Frankly, there isn't much to add to the concerns I expressed in my last post on September 4th just before the 2011 season commenced. The loss of Terrel Thomas totally changed the equation for the defense, and the inability to replace Steve Smith totally changed the equation for the offense (not just the passing game, because if you can't pass, then you can't run).I will...

The Giants reached the mandatory 53 man limit yesterday with no real surprises. If there was any "surprise" it is the large number of rookie draft choices and rookie free agents that made the team. Whenever that happens it means one of two things: Either the Giants struck "gold" in the later rounds of the draft and undrafted players - or it means the existing...

The Giants cut OG Richie Seubert and C Shawn O'Hara and lost DT Barry Cofield, TE Kevin Boss, and WR Steve Smith (the first Giants pro bowl WR in 43 years) to free agency. On the other side of the ledger they signed TE Ben Patrick to replace Boss, but then he promptly retired. They did sign C David Baas, a 2005 2nd round pick of the 49ers where he played guard until filling...

RoundPick #PlayerPos.119Prince AmukamaraCB220Marvin AustinDT319Jerrel JerniganWR420James BrewerT620Greg JonesLB633Tyler SashS637Jacquian WilliamsLB719Da'Rel ScottRB

One of the most amazing stats I've ever heard was a few years ago when I learned that every single SB winner dating back to 1979 or so had a top ten defense. I know that the Indy Colts recently broke that trend, so I was curious to see where the current final four teams ranked during the regular season on defense. I sorted NFL.com by points against (Giants, btw, were ranked...

Later today the Giants face the Packers in what amounts to a "one and done" playoff game. If the Packers lose, their season is over. Giants win and they are in. And, while a Giants loss won't eliminate them, they would no longer be controlling their own destiny and would need a win and some help in the last game of the regular season next week.Add to that the fact that...

Having dispatched Washington in dominating style, followed by a crazy detour to Detroit where they disposed of the Vikings, the Eagles come to town in a "winner take all" game for the Division Title. Meanwhile, after a four week absence, Steve Smith returned from his pectoral injury last week only to suffer a season ending knee injury. His loss is going to really hurt in...

Last Sunday afternoon the Giants, bloodied and battered on offense, hosted a hot Jacksonville team in a game they had to win. The problem was finding a way to win a game in which they would almost certainly not generate any offense. After all, their offensive line was in tatters, missing their starting pro bowl center and his backup, as well as their starting pro bowl left tackle...

The good news is that the Giants defense put up a heroic effort in a 24-17 loss in Philadelphia last night. The bad news is that the Giants fell to second place against their primary Divisional opponent and have now lost two inter-Divisional games in a row. Moreover, as well as the defense played, had the Eagles not misfired on some very big plays, the score (and the game) would...

Dallas owner Jerry Jones finally put Wade Phillips out of his misery and promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as the Cowboys prepared to take on the Giants at home in the Meadowlands. Meanwhile the Giants were coming off one of the most dominating performances in the history of the franchise. And Las Vegas installed the Giants as 14 point favorites. Of course that made for...

The Giants face the Cowboys this afternoon for the second time in three games. In the interim, Dallas fired their head coach while the Giants came home from Seattle with a victory for the first time since 1981. While Dallas is imploding, the Giants seem to be exploding. They didn't just beat Seattle, they destroyed them 41-7 - and the score understates the extent of the Giants...

I've been watching Giants football since the 1950's and I believe the Giants' defeat of the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago was one of the greatest games in Giants' history. A nationally televised Monday night game, in Dallas, with the Cowboys season on the line. The Giants receive the opening kickoff and Manning throws two interceptions on the first two drives resulting...

The Giants dispatched a vastly improved Detroit Lions last Sunday in very workmanlike fashion. It wasn't pretty, but they won the turnover battle and kept penalties to a minimum while Detroit shot themselves in the foot with huge penalties are key times in the game. For the third straight game in a row the Giants eliminated their opponent's run game and thereby freeing the...

For the second straight game the Giants' defense completely shut down the running game and applied pressure on the opposing QB. And this time the Giants' offense contributed a strong game leading to a 34-10 drubbing of the Houston Texans.This was no small victory. Not only was Houston a good team, it was probably the most balanced offensive attack the Giants have seen. But...

The Giants needed a confidence boost almost as much as they needed a win. Last Sunday night they got both. The Giants defense didn't just shut down Chicago's offense. They totally dominated them. Decimated them. Destroyed them. Nine sacks in the first half. The Giants sent Cutler to the showers and then proceeded to knock backup Todd Collins out of the game. Chicago couldn...

The Giants lost to the Tennessee Titans 29-10 last Sunday. Looking at the final score one would think the game was a complete blow out. But they would be wrong. The Giants completely contained the best running back in football until the game was already out of reach in the 4th quarter. And they outplayed Tennessee in every aspect of the game - except errors. The Giants were penalized...

The fact the Giants lost to the Colts isn't a big deal. After all, a loss wasn't exactly unexpected, not even by a lopsided score (I predicted a 35-24 Colt victory). But the Giants didn't just lose. They were completely taken apart by Indy on both sides of the ball. And they were physically out muscled by a finesse team. It was a total deconstruction on both sides of...

As the game wound down it wasn't clear whether we were watching ping pong or football as the teams turned the ball over in a bizarre sequence of six straight possessions ending with turnovers. But, as I posted before the game, this was a critical game for the Giants for several reasons and, at the end of the day, they won, 31-18.Despite the sloppy play, there were some big positives...

The Giants open their 2010 season in less than five hours. The first game of any season brings excitement and enthusiasm. Every team stands on equal footing at the starting line with equal chances, at least theoretically, at the ultimate prize. However, for the 2010 Giants, this is not simply another opening day game. It has far greater meaning and significance. It is the inaugural...

If they make no changes, the opening day 2010 roster will look like this:Offense (24)Quarterbacks (2): Eli Manning, Sage Rosenfels,Running Backs (4): Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, D.J. Ware, Darius ReynaudFullbacks (1): Madison HedgecockWide Receivers (6): Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden, Victor Cruz, Duke CalhounTight Ends (2): Kevin Boss, Travis BeckumOffensive...

I'm not a happy fan. I've been dealing with the ups and downs of pre-seasons most of my 58 years on this planet. I know all the platitudes... it's only pre-season ... it's only the first (or second) game ... they are not putting in their full packages and schemes ... they are holding out many starters who would normally be playing if the games were for real ... these...

For the first time since I've been documenting my thoughts on the Giants, I've failed to post any analysis regarding the failures of 2009 and the needs for 2010. And the reason is straight forward. I don't have a clue why the 2009 team struggled so mightily last year. The run defense was perhaps the worst I've ever seen in the 50 years I've been a Giants fan...

After an emotional win against Dallas, the Giants went on to lose to Philly in a wild shootout and then destroyed Washington. In the process, however, they have lost control over their destiny and are on the outside looking in. Quite a fall from grace from Super Bowl winners in 2007 followed by a dominant performance in 2008.There have been two constants this season. 1. Eli and the...

I'm almost at a loss for words. The Giants have not played well all year. Even when they were 5-0 they were 19th in the league against the run, 31st in giving up 20+ yard running plays, had no pash rush, and were not running the ball with authority. Then they went on to lose 5 of their next 6, the last of which was a listless performance in Denver on Thanksgiving night. Not only...

The Giants may have received their knock out punch Thanksgiving night in Denver last Thu.In the aftermath the Giants demoted Osi. Any such decision almost certainly required input (if not outright approval) from Reese - and almost certainly would have been round-tabled with every coach on both sides of the ball before being made. It has ramifications throughout the team considering...