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Getting to Know the Enemy: Big Blue View

I was pleased to be joined by Ed, our New York Giants affiliate, who has the pleasure of running Big Blue View, to preview Monday's game. We did a question-and-answer segment in the preseason, so I tried as best as I could to differ the questions a little bit this time. Enjoy!

Chris: "The Giants lost Osi Umenyiora in the preseason, and many people projected the defensive line to suffer a dropoff. However, the line still seems as strong as ever, no matter who the Giants throw in there. Is this simply a matter of great coaching? Because the Browns have been searching for a solid defensive lineman since returning to the league."

Ed: "Really, it's simply that too many "experts" did not look closely enough at how much talent was still there. Justin Tuck is playing at a Pro Bowl level and Mathias Kiwanuka is right at home back at defensive end, the position he was drafted to play. On top of that, DT Fred Robbins (4 sacks) is playing very well. Barry Cofield is the other DT, and he is solid, if unspectacular. Also, there is great depth with Jay Alford, Jerome McDougle and Dave Tollefson. It's really the same with the entire team. Talent and depth everywhere."

Chris: "Although I watched the game when the Giants battled the Bengals, I'm curious as to what your take is (briefly) on why it was such a competitive game instead of a blowout. Was there a strategy the Bengals used that the Browns could use this Monday?"

Ed: "Well, you can't blow out every team. The Bengals played well. They used lots of short crossing routes to negate the Giants blitz. Those left the Giants corners, in man coverage, trailing and resulted in some big plays. I have no idea if Seattle tried that last week -- the Seahawks couldn't get out of their own way on offense and couldn't cover anybody on defense."

Chris: "WR Domenik Hixon made a name for himself by catching three touchdowns in the preseason against the Browns. Then, in his first start with Plaxico Burress suspended last week, he had over 100 yards receiving along with a touchdown. How much playing time is this potential "Browns killer" going to see with Burress returning?"

Ed: "I am not sure how much of Hixon you will see. He did suffer a concussion Sunday. If he is ready to go, you will definitely see him returning punts, where he excels. Offensively, he will get time in 4-receiver sets, that's all."

Chris: "The Giants are first in the league on offense, and third in the league on defense, so I'm not even going to bother asking what weakness the Browns should attack. However, I will ask this: which starting player are you most disappointed with on the Giants this year, either on offense or defense?"

Ed: "Plaxico Burress. I am disappointed by his suspension, and by his seeming lack of remorse -- One beat writer said he is "30 going on 13," and that is probably accurate. I don't see any short-term impact on the team -- the players are solidly behind Tom Coughlin and have said repeatedly that Burress deserved what he got. Long-term, I am wondering whether Plax will be a Giant at the end of the 5-year contract he just signed."

Chris: "This will be the Browns' first Monday Nighter in a few years. Predict the final score, and please feel free to be as lopsided as you'd like."

Ed: "900-0!! No, seriously, I don't see the Giants putting a Seattle-like beating on the Browns. That game was fun, but it won't happen every week.
Giants 31, Browns 17"

Once again, I'd like to thank Ed for taking the time to answer my questions this week. We plan on doing another little feature later on this week, and I'll also be answering five of his questions about the Browns soon.

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Curious about Quinn

what is the feeling on your blog about Brady Quinn? Is he close to getting a chance to start? Or do you think it’s best to leave things as they are?

by giant fan since 57 on Oct 8, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions  

I think this is Anderson’s last chance. An embarrassment on national TV will be the end of DA as the starter. If he plays well, my feeling is still that anything short of playoffs will lead to Quinn coming into next season as the starter

by Roger Dorn on Oct 8, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tons of people are calling for Quinn. I think DA did just enough in the 4th quarter of our last game to give him the start this week and calm the cries for Quinn a little. I, personally would love to get a better look at Quinn during the regular season in a non-committal way (for instance if we are getting blown out on Monday) so that we can eliminate as much of the “unknown factor” as possible.

by rufio on Oct 9, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Quinn

Some guys just seem to perform above their abilities. Maybe Quinn is one of those guys who doesn’t show much until he is a real game.

When he played college ball I wasn’t teribly impressed with him. But now, looking back, it seems he might have done a much better job of keeping the Irish competitive than we thought. He didn’t have much more talent around him than the guys who followed him but it seemed to me he delayed the collapse that has been Notre Dame football since he left.

I think you are right. Monday will be Anderson’s last shot to avoid a full blown quarterback controversy.

by giant fan since 57 on Oct 9, 2008 5:43 AM EDT reply actions  

He definitely led his team to higher levels than they could have reached without him. Jeff S. (not even going to try to spell that) was a quality WR and Fasano was a pretty good TE, but that’s pretty much all he had around him. With Brady, ND almost beat USC. Without him, they can’t beat Navy. Not saying it was all him, but at least some of it was.

by rufio on Oct 9, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hi guys

Nice job on the Q and A Chris and Ed

One thing to hold on to Browns fans: The Giants traditionally play like crap on Monday NIghts, them losing this game would not surprise me at all.

Good luck Monday night.

And PS, “Roger Dorn” is one of the great user names ever.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 9, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions  

What's up with Winslow?

I wonder what the secret illness is? Kellen Sr might have been the best tight end evr to play in the NFL. When the Browns got his son, I thought he might just be the real deal but so far the jury is still out I guess.

by giant fan since 57 on Oct 9, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions  

My jury’s back. They said they had no problem with his play, aside from some unnecessary penalties. His overall health is another issue, but I’ve gotta admit he plays tough. The kind of toughness and fire I’d like to see from some of the other players. (Are you reading this, linebackers? Light a fire.)

by JustBob on Oct 9, 2008 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

The sense I get

is that Winslow’s a lot like Shockey: U of Miami alum, ton of talent, tough enough to run people over, plays with a chip on his shoulder; but on the downside he’s injury prone, can be a loudmouth at times, and occasionally gets cases of the dropsies.

by cjmulrain on Oct 10, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

My thoughts on Winslow: Best hands I’ve seen on a football player since Chris Carter. Tough as nails, plays through all sorts of tough injuries and doesn’t complain about them. If this illness keeps him out of Monday Night’s game, it must be pretty bad.

He is a bit of a loud mouth and an ass, but only when he keeps pumped up. The dude is really passionate about football, and as much as I hated him at Miami, I love him now.

I disagree with cjmulrain: First, I’ve always thought Shockey was vastly overrated. Winslow is smaller, faster and has way better hands. And I’ve never seen him with a “case of the dropsies”.

by Ryan Kelsey on Oct 10, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions  

the dropsies

maybe you’re right, I might have been thinking of Braylon. I thought I remembered watching a few Browns games and seeing him drop a few big passes, but I could be wrong.

I agree that Winslow is smaller and faster than Shockey, but Shockey is stronger. And Shockey IS overrated, at least today, but when he was at the top of his game (2002-03) he was a BEAST. He just couldn’t stay healthy and his flaws became a lot more noticeable.

by cjmulrain on Oct 10, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

I do root for the Browns and do not claim to be objective or in depth at all about this, but Winslow at the top of his game is better than Shockey at the top of his game at any point in time.

Shockey is probably more versatile in that he is a better in-line drive-blocker, but all of the receiving and movement skills sway in Winslow’s favor. It would have been really scary if he ever matured without it taking a catastrophically close to career-ending motorcycle wreck to get his head on straight. He isn’t really injury-prone so much as he is continuously playing through pain.

When he was at Miami and went off on that “I am a soldier!” rant, I really disliked him. After his accident, getting married, getting a little older, etc. he seems like he is more mature and more able to channel his emotions in to something positive. He does still get too fired up and draw penalties at times, but I would rather have that than an equally talented guy who didn’t care at all.

by rufio on Oct 10, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

you guys are TOAST. Eli is gonna slice you up like swiss cheese. Man are you in trouble. Eli is confident, he is feeling very naughty, and who better to beat down on then the dirty browns

by EliTheChosen1 on Oct 11, 2008 5:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Thanks for the A+ analysis.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Oct 11, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

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