Panthers at Giants Sunday Night Running Gameday Commentary 11/21/08

Eli Manning, who has been named to the Pro Bowl, completes 60.3% of passes, has 20 TD/10 INT, but has struggled at home in recent games (53.7 QB rating) and since the second week of November (his completion percentage for December drops 10 points from the other three months). With a lessened run threat, he hasn't been able to produce, and without Burress to go get his jump balls he's been more limited in his daring. He's also had trouble working the sidelines this year, and trouble in the cold oddly enough.

LT David Diehl has 5.5 sacks on the year, and gave up 13.5 sacks last year. He faces a hot Julius Peppers, who has turned it on down the stretch (though was held statless against Denver due to Ryan Clady and numerous double teams). Banged up Kareem McKenzie faces the rotation of Charles Johnson and Tyler Brayton. Inside, the Giants had problems last week - Rich Seubert went out with injury (and should be starting again this week) and the Giants struggled with Grey Ruegamer in. The middle of Seubert and Pro Bowlers Chris Snee and Shaun O'Hara is rock solid, and Carolina will need whatever they can get out of Ma'ake Kemoeatu to go with Damione Lewis, and the team may upgrade Nick Hayden to a jersey instead of Darwin Walker to add size. Gary Gibson will definitely be active.

Injuries played a part, but Dallas also did a lot schematically that helped. Three wide situations, instead of putting the traditional nickel in, Dallas played 5 DL and 1 LB more often, although their OLB are effectively DL, Ware did stand up. Stacking the line a bit more against the Giants' front caused more confusion, allowed more stunting, and Diehl struggled heavily against Ware standing. Peppers is solid standing up, and with 4 other DL on the field, they can afford to play with him a bit more. The team hasn't messed with moving Julius Peppers around much other than swapping sides, but it would cause confusion to dust that off. Blitzing Manning from a traditional 4-3 isn't as effective, but blitzing from nickel (while more transparent) has been more effective since protection isn't as great as he's used to from a max-protect playaction style pass.

The key will, of course, be stopping the run, and letting the Giants get a bunch of 3rd-and-2 situations will lead to disaster for Carolina.

Special Teams

NY sent both their kicking specialists to the Pro Bowl. John Carney, now 44, hasn't tried a 50+ FG all year, and is 29-31 overall. Punter Jeff Feagles has a 44.0 yard average, and their coverage unit allows only 4.3 per return. They use Hixon as a returner, but have shied away from using him since starting, and Bradshaw takes more of the kick returns anyway. They allow 22.4 on kick returns.



An aside - it's the battle of the Ledford High School fullbacks, with Hoover and Hedgecock both graduating from there.

 

Sheraton?

 

So... Gnatt is saying he's not sure if Bridges or Hangartner is starting at G tonight. I have to figure it should be Bridges.

 

I heard the same thing earlier on ESPN radio. Fox is keeping it close to the vest but you would have to think it will be Bridges. Hurts us in pulling guards losing Vincent. Supposedly Otah had learned a lot from Vincent

 

Bridges stated last week when Vincent got hurt he knew he was in.

That may be different for game week v/s having a backup for specific game subs (i.e., Bridges was prepared for the right side), but I certainly hope it's Bridges going. Bigger, doesn't get pushed around, and adds a little athleticism v/s Vincent so we can pass block a little better and pull on that side without having to bring the house.

Plus, I know they like the tackle eligible play, which is a very minor reason to do anything but could weigh in.

 

Just put a sign on the guys across the line from Bridges "I hate champagne, bitch"

 

The Carolina Panthers will be without defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who is inactive with an ankle injury

From Steve Reed at CarolinaGrowl.com

 

Thanks for that , mags.

 

Inactives:
Panthers: QB Matt Moore (3rd), WR D.J. Hackett, CB C.J. Wilson, LB Adam Seward, G Mackenzy Bernadeau, DE Hilee Taylor, WR Kenneth Moore, DT Maake Kemoeatu.
Giants: K Lawrence Tynes, CB Sam Madison, LB Gerris Wilkinson, T Adam Koets, DT Leger Douzable, WR Derek Hagan, WR Sinorice Moss, DE Jerome McDougle.

 

So how much not having Sam Madison will hurt the Giants?