Sunday Reading

Giants

Leonard NYDN: The Giants are better than the Cowboys and season rests on proving it Sunday night
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-sports-giants-cowboys-sunday-advance-leonard-20180914-story.html

Rock Newsday: Can Giants find their identity against rival Cowboys?
https://www.newsday.com/amp/sports/football/giants/giants-cowboys-identity-pat-shurmur-1.21044053

Rock Newsday: Giants-Cowboys preview: The battle to avoid starting 0-2
https://www.newsday.com/amp/sports/football/giants/giants-cowboys-preview-the-battle-to-avoid-starting-0-2-1.21045056

Serby NYP: It’s now or never for Giants
https://nypost.com/2018/09/16/its-now-or-never-for-giants/amp/

Schwartz NYP: Giants know how important getting first win can be
https://nypost.com/2018/09/15/giants-know-how-important-getting-first-win-can-be/amp/

Lombardo NJ.com: These 11 Giants need to step up to beat the Dallas Cowboys | Eli Manning, Landon Collins, Ereck Flowers
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/09/giants_who_will_have_to_step_up_vs_dallas_cowboys.html

Eisen Giants.com: Historic rivalry returns to primetime
https://www.giants.com/news/historic-giants-cowboys-rivalry-resumes-sunday-night

RT

Dunleavy NJ.com: Can Giants 'chip' away at DeMarcus Lawrence? Closer look at likely strategy to help Ereck Flowers
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/09/chip_blocking_giants_cowboys.html

Schwartz NYP: Giants’ refusal to criticize Ereck Flowers is getting conspicuous
https://nypost.com/2018/09/15/giants-refusal-to-criticize-ereck-flowers-is-getting-conspicuous/amp/

LS

Serby NYP: Giants’ other two-time champion has no worries about this team

Giants long snapper, two-time Super Bowl champ and longtime special teams captain Zak DeOssie blocks out time for some Q& A with Post columnist Steve Serby:

“Q: A Bill Parcells story.
A: I met him when he was the coach of the Patriots. I was in the fourth grade. Or I met him before that, but he invited me into his office, interrogated me about my grades. Asked me about my one B-minus and why it wasn’t an A. And then he gave me an Indiana Hoosiers hat and told me to get out. And also to keep my grades up.”

“Q: You like this team?
A: I like this team, I love it. We have a lot of talent, a lot of guys who are about the team, and not so much the individual — not that it’s been in the past — but coming off of the season last year really adds perspective. Seasons like that are unacceptable in this city, and I think these guys understand that’s the case this time around.”

https://nypost.com/2018/09/15/giants-other-two-time-champion-has-no-worries-about-this-team/amp/

NFL

Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Notes: How bad was Matt Patricia’s coaching debut?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/09/15/how-bad-was-matt-patricia-head-coaching-debut/zthQdFMr1MXZJ8wp36PUbP/story.html

Cannizzaro NYP: NFL’s new coaching hires need a win to avoid dubious mark
https://nypost.com/2018/09/15/nfls-new-coaching-hires-need-a-win-to-avoid-dubious-mark/amp/

ARIZONA
McManaman AZ Central: Arizona Cardinals say they're ready, but no one's giving them a chance against the Rams
https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/1318072002

ATLANTA
Schefter ESPN: Source: Falcons RB Devonta Freeman out 2-3 weeks with knee injury
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24690439/atlanta-falcons-rb-devonta-freeman-miss-2-3-weeks-source-says

BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: C.J. Mosley's absence hurts the Ravens defense on the field — and before the snap
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-defense-cj-mosley-20180915-story.html

BUFFALO
Maiorana Rochester Democrat: Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Preview and predictions
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2018/09/15/buffalo-bills-vs-los-angeles-chargers-preview-and-prediction-josh-allen-philip-rivers/1302729002/

Brown Bills.com: Bills promote DT Robert Thomas to the 53-man roster
https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-promote-dt-robert-thomas-to-the-53-man-roster

CAROLINA
Fowler Charlotte Observer: Panthers’ new-and-improved offense? What we’ve seen so far won’t cut it vs. Atlanta
http://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article218208150.html

CHICAGO
Finley Chicago Sun Times: Will Bears unleash Tarik Cohen against Seahawks’ backup LBs?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/bears-tarik-cohen-unleash-against-seahawks/amp/

Rosenbloom Chicago Tribune: The Khalil Mack effect: Bears will see big plays even if he doesn’t touch the opponent
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-khalil-mack-big-plays-rosenbloom-20180915-story.html

Kane Chicago Tribune: Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd doing his best to make an impact while playing with a broken hand
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-leonard-floyd-seahawks-20180915-story.html

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns releasing Josh Gordon, who showed up late and 'not himself' on Saturday
https://articles.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/09/josh_gordon_4.amp?

Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns finally reached point where they couldn't wait on Josh Gordon any longer
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/09/browns_finally_reached_point_w.html

DALLAS
Joyce NYP: Cowboys facing doomsday scenario no one imagined
https://nypost.com/2018/09/15/cowboys-facing-doomsday-scenario-no-one-imagined/amp/

Cowlishaw Dallas Morning News: With Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley living in the spotlight, are the Cowboys and Giants living in the past?
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/09/15/withezekiel-elliott-andsaquon-barkley-living-spotlight-cowboys-giants-living-past

DENVER
O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos Game Plan: How Denver matches against Oakland, injury report and predictions
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/15/broncos-game-plan-how-denver-matches-against-oakland-injury-report-and-predictions/

Fredrickson Denver Post: An oral history of unlikely Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay. “He’s not scared of anybody.”
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/15/phillip-lindsay-hometown-kid-broncos/

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions at early crossroads after rough start, locker room strife
https://amp.freep.com/amp/1316493002

Meinke Michigan Live: Jim Bob Cooter searching for answers to another slow start for Lions offense
https://articles.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/jim_bob_cooter_looking_for_fas.amp

Atkins Michigan Live: The Detroit Lions could have a decision to make with Frank Ragnow
https://articles.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/09/lions_could_have_a_decision_to.amp

GREEN BAY
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
9/16/18, 7:32 AM
Aaron Rodgers has no ligament damage in his knee but his injury could take up to two months to heal, per sources. For now, he will try to play through the pain.

Rapoport NFL.com: Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday versus Vikings
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000962219/article/aaron-rodgers-will-play-sunday-versus-vikings?

Silverstein Mil JS: How Packers WR Davante Adams shuffles his feet to beat opposing cornerbacks
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/09/15/silverstein-quick-feet-put-packers-wr-davante-adams-among-elite/1307296002/

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: John McClain's scouting report: Texans at Titans
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/John-McClain-s-scouting-report-Texans-at-Titans-13230060.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Newell Indianapolis Star: Why the Colts don't need to throw the ball downfield or stop the run to win vs. Washington
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/1283500002

JACKSONVILLE
Schefter ESPN: Sources: Leonard Fournette unlikely to play Sunday, but decision not final
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24693749/leonard-fournette-jacksonville-jaguars-unlikely-play-vs-new-england-patriots-no-final-decision-yet

Heilman Florida Times Union: Jaguars promote running back from practice squad, release veteran receiver
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180915/jaguars-promote-running-back-from-practice-squad-release-veteran-receiver?

Daniels Providence Journal: Jaguars' Ngakoue leads dangerous pass rush
http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20180915/jaguars-ngakoue-leads-dangerous-pass-rush?

DiRocco ESPN Jacksonville: Ramsey on Gronk? Expect a little of everything from the Jaguars
http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/25914/ramsey-on-gronk-expect-a-little-of-everything-from-the-jaguars

KANSAS CITY
Worthy KC Star: Chiefs face a Steelers team that’s moved on from Le’Veon Bell and the ‘featured back’
http://amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article218432330.html

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Miller LA Chargers: Chargers look to capitalize on opportunities, not miss them, against the Bills
http://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/la-sp-chargers-bills-20180915-story.html

Schefter ESPN: Foot injury expected to sideline Chargers star Joey Bosa into October
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24696028/joey-bosa-los-angeles-chargers-expected-sidelined-october-foot-injury

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Rams hope to give their fans at home more to cheer about than previous seasons
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-cardinals-20180915-story.html

Simmons Rams.com: Former Teammates to Face Bradford for First Time
https://www.therams.com/news/former-teammates-to-face-bradford-for-first-time

MIAMI
Deen Sun Sentinel: Dolphins enter matchup with Jets with recent success against rookie QBs on their side
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-advance-20180915-story.html

Jackson Miami Herald: Examining three smart Dolphins moves and how they came about
http://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article218387825.html

Lieser Palm Beach Post: How the Dolphins find emergency kickers, punters and long snappers, including Jason Taylor
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/how-the-dolphins-find-emergency-kickers-punters-and-long-snappers-including-jason-taylor/Q1Q6kSJHKgccB3D9iMrpQK/amp.html

MINNESOTA
Cronin ESPN Minn: Sheldon Richardson's prove-it season with Vikings off to fast start
http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/27111/sheldon-richardsons-prove-it-season-with-vikings-off-to-fast-start

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and the NFL:
Patriots on the cusp of milestone win for owner Robert Kraft
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4814890/patriots-on-the-cusp-of-milestone-win-for-owner-robert-kraft

Garven Providence Journal: James Develin's steady approach serves Patriots well
http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20180915/james-develins-steady-approach-serves-patriots-well?

Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
9/16/18, 7:22 AM
The Patriots may make another move at the receiver position: I’m told FA WR Kenny Britt is flying to Foxboro today to work out for the team on Monday, source says. If all goes well and his hamstring is healthy, he could sign in New England… again.

Ben Volin (@BenVolin)
9/16/18, 6:53 AM
The big headline right now is that Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette reportedly won’t play today. But the more significant absence will be the Patriots not having RT Marcus Cannon today against the Jaguars’ ferocious front seven

Duffy Boston Herald: Patriots notebook: Cole Croston added to bolster offensive line depth
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/09/patriots_notebook_cole_croston_added_to_bolster_offensive_line_depth

Princiotti Boston Globe: Here’s why the Patriots can’t just have a kickoff returner field punts
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/09/15/here-why-patriots-can-just-have-kickoff-returner-field-punts/Lv4ehzd9s85TgjPZMBzcaI/amp.html

NEW ORLEANS
Duncan Nola.com: Browns-Saints matchup reminds us to never take Drew Brees for granted
https://articles.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/09/browns-saints_matchup_reminds.amp

OAKLAND
Kawahara SF Chronicle: Raiders QB Derek Carr looks to rebound in Denver from rocky opener
https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/amp/Raiders-QB-Derek-Carr-looks-to-rebound-in-Denver-13232717.php

Gehlken LV Review Journal: Raiders rookie punter Johnny Townsend shows resilience
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/raiders-rookie-punter-johnny-townsend-shows-resilience/amp/

Kawahara SF Chronicle: Kelsey Martinez breaks ground as Raiders’ first female assistant coach
https://www.sfgate.com/raiders/amp/Kelsey-Martinez-breaks-ground-as-Raiders-first-13231183.php

PHILADELPHIA
Rapoport NFL.com: Wentz could be medically cleared next week
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000962217/article/carson-wentz-could-be-cleared-for-next-week-still-might-not-play

Schorr Parks 94 Whip Phil: Is this Nick Foles' last start for the Eagles?
https://94wip.radio.com/blogs/eliot-shorr-parks/nick-foles-last-start-eagles

James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV)
9/16/18, 7:38 AM
#eagles S Malcolm Jenkins told me this week it’s not Mike Evans who he’s taking an extra look at or step toward before the snap … it’s DeSean Jackson. He said the threat of getting beat deep is the concern.

PITTSBURGH
Labriola Steelers.com: Tomlin on speed, sudden-change, spies, RPOs
https://www.steelers.com/news/tomlin-on-defending-speed-sudden-change-spies-rpos

Adelson Yahoo Sports: James Conner's success shouldn't be a surprise: 'He’s beaten cancer. You cannot beat a guy like that'
https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/james-conners-success-shouldnt-surprise-hes-beaten-cancer-cannot-beat-guy-like-051436985.html

SEATTLE
Bell News Tribune: Play caller Brian Schottenheimer takes responsibility for Seahawks not running enough in opener
http://amp.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article218440730.html

Bell News Tribune: Mychal Kendricks “blessed” to be playing for decimated Seahawks Monday after just 2 practices
http://amp.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article218485845.html

TAMPA BAY
Rapoport NFL.com: Jameis Winston might lose Bucs' starting job
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000962221/article/jameis-winston-might-not-be-bucs-starter-when-he-returns

WASHINGTON
Brewer Washington Post: If Redskins’ ‘Business Friday’ carries over to businesslike Sundays, this could be fun
https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/sports/redskins/if-redskins-business-friday-carries-over-to-businesslike-sundays-this-could-be-fun/2018/09/15/8e106a58-b86a-11e8-a2c5-3187f427e253_story.html

Colleges/Draft

CB
Rang Football Maven: Greedy Williams, LSU shut down Auburn, projected first round QB Jarrett Stidham
https://footballmaven.io/nfldraftscout/news/greedy-williams-lsu-shut-down-auburn-projected-first-round-qb-jarrett-stidham-TzLBb3fxW0qyUZ_CxaMAqQ/

History

Shuck SB Nation: Where are they now? S Richmond Flowers

25 questions with a former Cowboys draft pick and Giants starting safety
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2018/9/15/17854410/where-are-they-now-s-richmond-flowers

Giants on 9-16

9-16-1937 WAS 13 NYG 3

1937: Sammy Baugh Debuts as Redskins Defeat Giants

“The Redskins were in a new location, and had a highly-touted rookie passing tailback debuting as well, as they hosted the New York Giants for their season-opening game on September 16, 1937...

There were 24,942 fans in attendance for the Thursday night game at Griffith Stadium. In the first quarter, Baugh excited the crowd with a hard-thrown pass to wingback Ernie Pinckert. The Redskins, who were without the injured Cliff Battles, put together the first scoring drive of the contest, advancing 70 yards to a 19-yard field goal by Riley Smith.

New York twice drove into scoring territory in the second quarter, but the Giants were stopped at the Washington 12 the first time and then at the one foot line. Taldon “Tilly” Manton missed a field goal try from 30 yards but was successful on another from 13 yards that tied the score.

That was it until the fourth quarter, when Smith intercepted a Jim Neill pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. He also added the extra point.  Shortly thereafter, Baugh passed the Redskins into New York territory and, when the drive stalled, Smith kicked an 18-yard field goal to seal the 13-3 win.

The Giants outgained Washington by 311 yards to 221 and also had more first downs (17 to 15). Each team turned the ball over twice, although one of New York’s led directly to a score.

Sammy Baugh, who played a full sixty minutes, completed 11 of 16 passes for 115 yards, with completions to Charlie Malone, Ernie Pinckert, and end Bob McChesney. Riley Smith (pictured below) accounted for all of Washington’s points with his interception return touchdown, two field goals, and extra point. For the Giants, Ed Danowski was successful on 6 of 11 throws for 69 yards. Tuffy Leemans injured his ankle in the second quarter, but still gained a total of 72 yards to lead both teams.”

https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2014/09/1937-sammy-baugh-debuts-as-redskins.html

9-16-1962 CLE 17 NYG 7

This Day in Browns History: Jim Brown, Lou Groza help Browns defeat Giants in 1962 opener

“The Browns came up with the big plays yesterday before a tremendous throng of 81,115 fans at the stadium to get off to a rousing start in the National Football League race.
Three pass interceptions and a pair of very unusual maneuvers by that new look offense provided the difference as they topped the New York Giants, 17-7, before the all-time largest Cleveland opening day audience.
It was only the second victory over New York in the last 10 meetings for Paul Brown's club, which underwent a major overhauling since last season. Achievement came only after a bruising battle in which the winners seemed stronger at the finish.

Jim Ninowski, making his second "debut" with the Browns, has seen sharper days, but he came through with the chips down. The quarterback, returned to the fold after two years in Detroit, fired a beautiful pass to Rich Kreitling for 27 yards and the second touchdown that put Cleveland ahead for good.
JIM BROWN was at his blasting best on this warm, bright day on the lakefront. The all-pro fullback ripped 9 yards off left tackle for the first quarter score and accumulated 134 yards on 17 carries.
Giving the victors insurance that took much of the tension out of the last quarter for Cleveland supporters was a 29-yard field goal by Lou Groza. That concluded the scoring and thanks to the alert defense and one big Giant error, 17 points were all that were needed.

The Giants lone touchdown was on a third-quarter plunge of 1 yard by Alex Webster, the rugged fullback. It came on fourth down as the Cleveland line gave ground very stubbornly.
En route to the Browns first touchdown and Groza's field goal, the Giants were stunned by the two unusual plays Ninowski, who finished the day with eight completions in 19 tries for 147 yards, figured in both of these.

It was third down and 24 yards to go for Cleveland with the ball on the Browns' 31 in a scoreless ball game when Nino seemed trapped. He dodged the onrushing Jim Katcavage and just before going down managed to shovel the ball to Jim Brown.

THE FULLBACK, who looked as frisky as a rookie all afternoon, pulled out of the arms of several would-be tacklers about the line of scrimmage and then cut back across the middle of the field. When big Jim finally was halted, he had picked up 27 yards and the first down.

That improvising shook up the Giants and only five more plays were needed for the initial touchdown. Tom Wilson, another heavy contributor to the Browns' cause with 85 yards on 18 carries, made 18 in two tries and Brown slanted for 15 before going the last nine for the touchdown.
There was an incomplete pass, intended for Ray Renfro in the drive. The Rabbit had one of the few days in which he failed to catch a pass. It wasn't his fault. He either wasn't open or the throw was wide.

After the Browns had seen New York even the count and then had stormed back with a 67-yard drive to Kreitling's touchdown, the Browns moved again in the fourth quarter on the "triple pass."

This maneuver was called with the ball on the Cleveland 27 and second down. It's run from what is called a "split" formation with Jim Brown the halfback.

NINOWSKI took the ball from center John Morrow and flipped it to the fullback who started to his right. Renfro came back from his flanker spot to take the ball from Jim and then Ninowski, who had trailed Brown, got it back from the Rabbit.
Meanwhile, Kreitling, who had been flanked out to the left, started slowly down field as though out of the play. Then as the thing developed, he shifted into high gear and cut across deep to take the throw from Ninowski.

The usually alert New York secondary was completely befuddled and Rich wound up all alone about the Giants 35. He had to wait momentarily for the aerial and was caught at the 20.

That push carried to the nine and a first down, but the Giants stiffened and threw back the Browns. So The Toe came in for his three-pointer...”

https://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2009/09/this_day_in_browns_history_jim.html

9-16-1973 NYG 34 HOU 14

NEW YORK (AP) — “The New York secondary all but decimated Dan Pastorini's passing attack with four inter- ceptions in the first half and Ron Johnson scored two touchdowns, leading the Giants to a34-14 victory over the Houston Oilers Sunday. So thoroughly did the Giants dominate most of the game, the
National Football League opener for both teams, that only their final margin of victory was in doubt by the half, by which time they had blown out to a 27-0 lead on the strength of interceptions by Pete Athas, Carl Lockhart, Henry Reed and Richmond Flowers. New York got on the score-board with a pair of first-quarter field goals by Pete Gogolak from 11 and 44 yards out. He also missed attempts of 49 and 40 yards. Then, the Giants ran and passed the Oilers out of the game with three touchdowns inthe second period, a one yard plunge through right tackle by Johnson, a 14 yard Norm Snead to Don Herrmann slant in pass and another one yard dive over the right side by Johnson, who gained 96 yards despite leaving game in the fourth quarter with badly bruised ribs. It was Houston's defense that finally made the score respectable. It set up the Oilers' first score, a seven yard Pastorini to Dave Parks touchdown pass on fourth down
midway in the third quarter. It came after safety John Charles picked off a Snead pass and ran it back 39 yards to the New York 13. And in the final minute of that period, linebacker Greg Bingham intercepted Snead and, one play later, Pastorini unloaded a 49 yard bomb that Ken Burrough caught as he crossed the goal line, two steps behind Athas. The Giants closed out the scoring with just four seconds left in the game on a one yard dive by reserve running back Joe Orduna. The game, one, of those tele- vised locally to New York fans because of the blackout ban lifted last week, drew 57,979 fans. Another 3,850, the Giants said, bought tickets but did not attend.”

NYT: Oilers, to Ron Johnson, A Shocking Experience

Ron Johnson received several shocks in Sunday's New York Giant 34& #8208;14 victory over the Houston Oilers.
The most frightening, of course, was the bruised ribs he suffered in the fourth quarter while throwing a block for his running mate, Vin Clements.
“It just frightened me when I got hit because I thought the ribs were cracked, but I only had the wind knocked out of me,” said Johnson, who rushed for 1,027 yards in 1970 and 1,182 last season. “It's just a bruise, though. It doesn't bother me at all and I have no discomfort.”
Johnson went back in the game and gained another yard to lead all rushers with 96 in 24 carries.
Like many Giants, Johnson was also shocked at how good the Oilers were, espe cially on defense, more so because Houston had the worst record in the National Football League last season, winning just one game.
“They're big up front and they play together very well,” said Johnson of the Oiler defenders.

“That Tody Smith was breathing down your back all the time, John Matuszak is good and Elvin Bethea has been an all& #8208;pro for several years,” Johnson said. Smith, 245 pounds, and Bethea, 260, are ends and Matuszak, 280, and the Oilers' No. 1 draft pick, is a tackle.”

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/19/archives/oilers-to-ron-johnson-a-shocking-experience-they-respect-eagles.html

9-16-1984 WAS 30 NYG 14

NYT: REDSKINS STOP GIANTS

Something unusual happened to the surprising Giants today. They lost a football game. Actually, they gave it away to the Washington Redskins, who scored one fourth-quarter touchdown on a pass interception and another on a fumble recovery and won, 30-14.
The loss was the first of the season for the Giants, who beat the Philadelpia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in their first two games. The victory was the first for the Redskins, a Super Bowl team the last two seasons, but who were ineffective in losing their first two games.
Still, playing before a screaming crowd of 52,997 at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, the Redskins were 6 1/2-point favorites. The game seesawed, with the Giants playing reasonably well.
Phil Simms's passing and Rob Carpenter's inside running kept the offense moving. The defense contained fairly well the passing of Joe Theismann and the bull-like running of John Riggins, the Redskins' 35-year- old offensive bellwethers.
The Giants took a 14-13 lead into the last quarter. Then, in little more than six minutes, the Redskins scored 17 points.

The fourth quarter was 49 seconds old when Mark Moseley kicked a 21- yard field goal. Only 22 seconds later, on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Vernon Dean intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown. At 6 minutes 57 seconds, Curtis Jordan scooped up a fumble by Lionel Manuel of the Giants and returned it 29 yards for another touchdown.
Jordan and Dean were on the bench while the Redskins were losing their first two games. Today, Jordan filled in for Mark Murphy, the injured all- pro free safety. Dean played cornerback because Anthony Washington had been ineffective, and he made the most of his chance by intercepting three passes.
''We needed someone to make something happen,'' said Dean.
A year ago, when the Giants staggered to a 3-12-1 record, they often gave the ball away. In the first two games this season, they lost only two fumbles and had no passes intercepted. Against the Redskins, they lost the ball on two fumbles and three interceptions, and Simms was sacked five times.

With all that, there was little gloom in the Giants' locker room.
''It's obvious why we lost,'' said Coach Bill Parcells. ''We made too many mistakes against a good team, and they're a good team. I still think they're the team to beat in this division.”

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/17/sports/redskins-stop-giants-jets-trounce-bengals.html

9-16-1990 NYG 28 DAL 7

NYT: Giants Breeze Past Cowboys

“The heat was oppressive today - 96 degrees in the stands, 104 on the Astroturf field of Texas Stadium. As far as the Dallas Cowboys were concerned, the Giants were oppressive, too.
The Giants dominated the game from the start. They kept moving the ball, and they kept scoring except when they twice allowed the ball to be stripped in scoring territory. On a hot day, their defense was coldly efficient.
The result was a 28-7 victory over the Cowboys and, after two weeks of the National Football League season, sole possession of their division lead. Although the Giants were favored, the crowd of 61,090 sat stunned as the Giants stopped the Cowboys at almost every turn.
The Cowboys' only points came late in the second quarter when Alexander Wright, a rookie from Auburn, returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. That had not happened to the Giants since 1980.
The Cowboys had two other good opportunities. On one, Jay Novacek, the holder, fumbled the snap of a 40-yard field-goal attempt. On the other, with less than six minutes remaining in the game, the Cowboys reached the Giants' 5-yard line, only to have four passes go incomplete (three on drops).

Except for that, the Giants were dominant. They led in first downs (23 to 9), total offense (369 yards to 156) and rushing yardage (160 to 20). They had possession for 41 minutes 40 seconds to the Cowboys' 18:20, an overwhelming difference.
On the Giants' first possession of the game, they drove 76 yards, only to have Mark Ingram let Issiac Holt strip the ball from behind on the Cowboys' 1-yard line. Ron Francis recovered in the end zone.
The next time the Giants had the ball, they moved 72 yards to a touchdown on Phil Simms's 4-yard scramble. The next time, the Giants went 48 yards to a touchdown on Ottis Anderson's 1-yard plunge.
Missed Opportunity
In the last minute of the first half, Simms scrambled 11 yards to the Cowboys' 11. But he was carrying the ball in one hand, and Manny Hendrix stripped it from behind. Jim Jeffcoat recovered for the Cowboys, so the first half ended with the dominant Giants leading by only 14-7.
In the third quarter, the Giants drove 77 yards to a touchdown on Simms's 4-yard pass to Mark Bavaro, alone in the end zone. In all, Bavaro caught 5 passes for 72 yards, with a long gain of 29 yards, and looked close to full strength after off-season knee surgery.
For much of the game, Lawrence Taylor, the Giants' All-Pro outside linebacker, had been contained by Mark Tuinei, a 286-pound offensive tackle. But Taylor is a big-play player, and in the fourth quarter his big plays produced the final touchdown.
First, he sacked Troy Aikman, the Cowboys' promising second-year quarterback, for 10 yards and forced him to fumble. Kevin Gogan recovered for the Cowboys, and Taylor consoled Aikman.

''I told him he took a pretty good shot,'' Taylor said. ''And I told him he's going to be a pretty good player.''

Taylor did not tell him what was coming two plays later. Aikman tried to pass, Taylor batted the ball, interceped it and ran 11 yards for the final touchdown of the game.
''I turned around,'' Taylor said, ''and the ball was in my hands. I can't explain it.''

https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/17/sports/giants-breeze-past-cowboys.html

9-16-2007 GBY 35 NYG 13

AP: Brett Favre rallies Packers past Giants, 35-13

“Brett Favre picked a near-perfect way to become the winningest quarterback in NFL history.

Favre hit his first 14 passes of the second half and threw three touchdown passes to rally the Green Bay Packers to a 35-13 victory over Eli Manning and the New York Giants on Sunday...”

[url]http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/brett-favre-rallies-packers-giants-35-13-article-1.246604?]/url]

9-16-2012 NYG 41 TBY 34

RV NYDN: Eli Manning puts NY Giants in a hole then bails Big Blue out in thrilling 41-34 win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

“The Giants had just scored three touchdowns in the final seven minutes to cap an incredible fourth quarter that saved their season, and Eli Manning was finally able to take a deep breath. With victory assured, he went down on one knee to officially end the game.

It turned out that was only the beginning.

With the Giants' wild, 41-34 win at MetLife Stadium already sealed on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tried one last desperation move in the final seconds. They broke an unwritten rule when their defensive line drove hard through the line of scrimmage as Manning tried to kneel down and knocked one of the Giants' offensive lineman back into the quarterback, who was sent tumbling to the ground.

The "bush league" move, as Giants guard Chris Snee called it, had Tom Coughlin so mad he lectured Bucs coach Greg Schiano on the field during their handshake after initially refusing to shake his hand. Even the mild-mannered Manning – who rebounded from three first-half interceptions to throw for a career-best 510 yards and lead the Giants to three fourth-quarter touchdowns — called it "a little bit of a cheap shot" that Justin Tuck promised "won't be forgotten."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/eli-manning-puts-ny-giants-hole-bails-big-blue-thrilling-41-34-win-tampa-bay-buccaneers-article-1.1160914?


Giants Birthdays 9-16

Ralph Brown LCB/RCB D5-Nebraska 2000 NYG 2000-2003 9-16-1978

Dwayne Harris WR FA-DAL 2015 NYG 2015-2017 9-16-1987

Bennett Jackson DB D6-Notre Dame 2014 NYG 2014 NYG IR 2015 9-16-1991

Avery Moss DE/OLB D5-Youngstown State 2017 NYG 2017 NYG PSQ 2018 9-16-1994

In Memoriam

Jim Podoley TR-WAS 1961 NYG IR 1961 Born 9-16-1933 Died 1-24-2010

Doug Wycoff BB UDFA-Georgia Tech 1927 FA Staten Island 1931 NYG 1927, 1931 Born 9-16-1903 Died 10-27-1981