Anthony DeAngelis

NOVEMBER 12, 2008

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Giants ability to control the line of scrimmage guided them to a victory on Sunday against the Eagles.  The Giants running backs rushed for a combined 217 yards on 44 carries, which comes out to a 4.9 yards per carry clip.  Meanwhile, the Eagles running backs combined for 47 yards on 15 carries, a 3.1 average per carry.  With Eli Manning’s and Donovon McNabb’s passing stats being comparable, the question must be asked: Why was the game so darn close?

The first is turnovers.  The turnover ratio was even in the game, but the Giants’ errors proved more costly than Philadelphia’s. Manning’s interception on the first drive put the Eagles deep in Giants territory and set up a touchdown.  Brandon Jacobs’ fumble in the second quarter set up Philly’s second touchdown.  Don’t forget Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward also fumbled but were fortunate enough to not lose possession on those plays.  Meanwhile, the Eagles’ two turnovers were only converted into field goals by the Giants.

It’s the perfect lead to the Giants second problem on Sunday: Green Zone efficiency.  After having a perfect day in the Green Zone against Dallas, the Giants only got four touchdowns in seven trips inside the 20.  It’s above 50% but could be better. Not cashing in on more of those trips with touchdowns allowed the Eagles to stay in the game until the fourth quarter.  In most games in which a team dominates the running game the way the Giants did on Sunday, the final winning margin is typically a double-digit affair.

The three fumbles are easier to address than the Green Zone problems.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaching staff sat the running backs down this week and reminded them they are playing football and not competing in the 200-meter hurdles.  Leaping over defenders puts the player and ball at too much risk to be as common a play as we’ve seen from the Giants running backs.  Derrick Ward started the trend and Brandon Jacobs continued it this week, fumbling on one of those plays.  In the open field, like Kevin Boss was when he hurdled a Philly DB, the maneuver isn’t quite as dangerous because there aren’t so many defenders around.  However, going airborne anywhere near the line of scrimmage is asking for trouble.  It simply doesn’t jive with the disciplined, mistake-free, and fundamental football this team practices.

The Green Zone is a different question, and the coaching staff and most of the players swear it’s just a matter of execution.  Mistakes in a smaller field are simply exaggerated to the point where the smallest missed assignment or flawed technique can destroy an entire play.  Plaxico Burress was the Giants biggest Green Zone weapon and he hasn’t gotten off this year, nor have the Giants been able to successfully pound the ball close to the goal line.  If they are going to score touchdowns, that’s how they’re going to do it.

Controlling the line of scrimmage can hide mistakes, but as dominant as the Giants were on Sunday in the trenches, there were nearly too many mistakes to hide.  Those types of mistakes can mean the difference between wins and losses.  Clean them up, and this team will continue to roll.

By John Schmeelk, Giants.com