Plaxico
10 Games / 9 Starts
35 receptions
454 yards
13 yards per catch avg.
4 TD's
Hixon
16 games / 7 Starts
43 receptions
596 yards
13.9 yards per catch avg.
2 TD's
There are those that say those stats don't matter because after Plax went down, Hixon didn't do anything in our last six games...
Hixon's last six games at #1
@ Washington: 5 catches, 71 yards, 14.2 avg., long of 18
Philly (his worst): 3 catches, 30 yards, 10 avg., long of 17 (one HUGE drop)
@ Dallas: 6 catches, 60 yards, 10 avg., long of 19
Carolina: 4 catches, 71 yards, 17.8 avg., long of 40
@ Minny: 4 catches, 62 yards, 15.5 avg. 23 yard (TD)
Philly: 2 catches, 37 yards, 18.5 avg., long of 32
Plaxico's last six games as a Giant (I'll make it 7, because Plaxico didn't start against Pitt)
Cincy: 3 catches, 45 yards, 15 avg., long of 28
@ Cleveland: 4 catches, 58 yards, 14.5 avg., long of 25, TD
San Fran: 3 catches, 24 yards, 8 avg., long of 14, TD
@ Pitt (did not start): 3 catches, 15 yards, 5 avg., long of 8
Dallas: 3 catches, 34 yards, 11.3 avg., long of 22
@ Philly: 1 catch, 17 yards, TD
Baltimore: 3 catches, 43 yards, 15.7 average, long of 21
I also threw out his last game vs. Arizona because he really didn't play at all, even though he started. He may have played one series.
Okay, so now, the averages.
Hixon's per game average over the last six games
4 catches per game
55 yards per game
.16 TD's per game
Plaxico's per game average over his last 7 games
2.85 catches per game (less than Hixon)
33.71 yards per game (significantly less than Hixon)
.428 TD's per game
Keep in mind, that both Hixon and Plaxico had monster games, Plaxico vs. the Skins, and Hixon vs. the Seahawks that are not included, so you get a better look at the overall view. Believe it or not, Plaxico was becoming somewhat non-existant well before he shot himself.
There seems to be a strong opinion here, some would say fact, that the team dropped off BECAUSE of the loss of Plaxico. I think these stats dispute that. There is also a strong opinion that Plaxico being double covered was what opened things up for the rest of the offense. That may be true, but it should be noted that Eli threw for the most yards (301) against Washington w/out Plaxico, and we ran for the most yards of the season (over 300) against Carolina.
I think the main thing that sticks out here are the TD's. Hixon is really good between the 20's, and moves the chains. However, where Eli really missed Plaxico was in the redzone. I think this supports the argument that we don't really need a "stretch the field" reciever as much as we need a "big redzone target". I think a trade for Tony Gonzalez would create the exact same double coverage and mismatches that we got with Plaxico Burress down inside the 20.
Overall, I think Hixon gets a lot of the blame for our late season collapse, with some of you going as far to say that our recievers are number 3's or 2's at BEST, and that they've already hit their ceiling. I would argue that Hixon can in fact be this team's number one, and could quite possibly be a very good one. Having a 6'5 WR is not the only way to get mismatches and double teams.
Therefore, I'm going to go with myth. Big, overblown myth.
Flame on.
;]
Please?
Has it had a number 1 all these years? I guess so. I just don't see how that somehow suggest he wouldn't be satisfied adjusting the O with the guys he has.
I'd been obnoxious in the other debates because of the pessimistic view. It's reaching. No chance at a SB without '#1'. Why would Reese intentionally leave the team in a condition that would have them not contending? If he doesn't blink on BE he obviously feels he could win as is
All I see is that it just so happens that he's been lucky enough to have one.
And Smith developed into one, he was not one right away. Plax I'd argue also developed into one
The Giants running game:
with Plax: 7 games with 150+ yards including 5 with 200+.
without Plax: 1 game with 150+ yards against Carolina.
So sure the WR's are facing one less defender and may be putting up similar stats, but that extra defender is now impacting the running game.
All you need to do is to watch the Eagles games to see the difference. In the Plax-less games, Quentin Mikell is taking out the lead blocker at the LOS or in the backfield all game.
I don't see why any of our present guys shouldn't be given a chance to develop into something similar considering they have potentially elite physical abilities.
Because, TC has always been "#1 oriented." If he changes that, I'd be surprised. That's all I'm saying
I believe that's one of the few pessimistic views I've offered on here since Fassel left, except for my negative opinions on Accorsi...I've been accused of drinking the Kool-Aid by a bunch on here...GMANinDC calls me the "pom-pom" guy for my unconditional support of TC and Reese...I really don't believe we will strongly contend for the SB without a true #1...Of course(and hope) I could be wrong...Regardless, it doesn't merit the attitude towards me imo
rtc : 12:14 pm
The Giants running game:
with Plax: 7 games with 150+ yards including 5 with 200+.
without Plax: 1 game with 150+ yards against Carolina.
So sure the WR's are facing one less defender and may be putting up similar stats, but that extra defender is now impacting the running game.
All you need to do is to watch the Eagles games to see the difference. In the Plax-less games, Quentin Mikell is taking out the lead blocker at the LOS or in the backfield all game.
In that scheme, asking Hixon to BE Plaxico, yes.
In a new scheme favoring Hixon's strengths, possibly not.
We were very dependent on the size advantage that Plaxico enjoyed.
So much so, that when he wasn't there, we were not prepared to deal with his absence in such a short time frame.
I've watched Tom coach since he was at RIT, so I'm pretty well aware of how willing and able he is to making adjustments to his system.
I know he hates being unprepared for any situation more than anything, and will address this flaw in one way or another, so that if we lose an X, we can still be competitive through a more balanced approach.
I'll go into it further at another time, but I'm going to lunch and as much as I like talking football, I like to eat once in a while too!
I take all this desperation for a new guy as a slight to manning. (while acknowledging what even he said in the press)
That still doesn't mean that being without Plax was the only problem with the team down the stretch.
geemanfan : 12:18 pm
Is not a #1 WR and it's as easy as that.
Based on what. That was his second year.
Stats are for dorks, watch the fucking games.
Go Terps- You are persistent, but dead wrong.
I don't think anyone looks at our WR's and says the same thing. Maybe Hixon will develop into that guy, but I'm not convinced. We need more talent at the position.
Our WR's don't get separation, don't make big plays, and as a result our offense is significantly easier to slow down by stuffing everyone in the box to stop the run game. The Eagles game was this in a nutshell. Sure we'll still beat up on the weak teams with a great OL and run game, plus the WR's will do solid against bad secondaries...but when facing playoff-caliber Defenses...we need a #1 WR and there is not a doubt in my mind about that.
Then I think it is YOU who was not watching.