Approach to the Game – Washington Redskins at New York Giants, September 6, 1998: One could argue that the pressure is all on the Giants because this is the home game for them in the home-and-away series. However, we think the pressure falls mostly on the Redskins and head coach Norv Turner. Most “experts” are predicting the Skins to overtake the Giants and win the division because of their improvement at the defensive tackle position. If the Skins lose this game, there will be hell to pay in the Washington, DC area. If the Giants lose? Well, not many are giving them a chance anyway.
And that gets to the heart of the matter — the Giants continue to get NO RESPECT from fans, media, and other teams. Like last year, earning that respect should be the Giants’ battle cry throughout the season. Even those who felt the Giants had a good chance to win the NFC East again are dwindling in number with the loss of CB Jason Sehorn. “No chance,” they say.
Well, the Giants get their chance to make a statement on Sunday — a statement that should be heard loud and clear around the rest of the league.
This game will be a war. Both teams have prepared long and hard for each other since the opening of camp. The Redskins were humiliated in the Meadowlands last year and they want payback. Their tough defense got even tougher in the offseason. They do have weapons on offense. Their special teams are stronger than ours. The game could come down to a turnover or special teams play.
The crowd could also make a difference. A Special Request from the Editor: Be loud and stay loud Giants’ fans. Make life hell for the Redskins’ offense. You can make a difference in this game!
Giants on Offense: Don’t fool yourselves Giants’ fans. The Skins’ defense will be one of the best in the NFL in 1998. Despite a horrible run defense last year, it was extremely tough to pass against the Skins. Giants’ wide receivers had little success beating CB’s Chris Dishman and Darrell Green last year. The Giants really don’t have the kind of tight end they would need to exploit their linebackers in coverage. To make matters worse, the Redskins added two big time studs to the defensive tackle position in Dana Stubblefield and Dan Wilkinson. Now the Skins will be tough to run on and to pass on. Throw in well-respected defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and you have a recipe for trouble for the Giants on Sunday.
The weakest spots on the Skins’ defense is at both defensive end spots and at strong safety. Their linebackers are also not strong in coverage, save for rookie OLB Shawn Barber (he doesn’t start, but he’s a guy who has Jessie Armstead-like coverage ability and the Skins could use him in the nickel). There is also a noticeable drop off in talent after the two starting corners so the Skins’ nickel package might be somewhat vulnerable. These are the areas we would attack the Skins.
Last year in the Meadowlands, Fassel ran outside at the ends, and we see little reason why he would change this strategy other than the fact that the Redskins will expect this. The key will be the performance of the offensive line. Greg Bishop is going to have his hands full with Dana Stubblefield and he will probably need help from OC Lance Scott. That makes it critical for Ron Stone to win his match-up against Wilkinson and for Roman Oben and Scott Gragg to not have too many problems against Kelvin Kinney and Kenard Lang/Jamal Duff respectively. The Giants have a big and physical line that has now played together for a couple of years. If the offensive line can’t control the line of scrimmage for the most part, then the Giants will have an extremely difficult time winning the game.
It looks like Tiki Barber has won the starting halfback job. He could be the difference in the game. Tiki is an explosive back who can go the distance. He could also be a nightmare for the linebackers or SS Jesse Campbell to cover. However, he could also cost the Giants the game with his fumbling. We hate to sound melodramatic, but this game could be a key crossroads in Tiki’s career in terms of his coach’s (and the fans’) faith in his ability. We still wouldn’t use him heavily. We’d pick our spots — mainly using him as a target in the passing game. The guy who we would feature is FB Charles Way — not only in a one-back role, but also in a two-back role with rookie free agent Greg Comella playing the blocking back. We know the season opener against a hated division rival is a tough place to play a rookie, but we really think the Giants can smash the football at the Skins with these two in the backfield. In short yardage situations, get Tiki out of the game. The only backs who should get the short yardage carries are Gary Brown or Charles Way.
Going into the preseason, we thought that Fassel would open things up against the Skins by spreading out the formation on first down and throwing the ball. He still may do that. However, the fact that the Giants ran this type of offense a lot against the Jets in the season dress rehearsal has us wondering. Why would Fassel show it if he is going to use it? Be that as it may, we still think this might be a good idea. Chris Calloway isn’t likely to do much damage against the Skins’ cornerbacks. Chris Dishman pretty much easily controlled him last year. The key to the passing game will probably be the green-as-grass Ike Hilliard versus the old savvy Darrell Green. That’s a lot to put on Hilliard’s shoulders. That’s why we would go three-wide and pass quite a bit to David Patten, Joe Jurevicius, or Amani Toomer against Skins’ nickel back Darryl Pounds. Whoever of these guys is lined up against Pounds, it is crucial for them to beat him. If they do so, then QB Danny Kanell should have two decent options to throw to. What we do firmly believe is that the Giants won’t make a living throwing the ball only on third down. The need to come out passing on first down on some plays and they must successfully execute these plays.
What hurts the Giants a great deal is that Al Pupunu (strained knee) isn’t ready. He would have been ideal to attack the Skins’ linebackers in coverage. Howard Cross will have to keep them honest. We also anticipate QB Danny Kanell throwing a great deal to Way and Barber. The Giants didn’t throw much to Way in the preseason — we think they were hiding it. Blitz pick-ups by the backs will be very important too.
So the line has to block against the pass and the run; the runners have to pick up yardage on the ground and through the air; and the receivers need to get open and make plays after the catch. But what much also comes down to is Kanell standing tough in the pocket, accurately delivering the ball, not making mistakes, and making an occasional big play. Kanell believes he can become one of the best quarterbacks in the game. This is his first chance to prove it in 1998.
Giants on Defense: Norv Turner and the Redskins believe they can run on the Giants — especially with Marcus Buckley playing the strongside linebacking spot. They also think they can take advantage of CB Conrad Hamilton, who is starting in place of Jason Sehorn.
The key for the Giants defense will be to shut down the running game. If the Redskins are able to run the ball, this will take a huge amount of pressure off of QB Gus Frerotte and he will be able to use play action passes to burn the Giants. The run defense starts all up front with Chad Bratzke, Keith Hamilton, Robert Harris, and Michael Strahan. These four must have a good game or the Giants will be in deep trouble. The Redskins have a revamped offensive line. Their best player is OG Tre Johnson. He has been bothered by a shoulder condition, but he will play. Hamilton and Harris need to dominate the interior trio of Johnson, OC Cory Raymer, and OG Joe Patton. Outside, Bratzke and Strahan should do well against tackles Brad Badger and Shar Pourdanesh, respectively. The Giants very much need to win these match-ups.
The Skins will most likely test Marcus Buckley a great deal on the strongside. But Bratzke and WLB Jessie Armstead are light too. Buckley and Armstead need to play stout and tough against the run. The Giants also need a good effort from MLB Corey Widmer. Thankfully, run defense is the strength of his game, but the Giants need him at his very best on Sunday. He has to disengage from blocks quickly and forcefully and flow to wherever the ball carrier is. The last line of defense in run defense is the secondary. CB’s Phillippi Sparks and Conrad Hamilton as well as S’s Sam Garnes and Tito Wooten will have to be aggressive against the run and make sure tackles. The bad news is that the safeties will have to be more conservative than normal because of Conrad Hamilton’s inexperience at corner. They won’t be able to cheat up as much as they did last year. Garnes’ run defense may very well be the key to the game. Also be careful of the wide receiver reverse! The Skins like to use this play in big games and WR Leslie Sheppard has great speed. Norv Turner may try the reverse early in order to take some of the steam out of the aggressive and young defense.
Against the pass, much will depend on the pressure the front four bring. If the defensive line can not get consistent pressure on its own, then Defensive Coordinator John Fox may be forced to blitz more than he would like given Conrad Hamilton’s inexperience. Regardless, we do look for Fox to blitz — but how much depends on the front four. If the Giants can get into Gus Frerotte’s face, they can disrupt his timing with his receivers and cause him to throw before he is ready. But give Gus and the Skins’ wide receivers too much time, and the Skins will have little trouble moving the ball.
The linebackers will play a key role in pass defense as well. The Skins like to throw to FB Larry Bowie and TE Jamie Asher. They also may try to get their new receiving tight end, Stephen Alexander, in the game. The good news is that Buckley is a better pass defender than Corey Miller. Nickel backer Scott Galyon should have a huge role too. Look for the Skins to try to isolate Corey Widmer on one of the tight ends or backs — that could be trouble.
As for the wide receivers versus the defensive backs, keep in mind that the Redskins were without Leslie Sheppard last year when we faced them. He’s a vital deep threat in their system. They may try to isolate him against CB Shaun Williams. Michael Westbrook is an enigma, but he torched the Giants in the first game in DC when he was matched up against Phillippi Sparks. When he’s on his game, he is a difference maker. His size alone will present problems for Sparks and Hamilton. When the Skins go to three wides, impressive looking second-year man Albert Connell can make plays as can James Thrash. Norv Turner will try to isolate his best players on those perceived weak spots in the Giants defense. He may use the backs and tight ends to prevent the safeties from helping out outside. The chess match between Turner and Fox will be something to watch.
Giants on Special Teams: Close games are decided by special teams play. In punt and kick returner Brian Mitchell, the Skins have one of the best in the business. Unfortunately, it looks like the Giants will be without their best special teams player, S Brandon Sanders. The Giants need someone else besides Shaun Williams, Scott Galyon, and Doug Colman to make plays in punt and kick coverage. Field position will be absolutely critical in this game. That’s also why the Giants need P Brad Maynard to play like he did in the first three preseason games, and not the last game.
When the Skins are punting or attempting a field goal — watch out for the fake!!! The Skins tried this two years ago in the Meadowlands and they scored a touchdown on the play. In the punt return game, the Giants need Tiki Barber (or Amani Toomer) to field the ball cleanly and hold onto it first and foremost. Turnovers could prove very costly. After that, the Giants need to block well for the punt returner in order to give him a chance. Same story on kick-offs where David Patten may prove to be a difference maker. Michigan alums Tyrone Wheatley and Amani Toomer could have a role here too.
Then there is Brad Daluiso. It may all come down to him. The Giants can’t afford any misses from him. This game is too important.