Approach to the Game – Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants, November 9, 2003: Anyone who thinks this game will be a cakewalk is fooling themselves. Yes, Atlanta is 1-7 and without QB Michael Vick. But this same team went into Irving, Texas and beat the 6-2 Cowboys at the beginning of the season. Others may point to slew of injuries the Falcons have suffered since that game, but I don’t see a push over. I see a team that can run the football and I see a team that plays a 3-4 defense (and 3-4 defenses have given the Giants problems).
Giants on Defense: Dan Reeves’ strategy will be as predictable as it is sound: pound the football at the Giants with halfbacks Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett. Use a control passing game, especially screens and passes to the tight ends, to keep New York guessing. Shorten the game, keep the Giants’ explosive offense off the field. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE FALCONS DID LAST YEAR. And it worked perfectly. In that game, the Giants only had SIX offensive possessions!!! Six! And bear in mind that the Falcons must be licking their chops to run on the Giants after watching the terrible run defense by the defensive tackles against the Jets.
If the Giants are to prevent this strategy from working this time around, they MUST first stop the run. Secondly, the undercoverage (linebackers and Shaun Williams) must do a much better job of defending short passes to the backs and tight ends. The defensive line also must be wary of the screen pass. Here is a blurb from my game review from last year:
Atlanta kept running a nifty play to great effect. Whichever linebacker was spying Warrick Dunn out of the backfield, the Falcons assigned an offensive linemen to. Thus when the linebacker went to cover Dunn, the lineman prevented him from doing so and Dunn had a lot of open field to play with.
Do those things and the Giants should control the contest and win the game. Don’t, and the Giants risk Atlanta limiting New York’s offensive possessions (and scoring opportunities). This will keep the game close with the outcome being likely determined by special teams.
The big battles with be the defensive tackles of the Giants versus the interior trio of the Falcon offensive line. DT Cornelius Griffin (ankle) may play this week, but it may be better if he didn’t as this will be a physical, run-game affair. If he doesn’t, the onus will be on Lance Legree, Keith Hamilton, and William Joseph…none of which looked particularly sharp against the run last weekend. LG Travis Claridge (knee) is out and will be replaced by Roberto Garza. Todd McClure is the center and Kynan Forney is the right guard. Forney plays a mean and nasty game; he’s “questionable” with a quad injury. The bad news for the Giants is that RT Todd Weiner has played DE Michael Strahan well in the past. The good news is that LT Bob Whitfield (broken leg) is out and will be replaced by Kevin Shaffer. DE Kenny Holmes and DE Osi Umenyiora must dominate this match-up.
The Atlanta running game can be scary. Dunn is the big play guy who has the speed and moves to go the distance. T.J. Duckett is the bruiser who can run over you. This is the true “Thunder and Lightening” backfield. And Dunn is VERY dangerous as a receiver. “Both of their backs are averaging over 4 yards a carry,” says DE Kenny Holmes. “So you can’t go into this game thinking it’s a gimme or a game you should win. They’ve been running the ball well. They just haven’t been passing the ball well. And we don’t want that to happen this week.”
When the Falcons put the ball in the air, it will be 2nd year QB Kurt Kittner at the helm. But we all know how the Giants have a habit of turning little-known back-ups in heros. Hell, back-up Falcon QB Doug Johnson played like shit against everyone except for the Giants. Aside from Dunn, the receiving target who scares me the most is TE Alge Crumpler. The Falcons’ best wide receiver is Peerless Price. He normally plays in the split end (or “X”) spot, so it will be interesting to see if CB Will Allen follows him around. The other starter is Brian Finneran, a journeyman.
Stop the run, stop the short passing game…don’t let the Falcons dictate the tempo of the contest and keep the Giants’ offense off the field.
Giants on Offense: The Falcons are not a good defensive team. However, the 3-4 defense has given the Giants problems in the past – as has their defensive coordinator (Wade Phillips).
The Giants shouldn’t screw around here at all. Don’t be conservative by running the ball early. This plays right into Atlanta’s hands. Go for the knockout blows in the first and second quarters by passing early and often against a completely re-shuffled secondary. CB Tod McBride will line-up against WR Amani Toomer. CB Juran Bolden will play over WR Ike Hilliard. Long-time vet Ray Buchanon is now the nickel. Bryan Scott is the new strong safety and Cory Hall is the new free safety. Go at this group with Toomer, Hilliard, Shockey, and Carter early and often. Pick up big chunks of yardage and touchdowns. Put the game to bed.
Of course, this strategy depends on the offensive line protecting Collins. The problem with the 3-4 is that the blitz can come from a variety of directions. The Giants’ young offensive line doesn’t see this scheme much so it usually presents them with problems. I guarantee you that the Falcons will test the guys up front by blitzing from all angles. NT Ed Jasper (ribs) will play and line up directly over OC Chris Bober…this will be a big match-up. DT Travis Hall (neck) will not likely play so the Falcons will stay pretty much with the 3-4. The ends are Brady Smith (who will play over Luke Petitgout) and Patrick Kerney (who will play over Ian Allen). Smith is “questionable” with an ankle injury, but will probably play.
The Giants’ guards, fullback, and tight ends need to do a good job of blocking as well, particularly on the linebackers. Pro Bowl ILB Keith Brooking is the team leader on defense and a fine player. Chris Draft is the other inside linebacker. Matt Stewart plays on the strongside; Keith Newman on the weakside. These guys should have problems covering Jeremy Shockey, and possibly Marcellus Rivers.
It’s time for Shockey and HB Tiki Barber to make some big plays and score some touchdowns. Both have been quieter than expected thus far this season.
Giants on Special Teams: The big key is guard against big returns from punt/kick returner Allen Rossum. Rossum is one of the better returners in the League and capable of going the distance. He is first in the NFC with a punt return average of 15.5 yards per return.