Glaken
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Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Giants and Saints. Now they're back with a second look.
Saints offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard was impressive last week in simplifying the offense in order to get QB Aaron Brooks off to a fast start. Look for Brooks to start the game fast like he did last week when he completed his first eight pass attempts. He finished the game with a 97.9 passer rating.
Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will emphasize this week to his defensive line the importance of staying in their rush lanes and not allowing Brooks to escape outside and run for positive yardage. The Saints must continue to do a good job of protecting him and allowing him to be a better pocket passer by limiting his progressions in the passing game (shorter drops/quicker throws).
Look for the Giants to increase the workload of RB Brandon Jacobs this week after his impressive debut last week. Offensive coordinator John Hufnagel could incorporate a personnel grouping that has both Barber and Jacobs on the field at the same time on first or second down, along with using Chad Morton in certain sub groupings, depending on match-ups on third down. Jacobs will continue his role in short yardage and goal-line situations.
The Giants offensive line lost starting RT Kareem McKenzie in the second quarter to a sprained ankle and it will probably be a game time decision whether he plays or not. Journeyman Bob Whitfield replaced McKenzie and did an effective job vs. Chike Okeafor.
McKenzie was signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Jets this past offseason to anchor the right side of the offensive line. If McKenzie doesn't play, look for the Giants to be a left-handed running team behind LG David Diehl and LT Luke Petitigout against the Saints RDE Darren Howard and RDT Willie Whitehead.
The Saints defensive coordinator Rick Venturi must come up with ways to control the Giants running game. The Saints have struggled throughout the preseason and allowed 141 yards (5.6 avg.) on 25 carries to the Panthers last week. Look for head coach Tom Coughlin to pound away, with the combination of Tiki Barber and Jacobs.
The lack of production at linebacker last season was a big reason for the Saints struggles on defense. There is a lot of youth at the position, with both Colby Bockwoldt and Courtney Watson being second year players, though Watson did lead the Saints last week with eight total tackles.
QB Eli Manning wasn't spectacular last week, but he did do a good job of managing the game. He started off slow but seemed to get into rhythm in the second half. The Saints did a good job of pressuring the quarterback last week and can be effective when pressuring with their front four.
Darren Howard and Charles Grant both are productive pass rushers when coming off the edge. Look for second year player DE Will Smith in passing situations. Smith is explosive with a good combination of speed and quickness as a situational rusher. This group can possess some serious match-up concerns in sub situations on third down.
RC Will Peterson was inactive last week. Peterson was replaced by Curtis Deloatch, who was handled pretty well by Larry Fitzgerald last week. If Peterson can't play, look for Lewis to roll the coverage over the top and allow Will Allen some one-on-one situations vs. Joe Horn. Devery Henderson could replace WR Az-Zahir Hakim, who was injured last week, as the third receiver if Hakim can't play vs. the Giants.
Look for the Giants to throw a lot of vertical jump balls down the field and in the red zone with the height advantage of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Toomer, a nine-year veteran, had his streak of 98 straight games of catching a pass broken last week.
The Giants will also open TE Jeremy Shockey in the formation and try to isolate a safety or linebacker on him in regular personnel. Also, they will take their shots on the perimeter against RC Fakhir Brown, depending on the situation.
Saints RB Deuce McAllister runs behind an offensive line that averages 316 pounds. He's a versatile player who can contribute in both regular and sub packages. And while McAllister has had some durability concerns, that won't stop the Saints from involving him a lot to take pressure off Brooks.
FB Mike Karney and OC LeCharles Bentley must be effective in neutralizing the linebacking corps led by Reggie Torbor and Antonio Pierce. RDT William Joseph must stay square and hold the point against LG Kendyl Jacox to allow Pierce to attack downhill.
Special Teams
The Giants special teams coordinator Mike Sweatman did an impressive job with his unit in week 1 of the regular season. The return game was awesome, led by a 95-yard TD on a kickoff return by Willie Ponder, and a 52-yard TD on a punt return by Chad Morton.
The coverage units were also impressive, downing four punts inside the 20-yard line off the foot of P Jeff Feagles. Feagles is a very effective directional punter, and he also passed Sean Landeta for the most punts in NFL history (1,368). This unit will have its work cut out for them this week against return specialist Michael Lewis.
PK John Carney was impressive last week and booted field goals of 29, 48 and 47 yards -- the last one being the game winner with three seconds left. P Mitch Berger averaged 43.5 yards on two punts, both inside the 20. The Saints also limited the Panthers to an average of 15.2 yards on five kickoff returns.
Matchups
? NY Giants RB Tiki Barber against New Orleans MLB Courtney Watson
? New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister against NY Giants MLB Antonio Pierce
? NY Giants LDE Michael Strahan against New Orleans RT Jammal Brown
? NY Giants TE Jeremy Shockey against New Orleans FS Dwight Smith
? New Orleans WR Joe Horn against NY Giants DC Will Allen
? New Orleans LC Mike McKenzie against NY Giants WR Plaxico Burress
Scouts' Edge
The Saints are playing inspired football and collide with a NY Giants team that was impressive in week 1. And while this is techincally a home game, the Saints will need to start fast and take the Monday night electricity out of the crowd. Look for both teams to simplify their offense and run the ball, in an effort to take pressure off their quarterbacks. Both teams have very explosive playmakers at the skill positions, which could result in both teams scoring a lot of points in their controlled passing attacks. Aaron Brooks played well last week, and look for Deuce McAlister to carry a heavy load vs. the Giants. Eli Manning needs to settle down, get the ball to his playmakers and avoid mistakes. The Saints must do a better job than the Cardinals did last week in containing both Ponder and Morton on special teams. The combination of Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs will wear down the Saints front seven and enable the Giants to start the season at 2-0.
Prediction: Giants 28, Saints 24
Saints offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard was impressive last week in simplifying the offense in order to get QB Aaron Brooks off to a fast start. Look for Brooks to start the game fast like he did last week when he completed his first eight pass attempts. He finished the game with a 97.9 passer rating.
Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will emphasize this week to his defensive line the importance of staying in their rush lanes and not allowing Brooks to escape outside and run for positive yardage. The Saints must continue to do a good job of protecting him and allowing him to be a better pocket passer by limiting his progressions in the passing game (shorter drops/quicker throws).
Look for the Giants to increase the workload of RB Brandon Jacobs this week after his impressive debut last week. Offensive coordinator John Hufnagel could incorporate a personnel grouping that has both Barber and Jacobs on the field at the same time on first or second down, along with using Chad Morton in certain sub groupings, depending on match-ups on third down. Jacobs will continue his role in short yardage and goal-line situations.
The Giants offensive line lost starting RT Kareem McKenzie in the second quarter to a sprained ankle and it will probably be a game time decision whether he plays or not. Journeyman Bob Whitfield replaced McKenzie and did an effective job vs. Chike Okeafor.
McKenzie was signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Jets this past offseason to anchor the right side of the offensive line. If McKenzie doesn't play, look for the Giants to be a left-handed running team behind LG David Diehl and LT Luke Petitigout against the Saints RDE Darren Howard and RDT Willie Whitehead.
The Saints defensive coordinator Rick Venturi must come up with ways to control the Giants running game. The Saints have struggled throughout the preseason and allowed 141 yards (5.6 avg.) on 25 carries to the Panthers last week. Look for head coach Tom Coughlin to pound away, with the combination of Tiki Barber and Jacobs.
The lack of production at linebacker last season was a big reason for the Saints struggles on defense. There is a lot of youth at the position, with both Colby Bockwoldt and Courtney Watson being second year players, though Watson did lead the Saints last week with eight total tackles.
QB Eli Manning wasn't spectacular last week, but he did do a good job of managing the game. He started off slow but seemed to get into rhythm in the second half. The Saints did a good job of pressuring the quarterback last week and can be effective when pressuring with their front four.
Darren Howard and Charles Grant both are productive pass rushers when coming off the edge. Look for second year player DE Will Smith in passing situations. Smith is explosive with a good combination of speed and quickness as a situational rusher. This group can possess some serious match-up concerns in sub situations on third down.
RC Will Peterson was inactive last week. Peterson was replaced by Curtis Deloatch, who was handled pretty well by Larry Fitzgerald last week. If Peterson can't play, look for Lewis to roll the coverage over the top and allow Will Allen some one-on-one situations vs. Joe Horn. Devery Henderson could replace WR Az-Zahir Hakim, who was injured last week, as the third receiver if Hakim can't play vs. the Giants.
Look for the Giants to throw a lot of vertical jump balls down the field and in the red zone with the height advantage of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Toomer, a nine-year veteran, had his streak of 98 straight games of catching a pass broken last week.
The Giants will also open TE Jeremy Shockey in the formation and try to isolate a safety or linebacker on him in regular personnel. Also, they will take their shots on the perimeter against RC Fakhir Brown, depending on the situation.
Saints RB Deuce McAllister runs behind an offensive line that averages 316 pounds. He's a versatile player who can contribute in both regular and sub packages. And while McAllister has had some durability concerns, that won't stop the Saints from involving him a lot to take pressure off Brooks.
FB Mike Karney and OC LeCharles Bentley must be effective in neutralizing the linebacking corps led by Reggie Torbor and Antonio Pierce. RDT William Joseph must stay square and hold the point against LG Kendyl Jacox to allow Pierce to attack downhill.
Special Teams
The Giants special teams coordinator Mike Sweatman did an impressive job with his unit in week 1 of the regular season. The return game was awesome, led by a 95-yard TD on a kickoff return by Willie Ponder, and a 52-yard TD on a punt return by Chad Morton.
The coverage units were also impressive, downing four punts inside the 20-yard line off the foot of P Jeff Feagles. Feagles is a very effective directional punter, and he also passed Sean Landeta for the most punts in NFL history (1,368). This unit will have its work cut out for them this week against return specialist Michael Lewis.
PK John Carney was impressive last week and booted field goals of 29, 48 and 47 yards -- the last one being the game winner with three seconds left. P Mitch Berger averaged 43.5 yards on two punts, both inside the 20. The Saints also limited the Panthers to an average of 15.2 yards on five kickoff returns.
Matchups
? NY Giants RB Tiki Barber against New Orleans MLB Courtney Watson
? New Orleans RB Deuce McAllister against NY Giants MLB Antonio Pierce
? NY Giants LDE Michael Strahan against New Orleans RT Jammal Brown
? NY Giants TE Jeremy Shockey against New Orleans FS Dwight Smith
? New Orleans WR Joe Horn against NY Giants DC Will Allen
? New Orleans LC Mike McKenzie against NY Giants WR Plaxico Burress
Scouts' Edge
The Saints are playing inspired football and collide with a NY Giants team that was impressive in week 1. And while this is techincally a home game, the Saints will need to start fast and take the Monday night electricity out of the crowd. Look for both teams to simplify their offense and run the ball, in an effort to take pressure off their quarterbacks. Both teams have very explosive playmakers at the skill positions, which could result in both teams scoring a lot of points in their controlled passing attacks. Aaron Brooks played well last week, and look for Deuce McAlister to carry a heavy load vs. the Giants. Eli Manning needs to settle down, get the ball to his playmakers and avoid mistakes. The Saints must do a better job than the Cardinals did last week in containing both Ponder and Morton on special teams. The combination of Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs will wear down the Saints front seven and enable the Giants to start the season at 2-0.
Prediction: Giants 28, Saints 24
