Overtime during the preseason is like getting a flu shot. You just can’t wait for it to be over so you can get on with your day.
Thank you, Tommie Hill.
The defensive end’s fumble recovery with time expiring led the Giants (1-0) to the 24-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. It was a close win despite the Giants holding the advantage until there was 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
With just under a minute to go, Panthers quarterback Hunter Cantwell hit wide receiver Jason Cherry for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Cantwell followed by converting the two-point conversion, tying the game at 17. It was a deflating moment in what was strong performance on both sides of the ball by the Giants.
“It wasn’t no perfect game,” Giants receiver Mario Manningham told me afterward.
Many eyes were on Manningham and his fellow receivers. Most left talking about the Giants running backs and Hill.
Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown on five carries, while Danny Ware, who will take over the departed Derrick Ward’s spot, ran the ball 12 times for 21 yards. Even Brandon Jacobs (4-31) and Allen Patrick (8-36) got in on the act.
“I was productive, didn’t have any missed assignments,” Ware said. “As long as I go out there, play hard, give them everything I have and do everything I can to help the team win, I take a plus from. Tonight was definitely a plus.”
Ware also caught two balls for 43 yards and a touchdown. In fact, three of the Giants Top 5 receivers were running backs. Bradshaw says that works to New York’s advantage.
“It just opens the defenses up, and for the backs it gives us lots of confidence to come out from the backfield and catch the ball,” he said. “It just shows us that our quarterback is searching the field just to get to the open receiver.”
That last quote is basically admission that the Giants wide receivers were struggling to get open downfield. Domenik Hixon (2 catches, 23 yards) and Ramses Barden (1 catch for 20 yards) were the most productive hands on the outside. It was perhaps Manningham, however, who received the most balls thrown in his direction, including two by Eli Manning to start the game off. Manningham didn’t catch either and finished the game with zero catches.
“It’s not really about getting me the ball, it’s about putting a drive together so we can go down the field and score,” Manningham said. “You can put any of our receivers out there and we can all make plays.”
The Giants used a balanced offensive attack — 31 throwing and 32 rushing plays — against the Panthers. Manning was only in there to throw three balls, completing two for 31 yards. David Carr (6-for-10, 74 yards, touchdown) and Andre Woodson (5-for-11, 45 yards, interception) received most reps behind center.
On the other side, the Giants saw the return of defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who missed all of last season with cartilage damage in his left knee. Umenyiora didn’t play much, but was in there enough to pick up a 10-yard sack against Panthers everyday quarterback Jake Delhomme.
In total, the Giants defense registered four sacks, one interception and five fumble recoveries, including the game winner. New York looks like it is geared up to cause havoc for opponents once again.
Head coach Tom Coughlin walked off the field satisfied with his team’s performance. Coughlin says his goal is to get every player into the game so he can evaluate them later on.
“We play a certain number of snaps and everybody gets to play and there’s no hiding,” the sixth-year coach said. “You put someone on the field under the circumstances of a game and as the situations come up, they have to react to them. It’s a great way to develop the players and put them in situations where they’ve got to produce.”
One of those players who saw their first NFL action was offensive tackle William Beatty. The Giants’ second-round draft pick (60th overall) this past off-season said it was “amazing” to be playing on Monday Night Football. He also knows what has to happen next.
“The mistakes I made this week, I can’t make next week because it’s going to be on film,” Beatty, who had several nice blocks against a solid Carolina defense, said. “They’re going to watch my weaknesses in this game and try to exploit them next week.”
The Giants hope all of their players have a similar mindset as Beatty. If they do, based on Monday night’s performance, Big Blue appears set for another strong run at a title, their second in three years.
Overtime during the preseason is like getting a flu shot. You just can’t wait for it to be over so you can get on with your day.
Thank you, Tommie Hill.
The defensive end’s fumble recovery with time expiring led the Giants (1-0) to the 24-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. It was a close win despite the Giants holding the advantage until there was 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
With just under a minute to go, Panthers quarterback Hunter Cantwell hit wide receiver Jason Cherry for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Cantwell followed by converting the two-point conversion, tying the game at 17. It was a deflating moment in what was strong performance on both sides of the ball by the Giants.
“It wasn’t no perfect game,” Giants receiver Mario Manningham told me afterwards.
Many eyes were on Manningham and his fellow receivers. Most left talking about the Giants running backs and Hill.
Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown on five carries, while Danny Ware, who will take over the departed Derrick Ward’s spot, ran the ball 12 times for 21 yards. Even Brandon Jacobs (4-31) and Allen Patrick (8-36) got in on the act.
“I was productive, didn’t have any missed assignments,” Ware said. “As long as I go out there, play hard, give them everything I have and do everything I can to help the team win, I take a plus from. Tonight was definitely a plus.”
Ware also caught two balls for 43 yards and a touchdown. In fact, three of the Giants Top 5 receivers were running backs. Bradshaw says that works to New York’s advantage.
“It just opens the defenses up, and for the backs it gives us lots of confidence to come out from the backfield and catch the ball,” he said. “It just shows us that our quarterback is searching the field just to get to the open receiver.”
That last quote is basically admission that the Giants wide receivers were struggling to get open downfield. Domenik Hixon (2 catches, 23 yards) and Ramses Barden (1 catch for 20 yards) were the most productive hands on the outside. It was perhaps Manningham, however, who received the most balls thrown in his direction, including two by Eli Manning to start the game off. Manningham didn’t catch either and finished the game with zero catches.
“It’s not really about getting me the ball, it’s about putting a drive together so we can go down the field and score,” Manningham said. “You can put any of our receivers out there and we can all make plays.”
The Giants used a balanced offensive attack — 31 throwing and 32 rushing plays — against the Panthers. Manning was only in there to throw three balls, completing two for 31 yards. David Carr (6-for-10, 74 yards, touchdown) and Andre Woodson (5-for-11, 45 yards, interception) received most reps behind center.
On the other side, the Giants saw the return of defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who missed all of last season with cartilage damage in his left knee. Umenyiora didn’t play much, but was in there enough to pick up a 10-yard sack against Panthers everyday quarterback Jake Delhomme.
In total, the Giants defense registered four sacks, one interception and five fumble recoveries, including the game winner. New York looks like it is geared up to cause havoc for opponents once again.
Head coach Tom Coughlin walked off the field satisfied with his team’s performance. Coughlin says his goal is to get every player into the game so he can evaluate them later on.
“We play a certain number of snaps and everybody gets to play and there’s no hiding,” the sixth-year coach said. “You put someone on the field under the circumstances of a game and as the situations come up, they have to react to them. It’s a great way to develop the players and put them in situations where they’ve got to produce.”
One of those players who saw their first NFL action was offensive tackle William Beatty. The Giants’ second-round draft pick (60th overall) this past off-season said it was “amazing” to be playing on Monday Night Football. He also knows what has to happen next.
“The mistakes I made this week, I can’t make next week because it’s going to be on film,” Beatty, who had several nice blocks against a solid Carolina defense, said. “They’re going to watch my weaknesses in this game and try to exploit them next week.”
The Giants hope all of their players have a similar mindset as Beatty. If they do, based on Monday night’s performance, Big Blue appears set for another strong run at a title, their second in three years.
Leave a comment