Since this is my first film review in a while let me explain something first. I don't have any special blimp film I'm reviewing. It's simply the NFL Network replay that I taped from earlier today. I call it ‘film review' simply to better describe what I'm doing. For the key plays of the game I might review it 10 times before moving on, each time focusing on a single player trying to diagnosis exactly what happened. Also in this type of review I try not to rehash the obvious stuff already discussed in depth. I only focus on the 1st half for the obvious reasons as half the guys playing the second half will see little action come game Sunday. I'll start with a summary of my conclusions and then get into the detail.
- If Kemo's replacement is already on the roster it's going to be Marlon Favorite or Corvey Irvin. Both players looked fairly stout at times and gained penetration into the backfield. I don't have a favorite yet, or do I? (pun intended).
- WR Kenneth Moore did have a nice game, something I overlooked in my initial review. So much so I'm moving him up to #3 WR in my unofficial depth chart. He displayed the whole package, good routes, nice hands and the ability to run after the catch
- I saw nothing from WR Dwayne Jarrett to make me think this is his year to get it together.
- I'm more worried now about RB Mike Goodson's ability to hang onto the ball. His first fumble was complete stupidity as he extended the arm he was holding the ball with. The 2nd fumble came after taking a big hit, something he better get used to.
- I'm souring even more on S Charles Godfrey after his serial poor tackling. If S Quinton Teal continues to impress we might have a shake up in the secondary.
- RT Jeff Otah better not miss a game as his slated back-up Geoff Schwartz displayed matador blocking repeatedly.
Here's the details I noted:
1st Offensive series (1-O): The drive stalled on the two bad passes from Jake. WR Moore was very open for a nice gain on the 2nd one but was overthrown. Not much else to say on this one.
1st Defensive Series (1-D): The giants killed this drive themselves with a key penalty and a dropped pass.
2-O: LT Jordan Gross got cooked by Osi leading to the fumble that Gross thankfully recovered. It killed the drive.
2-D: S Godfrey missed the tackle two straight plays, first on the WR screen and then on the Bradshaw TD run. I will give the Giants props for perfect execution on both of these plays. On the TD run, DT Hayden got tossed aside as he bit on the counter fake. This is a good example of missing Kemo. Kemo would not have been tossed and instead more than likely prevented the pulling guard from getting a clean block on Beason. Also, DE Brayton got handled by the TE, another reason this play went big.
3-O: As someone on the blog said before, WR Jarrett was tipping off the CB by looking for the ball way too soon. He turned his head five steps before the ball came giving the DB time to react. It's his 3rd season and he still can't run a back shoulder fade, a Panther staple? Moore on the other hand sold the deep route, dug to the right and picked up a 3rd and long with nice YAC. When the drive stalled I noticed DE Hilee Taylor was the first to pressure the returner, something he did again later.
3-D: CB CJ Wilson got a hands to the facemask penalty and still didn't prevent the catch. Wilson did nothing special in this game. Later DE Charles Johnson lost containment when he spun inside (was someone else supposed to rotate outside I wonder?) allowing QB Carr to run for a 1st down.
4-O: WR Moore has a very nice catch in traffic and took a hit but held on to the ball. WR Carter then had his epic drop and followed up with a short-arm drop. The announcer said McCown missed him but it looked to me like he short-armed it. On this series I'm also pretty sure OL Mackenzie Bernadeau was playing center even though he is listed 3rd string. After making a nice catch in the flat and picking up a 4th down conversion Goodson made a rookie mistake and put the ball on the ground. Never, ever reach out away from your body with the ball hand!
4-D: DB Sherrod Martin made a nice play on the ball in tight coverage and knocked it away. On a 4th down conversion attempt, Hayden, Favorite and LB Mortty Ivy all had penetration into the backfield to stop the RB short.
5-O: This drive ended quickly with a sack and fumble due to RT Schwartz matador block. His foot work is horrid in pass protection.
5-D: On the screen play and TD right before the half I looked and looked for someone to blame but it was simply a perfect play call against the Panthers inside blitz. I could maybe fault LB Dan Conner for not recognizing it, or maybe DE Charles Johnson.
6-O: On the single remaining play of the half Goodson made a nice run only to take a shot to helmet and drop the ball. The Panthers recovered and let the clock expire. He obviously shook it off over the break given his stellar play after the half.