Approach to the Game – New York Giants at Detroit Lions, October 27, 1996: For the most part, over the last few years, the Giants have developed an annoying tendency to find a way to lose close games. The only game in which they were blown out this year was the game in Dallas. The Giants should have won the games against the Bills and Eagles, and they had their chance in both the games against the Redskins. Phil Simms once said that the difference between being 12-4 and 8-8 is winning the close games — the Giants are just not doing this under Reeves. The Giants’ adequate running game, solid defense, and inept passing offense has kept games close going into the 4th quarter, but the Giants seem to come up with new ways to lose each week late in the game. Against a talented, but poorly coached Lions’ team, the Giants’ offense, defense, special teams, and COACHING STAFF (i.e., Dan Reeves) will all have to be at their very best in order to steal a win in Detroit. At 2-5 (0-4 in the division), it would also be wise to start taking a long look at some of the younger guys who haven’t gotten a chance to play yet this year.
Giants on Offense: Down 28-0 at the half, Dan Reeves allowed Dave Brown to throw early and often and the results were encouraging. However, once again, we come back to that familiar refrain — can Dave do it week-in and week-out for four quarters with the game on the line? There wasn’t much pressure on Dave or the Giants’ offense being down 28-0; how will they do when the score is 0-0? In the second half against the Redskins, we saw the Giants use slants, crossing patterns, screens, and passes to the fullback off the bootleg — these plays should become the bread-and-butter of the Giants’ offense. We don’t care if the Giants run them over and over again; what the Giants need is to get these plays down pat and execute them well every time they run them. Take a page out of Lombardi’s coaching book — repetition makes perfect! Thomas Lewis has had two monster games since being drafted by the Giants in 1994 — the game against the Eagles last year and the game against the Redskins last week. It would be nice not to have to wait another season for the next. Lewis is an athletic talent who can burn defenses deep, but he absolutely must improve his consistency. Calloway is sure and steady, but we would really like to see Amani Toomer start receiving some serious playing time again. Lewis and Toomer are the future; Calloway should become the top 3rd down receiver. After an impressive pre-season, Lawrence Dawsey has proven to be a flop. Howard Cross, a guard impersonating a TE, is regressing as a pass receiver; it is time to start taking a long look at Brian Saxton, who can block reasonably well and has very good hands. H-Back Aaron Pierce hasn’t been a factor in the offense since the game against the Vikings and the Giants haven’t used Charles Way a lot catching the ball since the game against the Bills. The New York press has been criticizing Hampton all week, implying that he is starting to lose it, but we have seen no difference in his style of play — he lost his quickness a long time ago after the 1992 season. The problem is that teams are continuing to overplay the run and the inexperienced line isn’t helping matters either. Regardless, Ty Wheatley is the future and we would actually like him to receive the bulk of the playing time for the remainder of the year (which we all know won’t happen). Hampton, in our opinion, should be the 3rd down back and short-yardage runner. Wheatley should be the starter. Slowly but surely, the right side of the line is improving, but the Giants made a major switch by inserting Lance Smith in the place of Rob Zatechka last week. Greg Bishop is still trying to prove to everyone that he’s a legitimate NFL left tackle; we don’t think Brian Williams is playing as well as he is capable of. Detroit has an average defense. They have some talent up front with the likes of Robert Porcher, Henry Thomas, Luther Ellis, and Tracy Scroggins. At LB, the Giants will face a familiar face in the form of “Pepper” Johnson — he’s sure to be fired up for this game. The weakness of the Lions’ defense is their secondary. We’ve said it many times, we’ll say it again: use the pass to set up the run! Let’s see what Brown can do unleashed with the game tied 0-0.
Giants on Defense: The Giants’ defense has played fairly well this year under difficult circumstances. As everyone knows, the offense hasn’t given these guys much of a break this year. Against Detroit, it gets no easier. WR Herman Moore, WR Bret Perriman, WR Johnnie Morton, and RB Barry Sanders represent the corps of a VERY talented offensive unit that can put a lot of points up on the scoreboard. We would keep Sparks on Moore (Moore’s one of the very best in the league), Randolph on Perriman (similar size and quickness), and Sehorn on Morton (fellow teammates at USC). Sparks has had an outstanding year so far, but Moore can be as good as Jerry Rice and this game will be a real challenge for him. TE David Sloan is another weapon — the Giants’ LB’s and Jesse Campbell must keep an eye on him. What the Giants really need is to start causing some turnovers — how about a couple of interceptions guys? While the Lions’ receivers are dangerous, Sanders is the key. If the Giants don’t focus ALL their efforts on containing him, they will lose the game. Containing Sanders is tough, because the Lions force teams to remove a LB and spread out their defense (because of the extra WR). Obviously Armstead will remain in the game, but it will be interesting to see who the Giants take out at LB — Miller or Widmer. We assume Tito Wooten, like he did in San Francisco last year, will play OLB and the Giants will remove Miller. Because of the lack of a FB in the Lions’ offense, this is the week we would bring the blitz as well (both from the LB’s and the DB’s). With a LB being removed, a lot of pressure will be placed on the front four, and with Keith Hamilton out, their job will become even more difficult. In particular, Robert Harris and Ray Agnew MUST step up big this week and EVERYONE must tackle, tackle, tackle. A missed tackle against Sanders or Moore will be six points for the Lions and the Giants have a few guys who don’t wrap up well (Sehorn, Ellsworth, Wooten, and Randolph). Stuff the run, get to the passer — that formula holds true week-in and week-out, no matter who you are playing. The tough job is actually doing it.
Special Teams: Another challenge for the coverage teams this week in the form of Glyn Milburn (who the Giants also have to watch on offense on 3rd down). Brad Daluiso has flopped big-time since the 1994 season. One more missed kick under 45 yards and we’d cut him; even his kick-offs have been mediocre (for him) over the past two seasons. It’s about time for the Giants to win a game because of their special teams. How about a block from Conrad Hamilton?
Outlook: Don’t ask us why, but we have a feeling the Giants will pull this one out this week. Giants 23 – Lions 20.