Giants Looking Super All Of A Sudden

[BankerBird™]

Giants looking Super all of a sudden

For first time since '08, Tom Coughlin's troops resembled a legit Super Bowl contender

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7412879/new-york-giants-legitimate-super-bowl-threat

By Ian O'Connor

ESPNNewYork.com

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- As NFL Sundays are wildly unpredictable events, no easier to forecast than a gathering storm at sea, the New York Giants could very easily lose at home to the Atlanta Falcons and go into the books as one-and-done postseason busts.

But at least the Giants will enter the Super Bowl tournament with a reasonable shot to win it all the way they did four years back. One week after they regained control of their market from the village idiot, Rex Ryan, the Giants didn't just take the NFC East from Dallas and leave the Same Old Cowboys looking like the Same Old Jets.

They resembled a legitimate contender for the first time since Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in a Manhattan nightclub in 2008, blowing a hole through his leg and the Giants' two-peat aims.

No, a 9-7 team that went 3-5 in the second half doesn't often amount to a credible contender. The Giants were not the Green Bay Packers in the regular season, nor were they the San Francisco 49ers or the New Orleans Saints. Not even close.

But sometimes the hottest team, not the best team, wins the Super Bowl, and the Cowboys and Jets have allowed the Giants to get healthy and hot. Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuckhave finally overcome their injuries, conspiring with Jason Pierre-Paul to give the Giants the one thing they absolutely needed to topple the 18-0 Patriots in a different life:

A relentless pass rush. In the NFL, there is no substitute.

"It's going to be a tough road to beat us," Tuck said.

As maddeningly inconsistent as they've been, the Giants do have some of the requisite ingredients of a potential champ.

1. They have a head coach who can win the big one.

2. They have a star quarterback who can win the big one.

3. They have a defensive front that can prevent the other guy's star quarterback from winning the big one.

"What that means," Giants owner John Mara said as he exited MetLife Stadium, "is that we have a chance."

A chance to beat Atlanta, and then go through Lambeau Field like they did when Aaron Rodgers was waiting impatiently on Brett Favre's bench.

"We've got a long way to go before we start comparing ourselves to that," Mara said. "But you know what? We're playing well at the right time of year. It's been a pretty good eight days."

So good, in fact, that the Giants can claim one of the most exciting offensive players in the sport. (And when's the last time this blood-and-guts franchise had one of those?) Undrafted and unwanted, Victor Cruz shredded the team he rooted for in his Paterson, N.J., youth, finishing with 178 receiving yards, a 74-yard catch-and-run that opened the scoring, and a game-preserving 44-yard reception that came on the kind of desperate Eli Manning heave that once landed on David Tyree's head.

Cruz might appear to be half of Burress' size, but his 1,536 receiving yards made him far more prolific than Plax (1,025) was in 2007. Cruz made a mockery of the fear that the Giants would be in trouble without Steve Smith, and showed why teams hoping to be special occasionally need special things to come out of left field.

"I'm doing cartwheels on the sideline when he's running by," said Giants coach Tom Coughlin, a man not inclined to do cartwheels with two good legs, never mind one.

Hours after the Jets came undone in the South Florida sun, their house further divided by Ryan's practical joke of a captain, Santonio Holmes, the Giants looked and sounded as galvanized by their two-game winning streak as they were by that famous Week 17 loss to the Patriots in '07.

"We're going to try to not compare right now," Manning said after his 346-yard, three-touchdown night. "We have a lot of guys on this team who weren't here in '07, so this is a whole new year, a whole new situation."

"We're playing smart football," he said. "We're not making many mistakes. … We have big-play potential."But soon enough, Manning was rattling off a long list of qualities he adores about his team. The defense. The running game. The receivers. The offensive line.

In November, the Giants won at New England and were right there with the 49ers at Candlestick Park. In December, the Giants were right there with the then-unbeaten Packers in the Meadowlands.

In between, the Giants weren't right there with the Saints in the Superdome. A rematch with Drew Brees indoors is one that Coughlin, Eli and the rest would prefer to dodge.

"We still have some things we need to fix," Umenyiora said.

But if the Giants remain vulnerable in the secondary when matched against otherworldly quarterbacks, the revitalized pass rush can ease the pain. Coughlin coached Tuck out of the grave during Jets week, and Umenyiora unearthed himself during Cowboys week, and suddenly there was the once-embattled head coach wearing an NFC East championship cap and talking up all of his "weapons" on the front line.

"It's going to give us a real good shot in the arm going forward," Coughlin said. "You can't double everybody."

Tuck and Coughlin's son-in-law, Chris Snee, doubled the hobbling coach by dumping a bucket of ice water on him after the game. Coughlin had just watched his defense batterTony Romo the way it had battered Mark Sanchez, sacking the Dallas quarterback and his bum hand half a dozen times.

But it wasn't just the pass rushers flying about the field. On offense, the spare-part likes ofBear Pascoe and Henry Hynoski were catching passes and high-jumping over Dallas defenders for important gains. Ahmad Bradshaw was making would-be Dallas tacklers whiff, Cruz was being Cruz, and Hakeem Nicks was hardly a slouch on the other side.

"Everything is starting to click at the right time," Tuck said.

That truth inspired Brandon Jacobs to say he had "the same feeling" he had in '07. Jacobs talked about a likely stop in Lambeau Field, where the Giants ended Favre's Green Bay career on an overtime interception and field goal in the NFC title game.

"I would not want to face the New York Giants in the playoffs now," Jacobs said. "It's going to be tough to beat us in the playoffs."

Maybe, maybe not. This could be the year Atlanta and Matt Ryan make their own breathless run through the tournament. In the NFL, you just never know.

But if nothing else, the Giants have earned the right to be taken seriously as a contender. Yes, they have a chance to get knocked out in the first round.

It just seems like they have a better shot at a reunion with the Belichicks and Bradys in the biggest game of all.

Ian O'Connor is the author of "The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter." "Sunday Morning With Ian O'Connor" can be heard every Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. ET on ESPN New York 1050.

Follow Ian O'Connor on Twitter: @Ian_OConnor

[BankerBird™]

If there's ONE thing that concerns me about this match-up with the Giants, it's their defensive line. It is unarguable that the Giants D-line versus the Falcons O-line is a distinct advantage for New York. It's bad enough that they can apply pressure by rushing four straight-up, but they also run more stunts than any D-line in the league, perhaps with the exception of the Steelers, and I'm just not sure our O-line is up to the task. Thoughts?

[FalconsManhood]

Bears type game

[Guest Gritz]

Their D-line against our O-line is a huge mismatch in their favor.....

Howevah......

IMO an effective way for us to cool them down in that area is for Matt to hit several of those 3-step drop drag routes to Julio crossing short across the middle. That is our version of the screen pass (I guess).

That would be an effective counter measure against their heavy rush. Matt doesn't need a ton of time to complete that play and they haven't invented a linebacker yet who can keep up with Julio.

A few quick-hitting draws with Turner would help too.

[Danishfalcon]

It will be a matter of the Falcons not getting too many 3rd-and-longs, because the prospect of the O-line blocking against their 3rd down D-line package (4 DEs) is not looking too good. However, a heavy dose of draws, misdirections and no-huddle should limit their ferocious pass rush.

[BankerBird™]

It will be a matter of the Falcons not getting too many 3rd-and-longs, because the prospect of the O-line blocking against their 3rd down D-line package (4 DEs) is not looking too good. However, a heavy dose of draws, misdirections and no-huddle should limit their ferocious pass rush.

Good point.

[Rajhae Battle]

Your right Banker, The Giants will be a tough out, having said that, right now i'd rather play them than the Saints, The G-Men do provide us with some opportunities however, They will be totally dependent on their pass rush. Their defensive backfield & linbackers can be beat,.Roddy, Julio, TG can all play the short game or get down the seams. I also believe we can run the ball, slowing that pass rush down some. Our problem will be defensive, i think we can control their run game, Bradshaw will run hard, but if we stuff Jacobs early, he gives up on the game pretty quick. I think Grimes will go back & forth with Cruz, the problem we could face is D-Rob on the other side, & the linebackers in coverage or pass rush. Eli can look like an MVP, or he can make some crucial mistakes all in the same game. The key will be make them pay for any & every mistake that is made. We have to keep the game close so the d-line can't just tee off on Matt Ryan cuz we are playing catch up. If we don't turn the ball over, force a few ourselves, limit penalties & mistakes, get off the field on 3rd down,score td's inside the redzone our chances of winning increase 10 fold i no that sounds obvious, but in this case cuz our strengths & weaknesses are so close. This game will come down to who makes a play & who makes a mistake

[FalconinPA]

It will be a matter of the Falcons not getting too many 3rd-and-longs, because the prospect of the O-line blocking against their 3rd down D-line package (4 DEs) is not looking too good. However, a heavy dose of draws, misdirections and no-huddle should limit their ferocious pass rush.

Good post. Mularkey has never used a heavy dose of draws, misdirections or screens. Would be good if he did.

[=abrahamburger=]

I won't play the "Maybe This Time Mularkey Will Use Screens" game again, I'm 0-64. Turner up the middle will be the gameplan (since it always is). I hope it works.

[root down]

I see HD having the potential, if used, to be a big difference as a hot route guy. Gotta let our O-line fire off and bang on that D-line, with the run. Grimes can hold his own on Cruz, I'd like to see Sidbury in on 3rd and long, with either Bierman or Edwards at DT. LBers better be ready for that FB in the flats.

We gotta real shot. I don't trust Eli, Romo as QB's. But Eli can pick apart a stretched out zone if given time...BVG!

[ditchdoc57]

I won't play the "Maybe This Time Mularkey Will Use Screens" game again, I'm 0-64. Turner up the middle will be the gameplan (since it always is). I hope it works.

Not a bad plan, with 4 DE and no DT's in the game they will lack the beef up front, play action on early downs will help. I like our match ups other than there pass rush I think we are better than or equal to them on most points. I would like to point out that we, IMHO, are much better than the Cowboys or the Jets........that article was writen by a NY beat writer.

[Darkflight]

It's too bad this team can't execute screens. This would be a good game to use a lot of them. Something tells me Turner won't be seeing the gigantic holes he saw in the Bucs game. This is going to be a battle.

[since68andcounting]

Let 'em get overconfident. We'll take them out like we did the Packers in '02.

[niels petersen]

It will be a matter of the Falcons not getting too many 3rd-and-longs, because the prospect of the O-line blocking against their 3rd down D-line package (4 DEs) is not looking too good. However, a heavy dose of draws, misdirections and no-huddle should limit their ferocious pass rush.

Agreed.

I think we should play them pretty much like we played the Lions. Run traps and misdirections, to try at take their defensive line out of position. And of course run the ball effectively, so we don't get into those 3rd and longs.

Edited January 2, 2012 by niels petersen

[manfam]

New York is ranked number 19 against the Run and 29th against the pass. On paper we should be able to move the ball. They are 4-4 at home so, they havn't been so tough at home. We have sucked on the road. Which team will show up is the question.

[norbendon]

Their DT's are very quick, but small. I've gotta say a consistent dose of Turner up the middle might actually be a very good gameplan for us this week.

[Carl927]

Turner up the middle, mixed with a quick release to Gonzo underneath. That's the path to success versus the Giants.

[Zodiac]

NY is open air and the corwd noise doesn't travel well there.

Here's how we slow down that pass rush, run draws, use the no huddle, and hit screen plays.

[Guest JoeSr]

Establish the run to neutralize their pass rush. Hopefully we dont come out with guns blazing in the passing game. These two teams are traditional in their approach.

[Thiccolas Cage]

I'm not worried about New York and I don't see what the point of giving New York the game before Sunday is. The Cowboys HAVE NOT looked like a good team all year. Outside of their pass rush, the only other concern is Victor Cruz. We just have to play solid on D and put up points offensively. We will be alright guys. This is our first playoff win under the "regime!"

[Club212]

I will try & update what the papers are saying up here, I feel we have a pretty good shot, off the top of my head I believe we have won the last few times in NJ (not NY). The Giants have been on a roll of late BUT, were not doing to good at HOME. Their DC has been getting bashed in the press more than I bash BVClueless. They are weak in the Dbackfield BUT strong UPFRONT. Bolley has been banged up but has his great moments, they do love him up here! Eli is playing great & Matt should be used to the cold weather, windy day in the N East since he played in Boston. Keep on eye on the swilling winds in NJ with the kicking games..

Edited January 2, 2012 by Club212

[Guest Gritz]

Here's how we slow down that pass rush, run draws, use the no huddle, and hit screen plays.

[Zodiac]

ROOOOOOOOOOOFL

[Thiccolas Cage]

Once again, the only ppl that buys into the media hype about New York all of a sudden are the same ppl that want to see the Falcons go down at every bend and turn... This game shouldn't be any different from what we have played all year. We definitely have gone up against tougher opponents!

[=abrahamburger=]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA(SMILEYFACELAUGH)HAHAHAHAHAHHAH!