Approach to the Game – New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, September 10, 2000: Philly’s home opener. A week after the Eagles humiliated the despised Cowboys. Some of the rudest and most obnoxious fans in the world will be screaming their heads off. The Eagles themselves are feeling pretty damn cocky about themselves and feel like they can play with anyone. I doubt most prognosticators will give the Giants much of a chance this weekend.
Games like this is what makes football great.
This is an important game – a division game on the road versus a legitimate playoff contender. I don’t have to tell you all how important tie-breakers come during the month of December. The Giants teams of the mid- to late-1990’s might have been scared of such a situation. But this is a veteran team with leaders such as Kerry Collins, Tiki Barber, Lomas Brown, Jessie Armstead, Mike Barrow, and Keith Hamilton. Guys like this don’t intimidate easily. They keep their cool and give it their all even when rough spots arrive – and there will be rough spots on on Sunday.
The Giants can make a statement on Sunday – to the local and national media, to their fans, and to the rest of the NFC East. Their experience and leadership should overcome an inhospitable environment and keep the Giants at the top of the division.
Giants on Offense: The Eagles have a very active, quick front seven and a very strong secondary. But it is a relatively young and light defense. The game plan seems relatively straight-forward: use a variety of formations and misdirection to confuse the youngsters and run the ball at the less powerful. Pass when they expect you to run and run when they expect you to pass. Don’t be surprised to see Tiki run the ball on 3rd-and-long like he did last week (with success I might add).
But it won’t be easy. The defense will be pumped with very loud crowd support. The Eagles will likely attack the line of scrimmage not only to get after Collins, but to disrupt the run. The Giants must take advantage of this aggressiveness and use it against Philadelphia. Counters, draws, and screens will help slow down the Eagles. What the Giants need early are big plays and points in order to take some of the starch out of the defense and crowd.
Kerry Collins needs to out-play his counterpart. Kerry is poised for a breakout year and it is time to show the rest of the league that he is one of the better quarterbacks in the league. Winning games like this one requires your quarterback to step up and make big plays in key situations. Yes, Philly has two very good cornerbacks in Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent – both big, physical corners who can cover. But Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard are no slouches and Collins has the arm to get them the ball even when covered. The slant pass is particularly effective against an aggressive defense. I would also exploit Philly’s depth in the secondary by getting Joe Jurevicius and Ron Dixon onto the field in 3- and 4-WR sets. Offensive Coordinator Sean Payton won’t give the Eagles one look. He will be constantly changing personnel and formations.
What will be real interesting is to see if Tiki Barber plays more than he did last week. If the Giants fall behind, then Tiki will see the ball even more. If the Giants are way ahead, you pound them with Ron Dayne. But what if the game is close? Who does Payton feel matches up best against their defense? In a traditional power offense, one would power the ball at the light defenders with Dayne. But the Giants have more of a finesse line and finesse schemes now. It will be interesting to see what happens.
It is unfortunate that it looks like TE/H-Back Pete Mitchell won’t be able to play this week. He would be a huge asset in keeping the Eagle linebackers honest in the running game and also a significant weapon against these very same linebackers in the passing game. If he doesn’t play, expect to see a heavy dose of FB Greg Comella again. Dan Campbell also becomes important.
Of course, the fate of this game will largely be decided in the trenches. The good news is that, unlike it predecessors, this Giants’ offensive line is particularly well-suited to deal with quickness. LT Lomas Brown has the athletic ability to really handle Mike Mamula and LG Glenn Parker should be able to control DT Hollis Thomas. The big battles up front really will be whichever blocker (Dusty Zeigler, Greg Comella, one of the guards, etc.) is designated to block impressive MLB Jeremiah Trotter; RG Ron Stone versus DT Corey Simon; and RT Luke Petitgout versus DE Hugh Douglas. Simon is a very impressive rookie with fine, fine quickness, but I look for Stone to educate the youngster. Petitgout has left tackle feet and quicks – and he will need these traits against Douglas. In many instances, don’t be surprised to see TE Howard Cross be responsible for Douglas too (even one-on-one).
The crowd will be loud – the fans will be tough – but the Giants can and should go for the kill early on Sunday.
Giants on Defense: The goal is obvious: stop Duce Staley, a guy who tore up the Dallas defense for over 200 yards last week. Duce should not be a surprise to Giants’ fans; the Giants had their hands full with him last year. The main job of the front seven will be to stuff him at the line of scrimmage and put QB Donovan McNabb in long yardage passing situations (of course, that is the goal each and every week).
What the Giants need to be really careful of is that the Eagle head coach also knows the Giants will be concentrating on the run. Thus, the defense must be very careful of play-action and the times when Philly will be pass on first and second down. Focus on stopping the run – but don’t be surprised to see a pass. Easier said than done.
When McNabb does put the ball up, don’t expect a big pass rush from the Giants down four. Those Syracuse fans among us know just how dangerous Donovan is on the scramble – he’s even faster than Randall Cunningham was in his prime. The job of Michael Strahan, Christian Peter, Keith Hamilton, and Cedric Jones will be first to contain McNabb – yes I did say contain. It isn’t glamorous – but it is the kind of thing that will win the ball game. But since the Eagle receiving corps is ordinary, I would think we’ll see more blitzing from Defensive Coordinator John Fox this week. Much depends on whether SS Sam Garnes (concussion) plays. Fox is likely to be more careful if Lyle West is starting.
The Eagles’ head coach is a West Coast Offense guy so covering the backs and tight ends will be crucial. Mike Barrow, Jessie Armstead, and Ryan Phillips will all be on the spot in coverage. Duce Staley, Cecil Martin, Stanley Pritchett, and Brian Mitchell can be dangerous out of the backfield and all of the Eagle tight ends are involved in the passing game. What the Giants can’t afford is for Jason Sehorn, Dave Thomas, Emmanuel McDaniel, and the safeties not to do their job against the receivers.
The big match-up up front with be Strahan against RT Jon Runyan – the best right tackle in football. Many fans are harping on Strahan for not getting sacks, but this week it will be his run defense that will be most important. DE Cedric Jones also faces a huge, talent player in LT Tra Thomas. With these two having their hands full, New York needs big efforts from Christian Peter (who lines up against Jermane Mayberry) and Keith Hamilton (who lines up against John Welbourn). Indeed, Hamilton and Strahan may be the two most important Giant defenders on Sunday.
Stuff the run – be wary of play-action – and then get after McNabb (but also maintain pass rush discipline). It sounds like a lot, and it is. But if the Giants want to be considered one of the best defenses in the league, then this is the type of game they live for.
Giants on Special Teams: Tiki Barber and Ron Dixon could be the difference in this ball game with their punt and kick returns, respectively.
Punt and kick coverage must continue to improve. The Giants face the familiar Brian Mitchell in both departments. Brad Maynard and Brad Daluiso need to help out their teammates with strong kicks – with both height and distance.
Special teams will most likely decide the game.