Giants Talk

The conventional draft wisdom always speaks of the “best available athlete.” GM Jerry Reese likes to talk about draft “value.” Those philosophies converged Thursday night in the form of Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara, the Giants first-round draft selection with the 19th pick.

Draft mavens (which your Giants Talk Blogger definitely is not) tell us that Amukamara, the 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, is “a terrific player,” with “great football IQ,” who may have slid in the draft because his arms are “too short” (seriously).

Bottom Line: Amukamara was projected by many to be a top-10 pick. When he still on the board at 19, the Giants jumped, overlooking someone who might have filled an obvious need like Boston College OL Anthony Castonzo, or a higher-profile player like Heisman winner Mark Ingram.

So now the Giants are deep on the defensive line and in the secondary, while the ranks on the offensive line and in the linebacking corps still look pretty thin.

Last week was a big game. This week is the big game. New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers on the fairly frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. The winner probably goes to the playoffs. The loser is almost certainly watching the post-season on TV.

Even with no running game and a fragile Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are dangerous. The Pack has a real defense, the kind that doesn’t give up a lot of points (220 allowed, versus 288 for the Giants). The players on everyone’s preseason Super Bowl favorite are certainly aware that the trip to the playoffs which was once viewed as a foregone conclusion now demands two wins on their home ice.

Lambeau Field

It comes down to this: Big players make big plays in big spots.

The Giants have their share of big-time players – there are several on either side of the ball.

Those guys are capable of making big plays – for three quarters last Sunday, somebody came up big on almost every play.

But in big spots? Those have been in short supply.

Eli Manning has far fewer two-minute scoring drives this year than in the past, and no one on the offense has been making key plays down the stretch. The defense has had one flash of brilliance – the closing sequence against Jacksonville. Otherwise, the Giants formula has been to build a big lead – and then watch it evaporate.

There won’t be much evaporation going on at Lambeau today, chemically speaking. But the Giants are going have to make something happen in the clutch. It’s going to be yet another edition of Stressor Theater.

Bottom line: the New York Giants need to beat the Green Bay Packers to day to make the playoffs. If the Giants don’t win, they will get in only through the back door.

The Picture

Atlanta (12-2)
Games remaining: New Orleans, Carolina.
Outlook: In. Interesting to see how they play today, with home field all but locked up.

Philadelphia (10-4)
Games remaining: Minnesota, Dallas.
Outlook: All but in, and now with the easiest path to the number two seed.

Chicago (10-4)
Games remaining: Jets, at Green Bay.
Outlook: In. Probably need to win out to keep first-round bye.

New Orleans (10-4)
Games remaining: at Atlanta, Tampa Bay.
Outlook: All but in, but could still use another win.

New York Giants (9-5)
Games remaining: at Green Bay, at Washington.
Outlook: Another playoff game today.

Green Bay (8-6)
Games remaining: Giants, Chicago.
Outlook: Need to win out.

Tampa Bay (8-6)
Games remaining: Seattle, at New Orleans.
Outlook: Need to win two and get some help.

The dirty Eagles now have the inside line on the number two seed.

1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Chicago
4. New Orleans
5. Giants
6. Green Bay (out)
7. Tampa Bay (out)

A few thoughts on the Giants remarkable 38-31 loss to the likely NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles:

• The Giants wake up this morning, as they did yesterday morning, as the #6 seed in the NFC playoff pecking order and still in control of their own destiny. That destiny now likely involves winning three straight on the road to reach Super Bowl XLV, but that’s been done before. The Giants destiny best not involve a trip to Philadelphia, because the playoff run will end then and there – bank on that.
• You were warned about Matt Dodge. Another dodgy punt by the rookie finished off the Giants, but there’s plenty of blame to go around.
• When the Giants were playing to win the game, it was 24-3 Giants. When they were playing not to lose it, it was 35-7 Eagles. How many times have we seen that scenario play out?
• Michael Vick is the most impressive athlete ever to play quarterback in the NFL. In the fourth quarter, he displayed the extra burst of speed he has been keeping in reserve since his injury against the Redskins, and the Giants had no answer. But if he gets hit when he’s moving at that clip, he’s out of the game and most likely off to the injury list.

Michael Vick scores to make it 31-24 Giants

• The Giants face an even more important game against the Packers Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers came close to taking out the red-hot Patriots on the road with a backup quarterback. Think about that until 4:15 Sunday – you know Tom Coughlin will.

Wow.

The turnover by Mario Manningham let the Eagles back into the game. The Giants need to finish this one.

Pam Oliver still looks rough.

Michael Vick looks small when 6’7″ Chris Canty gets his arms up.

Needed to make a first down on that opening drive, but a nice punt by Dodge.

Nice catch by Avant. Giants showing good defensive discipline – now they need to make some stops!

Michael Vick is getting pounded. Giants defense is playing with pride today.

Tough play by Manningham. Looked like he may have been out of bounds, but no challenge thrown.

Turnover gave the Eagles a way back into the game.

Jeremy Maclin going in for the score

Giants are littering the field with downed dirty Eagles.

The Giants picked the right time to play their most complete half of football of the season. Let’s hope it continues for another 30 minutes.

Some quarter comments, in chronlogical order:

Giants defense eating Mexican today.

Ahmad Bradshaw more effective than Brandon Jacobs so far.

Eli locked in. Bad news for the dirty Eagles.

Mario Manningham coming up big.

Mario Manningham scores again

Justin Tuck says how do you do to Michael “Mike”  Vick on the sidelines.

Crazy dangerous back-foot throw by Eli. Nicks made a nice defensive play.

Bradshaw is a big-game player.

New Orleans losing to Baltimore – good news for the Giants.

Derek Hagan is one Jerry Reese’s better finds.

Kevin Boss needs to catch that ball.

Huge hit by Gerris Wilkinson on kickoff at 17-3. Giants special teams playing very well.

Kenny Phillips – you ball-hawking fool, you.

Mike Pereira must be from be from Philly – usually on the spot, but blew that call on the Maclin fumble. Not enough evidence to overturn.

Eli and Hakeem Nicks make the dirty birds pay – again!

Hakeem Nicks scores

Pascoe penalty negated a nice return and took the Giants out of sync.

Pam Oliver looks rough.

Nice play by Zac DeOssie on a good punt.

Perry Fewell has released the hounds.

Joe Buck is up to his usual Giants-hating ways.

Nice play by Chase Blackburn on a muffed punt by Will Blackmon.

Dirty Eagles defense is effective.

Nice “catch” by Hakeem Nicks. Bad drop two plays later.

Incredible footwork by Mario Manningham.

Eli Manning is locked in.

Eagles attempting to blitz – Eli making them pay.

Huge 8:34 drive.

Your Giants Talk Blogger hates Asante Samuel.

Mario Manningham scores