So far the Giants defense has hit like Mike Tyson, who knew a thing or two about devastating pathetically overmatched opponents.
When Tyson took a look at the poor slob about to get pulverized, he dismissively said, “It’s ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm.” He could not fathom how the soon-to-be-defeated foe even had the courage to stand in the ring, asking, “How dare these boxers challenge me with their primitive skills?”
In less colorful terms, Antonio Pierce coldly explained the Giants “took care of business” these last three games, dispatching the Buccaneers, Chiefs and Raiders the way Tyson bludgeoned the weak. These were the equivalent of first-round knockouts, the Giants outscoring those three teams 28-3 in the first quarter, teams that are a combined 1-14.
For every sack, tackle for loss and three-and-out registered by the ferocious Giants defense, there was some truly incompetent, head-shaking badness from the outfits they were dominating.
“It’s not our fault how bad the offenses were that we played,” Pierce said.
No fault at all. First-year coordinator Bill Sheridan’s crew did precisely what’s expected when a fly is buzzing overhead. Swat, splat. There can be no criticism of this demolition, but the harmless flies are soon to be replaced by birds of prey.
The Saints on Sunday in New Orleans might represent the finest offense in the NFL and ushers in the varsity portion of the schedule. The combined record of the next six opponents is 19-6. The Saints might be the best of the bunch, considering they cleaned up on the Eagles 48-22 in Week 2.
Even the most grounded defense can be tempted to view itself as invulnerable after chewing up and spitting out Byron Leftwich, Matt Cassel and especially JaMarcus Russell — allowing absurdly low net passing totals of 58, 88 and 64 yards — but the first sight of Drew Brees will provide a sobering jolt of reality. The Giants own the No. 1 defense in the league based on merit and fueled by the opponent.
The slight lapses or openings that lesser quarterbacks couldn’t exploit will be busted open by Brees. The routes run sloppily by incapable receivers will be expertly completed by Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and old friend Jeremy Shockey. The holes unable to be filled by sluggish running backs will be sped through by Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell.
“They are loaded, we know that,” said Pierce. “For our whole team — offense, defense and special teams — it’s obviously our biggest challenge so far.”
The trickle of injuries should have robbed the defense of some of its depth and verve, but it never missed a beat because there was no one out there on those feeble offenses to test the backups. That changes right now.
There’s been no discernable chink in the armor after the loss two games ago of dynamic young safety Kenny Phillips because there has been no one to adequately test his replacement, C.C. Brown. On Sunday, Brown gets tested. The loss in Kansas City of speed linebacker Michael Boley for a month didn’t cause even a ripple last week against the clueless Raiders, but you can be sure Boley’s replacement, Chase Blackburn, won’t get off as easy in New Orleans. Starting cornerback Aaron Ross hasn’t played a down this season because of a bum hamstring but second-year Terrell Thomas has risen to the challenge. Of course, that challenge now rises exponentially.
The Saints lead the NFL with 144 points and they’ve played only four games. In the fourth quarter, it’s Saints 45, Everyone Else 2.
Sheridan has been able to mix and match and deal with the injuries while facing some the dregs of NFL offensive society. If he dialed up a blitz that didn’t hit home it probably was no big deal. Now it’s all a big deal. You miss, you pay. Playtime is over for the Giants.
