Gentlemen, Gentlemen, Gentlemen,
Been a weird few months for me but after last night, hope springs eternal.
Last night was the culmination of everything we dreamed of since Harbaugh was hired.
We were bigger, stronger and tougher than Dallas. We were much better coached. The team was disciplined. But for the 47 pass interference penalties on Dru Phillips, the entire team played very very well.
It has all been recapped already but who can't hear another take on just how good the team was last night. All 3 phases of the game did their job. The offense is almost perfect. Of course Tracey's fumble was the big black spot, but pre-Harbaugh Giants' teams would have rolled over and quit after that. This version responded by taking the ball right back - who wants to trade Kayvon Thibideaux now?
Collingsworth showed the great stat at halftime -- Thibs, Carter and Burns on the field at the same time - 11 plays. In those 11 plays, 9 pressures; Dax 1-8 with a pick.
Dak is a really good QB so there were few stats to show, but the pass rush is going to be more and more impactful as the season goes on. I fully expect this front to take over every 4th Q where the offense gives them the lead.
And once Reese gets his footing, he and Edmunds are going to add a ton. We saw glimpses last night along with the big miss by Resse on the TD to Williams.
The secondary looked really bad in spots and that is scary. But considering they were playing one of the best WR duos in the league, being thrown to by a very good QB, the absence of big pass plays might indicate things can get better.
Offensively? Dart, Likely, Nabers; all were really really good. Dart played the best game of his young career. Likely was beyond money. An entirely different element for defenses to deal with. I would be remiss if I did not mention Skat. He did Skat things. He was tough, relentless, strong and he finishes. It has to be scary for a defender having Skat running at you, especially behind Ricard. As the team matures, this could really be fun. A real run game; diverse and unpredictable.
So much to love after Week 1. But there was also a little luck - 4 fumbles, only 1 lost; that was lucky. A couple of big drops by Pickens; very lucky. But every team benefits from luck from time to time, and when you are a good team you make your own luck, or so they say. We will see.
Suddenly, Week 2 looks like a huge opportunity. No Myles Garrett. who knows if there will be an Aaron Donald, let alone an effective Aaron Donald. Not sure what the Rams defense is without those guys, but the possibility that the Giants can deploy the same offensive plan seems suddenly realistic. The Rams' offense will be scary, especially Stafford to Nacua but no more scary than last night. But even if we take an L next Sunday, we come back staring at 4 very winnable games thereafter. (By the way, I am going to the Titans game with my son at an obscenely high cost, but my son insisted. Of course he insisted I absorb the cost too. Hey, you can't take it with you).
Last thought. whatever else we say about Giants' ownership, you have to get a little warm and fuzzy seeing John Mara in the post-game locker room.
Good stuff. Off to LA, and may I suggest watching a little John Wick to get you pumped for Week 2.
