Game Review: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Squashed by the Titan Edition

James Climit

The Good
Tuck, Kiwi, Pierre-Paul, Cofield Finally, the D-line matches the hype its created for itself, finally having huge day. The line did a great job shutting Chris Johnson down for the most part (until the team gave up late in Q4), and penetrating and getting pressure on the QB. Ends, Tuck and Kiwi both had great days, Tuck making huge plays against the run with 8 tackles, 2 for a loss, while Kiwinuka finished with a sack (4 this season), a QB pressure and 2 tackles for loss. Pierre-Paul, the first rounder, the athletic freak, the special team demon, whatever you wanna call him, made his way onto the defense, making a huge play at the LB position, stopping Chris Johnson for a loss. Cofield had a huge day stuffing the middle gaps, taking away many of Chris Johnson’s lanes until the end of the game.

ManningOnce again, don’t take the stats the wrong way Manning had another huge game. Though his passer rating was 77.4, and he threw 2 interceptions, he kept the Giants team in the game, marching them down the field drive after drive, before their lack of focus, effort and intangibles ruined the drive for them. On a more positive note, he finished 34/48 with 386 yards.

Rolle and PhillipsThe dynamic duo, Batman and Robin as they wished to be called, had a great day constantly stopping Chris Johnson before he could get into the open field. Together the Miami alums finished with 16 total tackles, proving their worth.

Wide ReceiversBesides dropped/deflected passes, the receivers had an awesome game, totaling for 383 yards. The possession man, Smith had 8 catches for 103 yards, working the middle of the field in his usual slot role. Nicks was the number one, making critical catches, helping Eli out while opening up the field for the running game. Manningham once again, the weapon, the big play threat, had 6 catches for 78 yards, and would have had a touchdown if it wasn’t for Bradshaws stupid cutblock. The lone bright spot from last year is turning out to play a similar role, for the Giants this year.

Tight EndsThis week, Boss played like a boss, showing the Giants what they missed last week. He had 3 catches for 88 yards while finding ways to open the only holes on the O-line for Bradshaw. Welcome back Boss, we’ll need you this year. Finally Gilbride got the memo the Giants drafted Beckum, I don’t know about you but I’ve been waiting for him to use his dynamic H back. Beckum had 2 catches for 23 yards, look for him to be targeted more in the upcoming weeks, matched up against linebackers, he is a game breaker.

The Bad (the usual suspects)

Special TeamsThis week, it wasn’t Matt Dodge who caused the issues, due to the fact he never got a chance to punt.  Instead it was coordinator Tom Quinn, kicker Lawrence Tynes and the rest of his coverage units. Tynes had a terrible game going 1/3 on field goal attempts missing 53 and 38 yarders, while being unable to kick the ball into the end zone on kickoffs. Back to the coverage units, week after week, the Giants lose the field position battle, finishing with the worst in the NFL. Somehow their opponents starting around the 30, while the Giants start around the 15, even though we traded for “star” KR and PR Darius Reynaud. I don’t the cause of the issue, but I hope Quinn does, because if he isn’t able to fix it, he will be out the door come November. Oh wait I forgot Coughlin doesn’t fire his guys.

CornersVince Young saved the day, passing for 118 yards, yes Vince Young, yes 118 yards. I wasn’t mad when Peyton Manning torched the defense, but Young, now that’s a different story. But it may not be fair to put the blame of that on the corners, because Webster and Thomas are best at bump ‘n run coverage, but play after play Fewell puts them in zone. Whosever fault it may be, the problem better be fixed because next week, the Giants play Jay Cutler, who is a heck of a lot better then Young.
Receivers’ ability to catch the ballAgain, the same problem as last week, both of Eli’s interceptions were off the hands of his receivers (just like last week). Is it concentration or do the Giant receivers not have good hands, which are an answer we’ll never know. But what we do know is the young receivers better step up fast, because they now are the focal point of the offense.

O-lineOnce again the Giants O-line did not have a good game allowing 2 sacks, and 7 QB hits, against a mediocre D-line, all I can say is, Eli get ready, next week you face Peppers.

The Ugly
Red zone woesThis is reminiscent of last year and 2006, failing to score in the “Green Zone” and failing to stop the opponent in the red zone.

TurnoversThe Giants turnovers have just been unacceptable drive AND game KILLERS this weeks set of turnovers started with Eli’s interception that bounced off the hands of a Hakeem Nicks. The turnovers became worse, taking away 2 easy touchdowns when the giants were in the green zone. Eli’s left-handed put, interception in the end zone, and Bradshaw's fumble around the 10.

Lack of intangibles, lack of heart, lack of intensity, lack of devotion etcYou know Coughlin’s lost the team, when they play a football game, which should only be remembered by a lack of discipline, and lack of heart. This and the turnovers lost them the Titans game. I’m separating this from turnovers, and this paragraph will mostly be about pure stupidity and a lack of effort, which is far different then a couple mistakes.

All of the following examples were plays that took away the Giants game, and their remaining pride. Bradshaw's “cut block” in the end zone, which cost them a Manningham touchdown, and gave the Titans 9 points, a safety and a touchdown. Think about how far Matt Dodge can punt the ball; now consider how great the Titans field position is and how easy it is for them to score.
Then the Giants created unnecessary 15-yard personal fouls from Diel, Mckenzie, Rolle and 3 others. Mckenzie's was a clear example of how the Giants played yesterday. After he got away with a push after the play, he decides to push the refs to the limit and push that same D-lineman again seconds after the play was clearly over. What goes through that mans head???

If they continue to kill themselves like this, I can imagine Coughlin being fired around their bye week.