I am not a homosexual, but I would have kissed Lawrence Tynes smack on the lips after his game-winning 36 yard Field Goal in OT to propel the Giants to a much-needed win if I had the opportunity. This after I wanted to punch him square in the face after he missed a 31 yard FG earlier in the game. But he, and the Giants as a team reddemed themselves this week.
It has been over a month since the New York football Giants have won a game. Oct. 11 at home against the Oakland Raiders was their last victory until yesterday. And while yesterday's win over the Atlanta Falcons was less than stellar, it was still a win, something which the Giants desperately needed.
After beginning the season high with 5 wins, and then going low with four losses, Eli Manning took the Giants on his back and showed everyone why the Giants paid Easy Eli $100 million in the offseason. On a day when the running game was shut down by the Atlanta's defense and the defense could not hold a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter (SURPRISE!!! - memo to you Sheridan), Eli Manning had a career day at Giants Staduim. For the first time in his career Manning threw for over 300 hundred yards at home. His final totals were 25-39, 384 yards, 3 TD's and 1 INT. Manning hit differeny receivers all over the field, and he finally found Kevin Boss in the Red Zone for a pair of scores. Boss who had his best day of the season finished with 5 catches 76 yards and 2 TD's. Mario Manninham also had a big day with 8 receptions for 126 yards including a 29 yards catch and run to setup Tynes for the game-winner in OT. This is the kind of prodcution Manningham can give when he isn't dropping the ball.
I'll give credit to Gilbride who made an honest attempt to restore the running game but the Falcons defense after being gashed the past several weeks decided that the Giants were not going to run on them. But by not abandoning the run too early, the play-action pass was still in effect and Eli torched Atlanta's secondary.
The offensive line needs to get together because they have not been playing like the unit we have been accustomed to seeing the last 2 years. Terrible blocking on both run and pass at times, moreso the running, and uncharacteristic penalties are hurting this them. In fact, penalties by the whole team have really been a problem the last several weeks.
The only down-side to yesterday's win was the defense. Having a 31-17 lead in the 4th Quarter and having to win the game in OT is inexcusable. This is now 2 game in a row that the defense has not been able to hold a lead late in the 4th Quarter. A few questions that I have for one Bill Sheridan, the Giants Defensive Coordinator:
On the last two Falcons drives, where was the rotation on the Defensive Line? As I recall, Tuck, Osi, Kiwanuka, and Robbins were out there for 95% of both drives. What's the point of being 8 or 9 guys deep at that position of not to have guys with fresh legs rushing the passer late in the game? The Falcons were obviously in passing mode being down 14 points in the 4th and so there should have D-Line subs every 2-3 plays. Clint Sintim, Dave Tollefson, Chris Canty, Bsrry Coefield and Rocky Bernard should have been rotated in during the last two drives because it was freakin obvious that the guys that were in there were tired and were getting nowhere close to Matt Ryan.
On a more postive note, I thought Chase Blackburn did a great job at Middle LB in place of Antonio Peirce. He did so on short notice and should get better over the remainder of the year as he gets the reps with the first team. It was good to see Aaron Ross out there. I saw that the Giants used him at Safety and Nickel back. As he gets healthier, I think that Bruce Johnson would be better suited for Safety because he got abused yesterday by Jenkins. Boley has a solid game and showed why we got him, tough assignment for anybody to cover Tony Gonzalez.
Its a short week for the G-Men as they head to Denver to face the struggling Broncos who have dropped 4 in a row for what should be a good game on Thanksgiving night. A quick preview:
Not sure what the health status is of Denver's QB's but that could play a big factor in this game. But no matter who is under center for the Broncos the Giants will need pressure up the middle all game because I don't trust their pass-defense against guys like Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Stokely. Eli will have to be extra careful with the ball against the crafty veteran secondary of the Broncos which yields a unit with Champ Bailey, Ty Law, and Brian Dawkins. Given time, I think that Manningham, Smith, and Nicks can do some damage against those guys. Denver is reeling and the Giants are feeling good after their win, Giants win 38-17.
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