'Kudos & Wet Willies,' 2-0 edition
So, I checked in last night on how the live blog went without me. Three-hundred and twenty comments (115 by 'jrs."). Wow! Maybe you guys don't need me!
Anyway, good work by you guys. Almost as good as the work the 2-0 Giants did in dismantling the 0-2 Rams, 41-13. I watched the game on DVR, and there was an awful lot to like.
So, let's get on with our traditional 'Kudos & Wet Willies.'
Kudos to ...
- Justin Tuck: Remember when we were debating in the pre-season who the Giants' best defensive player was? It's Tuck. And it's not even close. The guy is playing like a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end. That interception and return for a touchdown he had in the fourth quarter is as good a play as you will ever see a defensive lineman make. Even if I did think for a minute he was going to have a Leon Lett moment, as he coasted and Steven Jackson of St. Louis sprinted after him.
- Ahmad Bradshaw: Had to wait until the fourth quarter of the second game to get his hands on the ball on a play from scrimmage, but boy did he ever take advantage! An important 18-yard touchdown reception, an insult to injury 31-yard touchdown run and a total of 52 yards rushing on five carries. I love the way Tom Coughlin and Kevin Gilbride used him. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward softened up the Rams, and Bradshaw was used as the momentum-changer when the game threatened to get interesting.
- Brandon Jacobs: Didn't get to "Laron" anybody this week, but had an excellent 15-carry, 93-yard game highlighted by a 30-yard run. When it comes right down to it, Jacobs is the guy that makes the Giants offense go. He establishes their physical, smashmouth attitude on offense, and everything else opens up because the Giants can run the ball efficiently.
- Eli Manning: Went 20-for-29 (68.9%) for 260 yards and three touchdowns. Gets 'kudos' because of the high completion percentage, the cool left-handed completion to Jacobs and for not throwing any interceptions.
- Amani Toomer: Six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown for the ageless one. Like a fine watch, Toomer just keeps on going.
- Domenik Hixon: A 50-yard punt return and three catches, including two beauties, for 60 yards. I never want to see R.W. McQuarters return a punt for the Giants again.
- John Carney: Two-for-two on field goals (now a perfect 5-for-5 in two games) and kicking brilliantly on kickoffs as well. Is anybody starting to think he might be better than Lawrence Tynes?
- James Butler: So, we have spent a long time picking on Butler and wanting him out of the lineup. When do we stop? The guy had four tackles, including a couple of excellent ones in the open field. Like him or not, he seems to show up and make plays.
- Fred Robbins: So, who is the Giants' third pass-rusher going to be. The gargantuan defensive tackle had two sacks and four tackles. He is playing as well as he ever has as a Giant.
- Aaron Ross: Four tackles and an excellent job shadowing Tori Holt most of the day. The Giants' No. 1 pick a year ago seems to be on his way to becoming a shutdown type corner, if he isn't one already.
- Danny Clark: Three tackles, including a brilliant open-field one on Steven Jackson. In two games, all I can say is this is an impressive guy. He has filled the hole left by Kawika Mitchell and then some.
Whew! That's a long list of 'Kudos,' and it could have also included a couple of other guys. I left off Derrick Ward, Michael Johnson and Plaxico Burress, all of whom had nice games.
As always, though, there have to be some 'Wet Willies,' and I do have a couple. So, here we go.
Wet Willies to ...
- Kevin Dockery: A bad mistake on a long Rams' pass completion. Dockery got lucky on the play that it was wiped out by a St. Louis penalty. But, you can't leave a guy going deep and guess the ball is going short BEFORE the quarterback throws the ball. Dockery also had a pass interference penalty.
- The tight ends: Two games, zero receptions for the Giants' tight ends. Steve Smith, Hixon, Bradshaw and others have so made up for Jeremy Shockey's removal from the Giants' passing game. But, Giants' tight ends need to show up eventually or Toomer and Burress are going to start finding a lot more double coverage.
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24 comments
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Comments
Giants sure did look
like the team that everyone expected to take a step back this season. i know it’s early, but i think it’s time for everyone to admit that this has to be one of the top five or six teams in the League – especially with the starts for San Diego, Seattle, Jacksonville, and New Orleans.
as a side note, kudos to the Jets for reminding us why they’re the Jets. should we put those Super Bowl predictions on hold since they can’t beat Matt Cassel at home?
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Sep 15, 2008 6:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No question
This team understands winning. They didn’t play their best for three quarters, but when they were challenged a little they blew the Rams away.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 15, 2008 7:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caption for top photo
“Look Ma I got it.”
by Woogie526 on Sep 15, 2008 7:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I apologise
to" grandpa" Carney. He’s really solid, didn’t see it coming. Hixon is the 4th wide reciever ? Not for long if he keeps it up he looks like number two to me.
We're only gonna score 17 points?
by big blue wrecking crew on Sep 15, 2008 7:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No. 2?
You’re telling me he’s better than Toomer? Let’s not get carried away with ourselves here.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 15, 2008 7:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"...better than Toomer?"
Not now he’s not. I’ve been hot on H since the day we got him. He has the POTENTIAL to be better than Toomer some day. Time will tell.
by george cronin on Sep 15, 2008 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Toomer is the G.O.A.T.
If it sounded like I was slighting Amani I didn’t mean to. Still I think with time you’ll see Hixon is faster and has made several amazing grabs ,both yesterday and during pre season. Kind of the same problem as with the running backs only the Giants have 4 receivers that should be starters.
We're only gonna score 17 points?
by big blue wrecking crew on Sep 15, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depth
More RBs than they can get on the field. More WRs than they can get on the field. Rotating safeties who can all play. So many SBs Sam Madison hasn’t seen the field yet. Competition for playing time at OLB. Three tight ends with potential. Several guys who could be big-time kick returners. These are nice PROBLEMS to have!
by Ed Valentine on Sep 15, 2008 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I probably should have
found another way to compliment Hixon.
We're only gonna score 17 points?
by big blue wrecking crew on Sep 15, 2008 7:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay, BBWC, if not # 2,
why not # 3? For sure, he’s the future. At best, Amani can’t have more than a a couple of years left. I like Smith, but Hixon’s more of a threat to a D than he is. Once again, what a luxury to have so muxh depth at WR.
by george cronin on Sep 15, 2008 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tynes
If I am the Giants, I tell Tynes “no rush”
Giants fan from the womb to the tomb
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Sep 15, 2008 7:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I read somewhere
That in the Giant’s offense the tight end position isn’t designed to get the ball all that often, at least the 60 catches a year Shockey wanted. So maybe it’s going to be Boss getting one big catch every other game like he would have yesterday. But I ‘ll bet you that if the WRs start getting dbled Boss will break out. He’s a patient MFer that is willing to work in the system.
by The Pale Scot on Sep 15, 2008 8:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
TE
The offense is working well right now. I have to hope, though, that Boss or Johnson at least becomes a threat.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 15, 2008 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they are a threat, based on performances from last year. I think the Giants will get more creative as the season goes on.
Now we just have to worry about a let down game against the Bungles.
by Woogie526 on Sep 15, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt they will, Ed, at least Boss will.
He has great hands. Johnson isn’t that far behind there. Perhaps the coaching staff wants them to focus on blocking for now? That’s we’re they both have to improve. As the tougher games come along, I can see the Giants using the TEs to surprise their Ds.
by george cronin on Sep 15, 2008 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this
a TE like Shockey was a nice luxury to have, especially back in his first few years when Toomer was our only good Wide Receiver. But right now, the Giants have 4, maybe even 5 solid Wide Receivers (depending on how Sinorice Moss does), which is way more than they ever had. With a load of good WRs, there’s less of a need for the Tight Ends in the passing game, so you can use them to block a little more.
by cjmulrain on Sep 15, 2008 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Butler
Let’s not get too carried away about Butler, even though he had a good game. He puts himself in good position to make plays in front of him, but he still blows too many coverages behind him. He did it again yesterday, but the Rams didn’t take advantage.
by potroast on Sep 15, 2008 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to be all negative though ...
nice W by the Gmen. They let the Rams hang around a little too long, put the the foot to the gas pedal when they needed to.
by potroast on Sep 15, 2008 9:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Peter King
in his Monday Morning QB article said he thinks Justin Tuck is one of the 5 best defensive players in the NFL right now. Can’t say I disagree with him. I got into an argument with a Cowboys fan a few weeks ago, he said Tuck is overrated b/c last year Strahan and Osi got all the double teams…I think Tuck is proving all the haters wrong.
By the way, he didn’t get a Wet Willie, but I saw that Kiwanuka didn’t have a single tackle or sack…did he at least get some pressure on the QB, or did he completely disappear?
by cjmulrain on Sep 15, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kiwi
I saw him around the ball a little, but not much. I just wonder if he isn’t yet 100% — thanks a lot, Chris Samuels!
by Ed Valentine on Sep 15, 2008 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hixon
youre g.d. right hixon better return all the kicks from now on. mcquarters is fine, but his speediest days are over.
by kendynamo on Sep 15, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Game ball to Eli
What a great, efficient game by Eli. 69% completion percentage, 3 TD’s, no mistakes, no boneheaded plays, another “W” on the road, etc. etc.
And, oh yeah, Tuck is a B E A S T
by Cody K on Sep 15, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fantastic game!
Eli’s numbers rocked! Justin Tuck was scary good and Bradshaw showed some serious speed! I’ve liked that guy since the Buffalo game last year. You guys have some awesome RBs…I wish we were that deep.
Congrats on being 2-0!
April in CA
by peytonsthebest on Sep 15, 2008 11:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Our sweet schedule
has given us a chance to go 6 and 0 before things get more interesting. Up until we play the Steelers, cowboys and Eagles. Then it’s going to be more difficult. Yesterday was an awesome day to watch Giants football, but let’s not forget that we were facing the Rams. Who outside of Kansas City are arguably the worst team in Pro Football right now. The true tests start in week 8, and while I have faith our boys will pull through to the playoffs quite easily, I’m not ready to assume it’s superbowl time just yet. Here’s hoping Philly kicks the tar out of Dallas tonight.
by NYcON on Sep 15, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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