RAMS TAKE GIANT BATTERING

Would the person who predicted the New York Giants to be the NFL’s highest scoring team please stand up? Hello…is there anyone in the room fitting that description? Anyone? Anyone?

Yet it’s true, in the first four games the New York-Ball-Control-Chew-Up-The-Clock-Run-It-Up-The-Middle-Football-Giants have amassed 136 points, averaging 34 points per game. Perhaps some of Don Coryell’s old magic traveled back with the Giants from San Diego last week. Something, after all, had to come out of that disgraceful loss. The Giants responded in a 44-24 home dismantling of St. Louis, even playing a little defense to boot.

Starting right away the Giants fired out of the block, scoring on their first five possessions. And while the NFL focused on their game in Mexico, the Giants focused theirs around Plaxico. Plaxico Burress that is, who shined brightly after being shunned in Tom Coughlin’s doghouse the week before with ten receptions for 204 yards and two TD’s. “He’s becoming our Go-To guy,” Giants’ Center Shaun O’Hara said of Burress. “You throw the ball up in the air, and he’s bigger and stronger than most corners, and he’s gonna come down with that ball nine times out of ten.”

Manning, who in a losing effort last week, jettisoned much of his greenness remained in top form; completing 19 of 35, for 296 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. In all, the Giants generated 456 total yards without committing any turnovers.

The big thing about this game, however, was Tom Coughlin making strides to connect with his players. It’s been well documented about the “distance” that Coughlin has with his team. If “Gentleman” Jim Fassel was the sweet smelling rose, Coughlin is the prickly cactus whose spines can cause pain for weeks, even months at a time. Last week in San Diego, Coughlin usurped the spirit of the team with two critical decisions. The first was the opening drive where they went for the chip shot field goal instead of the touchdown on fourth and inches. The second, was again, going for the field goal with 15 seconds remaining in the first half instead of taking a shot or two in the end zone. The players were hungry and determined, but Coughlin played the part of the controlling, overprotective parent; which is always a prescription for failure. So Sunday, against St. Louis, Coughlin went for it on fourth and goal in the first quarter. Even more so, they passed on that play, rather than predictably pound it through on the ground. The ball, which blooped in the air from Manning’s arm like a mortar shell, landed acrobatically in Amani Toomer’s hands. It was Toomer’s first touchdown grab since December 28, 2003. “I just felt like that was the call, it came from the gut,” Coughlin said. “In that situation, I felt like we were there, we had driven the ball and I felt like we needed to come away with a touchdown there and Eli and Amani made a heck of a play.” It was also an apology and admission of poor conservative judgement from the week before. The Giants embraced the move with a 17-7 first quarter lead. All seemed well, the fence between team and coach was mended. Some scribes are even calling this new offense, “Air Coughlin.” That call, as the season progresses, will later be linked to the Giants’ continued success in 2005. It’s the play that will signify Coughlin and the team finally being in synch.

PLAYER TO WATCH AS THE SEASON MOVES AHEAD: Justin Tuck

On the ensuing kickoff after the Manning to Toomer touchdown play, Justin Tuck continued to set the tone with a crushing tackle. Nothing fancy, just charging hard downfield, but when he made contact, it really made a statement that said: “that door’s stayin’ closed.” He’s feisty and hungry, and has something to prove after being passed over by other teams until the Giants snatched him in the third round of the 2005 draft. Expect to see more of him as the aging Michael Strahan needs more time to catch his breath. He, like Brandon Jacobs, should give the Giants’ underrated scouting department some additional cred.

IF YOU CAN’T COVER ‘EM AT LEAST MAKE ‘EM PAY, was the message the Giants’ linebackers and secondary sent to the Rams. St. Louis couldn’t run, but they still could pass (Mark Bulger, 40-62, 442 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT). Though unlike last week in San Diego where the Giants were a bunch of arm-tackling sissies, Giant defenders made the Rams pay for their yards. Gibril Wilson snapped his sophomore slump Sunday with a brutal stick that forced one of five St. Louis turnovers. He may not be able to cover, but he does hit hard, sort of a 2005 version of Terry Kinard; and thus easier to forgive. Curtis Deloatch made us forget more about Will Peterson than Will Peterson. Shaun Williams, dinged up old mule that he is, did all he could to thank the Giants’ front office for keeping him on the roster. Nice job by linebackers Antonio Pierce and, another player in Coughlin’s doghouse for shoddy play last week, Reggie Torbor, with an interception apiece. Maybe the Giants will be one of those defenses that helps opposing players achieve their incentive clauses without giving up too many points. Not the ideal situation, but a workable one provided that the Giants’ offense continues to click. If they have to give up yards, at least do it with a mean streak. They did that Sunday against St. Louis.

BEING A LITTLE NIT-PICKY HERE BUT…Kareem McKenzie, the Giants right tackle who commanded a left tackle salary, got called for a holding penalty for the second week in a row. Last year, while with the Jets, McKenzie didn’t get called for holding the entire season. That’s not to say McKenzie hasn’t been an outstanding addition to the line, quite the contrary (as look what’s happened to the Jets’ O-line since he left), but still, the holding penalties have been noted.

The Giants have a bye next week before traveling to Dallas to face the Cowboys on October 16th. Historically, bye weeks have affected the Giants momentum like Strychnine. This year, however, the extra week to look at game film and build off their improvements should be welcome instead of as a sign for the genie to go back in the bottle. The Giants also have to show they can win outside of the 201 area code. Who better than the hated Dallas Cowboys for the Giants to make such a point?


EIGHT OTHER POINTS FROM OCTAVIO:

1) In case you’re wondering what team is ranked 31st out of 32 teams in offensive production, it’s the Baltimore Ravens, who employ Jim Fassel as their offensive coordinator. Their average points per game is 10. The Houston Texans are 32nd.

2) The Washington Redskins aren’t really 3-0 are they?


3) Tough break for the Detroit Lions in that replay. Still though, the game probably should not have gotten to the point where the outcome hinged on one play. This team is way overdue in terms of getting its act together. Would it be belaboring the obvious that Joey Harrington isn’t going to cut it?

4) The Minnesota Vikings are simply awful. Remember when Ronald Reagan told Gorbechev to tear down the Berlin Wall? Well message to new Vikings owner, Zygi Wilf: TEAR DOWN THIS DOME (which is named after Hubert Humphrey). The Vikings have never been the same after moving indoors. Make teams play in the frigid Minnesota air when they come to see you. Make only passionate fans endure the elements. Glad to hear it’s happening. Let Bud Grant cut the ribbon when the new stadium opens.


5) What happened to Buffalo? Last year’s late season darling almost had Mike Malarkey as a coach of the year candidate. Now they’re 1-3. Maybe they should go back to the throwback uniforms they wore in the first two games. Those looked good.

6) OK, kind of showing the effete side of football writing here, but I CAN’T STAND the Jets wearing green pants while on the road. For God’s sake, just wear white.


7) What media conspiracy is going on that’s afraid to say that Kansas City Chief’s defensive coordinator, Gunther Cunningham, is the most overrated, overly romanced, ineffective defensive coordinator of the last 20 years. And what’s up with those yellow glasses he wears, is he going pheasant hunting after the game? If I were a Chiefs fan, I’d load my Winchester with more than birdshot. Yellow glasses = pink slip.

8) When the Seahawks traveled to play the Skins yesterday, the score read: Seattle Washington. Well, at least I thought that was interesting.