I didn't take notes, so I may forget to list some things that I planned on listing. If so, I'll come back to the thread as I remember..
Random order of importance:
-Firstly, I will not discuss the Secondary or our running game as that has been thoroughly covered on here..Nothing more to add to those opinions, other than I did take note of a couple of times we picked up some clutch yardage on the ground to move the chains..Obviously the running game needs to improve a lot
-I had forgotten somehow how many times Eli started inside the 10, certainly the 15 and most definitely inside his own 20..That can be quite limiting. Just sayin'.
-I thought Hart held up well, better than I originally thought
-Cruz is FAR from finished..That spin move was vintage Cruz
-Kennard played really well. Harrison is a beast and Hankins needs to be re-signed so we have this young tandem in tact for years to come
-Vernon APPEARS to be getting his game together and hopefully his wrist will benefit from much needed rest
-Spags deserves some kudos on here as he had us swarming to the ball..The tackling was crisp and consistent throughout and the pressure on Keenum was rather intense, more than I recalled from watching it live..Some here mocked the result because we were lucky to have faced Keenum. I see it differently. I saw a QB who threw 4 INTs because of terrific pressure..You're welcome to disagree..
-Two plays really pissed me off: The 3rd and 22 the Rams converted rather late in the 4th quarter(could be off on the timeframe) very deep in their own territory and the 4th and 10 conversion by Keenum with just a hair over over 2 minutes remaining..
-Wing was very good overall I thought even with a few touchbacks..I think he had 2 inside the 20. Could be wrong on that..
I feel good about this team moving forward and as I said in another thread, if my worst concern is about Eli and this offense getting it together, then I am not all that concerned..
Please correct me on anything I have noted above or feel free to add thoughts of your own..
- Bench Donnell.
- The sacks they had were all registered because of Vernon's pressure, he played great despite having one arm.
- Thought they did a great job tackling yesterday.
- Bench Donnell.
Cruz is far from finished - just commented on another thread, after the 1st series drop, I think all 5 catches were for 1st down. He is open more than people think. I still wish he was back inside. He and Eli read each other's minds and I think they could ad lib on 3rd and shorts for 1st downs.
yes the 3rd and 22 was piss poor - right after Snacks' sack? Collins slipped and how in the hell is the entire middle open like that. 3rd and 22 I blitz the shit out of Keenum. The blitzes were working yesterday
Hart is adequate - he still does some strange stuff. One time he took his man to the middle, then just released him - let that guy get a bead on Eli for no reason, the ball got off but sustain your block to the whistle.
I thought this as well. The tackling has been very good this year.
that his legs will hold up but he isn't a true #2 WR
playing outside he is better suited for the slot .
I can't see how this offense will get better without
having a bigger WR to make some contested catches and here
again they put Harris back in on offense right after he
had taken that cheap spear in the back .
I would much rather use King Lewis who is also playing
great as a gunner and is younger to take some #2 Reps
I don't care if its at the expense of rotating Cruz
and Shepard . Unfortunately the only way a guy like
Davis gets a chance will be due to injury .
I feel like this team at times just gets stubborn to
prove a point . You don't want to talk about the
O-line & Run game and I get that but if we don't make
a change over the bye week I highly doubt we make the
playoffs .
So hard to develop a rational perspective while watching it.
The one play he missed a tackle lean the LOS, fell down, and still recovered to run downfield and make the tackle.
He might never get back to the 2011 version, but he does hustle is ass off and give max effort.
Question is, who do we resign? Him or Hankins?
The one play he missed a tackle lean the LOS, fell down, and still recovered to run downfield and make the tackle.
He might never get back to the 2011 version, but he does hustle is ass off and give max effort.
Question is, who do we resign? Him or Hankins?
I'm possibly in the minority here, but Hankins would get my vote
Good pressure but few sacks.
Also Wing was money yesterday going head to head with the best punter in the NFC. He helped turn the field position back over a few times and with a team that cannot sustain long drives, he's a welcome sight.
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never dogs it, and is a hustle machine.
The one play he missed a tackle lean the LOS, fell down, and still recovered to run downfield and make the tackle.
He might never get back to the 2011 version, but he does hustle is ass off and give max effort.
Question is, who do we resign? Him or Hankins?
I'm possibly in the minority here, but Hankins would get my vote
It's a close call......I think it's probably certain we can't be both back?
We have more prospects at DE so it very well may be Hankins.
The one play he missed a tackle lean the LOS, fell down, and still recovered to run downfield and make the tackle.
He might never get back to the 2011 version, but he does hustle is ass off and give max effort.
Question is, who do we resign? Him or Hankins?
You don't pay a guy $10 million for effort. Thanks for the 2011 season, but that's history.
So he's just a slow poke?
Cruz, even in his hayday would often take a knee or go OB when the DBs had the advantage. I semi-agree on the burst - but I wonder if the turf had something to do with it. He sure looked quick as heck in the NO game with the sideline route he fumbled on.
He's played better than his 'numbers' so far, but I thought yesterday was his best game:
- Drew a holding that negated a 25+ yard pickup
- Quick pressure that forced Keenum to step into the Bromley sack
- Quick pressure forcing one of the INTs (2nd Collins one?)
- Pressure/forced fumble, unfortunately a lucky bounce for Keenum
And was strong against the run as usual.
The miscommunication on the final play was also partly due to the quick pressure they were getting all day. Keenum knew he'd have no time (and even then he barely got rid of it before JPP hit him).
I agree there. The tackling is better than last season and Collins sticks everything, but overall I think it can still improve. Just look at the Rams tackling yesterday. How many 1v1 opportunities did our WRs have against their DBs yesterday? And the only play I recall our WRs 'winning' was the big one to Cruz. On the rest of them, the first Ram their either brought the WR down slowed him down enough that the next guy did with minimal extra yardage.
If there's one area where Shepard has disappointed, it's after the catch. He had a few chances yesterday to make a play with the ball in his hands and couldn't.
and oh yeah, bench Donnell
Happy to see JPP and Vernon taken out of the game a little even if there is a drop off in talent. They cannot last at the rate being used.
The return of Apple and DRC seems to have given Spags more confidence to use the blitz.
However, Eli is not a little worry. His inconsistency has always been there as has his tendency to make some terrible decisions when trying to avoid a sack, but in the good years he had a running game to offset some of his bad days. Now there is no room for a bad half or bad game. When he is throwing poorly the team is destined for 3 and out and the defense is on the field too much. No one should lose sight of the fact that the Rams are not a good offense and only an average defense. Yet, the Giants struggled to the end.
We're going to find out in 2 weeks. Eagles KR game is outstanding (back-to-back weeks with scores by different players, Smallwood and Huff).
Doesn't have to be. If he can have games like yesterday, I'll be happy..Agree, not what he was, but, imho, he's far from done as a good contributor..
I said his "spin move" was vintage Cruz
Agreed, but even in his prime, he dropped some. Didn't really matter all that much given his uncanny production, imv
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can't keep dropping easy completions.
Agreed, but even in his prime, he dropped some. Didn't really matter all that much given his uncanny production, imv
Those drops were tolerated in his prime, because he could make plays happen once he gets the ball.
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In comment 13189456 giants#1 said:
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can't keep dropping easy completions.
Agreed, but even in his prime, he dropped some. Didn't really matter all that much given his uncanny production, imv
Those drops were tolerated in his prime, because he could make plays happen once he gets the ball.
Meh, if Cruz is playing, he is going to have some drops like yesterday. It is his M.O. He still tries to run before he catches the ball. Almost like Eli needs to slap his head before the game and remind him to catch it first. Seems that once the drop happens, then he's ok.
But I will remind all again, he was never a burner. He could maintain his separation most of the time, but he'd still get caught by the faster DBs. The spin yesterday was vintage Cruz which is more important than his top end speed.
Meh, if Cruz is playing, he is going to have some drops like yesterday. It is his M.O. He still tries to run before he catches the ball. Almost like Eli needs to slap his head before the game and remind him to catch it first. Seems that once the drop happens, then he's ok.
But I will remind all again, he was never a burner. He could maintain his separation most of the time, but he'd still get caught by the faster DBs. The spin yesterday was vintage Cruz which is more important than his top end speed.
It's part of his MO, but he really needs to clean it up now that he's more of a possession WR than the big play threat he used to be. Also hurts more because of the inability to run the ball.
In hindsight, the SS pick wasn't ideal for this year at least. Cruz's best position was always the slot because of his ability to read the defense and cut on a dime. With SS getting most of the snaps in the slot, that could be hurting Cruz's productivity some. He was never a guy that was going to run away from CBs.
Of course, part of the reason for taking SS was as Cruz insurance since no one knew if he'd even return to the field at that point.
Hey antdog, good to see you and yes, point taken
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Meh, if Cruz is playing, he is going to have some drops like yesterday. It is his M.O. He still tries to run before he catches the ball. Almost like Eli needs to slap his head before the game and remind him to catch it first. Seems that once the drop happens, then he's ok.
But I will remind all again, he was never a burner. He could maintain his separation most of the time, but he'd still get caught by the faster DBs. The spin yesterday was vintage Cruz which is more important than his top end speed.
It's part of his MO, but he really needs to clean it up now that he's more of a possession WR than the big play threat he used to be. Also hurts more because of the inability to run the ball.
In hindsight, the SS pick wasn't ideal for this year at least. Cruz's best position was always the slot because of his ability to read the defense and cut on a dime. With SS getting most of the snaps in the slot, that could be hurting Cruz's productivity some. He was never a guy that was going to run away from CBs.
Of course, part of the reason for taking SS was as Cruz insurance since no one knew if he'd even return to the field at that point.
Yes and undoubtedly why they took SS..No one knew about Cruz, at least definitively..
It was actually the opposite of vintage Cruz. It was an extremely slow turn that was able to work b/c of the ideal position and momentum of the defender. There was literally not a single physical attribute that was unique to Cruz on that move at all.
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Cruz is FAR from finished..That spin move was vintage Cruz
It was actually the opposite of vintage Cruz. It was an extremely slow turn that was able to work b/c of the ideal position and momentum of the defender. There was literally not a single physical attribute that was unique to Cruz on that move at all.
And you would be wrong..We will disagree
Me too
You and Josh could be right, but honestly, I didn't see that..I saw quickness. He was never fleet afoot
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Cruz is FAR from finished..That spin move was vintage Cruz
It was actually the opposite of vintage Cruz. It was an extremely slow turn that was able to work b/c of the ideal position and momentum of the defender. There was literally not a single physical attribute that was unique to Cruz on that move at all.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
No.
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the execution of it seemed a bit slo-mo.
You and Josh could be right, but honestly, I didn't see that..I saw quickness. He was never fleet afoot
I mean, it wasn't bad. I just didn't see the hard planting of the foot into the ground and quick spin move, basketball-style...it was more of a rounded spin, but it obviously worked to fake the defender out. The acceleration after that move just wasn't there, as well.
Giants Rams Highlights - ( New Window )
Get in the game man...
Several weeks in a row now plays have occurred downfield where he has been the deep safety, but is no where to be found when the ball arrives. The corners get zero support as Adams arrives seconds late.
He is the safest Free Safety in the NFL...
Several weeks in a row now plays have occurred downfield where he has been the deep safety, but is no where to be found when the ball arrives. The corners get zero support as Adams arrives seconds late.
He is the safest Free Safety in the NFL...
True dat. He hasn't a clue at this point. But, if he has the talent and is raw, he should be given time, no? Ordinarily, he'd be brought along slowly or reside on the PS..He may be lost at present, but what choice did the Giants have?
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a play/tackle just occurred...standing.
Several weeks in a row now plays have occurred downfield where he has been the deep safety, but is no where to be found when the ball arrives. The corners get zero support as Adams arrives seconds late.
He is the safest Free Safety in the NFL...
True dat. He hasn't a clue at this point. But, if he has the talent and is raw, he should be given time, no? Ordinarily, he'd be brought along slowly or reside on the PS..He may be lost at present, but what choice did the Giants have?
Not saying the Giants had a better choice. I am referring to how he needs to get off his heels more and get into some of these plays. He has the luxury of having some decent Corners out there, and Collins playing well at SS, so he is not exactly on an "island". Go be more aggressive.
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In comment 13189980 Jimmy Googs said:
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a play/tackle just occurred...standing.
Several weeks in a row now plays have occurred downfield where he has been the deep safety, but is no where to be found when the ball arrives. The corners get zero support as Adams arrives seconds late.
He is the safest Free Safety in the NFL...
True dat. He hasn't a clue at this point. But, if he has the talent and is raw, he should be given time, no? Ordinarily, he'd be brought along slowly or reside on the PS..He may be lost at present, but what choice did the Giants have?
Not saying the Giants had a better choice. I am referring to how he needs to get off his heels more and get into some of these plays. He has the luxury of having some decent Corners out there, and Collins playing well at SS, so he is not exactly on an "island". Go be more aggressive.
Hard to disagree with that, though because of his inexperience, might the Giants have told him to play it conservatively, at least for now?
With probably no hope of materially changing the running game or TE play, Giants will need the Defense to be more aggressive in getting points on the board.
imo...
Outside of OBJ, our best playmakers right now may very well be on defense...