• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Calvin Johnson will pose possibly the toughest matchup for the Giants secondary this season.  Credit:Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger
Calvin Johnson will pose possibly the toughest matchup for the Giants secondary this season.
Credit:Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger

WHERE’S MEGATRON? Thats the question every team first asks to themselves before lining up against the Detroit Lions. Calvin Johnson is a opposing team nightmare. He is big, he is quick, and he’s got hands of glue. He is a player that you don’t stop. He is a player you just hope to limit. Tom Coughlin knows that and that’s why he had this to say about the NFL’s best receiver:

“Well, you better know where he is and where he is all the time. You better have some adjustments prepared for him and you certainly have to set your coverage, or set some of your coverages to try to be in a position to take the things he does really well, he does a lot of things really well, and at least be able to contest with those.”

Walter Thurmond is aware of the reciver’s talent, but doesn’t like to feel like he can’t stop him,“You give respect, but you’re not getting caught up in ‘Oh Calvin Johnson, this or that.’ Then you start thinking ‘this guy is better than me,’” Thurmond told The Star-Ledger.

“Everyone knows he’s a talented guy, you know, but being a big receiver, he has some weaknesses for sure.”

“It takes him longer to get out of stuff where the ball is coming in and we can get out and beat him to the route, we’ve won that play.

“Whether it be a knockdown or interception, that is one of the benefits of being someone smaller than he is. There’s always benefits to being able to get out of a break quicker than your man.”

Prince Amukamara, who seems to be close to full strength was asked if he was ready for Megatron. He responded,”Yeah. I got the opportunity to face him last year and me and Dominque Rogers-Cromartie would know the game plan.” He continued on about their air attack by saying, “The Lions offense likes to sling it and they have their receivers, especially with their tight ends that they have, so it is definitely going to be a great challenge for us.”

Like Prince said, other teams have more than Calvin Johnson to worry about. The Lion’s quarterback Matthew Stafford is quickly becoming a top arm in the league and he is just being given more and more toys each year. With the recent acquisition of former Seattle Seahawks WR Golden Tate and the team’s first round pick TE Eric Ebron, the Lions quarterback is primed to make some big plays this year.

However, big plays haven’t always been the problem with this team. In fact the real problem has been costly turnovers from Stafford, but Tom Coughlin thinks that Detriot has looked better this offseason in improving that.

“Well, I think what I did notice is the balance in the offense and the real obvious attempt to not turn it over coming through preseason with a plus turnover ratio. I would imagine that’s something that was a goal and they did it. They accomplished it and they had a good preseason on top of that.”

Even with all of the playmakers on this team the Giants hope that their newly bolstered secondary can handle the test. The key to the Giants winning this battle on defense is creating turnovers. Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond showed some flashes in the preseason of creating takeaway chances and battling big receivers and if they can just get their hands on a few they might just be able to help put the Giants offense in some good scoring positions.

Another talking point is the fact that Jon Beason looks to finally be healthy and seems like a go for the game. He is a huge guy to have back in the middle and provides the Giants with another talented player to man the defense. With the versatile tight ends that Detroits has it’s always a good feeling to know that Jon Beason is back there keeping the defense in tune.

With all the talk focused on the receiving core many people forget to mention their playmaker on the ground, Reggie Bush. Reggie broke free for 90 plus yards on only two carries in one of the Lions preseason games and even though he is in a two man backfield his touches can be the difference in the game. The Giants defensive line will need to watch for the quick cuts that Bush is famous for because once he sees open field I am not one to bet against him from finishing in the end zone.

This is a very impressive squad on offense with playmakers all over the field, but the Giants did spend big money on defense this offseason and this game is one of the reasons they decided to do so. The question is will it pay off.

Bobby O’Hara: PureSportsNY

By Bobby O'Hara

Bobby is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting where he studied TV, Radio, and Journalism. Growing up in New Jersey, he is a hometown guy who loves the local fans’ passion for the game. Bobby currently covers football for PureSportsNY. Graduating with awards in both audio and video production, Bobby also produces video and graphics.

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