Do you know what time it is? It's Ernie P. time

by Ed Valentine on Oct 30, 2009 11:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

It's Friday, and that means time for my weekly swap of questions with Ernie Palladino. As usual, we have a common set of questions. Ernie's answers are below. Mine are over at Ernie's Giants Beat.

1. Is it better or worse that the Giants are playing a hated division rival on the road following two stinkers in a row?

Ernie's Answer: It's absolutely better. You want a good way to stop thinking about a blowout in New Orleans and a great opportunity lost against Arizona? Try filling your head with an upcoming game against the hated Eagles in The Linc. Remember, this is the squad that knocked the Giants out of the playoffs last year, the one where Donovan McNabb showed them up with his phone escapades on the Giants' own sidelines. Think those guys don't remember that? Believe me, don't downplay the revenge factor of having lost their last two meetings against the Eagles last year. Those two losses in a row seem far, far away right now.

2. What is the Giants' true identity, a run-first or pass-first team?

Ernie's Answer: Tom Coughlin may say it's a run-first team, and he most likely believes it. But let's face it. The NFL is a passing league right now, and a run-first team at this point means at best an even split between the ground and the air. Now throw in the fact that his offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, seemingly can't wait to put Eli Manning in the air. The last game was a perfect example. Brandon Jacobs finally appeared to be breaking out of his early-season doldrums, knocking out four, five, seven yards a pop. But as soon as the Giants fell behind the Cardinals 17-14, Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw all but disappeared from the offense. From that point, Manning went back to pass 22 times and handed off just 10, one of which was fumbled by Bradshaw on the next-to-last drive. It seems the pass-first philosophy has been well-embedded in Manning's psyche, too, as he admittedly checked out of a couple of runs in the second half because the Cardinals were showing blitz. One audible took them out of a third-and-2 run, with Manning electing to take a deep sideline shot to Mario Manningham that sailed out of bounds incomplete. Whether Coughlin wants to admit it or not, this is a passing team right now. The Giants need to get back to what they do best, which is run the ball, especially now that the chill of November is upon us.

3. Do the Giants need to start Hakeem Nicks?

Ernie's Answer: Couldn't hurt. Defensive backs seem to have caught wise to Steve Smith, despite his outstanding route-running abilities. And for all of Manningham's outstanding powers of concentration on deflected balls and such, he isn't the most reliable guy out there. But Nicks is a nice target who seems to be learning and improving every game. He's still got a lot to learn, but you can't fault the productivity that includes four touchdown catches in four games. Were it not for his Johnny-On-The-Spot alertness on his 62-yard catch off a deflection, Manning would have left the Cardinals game with exactly zero touchdown passes. Not only that, but his 16 catches for 315 yards has already equaled the most catches by a Giants rookie wide receiver since Bobby Johnson in 1984 (Ed McCaffrey in 1991 and David Tyree in 2003). If the coach's adage that a player earns field time by producing, then Nicks has certainly filled his quotient. He's already a more reliable downfield threat than Domenik Hixon, whose strength lies more in the return game. And at 6-0, 201, he'll make a more adequate complement to the shifty Smith than the smaller Manningham. So, yeah, start him.

4. Should Bill Sheridan play Justin Tuck inside more?

Ernie's Answer: I may be in the minority here, but I don't think so. I like it when Mathias Kiwanuka rotates in and they put Tuck inside to give them three pass rushers up front. But stopping the run, even in a pass-first league, is huge, and Tuck does just fine with that working from the outside. He's strong enough to fend off blocks and fast enough to prevent running backs from getting to the corner. Plus, he can drop back into coverage on the zone blitz every now and then. I think the answer to the inside pass rush problems is to get Fred Robbins going. Remember, too, that we haven't seen Chris Canty. If he ever gets back from his calf injury, he's going to help on the inside with that big wingspan and speed. So better to keep Tuck on the outside on the 50-50 run/pass downs and save his sore shoulder from the wear and tear of the guard/center double-team. He's too valuable to subject to a steady beating inside.

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Comments

Personally...

I would love to get Cofield going…I had really high expectations for him this year.

I really thought he would step outta Robbins shadow this season but so far that doesn’t seem to be the case.

"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT

by andiamo708 on Oct 30, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

I thought Cofield's been playing excellent actually...

Robbins hasn’t been all that bad either.

I’d like to know who stole Rocky Bernard. Also getting Canty on the field would help.

FredRob and Cofield were supposed to be in a rotation with these 2, meanwhile one is injured the whole year and the other doesn’t exist.

These 2 have been as good as they always were, give or take a Robbins sack streak.

They miss Alford too. Woulda been nice to have that heat seeking missile in the trenches….

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 30, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I forgot all about Rocky.

Does anyone have a breakdown of snaps played by the DTs in the last couple games?

by rzor on Oct 30, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

IMO

I think the play from our DT’s have not been as good as years past.

Our Run D has not been what it was…especially in the middle. I don’t know if it’s it’s poor gap responsibilities or what but I think those knee surgeries are definitely a factor.

just my thoughts though….

"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT

by andiamo708 on Oct 30, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

DT not up to par

I agree with andiamo…last year the tandem of cofield and robbins were getting a great push on passing plays and causing havok with quarterbacks. Our run defense was also stout. We would occassionally give up big plays, but most of the times running backs were getting stuffed. This year I haven’t seen that push. If we only bring 4 (which we do too often), the DTs aren’t getting any push. And teams are just running the ball right at us with consistency.

by ggggmen08 on Oct 30, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Dockery

I know I have already asked this!

What is the story on Dockery and his non injury related missing practice?

by G Fan in England on Oct 30, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

I haven't seen anything on Dockery..I have been searching

..but have not seen anything..and there are no reports on him being injured..I don’t know.

by Bobbiblue on Oct 30, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

really?

Never even heard anything about that…

"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT

by andiamo708 on Oct 30, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

NFL.com

That is how he is listed on the injury report for the Eagles game.

Thanks for looking Bobbi.

by G Fan in England on Oct 30, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I think its time to

get Nicks more involved. He’s actually been MORE involved up to this point than I expected, so I guess its a testament to him getting the offense down.

The guy is a playmaker. He’s big, he’s fast (he DID outrun DRC….WOW!), he has very good hands too.

Hixon hasn’t distinguished himself obviously. HAM is still good, yet a few key drops say he should be avoided a bit..I dunno.

Either way, Nicks should be thrown at. I know Eli probably doesn’t have the greatest timing and trust with him…but I’d think that’s what practice is for?

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 30, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah like I said that kid is fast!!

Again that tipped ball came because he out ran his intended underneath route..He is definitely going to be something special, and I would like to see him starting..He has blazing speed and great hands.

by Bobbiblue on Oct 30, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed...

he also can make plays on the ball…like he did in the preseason on that TD pass from Carr. He’ll go up and get it for you.

that’s something that hixon lacks…

"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT

by andiamo708 on Oct 30, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

If teams are going to start rolling coverages toward Smith

I see no reason why Nicks shouldn’t start. Ham has done a good job for the most part, but his hands can be considered questionable to this point. Nicks on the other hand, (no pun) hasn’t given Eli any excuse not to look for him. I don’t believe that timing would be that much of an issue as perhaps as being in the right place, but that has more to do with the play called, and Eli checking-off into something else!

I think if Smith was in motion more, and in the slot more, teams wouldn’t be able to scheme their plans for him as well. But in general, i’m not saying to phase Ham out, just scaling back on a few things until he’s more reliable!

by Hootman on Oct 30, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Hoot I think

They should have Ham run the underneath routes and let Nicks loose..We need to get Smith opened back up..he is being blanketed the last two games..Every team we face knows it..Somebody here mentioned slant routes..Well they work great when you have time for them to break open..but the Eagles are blitz-happy this year..as I mentioned yesterday, they are going to bring serious heat.Our guys need to figure out how to keep them honest..I still believe quick swing passes would accomplish that..and get the defense out of the box..We need to show them different looks..and again I think Barden should get tossed into the mix. If our guys don’t get defenses thinking..We are going to be in trouble..They have our number right now..but if our guys can mix it up we will be good to go..So far they haven’t done that..Every game plan has literallly been a snapshot of the prior games. We are letting teams zero in on us on both sides of the ball..Football is pretty simple basically, if the team that generates worry and makes the other team think alot..they win. Plain and simple..And we have the talent to do just that..but we are not..Throwing that long ball is insane. How many of them work? We need more controlled shorter passes to drive the defense back into traditional coverage..and we’ll get our running game back..which is key now that the weather is getting cold up there.

by Bobbiblue on Oct 30, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

told you guys

Gilbride has a secret high-octane fantasy… vindicated by Ernie P!

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Oct 30, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Start Hicks

More snaps for Ware (he runs with abandon)
Get Bernard producing and Boley playing.

But unathletic guys flanking AP is gonna hurt! Chase and Clark do not play well in space and they lack speed.

I am really concerned about this one. Hope I am wrong.

by MSP Giant on Oct 30, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

Weakness at linebacker

as much as anything else is what is holding this defense back.AP’s smart and he’s still solid, but he’s lost a step and he’s been getting blown back by centers and guards on running plays. Clark and Blackburn are simply average players. This weakness in the middle of the D takes its toll both on running and passing plays. Boley and Sintim are needed badly. I wonder who’s going to cover Celek this Sunday. The corners and safeties are going to have their hands full with Jackson and Maclin.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Oct 30, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Right on TF

There are problems in all three areas of the D. When Danny Clark is your best LB, you’re in trouble. Cofield and Robbins aren’t playing up to their usual standards, and BBVers have talked a lot about problems in the secondary. We need those injured guys back. Otherwise, every game vs. even just an average team will be a game to worry about. I gnash my teeth when I recall how we all thought depth was one of the team’s greatest strengths.

by blue gonz on Oct 30, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree to an extent..but

Who becomes the Defensive QB out there?..I went back thru the roster and there is none..I agree he has lost a step or two, but he is playing better than last year and he is very smart..He makes all of the adjustment calls out there..maybe we are blaming the wrong guy here and other LBs are missing adjusted assigments..This is the worst linebacking unit I’ve ever seen on a Giants team, but I am not going to pin the blame on AP…We need to get Sintum and Boley back in there.

by Bobbiblue on Oct 30, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

ITS TIME TO ADD

RAMSES BARDEN WILL CAUSE DEFENSES TO RESPECT HIS HEIGHT IF JUST CATCHES ONE NICE 30+ YARD CATCH OR GETS AN ENDZONE GRAB! THIS WILL GIVE ELI A CHANCE TO EARN HIS MONEY BECAUSE EVIDENTLY HE CAN THROW WITH LIMITED ACCURACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!RAMSES BARDEN

by BIGPHIL737 on Oct 31, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions