Dottino: Giants Make Statement, Dominate From Start To Finish
By Paul Dottino
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Nobody could have seen this coming. Not coach Tom Coughlin nor his players.
The Giants dominated from start to finish in crushing the Carolina Panthers, 36-7, and did so while playing their second game in five days. They helped their own cause with three INTs and two recoveries of muffed kicks.
Let's break it down:
GAME BALLS
Offense - WR Ramses Barden. He almost matched his four-year career totals in one game, grabbing nine passes for 138 yards. He was handed this opportunity on a silver platter with injuries sidelining Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon, and proved that he had a dominant game in him for the first time in his four-year career. Barden ran good routes and had no drops.
Defense - LB Michael Boley. He became the first Giant since Terry Jackson in 1978 to have an INT in each of the first three games. Boley also had six tackles and a shared sack with Jason Pierre-Paul.
Special teams - PK Lawrence Tynes. He was 5-for-5 on field goals and drilled 6-of-9 kickoffs into the end zone, limiting Carolina to a 21-yard return average.
GASSERS
Offense - RB David Wilson. On a night when almost everything went well for the Giants, he lost 2 yards on his only carry and had one catch for 3 yards.
Defense - Still photographer. We could not find anyone soiling what was a fine defensive effort, so we are turning to the cameraman who was kneeling too close to the end zone in the fourth quarter. FS Antrel Rolle's left knee was lacerated when he slammed into the camera lens on the incompletion.
Special teams - KOR David Wilson. Again, we needed a microscope, but Wilson's only kickoff return went for just 19 yards.
Who gets your game ball? Be heard in the comments below!
