Approach to the Game – Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants, September 14, 1997: In terms of confidence in the head coach, the new offensive and defensive systems, and their own ability, this is a huge game for the Giants. After looking very good in week one, the Giants looked dismal last week. With adversity has come negative press and fan “support”. Only two weeks into the season, people are questioning Fassel, Brown, and the overall talent level on the team. 2-1 sounds a lot better than 1-2 and would quiet some of the nay-sayers.
Giants on Offense: Where is the West Coast Offense (WCO)? When we say it was lacking last week, we are not pointing to an inability to move the ball. After all, problems moving the ball should be expected when learning such a radically different system. If it was simply a matter of a lack of execution, we would understand. However, last week was not merely a lack of execution. The Giants ran a more traditional offense. The tempo that Fassel stressed all during camp and the preseason was visibly lacking. There were few passes to the backs out of the backfield and tight ends. There were few quick 3- and 5-step drops. That has to change this week. This is the offense the Giants started to become comfortable with in the preseason and what worked for them, especially Dave Brown. What the Giants don’t need is a continued lack of belief in themselves in terms of their ability to move the ball.
All that being said, in order to take pressure off of Brown and their own defense, the Giants need to start running the ball much better. That all starts up front. Power and attitude. In particular, whoever plays left guard (Bishop or Reynolds) will have their hands full with DT Tony Siragusa. Derek Engler will also have a difficult time with the very mobile MLB Ray Lewis (Charles Way needs to come through blocking him too). The offensive line must start creating more movement up front and Tiki Barber, Charles Way, and Tyrone Wheatley need to run instinctively and with passion. Too many times last week the Giants were faced with 3rd-and-long situations. We’d like to see a little more running up the gut as Lewis and OLB’s Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper are active in pursuit, but can be run on with straight ahead power. If the run blocking isn’t there, then Fassel must go to the short passing game. The Ravens have some truly gifted defenders, but most of them are very young and inexperienced. Boulware is a defensive end playing linebacker. Challenge him with passes to the tight ends and backs in his zone. Do so on first down when the Ravens will be least expecting pass. Get Aaron Pierce more involved in the passing game.
With Ike Hilliard out, Thomas Lewis, Chris Calloway, Amani Toomer, and Kevin Alexander need to step it up. No more critical drops, trips, poor routes, etc.! Get open and catch the damn ball. Brown needs to drop back quickly, make his read, and fire the ball. WCO — 3- and 5-step drops. Slants, screens, crossing patterns. The line must give him time. Gragg will face Boulware and that could be a problem. Oben has played two decent games in a row, but must do it again this week against Michael McCrary. However, if the pocket does breakdown, Brown can’t get flustered and start making some poor decisions, like he did last week. Stand tough and show a greater pocket presence! If the play isn’t there, throw the ball away. The running backs must be aware of the potential blitz as Boulware, Lewis, and Sharper can get to the quarterback. Tiki may have problems if he forced to take on Boulware in particular.
Giants on Defense: For the second week in a row, the Giants face a huge and talented offensive line — a line that gave the Giants problems in their preseason match-up when HB Jay Graham ran the ball. No matter how long they are on the field, the Giants’ defense must be tough against the run. Hamilton, Harris, and the linebackers need to jam things up in the middle, and the safeties need to support better than they did last week, especially Tito Wooten. Both Strahan and Bratzke will be dramatically out-sized by their respective opponents, Orlando Brown and Jonathan Ogden. They will have to out-hustle these guys and play with better technique. If the Raven running game gets in gear, the Giants will be in real trouble.
The Ravens have one of the more dangerous passing attacks in football. Michael Jackson and Derrick Alexander are big play receivers who can get deep. Thankfully, Phillippi Sparks will return this week — let’s hope he’s in game condition for four quarters. Vinny Testeverde has put up big numbers for a few seasons now, but he can be rattled if pressured. The problem there is the Giants did a very poor job of rushing the passer against a quality line last week. They get another quality pass protecting line this week. Michael Strahan needs to step it up another notch as do DT’s Keith Hamilton and Robert Harris in the pass rush department. The Ravens aren’t quite as strong in the middle of the line as they were last year with the departure of Steve Everitt. DE Chad Bratzke gets the unenviable task of facing another top-notch tackle this week in Ogden — but that does not excuse him from making plays. If he can’t get near the passer, perhaps it would be better to give Cedric Jones more game experience. Of course, some timely blitzes would help matters, but the Giants don’t want to become too exposed too often as Testeverde and his receivers can get deep.
Giants on Special Teams: Kick and punt coverage is improving, but must continue to do so. The Giants are not good enough yet to lose the special teams battle and still win the game. Brad Maynard did a superb job punting last week — if he keeps this up, he will warrant some serious Pro Bowl recognition. What would be nice to see is a game-turning, positive play from our special teams — i.e., a blocked kick or punt, or big punt or kick return.