I think I've decided that I'm just going to stop watching Patriots vs. Giants games. It simply never ends well for me.
In a month full of relatively boring games, last night's preseason finale reached a new standard for snoozers. There were definitely some nice plays, and I'm sure both teams' coaching staffs got some final insights as to who will be around this time next week and who won't, but from a fan standpoint, that one stunk even for preseason standards. I found myself jumping back and forth between the game and a Spanish-overdubbed version of the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic Bloodsport, and so I'm sure I missed some stuff. But the way I see it, if pretty much all the starters got to take it easy last night, I should be able to do the same.
What barely passes for adequate notes after the jump.
- I don't dislike Eli Manning; I really don't. But he's definitely one of those people you just want to slap every time you look at him. If you asked 100 people who had no idea who Eli was what they thought he did for a living based on a picture of him, I feel comfortable at least 80% would come back with "Jersey Turnpike toll booth worker."
Welp...so much for taking a look at the starters. The only first teamer that saw any time last night was Sebastian Vollmer, which I imagine was just to get him some actual reps before the games start to matter.
The starting D Line to open this game was Scott, Brace, Deaderick, and Cunningham, with Carpenter, Rivera, and Koutovides as the LBs. With the exception of Rivera, I'd say the fact that they started is a good indication that all of these guys will make the final roster.
Ron Brace once again getting great penetration and forcing the runner to look for alternate lanes. I wish he were a little quicker, but asking a 330 lb man to be fast is like asking the media to shut up about Tim Tebow; harp on it all you want, but it just ain't happening.
Ryan Mallett looked pretty comfortable in the pocket, but seemed very quick to go to his checkdown receivers. The Giants pressure wasn't so overwhelming that there wasn't any time for routes to develop, so you have to wonder why Mallett didn't take too many shots.
Of course, that lack of shots could be due to a lack of real targets. Can't be easy throwing to the likes of Jesse Holley, Jeremy Ebert, and Kerry Taylor.
Great hit by Tavon Wilson to break up a pass early in the second quarter. Clearly Giants receivers only make great catches during Super Bowls when their quarterback just closes his eyes and hucks it up there. And yes, I am still bitter.
I continue to be impressed with Ebner's on-field awareness. He's still not taking great angles, but he has a great nose for the ball and solid instincts, which are two huge pluses.
The first half of this one was more or less the Brandon Bolden show. I'm hoping Bolden got his number called a lot because the coaching staff is evaluating his durability as they consider him as the 5th back as opposed to having zero confidence in any of the soon-to -be practice squad receivers.
I like Jeff Demps much better as a kick returner than a punt returner. Returning punts is a shifty man's game; returning kicks is all about getting up a head of steam, making a cut, and taking it to the house. Much better suited to Demps's skillset.
Sweet merciful crap these games take a long time. It's a good thing I have absolutely no life, because until the real refs come back, we're all in for at least a few Sundays full of games that will make a Charlton Heston movie seem like an episode of Robot Chicken.
Seriously- with 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the Giants were getting ready to punt when a penalty called the play back. Two conferences, six minutes, and three bumbling announcements later, they finally made the right call. Is there anything I can do to help get the refs back? If I give you guys some money out of my wallet, will that help?
Great call by the Jets cutting Steve Weatherford. That guy can't punt to save his life.
After the officiating debacle, I felt like both teams just started running it on almost every down or going for high percentage plays just to burn the clock out and get the game over with. The Giants play their first game in a week and really didn't need to waste their time and energy.
Towards the end of the half, Cunningham started drawing double teams. He also drew a holding call that caused a Giants drive to stall. I think it's safe to say we'll see him around this year.
Justin Francis had, in my opinion, the play of the game in the 3rd quarter when he collapsed the pocket, forced a David Carr scramble, and then ran down the receiver 25 yards downfield to make the tackle. He followed that play up with a sack to force a Giants punt. He really had a great game and took advantage of every snap he was given.
I was really hoping to see Jeff Demps run a Go Route last night. It's not the kind of play the team would ever attempt in the regular season, so I was hoping to see it yesterday. Oh well.
What an egregious error that missed challenge was on the Jesse Holley catch. Plays like that can completely change the climate of a regular season game, and it's looking more and more like some team needs to get completely screwed out of a win before the NFL and the referees work something out. I just really hope that team isn't New England.
Alfonzo Dennard with a good game as well. This is going to be one tough round of cuts.
Offensive line continues to blah blah blah.
I've never been so happy to see an opposing team score points on the Pats. I was really worried that this game was going to go to overtime and I would have to keep taking notes on this snoozefest.