October 19, 2009
The Monday Morning Quarterback
There was a lot on the line as the New York Giants (5-0) traveled south for a meeting with the New Orleans Saints (4-0) in a matchup of the NFC's two top teams. Hyped as a possible NFC Championship preview, pitting New York's top defense against New Orleans' offensive juggernaut, Drew Brees left little doubt that he and the Saints are the team to beat in 09. It's no secret to NFL fans that Drew Brees is one of the top quarterbacks in the league (Top 2, if not #1) and given the opportunity, he's going to air the ball out to him numerous downfield weapons. Apparently, the Giants didn't get the memo. The Saints won the coin toss, took the ball, and never looked back. Brees lead the Saints on touchdown scoring drives on each of each of their first four drives, and the New York defense which had allowed just over 200 yards/game this season had yielded 315 yards and 34 points in the first half alone. In their previous five games, the Giants gave up a combined total of 34 points in the first half. By day's end, Brees completed 23 of 30 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns. New Orleans' under-rated backfield added three more TDs on the ground as seven different Saints found the endzone, including former Giant Jeremy Shockey, who was chomping at the bit to play this game and remind New York what they traded to New Orleans last winter. The Saints rolled to a 48-27 victory, which wasn't even that close. The outcome was never in doubt as Brees and the Saints' talented receivers did whatever they wanted to against an over-matched Giants squad, facing little resistance along the way. In the process, the Saints established themselves as the clear-cut favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Of all the undefeated teams remaining in the NFL, the Saints have easily faced the toughest schedule, most notably knocking off the previously undefeated Jets and Giants with relative ease, as well as Week 2 victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia. What's more impressive is that through five weeks, the Saints have not trailed in any game this season. Their offense has scored on its opening drive every week. Drew Brees is in control of an offensive machine and I am hard pressed to find anyone in the NFL who can slow them down.
Sunday's defeat brought the surging Giants back to earth and also brought to the forefront several areas which the team will need to address if they want to meet expectations this year, first and foremost being the secondary. The Giants, more than anything, need to get healthy. Aaron Ross has yet to play in a game this season. While Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson, and a limited Kevin Dockery have done a good job filling in at cornerback, The Giants are going to need more heading into a much tougher stretch on their schedule. Also, this team needs a safety ASAP. I like Michael Johnson and he's grown quite a bit as a player the last few years, but C.C. Brown is absolutely killing the team. These guys are fine when you're playing Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Oakland, but teams like the Saints, and even the Cowboys are going to exploit these guys and have big days in the air. Brown was absolutely dreadful on Sunday! Brees threw all over Brown early and often as the safety was unable to fend off New Orleans' wide receivers. Brown bit on the Saints' play action over and over again Sunday, leaving the middle of the field open for Brees to hit his targets rather effortlessly. This was the last straw for me. The Saints' run game wasn't killing us, their passing game was. Why Brown thought it was imperative to continuously move in to help stop the run, while Brees unloaded bombs over his head, is beyond me. C.C. was completely over-matched. Giants color commentator Carl Banks went as far as calling Brown an "All day sucker", and it is absolutely necessary for the Giants to address the need of a safety who can step in and replace Kenny Phillips for the year. With the trade deadline approaching on Tuesday, the Giants can help themselves a lot if they can finagle a move to acquire a safety, though this is doubtful. Cornerback Corey Webster also left something to be desired as Marques Colston torched him for eight catches, 166 yards, and a touchdown. Webster's performance further emphasizes the importance of guys like Aaron Ross getting healthy and back on the field, now. Beyond Ross, there are other members of the Giants whose injuries continue to handcuff the team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The pass rush was non-existent in New Orleans and Drew Brees had all the time in the world to stand in the pocket, pick out a receiver, and deliver a pass. A lot of that has to do with the Saints' O line, but a pass rusher like Chris Canty could have stepped in and possibly made a difference for Big Blue. Also, the absence of linebacker Michael Boley was obvious as Reggie Bush had too much room to run free on the outside. There is no doubt that these injuries will hamper the Giants against the league's more talented offenses. The Giants' offense didn't look great on Sunday, though they had a better day than the defense. Brandon Jacobs was unable to get the run game going and New York was behind so early that they all but abandoned the run for the pass. To add injury to insult, tackle Karim McKenzie was carted off the field adding to the teams amplifying disabled list.
The bottom line still remains the defense. The Giants are going to live and die with them. The offense will put up points and at times look flashy, but if the Defense isn't stopping the opposing offense, the Giants aren't going to win. This team just isn't built to get into shootouts with the likes of New Orleans. The offense is very good and they will do some damage, but if they're playing from behind and getting into shootouts, then they are abandoning their ball control, power running philosophy, which is what has made this team successful in the past. If the opposition can take the Giants out of their element and off their game that easily, then it's going to be a long day. Just ask Drew Brees and the Saints. Sunday's victory over the Giants was a statement to the rest of the NFL, and I hope they took notice. The Saints have arrived, and they have established themselves as the team to beat in the conference and the early frontrunner to play in the Super Bowl because they are that good! And if you aren't prepared for them, they will embarrass you, just like they did the Giants.
