Giants, Rams defenses come up big
Posted: Tuesday December 15, 1998 10:32 PM
We split the unsung coaching honors this week between two defensive
coordinators who rose to the occasion this weekend and got their players to
perform at a high level. John Fox of the New York Giants got his
defense to do something no one else has done in 19 games: stop the Denver Broncos. Holding
the Broncos to 16 points may be the defensive achievement of the year to
date. The Broncos were aiming for an undefeated season and were one game
away from the 1972 Miami
Dolphins. The 1998 Giants had all but lost a season full of
expectations and hopes of repeating as divisional champs. Without All-Pro
cornerback Jason Sehorn
and defensive tackle Robert
Harris the Giants held Denver to 159 yards passing, sacked Elway three
times, forced him out of the pocket numerous other times and caused the
offensive machine to stall in the red zone and settle for three field
goals. The 16-point effort was 16 points below their season average.
Out in St. Louis, defensive coordinator Peter Giunta (JUNE-tah) had to stop
the potent Patriot offense. Giunta is strapped with an offense that rarely
scores enough to support the defensive efforts. The Rams were only 1-6 at
home going into this one and hardly have a home-field advantage. The one
good thing I can say about the Rams is they should be in the AFC East
because they have beaten the Jets, Bills, and the Patriots. In fact the
Rams have the best NFC record against AFC opponents this year. The Rams
sacked Bledsoe five times, and like the Giants got the Patriots to settle
for field goals four times instead of TDs.
Two weeks ago, I called Giants quarterback Kent Graham nothing more
than a backup QB at best. Well, he came out this week with a gutsy
performance and a win over the Denver Broncos. He completed 21 of 33 passes
for 265 yards, and 2 TDs. In his final fourth-quarter drive, he moved the
Giants 86 yards in six plays, including a 23-yard run and the game-winning
37-yard touchdown pass to Amani Toomer.
A month ago, I felt that tailback Bam Morris had to play for Kansas City to
have a chance to start winning. Against the Cowboys, he reminded me of the
old Chiefs with Christian Okoye. Morris rushed 27 times for 137 yards,
caught two passes for 18 yards and scored a touchdown. His big play was
late in the game on a third and two, when he ran over two Cowboy players to
gain a first down and secure the victory.
Rams tailback June Henley, a former practice-squad player, got his first
NFL start against a very good Patriot run defense, and responded with 24
rushes for 86 yards, three receptions for 18 yards and scored two TDs.
Jets cornerback Ray
Mickens filled in this week for injured All-Pro Aaron Glenn, and Marino &
Co. intended to go after him all night. Mickens could start for a number of
teams in the league, and he showed why last night on national TV. He was
tough against the run, led the team in tackles with eight and played
excellent man coverage on the Dolphin receivers.
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