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Once again, the management of Ernie Palladino's Giants Beat presents a Q&A swap with our friend from Big Blue View, Ed Valentine. For my answers, be sure to swing by Ed's site at http://www.bigblueview.com/.
And now, here's Ed.
1. How important is it that Michael Boley and Chris Canty get back into the lineup this week?
"Well, of course I would like to see both of them out there. Boley brings skills no other outside linebacker on the Giants seems to have. Canty has to help because I don't care what anyone says, the three defensive tackles the Giants are using are not playing well. If they are healthy enough to help, even on a limited basis, they need to be out there. As Tom Coughlin has said, this is a 'one-game season.'"
2. Would four losses in a row basically set this team on an irretrievable spiral after the bye?
"I think I sort of just answered that, and I think TC pretty much laid that on the line with his "one-game season" remark. A win starts to make everyone feel better. A loss and, yes, you are staring at a very long final seven games."
3. What does Eli Manning have to do to fix his accuracy problems?
"Switch right arms with Peyton? Or switch feet with him so he can plant properly? It's hardly ground-breaking that I will say it seems obvious to everyone that Eli is not throwing the ball as well as he did before the plantar fasciitis surfaced. You know, I long ago learned to live with Eli throwing an occasional off-target ball. What I should not be seeing out of a guy with accomplished are some of the bad decisions and forced throws we have seen the past couple of weeks. And there are still some mis-communications with receivers."
4. Would a coaching change, ala John Hufnagel, help anything at this point?
"Ahh, that is the roundabout way of asking "should the Giants fire Bill Sheridan?" I think it's fair to ask because in some ways it looks like Sheridan is in over his head, but the reality is I'm just not sure there is all that much talent on that defense. What would really help the defense would be if the unit was healthy. If it had all of its parts -- especially Kenny Phillips. We know that isn't going to happen, though, so Sheridan will be playing a compromised hand all season. What I will say about Sheridan is he is starting to remind me of Johnnie Lynn. Remember when Lynn took over John Fox? Basically, he was hired to run the same system with a core group of good players. He couldn't resist tinkering and trying to put his own stamp on the defense, and couldn't really decide what he wanted the defense to do, anyway. He ended up breaking something that didn't need fixing.Sheridan seems en route to doing the same thing. How else do you explain the failure to line up properly, which we are seeing all the time? The failure to communicate in the secondary? The failure of the front seven to be in position to play the run? This is largely a veteran unit that has played together for a while now. Some of the weird-looking blitz packages we've seen? The guys on this defense never actually seem to know what is going on. There is no reason for all this confusion in a veteran group, unless the sideline is causing it.Unless this changes, drastically, Sheridan will find himself looking for work in the off-season. I just can't believe the Giants would drop the hammer on him sooner than that."
What do you folks think?
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I was agreeing with everything u said Ern until the last question about coaching and I nearly broke the monitor. U don't think Sheridan is the problem??? Called plenty of blitzes???? Aaron Rouse isn't the answer???
ReplyDeleteHow do u know Rouse isn't the answer??? CC Brown is the WORST GIANT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN COVERAGE and any change would be an upgrade. ANY!!!! WHY IS CC BROWN STILL ON THE FIELD!!! GOD DAMN, AM I THE ONLY ONE WATCHING THESE GAMES!!!
As for Sheridan, not only is the personnel he places on the field wrong but his blitz packages STINK! He is WAY OVER HIS HEAD, and couldn't motivate Pete Abraham at a donut eating contest!
Love U ern, but boy u got me all fired up today!
To my eyes it looks like Sheridan doesn't know how to diguise a blitz. Gregg Williams and the late Jim Johnson always seemed to be masters of that, and Spags was no slouch either. But even when Sheridan brings heat, it seems like the Giants don't get a rusher freed up.
ReplyDeleteMore troubling though is the communication problems. If there's confusion on a veteran unit something must be REALLY wrong with the course of information between Sheridan and the D
Look, I'm not a huge fan of the guy, but last time I checked the defensive coordinator isn't responsible for guys missing tackles, getting floored by a stiff arm (how many Giants were put on their a** by Beanie Wells?), not being able to beat your man even once in the game to get to the QB, etc., etc.
ReplyDelete"but the reality is I'm just not sure there is all that much talent on that defense"
If he just stopped there, he pretty much would have nailed it. The only players in the NFL who think the Giants have an "elite" D are on the Giants D. Everyone else recognizes this unit has glaring weaknesses across the board. Finally, if Sheridan is the source of ALL the team's woes, how did Philly manage to embarrass NY last year in the playoffs? Spags was running the show and the D looked horrible in that game as well. Let's face it, the LB corp is old and slow, the secondary weak, and the D line may be the single most overrated group in the NFL. The sooner the Giants acknowledge that, the sooner they can start to fix it. BTW - Anyone want to put forward a plausible explanation as to why NY made no attempt to get Witherspoon from the Rams? Philly didn't pay much and he's looking better than any LB NY has been putting on the field. There was NO reason why Reese should NOT have at least made an attempt. If Philly outbid NY, fine. But to let a divisional rival fill a need while ignoring your own team's weakness is inexcusable. Would love it if Ernie asked Reese about that.
God I miss Spags and Fox for that matter! I know those couldn't miss an opportunity for a head coaching position but I wish wither of those two guys stayed. Especially Spags who had the defense running on all cylinders.
ReplyDeleteYes and No.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the missing Ross and Phillips, the DB's are forced to play zone.
Sheridan is NOT coaching for that.
He also is not making ANY in-game or halftime adjustments.
He (like Gilbride) is over his head, and...
Pierce is getting old....and slow.
Sheridan is fine. It's clearly the personnel. The D looked great in Dallas and the rest of the opening games.
ReplyDeleteThey lost to 3 offensive powerhouses and the offense and special teams continously puts them in bad situations. INTs at their own end and a kicker who can't clear the 10 on opening kickoffs are making everything a lot harder for a defense that is already short on help.
Where art thou Ern??? I hear ROuse was taking first team snaps. u got anything???
ReplyDeleteNow hold on. All of a sudden this defense has no talent?
ReplyDeleteAre we saying this defense is worse than the one last year that played for a 12-4 team. That had Pierce, Clark, and another no-name linebacker. A defense last year that lost Osi for the year and had to play Tuck and an overmatched Kiwanuka every down.
Yes there was a healthy Ross and Dockery, but one CB does not a defense make. And don't forget this team had Michael Johnson (still here) and James Butler as its two starting safeties a year ago.
Is Butler a good safety? Is he even average? CC stinks, but he's in the league. Is he that much worse than Butler.
Now all of a sudden the players, which for the most part are the same (even improved in some positions) are the reason this team stinks. Look at the facts people. There's one noticeable change on this defense and his initials - BS - are eerily similar to how his defense plays.
Dweez, you nailed it. These defensive players are legends in their own minds. And why is Reese so immune to criticism. He blew it last season by not getting Gonzalez and he blew it this year by not getting help at safety and LB. Philly lost their DC, Dawkins to free agency and two MLB's to injury and their defense hasn't missed a beat. What's our excuse. Lack of talent!!!!
ReplyDelete"Now hold on. All of a sudden this defense has no talent?"
ReplyDeleteNo, it's grossly overrated. Different animal. Let's be brutally honest here - if the Pro Bowl was REALLY about talent, and not which team can get the most fans to vote, who would YOU send from the NY D? I've got no one. Every position has players in the NFC that are better than what the Giants have. Tuck and Webster are good, not great.
Who do you think has even an outside shot at the HOF? Right now, I've got nobody. Maybe Tuck IF he becomes more dominant on a more consistent basis over the next couple of years.
LBs are a HUGE weakness and have been for quite sometime now. As exciting and magical as that Super Bowl run was, we fans readily forget that NY just barely made it into that Super Bowl. Had a few plays gone differently for either Dallas or Green Bay, the Giants would have lost. The D line was getting almost constant pressure which effectively hid the substandard play behind it. Now that the pressure is gone, what do you see on the field? Guys who, and I'm being kind here, are overmatched. This is a defense that is a legend in it's own mind. Think of it this way, if the Giants cut Pierce or CC tomorrow, do you honestly think ANY team would sign them? Pierce has a good defensive mind but his body can no longer play the game. Time for Antonio to hang it up and become a LB coach. CC is a hitter, so if I had room on my lineup, I would try him on special teams. NY has them as starters. That's as sure of a sign as I have ever seen that this D has HUGE personnel issues.
Side note to Ernie (if he reads this stuff). Please make it easier to sign in here! So many posts are made by "anonymous" because it's so d**m difficult to sign in unless you have an account with AOL or Google, etc. You're building some momentum for this blog (Kudos). Now, build your fan base by letting everyone have an identity. Thanks for all your hard work on the blog!
Brian - I swear I wrote "the legend in their own minds" before your post hit, but since you're first, I apologize for what appears to be blatant plagiarism. In the blog world, the race goes to the quick, and you sir, certainly beat me to the punchline. I tip my hat to you!
ReplyDeletedweez,
ReplyDeleteFine, the Giants barely made and more importantly won the Super Bowl. But what about last year? They were the top seed in the NFC. Was that just by dumb luck? You mention the near misses in the Super Bowl year but completely ignore last season's success.
And there aer plenty of teams that would sign Pierce. The Eagles resigned Jeremiah Trotter after two seasons AWAY from the game.
So let's see players on the defense I would want - Osi, Tuck, Robbins, Boley, Ross, Webster, Boley, Canty, Dockery. You know, I think some otehr teams would like these players as well.
Now from that list - Canty, Boley, Osi - weren't on the team a year ago. So, explain to me last season's success. If you want to say the Giants won the Super Bowl on a few lucky plays fine. But how did they sustain that success the following year? Especially losing two of their top three pass rushers - Strahan and Osi.
Are there hall of famers on this defense? Who knows. Who's a hall of famer on the Eagles defense? The Cowboys - maybe Ware. And the Giants might have Tuck.
But I really like to know how you explain last year's success without saying there was some talent on this team.
Anonymous, if you call losing 3 out of your last 4 games and then going one and out in the playoffs - losing at home no less - a success then I want the koolaid you're drinking. We had no answer for Philly twice down the stretch last season. We still don't have an answer this season. Our lack of playmakers on defense is almost comical. For some reason this organization doesn't want to address safety or LB. They want to shop at the bargain basement store to fill these positions. Yes, Phillips was a #1 but was the last player picked in the round. CC Brown and Danny Clark are starters. Are you kidding me? There's lots of blame to go around for this debacle and it clearly starts at the top with Reese. If you want to give him credit when things go well then you have to call it like it is when things go awry.
ReplyDeleteDweez, again I agree with you about the posting. But this site is great so I can live with it.
You Giants fans are lost. So how did they win those 12 games? By luck? And we all know why they lost three of their last four. Plaxico anyvody?
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound like it was inevitable this team was going to struggle defensively. This is a team that went to the playoffs four straight years - won a Super Bowl and was the top seed in the conference a year ago.
Ah yes and the Jerry Reese complaint. good call Brian throwing this guy under the bus at the midway point of a season where the Giants are ONLY 5-3.
No the Giants haven't drafted great linebackers or safeties recently. Although you do mention Phillips and mention that he was the last pick in the draft. Well, when would you like the team to draft a safety/linebacker? In the top 10? Oh wait a minute, the Giants haven't been there in a while due to their regular season success.
And I'm sure you were the one person who complained about the signing of Canty and Boley. And wondered what Reese was doing. So you want to throw Reese under the bus because the team lost three games in a row and their defense looks lost out on the field.
You do realize Reese had both linebacker and safety needs filled in the off season - Boley was the quick, athletic LB and Philips was the speedy safety who could cover the whole field.
But I like your idea Brian, after eight games whenever the Giants have only a 5-3 record I'll declare the season over and throw the GM - who brought me a Super Bowl and sustained success that only the Colts and Patriots have matched this decade - under the bus and criticize him for know known reason.
Sounds like a plan.
Anonymous, Pierce's play has been a liability for years. Even during the super bowl season he was a weakness. The pass rush from Strahan. Osi and Tuck covered uit up but now we don't have that luxury. Have you seen Pierce getting burnt by Westbrook last season that is constantly shown on highlight reels. Yet there is no effort at all to upgrade at one of the most crucial spots on the team. Safety has always been a trouble spot for us yet we start the season with Johnson, Brown and a gimpy Phillips as our only three. That's just poor planning. Don't even get me started about Eli's $100 million!!! Football is a what have you done for me lately business. It may not be fair, but as Hyman Roth said, "This is the business we've chosen!!"
ReplyDeleteanonymous - first off, you're taking this way too personally. We're all Giants fans or we wouldn't be here. Dial it back. We're not making insulting remarks about your mom or wife. Second, you are twisting my words. I didn't ask what players from the Giants ANY team would pick up, I asked if the Pro Bowl was TRULY about who was the BEST at their position, what Giant defensive player would you put in there. Big difference. Now, regarding your Trotter example, it failed, Philly acknowledged that and went out and got Witherspoon. If Trotter is the best example you can come up with to defend Pierce, then I submit to you that deep down you realize he's done too. Also, you didn't read me calling for Reese to be fired. I think he has done a fair job. What I am questioning is why Philly was able to get Witherspoon for a song from OUR OLD D COORDINATOR and Jerry wasn't in their making a move. That's a big difference from asking for the guy to be fired! I feel he has made some significant errors and should be called on it. I'm NOT looking to run the guy out of town. Now, as for your insistence that the 12-4 record proves the defense is soooo very talented, I say, again, defensive line pressure covered up the inadequacies. Also, large parts of last year's schedule was against soft teams. Beating Seattle and San Fran last year was as meaningful as beating Oakland and Tampa is this year. It's easy to build a great record when you're playing creampuffs. How did the defense do when it was all on the line? Here's a hint - number of sacks against the Eagles last year - zero. No line pressure and the d can't hold. Are the Giants horrible? Hell no! I watched them when Norm Snead was the QB. That was horrible! I watched "The Fumble". That was horrible! This team is good, but it needs some better players to be great. I admire your passion, but if you ignore the obvious flaws, you're only deluding yourself. This is NOT a championship team. It's close, but there are gaping holes that need to be filled. The pass rush that covered up the ugliness behind the line is gone. Everyone in the NFL has it figured out. The elite teams are exposing it every chance they get. Now, on to the stuff we all should agree on:
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the G-men kick San Diego's a**. I can't stand Rivers or steriod boy Merriman's moronic "dance". I would have preferred NY beat Philly senseless, but since that ship has sailed, let's see a good old fashioned beat down against San Diego.