Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – Asked on a show today for a prediction on the Jets-Giants game, this is what I had to say and why. The matchup of these two units could decide this game . . .
I was at the Giants’ practice facility for the first time today.
Really nice facility, not as big as the Jets’ complex in Florham Park, but still impressive in it’s own right.
They have an amazing television production facility in the building, and produce a myriad of original programming out of their complex. They had three cameras shooting the shows, and a control room like you would see at a network. The Jets don’t have this. I’m not saying as a rip on the Jets, but I will say, the Giants have more control of their shows than the Jets do with SNY, because the Giants do everything at their complex. Most of the Jets’ shows are done at SNY’s studios in mid-town Manhattan (which I hear are moving downtown by the way.)
The reason I was over there was to appear on TV Show called, “Giants On-Line,” with Bob Papa.
The show is on MSG Network on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check your local listings if you want to check it out.
I predicted a Jets win with the main focus being the Giants injury-laded offensive line against the strength of the Jets, their defensive line.
Talking to people over at the Giants, I get the sense that that rookie Bobby Hart is going to start at right tackle. The regular right tackle Marshall Newhouse is injured. He has a back ailment.
I just don’t see how this can go well for the Giants. We are talking about a 7th round rookie lining up against Mo Wilkerson. How do you think that is going to go?
And don’t forget their left tackle is a rookie – Ereck Flowers. Now Flowers is a heck of a prospect and was picked in the first round, but starting two rookie offensive tackles is far from ideal.
But Hart has a lot more potential to exploit than Flowers.
Remember, during the draft process, there was a lot of talk about moving Hart to guard, after playing right tackle at Florida State.
One scouting report before the draft called him a “guard-only prospect” because of his “lethargic feet.” He had pass protection issues at right tackle in college, so that will likely carry over to the NFL.
Maybe Newhouse has a remarkable recovery over the next few days, but if not, I think the Giants are in a heap of trouble in terms of protecting Eli and running the football.
The Giants’ regular right guard Geoff Schwartz broke his leg last week, so he’s done for the year. So the Giants could have an entire new right side in this game with journeyman John Jerry filling in for Schwartz and Hart.
So this is why I’m picking the Jets in a close game. I think the Giants’ offensive line, against the Jets’ talented defensive line, is going to be a huge problem for Big Blue . . .
Often when teams say a player is a “game-time decision” it’s just coach-speak to keep the media at bay, but in the case of cornerback Marcus Williams, I think that is truly the case.
Now if he had a structural knee injury, there is no way he would play this week.
But that isn’t the case.
He’s got a bruise of some kind on the inside of his left knee, suffered on his pick of Ryan Tannehill.
So he’s getting a ton of treatment on the bruise, and perhaps by Sunday, he will be good to go.
They certainly need him.
He’s a better match-up against Odell Beckham than Antonio Cromartie because of Williams short-area quickness to stay with Beckham. Buster Skrine is another guy with good quick twitch who could keep up with Beckham.
Obviously they aren’t going to stop Beckham, who is a great player, but matching him up with one of their quicker corners, perhaps they can limit the damage.
December 3, 2015
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Friday