Redskins/Giants Pre-Game

[tribeofjudah]

Man, we gotta be Ballz to Wall this Thursday. We gotta be GREAT and show the nation that WE MEAN BUSINESS.

I'm so JACKED UP for this game. On free tv and National exposure. No trap game. Let's practice hard and play smart/fast.....dog pile the ball carrier and play mistake-free football.

Let's kick some Gnats azz....................

[Irn-Bru]

I hate primetime games for the Skins. 2012 almost had me liking them again, but then 2013 and 2014 happened.

[StorminMormon86]

New season. New results.

[riggofan]

Starting to get really hyped about this game. So maybe we can table this week's latest RGIII discussion and get to the stuff that matters.

Loved reading this "key matchup" in the WaPost today:

Washington TE Jordan Reed vs. New York SS Brandon Meriweather
Atlanta’s Julio Jones makes a first down reception in the fourth quarter last Sunday as Brandon Meriweather tries to prevent it. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

So we meet again. The former Redskin now is a starter in the Giants’ secondary, and last week against the Falcons, he found himself in coverage against the tight end frequently. Meriweather didn’t have the best of luck. Jacob Tamme recorded four catches on six targets for 77 yards. Now, he faces Jordan Reed, who has gotten off to a strong start with 13 catches for 145 yards (fourth among tight ends) for nine first downs (second). Reed has been Cousins’s go-to guy, and needs to remain healthy and productive.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/foo ... 3-meeting/

How good are you feeling about Jordan Reed v. Meriweather?

All we've been hearing about the Skins so far is about the running game. The Giants' secondary is the weak spot though. I think Gruden is going to open things up for Kirk and get after them.

These Thursday night games are frequently lopsided, and I think the team that gets on the scoreboard first is going to have a huge advantage.

[riggofan]

Good news here:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -thursday/

Giants list Flowers doubtful for Thursday

Giants rookie left tackle Ereck Flowers is likely to miss Thursday night’s game vs. the Redskins.

The Giants listed Flowers as doubtful on their official participation and injury report Wednesday. He suffered an ankle injury in the season opener and aggravated it last Sunday vs. the Falcons. An MRI last week revealed that it was only a sprain, but after aggravating the injury Flowers probably doesn’t have enough time to get healthy in this short-week situation.

Pugh is capable at LT, but they have to move him from guard.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Vegas has the Giants as 3.5 point favorites.

[StorminMormon86]

So glad that Meriweather is a starter and will be going up against Reed. As long as Reed stays healthy this year, he's going to have a monster season. And he'll be targeted a bunch in this game. I think the Giants are in near-implosion mode already, and that this one should be an easy one to stay competitive in.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

How good are you feeling about Jordan Reed v. Meriweather?

Reed will have to keep his head on a swivel. Meriweather has been known to take an occasional cheap shot.

[Countertrey]

How good are you feeling about Jordan Reed v. Meriweather?

Reed will have to keep his head on a swivel. Meriweather has been known to take an occasional cheap shot.

We hadn't noticed...

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

How good are you feeling about Jordan Reed v. Meriweather?

Reed will have to keep his head on a swivel. Meriweather has been known to take an occasional cheap shot.

We hadn't noticed...

I'm world renowned for my mastery and command of the obvious.

[tribeofjudah]

Mods....may I suggest to merge this with the "pregame" thread...?

[DEHog]

Well the big question is will RG be....opps.... Like I sad early this week, Giants have a few weeks of film on us and it's no secret what we want to do. So the matchups up front are going to be the ones to watch. I think the Giants gameplan is simple...make Cousins beat them. They can move the ball on offense, our challege will be to limit their passsing game OBJ vs. Hall/Breeland/Culliver will be one to watch. Big early test for the Skins, division game against a very desparate Giants team!

[riggofan]

I'm really kind of surprised that Meriweather is starting. Its game 3. I'd kind of have expected him to be injured or serving a one game suspension by now.

Culliver v. Beckham is going to be huge. I read somewhere that Culliver (with the 49ers) was one of the only corners to hold him to under 100 yds in those last nine games last year. In that game ODB was:

6/13 93 yards no TDs.

vs the Skins last game he was:
12/15 143 yards and 3 TDs

Damn man. Just split the difference between the two and it would be a huge help.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

OBJ vs. Hall/Breeland/Gulliver will be one to watch. Big early test for the Skins, division game against a very desparate Giants team!

Culliver v. Beckham is going to be huge.

I doubt seriously Culliver is going to be left on an island with ODB. He is their offense. If I were a betting man I'd say that Joe Barry is going to do his best to scheme a defense that requires someone else, anyone else to beat them. Shane Vereen is now their 2nd leading receiver since they cut Preston Parker for the dropsies. Their rushing game is hot garbage. We should be able to keep it that way.

[Countertrey]

Well the big question is will RG be....opps.... Like I sad early this week, Giants have a few weeks of film on us and it's no secret what we want to do. So the matchups up front are going to be the ones to watch. I think the Giants gameplan is simple...make Cousins beat them.

To do this, the Giants will likely need to load the box, AND get penetration. I don't know that they have demonstrated they can do it. Cousins will know his hot reads... as they will expect the Giants to go all in, initially, on stopping the run, and I don't know that they have the talent to do that AND defend all pass routes. A few first downs by the pass will open up the run...

They can move the ball on offense, our challege will be to limit their passsing game OBJ vs. Hall/Breeland/Gulliver will be one to watch. Big early test for the Skins, division game against a very desparate Giants team!

The Giants have the ability to do this... but our secondary is a bit better this week than last. We need DL/OLB penetration and pressure on Lilly Manning to make sure, but I doubt they will be able to move the ball well enough to make Play Action effective.

Ultimately, it will boil down to which D can spend the least amount of time on the field. TOP determines the winner tonight. I don't know that the Giants can play that game. I'm pretty comfortable that the Redskins can.


Here's one for Burgundy&GoldForever!
I can do it, too!

[Countertrey]

I'm really kind of surprised that Meriweather is starting. Its game 3. I'd kind of have expected him to be injured or serving a one game suspension by now.

Expect the Scherff to be looking for him once or twice on some of these second level runs. Beyond that, I seem to recall that Reed had his number in practice...

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Here's one for Burgundy&GoldForever!
I can do it, too!

Ultimately it will boil down to whoever scores the most points.

OK, I'll stop that now. In all seriousness, we have to get pressure on Eli Manning early and often. First of all, he collapses like a house of cards when he's been hit a few times. Secondly, and equally importantly, ODB will eventually get open if Eli has all day to stand in the pocket. The Giants rushing attack scares no one. With their offensive line banged up and very few weapons at their disposal, it shouldn't matter how much of a "must win" game this is for the Giants. We should stomp a mudhole in their asses. What we have to avoid is (obviously) turnovers. Kirk needs to be smart and Matt Jones needs to hold onto the football. I think I'll take our rushing game and receiving corps over their defense. Their rushing defense has been good against two bad rushing teams in Atlanta and Dallas. It won't be as good against our offensive line.

[riggofan]

Secondly, and equally importantly, ODB will eventually get open if Eli has all day to stand in the pocket. The Giants rushing attack scares no one. With their offensive line banged up and very few weapons at their disposal, it shouldn't matter how much of a "must win" game this is for the Giants. We should stomp a mudhole in their asses.

To that point, how have the OLBs been the past two games? It doesn't seem like I've heard much from Kerrigan, Murphy and Smith yet. Is this because Barry isn't all out blitzing constantly like Haz?

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Secondly, and equally importantly, ODB will eventually get open if Eli has all day to stand in the pocket. The Giants rushing attack scares no one. With their offensive line banged up and very few weapons at their disposal, it shouldn't matter how much of a "must win" game this is for the Giants. We should stomp a mudhole in their asses.

To that point, how have the OLBs been the past two games? It doesn't seem like I've heard much from Kerrigan, Murphy and Smith yet. Is this because Barry isn't all out blitzing constantly like Haz?

If I pretended to understand Joe Barry's defensive scheme I'd be lying. The last time I understood the Redskins defensive scheme was under Richie Petitbon. The only sacks thus far from the linebackers are 1.0 for Preston Smith and 0.5 for Ryan Kerrigan. The defensive line has 2.5 thus far. I'd say the linebackers need to step up their game.

[Countertrey]

Secondly, and equally importantly, ODB will eventually get open if Eli has all day to stand in the pocket. The Giants rushing attack scares no one. With their offensive line banged up and very few weapons at their disposal, it shouldn't matter how much of a "must win" game this is for the Giants. We should stomp a mudhole in their asses.

To that point, how have the OLBs been the past two games? It doesn't seem like I've heard much from Kerrigan, Murphy and Smith yet. Is this because Barry isn't all out blitzing constantly like Haz?

If I pretended to understand Joe Barry's defensive scheme I'd be lying. The last time I understood the Redskins defensive scheme was under Richie Petitbon. The only sacks thus far from the linebackers are 1.0 for Preston Smith and 0.5 for Ryan Kerrigan. The defensive line has 2.5 thus far. I'd say the linebackers need to step up their game.

I'm thinking that there haven't been blitzes because we haven't needed blitzes to get pressure. Seeing our DL getting pressure without help is something we are not used to... and even though they haven't produced sacks, they have provided pressure, and have carefully maintained gap discipline. That may change tomorrow. If Eli starts finding receivers, expect the wick to get turned up. Keep in mind... there is almost no film on the looks this team will show when blitzing... that will make it very tough for the Giants O-line.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

I'm thinking that there haven't been blitzes because we haven't needed blitzes to get pressure. Seeing our DL getting pressure without help is something we are not used to... and even though they haven't produced sacks, they have provided pressure, and have carefully maintained gap discipline. That may change tomorrow. If Eli starts finding receivers, expect the wick to get turned up. Keep in mind... there is almost no film on the looks this team will show when blitzing... that will make it very tough for the Giants O-line.

This is a real possibility. Ostensibly, it looks like Barry is implementing some sort of cover two or umbrella to try to keep the secondary from being exposed deep. That's allowing the linebackers to drop into coverage and the safeties to stay deep. They haven't really been tested by a premier tight end or slot receiver yet (and, no, Tavon Austin doesn't count) so I'll be interested to see if the defense holds up after playing Dallas (Witten) and New England (Gronkowski).

[OldSchool]

How good are you feeling about Jordan Reed v. Meriweather?

Reed will have to keep his head on a swivel. Meriweather has been known to take an occasional cheap shot.

When he was a Skin it seemed like it was more than an occasional cheap shot he seemed to make a habit of it I remember his cheap shots against the Bears. I was happy to see him move on.

[SkinsJock]

I'm worried about Meriweather vrs Reed - this guy is all about the big hit - he could care less about the legality of the hit

[OldSchool]

I got giddy after watching the physical play and dominating defense in the first two games but I am not that optimistic about this game I think Eli and ODB might expose our pass defense. I expect them to stack the box and serve us a steady diet of run blitzes and force Cousins to carry the day. Hopefully Kirk stays within himself and is patient. He's not ready to beat Eli he needs to just do his part and help his teammates compete. We could really use Jackson to make them pay deep. Hopefully Grant and others have big games.

I don't expect a victory but I hope they play strong and smart for 60 minutes. Strong for 60 minutes would be another positive step forward. Losing teams don't flip and become winners in one fell swoop so I doubt the Skins are ready to defeat the Giants who are 0-2 and desperate.

[riggofan]

If I pretended to understand Joe Barry's defensive scheme I'd be lying. The last time I understood the Redskins defensive scheme was under Richie Petitbon. The only sacks thus far from the linebackers are 1.0 for Preston Smith and 0.5 for Ryan Kerrigan. The defensive line has 2.5 thus far. I'd say the linebackers need to step up their game.

hah! Yeah I thought it was strange myself hearing people talking mainly about Hatcher when talking about the pass rush so far. The past two years its mainly been all about Kerrigan. I haven't figured out what's different. Is Kerrigan struggling or just being asked to do different things?

I'm thinking that there haven't been blitzes because we haven't needed blitzes to get pressure. Seeing our DL getting pressure without help is something we are not used to... and even though they haven't produced sacks, they have provided pressure, and have carefully maintained gap discipline.

That's a good thing, yeah? Is that why we haven't been getting picked apart on those short yardage throws the past two games? It seemed like every single team did that to us last year.