Approach to the Game – New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, December 27, 1998: The Giants have an outside shot at the playoffs. The Giants are hoping the Bengals beat the Bucs in an early game and that the Chargers beat the Cards in a late game. However, that isn’t likely to happen. Indeed, by the time the game starts in Philly, the Giants may already be out of the playoffs. I hope they don’t let this affect their play, but it might. It would be nice to finish 8-8 after a 3-7 start.
But the playoff possibilities are not the most important aspect of this game — it is the continuing evaluation of talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Kent Graham has played well these past two weeks and has one final audition in order to lock up a starting job in 1999. If he plays well again, the job is his. If he plays poorly, the Giants may end up being more aggressive in seeking another quarterback in the offseason. This is a very important game for Kent and the Giants as a team.
Don’t think this game will be a walkover. The Eagles have played well recently and given such teams as the Packers and Cowboys a hard time (and both those games were on the road). In addition, this is Ray Rhodes last game as Eagles’ head coach and the Eagle players will want to win the last one for him. The last time these two teams faced, the score was 20-0, but it was a much tighter game than that. Throw in the historical problems the Giants have had playing in Philadelphia and you can see why I’m worried.
I think it will be key to try to take Philly out of the game emotionally early. If the Giants don’t, they will have a tough fight on their hands.
Giants on Offense: The Eagles are tough to pass on, easier to run on. Last week against Dallas, Rhodes and his defensive staff pulled out all the stops and blitzed the Cowboys heavily. I look for the same on Sunday. Thus, the play of the offensive line and backs picking up the blitz will be decisive. So will the ability of Kent Graham and the receivers to make Philly pay for the blitz. Kent was able to do so against the Broncos and Chiefs — let’s hope he can do so this weekend as well.
As I mentioned above, this will be a very important game for Graham. It won’t be easy. The Eagle cornerbacks, Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, are big and physical players. They like to play an aggressive game and the Giant wide receivers are not known for playing against the bump-and-run well. I look for Philly to attempt to jam the Giant wideouts at the line and blitz heavily in order to stop the running game and disrupt the passing game. Of course, the Eagles will also be looking to force turnovers. Head Coach Jim Fassel can help his offense out by calling plays that make it difficult to jam everyone (i.e., put Ike Hilliard in motion, run picks, etc.).
Blitz pickups by Tiki Barber, Gary Brown, and Charles Way will be crucially important. So will the blocking up front. The offensive line has played well the last three weeks. They should be able to handle the Eagles up front if they are on their game. Philadelphia is light in the front seven and I would power Gary Brown behind Charles Way and that offensive line — just like the Giants have done the last few weeks. Similarly, I would also keep to the game plan of taking some shots on first and second down in order to back up the defensive backs and linebackers. If the rush is coming hard, a screen pass or draw to Tiki will be in order. The Giants may also want to get someone like Brian Alford on a reverse.
Besides the corners, the key guy on the Philly defense is WLB William Thomas. The Giants need to get a hat on him at all times. I would try to exploit the Eagle safeties and nickel back (Tim McTyer) in coverage.
Besides Graham, this will be an important game for RT Scott Gragg and HB Tiki Barber — the Giants want to get a better read on these two who have had disappointing seasons, but who have played well of late. Amani Toomer will be a restricted free agent and I assume the team would like more to go on with him. It would also be nice to see Alford and TE Andy Haase get more involved.
Giants on Defense: Philly has been playing better offensively ever since they switched quarterbacks. Koy Detmer doesn’t have a strong arm, but he reads defenses pretty well for a young guy and gets rid of the ball quickly. Because of this, the Eagles haven’t given up a sack in three games (a team record). This will also be an emotional game for WR Irving Fryar, who reportedly will retire after the season. You know he will be fired up and his offensive teammates will be playing hard for him.
As always, the key is up front. The Giants front four must come out strong against an improved Eagles’ offensive line. DE Chad Bratzke, who is having a career year, will face tough rookie LT Tra Thomas. DE Michael Strahan should control matters when facing RT Richard Cooper. Much will depend on the play of the defensive tackles against LG Jermane Mayberry, OC Steve Everitt, and RG Ian Beckles. HB’s Duce Staley and Corey Walker ran tough last week against Dallas. Staley is a running and receiving threat. I was impressed with Walker’s quickness — he’s got some explosiveness. FB Kevin Turner does it all in the Philly offense — block, catch, and run (usually in that order). The defensive must control these three and force the Eagles to become one-dimensional. Then the Giants can focus on getting after Detmer.
Against the pass, CB’s Phillippi Sparks and Conrad Hamilton should be able to handle Fryar and Jeff Graham. The Eagle tight ends have not been productive, but given the Eagle system, you need to keep an eye on them. Philly will surely test the Giant safeties. Also watch for plays where the Eagles may try to take advantage of the aggressive Giants’ defense — screens, draws, reverses, etc.
Giants on Special Teams: Allen Rossum is a potentially dangerous punt and kick returner (his is joined by Corey Walker on kick returns). I harp on it every week, but kick and punt coverage will be crucial. Don’t give Philly any cheap field position or easy scores. Tiki Barber had a nice kick return last week, but Amani “Head for Sidelines” Toomer is regressing as a punt returner. Watch the opposing gunners on punts — notice how the Giants rarely get a hand on these guy and they are usually in Amani’s face as soon as he fields the punt. Totally unacceptable.
Since Philly has nothing to play for, the Giants should be very wary of fake field goals or punts. The Eagles may also come after Brad Maynard since he has almost had punts blocked in the last two games. Brad Daluiso was 0-2 last week on field goal attempts. A miss this week could prove crucial.