Approach to the Game – New York Giants at San Diego Chargers, September 27, 1998: This is a “must” game for the Giants. The team simply cannot afford to go 1-3. If it does, then one can kiss off any chance of making the playoffs in 1998. The rest of the season would have to be used in order to get ready for the 1999 season.
The defense is playing well enough to win. It is the offense and the special teams that are letting the Giants down. The offensive line has to get its act together and start firing off the ball. One of the running backs has to start making plays and the coaching staff has to feed that guy the ball. San Diego has a good defense and they will undoubtably attack the Giants the same way the Raiders and Dallas did — by stacking the line of scrimmage against the run and blitzing against the pass. Until the Giants start making other teams pay for these risky tactics, New York will continue to face these types of aggressive defenses. Most importantly, someone has to start making big plays — be it a wide receiver, running back, or tight end.
Giants on Offense: The Giants are caught in a catch-22 right now. Even if the offensive line was playing exceptionally well (which it is not), running the ball would be tough because of the way the opposition is playing the Giants. They are stacking the line daring the Giants to beat them with the passing game. If the Giants run the ball, they are playing right into the defense’s trap. If the Giants pass the ball, they run the risk of becoming one-dimensional — just like last week.
We may receive a lot of grief from contributors this week, especially given the fact that we were heavily critical of Fassel for not running the ball more against Dallas, but we feel strongly that the Giants must come out throwing early and often. In fact, we wouldn’t even bother to try to establish the running game until the second quarter. Why? First, as we already mentioned, why play into the defense’s plans? Secondly, and just as importantly, San Diego is not as tough as Dallas against the pass. And they are very tough against the run…ranking first in the AFC in run defense. We would come out throwing, getting San Diego to back its defenders up some and then switch over to the ground attack.
In the passing game, the offensive line needs to rebound and give QB Danny Kanell some time to make a play down the field. We also hope that the Giants keep a back in the backfield this week in order to pick up the blitz. The Chargers like to blitz. In fact, SS Rodney Harrison is the leading sacker on the team. The Giants need to make the Chargers pay dearly for their aggressiveness. The line has to give Danny time, Danny has to hit his wide receiver in stride, and the Giant receivers have to start making some big plays, especially guys like Ike Hilliard, David Patten, and Joe Jurevicius. Amani Toomer has played well thus far and we hope that continues. He already has two deep touchdowns for the Giants. The Charger secondary is solid, but it certainly is not as tough as the last three secondaries the Giants have faced. LB Junior Seau is also a very good pass defender, but the rest of the Charger linebackers are ordinary in pass defense as well. This might be Tiki Barber’s week to make a big play as a pass receiver.
Giants’ opponents are virtually ignoring the Giants’ tight end in the passing game. It might be wise to let Al Pupunu play some this week. He certainly will have the motivation to play well as it was the Chargers who cut him last year.
But the Giants must get their ground game going in order to win. Like we said, we think the Giants need to back off the Charger defenders first — especially the safeties. Then attack with the running game. The good news is that Fassel has supposedly simplified things this week in practice and the Giants most likely will get back to basics with their blocking schemes. We think this fits the Giants’ line better. But all five starters need to play much, much better for the team to be victorious. A key match-up will be DE William Fuller against RT Scott Gragg. So will the interior battle between DT Reuben Davis, DT John Parrella, and LB Junior Seau on one side and LG Greg Bishop, OC Lance Scott, and RG Ron Stone on the other. FB Charles Way will also be a factor as a lead blocker against linebacker such as Seau and Kurt Gouveia.
As for the ball carrier, we hope Fassel will go with one guy and allow him to get into a rhythm — be it Gary Brown, Tiki Barber, or Tyrone Wheatley. We feel that this constant switching of backs is detrimental to the running game.
Giants on Defense: The defense cannot afford to get too frustrated with the Giants’ offense and start to freelance in an attempt to overcompensate by making big plays. That’s how breakdowns and big plays result. This is likely to be a low scoring game and both teams may have problems moving the ball. The attitude of the Giants defense has to be, “We’re going to outlast and outplay the Charger defense and eventually win in the end.” Key in this effort will be three players: FS Percy Ellsworth (who starts in place of Tito Wooten) and DT’s Bernard Holsey and Christian Peter (who will both be subbing for Robert Harris). The Chargers have a very good running attack, centered around HB Natrone Means, who is averaging more than five yards per carry. The Chargers will undoubtably test Harris’ replacement as well as the Giants’ banged up outside linebackers. Peter and Holsey have to stand their ground. Ellsworth also has to tackle much, much better. The team desperately needs WLB Jessie Armstead to start making plays again too.
As always, the battle at the line of scrimmage will largely determine the success or failure of the Giants’ defense. Keith Hamilton, Michael Strahan, and Chad Bratzke must play tough at the point of attack as well as pressure rookie QB Ryan Leaf. Force Leaf to get rid of the ball quickly and make poor decisions. Gang-tackling against Means will also be important. MLB Corey Widmer will be a key player in run defense. We would be tempted to play Ryan Phillips again on the strongside in order to defend against the power running game of the Chargers — and then bring in Marcus Buckley in more obvious passing downs.
Because Leaf is a rookie, it would be advantageous to try to confuse him as much as possible by switching defensive coverages. Rattling him with the pass rush and timely blitzes would also be a big help. But be careful. Leaf has a rocket for an arm, is a big guy who is difficult to tackle, and can run with the ball when necessary. His most dangerous target is TE Freddie Jones — a superb blocker and receiver. The match-up of SS Sam Garnes and the strongside linebacker on Jones may be the most important of the game. The Giants may even use Shaun Williams some to cover him. As for the other receivers, Bryan Still has some big play potential. The Giants’ secondary should be able to largely control the San Diego receivers if they play anywhere near the top of their game.
Giants on Special Teams: The Giants simply cannot afford to continue to have breakdowns on kick and punt coverage. The good news is that Brandon Sanders will be back this week, but the Giants still miss Scott Galyon here. Amani Toomer performed well last Monday in returning punts, but the kick return game regressed somewhat. Tyrone Wheatley is not as explosive as David Patten when handling the ball. Brad Maynard needs to rebound from an up-and-down night and give his coverage units the time they need to make a play.