustrating. The fan base knows he has no offensive line and understand he does not have much to work with; however, that is no excuse to throw pass after pass into double coverage. There is no excuse for throwing interceptions week after week when taking a sack is the right decision.
There is no excuse for taking “multi” grounding penalties in one game or wasting your last time out mid way through the 3rd quarter. When he has Nicks open in the end zone…throw the ball to the right shoulder.
One fan said to me yesterday, “Eli looks so pedestrian. Other quarterbacks that have been around 10 years carry their team on their back. When adversity hits Eli he immediately becomes part of the problem.”
When it’s bad…it’s bad.
Craig J. Santucci | Senior Editor NY Giants Rush