Steve Smith preps for Raiders' Asomugha
by Ed Valentine on Oct 7, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in News
47 comments
How good has New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith been through four games? The numbers are absolutely staggering.
- Through four games Smith has 34 catches, a pace that would net him 136 receptions. The NFL record is Marvin Harrison's 143 in 2002.
- The Giants' single-season record is 82, set by Amani Toomer in 2002. Smith is almost halfway to obliterating that mark already.
- Smith is on pace to finish with 1,644 receiving yards, which would shatter the current franchise mark of 1,343, also set by Toomer in 2002.
- Here is a number that is incredibly important to an offense, and it is where Smith has become most valuable to the Giants. He has a league-leading 14 third-down receptions, and is second in the league in first downs with 22, one behind Miami's Ronnie Brown.
The most intriguing part of Sunday's game might very well be Smith, the league's leading receiver and maybe the best route runner on the planet, against Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, widely regarded as the best cover corner in the NFL.
NFL stats show that the five teams with the lowest opponents' third-down conversion percentage (Philadelphia, New Orleans, the Giants, Denver and Dallas) are a combined 16-3.
Here is Asomugha talking about the importance of third down. He says the defense has to know exactly where the marker is.
"I always take a peek at it and let all of the 11 guys on the field know what the distance is for third down because it determines what type of routes and concepts you are going to get from the offense," says Asomugha. "If it’s a third-and-short-situation there is a good chance for quicker passes or for runs. If it’s third-and-long there is a chance for screens, draws and deeper route combinations, so the distance plays a huge factor."
You can pretty much guarantee that Smith and Asomugha will be one-on-one most of Sunday afternoon. Smith is looking forward to the challenge.
"Our coaches told us immediately after (Sunday’s) game, ‘You’re going against the best corner in the league, hands down,’" Smith said Monday, one day after the Giants knocked off the Chiefs. "It’s a great challenge; we’re all excited to play against him."
"We want to throw his way," Smith said. "We want to be one of the teams that makes plays on his side, despite (the fact) he’s a great player."
"The coaches were just telling us he’s got long arms and he tries to take advantage of you on the jam, which is something I like," Smith said. "I like the press. If he wants to press me, that’s good."
It should be a fascinating matchup to watch.
0 recs |
47 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
The Raiders pass D is legit.
Actually their overall defense is pretty good, its way better than the Bucs and a few steps better than the Chiefs. They are just on the field too much so.
People can knock the Raiders all they want. If Eli plays, and I think he will, this will be a nice test for them and the pass O. Asomugha is good, but Chris Johnson and Standford Routt are pretty good corners too. Then again, as with anything on the Raiders, I don’t think the safeties are all that good.
THis is getting played out…but remember when the Giants WR was supposed to be such a big weakness that they wouldn’t even make the playoffs this year? I know, long way to go, but Steve Smith?
I’d think Nnamdi will be on him a lot, regardless of where Swiss lines up. I’m not expected a 11 for 134 again, but if he does say…6 for 80 or something like that and most are on 3rd down, for 1st downs?
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 7, 2009 7:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
...
oh yea, as for the whole going against Asomugha thing….
doesn’t Steve Smith go against Corey Webster a lot in practice? Yea, I think he knows how to shed an elite corner.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 7, 2009 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same thing!
I was going to say the same thing. Our Offence has a great advantage in that they play against our Defence in practice. I’m sure it helps Smith when he has to get around Webster, and it helps Eli when he’s got to out smart Pierce, and it helps David Diehl when he has to fight Osi’s speed. This is a unique position we’re in and a huge advantage for us.
by ross_stephen on Oct 7, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm stating it here and now
If Webster out plays Asomugha and maintains the current level of play that he has been at, he will be the pro bowl starter for the NFC.
by njgiant on Oct 7, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pro Bowl is relatively meaningless....
if Webster is there with Nnamdi on the All-Pro team, then he’s getting the recognition he deserves.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 7, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's be honest
Given all the questions about our WR’s at the start of the season we would have taken the stat line for Smith of 34-411-4TD as a season’s work let alone after 4 weeks.
I will be surprised it Smith gets 3 or more catches if he is covered one on one the whole game – but this in turn would mean more throws to Manningham and Nicks (plus possibly Boss and Beckum) who are capable of going the distance on a play (rather than falling over at the first down marker).
Am really looking forward to the game on Sunday – I am I believeon the second level – so what will the view be like?
by G Fan in England on Oct 7, 2009 7:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mezzanine (2nd level) seats in Giants Stadium are all pretty good
I’ve got mezzanine seats in the end zone. They are great when the action is coming right at you, but even when its on the other side, they are still pretty good. If you’re on a sideline they’re even better.
by da cut on Oct 7, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just by looking at the Raiders box scores
I will be surprised it Smith gets 3 or more catches if he is covered one on one the whole game
The receptions and yards seem pretty consistent (5-6 catches & 50-70yards), except the Texans game, no one caught no more than two balls, but their YPC average was up there! So a 6-70-1 isn’t out of the realm of possibility for SS! But whats interesting is the more i watch Smith, the more i see why he is getting opened. It may seem like a simple concept in coaching and technique, but Smith has incredible route running ability.
I’ve noticed that when there’s man-to-man on him, and Eli knows it, Smith will run his man out of coverage, literally. He runs his man 12 yards deep, then in an instant, he curls back in. It’s almost like the ball is released right before he makes his break, and when Smith does, boom, a reception! The DB has no chance at defending this, he has to respect Smith going deep, but doesn’t know he’s breaking back!
By far, this will be the biggest test.
by Hootman on Oct 7, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok Madden
I’ve noticed that too. It’s only a matter of time before he hits a double move for a very deep bomb.
by njgiant on Oct 7, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lol, i just caught on to the Madden ref. I didn't realize it at the time!
The only reason why i brought that up with Smith, reminded me of something i saw a long time ago. It was along the lines of how WR’s can setup their defenders to the affect of the WR’s “running their defenders up the ladder”. They moreless run their defender to a certain area that’s diagrammed in the WR’s route tree, then they break to another area, leaving the DB rungs apart from you!
Smith just seems to have this knack, or some other kind of sense?!
by Hootman on Oct 7, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you've got to love this battle
within the war. It’s Ali Frazier, Pacquio Maybury.
by blue gonz on Oct 7, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the passing game will open up more
After 4 weeks, opponents are starting to realize that this Giants’ passing offense is legit. I think it’s great it’s getting recognized and talked about with the media. Don’t expect Smith to keep having 10 reception games because defenses will be double teaming him and the other WRs will be breaking the game wide open. This is a great thing. The Cheifs took Manningham seriously and paid the price with Smith. And IF you have that contained, let’s not forget the RB duo of Jacobs and Bradshaw and of course Nicks who makes the most of his limited catches.
by uberfunction on Oct 7, 2009 8:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
True
And as we head into the tougher part of the schedule, it’ll be very important for the run game to become dominant. These games that Smith is having (& Manningham) is working to open that up.
by potroast on Oct 7, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to see the Giants run for 200 yards Sunday
run, and run, and run some more. The let the next team we play focus on the run and get burned by the pass
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Oct 7, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dallas all over again.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Oct 7, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Greatest things about the New York Giants right now
is our balance. Try to contain the run, and eli’s going to burn you.
Try to stop the pass, and the juggernaut’s going to break you.
That’s why i was so pissed last year when he who must not be named shot himself.
We had great balance, and were poised for a SB run.
If we stay healthy, I’ll be disappointing if anyone else represents the NFC down in tampa.
by Willgfass on Oct 7, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Irrelevant to us, but...
Braylon Edwards is coming to New York…. as a Jet.
by TNYFBG on Oct 7, 2009 8:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess that is possible but Mangini helping the Jets? Not likely.
by Major on Oct 7, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
based on how edwards has been playing...
its more like he’s hurting the jets
by bmanley620 on Oct 7, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trifecta
Just a thought on Steve Smith. He leads all major WR categories. Most catches, yards, and TDs. I see him getting around 5 catches 60 yards and a score. I don’t feel that Asomugha will cover him all game. We will see about that though.
by wangstu13 on Oct 7, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agree with you wang
i don’t think nhamdi will be on him the whole game, i’d think they might want to put him up against the deeper threats at some point – mainly Mario the Man(i’m pushing that as hard as you push HAM freebrad! lol) and mister nicks who is back and one week healthier. my guess is at some point during the game the raiders will want to put there best up against someone they think may get the giants 30 yards, and not a possession receiver. if not, then it will be up to the Man and nicks to burn whoevers sticking them, thus forcing Tom Cable to change his defense, and freeing up the other steve smith(lets keep calling him that. i like being the underdog)
as for nnamdi, i’m not going to say he’s overrated, because that’s probably not fair. i’ve heard more than i’ve seen of him, since he’s on a horrible west coast team that gets no national burn, but when i did see him the first monday night game, i saw him get burned for a TD(don’t remember who) so deion he is not. i ain’t scurred, and neither should any of our WRs.
by wilddre22 on Oct 7, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nnamdi was supposed to have help from Stanford Routt on that play
Who, to the non-surprise of Raider Nation, failed utterly.
Also, that was such a perfectly thrown ball by Rivers that no cornerback in the league could’ve made that play. I hate giving any credit to Pouty Phil, but that was a brilliant pass.
Trust me on this: Nnamdi is as good as you’ve heard.
by Raybin on Oct 7, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's gonna be awesome though...
I can see Nnamdi shutting him down all game…and just when you think SS is out of it he’ll make on huge third down conversion and everyone will be up in arms over it.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Oct 7, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So wait,
Does being shut down all game mean being shut down in the first half, because if this is a game after halftime.. I’ll be disappointed.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 7, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Halftime score
21-0 Gmen
I believe this game will be a lot of running the ball anyway.
by wangstu13 on Oct 7, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're the Giants...
It’s always a F*#$@@! game
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Oct 7, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i believe you Ray
i’m just saying i haven’t really seen him play much, and that one play sticks out to me so far this season. he’s actually 99 on madden – actually your team is better on madden than in real life. that’s gotta burn.
by wilddre22 on Oct 7, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Asomugha isnt a guy to be messed with. Look at the stats of elite receivers he has shut down. Odds are we let him and Smith do their own thing and play 10 on 10 football.
by ryanwk628 on Oct 7, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if you would've told me before the season
that Steve Smith would have more catches and yards than Reggie Wayne through four games, i would’ve laughed at you.
Asomugha is a great corner, but that’s one guy on an otherwise craptastic team. the real question isn’t whether Smith will be able to get open against that guy, it’s if JaMarcus Russell will complete more than two passes.
by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Oct 7, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I may have believed it
if you told me he was leading Reggie in Catches, but yards and touchdowns.. I’d tell you to GFY
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 7, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don't think it's that surprising
maybe, in comparison to Wayne, yes. But nobody should be surprised that Eli-s favorite target is having a good year statistically. If I played Fantasy Football I would have taken him in the draft
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Oct 7, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's hilarious
that Smith isn’t 8 feet tall like everyone said Eli needed.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 7, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a bit of a man crush on Asomugha
And I wouldn’t like to see his biggest exposure of the season be a torching, but I want Steve Smith to have Amani’s record by the bye, so something has got to give!
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 7, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Smith's being honest...
…and they really and truly want to throw at Asomugha, well, let’s just say I’m not going to object.
by Raybin on Oct 7, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and hopefully
Russell will want to throw at any of our DB’s and in particular Webster as opposed to the receiver!
by G Fan in England on Oct 7, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't either.
I don’t think they’re entirely crazy for wanting to do it but there are plenty of other ways to beat the Raiders through the air.
Tho, its really not like anyone has tested Asomugha all that much this year. Why not see if he’s up to it?
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 7, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smith
Man, this kid is something else. Really excited to see him go up against the League’s best corner. This one will be a fight. Shame I won’t get to see it.. :(
In better news, NFL.com has an article talking about new players taking over for the big names of the past. Guys like Darren Sproles taking over for Tomilson and McCoy taking over for Westbrooke, but the article focus on our Steve Smith replacing Burress and the “other” Steve Smith in Carolina.
Story also ranks the Giants as the number one team, Smith as the number two offensive player, and TC as the number one coach. It’s good to be a Giants fan right now…
by RolloT on Oct 7, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the coaching staff
Is just trying to keep our guys pumped up..We should rollover the Raiders..The Coachs want to keep them focussed..Can’t afford a letdown..They are making Asomugha a motivational speech. Which is a good thing..He’s a good player..and a great way to fire our guys up..
by Bobbiblue on Oct 7, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Smith
Holds his own, and maybe a little more, against Asomugha, and Ham and Nicks play well, then the WR question mark over the Giants receivers can truely be put to bed.
by njgiant on Oct 7, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Asa-manthatshardtospell can play.
And he’ll probably play Smith tough. Which leaves Ham Hands and Nicks wide open. Not to mention Hixon, Boss, Moss, Hagan, Beckum…Barden?
I left my swagger in my other pants.
by HughG16 on Oct 7, 2009 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Steve Smith
Steve smith is an awesome route runner..probably one of the best this year and his stats show..
No disrespect but Steve smith hasn’t even reach his potential..he should be able to rise up to the ocassion this Sunday..it will be a good game..and I am not sure if Smith every had a game where he didn’t catch a pass..
by dyenboy on Oct 8, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Get Your Giants' Gear
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
