The annual Jets/Giants game is the first sign that football is near. This year, with rookie quaterback Mark Sanchez leading the Jets offense and Eli Manning charged with shouldering a young wide receiver corps, the game had even more meaning for coaches, players, fans and pundits.
The Giants started most of their regular season first team, minus Antonio Pierce and Aaron Ross, both injured but expected to play week 1 against the Redskins at Giants Stadium. The anticipated regular season offensive line all played together for the first time so far this preseason. On the Jets side, Mark Sanchez, the Jets' eleventh starting quaterback since 2000, made his first appearance since being named Jets stater by new head coach Rex Ryan, a mountain of a man who makes former head coach Eric Mangini appear lean in comparison.
The Giants play calling looked the same as last year: predictable and often boring. The Giants run on first down, then run again if 2nd and long or pass if 2nd and short, and then pass again on third down. Although the play calling seemed awkward, the strong offensive line was able to score a touchdown on a Manning pass to running back Brandon Jacobs. The most impressive part of this touchdown pass was the fact that Manning had great protection from his offensive line and was able to look off covered receivers to finally find Jacobs open. When the Giants did call smart plays, there were large gains. For instance, a 22 yard play action pass to Kevin Boss in the second quater on 1st and 10 showed what smart play calling could yield.
In addition, the Giants running game looked as solid as ever. Even when the Jets anticipated a run and stacked the line of scrimmage, the Giants offensive line were able to plow the Jets off the ball and allow Brandon Jacobs to thunder over defenders for modest gains. The second running back Ahmad Bradshaw looked explosive and a perfect complement to Jacobs' bulldozer style, although due to his small size, injury and durability must be a concern.
It does appear that Head Coach Rex Ryan already has an impact on the Jets. The play calling seemed much more interesting. In the first quarter, the Jets called a end-around play that yielded only 4 yards, but kept the Giants defense uncomfortable. Off of an Eli Manning interception, the Jets -- with great field position -- were able to barely score a touchdown due to an impressive Giants goal line defense. Mark Sanchez looked like a rookie at times, throwing floater passes almost being intercepted. Ryan, however, did make good play calls to minimize potential for mistakes and the Jets running back trifecta of Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene looked outstanding.
The first half of the game was very entertaining. Despite the Giants sloppy play, they looked very good. The Giants defensive line is going to be a force to be reckoned with this year, with Mother Tucker and Osi healthy. The wide receiver crew did look promising, despite an awful dropped pass by Steve Smith. Eli Manning shrugged off the play in which he made a perfect deep pass, saying, "These things happen. It's good that it happened now. I trust that Steve won't drop a pass like that again." This is a sign of true leadership. In a way, this season will be the first test to see if Eli Manning is a true franchise quaterback, able to carry an entire offense.
The Jets looked like a solid team. Rex Ryan is a much needed improvement over their previous coach. Mark Sanchez is an exciting player, but obviously very much a rookie. Although this Jets team may be fun to follow, no one is predicting the team to go very far. Although, the solid running game and decent defense might be able to turn the Jets into this year's Cinderella story.
