Jeffri Chadiha on Giants/Pats matchup

[SVN]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=3206275

Will the Patriots find a way to unleash Randy Moss in the Super Bowl?

No. If this postseason has taught us anything about devising a game plan for New England, it's that limiting Moss' touches gives opponents a better chance of winning. He caught only one pass in the Patriots' 21-12 AFC Championship Game win over San Diego, and he had only one reception in an AFC divisional playoff win over Jacksonville.


Going back to the regular season, both Baltimore and Philadelphia controlled Moss as well -- he had nine receptions for 77 yards combined against those teams -- and each team lost by just three points. In other words, New England is a different team when Moss is stifled.

Now does that mean the Patriots won't find other ways to move the football? No. They've proved they have plenty of other weapons, including Wes Welker, Ben Watson and Laurence Maroney.

But the point here is that Moss demoralized the Giants with his big plays in a 38-35 loss Dec. 29 (he caught six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder). If he does that again, New York won't win.

 

[Rawky77]

But the point here is that Moss demoralized the Giants with his big plays in a 38-35 loss Dec. 29 (he caught six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder). If he does that again, New York won't win.



Does it occur to anyone else that just maybe the Giants don't have the personnel to stifle Moss?

A team can only do so much based on their personnel, if the Giants try to take away Moss then they have to give something else up. There no free lunches in the NFL.

Another point too consider is that in the Giants game TB was focused on Moss because of the Passing records to be broken and the Giants knew that....and still could not stop it.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

But the point here is that Moss demoralized the Giants with his big plays in a 38-35 loss Dec. 29 (he caught six passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder). If he does that again, New York won't win.



Does it occur to anyone else that just maybe the Giants don't have the personnel to stifle Moss?

A team can only do so much based on their personnel, if the Giants try to take away Moss then they have to give something else up. There no free lunches in the NFL.

Another point too consider is that in the Giants game TB was focused on Moss because of the Passing records to be broken and the Giants knew that....and still could not stop it.

No Neal, Kaczur or Kyle Brady in that game vs Gmen passrush. The D also plaid rather "vanilla". 2 weeks for BB/Pees to prepare :singing:

 

[Wildo7]

IMO, the Giants played at SB level against us and caught us off guard and we still won. I really don'tthink the Giants are as good as the Jags, Colts or Chargers.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

The best part of Randy Moss and his value was in the 3 TE set or the 2TE, 1FB set. Keeping Moss in causes the other team to put obviously a corner on him but also a safety. Do you really risk one on one coverage with a package that could really turn out to max protect for Brady?

That leaves the Pats going against a 9 man front.