Jump to content
Washington Football Team Logo
Extremeskins

NYT: Rash of Injuries Leaves the Giants Hurting in Multiple Places


bubba9497

Recommended Posts

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/sports/football/20giants.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

click link for full article

Rash of Injuries Leaves the Giants Hurting in Multiple Places

By JOHN BRANCH

BALTIMORE, Aug. 19 — For a short time during a sloppy preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, the Giants’ major concerns were on full display all over the field: a questionable rush defense, an unsettling number of penalties, a hit-and-miss offense.

But with sweeping force, all those on-field problems were brushed aside, and the team’s true problems were found off the field — limping toward the bench, being carted to the X-ray room or being wrapped in bandages on the sideline.

The Giants left M&T Bank Stadium in much worse shape than when they arrived, despite a 13-12 victory. In a short span of the second quarter, receiver Michael Jennings ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon, probably ending his season before it began. On the next play, receiver Steve Smith caught a touchdown, but also sustained a concussion.

Three plays later, safety Will Demps dislocated his right elbow and cornerback Sam Madison pulled his left hamstring. Demps could miss several weeks. Madison, who missed four games last season with a pulled right hamstring, limped to the sideline.

Minutes later, tight end Jeremy Shockey stood with a tight left hamstring while what remained of the first-team offense took the field. In the second half, the backup center and long snapper Grey Ruegamer limped off with a sprained right ankle.

The game became as much a full-scale scrimmage for the team’s medical staff as it was for the coaches and players. And it could send Jerry Reese, the team’s general manager, scrambling for replacements.

“We have a few guys we’re going to have to make some adjustments for,” Coach Tom Coughlin said.

The secondary and the receiving corps are especially thin. The veteran receiver Amani Toomer played for the first time since the eighth game of last season, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He dropped the first ball thrown to him, but later caught a pass for 15 yards. He is, for the moment, the only healthy player among the team’s top five receivers.

The Giants began the game without the starting receiver Plaxico Burress and the backup Sinorice Moss, who are out with nagging ankle injuries. Jennings started for Burress, and caught three passes for 33 yards. His final reception was his best; he snared it as he dived toward the sideline. He stood up on one foot and hopped toward the bench.

“I planted and it popped,” said Jennings, who might have been the team’s punt returner, too.

One play later, quarterback Eli Manning threw a crisp dart over the middle to Smith for a 10-yard touchdown. Ravens safety Ed Reed arrived late and knocked Smith with an elbow to the head, a seemingly innocuous blow. A concussion was quickly diagnosed, Smith’s head and his future availability left cloudy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I don't think losing Jennings is any worse than us losing Espy.

And Madison's hammy isn't any more troubling than Marcus' elbow.

So no sympathy from Skin Fan. Unless Strahan retires.

It's more troubling when you consider the Giants lack of depth at corner and their struggle to defend against the pass last year.

The fact that Madison struggled with his hammies a good portion of last year and has the same problem early into the season should be reason for serious concern.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's more troubling when you consider the Giants lack of depth at corner and their struggle to defend against the pass last year.

The fact that Madison struggled with his hammies a good portion of last year and has the same problem early into the season should be reason for serious concern.

I would guess that most teams that leave their corners 7-8 yards from the LoS have problems defending the pass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...