Sunday, January 3, 2010

Game 16 Summary

As I said in a previous post, if you were smart you were doing something else besides watching the Giants' second straight catastrophe, a 44-7 trouncing by the playoff-bound Vikings that was really 44-0 until nearly halfway through the fourth quarter.

At least we can say they didn't quit at 3-0, as they did last week against Carolina. This time, they waited all the way to 17-0 before saying "the heck with it, let's go fishing." Brett Favre threw four touchdown passes and did just about what he pleased against a defense that had no interest in stopping anybody.

Call these last two games the end of Giants pride or whatever, but one has to wonder how deep the offseason surgery will go now. We do know one thing, however. Justin Tuck, who played all season with a torn labrum courtesy of a trip by Flozell Adams in Week 2, will have that left shoulder operated on in the next couple of weeks. He'll be in a sling for about a month, and then he'll do two to three months of rehab and should be near full speed for the start of training camp.

And now, another sad recap. For those brave enough, here's the complete boxscore.

BIG PLAYS:

Percy Harvin's 22-yard run to the Giants' 9 set up tight end Visanthe Shiancoe's nine-yard, walk-in touchdown catch that ended an opening possession on which the Vikings moved 60 yards almost effortlessly.

With the score 24-0 in the second quarter, Eli Manning's throw to Kevin Boss was tipped in the air by Boss and intercepted by linebacker Chad Greenway at the Giants' 40. Fullback Naufahu Tahi converted a fourth-and-1 for a first down at the 29, and that led to Sidney Rice's acrobatic catch over the back of Terrell Thomas for a 12-yard touchdown toss and a 31-0 halftime lead.

THE VETS:

Eli Manning's 141 yards passing put him just over the 4,000 mark for the first time in his career.

Steve Smith became the first Giant to record 100 catches in a season on his third grab, a six-yarder, in the first quarter.

Aaron Rouse was utterly lost at safety on Visanthe Shiancoe's second-quarter touchdown pass, and was beaten again along with D.J. Johnson on Sidney Rice's four-yard touchdown catch that made it 24-0.

Terrell Thomas was in great position to intercept Brett Favre's 12-yard end zone pass to Rice, but he failed to make a play as Rice went over the corner's back for the touchdown that made it 31-0 at half.

THE KIDS:

Nothing to speak of here except for Will Beatty, who didn't look horrible and actually threw a great block after coming across the field as Manning found Travis Beckum for a first-down pass in the second quarter.

THE UGLY STUFF:

They may not have quit quite as early as last week, but they still quit. Have to wonder what Tom Coughlin is thinking now after failing to keep his player's minds two weeks in a row. Also have to wonder what ownership and general manager Jerry Reese think of it.

The defense allowed 40 points for the second straight week and fifth time this season, and finished with the second-worst points total -- 427 -- in franchise history. It's the first time they've given up 40 points in consecutive games since 1971, and the first time they've had five games of 40 points since 1966.

THE BUMPS:

Tuck (labrum), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankles and foot), FB Madison Hedgecock (labrum), and RB Brandon Jacobs (meniscus) will all have surgery within the next week.

Hakeem Nicks left the locker room with a wrap around his right wrist and will be undergoing a cleanup procedure soon.

Kevin Dockery suffered a burner in the first half, and Bruce Johnson was tested for a concussion in the first half.

EP

8 comments:

  1. Thanks Ernie,

    That's a hard job. After another debacle I think we all need to turn our attention to the following - who is available in FA or via the draft for the following positions - SS,FS, MLB / LB, DT,DE,OT,RB, Kickers.

    Let's rebuild this defense for Dick Jauron!

    Chris B.

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  2. I was out when the giants were playing (DVR'ing it) but left when the score was 0-0. One hour later to check the score and saw it was 44-0 and I thought the season is mercifully over. The defense just collapsed and with our running back situation in disarray and all beat-up I didn't think our offense would win this one.

    The new season can't start soon enough. I can't stand the Cowboys and seeing them beat the Eagles, who really stunk up the joint, and win the division...well let's just say that really irked me. Can't wait to see them get beat in the playoffs.

    I do have to agree with you Ernie, they seem to have checked out at the 17-0 point but this team was in disarray anyway, especially the defensive side of the ball, heading into this game. I don't think TC could have done anything about that. But that does lead me to wonder what his future will be with this team. If TC has lost the team then I can't see him coming back.

    As for Sheridan, if anyone doubted whether he'd be let go or demoted next year, well this game pretty much makes his future standing with the team obvious. There's just no way he can be here next year...if he is it's with a demotion. But otherwise I just can't see it.

    I was really hoping for something great, especially after winning the division last year. Yeah we lost in the first round but I was hoping that loosing that Eagles game would really spur on this team this year.

    Now it's a really long 9 months till kick-off for the G-Men.

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  3. I see this as the end of the Giants' Super Bowl team. That group that went to the Superbowl and won - that team is done. They need to rebuild the team into a new team.

    I would love to see them hire a top notch defensive coordinator that would give them a new look, similar to what Spagnolo did replacing Tim Lewis.

    The ironic thing is the group that was the big question mark going into this season - the receiving corps - they were one of the few bright spots this year. And the group that was supposed to have an embarrassment of riches, the defensive front seven were just plain embarrassing. Very weird year. I just hope they don't go into to 8-8/7-9 type of funk that takes years to pull out of.

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  4. I didn't expect a win yesterday, but I don't think I was ready for that. Wow. I don't thinl this effects TC's stance with the team.

    Yeah they quit, but again what's an offense supposed to do when a defense let's the opposition score on them 3 of its first 5 possessions?

    I would have liked them to play pissed off and really, besides Justin Tuck, who I thought played admirably all year the defense just gave up.

    Offensively you have a banged up line, quarterback and running back. What was supposed to happen?

    It was a disappointing season, now I get to watch and hope the Cowboys and Eagles lose in the first round.

    And it's time to look toward the offseason:

    How long do they wait to fire Sheridan?
    Who's available via free agency? Can we get a safety, DT, LB, RB, OL in the draft? What holes can we fill through free agents?

    It'll be an interesting off season.

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  5. After all of our begging through the season, Barden finally got in the game. 1 catch, 16 yards. Unfortunately, that was during one of my ballistic rants and walked away from TV. Was bummed when I found out. How did he look?

    Sheridan needs to be fired TODAY! Is an uncapped year beneficial to us and, if so, what do you think are the chances of one?

    Watching the bowl games, I saw some senior talent out there at some key positions that would be beneficial to our team. We need another draft, as we had a few years back.

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  6. Ernie,

    I'd give you a grade of "D" for your efforts the last two weeks. You've brought nothing to the table and most have gone to the Coughlin school of journalism. These have been "rich" weeks in which to get some insider information and you came up lame.

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  7. Ernie, nice job. Ignore the pud's remarks above this.

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  8. Favre tore the Giants up yesterday, and it was a beautiful sight to see.

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