Land of the Giants: Power Rankings, Defense, and the Cowboys
by cjmulrain on Sep 16, 2009 11:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintSince most media sites release their NFL Power Rankings every Tuesday, I'll be leading off my Wednesday "Land of the Giants" posts with a sampling of how the Giants are being perceived by the MSM for the rest of the season. ESPN, Fox Sports, and CBS Sports all have the Giants ranked third in the NFL behind the Steelers and the Patriots. I liked John Clayton's quote on the ESPN Power Ranking:
"The Giants might not have a No. 1 receiver, but they seem like a No. 1 team."
- Justin Tuck was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Matt Mosley hit it right on the head:
"Osi Umenyiora had the flashier play with the sack and 37-yard fumble return for a touchdown, but Tuck had the better overall game."
- Ralph Vacchiano gives praise to new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. I thought Sheridan did a pretty good job overall, but I don't think we should get too ahead of ourselves anointing him the next in the long line of great Giants D-coordinators. Remember, Spags was awful his first two games before turning things around, and Eric Mangini was called "Mangenious" after his first season. I'd like to see more than just one good defensive performance against a below-average offense before I will be really comfortable with Sheridan.
- On a side tangent - does anyone else think the NY media is going a little overboard with the Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez love? I actually like the Jets and root for them when they're not playing the Giants, but wasn't this the exact same stuff that was being said about Bill Parcells and Eric Mangini and Chad Pennington once upon a time? Why not wait until they play the Patriots before declaring Rex the second coming of Weeb Ewbanks and Sanchez the next Joe Namath?
- Antonio Pierce tells Steve Serby why the Giants defensive line is so good. Of Osi, Tuck, and Kiwanuka he said:
"You see the arrogance from Osi, thinking that he's the best defensive end in the National Football League. You see the savvyness and the business decisions in the way Tuck handles himself to the media, just like Strahan did. And every day I'm pretty sure they get a phone call from 92, too, so that is a help."
On Mathias Kiwanuka: "He's a guy who I just can't wait for him to have just a totally breakout game. If there's anybody on our defensive line or on our team, period, that's worked harder this off-season and this spring and this training camp, it's been him. By far. Don't get no recognition because of the people he's behind -- two Pro Bowlers. But give him a chance and let him go in there and just do his thing all the time. He's a Pro Bowl player. He's an elite player. I bet any team in this league would beg to have him. Beg to have him. But I don't want to let him go."
- Finally, the NJ Star-Ledger starts looking ahead to the Giants week 2 opponent, the Cowboys (and if you haven't had this one circled on your calendars since the schedules were released a few months ago, revoke your Giants fan license and go buy yourself a shiny green Mark Sanchez jersey).
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I agree with you Ed..
In that it’s too early to be getting all worked up in an excitement frenzy over Sheridan, but he did do a pretty damn good job on Sunday
Taking into consideration the Osi incident and the negativity that surrounded him before he even coached a game, the plan he drew up with a drastically depleted secondary, a banged up line, Boley sitting out , and him out of his comfort level being on the sidelines instead of in the box (I believe he did that for AP), was pretty impressive. The defense only gave up one late touchdown on Sunday against a team with some legitimate offensive weapons (certainly more than Tampa Bay) so it’s definitely worth commending him on a job well done.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
Umm ...
Good points, but you guys need to check the byline again.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 16, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha my bad...
I AGREE WITH YOU CJ…
Ed can go eat shit.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
And in case there are any second thoughts...
I’m just bustin’ your Valentines Ed.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
VS Dallas
If the falling glass shards wouldn’t endanger hundreds of lives I’d totally love for Feagles to punt a hole in the Jerry-tron—although I hope the G-Men won’t have much of a need for Feagles this time around. There’s no Albert Haynesworth on this defense, so I’m hoping to see Jacobs run fine up the middle to keep drives alive. If Tampa’s run is getting a hundred and fifty yards I can’t see any reason why we can’t get two hundred and fifty or more.
This game is really pumping me up. One of the co-hosts on my podcast is a big Dallas fan, so we’ve been exchanging insults as of recent. I think there’s still time for us to get a bet off for this actually… Hope AP succeeds in getting Canty fired up. I want to see him rip through that line and drive Romo to the ground just once…
i agree we should be able to get a ton of rushing yards
but id say the bucs strength of their entire team is their running game. theyve got a great o line with guys like davin joseph and jeff faine (who just got injured) and three capable running backs -cadillac, graham, and our old back ward. in order to beat the cowboys all we have to do is contain romo and his receivers, eliminate turnovers, and score in the red zone.
by GiantsReignSupreme on Sep 16, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Its not that easy
order to beat the cowboys all we have to do is contain romo and his receivers
You are talking about a qb with the second highest passer rating and third highest YPA in league history. And an offense who averaged 8.9 yards per play. Which by the way was the highest in the league last week.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Sep 17, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
You can prove anything with stats, 13% of all people know that
second highest passer rating
Romo has that rating with TO, not Roy “Duck Tales” Williams.
It would save the Giants Defence a lot of time if QBs just stayed down!
by ChuckyofNorris on Sep 17, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, Romo has now played one game without TO
and set a personal record for passing yards. Not a bad start.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Sep 17, 2009 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not going to knock Romo
but when looking at personal records and 8.9 yards per play, please take in account who they played. If Romo had done that against a Tampa D that had Brooks and Sapp of say 7 or 8 years ago, then it would carry much more clout. Romo and the Boys did what they had to do against a very weak Tampa D. If he posts those kind of numbers against the Gmen or Steelers or Eagles, then I can give him more credit. Last week was more or less another scrimmage for the Boys.
He set a personal record
but still didn’t pass for the most yards in the week. Great record.
It would save the Giants Defence a lot of time if QBs just stayed down!
by ChuckyofNorris on Sep 18, 2009 4:33 AM EDT up reply actions
That may be true
however we only ran 52 offensive plays last week. Again see the 8.9 yards per play. Yes it was against the Bucs, but he did have the highest passer rating of the week, and the highest YPA, which is a much better statistic to analyse quarterbacks than total yardage.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Sep 18, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
well being a cowboys fan we all know that it's 14% of people that know that..
I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....
by hashishkabob on Sep 18, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Woohoo
it must be september. When the Cowgirls are at their most dangerous.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 17, 2009 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I hate all the props we are getting.
Especailly coming from ESPN. I like being underdogs with a lot to prove.
I hear that.
Can’t have your cake and eat it too though.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
don't worry
cnnsi.com rankings are out and don banks lists the giants 6th, behind the ravens and saints. in what world that’s justifiable, i have no idea.
nfl.com has them 5th
…with the eagles at 4. i strongly disagree with that.
by GiantsReignSupreme on Sep 16, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
based just on the Sunday games
I’d say the Eagles have a legitimate case to be ahead of the Giants. But factoring in the McNabb injury, and no way
Delhomme
I dunno how much credit the Eagles deserve for that performance. Delhomme was nothing short of atrocious and I didn’t see any phenomenal D contributing to those picks as much as just horrible, horrible throws and a porous O-line. Plus, we technically own the tie-breaker over the other two as we have the division win. That should count for something.
+1
Tight divisional wins always count for more than the destruction of a team from any outside division IMHO.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
true
I don’t think they should be ahead of the Giants, just that they have a legit case. Yea, Delhomme was awful, but you have to at least give some credit to the Eagles for absolutely dismantling a team that almost had home field advantage in the playoffs last year.
Carolina folded. The Skins fought tooth and nail.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 17, 2009 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions
speaking of underdogs Vick might know a thing or 60 about that...
I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....
by hashishkabob on Sep 18, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Ball control
Giants absolutely need to run the ball on the Cowboys this week and keep Romo and co off the field. Romo is always a bad matchup for the Giants D, especially if there is no Boley to cover Whitten. If week 1 is any indication of the Cowboys run D, then I like our chances.
BTW, interesting quote from AP. I guess we aren’t the only ones that see Osi as arrogant … LOL.
In my mind ball control is also converting 3rd downs in the passing game
Eli has to keep drives going because the Cowboys are going to run blitz and load the box all game. They damn near blitzed the Bucs the whole 1st half. It wasn’t very successful but you have to figure they will get better at it this week. If the passing game converts 3rd downs the frustration level rises for the Cowboys and lanes open up.
One word.
Steve Smith.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously though...
He lit up the Redskins on third downs.
It’s really makes me feel good that Eli and SS are clicking early, and that Manningham is getting involved this early. I’d like to see more of Boss and less of Hixon, but the passing game was easily our strongest weapon on Sunday, specifically on third downs.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Hixon
I realize he’s filling a need for us, but damn this guy is Peter Principle in action. Dynamic kick returner, promoted to sub-average receiver. Bears did the same thing with Devin Hester…
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 16, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel good about Eli and the connection he has with Smith
and Manningham. Hixon is a deep threat and Eli does need to get on the same page with Hixon. I think Steve Smith is like an Ed McCaffrey type WR Very underrated yet tough, faster than you think he is and very clutch.
The great thing about SS
Is he’s still very very young only in his third year. With the name he has already made for himself on third downs, and his excellent abilities to find open space when lined up in the slot…I could see him become a Wes Welker type of sorts.
"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 Sep 16, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Disagree.
I love running the ball down team’s throats…but I’m tired of the idea that Eli throwing and doing his thing is not considered ball control.
The QB I watched on Sunday was one that I want the ball in his hands, maybe not all the time, but definitely more. The guy was so damn poised in there you might as well put a recliner back there and hand him the newspaper.
They will run the ball, you can be assured of that tho (and I think we all know that). But running 70/30 to me is not necessary, Eli I think may just be set out to prove he really is worth that contract this year.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 16, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Boys,
get your popcorn newspapers ready!
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 17, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed about jets
but this happens every three years with them when they"rebuild" with a new coach and QB. The real shame of it all is Giant fans outnumber Jet fans by about 10 to one yet most of the NY media/radio personalities seem to be jet fans so if you try and listen to wfan, which happens to be the flagship station for the GIANTS not the jets, all you get is dirty sanchez this and rex ryan that and the same annyoing jet callers. Every time I tune in Ira from staten Island is going on and on about the freaking jets. I have to listen to sirus and national coverage to get giant info. In terms of popularity of all 9 NYC area sports teams the jets are a distant 6th behind the big 3, Yankees, Giants, and Knicks. They are even behind the Mets and Rangers and they are closer to the Islanders, Devils, Nets yet for some strange reason we are constantley hit with wall to wall jets talk one football season start. If they win a few it’s super bowl time if they stink, which is usually the case, it’s fire the coach and draft a QB. Then comes draft day which is like christmas for jet fans.
by Landeta on Sep 16, 2009 12:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Great grabs CJ
I heard somebody on Sirius NFL in the last few days say “You really can’t tell anything about the teams from Week 1,” and frankly, I agree. I noticed in my Fanpost that most people put the emphasis on running game and D-Line, and I agree. I hope that this game is the coming out party for the D-Line, more so than Week 1. Let’s win this game with some power football!
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 16, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions
Cowboys/ Mark Sanchez
In the Manning era, Tony Romo is 4-0 in the regular season against the G-men….that needs to change. Hopefully the G-men can have a repeat of the 2007 playoff game.
I agree it’s a little early to enshrine Mark Sanchez in the HOF but I don’t begrudge Jets fan their optimism. I for one would love to see the AFC East become something other than a doormat for the Patriots.
i second that...
I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....
by hashishkabob on Sep 18, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
The NY Media is pretty sickening this yr ..
Might be the only market in the US where a near last place team gets more coverage than the most famous franchise in the world Mets/Yankees and where a 3 time 2yr removed SB team gets snubbed for every flash in the pan that IRA from STaten Island (calls WFAN ) thinks is the next Joe Namath.. I dare you to listen to talk radio ESPN/WFAN in NY and watch SNY and Yes ..its pretty pathetic.. The only thing you can compare this to would be in LA if the local media types talked about the Clippers more than the Lakers and in English Football .. if the media talked about Man City vs Manchester United .. truly pathetic..
AMEN Muskrat!
On all points. It is like the clippers vs lakers LOL. I give the Mets a little more slack, because they do have a big fan base unlike the jets, but you’re point is taken. FAN is a joke. No matter what the jets do they always lead off with them and other than media types I don’t now any other jet fans in this area.
by Landeta on Sep 16, 2009 1:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Safeties
Just saw on twitter that both starting safeties, KP & Johnson, are out of practise today … yikes. This better be temporary.
by potroast on Sep 16, 2009 1:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Cowboys fan here...
Wanted to drop by and express my appreciation for the manner in which a few of you guys have been conducting yourselves over at BTB. Alot of folk drop by to insult people… Not getting that from Big Blue…
Here’s to a injury free game!
McGruber!
thank you, thank you very much
I’ve been polishing my halo.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 16, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
A classy Dallas fan...
I think a pig just flew by my desk!
"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 Sep 16, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The same for your side
no trolls yet and definitely no injuries.
Your mama
…so fat the government decided she was too big to fail.
Don’t be over here trying to lull us to sleep with your reasonable, mature, sportsmanlike attitude, pal. We got yer appreciation right here.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
Now, now
Always somebody trying to ruin the party. Ha!
by Ed Valentine on Sep 16, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
A Cowboy Fan...
…goes to the Crazy Eddie sale and finds a bargain. “I would like to buy this TV,” he tells the salesman.
“Sorry, we don’t sell to Cowboy fans,” he replied.
So the guy goes out in the parking lot, takes off his Danny White jersey and matching shoes, puts on some normal clothes, comes back in and says “I would like to buy this TV.”
“Sorry, we don’t sell to Cowboy fans,” says the salesman.
“Dang, he recognized me,” he thought.
So our hero goes for a complete disguise this time; haircut and new color, new outfit, big sunglasses, then waits a few days before he again approaches the salesman. “I would like to buy this TV.”
“Sorry, we don’t sell to Cowboy fans.” he says.
Frustrated, he exclaimed, “How do you know I’m a Cowboy fan?”
“Because that’s a microwave,” he replied.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
I love 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 Sep 16, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
your mamas so fat her blood type is ragu...
and that other stuff you said as well
I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....
by hashishkabob on Sep 18, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Mojo
Thanks! We try to maintain some decorum. I’m glad to hear the folks are representing well over at BTB.
by Ed Valentine on Sep 16, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
just lock up my guns and machete if the Giants lose
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 16, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Mojo you do realize we are waiting for the first "Sheli Sucks" troll
and all hell will break loose!!!
What was I thinking?
Eli = DIlfer!
grin
Seriously- noboby hits the trenches like you guys. I am hoping Romo will have a great game.
(He seems to hit em out of the park when you guys come to town)
McGruber!
WTF
canty back on the injury report and m. johnson and k. philips both not practicing today.
johnson shoudl be ok right?
but i don’t like the fact that philips is still dealing w/ this knee injury for not well over a month.
arg.
Considering
that the Jets just got hit up for $125,000 for not declaring Fav-rah’s torn bicep on the injury reports last year, I think just about every team will be pulling a Belichick and jotting down every guy who strains in the john.
Whoops
U think I’d double-check before posting but the Jets got fined $75,000, GM Mike Tannenbaum and Mangenius got $25,000 a piece.
Off The Ledge
The injuries all appear to be precautionary. This has become the problem with the 24/7 internet media machine. Every minor detail gets over-analyzed. If some of you recall, 2 years ago we had some tall WR who didn’t practice for a whole season and turned in a dominant season on 1 leg. Cue Allen Iverson… Practice?
Cowboys
Who in the world call the Cowboys the America’s team?
if they are, then please tell me what are all the other teams?
Mindless !!
I think it was Jerry Jones....
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 17, 2009 6:32 AM EDT up reply actions
From Wikipedia
Bob Ryan, the Vice President and editor-in-chief of NFL Films, coined this for the Cowboys in 1979. After preparing and editing the team’s 1978 season highlight film he had to come up with a title for the film. He was quoted as saying:
“I wanted to come up with a different twist on their team highlight film. I noticed then, and had noticed earlier, that wherever the Cowboys played, you saw people in the stands with Cowboys jerseys and hats and pennants. Plus, they were always the national game on television.”
During the Cowboys’ first game of the 1979 season, a nationally televised game against the St. Louis Cardinals (which Dallas won 22-21), the television announcer for CBS introduced the Cowboys as America’s Team and the name stuck.
Dallas’s Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry originally did not approve of the appellation of America’s Team. He felt that it would give opposing teams extra incentive to play harder. Eventually he gave in and actually came to like the name.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Sep 17, 2009 7:25 AM EDT up reply actions
The Cowgirls / America's Team
I actually own this book:
and it was actually given to me by the only Cowboys fan in the world I like. Actually Michelle Stone from the bank is wonderful and she’s a Cowboys fan and I sorta love her… anyway getting off point here…
must… destroy … Cowpies
I believe the reason terrorists attack America is not “They hate our Freedom” but because they hate the Cowboys and believe they are “America’s team”
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 17, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
This would be an awesome time to
completely let that go
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Sep 18, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
The Cowboys dont bother me
What bothers me is people from the tri state area with no ties to Dallas other than they grew up in a time when the GMen and Jets stunk and decided to root for the Cowboys.. Truly pathetic when you hear Vinny from Brooklyn or John from Long Island talking about the Boys … on the same note ..where I work a guy in his late 30’s comes up to me a couple yrs ago after a Giants /Dallas game and says HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS… I politely asked him are you from Texas?? Do you know anyone on the Cowboys ?? Are you related to anyone from the Cowboys?? Have you ever been to Texas?? After a NO to all of the above I asked him why he rooted for the Boys .. He replied because of the Cheerleaders.. Go GMEN and Jerry Jones face after that playoff loss is priceless .. I watch it over and over again..
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