Giant 'WRecap', week 2 victory
by M. on Sep 21, 2009 3:12 PM EDT
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On Saturday I polled the BBV community about which NY Giants WR would have the biggest day versus the Dallas Cowboys in their stadium opener. There were 110 responses and no clear consensus:
Which NY Giants receiver (or TE) will have the biggest game Sunday night in Dallas?
26% Steve Smith 29 votes
21% Mario Manningham 24 votes
21% Kevin Boss 24 votes17% Ramses Barden 19 votes
10% Domenik Hixon 12 votes1% Sinorice Moss 2 votes
0% Derek Hagan 0 votes
We know how the game went. Super Mario Manningham and Steve Smith each had 10 catches and a TD, while Kevin Boss was mostly relegated to pass protection. Career days for both receivers. More after the jump...
NYG Rec Yds Avg. Long TD M. Manningham 10 150 15.0 49 1 S. Smith 10 134 13.4 32 1 K. Boss 1 13 13.0 13 0 D. Hixon 1 13 13.0 13 0 D. Hagan 1 12 12.0 12 0 A. Bradshaw 2 8 4.0 6 0
What is most surprising to me is how Steve and Mario became pretty much "the only receiving options" for Eli Manning out of our huge corps of WR's, TE's and RB's. Dallas was geared to stop the run at the expense of WR pass defense. As a result Eli, Steve and Mario put up big numbers.
Has Domenik Hixon lost his starting job? Has Derek Hagan jumped ahead of Sinorice Moss?
Mike Garafolo has some insight:
Mario Manningham, who made a terrific juggling catch for a 22-yard touchdown late in the second quarter and added a 49-yard bomb in the third quarter, replaced Hixon in the starting offense. Sinorice Moss came in for the first three-receiver set, as he lined up as part of a bunch formation. But the next time the Giants lined up in three wides, Derek Hagan joined Manningham and Steve Smith. Hagan remained the third receiver the rest of the night. With Hixon out, Ahmad Bradshaw returned punts.
The Starters
Last night's performance alone should make Manningham and Smith the starting WR's for the foreseeable future. Add in Hixon's injury (which is hopefully very minor), and the case is made. Then it gets tricky...
Who's number 3?
I think Domenik Hixon will probably be healthy enough to play, but has probably lost his starting job. Is Hixon now the #3 receiver? Or is it Sinorice Moss or Derek Hagan? Was Moss pulled in favor of Hagan because of injury? Did Moss screw up? Hagan played most snaps at the end of the game, though he had only one catch and Moss had none. Number 3 WR is not that big of a deal when you get production from your TE's and/or RB's, but we saw little of that in week 2.
Everyone else
So I made a big deal about Ramses Barden getting the first activation of his career. (19 votes in the poll - 17% - picked Barden to have the biggest game last night. Crazy!!) Coughlin said Barden would play and he did. Sadly, we only saw him on special teams. It would have been nice to see him in the Dread Zone, since we are now 'zero for eight' in 2 games. Maybe he will get a chance soon?
It seems like the RB's and TE's were mostly used in pass protection or not open. There were a few failed screens to FB Madison Hedgecock that just looked awful. Ahmad Bradshaw had 2 catches for 8 yards and Brandon Jacobs was not thrown to. Kevin Boss had one catch, and Travis Beckum is still looking for the first catch of his career.
Next up...
Giants next matchup is Sunday at 1pm in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-2 with one of the worst-ranked pass defenses in the NFL. I'll post a WR preview for week 3 versus the Buc's later this week.
I hope everyone was as lucky with their picks this week as the Giants. Don't make your picks like Jerry Jones!
FanPosts are written by community members. This is simply a way for community members to express opinions too long to be contained in a comment.
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Hixon's job still... for now
However, if he is not showing anything soon, he may get relegated back to 4th receiver and go back to returning punts and kicks (which a lot of people want him doing full time anyway).
Great win in Big D!
We definitely had a few lucky bounces… The interception off the foot, the tipped ball to Super Mario, the great pick 6 by Bruuuuce Johnson! It’s only fair since Flozell Adams is such a dirty player. I hope Tuck is OK and the league takes notice!
Hopefully Hixon and Moss are ok, and Nicks is healing quick.
I really think
that when healthy, Nicks will be #3. When Moss couldn’t handle the fumble by Jones, my wife asked me “Isn’t he a wide receiver. Shouldn’t he be able to catch that?”
au contraire
when healthy, hicks will be #1
by NYer in a strange land on Sep 21, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes.
Hicks, aka Hixon, will probably be the #1 when he’s healthy. Primarily cuz he’s semi-experienced at doing it, at least more than HAM.
But the more HAM does what he’s been doing, there is gonna be no way he’s not the primary guy.
As for NICKS, he’ll be back in the same roll he was in game one. Situational weapon, just getting him on the field.
I just highly doubt that the way Eli trusts Steve Smith, and is starting to trust HAM, that any of these other guys is gonna be a """#1""".
Then again, who the mother F@#K!!! cares about a #1 WR anymore? All it does is handcuff you to one WR.
I say use em all. Keep em fresh.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 21, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
IDK guys...
The offense definitely stalled the first couple of drives with Hixon out there as the #1, Manningham really took over once he got on the field. Breaking tackles, catching the deep ball, getting himself in position to make all those plays…he looked like he had something to prove, and he proved it. I want him out there every time the offense is on the field…defenses can’t ignore that type of play making ability.
"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."
by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 21, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree with tito
whenever hixon is on the field the offense looks weak and shabby but when its HAM and THE steve smith it looks like a top 5 offense so lets hope coughlin sees this and puts HAM in the 1 and smith in the 2 and throw barden and hixon around in the 3 and 4 or who ever untill nicks comes back and then nicks in the 3
by shenkthetank592 on Sep 21, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
true...
but it was one drive tito, then Hixon was hurt. He actually got hurt on that first drive when Eli threw to him on an in pattern to get inside the 3, one of the Pie CB’s jumped over him and he seemed to plant his leg and twist.
Now I don’t know if Hixon would have done what HAM did, but I really still don’t have a doubt he’s capable of it.
I do think its a problem with Hixon and these injuries. Im glad we got HAM now and it really doesn’t matter all that much if Hixon can’t go, but it would be nice to have both of them available.
But as for right now, HAM is on the field and has shown more than Hixon. So he’s got to be on the field more than Hixon. But lets not phase out Hixon.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 21, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree.
Absolutely in no way am I advocating we phase out Hixon, or remove him from the offense, I just feel at this point Manningham has proved who of the two is better. And the better man should have more opportunities. Right now the difference between Ham and Hixon is one deep ball, Ham caught his Sunday night in Dallas…Hixon dropped his last year against Philly.
"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 22, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
For the time being it's Hixon...
but don’t get used to that…Nicks is on the come up and barden has tons of potential.
Hagan has officially taken Moss’s spot IMO. Even Eli gave Hagan big praise on that catch.
plus he’s bigger and has great leaping ability. Time to end this fiasco with Moss, cut him and let him go someone else…if anyone wants him.
than we can put Hixon back on punts and kicks…i like Bradshaw but wanna keep him healthy….
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
a silly question. . .
how long until our steve smith becomesTHEsteve smith and the panthers’ guy (8, 131) becomes the OTHER steve smith?
by NYer in a strange land on Sep 21, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions
Check Panther's dude's career stats.
Unless Our Smith keeps this pace up from these past 2 games…
Still, he just is not that sort of player. But the Panthers one took a little while to become that dude, he was a punt returner to start off.
SO maybe, but unlikely.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 21, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Hagan of course is ahead of Moss, he played actual WR last night.
But I like actually allowing Moss on the field on KO returns, nice to see him doing something.
Hixon didn’t lose anything, he was just hurt for the game.
There is no such animal as the #1 WR on this team, and I love it. Smith is the go to guy, but so is HAM. Hixon can be that too, but he needs to stop with this injury crap (end of last season the injured hamstring made him not practice and it hurt his timing)
What the f$%k is the internet?
Scary thought
Hammy turns out to be a legit star and makes these types of games the normal. Steve Smith plays the slot like no one else in the NFL and we get a healthy Nicks/Barden option in the near future. The Giants may have an extremely solid WR corps in a fast amount of time.
Giants will be undefeated if they pull that off.....
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 21, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
We all speculated here
the Giants might have an interesting dilemma to deal with regarding the WR depth chart, and here we are already at week 2 and wondering who should play and when. I think Hixon for now will get more playing time, but the hook is always waiting for him. I’m rooting for Nicks to get more time though.
if manningham and smith keep this up, who needs nicks?
by schmosterballs92 on Sep 21, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Nicks is going to be a good outside WR
Just needs to get healthy long enough to practice and get some reps. We need Nicks, as a trio of him, Smith, and the Ham is looking pretty solid at this point in time. Add onto that Hixon and Barden to bring different dimensions, and me likely lots.
I coined the phrase yesterday..
Let’s call Smith and Ham are 1.5 WR’s – they are not No1 ‘s yet, but are better than No 2’s.
Now if Nicks can become a No 1ish we will be set for a good few years.
Remember the Cowboys of the early nineties with Irvin, Harper out wide and K Mart in the slot.
Nicks, Ham and Smith will become our version – Nicks the go to guy, Ham for the speed and moves and Smith running the middle of the field.
by G Fan in England on Sep 22, 2009 5:09 AM EDT reply actions
except...
Steve and Mario are practically leading the league in receiving.
Receiving Yds
1. D. Clark IND 222
2. S. Holmes PIT 214
3. S. Smith NYG 214
4. M. Manningham NYG 208
5. R. Wayne IND 199
I can’t see how they are not #1 WR’s. I guess they have to prove it on a bigger stage? Or keep it rolling for a few more weeks?
this
Or keep it rolling for a few more weeks?
is it. Of course that’s the problem. Like if they come up with the dropsies next week, this was an aberration.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 22, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
more likely scenario
Jacobs and Bradshaw have breakout weeks. we get an early lead and just run the ball down their throats.
TB’s defense is not as strong as Dallas and I don’t see our running game getting skunked again… Might see more catches by the RB’s and TE’s this week too.
I think that heavy passing attack is going to be kind of rare for the Giants, so I don’t expect either of them to stay in the top 5. Gmen are not the Saints.
by M. on Sep 22, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea..
more than likely you’ll see a few weeks to make up for the “lack” of a run game(its been decent…)
As the season goes on tho, you usually see the Giants pass less and less.
We’ll see tho. I just think they gotta go with what works. Pass is working, stick with it. Run is working, stick with it.
That’s the advantage of having such a talented and balanced team. Team’s can’t stop everything an offense does when its as good as the personnel the Giants have.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 22, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
For sure
If the Gmen can both run and pass, they will choose mostly run. Especially with a good lead.
I’m not expecting the ‘track meet’ type of game we saw in Dallas. I think our defense will seriously shut down TB. That will affect the offensive play-calling a bit.
by M. on Sep 23, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
let's remember that it's September.
I’ll be interested in seeing what these guys can do in December and January against top notch corners and safeties, in hostile and sub zero temperatures…. b/c let’s honest, the cowboys can talk about Newman all they want…it won’t magically turn him into a shut down corner.
what burress did in GB was un real…one of the best performances i’ve seen by a WR in those conditions.
While I’m very pleased with the WR’s production there is more work to be done.
"If you don't know what you're doing... just rush the quarterback" - LT
Well...
Newman might not be a HOFer like many Pie fans would like you to believe, and Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot aren’t either….
but they are good corners. Both secondaries to me are way above average. Fans of both teams loved all summer to boast about how good their secondary is.
I really don’t want to hear now that after Eli, HAM and Smith(Swiss?) shredded both of them alrady, that all of a sudden they suck.
No, they are good. But the passing O is that good.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 22, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
**too....
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 22, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
HAHAHAHA
Eli, Ham, and Swiss!!
First name you’ve had me sold on.
"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 22, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
+100
now we need some mustard
by NYer in a strange land on Sep 22, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
We've got some
He’s on the bench with a bad food. Figured I’d just go ahead and give Nicks the nickname Mustard. A little Ham and Swiss with a little Mustard to spice things up.
Andiamo...
Exactly, let’s keep this success in perspective. Somewhere down the line, teams may catch up with them and figure them out?! Or perhaps, this is a sign of talent-rich dormancy and is now being used to our advantage! If teams can’t figure it out later, all the better.
On the other hand, we have gone against two D’s that are regarded as above average. So it is a good sign to this point! Getting Nicks and Hixon to 100% health can only maximize this unit as a whole, very explosive and hard to gameplan. They aren’t big, but does anyone remember the days when KG was in Houston? The run-n-shoot! Those guy’s weren’t big WR’s either. I’m not saying we should pass more, but opening up the playbook/formations wouldn’t surprise me.
This game is all about mismatches. Hixon or Nicks against nickel and dime backs? I see production! This could happen. Now we just have to implement Barden, Beckum and Boss (no, it’s not a law firm lol) into the equation somehow/way!
My take on the receivers
Following a traditional view like the ‘07 Pats had (1)Moss (slot) Welker and (3) Stallworth and much as the Giants had (1) Burress (slot) Smith and (3) Toomer (yes, I know he was 2 but that’s just b/c he is the GOAT)
SHould Nicks blossom into a spectacular receiver, the Giants will have (1) Nicks, (slot) Smith (3) Manningham
and that would be three special players. I’ve said it before, Peter Principle, Dom Hixon needs to go back to being a special kick returner, and Moss/Hagan are good backups (4).
In all fairness, it’s quite possible only 1 of Nicks/Manningham will truly pan out. if that’s so, I’d add Barden to that ideal future mix before Hixon, Moss, or Hagan.
In fact, if his skills arrive, Barden could someday be our (1).
You play to win the game!
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