Week In Review
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This is it everyone, one week until training camp. Then the fun begins.
A week from tomorrow when Tom Coughlin blows the whistle and starts running his world famous two-a-days from SUNY Albany, we’ll have a better idea which of the 2010 Giants are ready to make an impact in 2010. We’ll find out who is ready to go and who isn’t. And until that happens, we’re unfortunately stuck with that wonderfully anticipatory yet uneasy feeling that always accompanies the last days before training camp action. But before we get into daily countdown mode here at GmenHQ, let’s recap the week:
• C.C. Brown decided the overly critical NY Media, and not his unbelievably poor play, was responsible for getting him benched him last season [story link]. He told the Detroit News:
"“The biggest thing with New York is the media controls the team. So whatever the media says, that’s what’s gonna happen.”Asked if he felt like he was a scapegoat for the Giants’ defensive struggles, he added, “I was, I was. Me being the new guy, I was the first guy on the block to be blamed. But it’s all right. It’s water under the bridge.”"
I don’t think C.C Brown remembers 2009 correctly, because it was plays like this that got him benched, not the media. And while Michael Johnson was an even worse safety at times — I mean Johnson certainly had twice as many opportunities — it doesn’t change the fact that quarterbacks throwing into C.C. Brown’s coverage (or lack thereof) had a QB Rating of 142.6, the second highest rating and therefore second worst coverage stat in the NFL. Brown also allowed 6 touchdowns on his watch, tied for most in the league [complete stats here]. The only redeeming quality Brown has is that his run stopping abilities were adequate, and when he hit guys he trucked them like he weighed 450 lbs. Perhaps if Bill Sheridan actually used C.C. Brown the way he was originally thought to be used, as a purely in the box safety, Brown wouldn’t be blaming anyone for his own shortcomings in coverage.
• Madden 11 ratings came out this week and the numbers can be viewed here and here. The Giants overall rank 14th in the NFL with a cumulative score of 81. Standouts include Shaun O’hara (91), Chris Snee (96), and Justin Tuck (92). Eli Manning (89), Steve Smith (88), and Corey Webster (89) just slip out of the 90’s overall but post good scores.
• New England Sports’ Nick Coman posted a scathing ‘preview’ of the NY Giants 2010 season, and if you can actually make it through to the end you realize it’s more of a sinister cocktail comprised of a jaded 2007-08 retrospective stirred up with some contemporary disinformation, extra bitter of course. Speaking of bitter, be sure to check the comments for some of the thickest, most vile backlash from NY Giants fans you can imagine… including two from yours truly. [NESN]
• Yahoo Sports’ team rankings came out, and the Giants Linebackers made the bottom of the list coming in at 30 of 32 teams. Ouch. The offensive line (ranked 8th) and defensive line (ranked 3rd) fared much, much better.
• NFC East Blogger Matt Mosley answered questions pertaining to all things NY Giants earlier this week. My favorite quote:
"“I think Jacobs will be much better this season, but Bradshaw’s the home-run back. He’ll get his chance to be The Man at some point this season. Maybe sooner than later.”"
Glad to see Bradshaw is starting to make a name for himself, and possibly over take Jacobs for the role of featured running back.