1. How good is the Saint D?
2. How has Aaron Rouse played (even though against lesser teams)
3. Will Boley be back for PHI because Brent Celek looks pretty good.
4. How good have our DTs played this year with Robbins, Bernard, etc.
1. The Saints defense is ranked 6th in the league in yards allowed per game but they've only played four games.
In those four games, the Saints faced quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (in his first game ever), Kevin Kolb, Trent Edwards and Mark Sanchez. Kolb threw for 391 yards against the Saints in a game a lot of people expected the Eagles to be out of before it started.
In those four games, they faced running backs Kevin Smith (15 carries, 20 yds), Brian Westbrook (13 carries, 52 yards), Fred Jackson (18 carries, 71 yards) and Thomas Jones (13 carries, 48 yards).
No offense to the Saints, but they have yet to be tested on the ground and through the air, they haven't faced an Eli Manning. In all of their games, the Saints made the game a passing affair and none of their opponents ever established a ground game, all running the ball less than 30 times all game. Their corners really haven't proved a lot either. Despite crushing the Lions, Calvin Johnson still put up 3 catches for 90 yards and really that game's result was a testament to Stafford's rookie struggles. Kolb and the Eagles lit the Saints secondary up all afternoon when the two teams faced off and otherwise, the New Orleans secondary's only bragging rights come from shutting out T.O. in week 3. In week 4, Sanchez looked downright bad for the Jets but the Jets couldn't get anything going in that game and Jerricho Cotchery was the only one making plays despite no running game at all (Cotchery hauled in 5 catches for 71 yards).
From what I can see, the Saints defense applies pressure and stops the run fairly successfully but they have yet to be truly tested. In games against the Lions and Jets, the opponent completely handed them the game through un-Giant like mistakes. In week 1, Stafford was playing his first ever NFL regular season game and threw three picks (note: 2 to Sharper) and in week 4, Sanchez threw three picks (note: 2 to Sharper) and lost one fumble.
In other words, breaking it down: three things need to happen for the Giants to be successful on offense.
1. Eli needs to avoid Sharper. Sharper's been Eli's kryptonite for some time now and the old man's continuing his success this year. If Eli really wants to make his name known as an elite quarterback, he'll drop the young and talented label, avoid Sharper (i.e. what Eli in years past, Sanchez, Stafford did this year) and play smart, efficient football.
2. The Giants need to run the ball 30+ times. The Saints defense hasn't been tested by a running game of our caliber yet. Do I think they can handle it? No. Will that matter if we get into a passing battle? No. Gilbride, stick to your guns.
3. Protect the rock. We've done a great job of doing it so far this season but going along with the Sharper theme, turnovers will KILL us against this Saints team. If we go three and out, we have Feagles to pin them back but if we hand them the ball, the Saints will score - and most likely they'll score a touchdown - not a field goal like the Bucs, Chiefs or Raiders would of. This is an obvious goal for every offense in every game but against a high-powered offense like the Saints, momentum and field position is that much more important.
2. I'll admit, I haven't seen Rouse too much but from what I have seen, he's been pretty good on specials and hasn't blown anything in limited time on D. Honestly, IMO, Rouse won't be much of a factor Sunday. I've got to believe he's mainly in right now in run stopping situations and C.C. and MJ will get most of the work Sunday defending the Saints' lethal pass offense.
3. According to RV, Boley will miss another 3-4 weeks from his injury. I don't see him back in time to play Philly. Celek won't be the biggest of the Giants' worries in that game, though.
4. DT's have played great. Robbins is playing like an animal and Cofield is doing well, too. It will be imperative for the two + Bernard to get pressure on Brees this weekend because you've got to believe the Saints will have a FB and TE to help with Osi, Tuck and co. Sunday.
barring a disastrous performance by Manning or our defense, we'll have the game under wraps in the final minutes. I think Manning knows this is a huge game for him and with the game being in his hometown and against Shockey, I think he'll start something like 10/12 like he often does in big spots against seemingly, yet not really equal teams. Knocking on wood, though.
In those four games, the Saints faced quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (in his first game ever), Kevin Kolb, Trent Edwards and Mark Sanchez. Kolb threw for 391 yards against the Saints in a game a lot of people expected the Eagles to be out of before it started.
In those four games, they faced running backs Kevin Smith (15 carries, 20 yds), Brian Westbrook (13 carries, 52 yards), Fred Jackson (18 carries, 71 yards) and Thomas Jones (13 carries, 48 yards).
No offense to the Saints, but they have yet to be tested on the ground and through the air, they haven't faced an Eli Manning. In all of their games, the Saints made the game a passing affair and none of their opponents ever established a ground game, all running the ball less than 30 times all game. Their corners really haven't proved a lot either. Despite crushing the Lions, Calvin Johnson still put up 3 catches for 90 yards and really that game's result was a testament to Stafford's rookie struggles. Kolb and the Eagles lit the Saints secondary up all afternoon when the two teams faced off and otherwise, the New Orleans secondary's only bragging rights come from shutting out T.O. in week 3. In week 4, Sanchez looked downright bad for the Jets but the Jets couldn't get anything going in that game and Jerricho Cotchery was the only one making plays despite no running game at all (Cotchery hauled in 5 catches for 71 yards).
From what I can see, the Saints defense applies pressure and stops the run fairly successfully but they have yet to be truly tested. In games against the Lions and Jets, the opponent completely handed them the game through un-Giant like mistakes. In week 1, Stafford was playing his first ever NFL regular season game and threw three picks (note: 2 to Sharper) and in week 4, Sanchez threw three picks (note: 2 to Sharper) and lost one fumble.
In other words, breaking it down: three things need to happen for the Giants to be successful on offense.
1. Eli needs to avoid Sharper. Sharper's been Eli's kryptonite for some time now and the old man's continuing his success this year. If Eli really wants to make his name known as an elite quarterback, he'll drop the young and talented label, avoid Sharper (i.e. what Eli in years past, Sanchez, Stafford did this year) and play smart, efficient football.
2. The Giants need to run the ball 30+ times. The Saints defense hasn't been tested by a running game of our caliber yet. Do I think they can handle it? No. Will that matter if we get into a passing battle? No. Gilbride, stick to your guns.
3. Protect the rock. We've done a great job of doing it so far this season but going along with the Sharper theme, turnovers will KILL us against this Saints team. If we go three and out, we have Feagles to pin them back but if we hand them the ball, the Saints will score - and most likely they'll score a touchdown - not a field goal like the Bucs, Chiefs or Raiders would of. This is an obvious goal for every offense in every game but against a high-powered offense like the Saints, momentum and field position is that much more important.
2. I'll admit, I haven't seen Rouse too much but from what I have seen, he's been pretty good on specials and hasn't blown anything in limited time on D. Honestly, IMO, Rouse won't be much of a factor Sunday. I've got to believe he's mainly in right now in run stopping situations and C.C. and MJ will get most of the work Sunday defending the Saints' lethal pass offense.
3. According to RV, Boley will miss another 3-4 weeks from his injury. I don't see him back in time to play Philly. Celek won't be the biggest of the Giants' worries in that game, though.
4. DT's have played great. Robbins is playing like an animal and Cofield is doing well, too. It will be imperative for the two + Bernard to get pressure on Brees this weekend because you've got to believe the Saints will have a FB and TE to help with Osi, Tuck and co. Sunday.