Die Hard Sports Fan

It seemed like the coaching staff of the Giants sat around and determined that the best way to game plan against the Ravens was by attacking their strengths rather than exploiting their weaknesses. I figured that the G-MEN would’ve increased the ratio of passes knowing that the Ravens have been one of the best at stopping the run for nearly a decade, but the Jints developed a game plan to win the hardest way possible. Boy, did that work out for them. I guess it isn’t that crazy because the rushing attack is the Giants best weapon. So what happens when the #1 rushing team in the NFL goes up against the #1 team at stopping the run? This dominant New York Football Giants team bullied the Ravens as they rushed for 207 yards and went on to beat the Ravens 30-10. As soon as Jacobs gained 36 yards on the second play of the game, I knew this game was over.  The thing that impressed me the most was how much the Giants rushed for because the Ravens were only allowing 65.4 yards per game. Baltimore did not allow any team to rush for more than 100 yards all season, and New York amassed over 200 yards.

Offense

The Giants offense consisted of a whole lot of running. Eli Manning had another Eli outing as he went 13/23 which is a 56.52% completion percentage and threw for 153 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Manning threw his only Touch Down pass of the game to yet another weapon in Darcy Johnson early in the 2nd Quarter. Derrick Ward finished the game with 4 receptions for 54 yards. The O-Line was outstanding as they allowed Earth, Wind, and Fire to rush for 207 yards on 33 attempts which is an average of 6.27 yards per carry. It was the 3rd consecutive game in which the Giants rushed for over 200 yards so props to them. Brandon Jacobs rushed for 73 yards and 2 TDs in the first half alone, and then he was taken out of the game since he was banged up. It was actually Ahmad Bradshaw who led the team in rushing yards with 96 because he broke one open for 77 yards on one play. The Giants’ offense put up 20 of the 30 points.

Defense

The Giants defense was solid even though they did not exactly fill up a stat sheet. The Giants were harassing Joe Flacco throughout the game, but the Giants were unable to sack the rookie until Mathias Kiwanuka chased him down midway through the 4th Quarter. That was the only sack of the day for Big Blue. I was surprised that Flacco was able to run around on the Giants’ D, and he ended up leading the Ravens in rushing yards with 57. Aaron Ross was the defensive player of the day for getting 2 interceptions, and one of them was a pick 6 which he returned 50 yards to the house late in the 3rd Quarter. That was when the Giants said checkmate. It was bizarre watching the Ravens run so much in the 4th Quarter being down three scores like time is not a factor in football.  Baseball is the only sport I can think of which does not have a clock so maybe Flacco thought he was playing baseball. Did the Ravens quit? The Giants’ defense put up 7 of the 30 points.

Special Teams

Lawrence Tynes was 1/1 in Field Goal Attempts. It went threw, but it was not pretty. It is also worth noting that Tynes missed an Extra Point Attempt. Carney has been perfect this season except for the one blocked field goal so it may not be the best idea to put Tynes out there until Carney gets cold. The Giants’ special teams put up 3 of the 30 points.

I guess Big Blue got a little bit of redemption as they took revenge on the team who dominated them in Super Bowl XXXV. The Giants won their ninth game which makes them 9-1. How will Big Blue fair in the next 6 games? They have the toughest schedule remaining of any team in the NFL. I predicted them to be 8-2 after the first 10 games, and they are 9-1. I got 3 games wrong so far because I had the Giants beating the Browns but losing to the Steelers, and then I had the Giants and the Eagles splitting the season series with each of them winning at home. I predicted the Giants to be 4-2 down the stretch giving them a 12-4 record. The Giants will make a trip to the desert to take on the Cardinals on Sunday.

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The Giants came into the game as the best rushing team in the NFL and rushed for 207 yards and 2 TDs against the Ravens who came into the game as the best at stopping the run in the NFL giving Big Blue their ninth win of the 2008 Regular Season.

1st Quarter

During the Giants’ opening drive, Jacobs hit a wall and redirected to the left side for a 36-yard gain which quickly got the Giants into Ravens territory. On 2nd and Goal from the 1 yardline, Brandon Jacobs dove over a defender to break the plane of the end zone for a 1-yard Touch Down run giving the Giants a 7-0 lead with 8:45 remaining.

Three penalties of 25 yards by the Giants’ defense really helped the Ravens on this drive, but the Giants were able to stop the Ravens from getting into the end zone. Then the Giants blocked the 32-yard Field Goal Attempt by Matt Stover, and the ball was recovered by Jones at the Ravens’ 33 yardline with 4:26 remaining. So the Giants took over at the where the Ravens downed the ball.

The Giants took advantage of the great field position, and Brandon Jacobs ran up the gut for a 1-yard Touch Down run to cap off the drive with 0:59 remaining giving. A low snap by Jay Alford did not allow Feagles to get the snap down on the Extra Point Attempt so the Giants only have a 13-0 lead.

2nd Quarter

Backed up on their own 10 yardline, Ward picked up 47 yards on 2 attempts which propelled the Giants to another scoring drive. On 3rd and Goal at the 1 yardline, Eli Manning threw a 1-yard Touch Down pass to a wide open Darcy Johnson in end zone giving the Giants a 20-0 lead with 7:14 remaining.

The Ravens began at the 40 yardline due to the Giants kicking it out of bounds during the Kick Off. Flacco put a little drive together before the Giants stopped the Ravens at the Giants’ 20 yardline, and Matt Stover made a 38-yard Field Goal Attempt with 4:08 remaining making it a 20-3 game.

On the first play of the drive by the Giants, Jarret Johnson pushed Hedgecock on his back on his way to sacking Eli Manning for a loss of 7 yards with 3:59 remaining which ultimately led to a punt.

On 1st and 10, Joe Flacco threw an interception to Aaron Ross who returned it 11 yards to the 47 yardline with 1:51 remaining giving the Giants another opportunity to put more points on the board before the half.

Eli Manning was marched the Giants down to the Ravens’ 18 yardline, but then he threw an interception to Ray Lewis at the 5 yardline with no return with 0:12 remaining.

3rd Quarter

Flacco had to run it himself a few times to get things going for the Ravens offense, and then as Joe Flacco was backing up from the blitzers and threw it to Jameel McClain at the 8 yardline who ran it into the end zone untouched for a 10-yard Touch Down pass with 4:26 remaining cutting the lead to 20-10.

At their own 46 yardline, Joe Flacco threw a pass to Derrick Mason which went in and out of his hands and ended up being intercepted by Aaron Ross who returned it 50 yards to the end zone for a Touch Down with 0:14 remaining.

4th Quarter

Bradshaw ran up the middle for a gain of 77 yards which placed the Giants at the Ravens’ 2 yardline, but then the Ravens made a goalline stand so Lawrence Tynes connected on a 19-yard Field Goal Attempt with 12:02 remaining making the Giants lead 30-10.

Since the Ravens are down by 20, Flacco kept the drive alive by finding Heap on the Ravens first 4th Down conversion of the drive. However, Mathias Kiwanuka chased down and sacked Joe Flacco for a loss of 10 yards on their second 4th Down attempt with 5:22 remaining giving the Giants the ball at the Ravens’ 48 yardline.

Wrap Up

Eli Manning went 13/23 and threw for 153 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.

Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward led in Rushing Attempts with 11 and Ahmad Bradshaw led in Rushing Yards with 96.

Derrick Ward led in Receptions and Receiving Yards with 4 and 54 respectively.

Brandon Jacobs had 2 Rushing TDs, Darcy Johnson had 1 Receiving TD, and Aaron Ross had 1 INT returned for a Touch Down.

Lawrence Tynes went 1/1 in Field Goal Attempts.

Antonio Pierce and Aaron Ross led the team in Tackles with 6.

Mathias Kiwanuka had 1 Sack.

Aaron Ross had 2 INTs.

The Giants had no Forced Fumbles.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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The Giants put up 19 points early before the Patriots made a late run, but it was time ran out so Big Blue was victorious in the final game of the 2008 Preseason.

1st Quarter

The Giants scored first as David Carr completed about a 5 yard pass on the right side to Darcy Johnson who shook off defenders and ran into the end zone for a 27-yard TD reception to cap off an 80 yard drive with 7:20 remaining in the 1st Quarter.

Mathias Kiwanuka started as a Defensive End for the first time in a while tonight due to the loss of Osi Umenyiora’s season ending injury. Kiwanuka quickly made his presence known as he sacked Patriots QB Matt Cassel with 2:52 remaining in the 1st Quarter.

2nd Quarter

To accommodate for the loss of Umenyiora, the Giants moved Kiwanuka back to his natural position as a DE as we already mentioned. To fill Kiwanuka’s spot as a Linebacker, the Giants are going to use Dave Tollefson. Tollefson got his first sack of the game with 12:39 remaining in the 2nd Quarter as he and Renaldo Wynn wrapped up Matt Cassel.

The Giants tacked on another Touch Down with 2:18 remaining in the 2nd Quarter when David Carr hit Sinorice Moss over the middle for a 9 yard TD pass to cap off an 83 yard drive. Since Moss is on the bubble, it was good that he scored a TD for his own sake. Josh Huston missed the extra point attempt so the Giants only went up 13-0. That’s pathetic.

As the Patriots were trying out their 2:00 drill, Matt Gutierrez marched his team all the way down to the 2 yardline before he lofted an interception to R.W. McQuarters in the left side of the end zone, and McQuarters returned it to the 27 yardline as the clock expired.

3rd Quarter

Josh Huston made a 20 yard Field Goal Attempt with 8:10 remaining in the 3rd Quarter giving the Giants a 16-0 lead.

4th Quarter

Josh Huston capped off a 64 yard drive with a 30 yard Field Goal with 8:37 remaining in the 4th Quarter giving the Giants a 19-0 lead.

The Patriots did not score until Kevin O’Connell lobbed a 16 yard TD pass to Chad Jackson in the corner of the left side of the end zone with 19:32 remaining in the 4th Quarter.

The Pats quickly put up another score when Kevin O’Connell broke to the right and ran a5 yard TD in himself making the score Giants 19 - Patriots 14 with 4:57 remaining in the 4th Quarter.

Wrap Up

David Carr went 20/29 and threw for 192 yards and 2 TDs.

Danny Ware led in Rushing attempts and yards with 13 and 49 respectively.

Mario Manningham led in Receptions and Receiving yards with 5 and 41 respectively.

Darcy Johnson and Sinorice Moss each caught a TD pass.

Josh Huston went 2/2 in Field Goal Attempts, but missed an Extra Point Attempt.

Michael Johnson led the team in Tackles with 5.

Mathias Kiwanuka had 1 Sack, and Dave Tollefson and Renaldo Wynn shared a Sack.

R.W. McQuarters had 1 INT.

The NFL.com Game Center: Post Game is attached.

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Pat Kirwan of NFL.com wrote an article about how the Giants will effectively pressure the Quarterback without Strahan.  His conclusion is the depth the Giants have at the position, and he is confident that Umenyiora, Tuck, Kiwanuka, and Wynn will wreak havoc on opposing QBs.  I definitely recommend that you check it out.

Giants.com:

Chance to improve - Michael Eisen says TE’s Kevin Boss and Darcy Johnson are getting valuable snaps at Mini Camp.

Moving Forward - Using a bunch of quotes, Michael Eisen realizes that theme is that the Giants are looking ahead to 2008.

Transcript: Player Quotes - Here is the funniest one posed to J-Load:

Your face looks slimmer?

No, this is just sunburn, but I am getting there, I am getting there.  It is always working, you know how it is.

What does looking slimmer have to do with sunburn?

Transcript: WR Amani Toomer - Yesterday, Amani Toomer fields questions about mini camp.  This one is hysterical because Toomer doesn’t seem comfortable answering the first five questions so the media asked what he had for lunch.

Why are all the players upset about all the Shockey questions?

Why are the players getting upset?  Because it is really not the players, it is just between the people who it is between, it is not between us.  We would love to have him back if we could, if everything works out, but it is really out of our control, that is why.

Have you shown him the love?

Yeah, I guess it was good to see him.  I don’t know [what you are asking?]

Is he in a bad mood?

Is he in a bad mood?  I wouldn’t say a bad mood.  Honestly, I have no idea about the whole situation.

What has Plaxico shown you over the years while he is healthy?

I think last year says pretty much everything.  He had a great year last year and he did a lot for our team.  I don’t know what else you want me to say.

What is he like as a teammate?

He does a lot for us on the field.  I don’t know what else to say.  He does a lot for us.

How was lunch today?

Actually it was good, the salmon was pretty good and you can’t complain about that.

Transcript: C Shaun O’Hara - Yesterday, Shaun O’Hara fields questions about mini camp.  Here’s a good one because I’m still waiting for the Giants to have a dynasty era.  Is it now?

What comes along with winning that first title?  Is there more of a desire to get to a second one?

Absolutely.  You do it once and people can call it a fluke, but if you do it twice they start to really respect you and understand your talent.  You have to win three for them to start using the ‘D’ word, dynasty, but I think that we all understand the requirements and the responsibility that comes with being defending champs.

Trancript: RB Brandon Jacobs - Yesterday, Brandon Jacobs fields questions about mini camp.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin (Video) - Tom Coughlin answers questions from the media about today’s practice.

TE Kevin Boss (Video) - Kevin Boss answers questions from the media about Jeremy Shockey.

QB Jared Lorenzen (Video) - Jared Lorenzen answers questions about mini camp.  It’s always good to hear from the ‘Hefty Lefty’.  You only hear from him and see him prior to the season.

DE Osi Umenyiora (Video) - Osi Umenyiora answers questions from the media about moving forward without Michael Strahan.

TE Darcy Johnson (Video) - Darcy Johnson answers questions from the media about how much weight he gained and how he plans on contributing to the team.

Mini Camp Report (Video) - Yesterday, John Schmeelk and Michael Eisen provided the Mini Camp Report.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin (Video) - Yesterday, Coughlin answers questions from the media about practice.

QB Eli Manning (Video) - Yesterday, Eli Manning answers questions from the media about how they intend on improving in 2008.

LB Mathias Kiwanuka (Video) - Yesterday, Mathias Kiwanuka answers questions from the media about moving forward without Strahan.

DE Osi Umenyiora (Video) - Yesterday, Umenyiora answers questions from the media about his contract.

New York Daily News:

Osi Umenyiora not happy with contract, won’t throw mini-tantrum - Ohm Youngmisuk wrote this about Osi, “Umenyiora could have added to the Giant headache but the affable Pro Bowler said he is going to take the opposite route and practice while talking to Giants brass. “I will be in camp,” Umenyiora said. “I’m not going to hold out. My situation is a little different.”"  This is exactly what Plaxico should be doing.

The Star-Ledger:

Afternoon practice report

O’Hara comments on Plax situation - Shaun O’Hara had this to say about Burress’ situation,

There’s a right way to do things. I’ve always felt that, as a player, you go out there, you put your best foot forward and as long as you’re giving 100 percent effort every time, you’ll be taken care of.

I think it’s a disservice to all the other guys that are out there working hard, practicing and doing their jobs. To focus on the negative is … sometimes we expect that, but there are a lot of guys out there doing good things every day. We have a lot of young guys that are getting a lot of good reps in. I think that should be the focus.

I think we proved it last year that the team-first concept overcomes everything. Whether players like it or not, this team is going to move forward. There certainly will be another center playing in my position when I’m done and that goes for every position along the line, so you’re either with us or you’re against us. I think the players are doing a good job of focusing on their daily tasks and their jobs and as long a we all continue to do that, this team will succeed.

Morning practice (and 80/17) report

Giants trainers have a busy day - Mike Garafolo provided an injury status for various players.

Practice must go on - Mike Garafolo tells us the highlights of yesterday’s practice.

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