EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -The New York Giants wouldn’t mind a bit if the Washington Redskins loaded up their defense to stop the running game that led the NFL last season.
Go ahead, coach Tom Coughlin seemed to dare the Redskins on Wednesday.
“I think we have had some experience down the field this preseason,” Coughlin said. “Certainly that would be one thing you could do to answer that.”
Coming into the regular-season opener on Sunday, the passing game is the big question mark for the Giants, as it was at the end of last season when the offense disappeared after Plaxico Burress was suspended in December following his shooting incident.
Opposing defenses put eight and nine players within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage and the Giants could not take advantage in losing four of their final five games, including the NFC semifinal against the Philadelphia Eagles.
citing new element, first-round draft pick Hakeem Nicks, who caught three touchdowns and led all NFL receivers with 272 yards receiving in the preseason.
It’s not just Nicks. Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, rookie Ramses Barden, Derek Hagan and tight end Kevin Boss all have shown big play potential in camp.
Center Shaun O’Hara said there is no doubt that the Redskins intend to take away the Giants’ running game, noting that the signing of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in the offseason was an indication of that.
“That’s what we expect, and what we would do to other teams if we were in a reverse situation,” O’Hara said. “I don’t look at our receivers as a question mark. I looked at it as an opportunity for someone to step up and be a star. We have a lot of talent at the position.”
Most of the offensive linemen said the key to moving the ball is to remain balanced. If you run too much or pass too much, you become too predictable.
Quarterback Eli Manning noted that the last time the Giants played the Redskins, they didn’t have Burress in the lineup. He accidentally shot himself in a Manhattan nightclub about 36 hours before the game in Washington and wasn’t available.
New York posted a 23-7 win.
stuff,” Manning said. “We threw the ball pretty well. It was one of our best passing games, the second time we played them. They’ll mix things up and a have a new look or gadget, but we have our game plan and it’s how we execute.”
One thing is certain: The Giants will try to establish the run. They led the league with a 157.4 yard average in 2008, sporting two 1,000-yard rushers – Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward.
Ward signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay, so Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware will back up the Jacobs.
Jacobs probably will carry the load on Sunday against a physical opponent. He also wants the offense to be patient, knowing the running game may have to wear down Washington.
“If you get away from it (the running game) they have accomplished their goal, and you just can’t let them do that,” Jacobs said. “You have to keep taking a whack at it. When we played the Steelers last year, they jammed the pack and we had 70 or 80 on the ground, me and Derrick, but it opened things up for Plax and the receivers to play and make big plays.”
Offensive tackle David Diehl said no matter what happens, the Giants are going to have to prove every week that they can run the ball.
“We can’t shut it down early,” Diehl said. “That’s the one thing I like about our offensive line, it might start out as a 1-, or 2-, or 3-yard gains, but if we keep chipping away those things will turn into big gains in the long run.”
The way the Giants are feeling, those big gains will come by land or air.
Add A Comment