Approach to the Game – Oakland Raiders at New York Giants, November 25, 2001: Maybe I’m naively getting caught up in all of Head Coach Jim Fassel’s positive vibes this week, but I have a good feeling about this game and the rest of the season. I think his approach to the team this week was brilliant. Contrary to his usual response after uninspiring defeats where he tightens up on the team, this week he lightened up on the guys in practice. The Giants have been playing too tightly and tensely and Fassel wants them to have fun again. Teams that play loose, usually play well.
With DT Keith Hamilton (shoulder/chest) out, the odds will be stacked against New York. The Raiders like to run the ball and Lance Legree, Ross Kolodziej, and/or Frank Ferrara will have a bulls-eye marked right on their chests. But if the Giants can slow down the Raider ground game and get their own ground attack going, I think the Giants will win on Sunday.
Giants on Offense: With the passing game making far too many mistakes and December fast approaching, it’s time for the Giants to get back to their bread-and-butter: running the football. And forget this running back by committee set-up. I like Ron Dayne, but it’s time to feature the Giants’ best player on offense: Tiki Barber. Tiki is fresh and healthy as he has not touched the ball much this year due to earlier injuries. Barber is one of the few guys on offense the Giants have who scares the opposing team and can break the big play. I’d pound Barber at the Raiders just like the Seahawks pounded the Raiders with Shaun Alexander. Then use play-action to take some shots down the field. This strategy should not expose Kerry Collins to undue pressure and allow him to excel – even against the tough Raiders’ secondary.
In order to run the ball effectively, however, New York must cut down on the number of minus yardage running plays. This means the offensive line, tight ends, and fullback must do a better job of preventing penetration into the backfield. The inside trio of RG Ron Stone, OC Dusty Zeigler, and LG Glenn Parker must be able to move the defensive tackles off the ball. RT Luke Petitgout and LT Lomas Brown also need to win their battles against the athletic ends, Regan Upshaw and Tony Bryant, respectively. In many instances, however, tight ends Dan Campbell and Howard Cross will be called to block down on these ends so it is important that they play well. FB Greg Comella must sustain his blocks at the point of attack, be it on a linebacker or defensive back.
Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard will face a tough time against corners Charles Woodson and Eric Allen. That’s why the Giants need to get their ground game going and then help out the receivers with the play-action fakes. A pass or two over the middle to Barber, Dan Campbell, or Greg Comella would help to loosen things up as well. The Raider safeties are an average lot. I think I would try to burn the aggressive Raider defense with a couple of screens and draws – and one reverse.
But to put points up on the board and win, Kerry Collins has to stop making so many bone-headed plays. At the same time, he can’t tighten up. The Giants are 5-5. Most people have already written them off. The team needs to realize that and play with no fear. Protect the ball, but go out there and take smart chances, have some fun, and make the fans proud again.
Giants on Defense: There are some interesting challenges this week for the defense. The Raiders run a West Coast Offense and like to spread the ball around in the passing game. But they also like to run the ball. Will the Raiders come out throwing or running? That is the big question. Running the ball has to be tempting with Keith Hamilton out and weakside DE Kenny Holmes and weakside LB Jessie Armstead being inconsistent against the run. At the same time, I could see Gruden wanting to isolate a back on strongside LB Brandon Short in the passing game or using one of his Hall of Fame wide receivers to expose the rookie corners (keep in mind that Will Allen has an eye injury too).
Whichever is the case, the Giants must play much, much better up front than they did last week against the Vikings. DE Michael Strahan faces RT Lincoln Kennedy and Holmes will battle against LT Matt Stinchcomb. Inside, the Giants really need DT Cornelius Griffin to step it up and have a breakout game against both the run and the pass. He battles RG Mo Collins, but will most likely see double-team support from the center at times. Lance Legree will probably start at the other tackle spot, with Ross Kolodziej and maybe Frank Ferrara seeing playing time. They will face savvy vet Steve Wisniewski.
Like the Giants, the Raiders use a running back-by-committee approach. Charlie Garner is having a fine comeback year. He has good moves and speed and is a dangerous player if he gets into the open field. Jessie Armstead, Mike Barrow, and Brandon Short need to slam him to the turf near the line of scrimmage. To do so, they must avoid the lead blocking of Jon Ritchie (Greg Comella’s teammate at Stanford). The Raiders will also bring in Tyrone Wheatley, Terry Kirby, and Zack Crockett at different times of the game. All four backs can catch the ball so the linebackers need to keep an eye on them in pass coverage too. Kirby, in particular, is a valuable third down back for Oakland. TE Roland Williams is more of a blocker than receiver, but he can catch ball as well.
When the Raiders pass, the key will be to get heat on Rich Gannon. That’s tough because he’s another one of these damn mobile quarterbacks who you need to maintain disciplined pass rush lanes against. That hurts the ability of the defensive line to free-lance a bit and makes their rush lanes more predictable. But it is important because Gannon can keep a drive alive on third down with his feet. The secret to defeating Gannon is to get him out of rhythm. Get pressure in his face immediately up the gut. I’d blitz Barrow or Armstead or Shaun Williams on a few occasions. The Raider passing game is a timing offense…therefore, disrupt the timing.
The Giants’ secondary didn’t play well last week. The main culprits were Jason Sehorn and Williams. This week Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown come to town. Both are big, strong, physical, and have the annoying ability to get deep despite their age. Sehorn needs to have one of his best games of the year and Will Allen has to play like a veteran. The most athletic receiver on the Raider roster is Joey Porter – watch out for him. It’s time for Williams and Sam Garnes to make some game-deciding plays.
Giants on Special Teams: Knock on wood, but the Giants’ coverage teams have gotten much better in recent weeks. Rodney Williams performed surprisingly well last week given his wrist injury. Now only if the Giants could break a punt or kick return. Ron Dixon was yanked during the game last week for his chicken-shit approach to returning kickoffs. He gets one more shot to impress on Sunday (largely because the Giants don’t have anyone good to replace him). It will be interesting to see how he responds. Of course with the strong-legged Sebastian Janikowski kicking off, he may not get a chance (let’s hope that Dixon doesn’t do the foolish thing and attempt to return a kick from deep inside his own end zone).