Giants-Redskins Preview
DJ Boyer |Sep 04,2008
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 Giants-Redskins Preview
Redskins Offense vs. Giants Defense
What do we expect here…good question. We have a Redskins offense with a new coach who is very offensive oriented in Jim, one that used it’s first three drafts picks on pass catching targets. Playing a defense that has seen some people leave via free agency (Gibril Wilson and Kawika Mitchell), retirement (Michael Strahan) and injury (Usi Umenyiora). The biggest question marks for both teams face each other here.
Is Jason Campbell the leader of this team? That is the biggest question for the offense as questions linger after watching Todd Collins lead the Redskins down the stretch and into the playoffs. Clinton portis is a solid runner and despite the fact that the redskins have been vocal about stretching the field and taking more chances with big plays the running game is still the bread and butter. This team has been built around it’s offensive line for years and it is no different today even with the surprise announcement that Stephan Heyer is the new tackle opposite Chris Samuels. Chris Cooley is the most reliable target the team has and he is now a much better blocker than when he came into the league as primarily an h-back for receptions only. This team had Antwaan Randle –El catch only one touchdown a season ago and James Thrash spent most of the season as the #3 receiver. Getting receiver help wasn’t surprising but seeing so many so early when it will take them a while to contribute is still a ,little shocking.
The Giants can be successful on defense without Umenyiora and Strahan because they had pressure from other places. Pressure is the key however, we saw it in the Super Bowl with Tom Brady getting leveled and hit on nearly every play. The Giants wound up leading theNFL in sacks and now that Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka willbe depended upon evenmore is a bit of a question mark but one of the Giants feel good about.The defense should be able to get some pressure on Campbell and overload the side of Heyer ands test the youngster.
Giants Offense vs Redskins Defense
The Giants lack the one star back like the Redskins have in Clinton Portis but they got production from a number of different sources a season ago and that tells you the offensive line is solid. The Giants were solid and healthy as they lost only 1 game to injury for a starting lineman last season. Brandon Jacobs is as big as the come and in Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw the Giants have change of pace backs that each add their own dimension and look to the offense.
Will we see the Eli Manning that threw only 1 interception in 4 postseason games last year or the guy that threw 20 picks in the regular season and threw them in bunches? The line is just as goods protecting against the pass as they are run blocking. One criticism of Manning is he holds onto the ball too long and the amount of sacks they give up is a bit misleading. With Plaxico Burress you have a receiver with Pro Bowl ability and immense size that he uses to his advantage. We will see more of second year player Steve Smith and second year tight end Kevin Boss. Boss is not the starter with Jeremy Shockey in New Orleans and Smith on the heels of getting Amani Toomer’s starting position.
This defense played with a chip on their shoulder and late in the year they united around the death of their fallen teammate Sean Taylor. Now LaRon Landry takes over at strong safety after playing free safety as a rookie. Landry missed all of the preseason with injury and his status will go a long way in determining how successful the redskins defense is. Landry is getting the start but the redskins will be watching him closely and have said they will sit him in he looks uncomfortable
because they know it’s a long season and he is one player they can ill afford to lose. The Redskins have had back luck with veteran free agents but the pickup of London Fletcher was one of the best pickups any team made last year and it went unnoticed by many. This year the big splash in the market was former Dolphion Jason Taylor and his status is still up in the air.
Special Teams
The kicking game is nothing to write home about for either team, especially New York where Lawrence Tynes missed some big kicks down the stretch I the playoffs but he hit a few and it allowed him to keep his job….for now. I have the feeling Tynes is on a short leash. Dominik Hixon has turned into one of the better return men in the league and I believe he gives the Giants the edge here as the Redskins have yet to receive huge dividends from Antwan Randle-El in the return game.
Summary
This is a compelling smashmouth football style game to open the season. I expect scoring to be low and possibly come down to field goals and field position. I say the Giants win this game by about five points and are able to cover the spread and get their title defense started the right way.
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