Submitted by Andy, Sep 7, 2007 10:28

Mr. Lahman describes the Cowboy defense as " a unit already blessed with great talent." Where, exactly, is this "great talent?" The Dallas defense was one of the worst in the league last year- especially at the end of the season. It's not every team that can allow the Lions to drop 39 on them in their own building. Mr. Lahman says that Roy Williams "is disruptive in all phases of the game." He is disruptive- to the Cowboys. Williams has been consistently overrated since he came into the league. He can't cover anybody and has no idea where the ball is- that is, when he's not colliding with the Back Judge like he did last year against the Giants on the first series of downs in Dallas. As for Demarcus Ware being an "emerging star" - that's what every media guy and fan says about any front seven player who occasionally gets to the quarterback. Ware, like Shawn Merriman, or Simeon Rice, or Dwight Freeney, is a one-dimensional edge pass rusher who excels in the second half of games when his team has a two score lead and the opponent is throwing the ball on every play. They don't play the run at all- but the media doesn't care about that so these guys become stars. That's why Michael Strahan is so much better than all these guys. He's played the strong-side his whole career, the side where most teams base their running game. He's lined up against the tackle and has had to deal with the tight end blocking down on him for his entire career and has still been an excellent run defender. As for Wade Phillips bringing "a more aggressive style" of defense. They say that every year about every new coach or coordinator. Being aggressive doesn't mean you're any better. The Dallas defense can be more aggressive this year but they'll still be terrible.

As for the Giants, Mr. Lahman states that they ran more plays in the preseason "with an empty backfield to give Manning better protection." Huh? Of course exactly the opposite is true. The empty backfield diminishes your pass protection, it doesn't enhance it. Their are no backs or tight-ends to block potential blitzers. That's why defenses check off to the blitz whenever they see the empty backfield. Even if they allow a completion, they get a free run at the quarterback. It's a risk worth taking. Mr. Lahman further states that the Giants have a new offensive system under Kevin Gilbride. Really? I must have missed it. Throwing more short passes in the preseason to increase his completion percentage? So what? The quarterback has one job- get your team into the end zone. The quarterback is not measured by his completion percentage or his quarterback rating. Points scored is the only thing that matters. The Giants have been a high scoring team the past two seasons. In 2005 they scored 422 points, the third highest total in the league and the most points a Giant team scored in 42 years. Not bad for a first year starting quarterback. Eli Manning is doing fine. The problem with the Giants is defense, not Eli Manning.

Just for your information, Terry Glenn is out for Sunday night. Patrick Crayton will start at wide receiver.As for the Giant corners, Corey Webster is not a starter. R.W. McQuarters is. Sam Madison returned to practice yesterday. If he can't play, Webster will start for him.

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