I will try to post these each week. They are from Scouts Inc via ESPN Insider;
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Why To Watch
Arizona QB Kurt Warner returns to New York to face his former protégé Eli Manning. He should be motivated to have a strong game going up against his former team. However, he'll need a lot of help from his supporting cast if he's going to get the win on the road, and he may not get it. If the Cardinals can't establish the run and keep the Giants' defense off-balance, it could be another long day for Warner at Giants Stadium.
Giant fans are expecting a big year from Manning, and he certainly has the weapons to get the job done, as WR Plaxico Burress, RB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey are all playmakers. That said, there are other factors that could cause Manning to get off to a slow start. They include an elbow injury that has caused him to miss the past two weeks of practice and inconsistent offensive line play. In addition, Manning must not press in an effort to make the big play. Will he continue to settle into his role as the leader of this team or will he suffer a setback in the season opener?
When the Cardinals have the ball
Rushing: Arizona's base three-receiver set spreads the defense out and creates running lanes for second-round pick J.J. Arrington. Arrington's burst and ability to locate cutback lanes makes him an excellent fit for the scheme, but he's coming off a disappointing preseason and there are reasons to believe his struggles will continue against the Giants. Players getting caught out of position and filling the wrong gaps hurt the Giants' run defense significantly last year. But with the nine starters returning on defense and a higher comfort level with second-year defensive coordinator Tim Lewis's schemes that's less likely to happen this year.
The second reason the Cardinals should have problems establishing the run is the Giants' addition of free-agent signing MLB Antonio Pierce. Pierce doesn't have great lower body strength and he will have some problems holding his ground when Arizona runs right at him in short-yardage situations. However, he is instinctive, he takes excellent angles to the ball and he is a sound open field tackler. With Arizona usually spreading the field, Pierce will benefit from not having to fight through as much traffic in the middle.
The third reason the Giants' run defense should be able to limit the Cardinals' production on the ground is the presence of LDE Michael Strahan and SS Gibril Wilson in the lineup. Both are coming off season-ending injuries and they were sorely missed. Strahan is the complete player. He is capable of holding his ground working against ROT Oliver Ross and he has enough range to make plays in pursuit. Wilson is a powerful hitter capable of jarring the ball loose when Arrington, who had some problems holding onto the ball early in his collegiate career, doesn't practice good ball security.
Passing: Arizona's problems establishing the running game don't bode well for Warner. The Giants' front four will be that much more aggressive getting upfield if they can put the Cardinals' in obvious passing situations and Warner doesn't always make sound decisions under pressure.
Injuries and inexperience along the offensive line are also reasons for concern when it comes to giving Warner enough time to go through his reads. OC Alex Stepanovich is expected to miss this game with a hand injury and backup Nick Leckey is out with an ankle injury so No. 3 Adam Haayer will likely get the start. He will line up next to ROG Elton Brown, a rookie fourth-round pick. Lewis can take advantage by bringing pressure from different areas of the field and running some line stunts. If the Cardinals' offensive line doesn't make the correct adjustments, Warner will take some big hits and he fumbled twelve times last year.
One of the ways Arizona will try to take some pressure off Warner and the offensive line is running three-to-five step drops, which allow Warner to get rid of the ball quickly. The problem is the Cardinals' receivers don't match up all that well with the Giants' secondary so Warner must be careful not to throw into tight coverage.
While Will Allen and Will Peterson have arguably underachieved at times, and they aren't shutdown corners, they have the cover skills to limit the production of WR's Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. In addition, rookie nickel back Corey Webster is a playmaker that has developed quicker than expected and has the athletic ability to mirror WR Bryant Johnson underneath.
When the Giants have the ball
Rushing: Look for offensive coordinator John Hufnagel to attack the perimeter of Arizona's run defense for two reasons. The first is to keep DE's Bertrand Berry, Chike Okeafor and Calvin Pace on their heels, effectively setting up the play action package. Berry, Okeafor and Pace have the quickness to rush the passer but they aren't physical run stuffers. They have problems anchoring at the point of attack and they are vulnerable to wearing down when teams consistently run at them.
The second reason Hufnagel will look to run outside is the Cardinals' poor tackling during the preseason. Barber has the burst to turn the corner quickly and his elusiveness makes him dangerous in the open field. Arizona's defenders must break down and wrap up upon contact or he can make them pay with a few long runs.
It's also important to note that the Cardinals lack ideal depth along the interior defensive line. Forcing the defensive tackles to chase Barber from sideline-to-sideline will cause them to tire, which will soften the middle of the run defense. That will open the door for reserve RB Brandon Jacobs to have success running between the tackles. Jacobs is a punishing runner with excellent size and the lower body strength to consistently pick up the tough yards after contact. While Barber is a better short-yardage runner than many people give him credit for, giving Jacobs carries in those situations will help keep both backs fresh.
Passing: Arizona wants to get more physical in the secondary and their corners will try to get their hands on the Giants receivers at the line of scrimmage. The fact that Eli Manning missed two weeks of practice because of an elbow injury will make them that much more aggressive because they want to test his arm by forcing him to throw downfield. As a result, Manning will have to go vertical at times.
The good news is he has the weapons to be effective throwing downfield, as Burress has a second gear and the leaping ability to win any jump balls. However, giving Burress enough time to get downfield and Manning enough space to step into his throws could be a problem. The offensive line struggled with pass protection during the preseason and Hufnagel doesn't want to keep either Shockey or Barber in to help out in pass protection. Both are better receivers than blockers.
Keeping that in mind, don't be surprised to see Hufnagel run some screens early. Completing some screens early would help build Manning's confidence and keep the pass rush at bay, as the defensive ends won't be as aggressive getting upfield. With Berry, Okeafor and Pace flying upfield, Barber should be able to slip behind the defensive line and he is always a threat to turn a short catch into a long gain. In addition, Arizona likes to rush SLB Karlos Dansby because of his explosive first step and closing speed. If the Giants are able to complete a screen when the Cardinals' blitz Dansby, Arizona will think twice the next time it considers bringing him off the edge.
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A-Bomb
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Why To Watch
Arizona QB Kurt Warner returns to New York to face his former protégé Eli Manning. He should be motivated to have a strong game going up against his former team. However, he'll need a lot of help from his supporting cast if he's going to get the win on the road, and he may not get it. If the Cardinals can't establish the run and keep the Giants' defense off-balance, it could be another long day for Warner at Giants Stadium.
Giant fans are expecting a big year from Manning, and he certainly has the weapons to get the job done, as WR Plaxico Burress, RB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey are all playmakers. That said, there are other factors that could cause Manning to get off to a slow start. They include an elbow injury that has caused him to miss the past two weeks of practice and inconsistent offensive line play. In addition, Manning must not press in an effort to make the big play. Will he continue to settle into his role as the leader of this team or will he suffer a setback in the season opener?
When the Cardinals have the ball
Rushing: Arizona's base three-receiver set spreads the defense out and creates running lanes for second-round pick J.J. Arrington. Arrington's burst and ability to locate cutback lanes makes him an excellent fit for the scheme, but he's coming off a disappointing preseason and there are reasons to believe his struggles will continue against the Giants. Players getting caught out of position and filling the wrong gaps hurt the Giants' run defense significantly last year. But with the nine starters returning on defense and a higher comfort level with second-year defensive coordinator Tim Lewis's schemes that's less likely to happen this year.
The second reason the Cardinals should have problems establishing the run is the Giants' addition of free-agent signing MLB Antonio Pierce. Pierce doesn't have great lower body strength and he will have some problems holding his ground when Arizona runs right at him in short-yardage situations. However, he is instinctive, he takes excellent angles to the ball and he is a sound open field tackler. With Arizona usually spreading the field, Pierce will benefit from not having to fight through as much traffic in the middle.
The third reason the Giants' run defense should be able to limit the Cardinals' production on the ground is the presence of LDE Michael Strahan and SS Gibril Wilson in the lineup. Both are coming off season-ending injuries and they were sorely missed. Strahan is the complete player. He is capable of holding his ground working against ROT Oliver Ross and he has enough range to make plays in pursuit. Wilson is a powerful hitter capable of jarring the ball loose when Arrington, who had some problems holding onto the ball early in his collegiate career, doesn't practice good ball security.
Passing: Arizona's problems establishing the running game don't bode well for Warner. The Giants' front four will be that much more aggressive getting upfield if they can put the Cardinals' in obvious passing situations and Warner doesn't always make sound decisions under pressure.
Injuries and inexperience along the offensive line are also reasons for concern when it comes to giving Warner enough time to go through his reads. OC Alex Stepanovich is expected to miss this game with a hand injury and backup Nick Leckey is out with an ankle injury so No. 3 Adam Haayer will likely get the start. He will line up next to ROG Elton Brown, a rookie fourth-round pick. Lewis can take advantage by bringing pressure from different areas of the field and running some line stunts. If the Cardinals' offensive line doesn't make the correct adjustments, Warner will take some big hits and he fumbled twelve times last year.
One of the ways Arizona will try to take some pressure off Warner and the offensive line is running three-to-five step drops, which allow Warner to get rid of the ball quickly. The problem is the Cardinals' receivers don't match up all that well with the Giants' secondary so Warner must be careful not to throw into tight coverage.
While Will Allen and Will Peterson have arguably underachieved at times, and they aren't shutdown corners, they have the cover skills to limit the production of WR's Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. In addition, rookie nickel back Corey Webster is a playmaker that has developed quicker than expected and has the athletic ability to mirror WR Bryant Johnson underneath.
When the Giants have the ball
Rushing: Look for offensive coordinator John Hufnagel to attack the perimeter of Arizona's run defense for two reasons. The first is to keep DE's Bertrand Berry, Chike Okeafor and Calvin Pace on their heels, effectively setting up the play action package. Berry, Okeafor and Pace have the quickness to rush the passer but they aren't physical run stuffers. They have problems anchoring at the point of attack and they are vulnerable to wearing down when teams consistently run at them.
The second reason Hufnagel will look to run outside is the Cardinals' poor tackling during the preseason. Barber has the burst to turn the corner quickly and his elusiveness makes him dangerous in the open field. Arizona's defenders must break down and wrap up upon contact or he can make them pay with a few long runs.
It's also important to note that the Cardinals lack ideal depth along the interior defensive line. Forcing the defensive tackles to chase Barber from sideline-to-sideline will cause them to tire, which will soften the middle of the run defense. That will open the door for reserve RB Brandon Jacobs to have success running between the tackles. Jacobs is a punishing runner with excellent size and the lower body strength to consistently pick up the tough yards after contact. While Barber is a better short-yardage runner than many people give him credit for, giving Jacobs carries in those situations will help keep both backs fresh.
Passing: Arizona wants to get more physical in the secondary and their corners will try to get their hands on the Giants receivers at the line of scrimmage. The fact that Eli Manning missed two weeks of practice because of an elbow injury will make them that much more aggressive because they want to test his arm by forcing him to throw downfield. As a result, Manning will have to go vertical at times.
The good news is he has the weapons to be effective throwing downfield, as Burress has a second gear and the leaping ability to win any jump balls. However, giving Burress enough time to get downfield and Manning enough space to step into his throws could be a problem. The offensive line struggled with pass protection during the preseason and Hufnagel doesn't want to keep either Shockey or Barber in to help out in pass protection. Both are better receivers than blockers.
Keeping that in mind, don't be surprised to see Hufnagel run some screens early. Completing some screens early would help build Manning's confidence and keep the pass rush at bay, as the defensive ends won't be as aggressive getting upfield. With Berry, Okeafor and Pace flying upfield, Barber should be able to slip behind the defensive line and he is always a threat to turn a short catch into a long gain. In addition, Arizona likes to rush SLB Karlos Dansby because of his explosive first step and closing speed. If the Giants are able to complete a screen when the Cardinals' blitz Dansby, Arizona will think twice the next time it considers bringing him off the edge.
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A-Bomb
The Cardinals are coming!!
