'Over & Under': Steve Smith Edition

My thinking, is he accomplished 100+ pretty quietly last year. At least for me, by the time the season was ending, I checked and I was pleasantly surprised he was up at the 100 catches mark. But then again, I don’t really pay attention to Fantasy Football.

Plus, he mentioned he wants to break out this year and do even better than last year.
So, with the Giants passing game coming to elite levels and I (like most) also want the running game to come along like the Giants of old…I think this offense is going to be quite balanced. So another quiet 100 catches for Smitty this year. If they don’t run for 1st down on 3rd and short it’ll be on Smitty. And that’s not including the 3rd and longs – that’ll go mostly to Manning’s comfortable receiver.

I say over 100 catches, probably in the same range as last year. I think his TDs will increase, along with his YPC. I think the running game will only help his totals increase, because a good run game will open up the pass. Now, if someone could please teach Gilbride the intricacies of playaction passing, we would be set.

Nobodys production has to go down for the running game to produce more, with a better running game, it will become easier to complete passes so just because they have less attempts, they might have close to as many completions. Also, a more balanced attack means less stalled drives, leading to more offense, as does an improved defense, which I believe we have. But if somebody had to go down in production, i would guess it to be manningham

and it will be fore the best of the team too. Nicks, HAM, Barden, Beckum…hopefully a RB like Bradshaw or Brown…I say Smith goes around 80, but that’s not a bad thing cuz those 27+ catches or so go to someone else.

Spread the damn ball around.

he is to Eli what Wes Welker is to Brady. Whenever we need 8-10 yards Smith will be there waiting. He essentially turns into a substitute for a running game if we get jammed up.

Plenty of work to go around for Nicks and Manningham on top of this.

that we aren’t going to see more passing by the Giants overall? I mean, if our passing attack really starts clicking, maybe that is a direction the offense may turn. Using the pass to open up the run. We have a good group of WRs, an awesome QB, it is not a stretch to say that the passing #s could greatly increase this year. I am an old school, midwestern type of footbally guy, which means I love the other way, using the run to pound it out in order to pass a few times a game. BUT, it is possible that Eli may start throwing a lot more than the past. Just a thought…

I dont think having a better balance with the run game and other WR’s will affect smith because the other WR’s couldve had better #‘s than they did last year if it wasnt for drops and bad route running…….. also lets stop pretending that the Giants pass offense was some well oiled unstoppable machine, that would be ficticious, the offense was just as damn bad looking as the defense in those last few games so IMO steve smith still left some on the table………. also a better run game just makes his #’s increase, I say 100 plus catches is just his every year thing no matter who else excels………………………….. OH YEAH dont be fooled, the cat has been let out of the bag, the Giants will pass even more this year, they just dont want the league to know and prepare for it, dnt get me wrong they will get back to running but we will be a heavy pass team as well.

hes Eli’s go to guy and therefore opposing defenses will key on him and make Eli go to his second and third reads.

I see Smith catching an even 100…sure we can spread the ball,but ur #1 gets more looks…and it helps that he seems to always be open!

As much as I would like to see the running game flourish, I can’t say that I am confident that it willl. Considering that Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, and Andre Brown have had recent surgery, it is hard to know if they will be thier former selves. Steve Smith has proven himself to be the key to many locks in terms of getting the Giants out of trying situations. In a away, he reminds me of Toomer. IMO, the passing game will be more critical to the Giants success then we think and SS will definitely be one of the primary go to guys.

First, I believe the Giants running game and o-line will set out to dominate once agin.

Second, the continued maturity of Nicks and Manningham should reduce the number of catches by SS.

mainly because Nicks, MM, and Barden are coming into their own.

then under. Plus, I don’t like having one player be so far ahead of the second place guy, it can lead to a focus on that player to the detriment of others (i.e. the Cards game, where Eli forced a pass to Smith when Boss had his man beat down the field).

Running team.

Hopefully the running game and the defense show up this year, if we are not playing from behind in the second half of games then ther will be no reason to pass as much. Plus there are so many weapons for Eli to use Steve Smith’s numbers will go down but the overall offensive production will be the same.

Only because I believe Nicks and Manningham will get more looks. I do see him going for 80+ rec., 1000 yds, 7 TD.

Sorry, Steve.

Finishes with 98 catches.

Having a balanced offence isn’t gonna take away his touches we still are going to throw the ball just as often. Having a defense make stops on 3rd down is going to offer him more opportunities, and having other quality WR’s will keep him from being double teamed and get him open a bit easier too. I expect over 107 to be honest if he can avoid injury (knock on wood)

All of Eds reasons plus I think that the running game will be more of a factor this year and the offence wont need to throw the ball as often

For all the reasons that have been stated.

too many other options