Approach to the Game – Chicago Bears at New York Giants, August 5, 2000: Don’t read too much into this game. The first preseason game is normally not much more than a more official-looking scrimmage. The experienced veterans don’t usually play more than a quarter and the play is often sloppy. After all, this is what preseason is for – to work the kinks out. The game plan on offense and defense is as vanilla as you can get and teams don’t really scheme for each other either. The main focus of the first game is to give the vets a bit of work and then to focus the rest of the way on the young players. That’s what you really want to look for – guys like Ron Dayne, Cornelius Griffin, Ron Dixon, Brandon Short, etc.
Giants on Offense: One gets the sense that Jim Fassel finally has some tools to work with for a more aggressive, high-powered offense. Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Tiki Barber, and Pete Mitchell have talent. So does trigger-man Kerry Collins. But Kerry needs to stand tough in the pocket and cut down on the number of turnovers he commits. On Saturday against the Bears, we get our first opportunity to see if he is taking steps in the right direction. Collins simply has to get the ball into the hands of his play-makers. The Bears significantly upgraded their defense in the offseason via the draft and free agency, but they are not a top unit. The Giants should be able to move the ball on Chicago and put some points up on the board. Of course, penalties are drive killers and it will be interesting to see how much trouble this new motion offense the Giants are going to employ causes problems. Will the Giants be flagged a bunch for illegal motion and jumping off-sides?
Of course, much of the focus will be on first rounder HB Ron Dayne and the new offensive line. While I was at camp, I saw a lot of sweeps called with Dayne – sweeps that often ended up for negative yardage due to penetration by the defense. While it is important to keep defenses off-balance by running wide and doing so with Dayne, I would think the strength of his game is the off-tackle run and I would like to see a steady diet of that behind Ron Stone, Luke Petitgout, and the tight ends. The Giants did run quite a few sharp-looking counter plays while I was in camp too – watch for this. It will be interesting to see Joe Montgomery in action. Keep in mind we hardly saw him at all last year – including the preseason. He still is very much an unknown commodity.
In the receiving department, keep an eye on Joe Jurevicius and Ron Dixon. I think they are competing against each other for playing time. Dixon looks like the real deal, but he has to prove it in game conditions against aggressive corners. He is still also learning. Jurevicius says he is more focused this year – actions speak louder. The man really on the spot is WR Brian Alford, who was downgraded to the third team this week. He’s fighting for a roster spot against guys like Thabiti Davis, Kevin Prentiss, and Jeremy Watkins.
Another guy to watch is Dan Campbell – someone who I would like to see replace Howard Cross sometime soon. On the offensive line, behind the starters, keep an eye on RT Chris Ziemann and LT Pita Elisara – the Giants are thin at the tackle spots.
The guy who may be most on the spot is Mike Cherry. Mike isn’t likely to remain on the roster next year if he doesn’t shine this preseason. He’s had a rough camp so far this year again.
Giants on Defense: Defensive Coordinator John Fox is not likely to show his large variety of blitz packages on Saturday so this game most likely won’t be a good measuring stick of where the Giants are on defense against what was an explosive Bears’ offense last year. Also hampering the Giants is that DE Michael Strahan and FS Shaun Williams will be out – as most likely will DT Keith Hamilton. Players such as Jessie Armstead, Michael Barrow, and Jason Sehorn probably won’t remain in the game long either. I’m going to try to keep an eye on Cedric Jones – who needs to keep improving for the Giants to be successful.
Again, the focus and interest level will be directed at the youth. DT Cornelius Griffin, DT George Williams, DE Jomo Cousins, DE Frank Ferrara, DE Jeremiah Parker, SLB Brandon Short, MLB Pete Monty, WLB Jack Golden, FS Lyle West, and all the young corners are the guys to watch. Indeed, Cousins will be starting for the injured Strahan. The Giants really need someone to step up at back-up defensive end and, right now, Cousins is the leading candidate. It will be interesting to see how a starting line of Cousins, Christian Peter, George Williams, and Cedric Jones does.
Depth is also shaky at linebacker due to inexperience. The loss of Dhani Jones (knee) also hurts. Short, Monty, and Golden may be key reserves this year. Another roster spot opened up with the loss of Jones and players such as Kevin Lewis, O.J. Childress, and Vernon Strickland now have a chance.
One of the big worries is the secondary. Starting LCB Dave Thomas has not impressed at camp. Let’s see how he does once the whistle sounds. It is also critical that the Giants get some solid play from youngsters Emmanuel McDaniel, Reggie Stephens, Ralph Brown, Andre Weathers, and Fred Lewis. Which one of these guys will step up? Will any of them?
Depth at safety could be a mess too. With Williams out, West gets the start and should see a lot of action. Behind him are no-names Tawambi Settles, Tinker Keck, B.J. Williams, and Greg Williams.
Giants on Special Teams: Brad Maynard impressed me in camp this year and may be set for a breakout year. Of course he and kick-off artist Brad Daluiso need more help from the coverage units than they got last year. Roster spots are often earned on special teams. Focus on the reserve defensive backs, linebackers, running backs, and Jeremiah Parker. In the kick return game, with Bashir Levingston out, Ron Dixon would seem to be the main man there. Finding another solid returner to team with him is important. Tiki is set as the punt returner. Will the blocking be there for both punt and kick returns?