WESTCHESTER, NY – I’m into lists lately. Nobody makes lists like me. The Giants won on Sunday, in spite of multiple attempts to give the game away, but they have issues. With the election fast approaching, I also have Trump on my mind. So, here’s my list of Trump Inspired 5 Biggest Problems for the Giants:
“I will build a great wall – and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me – and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”
1. The O-line: Though built inexpensively, it’s not exactly a great wall, but it’s an easy place to start. I think Reese had a pretty good off-season. Sure, he hemorrhaged money like a Trump Casino to improve the D, but I’m not writing the checks. He also had a solid draft, getting several contributing value players. But the failure to address the O-Line, in free agency or in the draft, is haunting this team as expected. They can’t run the ball and have become one dimensional. The offense is squarely on Eli’s shoulders.
“Sorry losers and haters, but my I.Q. is one of the highest -and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure, it’s not your fault,”
2. Stupid Penalties: The Giants are only in the middle of the pack in team penalty yards given, but they sure take some stupid ones. This week’s winner was Owa Odighizuwa roughing the passer penalty on 4th down that kept the Ravens final drive alive. Double O, as his teammates probably call him, took about three steps and waved to his mother after Flacco threw it before driving him to the turf. Owa my god! Dominique Rogers-Cromartie gets a pass on the key pass interference penalty called on him for playing perfect defense and then getting mauled from behind. I know the NFL doesn’t want to change pass interference into a 15-yard penalty instead of a spot foul, as they do in the NCAA, because they think defenders will intentionally pass interfere. But when there’s a vomitous call like this, you can see why it’s a consideration.
“I’m going to make the greatest trade deals we’ve ever made in our country,”
3. Turnovers: Speaking of trade deficits, guess what two NFL teams are last in turnover differential? Our hometown Giants and Jets! The Giants turned it over 3 times on Sunday without a single reciprocation. OBD (more on him later) fumbled on his first catch and Eli threw 2 picks. I don’t know if I fault him for either, as one was a desperation throw at the end of the half and Shepard fell down on the other, but you can’t win games consistently if you keep losing the turnover battle.
“An ‘extremely credible source’ has called my office and told me that Barack Obama’s birth certificate is a fraud”
4. The NFC East: The division is not the fraud it was last year and the Giants are in last place at 3-3. The division is suddenly legit. The 5-1 Cowboys have won 5 straight with a power OL and running game. Zeke Elliot and Dak Prescott are fast tracking to stardom. The 4-2 Washington team has won 4 in a row and Cousins is starting to play like the guy that took them to the playoffs last year. The 3-2 Eagles have come back to earth, but they are improved. A lack of game breakers on offense and the 10-game suspension of RT Lane Johnson will be tough to overcome. Wentz was harassed all day on Sunday like a Trump beauty contestant. The Giants need to win some division games.
“”I think I am, actually humble. I think I’m much more humble than you would understand.”
5. ODB’s Giant Ego: The story of this game should have been Junior’s two electric, game changing plays. Beckham shook off an injured hip and an early fumble and came up with one of the all-time best performances by a Giant receiver. The great Def Shofner holds the Giants single game receiving record at 269 yards back in ’62. Wait, who? Beckham’s two long touchdowns were magnificent, catching the ball in stride and smoothly veering away from traffic. Their home run hitter finally broke out of his slump and took two deep. The second, game winning TD came on a 4th and 1 play with the game on the line. I should mention that they were only in a 4th down situation because Larry “Dancing” Donnell forgot he’s a 270 lb beast and tried to tap dance around a tiny CB instead of barreling over him for the first down. Infuriating. Anyway, Eli hit Beckham in stride on a slant and he was gone. Hurray, end of story, right?
Nope. On his first TD, Odell taunted the helpless DB trying to catch him. Getting a taunting penalty after a TD is one thing, but doing it mid play is extra cheese dumb. And of course there was the ripping off his helmet on the second TD and getting the penalty, giving the Ravens a better start to their drive that came dangerously close to winning the game. Then there was the business with the net. Again with the net? I haven’t seen that much carrying on since, well since earlier that morning when Trump was crying about the SNL “hit job” from the night before. This constant “look at me” behavior on full display is troubling, to say the least.
There you have it. Come back tomorrow for Angry Ward, a man who’s got the best words… and a nasty change-up.. Please follow us on Twitter at @benwhit8 & @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
