'Kudos & Wet Willies,' Hixon edition

by Ed Valentine on Aug 19, 2008 6:00 AM EDT in Kudos & Wet Willies Comment 23 comments

A crazy 30-3 start. A pretty lethargic second half. Great nights for Domenic Hixon and Danny Ware. It all added up to a 37-34 victory for the Giants in last night's second exhibition game.

Let's review, as we always do, 'Kudos & Wet Willies' style.

Kudos to ...

Domenic Hixon, Domenic Hixon, Domenic Hixon: Two touchdown catches on passes from Eli Manning, and an 82-yard kick return for a score. This guy is a big-time playmaker. Tell me again why the Broncos cut him?
Eli Manning: Two nice touchdoown throws to Hixon, a heads-up scramble for a first down AND HE DIDN'T GET HURT. I'm not so sure about the scruffy excuse for a beard, though. Maybe THAT gets a 'Wet Willie.'
The Starting Defense: They weren't in the game long, but they were flying to the ball. Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Danny Clark in particular.
Danny Ware: Hopefully, Reuben Droughns has a plan for what to do when his football career is over. The way Ware is playing, that end is coming soon. A 59-yard kickoff return, and 10 carries for a team-leading 97 yards put Ware in serious contention for a roster spot.

Wet Willies to ...

Kickoff Return Coverage Unit: Umm, guys the idea is to tackle the runner as soon as possible.
Terrell Thomas: I counted at least three one-on-one tackles the Giants' second-round draft choice missed last night. Gotta tackle if you want to play, son.
Kevin Dockery: Well, dropping an easy interception and basically handing it to a wide receiver for a touchdown will get you a 'Wet Willie' every time.
Michael Jennings: There is a ton of competition for roster spots at wide receiver, and two drops won't help Jennings' case.
Brandon Jacobs: Two fumbles, albeit one on an ill-advised attempt at an end around. The big fella needs to do a better job protecting the football.

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Comments

Game wasn't on TV down here

so I didn’t get to watch it. Sounds like this is the performance from Eli I was hoping for last week. Can we pretend my comments after the Lions game never happened? (At least until Eli has a bad game again?)

I’m intrigued by the many wide receivers they have, it seems like every week a new guy is stepping up and impressing. We could end up like the Packers last year, with 4 legitimate wide receivers who would all be starters on most teams (heck, maybe even more than that). That’s something that’s never happened before for the Giants. I’m also happy that the starting defense has picked up where it left off…I think people around the league sorely underestimate Tuck and Kiwanuka and how little of a step down they are gonna be from Strahan.

Finally, 3 questions: First, did Carr play? Reading the gameday thread, it sounds like Wright had a bad game…personally, I’m rooting for Carr to make the team and Wright to get cut, b/c I think Carr has a lot more talent, and playing behind a real live O Line he might be able to put it together a little bit if Eli ever gets hurt. Second, how did Woodson do? Third, did Kenny Phillips kill anyone on the Browns? No, but seriously, how did he do last night?

by cjmulrain on Aug 19, 2008 8:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Answers

Carr played (7 of 14, I think). He looked decent, but that competition isn’t over. Woodson only played the last 2 series (0-1), so not much to go on. I was disappointed he didn’t get in earlier. Quiet night for Phillips mostly.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 19, 2008 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

I just watched the video highlights on NFL.com, and realized that this game was on ESPN, looked at the tv listings for last night, and sure enough it was on down here. D’oh! That was a preseason mistake on my part, need to get into regular season TV listings mode, so I don’t miss any more Giants games…

Anyway, from the highlights, Hixon and the D-line looked awesome. Also, the Wright interception wasn’t really his fault, and I have to say I’m a little happy b/c the guy who hit him as he was throwing was Mike Adams, a formerly undrafted safety from the University of Delaware who was the best defensive player on the team when they won the 1-AA championship my sophomore year. He’s become a solid NFL player, so I’ve gotta root for the guy.

by cjmulrain on Aug 19, 2008 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i did the exact same thing

by queler on Aug 19, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was there

Carr throws a great looking ball . He showed no signs of running for his life at the snap and there should be a place on the team for him. Woodson has a kind of weird throw and will need work. Didn’t watch tape yet but it seems Phillips had a quite night.
After last night no one will be underestimating our D-front, in fact the linebackers looked pretty fierce as well. They were in Andersons face at just about every pass attempt and if they didn’t get the sack forced bad throws. Stopping the run in the backfield is getting to be a habit with this group. Very encouraging.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Aug 19, 2008 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

D-front

did look terrific. I was also impressed by Clark. I really wanted to see Gerris get the nod, but now I’ve changed my mind. We’re in good hands either way.

by potroast on Aug 19, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

QBs

I am beginning to wonder if the Giants will keep both Carr and Wright, and send Woodson on his way. Don’t know how I feel about that, but I’m thinking it’s a possibility.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 19, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't like that at all

Waste of a draft pick. Might as well develop Woodson and let Carr rehab his career (since he seems to be coming along). I’ve never been a fan of Wright, so that’s just my bias I guess.

by potroast on Aug 19, 2008 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

in the end, that’s what will happen. Carr will be kept and Wright released. I just see keeping both as possible at this point.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 19, 2008 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on wright released carr kept

Chris Palmer wants to do everything he can to resurrect DCarr’s career. I see Carr sticking around this season. If he can plant his feet and deliver, he’s not a bad QB.

But I still think that if you can get a cheap upgrade, you do it.

by Cody K on Aug 19, 2008 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

doubt it

Woodson is multi year project. They aren’t going to cut him this year, but I doubt he will do more than hold the clip board.

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by NYERinSF on Aug 19, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

London

Anyone hear anything on London? Kind of sucks if he’s hurt since he’s had such a nice camp and the Giants really need WRs right now.

by potroast on Aug 19, 2008 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

End zones?

I loved the retro diagonal stripes in the end zones last night (reminiscent of Notre Dame). Very cool. Perhaps we can bring them back for throwback day?

by Cody K on Aug 19, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DJ Hall

Hey, does anyone have any news on this guy. He was undrafted rookie free agent, but all I’m hearing about is how well 75 other WR’s are doing on the Giants. I’ve been trying to find stuff, but it ain’t working out. Have you guys heard anything?

by asaint on Aug 19, 2008 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hall

The guy has been virtually non-existent as far as I can tell. Almost never mentioned in the practice reports from the beat writers, and has not made any impact on the exhibition games. No catches last night. Best he can hope for is a spot on the practice squad, but I’m not even sure he will be offered that at this point.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 19, 2008 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

End Zones

From what I hear they will be just huge murals of Brett Favre

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 19, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good

The Giants can just stomp all over him AGAIN!!!! LOL

by Ed Valentine on Aug 19, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

jrs

despite all I’ve writttten here about resenting the “geritol Mafia”, new stadium policies and Godells commandments I accepted some free tix to last nights game.7th row, how can you not go? I was in the Jests infamous gate D and was wondering about the murals myself (since the inebriated young ladie next to us seemed on the verge of a “gang green moment”. My wife and I went out a halftime( I wasn;t getting out of her sights) and although there were no incidents to report the funny thing was that the murals were not only just a light plastic fabric but, they were virtuallly transparent…………..Outstanding Job if you ask me!

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Aug 19, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Droughns

He is going to have a very hard time making the roster with Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw and Ware

But gotta give him a Kudo for causing a safety.

Other notes

Nice to see Bradshaw with 4 catches. As I remember last year, that didn’t happen much. I think he can be an excellent weapon out of the backfield

Damn – Watching that Dockery / Steptoe play, that’s about all I can say. Dockery was in perfect position. I will dispute that it was an easy int. His leap was perfectly times, but — DAMN – yes, he should have had it.

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by NYERinSF on Aug 19, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs