Giants Playbook – 8/23/09
Photo taken from nj.com
After the Giants loss to the Bears last night, the more important story of the game came from Giants defensive tackle Jay Alford. When Alford went down, it appeared as though he was suffering from a serious knee injury.
However, the initial reports of the injury are believed to only be an MCL (medial collateral ligament). An injury like this would only take a couple of weeks in the worst case scenario to heal.
Even though Alford was carted off the field, the outcome does not seem to be as bad as it could have been. Some time today we will find out what Alford’s MRI results are, and then from there a better estimate of when he will be back will be given.
Giants Playbook – 8/22/09
Photo taken from nj.com
This entire summer, the biggest question mark to this Giants team has been the wide receivers. After the first preseason game of the year last week against the Panthers, the Giants wide receivers showed little hope.
Manningham compiled zero catches, and then Barden, Nicks, Hagan, and Moss all had one reception each. Smith and Hixon are the designated starters, but there are talks going around that Derek Hagan could be the Giants surprise at wide receiver during this years training camp.
Hagan has a history that most are unaware of, going back to his college career at Arizona State, where he left the Pac-10 as the reception leader and finished second in receiving yards all-time.
In 2006, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 3rd round. In 2 years with the Dolphins, Hagan collected 50 receptions for 3 touchdowns, but the Dolphins released him last November. The Giants then picked up Hagan in December and used him on special teams in last years playoff loss against the Eagles.
The 6-2, 215 pounder can get great air jumping for the ball, but his reputation from the Dolphins says that he drops way too many passes. The hidden gem behind Hagan is that he can play all three-receiver spots.
As of right now, all other receivers are ahead of Hagan, but if he continues to show his stamina, toughness, and versatility, he can find himself a spot on this roster for the 2009 season.
Giants Playbook – 8/18/09
Photo taken from hawkfantasysports.com
The Giants overall are a very solid team, however, I would like to point out a part of their game that I feel is their biggest question mark. My theory, along with ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth, is 3rd down conversions will be the biggest problem for the Giants this year.
Without Burress, as we have heard many times before, this offense has changed and Manning needs to find someone who can stay up and become that go to guy. Any thoughts on who this could be?
Giants Playbook – 8/15/09
Photo taken from blogspot.com
Well Giants fans, I have some horrible news coming out of training camp if you haven’t already heard. Fourth round draft pick runningback Andre Brown will miss the entire season due to a ruptured left Achilles’ tendon.
Ever since the NFL draft in April, I have been analyzing Brown and picked him to be the Giants break-out player of the year, the 2007 Ahmad Bradshaw if you will. When I heard the news, I immediately felt that this was going to be a blow to the depth of the runningback team.
I am bummed that all of us will now not have the opportunity to see what Brown can bring to the table, especially in the preseason. Apparently in practice yesterday, Brown went up to catch a pass with Gerris Wilkinson in coverage and he came down awkwardly, rolling over on the ground.
As the trainers went to attend to Brown, Jacobs was seen shaking his head in frustration, as if he knew the severity of Brown’s injury. The consensus of the injury is that Brown was injured as he planted his foot to make the jump for the ball.
Brown was the #4 runningback on the Giants depth chart, behind Jacobs, Bradshaw, and Ware. What will happen now to replace Brown is probably moving Dwayne Wright, who is currently playing fullback, back to his natural position of runningback.
Not a great situation, but hopefully Brown can take this year to observe others and to learn more about the game, getting geared toward next year at this time. I can’t imagine how Brown himself must feel after coming this far and now having to wait a whole other year to play and prove himself as an NFL player.