Lombardi's observations on the NYG and Carolina (teams not the matchup)

[Fireball77]

Pretty interesting. I can always count on him to bring up things heretofore not discussed by other outlets.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/12/national-football-post-diner-news-81/

I have defended Eli for the past few years, and the fact that he plays on a team that is once again 30th in the NFL in dropped balls makes it slightly easier to dismiss some of the bad throws that occur. But there are times in the game when the ball does not come off of Eli’s hands very smoothly and he struggles to make good throws. Watching the Giants on film the last few days, a few things jump out at me, and they have nothing to do with this ridiculous eight-man-front talk. The Giants cannot make a big play in the running or passing game, and they are getting penalized too often and putting themselves behind the eight ball. They are 29th in starting field position on offense, and the fact they cannot make a big play forces them have to drive the ball down the field. This is also where they struggle; they are 29th in quick-strike drives (that is, a drive of fewer than 5 plays resulting in a touchdown). Scoring in the NFL is all about finding ways to create big plays, and playing good defense is about stopping the big play. The Giants are not able to create big plays, which is surprising because they have such a powerful run game you might think their play-action pass game would be sensational. When you rank 26th in penalties and cannot make big plays, it affects the production of your offense and hinders your scoring. The one saving area that helps the Giants right now is that they are second in the NFL in first-half point differential. And that helps the defense utilize its scheme to full advantage.

What I love about the Panthers is that people talk about their ability to run the ball, but they are more than a run team. They are the No. 1scoring team in the NFL the past eight weeks and they are third in big plays. This is not a running offense; this is a big play-offense. And the fact they are 27th in the NFL in ball control tells an important tale: They don’t just run the ball, they make big runs. If the Giants do not miss tackles Sunday, they will not give up big runs. And if they can stop Smith from making big plays, they will have a better chance to win the game. The key to beating the Panthers is not stopping the run; the key is stopping the big play. The Broncos played a short-yardage defense in the middle of the field and couldn’t stop them from breaking tackles. The Giants are not a great tackling team. They rank 20th in yards allowed after the catch and are the kind of team the Panthers feast on for big plays.

[BigBlackCat_Fan]

Nice

[Delhommey]

If we can break a few big ones early, we could mess NY's game plan all up.

Don't see it happening though. In my mind it's either going to be an ugly win or an ugly loss.

[Badbak]

I'm praying for a few of those big plays early in the game. I'm also praying that the Panthers don't try to sit on the ball if they get an early lead.

[Darth Biscuit]

Nice stats right there... 1st in points scored, but 27th in ball possession... that's DeAngelo and Stewart all day.

[joemac]

I knew that we were putting up some points, but I didnt realize that we were the #1 scoring offense the past 8 games....that is awesome.

[rayzor]

sweet!

[beastson]

LMAO

Just because we get a lot of big plays, doesnt mean we cant run and control the clock if we have to

[dinz]

gez, carolina fans, why even play the game?

[KAYA]

LMAO

Just because we get a lot of big plays, doesnt mean we cant run and control the clock if we have to

Its kind of hard to control the clock when you have 2 backs that are so talented they keep breaking big runs left, right and up the middle a la D'Will's last TD against Tampa. But that a wonderful "problem" to have.

[monstercat]

gez, carolina fans, why even play the game?

What in the hell is a gez?

[goncrazi]

What in the hell is a gez?

rofl

[pstall]

A quick start is huge because the G Men are struggling offensively.

[Fireball77]

gez, carolina fans, why even play the game?

I don't see one fan here not taking the NYG seriously. If you do, you must have x-ray vision. Unless to you not taking the NYG seriously=being happy about the positives expressed in the article which are...ahem...factual.