Doug’s Sports Rap – Giants Summary

Last Friday the New York Giants played their first of four preseason games, and lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 23 to 10.

I thought I would blog on the team and what I saw from my seat on the sofa.

The Bengals have been a well balanced team for the last few years, the team has already proven they are play off ready on both sides of the ball.

Meanwhile, the Giants are still putting together a number of things. Let's start with Eli Manning and the first string offense. They put up just 16 yards rushing and 22 yards passing in four possessions.

The defense gave up 10 points, 55 yards passing and 36 yards rushing during that time.

The Giants are still putting together that offensive line, the guys that protected Eli Manning during those two Super Bowl victories are gone.

The defense has lost Osi Umenyiora to free agency, and DE Jason Pierre Paul's status is still unknown, but the Giants will start the season without him.

The Giants have signed veteran safety Brandon Meriweather to helped with the already banged up secondary.

It's only one preseason game and far too early to make many predictions, but I would look for a slow start to the beginning of the season, while this team learns to play together.

The two main keys to success, the Giants offense needs to protect Eli Manning and give him time to find his receivers, and the defense needs to put pressure on the other teams quarterbacks, making him hurry and make rush decisions.

Big Blue will host the Jacksonville Jaguars this Saturday, catch all the action beginning with the pre-game show at 6:35pm on your station for New York Giants football, 99.1 The Whale.

Go Giants!