Approach to the Game – Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, October 15, 2000: Ten games left in the marathon of the regular season. There is no time or reason to contemplate what has already transpired other than to learn from mistakes and move on. It’s time to re-energize the offensive attack. The talent is there; it’s simple matter of executing. What it boils down to is this – make a play. As BBI contributor SOTI said in this week’s editorial report in “News and Notes,” all it might take is one individual to jump start the entire machine. Defensively, the Giants should not feel too giddy about themselves just yet; after all, Atlanta isn’t very good on offense. There is room for improvement in all aspects of pass defense and the Cowboys are a very good running team. Coverage on special teams is improving, but it’s past time to get the return game going.
This is a VERY important game. It is division game at home. In the grand scheme of things, it is far more crucial than the two previous contests against the Titans and Falcons. That being said, it is up to the coaching staff to ensure that this team is not too tight – that could negatively effect the performance. This team is better than Dallas. Now go out there, have some fun, make some plays, and chalk up another win.
Giants on Offense: The offense looks too tense to me. They need to lighten up and have some fun. Stop thinking about what could go wrong and start believing in what is possible. These players must not forget how well they moved the ball when everyone was executing properly. They have the strong-armed quarterback who can throw the ball with great accuracy; they have both the pounder and quick-strike threat at halfback; they have a fullback who can make plays catching the ball out of the backfield; they have both a tight end who can block and one who can catch; they have wide receivers who can make big plays; and they have an offensive line that pass protects well and plays smart. The talent is there…it’s time for a breakout game.
The Dallas defense has some good players, but they are not a very strong unit right now. The linebackers are VERY fast, but also very light. The strong safety is outstanding, but the corners are questionable. For some reason, their talented defensive linemen have had problems defending the run thus far in 2000.
To me, the game plan screams a heavy dose of Ron Dayne and the wide receivers. As I said, the Dallas linebackers are fast and quick, particularly WLB Dexter Coakley and MLB Dat Nguyen (who returns this week from a knee injury that has sidelined him for several games). These guys, along with SS Darren Woodson, are fast enough to beat the blocks and penetrate on outside runs and cover the underneath receivers such as Tiki Barber and Pete Mitchell. Don’t fool around – pound Ron Dayne at the middle of the Dallas defense. Also, don’t make it too complicated for the Heisman Trophy winner…keep it simple and let him aggressively attack the hole. I don’t think Tiki is going to have too much success running outside on these guys (though having more mobile linemen such as Lomas Brown, Glenn Parker, Dusty Zeigler, and Luke Petitgout this year may help). A real key will be the ability of the linemen, tight ends, and FB Greg Comella to engage the linebackers at the point of attack quickly and not let them run around or out-quick the blocks. If guys like Stone, Zeigler, and Comella can get a hat on the linebackers, it is trouble for Dallas; but if they miss the blocks, then penetration can disrupt the entire play.
The Cowboys know the Giants will be running the football at them from the get-go. They know the Giants’ offense is at its best when it runs the ball. They also are aware of their poor defense reputation against the run. We’re going to see Woodson and the linebackers crowding the line of scrimmage. Thus, as I’ve argued on many occasions in the past, shouldn’t the Giants do the opposite of what is expected? In this case, I say no. Dayne is exactly the kind of running back who could be a real problem for Dallas to defend. What’s more, why not keep trying to run the football until the Cowboys can prove they can stop it? This game simply provides too good of an opportunity to finally get Dayne a 25+ carry afternoon. Let him get into a rhythm with the offensive line, tight ends, and Comella.
The way I see this game is this: so much depends on Dayne finally getting it in gear and the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage better in the running game than it has done the past three weeks. RT Luke Petitgout faces DE Alonzo Spellman (with Ebenezer Ekuban out – one of their better pass rushers). However, on many running plays, Howard Cross will be called upon to handle Spellman. RG Ron Stone matches up against DT Leon Lett – who can still be disruptive. The Stone-Lett battle will be huge. LG Glenn Parker gets DT Chad Hennings and LT Lomas Brown faces RDE Greg Ellis. If the Giants do decide to run Dayne heavily (and I think they will), this will also be a very important game for TE Dan Campbell when the Giants go to two-tight end sets. If Campbell and Howard Cross can win their battles with ends or linebackers, the running game will find the going much easier. The Cowboys have some interesting reserve linemen too in DT Brandon Noble and DE Peppi Zellner.
However, if Dallas is really crowding the line of scrimmage and bringing up more guys to defend the run than can be blocked, then it will be time to go up top. First the bad news. The Dallas linebackers are so athletic that they can be difficult to beat in coverage. I don’t think the passing game to Barber and Mitchell will be particularly productive this week. This includes screens (unless the Giants catch Dallas in a blitz). The place to go with the ball in the passing game is the wide receivers. RCB Ryan McNeil has the size to match-up very well with Amani Toomer…but Toomer is a better player and he is due for a big breakout game. Ike Hilliard will most likely be covered most of the game by our old friend Phillippi Sparks. Sparks’ strength is zone coverage now due to declining speed, but Ike eats up zone coverage. I’m not sure Phillippi has the quickness to stay with him on underneath routes…and I’d run a double-move on Sparks and slip Ike behind him after working the ball in front of him. (Do keep in mind, however, that Sparks is a good run defender – yet another reason to eschew the outside running attack). I would also like to see the Giants get Ron Dixon on the field on some deep routes against Sparks while Ike works the slot. I think Dixon creates more match-up problems for Dallas than Joe Jurevicius does. He is also a better player.
Giants on Defense: It all starts with stopping Emmitt Smith. Dallas has a very big and powerful offensive line that could give the Giants’ run defense problems. We all saw that the Titans were able to wear New York down with their big offensive line. Run defense will be a premium this week. The battles up front are all critical. DE Michael Strahan will go to war once again with his old nemesis RT Erik Williams (who he has long considered his toughest opponent). DT Christian Peter must out-play RG Solomon Page (though we may see a heavy dose of Cornelius Griffin here). The best conflict may be between DT Keith Hamilton and LG Larry Allen (who many consider the best guard in all of football). On paper, one expects Allen to have the upper hand here. Keith needs to win his share of the skirmishes. Then there is DE Cedric Jones versus monster-sized Flozell “the Hotel” Adams. Jones needs to use his quickness (both hands and feet) to out-maneuver Adams – both against the run and pass. Jones needs to step it up this week.
Of course, the linebackers will also be very important in run defense. WLB Jessie Armstead and MLB Mike Barrow must make more impact plays. Shooting gaps and nailing Smith for a loss would be a big start. These two must evade the lead block of FB Robert Thomas. This is the type of game that SLB Ryan Phillips should play well in. His strength is taking on big blocks at the point of attack. Dallas will undoubtedly attack the linebackers in coverage as other teams have done in recent weeks with success. Thus all three must, particularly Phillips, must improve their play in this department. Troy Aikman likes to throw to his tight ends – especially Jackie Harris (though David LaFleur is also an option). HB Chris Warren is also very dangerous coming out of the backfield.
When Dallas throws deeper down the field, the good news is that Troy Aikman has been struggling a bit and may be looking over his shoulder at Randall Cunningham (I don’t think it would be in the Giants’ best interest to knock Aikman out). The bad news is that WR Raghib Ismail returns this week after being injured. He is a speed demon who Jason Sehorn will have to keep under control. CB Dave Thomas will also be tested by WR James McKnight, who can also haul it. Thomas needs to play an aggressive game (that’s his strength), but he must also be careful not to let McKnight fly by him for a cheap six. Our safeties will also be very important, not only in defending the pass, but also supporting the run against Smith. The Giants need a consistent game out of Williams (and I’d like to see him start smacking guys again this week coming over the middle). Garnes needs to make some impact plays.
We all know how important the pass rush is. With a heavier rush last week, the Giants found it much easier to defend the pass and pick off some balls. Strahan, Jones, Hamilton, Peter, Griffin, and Hale must get some pressure on their own. It can’t always come from the linebackers and secondary (though it will help to have Barrow back this week as he is a good blitzer). Here’s Eric’s old refrain again…stuff the run, get after the passer. Let’s also get some more turnovers!
Giants on Special Teams: Dallas has one of the very best coached special teams in the league. But last year in the Meadowlands, the Giants’ special teams won the game with Tiki Barber’s game-breaking punt return. The Giants have not returned a kick or a punt for a touchdown since that game…we’re due.