BIG BLUE: WITTEN WON’T BEAT US THIS TIME
By BART HUBBUCH
November 8, 2007 -- Two months and a six-game winning streak later, Antonio Pierce still groans at the mention of Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
Asked to describe the Giants' defensive effort - if you can call it that - against Witten in a 45-35 loss in the season opener, Pierce responded with a sour face yesterday.
“It was like a bad dream," he said.
Pierce and the rest of the Giants defense expect a much more restful sleep Sunday night after facing Witten and the 7-1 Cowboys at Giants Stadium in a matchup of the NFC East's top two teams.
Along with several other Giants defenders, Pierce all but vowed that the three-time Pro Bowl tight end would not repeat his career-best performance that September night at Texas Stadium.
Witten hauled in six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown with five of the six catches resulting in a first down, but the statistics only tell part of the story. Witten was uncovered on virtually every route he ran.
Witten was so untouched that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo could have thrown to him for big yardage any time he felt like it. Granted, the Giants had their hands full with Terrell Owens and the rest of Dallas' offense, but not enough to excuse Witten repeatedly running free over the deep middle.
“We didn't pay enough attention to one of their most valuable weapons," weak-side linebacker Kawika Mitchell said. “You just can't let a guy like that get open. We didn't get physical with him."
The Giants had no shortage of explanations for the Witten debacle.
Not only were they adjusting to a new defensive coordinator and new scheme, but converted defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka also was making his first NFL start at strong-side linebacker, the position responsible for the tight end in most defensive packages.
“A lot of it was zone drops that we didn't get deep enough on and he got behind us," cornerback R.W. McQuarters said. “He's going to get his catches, but what we can't allow is for him to get behind us like that."
The Giants also had minimal pressure on Romo, mustering one sack. That's where coach Tom Coughlin places most of the blame for Witten's big night.
“You definitely have to have some pressure on the quarterback," Coughlin said yesterday about Witten. “That is where it starts."
The Giants certainly have stepped it up in that category, heading into the rematch with 30 sacks and a No. 1 league ranking in sacks per pass play that has fueled their 6-2 turnaround.
Free safety Gibril Wilson said better pressure on Romo and more attention to detail, specifically, Witten, should produce much more acceptable results Sunday.
“We're going to know where No. 82 (Witten) is at all times," Wilson said. “We're going to have some people looking after him, I promise you that."
November 8, 2007 -- Two months and a six-game winning streak later, Antonio Pierce still groans at the mention of Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
Asked to describe the Giants' defensive effort - if you can call it that - against Witten in a 45-35 loss in the season opener, Pierce responded with a sour face yesterday.
“It was like a bad dream," he said.
Pierce and the rest of the Giants defense expect a much more restful sleep Sunday night after facing Witten and the 7-1 Cowboys at Giants Stadium in a matchup of the NFC East's top two teams.
Along with several other Giants defenders, Pierce all but vowed that the three-time Pro Bowl tight end would not repeat his career-best performance that September night at Texas Stadium.
Witten hauled in six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown with five of the six catches resulting in a first down, but the statistics only tell part of the story. Witten was uncovered on virtually every route he ran.
Witten was so untouched that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo could have thrown to him for big yardage any time he felt like it. Granted, the Giants had their hands full with Terrell Owens and the rest of Dallas' offense, but not enough to excuse Witten repeatedly running free over the deep middle.
“We didn't pay enough attention to one of their most valuable weapons," weak-side linebacker Kawika Mitchell said. “You just can't let a guy like that get open. We didn't get physical with him."
The Giants had no shortage of explanations for the Witten debacle.
Not only were they adjusting to a new defensive coordinator and new scheme, but converted defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka also was making his first NFL start at strong-side linebacker, the position responsible for the tight end in most defensive packages.
“A lot of it was zone drops that we didn't get deep enough on and he got behind us," cornerback R.W. McQuarters said. “He's going to get his catches, but what we can't allow is for him to get behind us like that."
The Giants also had minimal pressure on Romo, mustering one sack. That's where coach Tom Coughlin places most of the blame for Witten's big night.
“You definitely have to have some pressure on the quarterback," Coughlin said yesterday about Witten. “That is where it starts."
The Giants certainly have stepped it up in that category, heading into the rematch with 30 sacks and a No. 1 league ranking in sacks per pass play that has fueled their 6-2 turnaround.
Free safety Gibril Wilson said better pressure on Romo and more attention to detail, specifically, Witten, should produce much more acceptable results Sunday.
“We're going to know where No. 82 (Witten) is at all times," Wilson said. “We're going to have some people looking after him, I promise you that."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:27 PM
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