Approach to the Game – New York Giants at New York Jets, August 18, 2000: This is the most important preseason game in terms of getting the starters ready for the opener. They will see approximately three quarters of action in this game, while probably only seeing about a quarter in the last preseason game.
But the preseason injury cloud has once again dampened prospects. It looks as if the Giants will lose HB/FB/H-Back Sean Bennett for the season. He was to have a very significant role in the Giants’ revamped offense – creating mismatch problems for opposing defenses. Making matters worse is the fact that TE/H-Back Pete Mitchell (knee) has missed much of training camp and probably won’t play until week two or three. TE Dan Campbell (hamstring) has missed much of camp too and this has hurt his development and readiness. The Giants will need HB Tiki Barber, FB Greg Comella, HB/FB Joe Montgomery, and perhaps even TE Adam Young to step it up.
As for the game itself, I expect the Jets to take this game far more seriously than the Giants – given their 41-28 humilation to the Giants last season. The focus on the part of the Giants may also not be there given the fact that they have just broken camp and re-joined their families, wives, and girlfriends.
Giants on Offense: Crap! The loss of Bennett is big – bigger than most fans realize. Much of the new playbook was geared towards Bennett and he probably would have had a big role in the game plans against the Redskins. Mitchell and Campbell are bound to be rusty when they return. Once again the injury bug strikes the Giants hard at one position (TE/H-Back).
Howard Cross is just as likely to drop the ball as he is to catch it and he never does any damage after-the-catch. I’d like to see how Adam Young fares this Friday – both blocking and catching the ball. He looked good in the latter last week, but we still don’t know how strong an in-line blocker he is. My guess is that with his Dartmouth background and lack of bulk, this may be a problem. FB Craig Walendy also has a chance to stick – but his key to success may still lie on special teams.
My main focus offensively against the Jets will be to see if the team can get HB Ron Dayne untracked with the first team unit. It is pretty obvious Dayne will see most of the carries on opening day and the Giants need him to get in sync with LT Lomas Brown, LG Glenn Parker, OC Dusty Zeigler, RG Ron Stone, and RT Luke Petitigout. A strong running game will allow QB Kerry Collins to use play-action as an effective weapon. It will also slow the opposing pass rush.
In the passing game, I’d like the Giants to work on their screen a bit. They have tried a few screens in the first two games, but they haven’t looked real sharp. Collins also needs to get more in sync with Tiki Barber on swing passes (a tough pass for some strong-armed quarterbacks to throw). Collins and WR Amani Toomer already appear very much in sync. Reports out of practice also continue to point to big plays to WR Ike Hilliard – I’d like to see more of these on the actual playing field.
The real battle is among the back-ups at wide receiver. Joe Jurevicius has been limited with a shoulder injury and last week Brian Alford and Ron Dixon did not catch a pass. Head Coach Jim Fassel said this week that Alford was coming on in practice while Dixon was slipping a bit. I’d like to see both make a positive statement on Friday. With starters playing three quarters, I would think that both will see some time with the first unit. Thabiti Davis continues to lurk in the shadows and he didn’t hurt his cause last week with some solid play on special teams.
The starting offensive line looks particularly sharp pass blocking – it’s time for them to open up some holes for Dayne. As for the reserves, we learned this week from the BBI interview with General Manager Ernie Accorsi that the organization thinks so highly of RT Chris Ziemann that they may be planning for him to be a future starter (with Luke Petitgout moving to left tackle). This won’t transpire in 2000 unless there is an injury. But it could be the line-up in 2001 or 2002. It would also be nice to see one of the other youngsters coming on. Pita Elisara and Chris Bober split time at left tackle last week. Jason Whittle, Mark Nori, and Derek Engler have seen extended playing time inside. Who will Mike Rosenthal – who has missed all of the preseason with a shoulder injury – push off of the roster?
Giants on Defense: I’m excited to finally see MLB Mike Barrow in action. When I was at camp, I could see why the team was so high on him. He is a high-energy, vocal leader who makes plays all over the field – including in the backfield. He’s also a good blitzer. Hopefully, his knee is coming along OK and he won’t push himself too hard. I can’t wait to see him and Jessie Armstead feed off of each other. On the strongside, BBI’ers learned an important lesson that I tried to harp on since after the draft – rookies rarely start, especially at linebacker given Defensive Coordinator John Fox’s complicated schemes. Brandon Short may end up being a fine, fine player for New York, but right now it appears as if Ryan Phillips has a lock on the position.
Depth at linebacker is now a very, very serious concern. Scott Galyon is in Miami. Dhani Jones and Vernon Strickland are out for the year with knee injuries. Pete Monty, the only remaining back-up with experience, is out for 2-3 weeks with a broken thumb. The spotlight now falls upon Short, WLB Jack Golden, MLB O.J. Childress, and LB Kevin Lewis. Not a pretty picture.
The secondary also remains a big question mark. CB Dave Thomas has not embarrassed the team in the preseason thus far. Hopefully, he can keep that up. FS Shaun Williams (toe) is still out and is likely to be rusty as hell when he does get back (supposedly next week). CB Emmanuel McDaniel appears to be leading in the race for the nickel back spot. We all look for continued improvement from him, CB Reggie Stephens, CB Ralph Brown, and CB Andre Weathers.
Depth at safety is very shaky and the Giants may be scanning the waiver wires for help. The team also needs Lyle West to continue to improve. None of the other players on the roster at this position inspire confidence.
Giants on Special Teams: Will this unit begin to settle down this week? If not, it could be a long season. The Giants spent a ton of time on special teams the previous two weeks, with kick/punt coverage and kick/punt return blocking being particularly sensitive areas. Fassel said he will try Ron Dixon as a gunner this week on punt coverage to see if that helps. He has the speed; does he have the killer instinct? With Bashir Levingston not a factor (right now and possibly for the entire year if the Giants can’t find a roster spot for him), Dixon also needs to start making an impact as a kick returner (as does Reggie Stephens).