Giants perfect 4-0 at quarter pole - DJ's Blog

DJ's Blog

Giants perfect 4-0 at quarter pole

Posted on June 29, 2009 at 11:48 PM.

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With 25 percent of the 2008-09 NFL season complete, the New York Giants have yet to taste defeat. Their latest victory was a 30-3 thrashing of Seattle, despite Eli Manning throwing 3 interceptions.

Manning's play has coach Johnson concerned.

"I just have a feeling that Eli's play is going to cost us down the line," Johnson said. "He'll dazzle me with great throws and then turn around and throw it to the other team on the very next play. I need more consistency out of Eli going forward."

The Giants have leaned heavily on the running game, even with center Shaun O'Hara gone for the year with a torn triceps. Brandon Jacobs is chugging along at over 5 yards a carry while backups Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw have spelled the bruising Jacobs effectively.

"The running game has been great," Johnson said. "Obviously, health is a big concern. We need to make sure that our o-line and backs stay healthy and on the field. If that means less practice time, so be it."

The defense has been dominant in stretches and really rose to the challenge against Seattle, holding Matt Hasselbeck to 29% completion percentage. Sammy Knight returned an interception for a touchdown and Justin Tuck had 2 sacks.

With Osi Umeniyora back from a broken leg, the Giants' defense should be even more ferocious going forward.

"Osi's return will be huge," Johnson said. "It adds more depth to our defensive line and will free Justin up on the other side. We can also now move Mathias (Kiwanuka) around, play him a little at end and a little at outside linebacker. He did a great job filling the void left by Osi."

Special teams have been good across the board. Lawrence Tynes is near-perfect on field goal attempts, missing just once. Bradshaw has returned a kickoff for a score and Danny Ware, a fourth-string running back with tremendous upside, has been solid in defending kick and punt returns, and has also returned a few punts himself.