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

by Ed Valentine on Nov 6, 2009 7:15 AM EST in News Comment 21 comments

More photos » by Carolyn Kaster - AP

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his team have fallen the past three weeks. The question now is, can they get back up?

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Time for my weekly swap of questions with long-time Giants beat writer Ernie Palladino, which we do every Friday. My answers to these same questions will be found some time today at Ernie's Giants beat.

1. How important is it that Michael Boley and Chris Canty get back into the lineup this week?

Ernie's Answer: I've totally changed my thinking on this. I never expected the Giants to drop three straight after that start. But since they have, this game with San Diego has become as close to a must-win game as one gets at this time of year. A lot of my readers have coined it an "All hands on deck" game, and I agree. Any available swinging...well, you know, has to be out there. Now, considering the dismal showing of the linebackers and the apparent lack of speed in the unit, Boley's presence is a must. If he can move at all, it's still an upgrade over Chase Blackburn. And who knows, Boley might even be able to get home on the blitz. As for Canty, the middle of that line needs a big, tall guy to hinder Rivers' field of vision. If he can come in on just the passing downs, get those 747 wings up, and bat a couple of balls, it will have been worth rushing him back. This defense needs something, and the Giants are paying both Boley and Canty a lot of money. Ideally, I'd have liked them to sit out until Atlanta, after the bye, but the season has reached too critical a stage to hold off on using them.

2. Would four losses in a row basically set this team on an irretrievable spiral after the bye?

Ernie's Answer: I asked that same question Wednesday to Tom Coughlin, and he didn't even want to think about the possibility. Wouldn't address it at all. I don't blame him. He knows what losing a fourth straight game would do to this team. It would utterly destroy what little of their confidence is left. You know, there's a big difference in an 0-8 team hitting a bye and one that was formerly 5-0. The winless team knows it's bad, and it can use the bye to reassess its dedication to the sport, hone up on fundamentals, whatever. The 5-0 team who drops four straight just before the bye is a tortured one, condemned now to wonder for two whole weeks how such a successful season started sinking into oblivion. The fact that they'll still be a game above .500 won't matter. It's the thought of, "Where the hell is rock bottom here," that will haunt the players. That could lead to all sorts of things, and self-doubt is the most mild manifestation. Finger-pointing, insurrection, summary execution of the coaching staff, the whole bit. Lose this game and things could get very, very ugly. And the coach knows it. No wonder Coughlin didn't want any part of the question.

3. What does Eli Manning have to do to fix his accuracy problems?

Ernie's Answer: A remedial reading course wouldn't hurt. You know, the kind where an assistant sits down with him and says, "See that guy in the different-colored uniform? If he's too close to your guy, don't throw there. Either throw it away or check down. And stop picking at that, you'll make it bleed!" Of course, convincing people like Mario Manningham to run a proper route wouldn't hurt, either. Whatever. Eli simply needs to settle down and start reading defenses like he was last season and at the beginning of this season. If he does that, and he's decisive in his throws, I believe the passes will find their marks more consistently.

4. Would a coaching change, ala John Hufnagel, help anything at this point?

Ernie's Answer: Nah. Everybody wants to put Kevin Gilbride's and Bill Sheridan's heads on pikes and display them at the Tower of London. Look, aside from Gilbride trying to call the spectacular play every third-and-short he comes across, these guys aren't calling such horrendous games. Sheridan blitzed a lot against Philadelphia. Is it his fault virtually none of them got home? As for Gilbride, yeah, he should probably use Kevin Boss more and commit to the run. But a little prodding from Coughlin should take care of that. So should a little play-action in the Red Zone, which will be effective only if the Giants establish the run first. Note the trend here. Run. And now that Boley is expected back, perhaps those blitzes Sheridan calls will have some effect. Oh, I know. Do something about C.C. Brown. And what would you like Sheridan to do? Aaron Rouse isn't the answer. Terrell Thomas or Aaron Ross might be, but he can't do anything until Ross is healthy. So he's hamstrung. Not his fault. So don't anticipate any changes. Do anticipate Coughlin getting on both their backs to alter their play calling a bit, however.

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A good way to start the day:

A dose of common sense from Ernie P

by blue gonz on Nov 6, 2009 7:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sheridan and his blitzs

As I think Mike pointed out that even though the Giants blitzed alot against the Eagles the blitzs were coming from such angles or distances that they had no chance of getting involved in the play – in fact the opposite they took the player out of the game.

On McCoy’s TD run Robbins was over Centre and Osi was outside the tackle – just how big a hole do you want to give on 3rd and one!

One hopes that the Chargers do not have the ball inside the last two minutes of the first half – I dread to think how many points they could score!

I just hope the coaches and the players make a better effort this week.

by G Fan in England on Nov 6, 2009 8:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Boley and Canty

Not to overshadow their importance to the team, but i think it’s important to use them cautiously. Like Ernie alluded to, atleast passing downs to start with. God forbid we have any setbacks, to set us back even further, would not be good!

by Hootman on Nov 6, 2009 8:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Can I have my Giants back this weekend?

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 6, 2009 8:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by potroast on Nov 6, 2009 8:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

IMO, at this point, i don't want the entire 53 man roster back! lol

by Hootman on Nov 6, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I had a Kidnap theory

That the Raiders, after that game stole all the Giants defensive players…that’s why they beat Philly.

Then at the end of the game, Philly realized who was playing for the Raiders…so they took the Giants with them.

So…maybe, just maybe…they saw that the Raiders suck, and no one likes Philly…so they cam back to the GInts for Sunday after they beat the hell out of the posers playing at the Linc last Sunday.

Silly, I know. But if they beat the hell out of SD…I’m rolling with the kidnap theory.

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

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 6, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Minus CC Brown

sounds good.

"We're only going to score 17 points?!" - Tom Brady

by iLL on Nov 6, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, almost forgot

It seems AP isn’t the only culprit on D. I found this on Rotoworld…

Giants SS C.C. Brown is accepting blame for his for play of late, calling himself “the biggest culprit” for the defense’s recent troubles.

“I’m man enough to realize that, and I’m man enough to accept it,” Brown said. He added that the coaches are “a little bit disgusted at me, but that comes with the territory.” Brown, a “box” safety in Houston, is getting exposed in coverage this season. Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are both good bets for big plays this week.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger

Atleast he acknowledges it and coaches too. Not saying it’s going to help, but the problem has been identified!

by Hootman on Nov 6, 2009 8:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You mean

He knows he is bad so has no issue with being told he is bad.

by G Fan in England on Nov 6, 2009 8:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right

I don’t see anything there that says “I’m learning from my mistakes and I’m determined to and I’m GOING to get better in coverage.”

I’d like to hear that sound bit from him every day for a week.

by Jaybat on Nov 6, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly G Fan

I almost get a sense that CC could be chuckling while saying that. As in yeah, i’ve been playing bad and the coaches yelled at me. But, oh well, thats part of the business!

by Hootman on Nov 6, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I’m the biggest culprit

Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers

Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 6, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no,

I’M the biggest culprit

I’m thinking about going jersey-less on Sunday and switching beers.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 6, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If the coaches won't change

Perhaps we can? I’m as superstitious as the next person. Personally, i never wear Giants clothing when they’re playing. I have a few shirts and sweatshirts i could wear. Though i can’t switch beers due to my budget and thus maximizing the lesser quality. lol I’ll wear something Giants!

If we change and they lose, then we know it’s not us.

by Hootman on Nov 6, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I admit

I haven’t grilled the traditional game steak since Oakland. I guess it could be my fault….plus I don’t cover my zone deep enough. But it’s probably the steak thing.

by Jaybat on Nov 6, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm Spartaucs!

by StubsNY on Nov 6, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Finger pointing

Expect a lot of finger pointing if they lose this game. Going into a bye will mean 2 weeks of it and could be very problematic for TC to turn things around.

by JG131 on Nov 6, 2009 8:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

HOLD THE LINE!!!!!!

Play action, keep Hedgecock in to block, set up the bubble screens better, and quit being so damn vanilla on both sides of the ball. Try a reverse! Bring the freakin’ house one time! Blitz Sintim!! And shed a f’n block! I hope we’re getting the tune up we need this week to be the cohesive unit we’re used to seeing. I don’t need any more gray hairs or to lose any more years on my life. I feel like I need to be back in the crowd! Since being in Fl for 10 years, I make it to the first and last games every year and every once in a while a midseason game. I like to think it matters. C’MON 12th MAN!!!! I want to hear you for 4 quarters!!! Blow out my speakers this Sunday!!!

by Last year in Sec 127 on Nov 6, 2009 11:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh man

I don’t like seeing my quarterback down on his knees like that. It’s like looking at the whole team. C’mon, G. Rise up. We got your back!

by takeoutburger on Nov 6, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well...

Let’s hope they figured out how to keep the Chargers off the field..Because if they haven’t we’ll get killed. CC Brown is going to see alot of passes coming down his alley..You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that coming…If we grind it out on the ground we win..If we let Phillip and company on the field we lose..It is plain and simple..I have lost all confidence in our defense..they are horrible..and if Eli is allowed to throw up bricks we are going to lose..Our only chance is re-establishing the running game, and winding down the clock.

by Bobbiblue on Nov 6, 2009 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs