A little bit of good news for you, members of Big Blue View nation. The fine folks at Pro Football Focus have seen fit to extend a media membership to me for the remainder of the season. So, beginning today, we will have a full array of PFF data to discuss.
Week 3 PFF Data
A quick disclaimer: I love the PFF data, but use it as a 'guideline' and not as 'gospel.' I don't know the graders, don't know what kind of film they are watching and can't say how much subjectivity there is in their grading. But, the numbers do make for good discussion. With that said, here we go.
- We know the offensive line is an issue, and we pretty much know that issue (expect for Kareem McKenzie's brain cramp against Tennessee) is on the left side. PFF confirms with these numbers from Sunday. David Diehl was -1.1 (-2.5 pass blocking, giving up a sack, a pressure and three hits on Eli Manning). Rich Seubert was -0.4, surrendering three pressures. Right guard Chris Snee was +4.1 and McKenzie was +1.5 even after subtracting for his two dumb penalties. Adam Koets graded at -1.6, which surprised me.
- Defensively, Keith Bulluck (+4.8), Barry Cofield (+3.6) and Chris Canty (+1.8) graded well. All three premier Giants defensive ends took a hit, with Mathias Kiwanuka -1.7, Justin Tuck -0.6 and Osi Umenyiora -0.5. This is why PFF makes me shake my head sometimes, because I thought Tuck and Kiwanuka played well.
Overall PFF Data
- Since I like good news more than bad, the positive numbers first. Eli Manning grades out at +6.3 after three weeks, although I wish you could take a couple more points away for the bone-headed lefty throw, Snee is +5.3, McKenzie +3.9 and Ahmad Bradshaw +2.1.
Speaking of Eli, did you see the praise Phil Simms heaped on him Tuesday despite his six interceptions (five of which are tipped balls by his own receivers)?
"After three games he's throwing it better than I've ever seen him throw the football. It's coming out of there clean and it comes off of his hand, he's going, I'm throwing it where I want it to go. Now it's all about the decision and I think he's had enough success, he's been in the league long enough that none of that bothers him. You've just got to sit back there and you've got to keep throwing it," Simms said. - Here are a few guys who might want to cover their eyes. Diehl is -9.7 and has gotten Eli sacked, hit or pressured 16 times in three games, Travis Beckum is -7.0, mostly due to his run blocking, and Madison Hedgecock is an awful -6.3, which is a pretty low depth to sink to since he has only played 66 snaps.
Below are the overall stats for the Giants after three games.