'Kudos & Wet Willies,' Playoff Edition

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 6:45 AM EST in Kudos & Wet Willies

Ahmad Bradshaw breaks away en route to his 88-yard touchdown run Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. (AP Photo)

It's a joyous day for New York Giants' fans.

Facing a 14-0 deficit Sunday and staring at another late-season collapse, the 10-5 Giants fought their way to a 38-21 victory and a third straight playoff appearance.

There are plenty of 'kudos' to be doled out, and a couple of 'Wet Willies,' so let's get started.

Kudos to ...

• Ahmad Bradshaw: If you didn't know this is where I was going to start today, you weren't paying attention Sunday. Bradshaw had the breakout game the Giants and their fans have been anticipating, and he showed up just in time. His 88-yard touchdown run broke open a tight game and propelled the Giants into the playoffs. His 17-carry, 151-yard performance means the Giants have added another playmaker to their arsenal.

• Brandon Jacobs: The big beast ran over the Bills for a career-high 145 yards on 24 carries, including a season-best 43-yard touchdown run. Maybe the best thing Jacobs did all day, though, was sprain an ankle and force the Giants to give the ball to Bradshaw.

• Amani Toomer: In brutal weather conditions, Toomer was brilliant. On a day when Eli Manning completed just seven passes, five of them went to Toomer. He helped breath life into the Giants when it looked they were about to get blown out by Buffalo. A huge performance for a classy, underappreciated veteran.

• Kawika Mitchell: His interception and touchdown return was the game-changing play for the Giants. Just when it appeared the Giants' offense was going to let them down, Mitchell's heads-up defense got the Giants points they desperately needed and changed the game. He also had a pair of sacks. Mitchell is a free agent at the end of the season. If the Giants let him get away, they're nuts.

• Steve Spagnuolo: After watching his defense get run over for two early scores, the Giants defensive coordinator dialed up the pressure. New York sent six or seven rushers after Buffalo rookie quarterback Trent Edwards the rest of the game, and he eventually came unglued under the onslaught.

• Tom Coughlin: He gets kudos for the three straight playoff appearances, and for his demeanor Sunday. With his team down, 14-0, there weren't histrionics. Instead, there was fire. There was passion. There was encouragement. And, at the end, there was a Gatorade bath and chest bumps with jubilant players. There was also a run it down Buffalo's throat game plan that was vastly different than the pass-happy plan of the previous week.

• Lawrence Tynes: Drilled a 42-yard field goal despite the weather conditions, and knocked a few kickoffs through the end zone. Give the much-maligned kicker a star for Sunday's effort, despite drilling his opening kickoff out of bounds.

• The Offensive Line: Opened holes for Jacobs and Bradshaw all day. Jacobs was untouched on his 43-yard scoring run, and both backs were often 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage before having to deal with defenders Sunday.

Wet Willies to ...

• Eli Manning: Let there be no doubt -- the Giants won in spite of Eli Sunday, not because of him. I will excuse the 7-for-15 because the weather conditions were brutal, but not the miscues. The two interceptions were not 'weather' interceptions. They were safe play calls but horrible, off-target, ill-advised throws. And I haven't even mentioned the five fumbles -- yes, five -- two of which were recovered by Buffalo.

Good weather or bad, the Giants had better go into the playoffs planning to try and win with defense and their running game. It's sad to say at this point in his career, but it seems the best the Giants can hope for from Eli in the playoffs is that he doesn't screw up so badly they can't overcome it.

• Steve Smith: It's official -- Smith has been struck by the curse of Giants' third wide receivers. Given his first extended playing time since early in the season due to an injury to the Giants' other disappointing young wide receiver, Sinorice Moss, Smith botched his chance. Wide open, he dropped a perfect Manning throw late in the first half on a long pass that would have given the Giants a 10-point halftime lead. He may become a great player, but right now Smith looks like Moss, Tim Carter and so many other young Giants' receivers before them. And that's not good.

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

It was like

a switch flipped in the 2nd half, and somebody remembered what Giants football has been for 80 years: run the ball, play good defense, and run the ball some more. This team is such a mystery to me, I have no idea what to expect.

Good job on the kudos, can't kill Smith for the drop

Giants need to find more ways to use Bradshaw, every time he touches the ball exciting things seem to happen

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 24, 2007 8:00 AM EST reply actions

Smith

I think you'd be singing a different tune if the Giants had lost. I think Smith could be terrific eventually, I just don't know what it is about the Giants and young wide receivers. They just can't seem to catch a break.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not one to defend Eli...

...particularly after 5 (FIVE!!) fumbles. However, his receivers have just thrown gas on the fire the last few weeks (Toomer's game yesterday notwithstanding). As bad as Eli has been, if 5-6 medium/deep-range balls are caught over the last month, things would look a little better for him.

That said, is it possible Coughlin/Gilbride are finally realizing that the best strategy for this team is to run, run, and run some more? The Jacobs/Bradshaw 1-2 punch is very exciting; the Giants should ride it as far as it will take them.

Oh, but, one oversight on the Wet Willies: how about we never see Droughns again this season? He's giving them nothing right now as a short-yardage back, and when he does get a hole to run through he gets caught from behind by strong safeties. I've seen enough...

by drunkUncle on Dec 24, 2007 9:39 AM EST reply actions

Receivers

You are right about the receivers, which is why I didn't hammer Eli last week. But his ball-handling yesterday was indefensible. The two picks were also just horrendous throws that had nothing to do with the wind. As for Droughns, I agree. I want to see Jacobs stay in the game in short yardage and goal line, and see Bradshaw in long yardage and change of pace situations.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

terry bradshaw

anyone catch terry bradshaw trying to say kawika mitchell's name in the fox wrap up show? the closest he got was kah-WA-ka. he is a big time idiot.

deadspin had a good line on the giants game. "What a novel concept: When the Giants don't count on Eli Manning to do anything, they win." what sucks is that its true. just think of how dominant the giants would be with the other brother. no, actually, best not to think that way.

also agree with the smith wet willie. why are like a WR graveyard sometimes.

by DieEaglesDie on Dec 24, 2007 9:47 AM EST reply actions

Eli

That is why I said the Giants need to win with defense and the running game. The less they put on Eli, the better.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

Big Brothers

DieEagles, how about if they had both the big brothers?

Peyton throwing to Santana Moss

ETVal, you might be right about my assessment of Steve Smith, its a ball the better receivers in the league will catch, I just can't get too worked up over it, too many other glaring problems to focus on, LOL

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 24, 2007 10:28 AM EST reply actions

good call

but still, best not to think about it. i mean it is painful to think that way.

by DieEaglesDie on Dec 24, 2007 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

As long as we're fantasizing

Why not Peyton throwing to the other Moss brother and the good Steve Smith?

by Josh @ Big Blue View on Dec 26, 2007 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Eli & Smith & TC

Management has to bring in a QB who can challenge Eli for the starting spot.
Smith's reputation when drafted was that he had great hands. He demonstrated he did in training camp and on the play where he got hurt early in the season. But that drop yesterday? Buttresses your point that there's a curse working. Nevertheless, I have high hopes for him in the future.
I beleive TC will get an extension now no matter what happens in the playoffs (other than an absolute 1st round rout.) This year's group is a TEAM. He deserves credit for that.

by george cronin on Dec 24, 2007 10:29 AM EST reply actions

totally agree

they need someone to push eli. right now he knows that there is nothing he can do (i.e. the minnesota game) that would make him lose his starting job.

what frustrates me about smith is that he caught everything at USC. EVERYTHING. that drop was inexcusable, but im not going to give up on him yet - like i already have with moss.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Dec 24, 2007 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Singing to the choir

At this point, I am in agreement. The Giants needs to bring in someone who can push Eli or be a real option when things are going south for him. Also, agreed on Smith. He's been out soooo long I'm sure part of the reason for the drop was he was too anxious to finally make a play. I still believe eventually he will be an important player for the Giants.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

someone to push eli?

you mean that fat ass lorenzen is not going to step up? what a fatso. time to lay off the ham this christmas time lardbutt.

by DieEaglesDie on Dec 24, 2007 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

TC

Yes, he will get an extension. I know there are lots of you out there who want to see what happens in the playoffs. All the ups and downs aside, though, how many coaches currently not named Belichick have gotten their teams to the playoffs three straight times? TC's not perfect, but you can argue that no coach in the league is. What is important to me is that this team -- finally -- responds to him.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 10:52 AM EST up reply actions

Dungy

Has gotten his team to the playoffs 3 straight years too. Other than those 2, though, you're right. Andy Reid and the Eagles are the only other team from recent years that comes to mind as going 3 straight years. Of course, all 3 of those guys (Bellichick too) have at least gone to a SB, Reid went to 4 straight NFC Championship games, Bellichick won 3 SBs and went to another AFC Championship game, and Dungy has actually gone to 8 straight postseasons with TB and Indy. That's slightly more impressive than 3 straight potential first round knockouts (I'm not saying the Giants WILL lose, just that it's possible, and I wouldn't be overly impressed with Coughlin if they do. This team is good enough to beat TB and Seattle)

All of that preceding paragraph aside, congrats to Coughlin and the Giants. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time they've ever been to the playoffs 3 straight seasons in the Super Bowl era, something Parcells never even pulled off. Now let's rest up, let the Pats get their history, and prepare to run the ball down Tampa's throats into the second round please.

by cjmulrain on Dec 24, 2007 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Smith

probably dropped the pass because it was far more perfect and 'on target' than he expected!

I admit, I was in shock at the accuracy of that pass. Most of the time there's a streak on the grass or a divot, instead.

by GAgiantfan on Dec 24, 2007 11:08 AM EST reply actions

Regarding Smith

I think it's a little early to start comparing him to Moss and Tim Carter based on one pass. This was his first game getting significant action in his NFL career. Im sure he was a little jittery. If he's still making drops like that next week, in the playoffs, and next season, then we can start comparing. Remember, last week Toomer sucked, dropping multiple easy passes, this week he was by far the best receiver on the field. One game does not a career make.

by cjmulrain on Dec 24, 2007 11:59 AM EST reply actions

Comparison

It's not based on one pass. It's based on the fact that, just like Moss last year, his entire rookie season has been a total waste. I, too, think he will be a good player. It's just frustrating that we can't seem to catch a break with these wide receivers.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

I didn't compare him

to Moss or Carter unless he had significant playing time that I could base that upon. I was making a point that he's probably as sure-handed a receiver as we have, but he probably dropped the pass because he didn't expect it to be right on the money. Our QB is as much a liability as he is an asset, in case you haven't noticed.

The wind really affected those passes two weeks ago a lot more than I originally thought. I would've agreed with you about Toomer 2 weeks ago, but after seeing the plays again on tape, there was a lot of weird ball movement between Eli's release and the contact with the receivers' arms, in large part due to the wind.

by GAgiantfan on Dec 24, 2007 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

third WR

Who would have thought that we would love to have Ron Dixon back :)

by queler on Dec 24, 2007 12:36 PM EST reply actions

The Lambuth Special!

LOL, Ron Dixon

One of the funniest things I've ever heard about a football player was what an NFL GM said about Ron Dixon:

"If you told him to run in a straight line, nobody in the league could do it faster. If you told him to run to a certain spot on the field, he would get lost along the way"

Gotta QB name to throw out there if you want to bring someone in and have a competition in training camp...... Chad Pennington?

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 24, 2007 12:53 PM EST reply actions

Pennington

I'm not a Pennington guy. Spaghetti arm and he made lots and lots of mistakes himself this year, which is why he got benched. As a backup, fine, but he's not better than Eli.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 24, 2007 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

However...

...Pennington would be playing behind a better line, with better backs and receivers, if he was a Giant. I don't care for him that much either, but it's a measure of how dissatisfied I am with our current QB that I wouldn't rule out old rag-arm...

by drunkUncle on Dec 24, 2007 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Pennington...

My 11 year old grandson has a better arm than Pennington. He certainly isn't the one to push Eli unless the objective is who can make the worst throws.

Ed, I have to agree that Coughlin managed to work around Eli's poor play Sunday and..."cough, cough".... may actually deserve an extension based on that and the three years in a row in the playoffs.

The G-Men should look for a third or fourth round quarterback in next year's draft. Someone with good accuracy, good pocket presence, and nimble, even if not quick feet. In short, another Tony Romo. It just doesn't make sense to blow the cap on big names like Leinart, Rivers, Eli, and Young, who are a worse gamble than cheap guys. Plus that way there is more dough left over to build a better team.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 24, 2007 3:33 PM EST reply actions

Joe Flacco

From Delaware, is EXACTLY what the Giants need. And I'm not just saying that because I went to Delaware and have a man crush on the guy for taking us to the 1-AA Championship this year. He's currently the #3 QB on Kiper's draft list, but since he's 1-AA, I could see him dropping down to the 3rd round.

by cjmulrain on Dec 24, 2007 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

At some point

the coaching staff has to really consider sitting the "deer in the headlights" down. I've kind of defended hom over the last couple of years and am finally sick of seeing his open mouth and downcast eyes after every bad play . We're probabably going to have him as our starter for the next couple of years but, could a benching hurt? Probably the wrong time of season to do it now and I'm hopefull that the warm air in Tampa will bring back his accuracy, still if he can't light his own fire under his ass someone should do it for him.
On the bright side Bradshaw was awesome and I'd also bet we're singing S. Smiths praises before the seasons over. The long layoff had to have hurt and I'd have to agree that he was probably shocked to have the first ball since college hit him in the hands.

by big blue wrecking crew on Dec 24, 2007 5:38 PM EST reply actions

new QB

I'm thinking of someone like Jeff Garcia, a dependable vet and game mgr. I don't know who might be available, but there's gotta be someone. And yes, we have to draft some 3rd or 4th round sleeper. I don't think Pennington would be any worse than Eli, but he'd be far down the list of availables, I imagine.

by george cronin on Dec 24, 2007 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Yeah

someone like Garcia st least for the short term would probably elevate the offense to the next level.

by big blue wrecking crew on Dec 24, 2007 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

I haven't watched him but....

How about this Anderson Guy from the Browns? He might be available since they will have to play "the million dollar baby" at some point.

by big blue wrecking crew on Dec 24, 2007 6:03 PM EST reply actions

Anderson's good

he's on my fantasy team and supplanted Carson Palmer by week 8 as my starter, so I've been following him closely. But he's only a restricted free agent, so the Giants would have to give up multiple draft picks to get him, and I doubt the Giants want to give up picks AND pay big money to 2 QBs at the same time.

by cjmulrain on Dec 24, 2007 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

Anderson would be a dynamite choice

by george cronin on Dec 24, 2007 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

But not if the price is even close to what cj

thinks. we've given up too much for one QB already.

by george cronin on Dec 24, 2007 8:03 PM EST reply actions

Let's never pay big for a QB again...

It's just bad strategy. For every Peyton Manning there are way too many Ryan Leaches. I think the best strategy is to take lower round picks, allowing bigger bucks to be spent for positions where there is more correlation between college performance and subsequent NFL play. This would also free up more money for free agents who have already proven themselves in the league.

Blowing 80 or 90 million on a qb locks you into a positon like ours where,if Eli had been a moderately paid third round pick he would have been benched two years ago and we might be winning some games because of our quarterback's play instead of in spite of it.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 25, 2007 7:02 AM EST reply actions

I think Chad

Gets a bit of a bad rap because he is on a bad team with a bad O-line. He has made some long throws this season, and they were even spirals!

I think Chad plays a much smarter game than Eli, and thats really the biggest problem. The Giants offense is nothing revolutionary, its about playing smart.

Oh well, at least I gave us another good topic to debate

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 26, 2007 7:46 AM EST reply actions

I agree

Chad looks more comfortable in the pocket than Eli and seems to make better decisions. But I do think that in todays game a quarterback needs more of a strong arm to beat the safety to the ball. Eli does have a powerful, if innacurate arm.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 26, 2007 6:35 PM EST reply actions

With Eli

there is more opportunity to make the big play. The flip side is there is also more opportunity for the bad play, as we well know.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 26, 2007 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

I'm at the point with Eli that I'm far more

concerned with bad plays than big ones. If he gets control of his game and avoids so damn many bad plays (all QBs make some), then I'll start looking for some big plays. A limited defense (very limited) for Eli's play this year could be that there has been little chance to stretch the field because we have no receivers who can seperate and catch the ball, thus making it easier to defend against the passing attack.

by george cronin on Dec 28, 2007 3:49 PM EST reply actions