Before the 49ers game, Coughlin was whining that the defense had not forced many turnovers this year. Well, I guess that is no longer a concern. 3 turnovers against 49ers and 4 against Steelers and the defense is a regular turnover machine. I am guessing that will stop this week against Cowboys - not because Cowboys offense is so proficient, but because they will probably pull in the oars and play a very conservative game. Look for Marion Barber to carry the ball 25 times or more.
Of these 7 turnovers that Giants defense has made these past two weeks, 5 have been forced by the safeties: 2 INTs by Johnson against 49ers; against Steelers an INT by Butler, a hit by Butler to force the INT that Kehl made and the closing INT by Phillips.
I hope Gerris Wilkinson doesn't have a long term rental on the housing he is using while playing for the Giants, because based on what I've seen from Kehl, Wilkinson may be looking for a new team soon. Kehl hits really well, is fast and is smart. The INT he made was a Derek Jeter type of play. He had no reason to be in that exact spot, because his zone area of coverage was further to the left (his left). He read Ben's eyes, saw where he was going with the ball and drifted over to the middle of the field, took a slightly deeper drop and was in perfect position to catch the ball when Butler separated the WR from it. I say it was Jeter-type-play, because it was mostly an instinct play and not pure coaching. He also showed great hands by catching the ball. It was not popped up in the air, it fell straight down to the ground and he showed real good hands snatching it before it hit the ground.
Kiwanuka is starting to come on. Maybe his ankle is healed. Can you imagine how dangerous the defense would be if Osi were not lost for the season?
Kenny Phillips is going to be a big time player.
Best quote of the week was by Antonio Pierce: "We should just fast forward the game to the last 5 minutes and turn it over to Eli then"
I honestly think there are a few reasons why Giants are so good in 4th qtr:
1. Giants have great depth and actually use it throughout the game so players are fresh in 4th qtr.
2. Giants made a move a few years ago to rid themselves of many of the older, frequently injured players and so have younger, more athletically fit players that tend to be less tired than older players at the end of the game. Remember that the Giants cut Arrington, Pettigout, Demps, Whittfield, Emmons and a few other guys I can't remember.
3. Giants have a very good trainer and physical fitness program and guys are really fit. Have you ever seen 3 DEs as fit as Tuck, Kiwanuka and Osi? They could all be playing LB somewhere. Even the Giants DTs, Cofield and Robbins are trim and fit, where on other teams, these are the players that usually have their gut hanging over their belt and are nicknamed after some home appliance or other.
4. Our coaches are really good and by the time the 4th qtr rolls around, they are able to make the subtle adjustments they need in the game plan to make things work.
5. Eli's cool and refusal to get flustered in tight situations has cascaded down and permeates the attitude of the entire team.
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