Approach to the Game – Washington Redskins at New York Giants, September 24, 2000: The Redskins are a talented football team. On offense, they have a very big and physical offensive line, a good pass receiving tight end, a quarterback coming off of a Pro Bowl season, and maybe the best running back in the league. On defense, they have a very good secondary (safeties included) and good depth on the defensive line. Deion Sanders returns punts on specials and he has given the Giants a ton of problems in that department in the past.
My point? Do not underestimate the Redskins simply because they have started off 1-2. This game is going to be a real war and this game in effect is really a playoff game for Washington. An overstatement? Perhaps. But if Washington loses this game, they will fall three games behind the Giants in the standings. The starting quarterback will be benched and the head coach may be fired. If the Redskins fall to 1-3, faced with the upcoming schedule they have, it is certainly possible that they will not even make the playoffs. That is how much is riding on this game for them. The Redskins are not the Cardinals or the Bears. There is quality, veteran leadership on this team with players such as QB Brad Johnson, RG Tre Johnson, HB Stephen Davis, DE Bruce Smith, DE Marco Coleman, CB Darrell Green, and CB Deion Sanders. To expect them to take a dive without a fight is not realistic.
All that being said, the Giants have EARNED for themselves a golden opportunity: they can effectively bury the Redskins and take a commanding lead in the division. They can put Washington into such disarray that they may no longer be a factor in the chase. Indeed, the game may have such enormous repercussions that it may continue to haunt the Skins in 2001 and beyond (i.e., quarterback and coaching change, salary cap implications, etc.).
But the game has even a deeper meaning to New York than its effects on its opponent. This is the Giants chance to shine in front of a national audience – to show everyone that they are a good team. Most in the media continue to argue that Big Blue has yet to face quality opposition. When they do, they say, New York will fall back to the rest of the pack. The Giants’ players and coaches can make a very strong statement on Sunday night – not by merely winning, but by dominating Washington. The Redskins’ confidence is shaken and they are not playing well. If the Giants put together a total team effort like they did in Philadelphia two weeks ago, they will win – and they will win convincingly.
Giants on Offense: The Redskins must be thinking one thing and one thing only: play eight men up close to the line of scrimmage, stuff Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne, and force Kerry Collins and the receivers to beat them. Washington most likely is convinced that cornerbacks Champ Bailey, Deion Sanders, and Darrell Green can handle the Giants’ receivers one-on-one. And with TE/H-Back Pete Mitchell ailing (ulcer), that puts even more pressure on the Giants’ receivers to perform. This is the game where Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Joe Jurevicius, and Ron Dixon can prove how good they really are. In the past, Toomer and Hilliard haven’t been able to get much done against Washington. Why should Norv Turner and Ray Rhodes think any differently this time? So the Skins will load up against the run. If the receivers can’t get open, if the line doesn’t protect the quarterback, and if Collins can’t accurately deliver the ball, then it will be a long night for the offense. But what a great opportunity for Kerry Collins and the receivers to announce themselves to the nation and demonstrate that New York indeed has a dynamic passing attack!
So do the Giants come out throwing or do they do what is expected and run the ball? Good question. Washington’s run defense is still suspect. But if the Redskins bring eight men up and shoot the gaps, running will be tough. Safeties Sam Shade and Mark Carrier are physical. Passing early might be the best time to hit the secondary. Bailey is a top notch corner, but he is still young and susceptible to double-moves. Deion Sanders can sometimes be exposed on crossing patterns. Darrell Green is not big or physical. The corners are excellent, but there are ways to attack them. Of course, pounding the ball a bit at Sanders on sweeps to the left might help to soften him up as well. We all know Deion doesn’t like contact.
My ideal solution would be to attack the young Redskins’ linebackers in coverage with Tiki Barber and Pete Mitchell. Unfortunately, Mitchell may not play, and even if does, it looks like he will be limited. That is unfortunate. Because while Greg Jones, Derek Smith, and LaVar Arrington are athletic, they still lack a feel for the passing game and can be exposed. WLB Shawn Barber is the exception because he played safety in college. We may see Jim Fassel and Sean Payton try to get Tiki down the field more in the receiving game this week. Tight ends Howard Cross and Dan Campbell must play well – both in the blocking and receiving departments.
For New York to win, we all know that they will have to run the ball. Up front, the battles are LT Lomas Brown versus DE Bruce Smith (and Ndukwe Kalu), LG Glenn Parker versus DT Dana Stubblefield, RG Ron Stone versus Dan Wilkinson, and RT Luke Petitgout versus DE Marco Coleman. Smith has played well for the Skins and is still a heck of a player who can be very disruptive. Wilkinson is a guy who has impressed me at times with his ability to control the middle of the field. The Skins’ defense under Ray Rhodes has been more aggressive than under Mike Nolan – Washington blitzes much more because they have quality corners. The coaches, offensive line, tight ends, and backs must be prepared for this.
In games like this, the outcome is usually decided by a few factors: (1) turnovers, (2) who can run the ball, (3) attitude, and (4) coaching. If New York doesn’t turn the ball over, can establish the running game, plays with great intensity and passion, and has a great game plan, then they will win and do so pretty convincingly.
Giants on Defense: I have a few concerns here. Yes, Washington will be limited by the absence of WR Michael Westbrook, and even more so if pass-catching back Larry Centers (elbow) is out. But Norv Turner still knows how to attack a defense as he proved last year when Washington came to New York. That day, he knew the weak link of the Giants’ secondary was CB Jeremy Lincoln and he attacked him mercilessly. Will CB Dave Thomas be the next victim? Does Washington have the receivers to do so? Albert Connell proved to be a quality deep threat as a number two receiver last year, but he may not be an ideal number one receiver. I would think CB Jason Sehorn would concentrate on him mostly by himself and the Giants will provide some safety help to Thomas. Andre Reed and Irving Fryar may be old and nearing the end, but they still know the tricks of the trade and how to get open. Two guys who could also be factors are CB Champ Bailey who the Skins will use some at wide receiver (he has great speed) and WR James Thrash. Once again, the young corners such as nickel back Emmanuel McDaniel and possibly Reggie Stephens will need to play well. So will FS Shaun Williams, who Fassel singled out this week for his impressive early season play. Williams could be a difference-maker in this game.
In my mind, one huge match-up is SS Sam Garnes, MLB Mike Barrow, and/or SLB Ryan Phillips on TE Stephen Alexander. Alexander is a very good receiving threat who can get deep. He also gave New York all kinds of problems last year. The linebackers will also have to be wary of Centers (if he plays) and the other backs (Stephen Davis, Adrian Murrell) as QB Brad Johnson likes to throw against the undercoverage. Turner has also surprised the Giants in the past by having his quarterbacks throw to the blocking tight end (who is now James Jenkins).
But the guy who makes the Skins go on offense is RB Stephen Davis. He is a big back who can punish a defense; but he also has enough elusiveness and speed to break off big runs. He is perfectly suited to a big, physical, and talented offensive line. LT Chris Samuels may be a rookie, but he looks like he will be 10-year Pro Bowler. He’s a much better pass blocker than run defender. DE Cedric Jones will have his hands full against him. RT Jon Jansen owned DE Michael Strahan last year – the Giants need Strahan to take control of that match-up both against the run and the pass. Inside, RG Tre Johnson is a massive presence who the Skins like to pull to their left and get out on the weakside linebacker (in this case Jessie Armstead) or the middle linebacker (Mike Barrow). LG Keith Sims faces DT Keith Hamilton. OC Mark Fischer replaces the injured Cory Raymer and may be somewhat vulnerable to inside dogs. Much will depend on Hamilton and fellow DT Christian Peter in not being moved off of the line of scrimmage. The Giants must control the line of scrimmage on defense and not allow Stephen Davis to get going. Unfortunately, the G-Men have been unable to accomplish that in recent games against him. This will take an all-out effort by all the members of the defense (including the secondary).
And there’s my second big concern. Norv Turner will know that the Giants’ defense will be jacked to stop the run. Factor in the home crowd, a nation-wide audience, and the desire for revenge and you know New York will come out super-aggressive and perhaps a bit too hyper. This will be the perfect time for Washington to hit the Giants with play-action or misdirection plays (Turner loves to run reverses on the Giants – watch out for Connell or Bailey here). The Giants’ defense must be aggressive and physical, but most importantly, they must play smart on Sunday night.
My third concern is what type of coverage to play in the secondary. Dallas used a three deep zone to great effect against Washington, forcing them to drive the length of the field using dink and dunk passes. But the Giants use more of a risky man or man/zone scheme in order for them to blitz more – and the Giants will most likely have to blitz in order to get pressure on the Skins. While this scheme allows New York to be more aggressive in the pass rush, it also puts more pressure on the defensive backs and big plays are more likely to result. Should the Giants play it safe or should they be aggressive? We’re going to find out soon.
In terms of the pass rush, the good news is that the Giants don’t face a mobile quarterback this week, even if Brad Johnson is replaced by Jeff George during the game. Thus, for the first time this year, the down lineman can be much more aggressive with their upfield charges. We even may see Cornelius Griffin at defensive tackle some this week in passing situations. But one thing is brutally clear. If the Giants play well early and Washington does make a switch at quarterback, the Giants cannot let down against George. He is a very accurate passer, particularly on the deep ball. Brad Johnson is the more cerebral of the two and he beats you with his smarts; but George can beat you with his arm. That being said, if you hit Jeff enough, he will fumble and start throwing interceptions.
Giants on Special Teams: With Deion Sanders returning punts, this is where we need P Brad Maynard to rebound bigtime. Same with PK Brad Daluiso and his field goals and kick-offs. James Thrash can be dangerous on kick returns. Coverage units must play disciplined and smart – Turner is very much willing to employ trick plays on special teams (like he did with Champ Bailey on Monday). If you remember, a few years ago he burned New York with a fake field goal (a fake punt is not out of the question either). Of course, the Giants can create a little bit of their own magic with their return game.
Final Note: To say this is a big game is an understatement. To win, in big games your “star” players must play like stars. The outcome most likely rests on the shoulders of Kerry Collins, Michael Strahan, Jessie Armstead, Tiki Barber, Jason Sehorn, and Amani Toomer.