If you followed GmenHQ during the game, you know that the story lines for this game were pretty simple. Poor offensive play calling, poor defensive secondary, a general lack of execution all around.
• Eli Manning’s helmet looked strange to me, I’m left wondering whether it bothered him or not. The reason it was bigger was so that his wound area on his forhead wouldn’t be affected during the game.
• The running game never really got going… but that was a key for the Ravens having one of the best rushing defenses in the league year in and out. Jacobs had one carry for 29 yards, that was about it. Bradshaw averaged just over 3 ypc, Jacobs without the one standout run averaged 2.5 — maybe the more telling stat. With the 29 yarder, almost 7 ypc. A misleading stat given the Giants struggles to capture any semblance of momentum from the very beginning of the game.
Don’t get me wrong, Bradshaw and Jacobs had their moments — the second drive of the night for example. Good efforts to pick up first downs in the middle of the field. But it broke down when it mattered. Some of the problem was the mish mash offensive line without O’hara and working in the rookies like Beatty — but the smallest hint of tough going and pushback from a hard nosed Ravens defense, the offense did not persevere through it. It needs to improve NOW.
One thing to take away though was Jacobs and Bradshaw lined up in a pro set, or split back set with Jacobs as the fullback… something I’ve been wanting to see experimented with all year to better utilize Jacobs’ size. It didn’t work out on 3rd and long though as the Ravens brought their DB’s in on the line and Bradshaw had to block, Will Beatty missed his assignment, and Manning was sacked. Still… I liked seeing some tinkering to the backfield and perhaps the one time all night, things looked very interesting for the Giants in terms of something different thrown into the mix.
• I thought the 3 runs to Bradshaw in a row for no gain was simply pathetic. Yes, it’s preseason… but for pete’s sake can we see some creativity here? Not one play action fake or diversion from a stuffed run attempt? SO WHAT if Bradshaw was picking up those short yardages for Jacobs all last year — I want to see some variation on a theme in 2010. I want the Giants to out fox their opponents in the chess match that happens before the snap, because it damn sure isn’t getting done with execution after the snap. Inside the Ravens 20, you turn it over on downs running the same play 3 times trying to gain 1 yard. COME ON. That’s on Bradshaw, Manning, the line, the OC, HC — everyone.
• Victor Cruz showed up again. I’m not sure how he doesn’t make the team at this point. Catching lobs in stride, back corner fades, etc. He needs to work with the QB better on screens and short passes though, several miscues there.
• The defense, particularly the secondary was sub par. Antrel Rolle was flagged for what I thought was a clean play, and they said it was a defenseless receiver situation. I disagree…. and when the announcers say “they agree with the spirit of the call” that means it was a bad call. It led to a touchdown instead of a long field goal attempt at best. Rolle was in coverage on the next play and was just out-lept for the ball in the endzone.
• Courtney Brown and Bruce Johnson were lousy. This group is going to be the new low point of the team if Aaron Ross and Terrell Thomas are unable to play. Corey Webster had a good game though… good in coverage, broke up some critical plays, nice job and focus overall.
• The linebackers and defensive backs let the Ravens completely control the middle of the field, even on checkdown passes they were broken for large gains. The Giants need to focus on their central defense for the next couple of weeks if they’re going to have any chance at winning.
• Justin Tuck had a couple nice sacks, Linval Joseph got on the board with a late sack, and overall the front 4 was ok. The Ravens got the ball out pretty quickly and when they didn’t, Flacco was athletic enough to get outside and run for yardage. The Giants could do very little to contain the Ravens… and it was a disappointing showing from the Giants who looked outmatched at every level.
Here are the highlights, and like the game it was mostly Ravens: