GIANT REPORT CARD
QUARTERBACKS: A
Blessed with a lead and a running game, Kerry Collins (20 of 30, 232 yards, 1 TD) was the picture of efficiency. Especially sharp on third downs and decisive with his short throws. Did not hit anything deep, but kept up a quick pace and looked at ease. Grade: A.
RUNNING BACKS: B
Nothing fancy but plenty of effective running from Ron Dayne (24-85, 1 TD), who rumbles and leans forward and all of a sudden has himself a nice little gain. He does look more aggressive in taking the ball upfield. Not much on the ground for Tiki Barber (12-32) other than a 23-yard sprint around the left end for a TD. Barber (4-52), though, was a threat as a receiver.
WIDE RECEIVERS: B
The call went out to Joe Jurevicius (5-71), starting in place of injured Ike Hilliard, and big Joe delivered. Was solid going over the middle and made one leaping grab. Was that really Amani Toomer (4-58) running the ball not once but twice (2-31) on reverses and actually scoring on a 19-yarder? A cameo role (1-13) for Ron Dixon.
TIGHT ENDS: B
Quietly, Dan Campbell (1-5, 1 TD) is making himself a target near the goal line, as he floated free for the game’s first TD. There was something for Pete Mitchell (3-28) and even for Howard Cross (1-6), who helped secure the run-blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE: A
Time to scramble. Jason Whittle made his first start of season at RG filling in for injured Ron Stone, and on first series, LT Lomas Brown went down, forcing RT Luke Petitgout to move to LT and bringing Mike Rosenthal off the bench at RT. The result of all the shuffling was certainly not chaos. Petitgout made a big block on Barber’s TD, the Giants ran for 146 yards and Collins was sacked just one time.
DEFENSIVE LINE: A
Mr. Keith Hamilton, meet Mr. Dave Brown. Oh, you’ve already met, several times. Three – count ’em, three – sacks by Hamilton and also a team-high seven tackles. He was a one-man wrecking crew. One sack by ever-improving Cornelius Griffin and two fumble recoveries by active Michael Strahan. No problems here.
LINEBACKERS: B
Some thunderous hits by Mike Barrow, who leveled Brown and then Michael Pittman with some crushing blows. A sack and forced fumble by Ryan Phillips and some early pressure by Jessie Armstead. Pittman got the bulk of his 77 rushing yards after the game was decided.
SECONDARY: A
Other than a 32-yard catch by David Boston against Jason Sehorn, there was nothing doing down the field for Cards. Frank Sanders (3-44) was held in check. Reggie Stephens got an INT and Dave Thomas held up well vs. Boston. Limiting Brown’s passing was not exactly a daunting task.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
Let’s here it for the boys! Three cheers for coach Larry Mac Duff! Jack Golden laid a big hit early to set the tempo. Dangerous KR Mar Tay Jenkins broke free on 47-yard return, but that was it. Newly-signed Damon Washington was aggressive and made a tackle. Let’s see how long this lasts.
KICKING GAME: A
Brad Maynard’s punts were high, with loads of hang time, and his strong words last week might have paid off. The guys actually covered his kicks. Better distance on Brad Daluiso kickoffs and his one FG attempt, a 25-yarder, was good.
COACHING: A
Here’s a guarantee: It will not be as easy as this again this season for Jim Fassel. Talk tough during the week, get to take out aggressions on the hapless Cards on Sunday. Just beautiful. All is swell for one week, but the Redskins are up next.