STAN THE MAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 7:00 ET
5* BEST BET - Detroit over NY Giants by 14
It seems as if defending Super Bowl champions have had a real "bulls-eye" on their back in recent pre-seasons, going 2-10 vs. the number over the last three years. Last season, Indianapolis went 1-2-1 ATS, meaning the Patriots and the Steelers before them really stunk up the joint. This year, it's the New York Giants, one of the least likely Super Bowl Champions in history as the marked team.
They begin this preseason campaign with this Thursday nighter against Detroit, a team they beat 16-10 last preseason as the Lions threw a somewhat stunning 43 passes in the contest. Mike Martz is gone and coach Rod Marinelli wants a more run-first mentality on offense and he may finally have the personnel to do so. Top draft choice Kevin Smith, a 2,000+ yard back at Central Florida joins veterans Tatum Bell, Artose Pinner, Aveion Cason and Brian Calhoun, all of whom will be vying for the workload. The Giants defense isn't going to be what is was last year either with four departed starters, including the retired Michael Strahan, so depth will be an issue in these early preseason battles for the G-Men.
Speaking of depth, what about New York's QB situation? Eli Manning silenced the critics last year, but he'll be in for just a series or two, tops, here. Behind him are a pair of new Giants, Anthony Wright and David Carr, both of whom are obviously learning a new offense. Furthermore, just about every Giant WR has missed some part of training camp due to injury.
The Lions, meanwhile, actually have a pretty solid little QB rotation in Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton. Orlovsky has looked pretty good in practice from what we're hearing. Stanton, not so much, so he might play with a little something extra in the opener. On defense, this is the third year of the "Tampa Two" system and the p_layer_s should be more comfortable and familiar.
*Analysis:
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When they met in the regular season a year ago, the Lions were contentious in a 16-10 home loss that featured 43 pass calls by since-booted offensive coordinator Mike Martz. When you call 43 passes against the NFL?s leading sack defense, you are a boob. This season, the Lions will pound the ball more often as they transition to more of a field-position team under leadership that has lots of ?Tampa Bay? in it. Having a competition for the #1 running back spot is a fine thing to have when you intend to run more, and the Lions have rookie #1 draft pick Kevin Smith, plus veterans Tatum Bell, Artose Pinner, Aveion Cason and Brian Calhoun all vying for the workload.
The Giants? defense features four departed starters from a year ago, which means that depth is suspect. One of those departed starters is big linebacker Kavika Mitchell, very solid against the run. Also, Giants? wide receivers Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and David Tyree all have missed time with injuries in camp.
When the Lions feel like throwing, they have many capable hands available in the crew that Martz messed up mightily with. Besides Anthony (Yawn) Wright, the Giants have also saddled themselves with desultory David Carr as a back-up quarterback. Carr will probably see action with the lesser Olinemen who have much to prove behind the stalwart starters. Not good for David Carr. Detroit figures to treat it more like a regular-season affair and their own back-up QB Dan Orlovsky has led plenty of practice and preseason drives with Detroit?s #2s and #3s.
*Bottom Line:
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Let?s finalize by admitting that Detroit hasn't been all that great in recent pre-seasons, but since 1993, the Giants are a dreadful 4-16 against the number in pre-season games played on turf. "Lay the points with the more motivated home team here!"
Predicted Outcome: DETROIT 24, NEW YORK GIANTS 10
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7TH, 7:00 ET
5* BEST BET - Detroit over NY Giants by 14
It seems as if defending Super Bowl champions have had a real "bulls-eye" on their back in recent pre-seasons, going 2-10 vs. the number over the last three years. Last season, Indianapolis went 1-2-1 ATS, meaning the Patriots and the Steelers before them really stunk up the joint. This year, it's the New York Giants, one of the least likely Super Bowl Champions in history as the marked team.
They begin this preseason campaign with this Thursday nighter against Detroit, a team they beat 16-10 last preseason as the Lions threw a somewhat stunning 43 passes in the contest. Mike Martz is gone and coach Rod Marinelli wants a more run-first mentality on offense and he may finally have the personnel to do so. Top draft choice Kevin Smith, a 2,000+ yard back at Central Florida joins veterans Tatum Bell, Artose Pinner, Aveion Cason and Brian Calhoun, all of whom will be vying for the workload. The Giants defense isn't going to be what is was last year either with four departed starters, including the retired Michael Strahan, so depth will be an issue in these early preseason battles for the G-Men.
Speaking of depth, what about New York's QB situation? Eli Manning silenced the critics last year, but he'll be in for just a series or two, tops, here. Behind him are a pair of new Giants, Anthony Wright and David Carr, both of whom are obviously learning a new offense. Furthermore, just about every Giant WR has missed some part of training camp due to injury.
The Lions, meanwhile, actually have a pretty solid little QB rotation in Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton. Orlovsky has looked pretty good in practice from what we're hearing. Stanton, not so much, so he might play with a little something extra in the opener. On defense, this is the third year of the "Tampa Two" system and the p_layer_s should be more comfortable and familiar.
*Analysis:
----------
When they met in the regular season a year ago, the Lions were contentious in a 16-10 home loss that featured 43 pass calls by since-booted offensive coordinator Mike Martz. When you call 43 passes against the NFL?s leading sack defense, you are a boob. This season, the Lions will pound the ball more often as they transition to more of a field-position team under leadership that has lots of ?Tampa Bay? in it. Having a competition for the #1 running back spot is a fine thing to have when you intend to run more, and the Lions have rookie #1 draft pick Kevin Smith, plus veterans Tatum Bell, Artose Pinner, Aveion Cason and Brian Calhoun all vying for the workload.
The Giants? defense features four departed starters from a year ago, which means that depth is suspect. One of those departed starters is big linebacker Kavika Mitchell, very solid against the run. Also, Giants? wide receivers Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and David Tyree all have missed time with injuries in camp.
When the Lions feel like throwing, they have many capable hands available in the crew that Martz messed up mightily with. Besides Anthony (Yawn) Wright, the Giants have also saddled themselves with desultory David Carr as a back-up quarterback. Carr will probably see action with the lesser Olinemen who have much to prove behind the stalwart starters. Not good for David Carr. Detroit figures to treat it more like a regular-season affair and their own back-up QB Dan Orlovsky has led plenty of practice and preseason drives with Detroit?s #2s and #3s.
*Bottom Line:
-------------
Let?s finalize by admitting that Detroit hasn't been all that great in recent pre-seasons, but since 1993, the Giants are a dreadful 4-16 against the number in pre-season games played on turf. "Lay the points with the more motivated home team here!"
Predicted Outcome: DETROIT 24, NEW YORK GIANTS 10
