Here's a few quick takes from our day with the assistants...
Safeties coach Dave Merritt on Michael Johnson: "As I was grading the film (from the Dolphins game), I kept rewinding and saying to myself, 'Am I seeing what I think I am?' Michael's proven, even with one start, that he can go out and make plays for us. And he made all the coverage calls, even as the swing guy -- he can play strong or free. He had a lot on his plate and he played a strong, physical game, which is just awesome for us."
On whether James Butler gets his starting job back: "You don't lose your job because of an injury. I like the position we're in now, with a three-headed monster back there. Michael Johnson will continue to play, which I'm happy about. You don't lose your job to an injury. But Michael is right there, at both (Butler and Gibril Wilson's) heels."
WRs coach Mike Sullivan on Sinorice Moss: "He showed some flashes in the Jet game. He only had the one catch, but on the tape, he was consistently winning his battles. In Atlanta, he had a couple opportunities where even he would say he could have done more with the football and used his speed better. I think he could really use a big play to build up his confidence, but with all the other weapons in our offense, those opportunities don't come along very often."
Sullivan on Amani Toomer: "When teams want to double Plax or Shockey, he's proving that he's still one of the best in the game at getting open one on one and controlling his body. It's not a surprise how much the offense fell off when he got hurt last year."
O-line Pat Flaherty on the praise for his group: "It starts with the philosophy of the head coach and the offensive coordinator. I don't know where I stand in that line, but it sure as heck isn't near the top."
On the attitude of the O-linemen: "You have a personality you develop in that room. Where does it come from? From the whole group. The standards they've set aren't necessarily ones that I've set. When we had to replace (Luke Petitgout), it became somebody else's job to get it done. Within that room, we felt we could get it done. So far, it's worked out."
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride on Burress: "As much as he's been a real trooper to battle through all this, there's no question it's affected his play. He's not able to fight for some balls the way he normally does, his routes are a little different. He'd be the first to tell you that."
Gilbride on Eli: "He makes everybody else better, including the run game. You know he won't take a sack if he sees the blitz coming, so he's making the O-line better with their numbers. He checked into a couple of runs (on Sunday) and he's making that better. I'd say the last game and a half we haven't thrown the ball the way we'd like. Sixty percent (completions) is still a reasonable goal. He's just below it now, but he was just above it up until the last game and a half."
DBs coach Peter Giunta on Sam Madison: "When he came to camp, he just blew us away in the conditioning test. I think being hurt last year, he really dedicated himself to coming here in his best shape this time around. It was a clean slate and he was ready to go."
On Corey Webster: "His confidence has definitely been hurt and he's in a bit of a slump. To get out of it, he's got to have the opportunities to make plays and then go and make them. Since the Washington game, he hasn't had too many opportunities."
On Aaron Ross: "He's got a great knack for making plays, and some people are just born with that. He has great football instincts, when the ball's in the air, or getting to the quarterback. He's made great progress."
That's all for now... Might dig up some more nuggets later. Thanks for the question contributions.
Comments (7)
Arthur, I am wondering about Kiwanuka. What has been the biggest difference in his play aside from the fact that he plays on the line on third down passing situations? In the first two games, it looked like he was in coverage on almost every play and was barely around the LOS. Then over the last six games, it seemed like the opposite--he was rarely in coverage and mostly rushing the passer. Has he still been in coverage almost the same amount of time as the first two games and we arent hearing his name becuase he is playing the pass better? Or has he been used more like a Demarcus ware, rushing the passer and playing within five yards of the line on most plays? I think his improvement, along with the emergence of Justin Tuck, has been as big a part in the success of the defense.
Good to hear the assistants have a voice or, better said, that TC is letting them have one.
Our MVP at the midway point definitely is our offensive line. We better be sending at least one player to Hawaii this year.
And thanks, Arthur, for keeping us all in the mix and getting us involved in your line of questioning. I guess if you can't be a fan of the team you're covering, you can still understand and/or appreciate a fan's perspective.
Fine job. And I'll sign up for 11-5 right now... that is, as long as it includes a win over the Cowbags.
Phenomenal post Arthur....
Could you do us a favor and use your expertise to unravel the "coach speak"?
To me, what Merritt said sounded like "well we're not gonna give the job to Johnson while Butler is hurt, because that would hurt Jamie's feelings and our reputation. But once Butler is back we can let him play the first half of the Cowboy game and then turn to Johnson......"
And who'se call is it who starts and who gets what playing time in what situations? Spagnuolo or Coughlin (or even Reese?)?
Wait, RE: t-dips post at 1:39.......
Arthur you're not a Giants fan? Really? Now I really hate you haha just kidding...
To whom it may concern,
Arthur provides us (the fans) what so many other NY sportswriters don't - a positive, upbeat, glass is half-full perspective on the Giants. Sure, it's easier to do that when the team is winning, but Arthur is consistently focused on the positive aspects of the Giants regardless of the team's win-loss record. Not to say he ignores the negative - he doesn't - but he finds a tactful way to deliver the bad news.
In the past, writers (especially Newsday writers) would beat down on a team (both Jets and Giants) whether they were doing well or not - often nitpicking and hitting below the belt - unfairly criticising percieved imperfections - digging at small chinks in the armor -the result was a reluctance for readers like me who were fans to even pick up a paper.
(I am loathe to read anything from certain columnists i.e. Powell, Mathews - who are antogonistic idiots who do nothing put spew corrosive citicisms and have proven their ignorance time and time again. I'm not too keen on Gob Blauber either, but he's getting old and is mostly harmless now. Mostly.)
A writer has an awsome power in the ability to spin a story any which way he/she sees fit; and a writer also gets the last word over players and coaches. This BLOG is evidence enough that a beat reporter need not put a negative spin on any story he writes - BECAUSE WE THE FANS WILL DO IT FOR HIM!!!
If you read the comments section on this blog after a Giants' loss - it is full of invective and vituperation for the Team, The Coaches, The GM and many of the players.
As for the perception that Arthur is a not a fan - that stems from the fact that historically he has played the 'devils advocate' and would predict a let down against many even match-ups. At one point last year he was near negative perfection (that would be while the G-men were on a 6-2 roll). His negative prognostications became a good luck charm of sorts. Well, for a short while anyways.
Fan or not - I don't care. What I do care about is reading a well thought out and insightful article about my team - the NY Giants. Not only in this blog, but in the articles he writes for Newsday, I can get information on the Team and the players that might not otherwise be so easily accessible.
Arthur rocks! Long live King Arthur!
My 2 cents,
-Big BB
I think Arthur does a very good job too, but Big BB, you've got a borderline man-crush going on there.
Winston,
After re-reading my post - yeah - it looks that way doesn't it? I've got to chill out.
Thanks for the reality check.
No man-crush here,
-Big BB