Sun Oct 2, 1:00 pm (FOX) - ST. Louis at Giants
Injuries are a cancer to the team.
We all know that. After all, injuries cause lost practice and playing time, and the ones that happen right before a game can really throw things off. The players and coaches spend all week working
hard on various schemes to get the edge on their opponents. Then suddenly a key player is removed and much of that practice time was wasted just as the game is under way.
Coach Coughlin was furious when Will Peterson said he couldn't go right before a game. Later, he said "That's it, it's over, it's done with. We made him inactive, we played other people.
We were fortunate to win." The question is, If the coach yanks a key player right before the game, causing nearly the same problems as an injury, is that what.. some form of voluntary cancer?
The Giants should watch out. The other NFL teams don't seem to be suffering from self-inflicted cancer to the team.
What?
What? I don't want to be the first person to take credit for saying "What?" last week. Actually, it was more like "What... What...... WHAT? - - upon hearing that Tom Coughlin
was sitting Plaxico Burress out for some minor infractions. I'm sure that if you could have somehow miked and collected the sudden cries of TV watcher outrage, and instantly played it back
out over Qualcomm Stadium, all the screaming anti-Manning Charger fans would have hushed, climbed under their seats and run from the stadium.
An added challenge.
Here was Eli Manning facing the toughest challenge of his young career, and coach Coughlin takes away one of his biggest weapons. Imagine the letdown and mixed feelings the entire team felt
at that point. They knew that they would be soon giving it their all, standing tall in support of their quarterback under the worst possible conditions, and now have this distracting nonsense.
"I tried to brush it off and keep my head in the game." said Burress.
"I understand his (Coughlin's) point, but it's really not fair," Jeremy Shockey said of Burress' benching. "It affects the whole team. You should have your best players on the field. The whole
offense suffered from him not being there (in the first quarter)." Tom Coughlin's actions resemble those of a crazed father who has been cut off in traffic, and then he takes the wife and
kids on a near-death ride in order to right the wrong that was done to him, unable to recognize the possible consequences of his actions.
The Explanation.
As an explanation we have this, "In the best interest of Plaxico and in our team's best interest, I decided not to start him," coach Tom Coughlin said. Come on Tom, that wasn't in the best
interest of the team, and while proving to the world how powerful you are in your current position, lording your own self importance over everyone, it's a pitiful shame that you don't even
realize that it's not even in your best interest as well. Keep it up, and hopefully everyone won't have to wait too long before management says, "Thanks for dishing out those super 'character
building lessons' for the players, and good-bye Tom, it was nice knowing you."
Last week against the Chargers.
Feel bad about the way the Giants played against an 0-2 team? Don't forget some of the items pointed out in that game preview.
Chargers 2 losses to Dallas and Denver were by a total of just 7 points.
Chargers turned things around last season, tying a franchise 12-4 record.
Chargers offense scored 53 touchdowns last season, 17 more than the NFL average of 36.
Chargers red zone touchdown percentage of 69.8 led the league last season.
Chargers running back, LaDainian Tomlinson, has scored a rushing touchdown in an NFL-record 14 straight games (now 15).
Chargers quarterback, Drew Brees, had a great 2004 season, throwing 27 touchdown passes, only 7 interceptions and went on to the Pro Bowl.
Chargers Head Coach, Marty Schottenheimer, has the most wins among active NFL coaches with 177 regular-season wins (now 178).
Bottom line is that the Giants lost their first real away game to a good team, so don't give up hope.
Giants Defense.
As we pointed out last week, the Giants have let opposing teams own the air. They were 31st against the pass, and even though San Diego completed nearly every pass (20 of 23), the Giants actually
moved up a notch to 30th. This was only because the Chargers were too busy running on them to rack up more yards in the air. The Giants, who were ranked 2nd in the league in rushing yards
allowed per game and yards per carry, have dropped to 24th, and the total defense has dropped to 31st. Obviously the Giants will have to improve in both areas to win this game.
Rams Offense.
The Rams can certainly pass the ball and Michael Strahan will be matched up against rookie tackle Alex Barron, making his first start and playing in just his second NFL game. They need to
get some kind of pass rush going since cornerback William Peterson is sidelined with a back injury. Marc Bulger quarterbacks the Rams 8th ranked passing offense. Wide receiver Isaac Bruce
may not play, but Kevin Curtis and Torry Holt will, and you always have to worry about Marshall Faulk catching and running, along with last year's No. 1 draft choice and team leader Steven
Jackson.
Giants Offense.
Eli Manning is coming into his own, having had a career-high 352-yard passing game in the 45-23 loss at San Diego. Jeremy Shockey had 6 catches for 101 yards last week, and Plaxico Burress,
David Tyree and Amani Toomer all caught 4 or more passes. Tiki Barber has stated that he would like to get the running game going, but the Rams are ranked high, at 3rd against the rush, but
27th against the pass. His other suggestion, that he be more involved with the passing game, may be the way to go this week.
Notes.
Giants are 13-3 in games before a regular-season bye.
Giants are tied with Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle, holding the best record in this area.
Giants Tiki Barber has caught a pass in 120 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
Giants Eli Manning has thrown 75 consecutive passes without an interception.
Giants Eli Manning has thrown at least 1 touchdown pass in 4 consecutive games dating back to last season.
Rams Torry Holt leads the NFL with 358 receiving yards and is tied for the top with 23 catches.
Rams Torry Holt is the first player in NFL history with 5 consecutive 1,300-yard seasons.
Rams Marshall Faulk needs only 11 rushing yards to pass Thurman Thomas for 11th-most all-time.
Rams Marshall Faulk needs 57 rushing yards to pass Franco Harris (12,120) for 10th-most all-time.
Next Game.
Oct 16, Giants at Dallas 1:00 PM - FOX.
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