Can the Giants save their season?

By Andy Targovnik  |   Thursday, October 05, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

New York Giants
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After an ugly first three weeks of the season, the New York Giants, who are coming off a bye week, host their division rival, the Washington Redskins, on Sunday. Here is what Big Blue must do to get this win they so desperately need to turn their nightmarish season around.

1. Eli Manning has to cut down his picks.

Manning throws a very nice deep ball. But since his rookie year, he's had accuracy problems on short and intermediate passes. On slants, outs and post patterns, he often throws behind or above his intended receiver. He already has a whopping eight interceptions in three games. In 2005, Manning's inaccuracy was masked by the Giants' easy schedule. This year the schedule has been brutal and it doesn't get any easier. So Eli has to bear down.


2. Stretch the field early.

Manning should throw deep early in the game to loosen up the Redskins' defense. Not only will that create less congestion on short routes, but it will provide Tiki Barber with more running room. And speaking of Tiki:


3. Put the ball in Tiki's hands much more.

Barber is averaging a respectable 4.2 yards per rush, but he's only carried the ball just over 17 times a game. Of course, that was mainly due to the Giants falling far behind in games and being forced to continually throw - which took Barber out of the equation. But when Tiki goes, so go the Giants. So even if Big Blue falls behind early, they shouldn't be so quick to abandon the run.


4. The Giants 'D' has to show up.

Sure. The offense has turned the ball over and has put the defense in hole after hole. But that doesn't mean the unit has to fold like a cheap lawn chair and let the opposing offense do whatever it wants. At some point, the defense has to show some pride and make some plays.


5. Send LaVar Arrington after Mark Brunell.

Want to stop Santana Moss? That's easy. Get to Brunell before he can throw the ball to the wideout.

The Giants signed Arrington for one reason: To chase the opposing quarterback. But in the first three games, Arrington hasn't been anywhere near the offensive backfield. Instead, he's been lost in pass coverage.

It's worth noting that Arrington will be even more motivated this week because Joe Gibbs couldn't show the ex-Redskin the door out of Washington fast enough. So Tom Coughlin should throw caution to the wind and let Arrington loose.

The Redskins are coming off an emotional win against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday and are ripe for the picking. Because the Giants have had two weeks to rest and prepare, I expect them not only to come out and resemble a professional football team, but to win the game, too.

Get the best New York Giants insight at realfootball365.com
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