Preseason Game Preview: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, August 13, 2004

Approach to the Game – Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, August 13, 2004: If you’ve ever read one preseason game preview from me, you know that the only thing that ever really concerns me is that the Giants get out of the game healthy. We saw from the Redskins-Broncos game on Monday how dangerous the preseason can be. Washington lost one of their irreplaceable players, RT Jon Jansen, for the season due to a freak, non-contact injury. I’d rather lose a preseason game 31-0 than lose a starter.

It’s likely that Head Coach Tom Coughlin and Defensive Coordinator Tim Lewis, like many coaches, will not game-plan too much for the Chiefs. I would think that we won’t see the best offensive and defensive formations and plays simply because the coaching staff doesn’t want to show too much in meaningless games. One of the advantages of having a new staff for a team is that other division opponents are not sure what to expect. There is no sense in making Philadelphia’s scouting job easier. At the same time, some teams will run some of their better or more involved plays in the preseason. This is why some preseason games are not good indicators of a team’s true ability. I don’t know how Kansas City Head Coach Dick Vermeil feels about the preseason and how seriously he takes it. Pay attention to how long starters for both teams stay in the game and how intricate the offensive and defensive calls are.

The purpose of the preseason is to (1) get your team ready for the regular season and (2) evaluate talent. Because the Giants have so many new players on the team, plus the new coaching staff, every preseason game will be valuable. The new offensive line does not have much time to gel. The new quarterback has to get used to the system and his surrounding talent. The new front seven on defense has to build cohesion and an identity. There isn’t much time.

Giants on Offense: The eyes of most fans will be on the quarterbacks, but the play of the offensive line will be the most important aspect to watch. Don’t expect much. David Diehl was moved officially to right tackle only on Monday. Same story with Chris Snee being moved to right guard in the starting line-up. Both have only had a few practice sessions together. Keep in mind that Snee is a rookie (and will make rookie mistakes). Also keep in mind that Diehl is at a new position and will have to deal now with an open flank when the tight does not stay into block on his side. If that wasn’t enough chaos, Barry Stokes is the new starter at left guard and Shaun O’Hara is the new starter at center. Only Luke Petitgout remains as a starter from last year who is sticking at the same position. It’s critical for this group to develop cohesion rapidly, but don’t expect a lot of positive results early. That’s just not realistic.

The depth situation on the offensive line took a bit hit this week when RT Ed Ellis was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. There is little depth behind Luke Petitgout too. Ian Allen was demoted in favor of Diehl at right tackle. Drew Strojny has potential, but he needs a ton of technique work and strength training. Inside, Wayne Lucier, Omar Smith, Chris Peters, Mike Saffer, Gary Walker, and Travis Scott battle for back-up spots. It’s looking more and more likely that Rich Seubert won’t return in 2004.

The glamour position is the quarterback spot. Obviously fans want to see the $54 million man, QB Eli Manning. But is more likely that Kurt Warner will start the season (and he will start against the Chiefs on Friday). Both Warner and Manning are still learning all about the Giants’ new offensive system and surrounding offensive talent. Both are by no means comfortable yet. That means we will NOT see them at their best. There will probably be flashes of excellent play, intermingled with mistakes. This is to be expected. For a fan to get riled up by errors by either player at this point is silly. What’s important is that both quarterbacks use the preseason to get more comfortable and to work on correcting those mistakes.

Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard are firmly entrenched as the starters at wide receiver once again. However, no one is safe behind them and there are big battles underway for three to four more roster spots. Making strong cases for themselves are receivers Jamaar Taylor (will not play against the Chiefs), Ataveus Cash, and JaJuan Dawson. Chris Davis and James McKnight (will not play) have also made some noise. Willie Ponder and David Tyree, draft picks from last season, are struggling. Tim Carter (will not play) once again is battling injury (hamstring) and inconsistency. Special teams ability will decide roster spots here.

At halfback, what to watch is whether Tiki Barber’s ball security has improved and whether or not Ron Dayne’s toughness as a runner has improved. Dayne has had a good camp, but the Giants need him to make plays in short-yardage and the goal line. Who will be the third back on this team is a big question mark right now. The way the team has been playing musical chairs at the position, it is likely that the serious contender is not yet on the roster.

As of this week, the fullback job is Jim Finn versus Charles Stackhouse.

This is a different team when Jeremy Shockey (will not play) is not in the game. But with him out of the lineup, valuable experience is being given to Marcellus Rivers, Visanthe Shiancoe, and Joe Dean Davenport. Don’t just look at the receiving stats in the preseason, but keep an eye on these three in the blocking department.

Giants on Defense: There are so many changes on defense (i.e., personnel, coaches, system, style, etc.) that it is really unclear as to how this will all shake out. Will the Giants have a good defense or a mediocre one in 2004? How quickly will these guys learn to play together? Who are the leaders of the defense? Will the lingering rehabs of SLB Carlos Emmons, CB Will Allen, DT William Joseph, DE Lorenzo Bromell, and S Jason Doering be factors?

Up front, I think one of the most exciting areas to watch are the two new big guys in the middle. Norman Hand and Fred Robbins are huge. Once they become comfortable with their flankmates and the system, they should really help to gum things up against the run. The back-up situation there bears watching however. William Joseph still is not practicing due to his pectoral injury. Martin Chase, Mario Monds, and Delbert Cowsette are former Redskin rejects. Lance Legree did not see much playing time last season.

Outside Keith Washington is ahead of Osi Umenyiora on the depth chart on the weakside. However, Umenyiora will see a lot of playing time, especially when Washington moves inside to tackle on certain sets. It is important to see Umenyiora get better against the run. A rookie to watch is Khaleed Vaughn. He isn’t the type of player to get a lot of heat on the passer, but if he can stop the run in a consistent manner, he has a chance to make the team. Rookie Isaac Hilton has a lot of ability, but he is VERY raw.

The Giants dumped all their starting linebackers in the offseason and this unit is even more unsettled right now due to injuries to Carlos Emmons (will not play – recovering from leg fracture) and Barrett Green (should play – concussion). A lot of attention has been focused on Nick Greisen inside, but the Giants need to get Emmons, in particular, on the field. There are a lot of back-up linebackers to watch, all competing for valuable roster spots, including Quincy Monk, Kevin Lewis, Wes Mallard, Reggie Torbor, T.J. Hollowell, James Maxwell, and Robert Peace.

In the secondary, the starting unit is pretty set except at free safety. CB Will Allen, CB Will Peterson, SS Shaun Williams, and even nickel back Terry Cousin are entrenched. However, Omar Stoutmire is battling with Brent Alexander at the other safety spot. With Allen and Peterson’s injury history, depth is important. Frank Walker needs to cut out the mental mistakes and improve his technique. And the Giants would very much appreciate if one of the young corners would step up such as Curtis Deloatch, Dewitt Ellerbe, and Jamaine Winborne. Same story at safety with Jack Brewer and Gibril Wilson.

Giants on Special Teams: Jeff Feagles is safe as the punter. Bill Gramatica is likely the favorite over Todd France at place kicker, but neither is terribly safe. Field goals matter, but so do kickoffs.

With Delvin Joyce, Brian Mitchell, and Ron Dixon off the roster, the Giants are searching for new kick-off and punt returners. Deloatch has a chance to nail down the punt returning job and earn a roster spot. Recently signed WR Avion Black has experience returning both punts and kickoffs. Jamaar Taylor and Tim Carter can return kicks, but they are not playing against the Chiefs. It will be interesting to see if the blocking on returns finally improves under new Special Teams Coordinator Mike Sweatman.

Covering kicks and punts is just as important. If David Tyree is going to stay on the roster, he needs to kick some butt in the preseason. Jack Brewer also came to the Giants with a special teams reputation (as did Jason Doering, who is hurt). The young defensive backs, linebackers, and wide receivers could really help their cause here.