Approach to the Game – New York Giants at Washington Redskins, October 20, 1996: At 2-4 (0-3 in the division and 1-3 at home), the Giants are most likely out of the playoff hunt. What they need to concentrate on now is to get their offense together, while keeping their defense and special teams playing well. No doubt about it — unless the offense begins to show signs of life, this season will be considered a total failure. Most fans expected the Giants to play poorly this year, but we all expected to see signs of improvement. Throw in Dan Reeves schizophrenic play-calling, and if anything, the offense has regressed (if that’s possible). Take away Amani Toomer’s two punt returns for TD’s this season, and the Giants’ offense has averaged NINE points a game this year!!! That’s not going to get it done in any league.
Giants on Offense: Who’s at fault? Who’s to blame? The coach? The quarterback? The offensive line? The receivers? We all want to blame one guy or one position — that would make things simple. However, as much of a cliche as it does sound, it is most likely a combination of breakdowns in all of these areas which are snowballing into what is truly a dreadful offensive football team. There is talent on offense. Brian Williams is one of the league’s best centers, Charles Way is one of the league’s best fullbacks, Rodney Hampton is solid and dependable, Ty Wheatley proved in college and in the preseason that he is explosive, Howard Cross is the best blocking tight end in the game, Aaron Pierce has the tools to be a very good H-Back, and the receiving corps has more talent and depth than it has had in years. For some reason, the pieces are just not coming together. Much of the responsibility must lie with Dave Brown. He needs to stop making excuses for the offense’s shortcomings and stop worrying about the rush. Drop back, make the read, and fire the football. Damn the press, fans, and the head coach. Just play. As Bill Parcells used to say, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it done. The Redskins and OLB Marvcus Patton in particular are going to try to get into Dave’s head once again in this game. If you remember, Patton initiated a verbal war with Dave Brown earlier this year in a game where many thought Brown lost his composure. The strength of the Skins’ team is their defense. They have two fine defensive tackles in Sean Gilbert and Marc Boutte, a solid and underrated group of linebackers (Patton, Rod Stephens, and Ken Harvey), and good cornerbacks (Darrell Green and Tom Carter). Up front, the Giants’ offensive line is struggling, as we had predicted all along. It may behoove Dan Reeves, Offensive Coordinator George Henshaw, and Offensive Line Coach Pete Mangurian to keep it simple for a while. Stop running so many complicated blocking patterns (traps, sweeps, etc.) and keep the blocking straight-up, man-to-man — just like the Giants used to do — at least until this unit settles down a little. Zatechka will need help against Gilbert from Williams. That means Ron Stone needs to be able to handle Boutte all by himself. Stone hasn’t been horrible this year, but he hasn’t dominated in the running game like we expected him to — again, we have a feeling that the schemes are causing the players to think rather than react more than they should. Also, Bishop and Gragg have to do a better job on the corners. Bishop in particular is going to have to face a tough pass rusher in Ken Harvey. Of course, all of this won’t matter unless Reeves and Henshaw come out of the Ice Age and open up the offense. We hate to repeat ourselves, but pass on first down! What have they got to lose? The game? Well, they’re going to lose anyway if they don’t open it up. The Giants have developed an annoying tendency over the last couple of years of keeping the game close, then losing it in the 4th quarter. Why does it seem like almost every team in the league can get a couple of TD’s lead every now and then, yet we are always involved in a nail-biter (or getting blown out if we play the Cowboys in Dallas)? If the pressure is too great on Brown, run slants, screens, quick outs, and so forth. What the Giants really need is to get their running game going. Hampton or Wheatley have to start breaking off longer runs. After a good start in the opener, the Giants are not using Way enough anymore and the pass to the tight end has completely disappeared from the Giants’ playbook.
Giants on Defense: We feel bad for these guys. Everyone expected them to be the weak link on the team this year, yet they turned out be the strength and the Giants are still losing. The front seven has played far better than we thought they would this year, but the Redskins are the type of “power” running team that can give the Giants trouble (as they did the last time they met). The key will be DT Robert Harris. We didn’t think he played very well against the Skins a few weeks ago and the Skins will run right at him once again. Moreover, when Harris is being double-teamed, Corey Miller (or Marcus Buckley) and Corey Widmer must be quick to fill the hole. The Giants also need Strahan to dominate Ed Simmons in the passing and rushing game — no easy feat. The weak link of the Skins’ line is the left tackle position. Chad Bratzke needs to clamp down on the weakside run and get a good pass rush too. The Skins’ talented WR’s could also be a problem. Henry Ellard is a gamer and though he has been a disappointment thus far this year, Michael Westbrook is extremely dangerous. The guy who has really come on this year has been Leslie Sheppard, both catching the ball and running reverses. Watch out for the reverse guys! And while we’re at it, watch out for the tight end! For some reason, the Skins regularly burn the Giants with passes to the tight end. Corey Miller and Jesse Campbell shouldn’t let Jamie Asher or Scott Galbraith beat them. What the Giants don’t need is INDIVIDUAL players trying to force something outside the scheme of things in order to try to force something. The frustration level on the defense is mounting, but this route will only cause six points quick for the Skins. That being said, it would be nice to see the Giants pick off a couple of passes or recover a fumble or two every now and then. As good as the Skins receiving weapons are, the Giants need to focus on shutting down the run first and foremost. Gus Frerotte is improving, but if Terry Allen gets going, forget about it.
Special Teams: We always worry about the Skins’ special teams when the Giants face them. Kick/punt returner Brian Mitchell is the best in the business and extremely dangerous — the coverage units are going to have to be at their very best. The Giants also need to keep an eye on a fake punt or field goal (they’ve already been burned once by the Skins on a fake field goal this year). Lastly, we’ve seen some improvement in the Giants’ own return game in recent weeks. The Giants may need another big play from Toomer on a punt or Wheatley on a kick-return — hopefully, the Giants won’t waste it this time.
Outlook: Normally, we would go with the Giants here, given the Redskins’ long winning streak and the fact that the Giants are desperate for a win. However, with the Redskins’ confidence being so high now and the Giants’ offense being so dreadful, we just can’t see the Giants keeping pace with the Skins. Another heartbreaker…Redskins 16 – Giants 13.