Approach to the Game – New York Giants at New York Jets, August 24, 2002: The next-to-last preseason game is generally taken the most seriously. Starters usually play about three quarters as the game – not the last preseason game – is considered the primary tune-up. Coaches generally don’t like to push their starters much in the last game in order to avoid injury.
However, the Giants will be limited a great deal offensively in this game due to the fact that their top three tight ends (Jeremy Shockey – ankle, Dan Campbell – ankle, and Marcellus Rivers – ribs) will not play due to injury. MLB Mike Barrow (knee), one of the best players on the team, will not play either. Neither will CB Jason Sehorn (knee).
Since the Giants have played an extra preseason game, the starters will only play two quarters. If the Jets play their starters for three quarters, the 3rd period could prove to be a huge mismatch – especially with DT Lance Legree (knee) and WLB Wes Mallard (ankle) being sidelined.
More important than winning or losing is getting out of this game healthy. The regular season starts in less than two weeks and the Giants can ill-afford any key player getting nicked up now.
Giants on Offense: This game will be very strange for the Giants’ offense due to the fact that the team will in effect be playing without a tight end. This will SEVERELY limit their flexibility on offense and probably cause all kinds of problems with respect to the running game. Not having Jeremy Shockey will hurt in the passing game as well. Taman Bryant is really an H-Back who won’t make the team. Darnell Dinkins was just moved to H-Back and still really has no clue to what he is doing out there. He will make the team solely due to his special teams play.
The key offensive questions the Giants need to find answers to tonight are:
- Will the Giants Be OK With Mike Rosenthal at Right Tackle and Chris Bober at Center?: The persistent and nagging injury to OC Dusty Zeigler has screwed things up quite a bit and we still have no idea when (or if) Zeigler will return this year. Chris Bober was supposed to compete (and probably win) the starting right tackle job. Now he is stuck at center where he has played decently. Mike Rosenthal has not been bad, but he has had some rough moments in pass protection and in space on running plays. Tonight’s game will be important for both.
- Who Will Nail Down the Third Wide Receiving Job?: The four-way competition between Ron Dixon, Jonathan Carter, Tim Carter, and Daryl Jones has proven to be a big disappointment. Tim Carter (back) and Daryl Jones (knee) have missed a lot of time with injury. Tim Carter was impressive early in camp, but he still isn’t 100 percent healthy even though he will play tonight. Jones has missed most of the preseason and won’t play again tonight. Ron Dixon has improved this year, but still isn’t making plays on a consistent basis. Same story with Jonathan Carter. Meanwhile, Derek Dorris, who is not expected to make it, keeps making plays. With no tight ends tonight, we should get a chance to see quite a few 3- and 4-WR sets. This is big chance for these players.
- Who Will Win the Fullback Job?: The competition is really between Darian Barnes and Charles Stackhouse. Barnes looks quicker and more explosive, but Stackhouse is bigger. Both have been inconsistent. In reality, since both are rookies, neither one may play all that much this year as the Giants are using Dan Campbell a lot at fullback with the starters. Still, there is a roster spot here to be won and the winner will play on Sundays. Stackhouse gets the start tonight. It will all come down to run and pass blocking – and special teams play.
- Will the Giants Keep Four Running Backs?: Tiki Barber, Ron Dayne, and Sean Bennett are on the team. It seems as if Damon Washington is history. Do the Giants keep either Antonio Warren or Delvin Joyce? Personally, I am hoping they find a way to keep Warren. I just wish the second team offensive line would give either one of these guys a chance to show their stuff. Doubtful at best.
- Who Will Be the Game Day Back-up at Quarterback?: My guess is that Jason Garrett will be the short-term and primary back-up if Kerry Collins has to be replaced during a game. Garrett needs to be active on Sunday because he is the best holder for snaps on field goals/extra points. On the other hand, if Collins has to be replaced before a game, I think Jesse Palmer gets the start.
Giants on Defense: What will be interesting to see is how Nick Greisen performs with the starters against the Jets. Greisen, Quincy Monk, and Wes Mallard (who won’t play tonight) all played like crap last week.
Questions for the defense:
- Will the Giants Be Alright with Dhani Jones on the Weakside?: Reviews thus far have been mixed. He looked decent against the Patriots and not so decent against the Falcons. Tonight is an important game for him personally as he needs to convince his teammates that he is a player.
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Will the Giants Be Alright with Omar Stoutmire at Free Safety?: Stoutmire hasn’t looked bad, but he hasn’t looked good either. One really hasn’t noticed him all that much in the preseason. That can be good news in the sense that we at least don’t seem him at the other end of a lot of completed passes. Still one wonders if other teams have targeted him yet. Tonight he plays against one of his former teams.
- Who Will Be the Starter at Right Defensive End?: DE Kenny Holmes has been a colossal disappointment. He’s out of excuses. This is his second camp and he should know the system and he is healthy. So what’s up Kenny? Meanwhile, Frank Ferrara, who has more heart than ability, keeps making plays. My guess is that Holmes and Ferrara rotate regularly during the regular season – especially since Ferrara can get worn down due to his high-revving motor. If there was any depth at defensive end on this team, I think Holmes would be one of the cuts on Monday.
- Who Will Be the Back-Ups on the Defensive Line?: The back-ups were terrible last week. I think Lance Legree (who is out tonight) is safe. There is a big battle brewing for the last defensive tackle spot between Ross Kolodziej, Matt Mitrione, and Dwight Johnson. Mitrione has made the most plays, but Kolodziej is the one who has gotten the playing time with starters. At end, we all know Cedric Scott has made the team. He’s lucky there is no one seriously competing against him. The Giants really need to address this area in the draft next year. Can you imagine how bad the situation is going to look once Michael Strahan is an Eagle or Redskin next season?
Giants on Special Teams: The good news is that kick-off coverage was much improved last week. Let’s see if that was an aberration or a trend.
The questions:
- Who is the Punter?: Rodney Williams has been a huge disappointment thus far. He is way too inconsistent and is on the verge of being cut in my opinion. The fact that he is still the first team punter doesn’t bode well for Gabe Lindstrom either. I have a feeling the Giants are scanning the waiver wire.
- Who Will Be the Kicker?: Same story with Owen Pochman. His kick-offs are decent, but missing that 23-yarder was inexcusable. The problem is that he hasn’t gotten many opportunities to kick field goals this preseason. Don’t be surprised if the Giants run some idiotic 3rd-down plays in field goal range just so than can test Pochman. If he misses again tonight, I think the Giants bring in a veteran.
- Who Will Be the Long Snapper?: Jody Littleton or Morris Unutoa? The answer may decide if LB Kevin Lewis or another offensive lineman is kept.
- Who Will Be the Primary Kick Returner?: This has been another disappointing area. The injury to Tim Carter hasn’t helped. Ron Dixon still is too indecisive. Jonathan Carter has be OK, but hasn’t gotten many chances. Antonio Warren and Delvin Joyce have been mediocre.
- Who Will be the Primary Punt Returner?: The scary thing is that the Giants’ lead candidate – Daryl Jones – has only returned one punt this preseason. And on that return, he not only hurt his knee, but fumbled. Returning punts helps Antonio Warren’s cause. Will Tiki Barber need to be pressed into service again on September 5th? My guess is yes.