Approach to the Game – New York Jets at New York Giants, August 25, 2001: Coaches normally consider the third preseason game the most important. They want their teams to do well in this game as this is usually the last time the starters will see extended playing time before the regular season. In fact, starters often see action into the third quarter.
The Giants-Jets preseason “rivalry” always seemed a tad strange to me. I don’t think the most Giants’ players or fans dwell on the Jets too much – but I’m not sure the opposite is true. Thus, rightly or wrongly, I feel the Jets take the game much more seriously and put more effort into it. That increased intensity level can be good as it helps to mentally prepare the team for the regular season – just as long as no one seriously gets hurt.
Head Coach Jim Fassel is going to baby his injured starters a bit. Much of the heart of the will most likely be missing from action: HB Tiki Barber, WR Ike Hilliard, WR Amani Toomer, and TE Howard Cross; and DE Kenny Holmes, DT Keith Hamilton, MLB Mike Barrow, and CB Jason Sehorn on defense. Ouch! I wouldn’t expect a great performance with so many key people missing.
Giants on Special Teams: Jaret Holmes is very close to sealing the deal to become the place kicker. The last thing he needs to do is come up with a negative performance here. Expect John Markham to get a few more shots in this game, but the players appear to have more faith in Holmes. If both fail, a veteran still out there on the open market awaits.
Rodney Williams will be the Giants punter this year; he only needs to upgrade his consistency level. He looks to be a better player than Brad Maynard – and much cheaper. Let’s see if the Giants do a better job of protecting the punter this week.
The big area of concern remains kick-off and punt coverage. Last week they were terrible. As I said before, someone will make this team based on special teams play. Likewise, someone is going to lose their job because of it.
Giants on Offense: The passing game will be severely hampered by the absence of Hilliard and Toomer (there is a chance Amani may play). Joe Jurevicius and Ron Dixon will see a lot of playing time. Joe played well last week, but the lack of consistency and an inability to stay healthy has plagued him in the past. Let’s see if he can put together two strong back-to-back performances. Ron Dixon has yet to make a big play this preseason. At camp, he’s been capable of the spectacular play shortly followed by botching the routine one. That’s got to stop if he wants to reach the next level. More than individual accomplishment, his team NEEDS him to perform better.
The rest of the wide receiving corps is also bit banged up right now. Jonathan Carter (knee) is out. Thabiti Davis (hamstring) and Quinton Spotwood (thigh) also missed time this past week. Pat Woodcock and Anthony Tucker probably won’t be around much longer.
To me, one of the most important aspects of this game (if not the most important) is for the starters on the offensive line to build cohesion. That hasn’t been easy this summer with LG Glenn Parker and OC Dusty Zeigler missing extended practice time. For the first time this summer, all five starters will be playing together. Last week, I felt that LT Lomas Brown and Parker played a sub par game. Let’s see if they rebound.
Another interesting facet of the offense to watch will be the play of the tight ends. By all reports, Dan Campbell had a great week of practice catching the ball. Will that translate to the playing field? If Dan can elevate his game, the Giants’ offense will become much more dynamic once the regular season starts. Marcellus Rivers also had a good week of practice catching the ball, but his blocking remains suspect at best. Does he or Adam Young or Taman Bryant have a role on this team? The Giants can’t keep them all. Young is the better blocker, the Giants seem high on Rivers, and Bryant is the kind of hybrid player who intrigues. This is an important game for all three.
Ron Dayne should see extended playing time again with Barber and Sean Bennett (hamstring injury suffered five months ago) out. He played well last week. Like Jurevicius, can he put two strong games together as well? Damon Washington has made the team easily.
Giants on Defense: The Giants’ defense very well could contend for the top spot in the league this year, but they will be missing many key parts on Saturday. I think Mike Barrow is the best linebacker on the team. Keith Hamilton still is the best defensive tackle. Jason Sehorn is the best corner. Also missing is the pass rush from the right side in Kenny Holmes.
If Barrow doesn’t play, I would expect Dhani Jones to get the start. It will be VERY interesting to see how he performs with the starters. He is very bright and flashes ability as a play-maker. This game also represents another chance for Brandon Short to gain experience on the strongside. It’s time for Jessie Armstead to start revving up his game a bit. Jack Golden did not play well last week, but Kevin Lewis did.
Up front, if Hamilton does not play, this will be our second look at Ryan Hale as a starter. Same story with Cedric Scott at weakside end with Holmes out. Will Ross Kolodziej and Lance Legree continue to impress in a reserve role? Is this the year Frank Ferrara makes the team?
Emmanuel McDaniel and Dave Thomas will both be on the spot again. Jason Sehorn won’t be there to take away half the field. The good news is that Will Allen, Will Peterson, and Ralph Brown should see a lot of action. Due to the numbers, it seems impossible that Kelly Herndon will make the team, but he has made some plays this preseason. Right now, the Giants appear caught between a rock and a hard place. Thomas and McDaniel are the kind of guys who can get killed by quality receivers. At the same time, the youngsters are not ready yet. That was to be expected – it takes time to learn the pro game. When will the transition be made? How many games will be lost until this transition is successfully completed?
At safety, the three top spots are locked up: Sam Garnes and Shaun Williams as starters; Omar Stoutmire as the chief reserve. The Giants seem high on DeWayne Patmon and he probably has the inside lock on the fourth safety job (if the Giants keep four safeties). But Clarence LeBlanc and Emile White have looked good too. A decent player or two will be let loose and that’s kind of sad.