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Saturday, January 13
Repeat performance needed from Strahan
By Greg Garber
ESPN.com
Jim Fassel was about a minute into his Monday press conference --
answering a question about rookie defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, who
was largely credited with keeping Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan
McNabb under control in last Sunday's divisional playoff victory -- when he
interrupted the thought and tossed out an unsolicited tribute.
"Michael Strahan was unbelievable, the way he played," the Giants
head coach enthused, "He was playing against a hell of a football player,
in Jon Runyan."
|  | | Michael Strahan had two sacks and forced this fumble in New York's divisional win over the Eagles. |
Griffin (1½ sacks) was a surprising presence in the Giants' 20-10 win,
but Strahan was the ultimate difference-maker. The defensive end literally
tossed aside Runyan, the Eagles' respected right tackle, on two occasions to
sack McNabb. The first one left McNabb so rattled Philadelphia was forced to
call a timeout.
The second one was a crushing helmet-to-chest shot that separated
McNabb from the ball and, very possibly, his senses. The Giants were leading
10-0 midway through the second quarter and that should have been the game,
because Cedric Jones' recovery placed the ball on the Eagles' 26-yard-line.
Should have been. Typically, the Giants' offense did not cash in on
the opportunity. Tiki Barber fumbled at the Eagles' 15 and Philadelphia
found some breathing room before Jason Sehorn's spectacular interception
and ensuing 32-yard touchdown run.
All D, no O. This is an old Giants story line, of course, one that has
gotten Strahan and running mate Jessie Armstead into trouble over the years
with Fassel and their offensive teammates.
Well, guess what? In Sunday's NFC Championship game, the Giants' defense
has drawn a monstrous challenge as Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Robert Smith and
Daunte Culpepper visit Giants Stadium for a game that will determine who
advances to Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa. And while the offense has the pleasure
of facing the Vikings' soft, No. 28-ranked defense, all eyes will be on the
Giants' defense.
Seehorn has an acute sense of timing and theater, but on a unit of
play-makers that includes Seehorn, Armstead, Micheal Barrow
, Keith Hamilton and
Shaun Williams, Strahan may be the man with the greatest sense of urgency.
The fact that he'll be going against Minnesota's Pro Bowl tackle, Korey
Stringer, only heightens the degree of difficulty.
Listen to John Madden, the FOX sage, who wonders how the Giants will
handle Moss' speed. "I'm not sure if it's possible to contain that guy,"
Madden said earlier this week. "Throughout the course of four quarters, I
think you've got to figure he's going to break you twice. So that's 14
points, and then you've got to figure that Cris Carter or Robert Smith will
score a touchdown. Throw in a field goal and that puts them at 24.
"The question is, can the Giants' offense score 24 points?"
Maybe, which leaves the Giants' defense with a narrow margin of error.
The unit is blessed with a magnificent front seven and, some would say, four
serviceable safeties in the secondary. To be fair, corners Seehorn and Dave
Thomas had terrific games against Philadelphia. Still, no one is confusing
Torrance Small and Charles Johnson with Moss and Carter.
The Giants have won 12 of 16 games this year by stopping the run cold
(they are ranked No. 2) and applying just enough pressure on opposing
quarterbacks to protect their soft underbelly. By regularly bringing
Armstead or safeties Williams or Sam Garnes on the blitz, the Giants were able to control
the opposing passing game. The Giants' secondary was revealed in their two
worst losses, 14-point affairs to Tennessee and St. Louis. Steve McNair
completed 24 of 35 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns, while Eddie George
carried 35 times for 125 yards. Against St. Louis Trent Green completed 27 of 45 passes for
272 yards and four touchdowns. The Rams ran 28 times for 141 yards.
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Michael Strahan was unbelievable, the way he played. He was playing against a hell of a football player, in Jon Runyan. ” |
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— Jim Fassel on Strahan's two-sack game against the Eagles |
It was the success of the running game that allowed those passing games
to flourish, which means the Giants will focus much of their attention on
Smith, who ran for 1,521 yards in 16 games. When Smith was stopped this
year, the Vikings struggled.
Seehorn will probably draw Carter and the Giants may attempt to cover
Moss with two players, Thomas and Williams. This will put additional
pressure on Strahan and the front seven, but what else is new? Well, Strahan's attitude for one thing. You won't hear any whining this time around.
Last season, Strahan was called on Fassel's carpet for dissing the
offense and complaining about his handling of the volatile Armstead. In a
45-minute meeting, Fassel told Strahan he, the head coach, would serve as
the chief critic. "No one else needs to be the critic," Fassel said.
Now, there have been six straight victories by the Giants since Fassel's playoff guarantee and the Giants' offense and defense are on the same
page. Fassel, by all accounts, now has a cordial relationship with both
Strahan and Armstead.
"You can tell when players are enjoying themselves and having fun,"
Fassel said this week. "And they are."
Strahan, the Giants' second-round draft choice in 1993, made the Pro
Bowl for three straight years, 1997-99. His sack total -- impressive in 1997
and 1998 with 14 and 15 -- dropped precipitously last season, to 5½. This
year, Strahan and Hamilton led the Giants with 9½ sacks, but neither made
the Pro Bowl.
That was one reason last Sunday's win over Philadelphia was so sweet.
Strahan, who never met a reporter's notebook he couldn't fill, was in rare
form.
"All I heard (from Runyan) this week was how Michael runs his mouth
and that's all he's known for," Strahan said. "Well, maybe he'll know me
for something else now."
It was Strahan who started the spat in Week 2, asking "Jon Runyan who?" after dominating the $30.5 million tackle in an easy Giants victory.
Runyan won the second matchup and was not complimentary in his post-game
comments.
Strahan took the third confrontation, almost too easily.
"You can't put yourself in situations where you're out of position,"
Runyan said of Strahan's two sacks. "The two situations that arose, I was
late off the ball or felt like I was late. You can't do that against a
player like that."
The Giants will be operating under the same philosophy with respect to
Moss. Strahan, more than any other Giants player, has the ability to
determine the final result, one way
or the other.
Greg Garber is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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