[EmpireWF]

We can discuss the Giants play specifically here, and it's a painful game to lose. First off, please remember that this is just the first game of the year (we still have 15 more to go) and no, this team is not the worst and they're certainly not the best. It will take time to get into mid-season shape, there were some things to like and (probably more) some to dislike. Let's talk.

Gameball(s) go to:

Tiki Barber
110 yards rushing on 18 carries, 61 yards receiving on 5 catches

Brandon Jacobs
54 yards rushing on 8 carries and a Touchdown

Dissapointing Performance(s) of the game:

Chad Morton
On 6 kick returns, averaged 18.7 yards

Giants Offensive Concentration
10 Penalties costing 64 yards

The Referee that called Tim Carter on Pass Interfence
Were we watching the same game?


Overall, the Giants played well but on offense, they played to lose. Eli Manning did okay but his two turnovers were costly and killed momentum. Plaxico Burress was seemingly being called for illegal blocking on every possesion in the first half. Jeremy Shockey was a non-factor in the first half but awoke to play the second, while limping on and off the field.

The offensive line (when not being called for false starts) did a great job in protecting Eli from Indy's pass rush. Pettigout held Dwight Freeney in check (who ended the game with just one assist on a tackle).

The defense didn't allow any big plays but they allowed the Colts to keep them on the field for the majority of the game. The pass rush only sacked Peyton once, and it was in the first quarter. Whenever Peyton needed to make a play, he did. The Colts running game was non-existant until late in the game when it seemed Rhodes and/or Addai could finally break a decent sized run to waste the clock. Peyton's ability to escape the pressure in the pocket and break to the sidelines and hit his man with near perfect accuracy is AMAZING.

Chad Morton had a terrible day returning kicks. I swear, the Giants (on kick-offs) always started at or near the 20-yard line which is unexcusable.

Meanwhile, the positives were undoubtedly the rushing game. Tiki Barber looked like his 'ol MVP-self. Brandon Jacobs was given a larger load to handle and he ran with it. He looked like a man possessed when on the field. His ability to break a run and tackles is a positive twist with the offense.

[ThePundit]

The Giants have a lot of good components. However, they still have 2 huge problems

1) Their schedule. They really need to win in Philly next week and that won't be easy but it can be done. Because their next 4 games are:

at Seattle
vs. Washington
at Atlanta
at Dallas.

That's pretty brutal.

2 ) The innacuracy of Eli Manning. He defnitely has upside but he still throws too many balls behind his receivers.

[MJHMarc]

I'd watch Seattle. I know that Atlanta beat the Panthers yesterday, but you cannot forget that Steve Smith was out with an injury!

I hope Shaun Alexander does bust right through Big Blue.

[legend]

The Giants offense will always have them in every game they play. They just seemed to be the better team tonight, except on the scoreboard. When Morton played for other teams, he was elusive and quick, now he is a typical Giant return man-they should just take the ball on the 20 automatically. No way Shockey makes it through a full season, he is already gimpy.

[MJHMarc]

Chad Morton had a nice 20-yard burst downfield, last night. I remember him best by his days with the Redskins. Has he been anything special since he left Washington?

[simple simon]

i watched almost all of this game, as you will see if you check the live chat thread

i think the Giants did very well

the biggest thing i saw that would have greatly helped them win would have been interceptions

by my count the Giants should have picked off Peyton atleast 4 times, and just dropped the ball

had they caught those it would have made a huge difference

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Chad Morton had a nice 20-yard burst downfield, last night. I remember him best by his days with the Redskins. Has he been anything special since he left Washington?

He was great last year on punt returns. From what I can remember though, Willie Ponder handled the majority of kick returns last year and was great. Morton handled himself well though on that front. He just had a bad game.

[Trashed]

Things that did in the Giants sunday:
1. Penalties
2. Missed opportunities (dropped interceptions, bad kicking game and Eli really has to practice his accuracy)
3. That horrible pass interference call on Tim Carter although if they had #s 1 and 2 that wouldnt have mattered in the least

[EmpireWF]

I was surprised Jay Feely had such a bad day. According to the NBC guys, there was practically no wind during the game. Hopefully he can start to get in the groove next weekend because once he does, he takes off.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

He was great last year on punt returns. From what I can remember though, Willie Ponder handled the majority of kick returns last year and was great. Morton handled himself well though on that front. He just had a bad game.

The Giants cut Willie Ponder, right? I'm a Jets fan so I don't follow the Giants that closely.

[EmpireWF]

Yep, they cut Ponder this pre-season. I believe he signed on with the Seahawks although I'm not sure if he's on their 53-man roster.

[Trashed]

Eli Manning can make breathtaking Marino-like throws but cant make the simple ones. Why does the name Chuck Knoblach keep coming up in my mind?