There was a reason Coach Tom Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese decided to carry 7 receivers to open the season. Injuries. Nicks’ foot could be worse however, as the x-ray’s were negative.  Just how bad the sprain is has yet to be determined.  An x-ray can only tell you so much. It could be 2 weeks or 4, as a foot sprain is almost like a bad back, it’s very tricky. One sports medicine expert we speak with who is familiar with lower limb injuries tells us that a severe sprain could sometimes be worse then an actual fractured bone. Now the Giants offense is down to 6 wide outs. The other receiver drafted in 2009, Ramses Barden, was inactive for the game but will most likely now be an active roster move for the next several weeks while Nicks recovers.

The second most important question was how the Giants pass rush would do with the infusion of free agents obtained in the past offseason. We saw that they did just fine up front defensively, putting pressure on Redskins QB Jason Campbell on several long second and third down plays. Osi Umenyiora had a 37yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown, and Justin Tuck, Chris Canty, and the rest of the Giants defense looked like the same unit that has won 22 regular season games over the last two years. The concerns still remain over the secondary however, where there is still work to be done. That being said, Corey Webster’s sideline interception took the “wind out of Washington’s sails” on a key offensive possession.

The final major question was how well Eli Manning deals with the partial turn over in personnel. With the exception of a few skittish moments early in the game’s first  half, Manning also looked like the same player who had the fantastic 2007 and most of 2008 seasons. But now, a new set of questions arise like any other Monday morning in the NFL.

Will the Giants continue to have trouble scoring Touchdowns in the “Green” zone? (Something both Coach Coughlin and Eli Manning made note of as needing improvement in the post game press conference). Will Danny Ware’s wrist keep him out of any games? Will Mario Manningham continue to emerge as the big play threat (his 30 yard catch and run touchdown while tight-roping the sideline was a thing of beauty)? Or will Kevin Boss fulfill that role?

While the defense saved the day for NY, there were some shaky moments as we mentioned earlier. Redskins Runningback Clinton Portis seemed to play like a hall of famer at times, running through gaps in the Giants run defense large enough to drive an Abrams tank through. This will need to be corrected at some point if the Giants expect to contend for another trip to the Super Bowl. Overall they played well enough to win and did just that, but they missed out on some scoring chances, leaving at least 14 points on the field, meaning the final score should have been more like 34-17 or 37-17 rather then 23-17.

Next week the Giants will play Dallas on “Sunday Night Football” to open the new Stadium. Dallas beat Tampa Bay 34 21 in Tampa this week, and will pose many more problems then Washington did this week. It won’t be easy for NY to walk away with a victory next week. The fact that Eli Manning was able to spread the football around against the Redskins (Smith 6 catches, Boss, Manningham, and Bradshaw 3 each, Nicks, Jacobs 2 each and Hixon 1) will be the one facet of the Giants offense that the Cowboys have trouble with, and what Coach Coughlin should go after Sunday night.

The other telling stat that signals a problem for the Giants against teams with strong run defenses: Washington held the Giants to just 106 total rushing yards, Plus Danny Ware also left the game with a dislocated elbow and probably won’t play for at least 1-2 weeks. Overall the Giants totaled 351 yards of offense to Washington’s 272, with just 85 of that being on the ground.

General manager Jerry Reese has not yet made a major attempt at signing a receiver in free agency, but will certainly address that in the draft. The Giants had college prospect Percy Harvin in for a workout last week. But there have to be other names on the radar. One such name should be Cal-Poly’s Ramses Barden before the Super Bowl no one even knew who he was except for a handful of scouts. Barden is the only receiver in this draft at 6′5″ or above (6′5-1/2″-229lbs) and while he is still a bit raw, he has the potential to go a long way in the pros. We wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Barden heard his name called mid to late on day two of this year’s draft. The other is Rutgers’ WR Kenny Britt. I’m not so totally sold on Mr. Britt.  Although he is 6′4″, he only weighs about 212 pounds, hardly someone who can out muscle larger defensive backs over the middle. He can jump, but would need to learn the mechanics of the “Jump Ball” game in the end zone. Another option is Browns WR Braylon Edwards.

The NY Jets never seem to be happy with what they already have. If they feel that Kellen Clemens will never run the Jets Offense on a regular basis, try trading him for the extra draft pick. Then people will take you seriously when you say you need a QB. Until then, people only see the Jets as further behind the Giants in PSL sales.

I’m not so sure they were ever seriously considered a factor in the “Jay Cutler” Saga. The three way deal between the Broncos, Titans, and the Jets was talked about for all of five minutes and then dismissed at least on NY sports talk radio.

Up In Buffalo, Terrell Owens has already missed a “voluntary” off season work out with his new team of choice. So I ask you, is this the way to start off on the right foot with your new team and coaching staff? I would thing you’d want to do everything you can to show the people of upstate NY that you’re happy to be there. Sure the workouts are “voluntary”, but it is also “strongly suggested” that players attend.

Down I-95, the Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb isn’t too happy that so many veteran players are leaving. One media vet tells us that it’s been building up to this for years due to poor management on the part of the Eagles front office. You have to feel bad for Donovan because he puts his heart and soul into trying to make the Eagles a winner. It’s shameful that the front office won’t give them the tools to do so.

Some of the area college programs have already released their schedules for 2009. The Liberty Cup match-up between Fordham University (Patriot) and Columbia University (Ivy) is sure to be hotly contested as always. Columbia’s Head Coach Norries Wilson is one of the hardest working coaches to grace New York City’s college football scene in some time. He also gives a great post game press conference no matter what the outcome of the game, and always has a high quality of Insight into all phases of the game. As a college player, Coach Wilson played in two bowl games at the University of Minnesota as an offensive lineman. Fordham’s head man Tom Massella has been around winning football for years, and while the Rams had a tough 2008, they were the 2007 patriot league champs. Both teams also work hard on the recruitment front each year. Circle your calendars for September 19th at 6pm at Fordham’s Jack Coffey field.

The NFLPA elected a new executive director 3 weeks ago named DeMaurice Smith. Mr. Smith is a talented litigator, but has no other football related experience other than being a rabid Redskins fan. So maybe there is some truth to the story that the election may have been “jerrymanded” by player association lawyers Kessler and Berthlesen. At least one retired player who is part of the suit against the NFLPA to recognize the lack of health care benefits to retired players believes it is true, and has gone on record to anyone who will listen. There is even another story that the 28.1 million dollar settlement will be reduced by 50% to the players.

As comedy man Yakov Smirnoff says, “What a country this America is.”

Visit Dr. Bill on his site or listen to his radio show.

Oddly enough you got the sense that the Giants seemed to know they were going to win by 28 points – even when the game was as close as seven points midway through the third quarter, the game was never really in question. Yet somehow, this team sounds no different from the one that started out 0-2 last year – and that is the sign of a team that knows just how quickly things can change in the NFL. “Last year when we were 0-2, I don’t think anybody in this locker room cared about the last two games,” said Rich Seubert. “We were worried about the game we were playing. It’s the same as if you win two in a row like we did. We don’t care what happened last week. We’re worried about what’s going to happen this week.”

Last year the Giants got to see first hand what taking your opponents for granted can do to a team – and that eye opening experience has helped keep the Giants feet planted firmly on the ground and working each week to be better than the last, knowing that any week any team can be beaten. “It is different. Obviously being 0-2 last year and 2-0 – …. Better now, but it is still a matter of having a long season left,” said Eli Manning after having a near perfect afternoon. “We still have things we need to improve on. This week we have to get better.”

One player who seems to relishing the chance to become the focal point of what his team is trying to do is Justin Tuck. Just like Osi Umenyiora against the Eagles last, Tuck had the kind of hallmark game against the Rams that fans will look back on and say “when he was at his best that was what Justin Tuck brought to the football field.” The fourth year defensive linemen was a menace to Mark Bulger all day, picking up two sacks and an interception that seemed to surprise Tuck as much as anyone as he juggled the ball before securing it and jogging untouched into the endzone. “I like the way he has developed as a young man, as a football player, taking some responsibility in the meeting room,” said Coach Coughlin. “I think he has learned from a real, real good one. He has paid attention, he is smart, real smart, pays attention, so the fact that he is contributing in all those ways is a real plus for our team.”

The easy schedule continues next week for the G-Men as they draw a struggling Bengals squad at home. “It is going to be tough. Obviously they are very powerful. Their offense has scored points,” said Manning. “We know that every week in the NFL if you don’t come out mentally ready, playing smart football, then anyone can beat you and embarrass you.” The Giants are proving to be more than just a team that got lucky in last year’s playoffs – they just don’t act like – or maybe just feel like they don’t need to.

Offense
Eli Manning desperately needed a strong performance to quell any doubts about the playoffs being a fluke; the result was a performance that was just about as good as could have been asked of last year’s Super Bowl MVP. Manning started out a bit slow, failing to take advantage of opportunities to run up the score on the Rams after the 33-yard pass to Burress that opened up the scoring. But the second half saw Manning go an outstanding 9 for 11 and two touchdowns. His final line was 20 for 29 with three touchdowns on 260 yards – perhaps most impressive was his 131.4 pass rating with no turnovers. Translation – Manning is protecting the ball and making the right decisions. Not much more you could ask from the leader of the offense.

The receivers had a strong day, with four ending up with multiple receptions. Plaxico Burress continued his spectacular play, making five catches for 81 yards – he routinely torched the Rams secondary reeling in four passes over 10 yards and averaged over 16 yards per catch. In this week’s preview article we commented that Steve Smith could be passing Amani Toomer on the depth charts – well Amani proved us very wrong going as he was perhaps the team’s most reliable receiver picking up 61 yard on six catches. Toomer also made an impressive touchdown catch with Tye Hill draped all over him. Domenik Hixon had a big day as well, continuing to impress the coaching staff after a stellar pre-season. Kevin Boss was pretty much invisible, and while it didn’t have a big impact on today’s outcome it is something that could cause issues later in the year as the weather gets worse.

Taking a bit of a back seat to the passing game, the running backs had a solid yet unspectacular game – then Ahmad Bradshaw entered the game. Unlike last week, the Giants did a much better job splitting up the carries between the three headed monsters with Jacobs, Ward, and Bradshaw each going for 50 yards or more. Brandon Jacobs shouldered most of the load, not surprisingly. He picked up 93 yards on 15 attempts – falling just short of his second straight 100 yard game. Jacobs started out slowly, picking up just 29 yards on his first 10 attempts but really came on as the game entered the second half and the Rams tired on runs of 30 and 28 yards. Derrick Ward continued his solid play picking up 58 yards, 41 of which came in the first half while Ahmad Bradshaw was the star of the second half, scoring touchdowns on consecutive touchdown drives in the second, one being an 18 yard pass and the latter a 31 yard scamper to put things away for good. The running game continues to be a dynamic, unpredictable trio of backs who all could probably get more carries elsewhere – having to fit all three in is a problem that any coach would love to have, but Coughlin seems intent on using Jacobs with Ward spelling him early on to wear down the defense and using the shiftier Bradshaw to take advantage of the slowing defense late. The result is that Jacobs is bound to start slower than the other backs while Bradshaw picks up the easy yards late – but the fact is all three are incredibly valuable to the system.

We say it every week, but it continues to be a valid assessment of the Giants O-Line – they may not have the flashy names of a certain line from Dallas but the Giants offensive linemen are among the best in the league. You don’t go for almost 450 yards by mistake and the line was about as stout as you could hope for. They did give up a few sacks but otherwise gave Manning tons of time – in terms of run blocking, they seemed to have a bit of trouble at first with some quick interior linemen but really dominated as the game went on gave the backs more than enough room to run.

Defense
Last week the defensive line seemed to struggle trying to get consistent pressure on a young quarterback in a new system – with an extra three days to prepare this week they had a huge advantage and were in Mark Bulger’s face resulting in a much improved five sacks from the linemen. Justin Tuck looked much more dangerous bringing pressure from all over the line today, coming up with the aforementioned big interception and return as well as two sacks. Fred Robbins joined him with two sacks from the inside and Jay Alford added one as well. Perhaps most impressive from the interior linemen was the job they did against Steven Jackson, holding the former Pro Bowler to just 53 yards on the ground. It’s often said that games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, a battle the Giants routinely dominated today against a pretty talented Rams offensive line.

The linebackers were very active against the pass and the run, helping to stifle the run but struggling against the pass. Antonio Pierce picked up his first sack on the season and added three tackles. The battle at weakside linebacker continues to heat-up – Gerris Wilkinson started but failed to make any real difference while Brian Kehl seemed to make much more of an impact in limited playing time. Danny Clark had a rougher time this week guarding screens, letting Jackson go for 37 yards in the air but needed seven attempts to do so. All in all, it was solid performance against a tough opponent.

Sunday was a difficult game to simply look at the statistics and judge the secondary on. At first glance they allowed Mark Bulger to complete 20 of 32 passes but at second glance for only 177 yards. Sixety five of those 177 yards came on two plays – one of which was a 45 yard circus “catch” that was nearly an interception for first year safety, Kenny Phillips, and may very well have been had the play been reviewed. Additionally, seven passes went to Steven Jackson whose defensive responsibilities fall more on the front seven. That leaves 11 completions that went for about 59 yards – all in all not nearly as bad as it first appears. In support of the run, Michael Johnson led the team in tackles with six while James Butler and Aaron Ross each added four.

Special Teams
Not a spectacular or horrible game from the special teams units. The coverage teams looked better than last week, holding an always dangerous Dante Hall to an average of 20 yards on kick off returns and only seven on punt returns. RW McQuarters may have just lost his punt return job; Domenik Hixon looked tremendous on a 50 yard return to set up a Bradshaw TD run. John Carney did ok, leaving three points on the field with a missed field goal.

The Verdict
The Giants did exactly what they should have, beat a team they were expected to beat – but not only did they beat the Rams, they embarrassed them. The offense looked dominant, taking a lot of shots downfield but still remaining efficient – the defense was just as impressive, proving they have the ability to shut down a dominant player like Jackson. Simply put, this is a performance we aren’t used to seeing from the G-men, they usually love to keep things tight and play down to the level of their opponent. Not today.