Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Inside the Locker Room: Keeping an Eye on Vick

DE Justin Tuck and DE Osi Umenyiora on containing Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick:

Tuck:
“I think Vick is the guy that you think of as a mobile quarterback, he can be a game changer when it comes to being on his feet. Obviously everyone knows how strong his arms are, but when you talk about a mobile quarterback, he is the guy that pops in your head first…”

Umenyiora:
“Cam and Carolina were basically running a college offense, draws and the lead ups and all the stuff like that. Vick is a pro-style offense, he’s just a mobile quarterback…he can pass, pocket pass also. He’s more effective, or he’s more dangerous when he leaves the pocket.”

RB Ahmad Bradshaw talks about returning after missing Week 2: 
“Just getting ready you know, it’s a big game for me, I’m ready to get back in the game. It’s a division opponent and I think it’s a big contest for our team.”

Fantasy Preview: Thursday Night Football

The views expressed in this article are not of the New York Football Giants but those of an independent Fantasy Expert.

Jacoby Jones, WR, BAL

Last Week: 3 catches, 86 yards vs. Patriots

In the past three games, Jones has seven catches for 157 yards, including twenty-one yard touchdown reception and is averaging 21.8 yards per catch.  He has proved to be one of the top viable deep threats for the Baltimore Ravens’ offense, behind Torrey Smith. Thursday, Jones will try to take advantage of a Browns secondary (ranked 30th vs. wide receivers) that will need to find a way to fill the void of suspended starting cornerback Joe Haden.

Trent Richardson, RB, CLE

Last Week: 12 carries, 27 yards, TD vs. Bills

Richardson had his second tough outing of the season last week. His six receptions for twenty-four yards in week three was encouraging though, as he is emerging in the Browns passing game.  In week two, Richardson also had a 32-yard touchdown catch vs. Bengals.  The Ravens defense is a scary one to face.  Especially at home.  But that won’t stop the rookie running back from finding the end zone at least once, in a very tough match-up.

Dennis Pitta, TE, BAL

Last Week: 5 catches, 50 yards, TD vs. Patriots

Pitta has been a legitimate starting tight-end the past three weeks. In week one, five catches for seventy-three yards and a score.  In week two, eight catches for 65 yards. After another solid start from this past week, five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown, expect more of the same success tonight.

Daily Blitz: Reid, Vick prep for Giants’ D-Line

While the Giants’ defense has as many interceptions as sacks this season, the game plan still starts up front for opponents.

Big Blue has six of each through the first three weeks, while the Eagles have given up nine sacks and battle an NFC-worst turnover differential of -6.

“Well, it’s always a great challenge when you play one of the best defensive lines in the National Football League, like the Giants have,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said Wednesday on a conference call with New York reporters. “You’ve got to make sure that you’re playing your best football.”

Despite a 2-1 record, the Eagles haven’t been doing exactly that coming off a 27-6 loss to Arizona after winning their first two games by one point against Baltimore and Cleveland. Meanwhile, Michael Vick has thrown six interceptions and his offense has lost six fumbles.

“We know they have a great defense,” Vick said on a conference call about the Giants. “It’s obvious because they won a Super Bowl last year, but I expect my guys to come out and play a fast and physical football game.  We know it’s going to be a tough game, but that’s what the NFL is all about.

“Osi [Umenyiora] and Justin Tuck, you know they’re just as good, if not great; they pose a lot of challenges.  They just have a great defensive scheme and we have a lot of respect for them, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to man-on-man and getting it done in the moment.”

QUICK HITS

» The NFL and the NFL Referees Association agreed to the terms of a new eight-year collective bargaining agreement that will return the game officials to the field for this weekend’s games, beginning with Thursday night’s Cleveland at Baltimore game.

» The profile of Tom Coughlin in NFL Films’ ‘A Football Life’ premiered last night. Take a look at his journey to return to the Super Bowl, along with his legacy in New York.