Fri Aug 11 8:00 pm CBS
- New York Giants at Jacksonville
Worried
about last week? The Giants lost to Chicago 20 - 8.
OK, here's a pop quiz for you. How many sacks did the Giants
get in their first preseason game last year against Minnesota? The
answer is nine. Remember the score? It was a big win for the Giants,
36 - 21.
The point is, we all know what happened during the regular season
after that. Preseason is just what it sounds like, preseason, and
it's not something to take to the bank as for how the real season
will turn out.
Kerry
Collins was hot last week
One major performance turned in last week was by quarterback Kerry
Collins. He was 15-of-18 for 173 yards, and no interceptions. Last
year, Kerry had 11 interceptions compared to only 8 touchdown passes.
So far this practice season, he's been working on dumping off to
the backs when there's nothing happening downfield.
If he stays with this strategy of not forcing the ball into coverage
where it shouldn't go, it will mean better ball control, longer
drives for the offense, and a lot more rest for the Giants defense
which was basically worn out by the end of last season.
This week, Collins goes up against a defense run by Dom Capers,
his former head coach when they both worked for the Panthers. It
wasn't a good time for Collins when he was waived by the Panthers.
It happened soon after having a conversation with coach Capers where
Collins was branded a quitter, although that's not what he feels
he expressed to the head coach.
More
Jaguar tie-ins
It was learned yesterday that tight end Pete Mitchell will be out
for at least 4 weeks due to an injury he suffered during last week's
game. Pete was with the Jaguars and had four straight 30-plus reception
seasons with them before coming to the Giants.
The Jaguars felt his weakness was that he wasn't a good blocking
tight end which is needed for the running game.
The Giants have a great blocking tight end in Howard Cross and a
rookie being groomed to replace Cross down the line. What they craved
was a tight end who could catch to help open up their offense. Pete
Mitchell is a great fit for this team in that role.
Another
Dave Thomas is the largest cornerback in the NFL. He started
for two years for the Jaguars, but last season they replaced him
with Fernando Bryant, their first-round draft choice. Thomas feels
he's good enough to start in this league and was anxious to jump
to a team where that could happen.
The way things worked out for the Giants, losing Conrad Hamilton
to consistent injuries and cutting lose Phillippi Sparks, it would
seem that Thomas came aboard in the nick of time.
What
to watch for this time out
The Giants first round pick, Ron Dayne, had a big work out
last week. They fed him the ball 17 times and he gained 48 tough
yards. Coach Fassel's plan is to give Ron about the same amount,
and about 10 to 15 carries to Joe Montgomery.
Fassel said he will not name a starter for awhile, but Joe Montgomery
has been injury prone. Joe played in only seven games last season,
but had a breakout game against the Jets with 38 carries for 111
yards.
Item
of interest - in the draft, the Giants had the chance to take either
Ron Dayne or Shaun Alexander. They took Ron, and Shaun was picked
up by the Seattle Seahawks later down the line. Last week Alexander
had two 11 yard touchdown runs in Seattle's opening preseason game
against Indianapolis.
Watch
this too
The special teams units played poorly in their first time out, and
head coach Jim Fassel has been all over them this week in practice.
Special teams coach Larry MacDuff, has come under fire, but Fassel
backed him up and has promised to make personnel changes quickly
if the players don't improve their performance.
Notes
Jim Fassel plans to play the first unit for the full first half
this game.
The
Jaguars have been picked by many to go to the Superbowl this year.
The
Giants and Jaguars face each other in the last game of the regular
season.
DE
Michael Strahan returned to practice this week after nursing a sore
back, and he will start in this game.
DT Keith Hamilton (hamstring) and LB Mike Barrow (knee) will not
play tomorrow night in Jacksonville. WR Joe Jurevicius (shoulder)
and TE Dan Campbell (hamstring) sat out practice and also will likely
not play.
Next
Game
Aug
18, at Jets 8:00 PM.
Note
to our regular readers.
This week we are trying something a little different. We're
hoping to be able to get a game review by a knowledgeable relocated
Giants fan. If he is able to do it, it will be posted either Saturday
or Sunday. If not Mikefan and Gamegirl will check in with one instead
on Monday.
Last
Week's review, Chicago
20 - Giants 8
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