Scouting Report – NY Giants…
August 10, 2007
Saturday night brings the first preseason game of 2007. Although it is nothing more than an over hyped scrimmage, there is always plenty of things hardcore fans can take away from the game.
The last time these teams met was Dec 10, 2006 at BoA Stadium. The Panthers had only two healthy cornerbacks available after Morton left early with an injury as the Giants walked away with an easy victory, 27-13. Manning was able to hookup with Plaxico Burress for 28 and 45 yard passes, big plays that killed the Panthers. As questionable as the secondary was last season for the Panthers, it is even more so this season. Will Manning in his first quarter play remember those plays and look to go deep to Burress again against the Panthers newer less experienced safeties? I would bet on it.
Eli Manning had a QB rating of 97 against the Panthers last season. Hitting Jeremy Shockey for six completions kept the chains moving. I don’t expect more pressure on Manning Saturday night, as blitz packages will be plain, with Trgovac keeping the more imaginative plays close to the vest.
While last season then starting RB Tiki Barber averaged 5.6 yards a carry, now starter Brandon Jacobs only averaged 1.6 yards per carry on ten attempts. At 6-4 and 260+ pounds, Jacobs is the type of RB the Panthers prefer to face. Typically performing well against the larger backs and not so well against the smaller shifty backs like Barber.
Interesting note: RB Reuben Droughns had the best day of his career against Carolina in 2004. Racking up a total 193 (yes, that is one hundred ninety three) rushing yards against the Panthers on only thirty attempts. Now with the Giants, Droughs has had 2 consecutive 1000 yard rushing seasons.
It should be interesting to watch how the run game is stopped with Dan Morgan and Jon Beason filling the gaps on Saturday night. Although only preseason, the first quarter in particular will speak volumes on the improvement in run defense.
On the offensive side of the ball, no one knows for sure what to expect with first year Offensive Coordinator Jeff Davidson calling the plays for the first time in a Panthers ball cap. The last time these teams met Chris Weinke was the starting QB and passed the ball for a team record 423 passing yards with his 34 completions out of 61 attempts both being second on the Panthers record books. Clearly at that point in the season John Fox had absolutely no faith in any resemblance of a running game. Has that changed? We will see indications on Saturday night.
My top 5 things to watch:
- Jeff King, could be the best pass catching Panthers tight end since a guy named Walls.
- Richard Marshall may push aside Chris Gamble in the starting lineup.
- Between the tackles. Can the combinations of Kemo, Jenkins, and Lewis adequately clog the middle?
- Jon Beason, how will his missed practices translate on the field?
- Ryne Robinson – 5′9 – 179 – pure speed. Sound familiar? Field position is critical, how will he contribute?
