There is no need to hype up this game. The Giants are 5-0 for a reason. Quarterback Eli Manning leads a balanced offense that has a pair of solid running backs in Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Bradshaw has 375 yards on the season with 2 TDs, Jacobs 355 yards on the season and a touchdown. Manning has passed for 1212 yards and 10 touchdowns. This is a balanced offense.
Defensively the Giants pose a formidable challenge. The G-Men are the NFL’s top ranked defense.
A STABLE OF BLACK AND GOLD BACKS
Sunday when the Saints battle the Giants, the team will have four healthy running backs ready to go for the first time this season. Saints head coach Sean Payton now has a dilemma. Who gets the most carries and when to use the different backs?
Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton all have had good games this season, and each has shown that they can produce when called upon.
So what‘s Payton‘s plan of action? “That’s a good question. Mike Bell is back and we just want tot see the progress of how he’s doing, and how Pierre’s doing. Lynell has been healthy and doing a good job so it’s unlikely we’ll take four running backs into the game,” Payton said on Wednesday. “Yet this has a chance to be the first week were all four are healthy.”
“It’s great because it’s a long season and it’s a physical game so we’re going to need everybody,” said Saints running back Reggie Bush of having the many options at running back. “We’re going to need everybody helping us out, especially in the running back group because to they take the most punishment.”
Bells says his Knee is fine and the MCL sprain has healed, it’s just a matter of catching his wind now. “I just got to get in shape. Get that muscle memory back in my head of just practice and stuff, you know I missed almost three weeks so I just have to get back in shape.” The chance to get back into the rotation this week is something Bell is looking forward to.
“Any carry I get I’m just going to make the best of the situation. We have so many good running backs on the team there’s probably going to be a lot of times where I don’t get into a rhythm,” says Bell. “I think I can be effective with just getting a carry here, a carry there. I’m just going to make the best at of it and run like it’s going to be my last.”
“We are just ecstatic to have everybody back in the backfield,” said Pierre Thomas after practice on Wednesday. “I think we’re going to try and keep fresh legs in at all times. I guess the best guy will go out there for the best play that’s called.” Thomas has three touchdowns in two games and 212 yards.
Payton will likely simply play the hot hand, meaning which ever back is producing the best at the time, will likely continue to get fed the ball. That philosophy sits just fine with Thomas.
“If you got somebody on a hot streak, hey keep them out there, let him keep doing his thing. No matter who it is, if it’s Mike Bell, or myself, Reggie, whoever it is keep them out there let him keep doing the correct things that we need to get the victory every game.”
ONE, TWO, THREE KICKERS HA HA
Saints head coach Sean Payton kept his plans close to his vest as to how he’ll use kickers John Carney and Garret Hartley this weekend. “We’ll see as the week goes on. Right now John has done a good job with the location and we’re not announcing anything right yet,” Payton said Wednesday. Punter Thomas Morstead has handled the kick off duties for the first four games of the season.
“The team’s doing great right now. Carney is hitting the field goals, Thomas is handling the kickoff duties exceptionally well, but that’s not my focus. My focus is to be ready and as ready as I can,” says Hartley. “That’s why I went out there and kept myself in shape. I’m just going to do what’s best for the team right now. If that’s being inactive on game days and just learn from the best, learn from John week in and week out, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Hartley returned to the team last week after serving a four game suspension by the league, and spent his time in Alabama. As for when he‘ll return to the field or how he‘ll be used, Hartley says those are things out of his control. “I’m not exactly sure what the role is as far that, I just know I got to prepare every week like I am going to be the guy,” says Hartley.
BUMPS AND BRUIES
RG Jahri Evans (turf toe), CB Lee Torrance (hamstring), CB Malcolm Jenkins (ankle), and WR Rod Harper (foot) all did not practice.
RB Pierre Thomas (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis.
DT Kendrick Clancy (knee), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), RB Mike Bell (knee), LT Jermon Bushrod (knee and ankle), and LS Jason Kyle (knee and ankle) are were full go at practice.
Related posts: