*Giants.com's Dan Salomone highlights five takeaways from the latest team practice and media hour: * **
- McADOO: WE BELIEVE WE'LL WIN THE CLOSE ONES **
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Entering Week 10, there have been 99 games played within one score in the fourth quarter, the most in the first nine weeks of a season in NFL history. Four teams, including the Giants, have had all of their games within one score in the fourth quarter this season. Now Big Blue will face a Cincinnati team that knows a thing or two about close games. In their last time out, the Bengals played to a 27-27 draw with the Redskins in London.
"I think we believe that we're going to win the close ones in the end, that's what we work towards," coach Ben McAdoo said. "At the same point in time, we had some opportunities in the ball game to blow it open last week and when we get those opportunities, we need to take advantage of them."
The Giants' five victories this season have been decided by a total of 20 points. The last time five consecutive Giants wins were decided by a combined 20 or fewer points in a single season was in 2011, the year they won Super Bowl XLVI.
2. INJURY REPORT
For the Giants, wide receiver Victor Cruz (ankle), left guard Justin Pugh (knee) and defensive end Kerry Wynn (concussion) did not practice. Safety Andrew Adams (shoulder) and backup quarterback Ryan Nassib (right elbow) were limited. In Cincinnati, linebacker Rey Maualuga (fibula), defensive tackle Domata Peko (not injury related) and wide receiver James Wright (hamstring) did not practice. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict (thigh), defensive end Michael Johnson (calf) and defensive tackle Pat Sims (ribs) were limited.
A look at the expected starters for the Giants' Week 10 opponent
WR A.J. Green
QB Andy Dalton
WR Brandon LaFell
RB Jeremy Hill
TE/HB Ryan Hewitt
TE Tyler Kroft
Center Russell Bodine
RG Kevin Zeitler
LT Andrew Whitworth
RT Cedric Ogbuehi
LG Clint Boling
LB Rey Maualuga
DB Dre Kirkpatrick
DT Geno Atkins
DE Carlos Dunlap
LB Vontaze Burfict
FS George Iloka
SS Shawn Williams
DB Adam Jones
DT Damata Peko
LB Karlos Dansby
DE Michael Johnson
Punter Kevin Huber
PK Mike Nugent
LS Clark Harris
3. OBJ VS. AJ
ESPN's cameras will be all over wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and A.J. Green on Monday night when the Giants host the Bengals. Beckham, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, just became the sixth player in NFL history to record at least 30 touchdown catches in his first 35 career games. Meanwhile, Green, who has made the Pro Bowl in each of his five seasons, leads the NFL this year with 112 receiving yards per game. So does having those two add a little more juice to a primetime game?
"Absolutely," Beckham said. "I'm out there watching. I'm watching what he's doing because I enjoy it. I love football like that. I love seeing other guys who are great. As long as I'm not going against you. It's not like I'm rooting for him, but I like to see someone at their best.
If not, I like to see them compete." Additionally, Randy Moss, who had the best rookie season for a receiver until Beckham came along, was at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center today. The future Hall of Famer, who is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown catches, now works for ESPN and came to East Rutherford for an interview with Beckham, who got to pick his brain a little.
"He started something that even now, he has his own little segment, 'You got Mossed.' The getting Mossed thing inspired a lot of receivers," Beckham said. "You wanted to go up top on someone and you wanted to scoop the ball off his head and run it into the end zone. I've watched him streak down the field for years. Change his route. Just put his hand up and it's like, 'We're gone and out of here.' He's a guy who I aspire to be like. Just him being able to be here, pick his brain and take whatever I can take from him is good."
4. JENKINS READY FOR NEXT CHALLENGE
While Monday will be billed as Odell vs. A.J., it's really cornerback Janoris Jenkins vs. the Bengals' star wide receiver. Jenkins has played as advertised since coming over as a big-ticket free agent this offseason. The former Ram has gone up against the opponent's biggest threats throughout the year and back to his days in St. Louis.
Green had six receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams last year. But that wasn't the first time they played against each other. Jenkins, who began his college career at Florida and was a member of Urban Meyer's 2008 national championship team, faced Green during his days at Georgia.
"Those were some nice battles," Jenkins said. "I remember the first play of the game in the Florida-Georgia game. They threw him a hitch, and I got it. I picked them off the first play of the game. It was my biggest memory."
5. DON'T FORGET EIFERT
In his second game back from back and ankle injuries, tight end Tyler Eifert had nine receptions for 102 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown, in the 27-27 tie with the Redskins in London. The 2013 first-round draft choice out of Notre Dame missed the first six weeks of his follow-up to a Pro Bowl campaign that included 13 touchdowns in 13 games, the most by any tight end last season. "I think when you play good tight ends, I think they cause problems," said McAdoo, a former tight ends coach. "My history coaching the position, it causes problems for people.
They're tough matchups for safeties because of the size and a tough matchup for linebackers because of the speed and the quickness. A lot of times, corners don't have the strength to contain them. Especially when you go against great, great ones, it poses matchup problems."
