Archives for December 1, 2003

‘”I didn’t do what I’m supposed to do,” Roehl said. “I thought I was ready to play and I knew my assignments, even though it didn’t look like it.”‘

‘The Giants’ 24 rushing yards was their lowest total since they had 24 yards at Tennessee Oct. 1, 2000. Giants’ 10 first downs was their fewest since they had four at Tampa Bay Sept. 12, 1999.’

‘”It’s their right to leave,” Tiki Barber said. “We’re not putting out a good product. I wouldn’t want to watch the way we’re playing, especially on offense. There’s nothing to get excited about. Nothing we did would keep you in the stadium.”‘

‘The performance yesterday was their worst of the season – particularly on offense, where they’ve been shaken by a crumbling offensive line.’

‘They hadn’t won since October or scored a touchdown on the road since September. But they had the Giants next on the schedule, which, these days, overrides everything.’

‘How bad was it? Tackle Jeff Roehl, when asked if Collins gets upset at the offensive line, said, “How can he not get angry?”‘

‘The Giants are very nearly the worst team in the NFL right now, groping in the dark while trying to remember how to play this complicated game. Their quarterback is in danger of serious injury on every snap from center. On defense, their tacklers have stopped tackling.’

‘Star of the game: Drew Bledsoe may have been woozy during the week, but he showed no effects of his concussion yesterday. He completed 19 of 29 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. He also survived a helmet-to-helmet hit from Giants DT Keith Hamilton in the third quarter and completed two more passes on that drive enroute to Buffalo’s final touchdown.’

‘Rushing Offense: F. Tiki Barber gained 20 yards on 12 carries, including an amazing one yard on three carries in the second half. The Bills have a good rushing defense, but they’re not the ’85 Bears. They were ranked 11th in the NFL and were giving up 104.1 rushing yards per game. It’s not all Barber’s fault – the offensive line was terrible – but he didn’t make many defenders miss.’

‘”We cannot block people. We don’t tackle people. We don’t cover people. We don’t catch the ball in critical situations. I have never seen it and never in my seven years here have we ever played football the way we are playing right now. Honestly, I am at a loss for words.”‘

‘Haven’t scored an offensive touchdown on the road since Sept. 14? Not to worry, Drew Bledsoe. The Giants’ defense is only too happy to let you have not one, not two, but three in one game.’

‘Three escalators leading to Gate D at Giants Stadium looked like the approach to the Lincoln Tunnel after a game: heavy traffic and packed with disgruntled Giants fans. What made this different from most Giants losses was the timing. More than 10 minutes remained in the fourth quarter. Ouch.’

‘The five guys up front didn’t get the job done. Collins barely had time to hand off the ball, much less throw it downfield. Twice Collins and center Chris Bober got their feet tangled. The second caused a fumble that led to Buffalo’s second touchdown and a 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter.’

‘OFFENSE Every offensive plan begins with protecting the quarterback. The Giants did not come close to doing that. Kerry Collins was sacked six times and the Giants had 10 first downs, their lowest total this season, and 222 yards, their second-worst total. They had 10 fewer yards against the Buccaneers last week. The Giants have scored 37 points during a four-game losing streak and seven came on a defensive TD. Oy! F.

‘Q: If the Giants couldn’t throw because of poor pass protection, why couldn’t they at least run better? A: “Once they realized they could get to Kerry in our passing game, it was eight guys in the box,” Tiki Barber said. “So there were no running lanes.”‘