ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Lions vs. Giants Friday, October 22, 2004
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Lions and Giants. Now they're back with a
second look.
Detroit CB Andre' Goodman is practicing for the first time since suffering
a hamstring injury in the Lions' season-opener and he is expected to play.
However, CB Fernando Bryant is set to miss this game with a groin injury.
Chris Cash will likely start opposite Dre' Bly leaving a rusty Goodman and
an inexperienced Vernon Fox as Detroit's Nickel and Dime backs. The Giants
can take advantage by spreading the field but offensive coordinator John
Hufnagel will have to be creative in his personnel groupings with WR Tim
Carter out of the lineup. TE Jeremy Shockey and RB Tiki Barber are both
capable of playing some receiver. Their versatility should allow QB Kurt
Warner to target Detroit's sub-package defenders despite the Giants lack
of depth at receiver.
The Giants will also hold an advantage when Hufnagel keeps Shockey and
Barber in their natural positions, as rookie SLB Teddy Lehman can be
exploited in coverage. Lehman has made tremendous progress against the run
but he lacks ideal speed and he isn't getting enough depth when dropping
into zone coverage. Expect to see a number of vertical and crossing-routes
that are designed to let receivers "run away" from the defense when Lehman
drops into man coverage. The Giants can flood Lehman's area with a number
of different combination routes that feature Shockey and Barber when the
Lions drop into zone coverage.
After fumbling nine times a year ago, Barber has yet to put the ball on
the turf this season. The difference in his carrying style is the biggest
reason Barber's ball security has improved. Last year defenders had a
better chance to knock the ball out because Barber was carrying it off to
his side and too low. Barber now carries the ball tucked under his chin
without extending his elbow. Running like this makes the ball a smaller
target for defenders and it allows Barber to use his body as an extra
pressure point. The Lions have forced ten fumbles this year and they will
test Barber throughout this game so Barber must continue to practice good
ball security.
The return of rookie playmakers WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones to
full-time roles should help the Lions. Detroit picked up just five first
downs and controlled the ball for just 20 minutes with Williams out and
Jones carrying the ball twice because of a high ankle sprain last week.
Both Williams and Jones are listed as probable and head coach Steve
Mariucci will have more options in his play-calling as a result.
Giants LDE Michael Strahan will require special attention, as Lions ROT
Stockar McDougle is incapable of handling him alone. Without the services
of FB Cory Schlesinger, who is out with a hamstring injury, the
responsibility of "chipping" Strahan will fall on Jones and fellow RBs
Artose Pinner and Shawn Bryson. Jones is nursing an ankle injury and he
may not be effective as a blocker. However, Pinner and Bryson are both
physical in pass protection and they can at least help slow Strahan down.
The Lions will also use TEs Stephen Alexander and Casey Fitzsimmons as
extra blockers in an attempt to frustrate Strahan and force the Giants to
blitz. With Williams back in the lineup for Detroit and New York playing
two backup safeties, defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will be hesitant to
blitz. If a combination of different protections can keep Strahan out of
the backfield, Lewis may have no choice.
The Giants' offense has been atrocious on third down and it must do a
better job of moving the chains. Part of the problem has been RB Ron
Dayne's inability to make a consistent contribution in short-yardage
situations. At 5-10, 245 pounds Dayne should have little trouble churning
out first downs but he has yet to make an impact in that role. Dayne has
been hesitant when attacking the hole and needs to run with better body
lean.
The Giants offensive line was completely overhauled prior to the season
with four new starters joining LOT Luke Petitgout. However, this group has
gelled quickly. One of the reasons it has played well is rookie ROG Chris
Snee who is emerging as one of the best young linemen in the league. Snee
draws a tough assignment this week, as he will be matched up against LDT
Dan Wilkinson. He needs to handle the wide-bodied Wilkinson alone because
RDT Shaun Rogers will require attention from both LOG Jason Whittle and OC
Shaun O'Hara.
New York RDT Fred Robbins is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury
and it's unlikely he plays after missing practice on Wednesday. If Robbins
pulls up lame as expected, the Giants will turn to second-year LDT William
Joseph as their starter opposite Norman Hand. The 6-6, 320-pound Joseph
continues to improve but he is still struggling with consistency. Although
the Lions' running game is currently ranked last in the NFC, Detroit could
have some success running inside with Joseph in the lineup.
Special Teams
Giants backup SS Jack Brewer has made a huge impact on the kickoff and
punt cover teams leading the way with seven special teams' tackles. Brewer
enjoys his roles as a wedge-breaker and gunner and he has done a great job
of making tackles in the open field. His aggressive style of play is a big
reason why the Giants are ranked in the top ten in both punt and kickoff
return yards allowed.
Prediction: Giants 27, Lions 23
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Lions and Giants. Now they're back with a
second look.
Detroit CB Andre' Goodman is practicing for the first time since suffering
a hamstring injury in the Lions' season-opener and he is expected to play.
However, CB Fernando Bryant is set to miss this game with a groin injury.
Chris Cash will likely start opposite Dre' Bly leaving a rusty Goodman and
an inexperienced Vernon Fox as Detroit's Nickel and Dime backs. The Giants
can take advantage by spreading the field but offensive coordinator John
Hufnagel will have to be creative in his personnel groupings with WR Tim
Carter out of the lineup. TE Jeremy Shockey and RB Tiki Barber are both
capable of playing some receiver. Their versatility should allow QB Kurt
Warner to target Detroit's sub-package defenders despite the Giants lack
of depth at receiver.
The Giants will also hold an advantage when Hufnagel keeps Shockey and
Barber in their natural positions, as rookie SLB Teddy Lehman can be
exploited in coverage. Lehman has made tremendous progress against the run
but he lacks ideal speed and he isn't getting enough depth when dropping
into zone coverage. Expect to see a number of vertical and crossing-routes
that are designed to let receivers "run away" from the defense when Lehman
drops into man coverage. The Giants can flood Lehman's area with a number
of different combination routes that feature Shockey and Barber when the
Lions drop into zone coverage.
After fumbling nine times a year ago, Barber has yet to put the ball on
the turf this season. The difference in his carrying style is the biggest
reason Barber's ball security has improved. Last year defenders had a
better chance to knock the ball out because Barber was carrying it off to
his side and too low. Barber now carries the ball tucked under his chin
without extending his elbow. Running like this makes the ball a smaller
target for defenders and it allows Barber to use his body as an extra
pressure point. The Lions have forced ten fumbles this year and they will
test Barber throughout this game so Barber must continue to practice good
ball security.
The return of rookie playmakers WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones to
full-time roles should help the Lions. Detroit picked up just five first
downs and controlled the ball for just 20 minutes with Williams out and
Jones carrying the ball twice because of a high ankle sprain last week.
Both Williams and Jones are listed as probable and head coach Steve
Mariucci will have more options in his play-calling as a result.
Giants LDE Michael Strahan will require special attention, as Lions ROT
Stockar McDougle is incapable of handling him alone. Without the services
of FB Cory Schlesinger, who is out with a hamstring injury, the
responsibility of "chipping" Strahan will fall on Jones and fellow RBs
Artose Pinner and Shawn Bryson. Jones is nursing an ankle injury and he
may not be effective as a blocker. However, Pinner and Bryson are both
physical in pass protection and they can at least help slow Strahan down.
The Lions will also use TEs Stephen Alexander and Casey Fitzsimmons as
extra blockers in an attempt to frustrate Strahan and force the Giants to
blitz. With Williams back in the lineup for Detroit and New York playing
two backup safeties, defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will be hesitant to
blitz. If a combination of different protections can keep Strahan out of
the backfield, Lewis may have no choice.
The Giants' offense has been atrocious on third down and it must do a
better job of moving the chains. Part of the problem has been RB Ron
Dayne's inability to make a consistent contribution in short-yardage
situations. At 5-10, 245 pounds Dayne should have little trouble churning
out first downs but he has yet to make an impact in that role. Dayne has
been hesitant when attacking the hole and needs to run with better body
lean.
The Giants offensive line was completely overhauled prior to the season
with four new starters joining LOT Luke Petitgout. However, this group has
gelled quickly. One of the reasons it has played well is rookie ROG Chris
Snee who is emerging as one of the best young linemen in the league. Snee
draws a tough assignment this week, as he will be matched up against LDT
Dan Wilkinson. He needs to handle the wide-bodied Wilkinson alone because
RDT Shaun Rogers will require attention from both LOG Jason Whittle and OC
Shaun O'Hara.
New York RDT Fred Robbins is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury
and it's unlikely he plays after missing practice on Wednesday. If Robbins
pulls up lame as expected, the Giants will turn to second-year LDT William
Joseph as their starter opposite Norman Hand. The 6-6, 320-pound Joseph
continues to improve but he is still struggling with consistency. Although
the Lions' running game is currently ranked last in the NFC, Detroit could
have some success running inside with Joseph in the lineup.
Special Teams
Giants backup SS Jack Brewer has made a huge impact on the kickoff and
punt cover teams leading the way with seven special teams' tackles. Brewer
enjoys his roles as a wedge-breaker and gunner and he has done a great job
of making tackles in the open field. His aggressive style of play is a big
reason why the Giants are ranked in the top ten in both punt and kickoff
return yards allowed.
Prediction: Giants 27, Lions 23
