New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles Mark Herzlich’s Time to Shine
Prior to the season the New York Giants circled this game vs the Philadelphia Eagles expect the game to be for the division. 6 bad losses by the Eagles has made this game lose some of it’s luster. Sure if the Eagles run the table they can still win the division and make the playoffs, but that seems likely. For the Giants this game means everything. With a win the Giants will essentially end the Eagles season, sweep the Eagles for the season, and earn some revenge and redemption from last year’s debacle in the miracle at the Meadowlands. The Eagles will be without Michael Vick and Maclin. The Giants without Bradshaw and Michael Boley.
The biggest story of this game is that Michael Boley is not going to play and that means feel good story Mark Herzlich will likely play and possibly even start. He will split opportunities with Jacquian Williams and Spencer Paysinger. Herzlich has not taken a snap in a regular defensive formation this year.
The Young Giants linebackers vs Vince Young and Shady McCoy
Like I just mentioned a moment ago, the Giants will use a rotation of Spencer Paysinger, Jacquain Williams, and Mark Herzlich in replace of the injured Michael Boley on Sunday Night. Paysinger looked lost at times last week (as did Greg Jones). Jacquian Williams has shown plus ability all year in pass coverage, blitzing and in run defense as a chase and run kind of guy. Williams looks to be the most talented of the linebacker group, but is the most raw.
Mark Herzlich is considered the most cerebral of the three players who has plus instincts and a non-stop motor. He also was a very good player, potential first round player, before he was diagnosed with cancer at Boston College. Herzlich is two years removed from cancer now and I’m really interested to see how he plays on Sunday. This is the biggest story-line in the game (other than who wins yadda yadda yadda) to me.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Greg Jones as well. So far Jones has shown me that he doesn’t have the ability to play sideline to sideline and that’s what you need vs LeSean McCoy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t play much.
What else is to there to watch
Will the Giants fans meet their Prince On Sunday Night?
Jeez louise. How have the Giants been succesful this year. Here are the stats for their first two draft picks this year. 0 games started, 0 games played, 0 snaps seen. 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 (get the point?)
Add in their third and fourth round picks and you get…one Kick return for 19 yards (jernigan) and a couple of routes run (Jernigan). James Brewer their fourth round pick has yet to play.
The past few weeks Prince Amukamara has been listed as questionable but has not played, the Giants really could use him not only in their normal packages, but also on special teams. Since the loss of Justin Tyron, the Giants gunners have been brutal.
Amukamara’s presence could be a huge benefit for the Giants moving on the rest of the year. The Eagles Wide Receivers are players that are smaller shifty players, the kind of players people assumed Amukamara couldn’t handle at the N.F.L. level. Sunday will be really interesting to watch (if he gets on the field).
Danny Watkins
Watkins was still adjusting to the N.F.L. speed of the game or learning the offense or whatever he was doing at the beginning of the season and din’t play in the first game vs the Giants. Tonight he will see a lot of different players lined up against him: Linval Joseph, Jason Pierre Paul, Justin Tuck, Rocky Bernard, and maybe Chris Canty will all line up against the right guard on Sunday night. Watkins will have his work cut out for him and I’m interested to see if he’s up to the task.
Jaiquawn Jarrett/Kurt Coleman/Nate Allen in the Deep part of the field
The Giants have mentioned that the Eagles seem to be moving back towards what their defense has traditionally been. A team that blitzes a lot and relies on man to man coverage. The Giants want to throw the ball down the field, probably as much as any other team in the league. If the Eagles go man on man coverage against Hakeem Nicks, Eli Manning will throw him the ball down the field (doesn’t matter who’s covering him, Eli will take the chance) I’m going to be watching how the Eagles defend the deep part of the field with their young safeties.
The Giants Jerel Jernigan and Da’rel Scott on Special Teams
During the draft the Giants wanted to make sure they added some speed and boy did they with the additions of Prince Amukamara (4.43 40 yard dash), Jacquian Williams (4.55 40 yard dash…fast for a linebacker), Jerrel Jernigan (4.40 pro day 4.46 at combine) and Da’Rel Scott (4.34 at the combine).
Well, Tom Quinn the Special Teams coach (want to scare your friend who is a Giants fan, mention that name and he’ll have nightmares) as said that he wants Da’Rel Scott and Jerrel Jernigan to be the return man. Jernigan was hurt last week so Victor Cruz did it, but he could do it this week. Da’Rel Scott should return kicks. Can the Giants FINALLY get something going in the return game?
There are other things to watch like will Vince Young earn himself a contract next year with an impressive performance. Does Steve Smith step-up with Maclin out vs his former team? Can DeSean Jackson care enough to make a difference in this game (he hasn’t much this year).Wil Brandon Jacobs run all over the Eagles linebackers, but we are “NFLMocks” so I decided to focus more on the young players.
Thoughts? And enjoy the game!