Giants Schedule Assessment: We’ll all be looking forward to the Aug. 16 game against the Jets at the new Meadowlands Stadium. Sure, it’s a preseason game, but you can bet both teams will fight to get the first win there. After all, you never want to feel like there’s a curse on the stadium because you lost the inaugural game. The Steelers come in a week later, and it will be interesting to see if the Steelers bring Ben Roethlisberger to the Big Apple, or at least protect him from us in the media.
As for the regular season, the Colts game in Indianapolis in Week 2 is easily the most anticipated game for Giants fans. This will be Manning Bowl II. The last time the Manning brothers squared off was Sept. 10, 2006, when Eli tossed one more touchdown (2) than his brother in the 26-10 loss. Both also had an interception, with Peyton throwing for 276 yards to his younger brother’s 247. Not only is this game sexy because of the connection, but because the Colts are arguably going to be rated as the best team heading into the new season. This will be a major task for a Giants team that has secondary problems in 2009.
The other games I’m most looking forward to are Sept. 26 home against Tennessee (Chris Johnson’s first visit to the New York area), Dec. 12 at Minnesota (Brett Favre’s wide receiving corps will be a tough task for a Giants secondary) and Dec. 26 at Green Bay (It’s a tough task to play the Packers in the middle of winter). These three games are outside of the obvious choices of the Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins as top matchups.
Jets Schedule Assessment: Aside from the Giants meeting in Week 1 of the preseason, which I wrote about above, the Jets at home against Washington on Aug. 27 should be interesting. This will be Donovan McNabb’s first trip to the new Meadowlands Stadium, which he’ll play in again on Dec. 15 against the Giants. Most quarterbacks take less reps as the preseason progresses, but you can expect Mike Shanahan to trout McNabb out there for at least a quarter, maybe even more.
The Jets have truly one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this season. Don’t believe me? Week 1 – Baltimore (Playoff team); Week 2 – New England (Playoff team); Week 3 – Miami (Playoff challenger); Week 5 – Minnesota (Playoff team); Week 6 – Denver (Playoff team); Week 7 – Green Bay (Playoff team); Week 12 – Cincinnati (Playoff team); Week 13 – New England (Playoff team); Week 14 – Miami (Potential playoff team); Week 15 – Pittsburgh (Playoff team). That’s 10 games against playoff caliber teams. (I left out two meetings with Buffalo, Detroit, Cleveland, Houston and Chicago) Plus, look at Week 1 through 7 — that’s going to be a tough stretch.
That schedule has two games I’m really interested in seeing. The Oct. 11 game at home against the Vikings. It will be Favre’s first return to the New Jersey since he retired then returned to put on the purple, yellow and white. I doubt there will be any hard feelings towards him. He wasn’t here long enough to develop any. I also fascinated with the Nov. 14 game at Cleveland. That will be New York’s first time taking on former head coach Eric Mangini since he was fired and landed on his feet with the Browns. I’m sure there’s one or two guys in the Jets locker room who would like to show their ex-head coach a thing or two.
Meadowlands Stadium Notes: There was a report in the New York Post today saying that the new stadium will have seats with obstructed views. Giants’ spokesman Pat Hanlon, one of the best in the business, tweeted today that the report is incorrect and that those seats will be removed. (Cheap plug: You can follow me on Twitter @ScottStanchak)
Giants Draft: Here’s my assessment on the Giants’ 2010 draft class…
First Round - Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida: It looks like the Giants are done with Osi Umenyiora after grabbing Pierre-Paul 15th overall on Thursday. He doesn’t have the experience other defensive backs in the draft have, but his vitals are very impressive. This was a pick made based on potential more than overall proven ability.
Second Round - Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina: General manager Jerry Reese believes Joseph’s potential lies in his ability to clear room for the linebackers to attack. At 6-4, 315-pounds, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Third Round - Chad Jones, S, LSU: I think we now know what the Giants’ plan was to accomplish in this draft: improve the defense. Jones, who was also drafted by the Houston Astros, was one of the best players available when their turn came up at 76. He’ll have a shot to work with Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant. The Giants also see him as contributor on special teams and possibly as a kick returner.
Other Selections: Phillip Dillard, ILB, Nebraska (Forth Round); Mitch Petrus, G, Arkansas (Fifth Round); Adrian Tracy, DE, William & Mary (Sixth Round); Matthew Dodge, P, East Carolina (Seventh Round)
I believe Reese and his staff are one of the best at picking talent, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see more than half of these newcomers turn into regulars. As far as the punter pick at 221, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was simply protecting themselves should Jeff Feagles retire. From what I’m hearing, Feagles, who spent weeks negotiating a deal with the Giants this offseason, is now questioning whether he can physically hold up another full season. I think he will hang up his shoes. Dodge was the second-best rated punter in the draft outside of Zoltan Mesko (Michigan), who went to New England in the fifth round.
Jets Draft: Here’s my assessment on the Jets’ 2010 draft class…
First Round – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise St.: Personally, I was very surprised the Jets went after a cornerback in the first round, especially because they have one of the best in the league (Darrelle Revis) and acquired another one this offseason (Antonio Cromartie). This definitely shows how much the Jets value stopping the pass. Wilson was rated slightly below Joe Haden (Florida), who went seventh overall to the Browns. He’ll also most likely take over for Jerricho Cotchery as the team’s primary kick returner.
Second Round – Vladimir Duccase, T, Massachusetts: Drafting Duccase meant the obvious: the end of the Alan Faneca era in New York. Faneca, a nine-time Pro Bowler, has been one of the best left guards in the NFL over the last decade. But when you’re owed $7.5 million at the age of 33, those factors work against you. Duccase’s experience is at left tackle, but moving to the guard spot shouldn’t be too difficult. It will help that he’ll be playing between Pro Bowlers D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold.
Other Selections: Joe McKnight, RB, USC (Fourth Round) and John Conner, FB, Kentucky (Fifth Round).
The Jets used the draft to sure up some question marks on the roster. First, they were able to deal Leon Washington to the Seattle Seahawks to move up in the fifth round. With that pick they grabbed Washington’s replacement, McKnight. Washington was one of the most exciting players the Jets have had in recent years. This move, however, showed how much general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan felt he may not return to form after suffering a season-ending fractured fibula injury last season. McKnight will join a backfield of Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson.
As for Conner, the Jets are preparing for life without Tony Richardson. The fullback has been vital to the success of Jets backs since joining the team in 2008. Richardson, who re-signed a one-year deal on March 16, has been in the league since 1994 though, which means this could be his final season. Conner was rated as the best fullback on most draft boards.