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Giants (0-0) vs Panthers
(0-0) .
The Giants lost badly to
the Panthers in the last game played in old Giants Stadium. That 41-9 pasting
was not the way the fans expected to see the stadium closed out. Both head coaches
are considered to be in danger of being replaced next year after leading their
teams to 8-8 seasons. Panthers head coach John Fox is playing out the last year
of his contract and was allowed to look elsewhere in the offseason. Tom Coughlin
has two years left on his contract and the teams performance last season has created
doubts about his effectiveness. Panthers
Preseason
The Panthers were the first team
in 14 years not to score an offensive touchdown in the preseason. It didn't help
that receiver Steve Smith and running back Jonathan Stewart didn't play in those
games. Coach John Fox downplayed it. "In the preseason we spend more time
evaluating people and we do our best to pick the right 53 guys." Still in
last year's preseason they scored only one offensive touchdown and then got off
to a slow start, losing the first three regular season games. Panthers
- Steve Smith
In that last game against
the Giants, Steve Smith came away with a broken arm and was none too happy with
that hit delivered on him by safety Michael Johnson. He had told Sports Illustrated
that he plans on "going after" Johnson when the two teams play in this
season opener. Smith also broke the same arm in the offseason playing flag football
and he didn't play in any preseason games. Smith has backed off his comments and
was just voted a team captain on Wednesday. Once a team captain in 2007, he wasn't
awarded that honor again in the following season after punching teammate Ken Lucas
in the face during training camp. Giants
- Steve Smith.
Timing is everything in
football and sometimes it's just as important off the field as well. With no new
Collective Bargaining Agreement for the 2011 season, Steve Smith's superb playing
on the field last season won't net him his proper due contract wise. His club-record
107-catch season in which he was the first Giants WR to make the Pro Bowl since
1968, couldn't get him a long-term contract extension. He'll be playing out the
remainder of his rookie contract for a salary of $550,000. Panthers
Offense.
They all sat out their final preseason
game as coach John Fox decided to preserve his troops for this big opening game
against the Giants. At quarterback, you might wonder why Matt Moore and no Jake
Delhomme? Well Delhomme's 23 interceptions over his last 12 games didn't help
his cause, and Moore came on strong filling in when Delhomme was injured. The
Panthers finished the regular season winning four of five with Moore, including
that big win over the Giants. They need a stronger passing game to go with their
3rd ranked running game that utilizes DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart,
who ran for a franchise-record 206 yards on 28 carries in that last game against
the Giants. Panthers Defense.
With
Julius Peppers the passing defense was ranked 4th in the NFL last season, but
he has moved on. Their corners Chris Gamble, Richard Marshall and Captain Munnerlyn
contributed to that ranking by coming up with 30 turnovers in the last 10 games,
and in preseason this defense has performed. The pass rush stayed strong picking
up 18 sacks, including 10 from their top four defensive ends. Their weaker area
is in stopping the run. The Giants were struggling in that area when these teams
last met, but now the Panthers will have to face the Giants two top running backs
healthy and raring to go. Giants
- Offense.
Eli Manning will be making his
88th consecutive start in the regular season. He may be ready, but how about his
supporting staff? With all the offensive line switcharoo they failed to make a
short yardage first down on three attempts in a row against Baltimore when starters
were playing. It appears that Shaun O’Hara will make it back in time for this
game so hopefully the o-line will be intact and that won't be an issue. Brandon
Jacobs isn't very happy about an apparent demotion as Ahmad Bradshaw appears to
be the number one tallback. If the offensive line really isn't up to snuff with
their blocks, they're better off with Bradshaw in there and maybe that's what
they're thinking right now. The Giants could sure use a good running game going
up against the same number four ranked passing defense that held them to just
9 points the very last game they played. Giants
- Defense.
Defensive coordinator Perry
Fewell is expected to bring Steve Spagnuolo's spark back to the unit after they
collapsed under Bill Sheridan's rule last season. Everybody's on board right now,
but the real games haven't started. Quarterback pressure sure makes things easier
for secondary coverage and the Giants didn't always bring that last season. Fewell
tries to keep opposing offenses guessing using defensive ends Justin Tuck, Mathias
Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul. He seems to believe that Jonathan
Goff has improved enough to be a starter and he even has a spare, Pro Bowl middle
linebacker Keith Bulluck, who they signed in July. In the secondary, Cornerback
Aaron Ross, coming off wearing a protective boot, is listed as doubtful for this
game and likely won't play. Corey Webster is coming off a groin injury and he'll
cover with Terrell Thomas who played great last year. The Giants signed safeties
Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant and now have a healthy Kenny Phillips. Giants
- New Arrivals.
There's one you want to
see on the field every game and one you never want to see. Sage Rosenfels became
the number two quarterback for the Giants just last week. If he's playing, then
Eli Manning isn't. On the other hand Darius Reynaud, as a returner with the Vikings,
averaged 10.3 yards on 30 returns last season which was good for fourth in the
NFC. He also averaged 22.5 yards on four kickoff returns. 
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