Regular Season: Giants Lead Series 68-58-2
Post Season: Giants Lead Series 1-0
Approach to the Game – Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, October 3, 1999: BBI contributor Chris in Philly sent me such an outstanding scouting report on the Eagles that I would like to use it as the basis of my game preview this week.
Comments from Chris:
- Hey Eric: Well, I’m glad some of the Giants are finally saying the right things – it remains to be seen whether they continue to be all talk. And I’m glad some of us are also taking this game seriously – there’s an awful lot of pregame muscle around for a 1-2 team that can’t run the ball. You know how I feel about the Eagles, and believe me, they suck. Their offense is just horrid and I believe their coach is overmatched in the NFL. BUT, these games are never easy. Everybody shrugging off the Eagles has not lived here through the years of Rich Kotite kicking our tails every year. Rich Kotite! So concern is warranted. Remember, this team is one Brian Finneran drop away from the same record as us. Here’s a few observations from, blech, watching this team play.
- Their defense is pretty solid. We got lucky that Hugh Douglas is out and Bill Johnson is still banged up. Their D-line should be able to be handled, though. Mamula has apparently been moved over to Douglas’ slot – though spped guys offer trouble to both our tackles. (Mamula stinks, but he usually plays very well against us – go figure). Their LB’s are young, fast, and good. Jeremeiah Trotter, James Darling, Barry Gardner, William Thomas – good players. In fact, expect to see some 3-4 to get all these guys on the field – especially with Douglas out. Bobby Taylor is very fragile, but he’s still very good and Troy Vincent, when he’s interested, can be as good as there is. Safeties are okay – Tim Hauck is 99 years old, but Damon Moore fills in nicely.
- Offensively, they’re worse than we have been. Yup, that bad. Doug Pederson just cannot play at this level and he’s not helped by WR’s that drop passes and and OL that doesn’t block. When McNabb does get in in the second half, he shows he’s just not ready. He also shows some dazzling promise here and there. It will be Pederson to start, though. The OL is (a) banged up and (b) stinks. Tra Thomas is overweight and out-of-shape. Our old friend Lonnie Palalei takes over at RT and if Strahan has trouble again, he should start giving money back. Everitt is okay, but the guards are either old or bad (or both). Charles Johnson has not shown much as a #1 WR, but he should still be taken seriously. Torrance Smalls is on the verge of being benched for Dietrich Jells, who can fly, but I don’t know if he can catch. There will be at least one fly pattern to Jells – bank on that. Na Brown, Finneran, and the like make up the bland back ups. They lost Jamie Asher for the year and the other TE’s aren’t much of a factor. Duce Staley is a fine RB, though he is having trouble behind an OL that can’t open holes. (sound familiar?). Kevin Turner is out (maybe forever) and the rookie Cecil Martin takes over. My boy Corey Walker gets in only occasionally along with Eric “Sleeping with” Bienemy.
- Bottom Line? Both of our lines should be able to dominate their counterparts and there’s very little excuse if they don’t. I see us continuing to struggle offensively against a defense that most people here are underrating ridiculously. But, our defense should be able to control their offense – IF they come to play. This is such a dangerous position to be in and we really have to be careful. We can’t just expect Pederson to throw it to us – though he probably will. Aggression, aggression, aggression. Their defense will be overtrying to make up for their offense (sound familiar?) – use it against them. Misdirection, pump fakes, whatever. They owe me this one – I couldn’t bear a week after a loss to the woeful Eagles. Chris in Philly
Comments from Eric: Chris is absolutely correct – this game will come down to the play of the offensive and defensive lines. On offense, it will be interesting to see how effective HB Gary Brown will be after a long layoff – remember, he not only was out due to the knee, but also the motorcycle accident. Brown may be VERY rusty. It will also be important for the Giants to get TE Pete Mitchell and HB Tiki Barber more involved in the passing game. As for the offensive line, it is time for these guys to start hurting the opposition. The Giants have a lot invested in the five starters. They all have talent – it is time for them to show it. The pressure has turned up on Kent Graham. How will he respond? Ike Hilliard and Amani Toomer face some quality cornerbacks, but they can’t use that as an excuse. They have to make some big plays and score some points. My bottom line? Score.
On defense, the Giants must once again watch out for misdirection and plays such as draws and screens that are designed to use their aggressiveness against them. Shut down HB Duce Staley and make the Eagles one dimensional. There is no excuse for the secondary in not shutting down these guys.
As for the special teams, PK Brad Daluiso must redeem himself after last week’s critical miss. Punt and kick coverage will be key.