The 2009 New York Giants defense is an embarrassment and its time to clean house, especially after their showing against the Eagles this week in the NFL.

The New York Giants have always prided themselves with playing great defense. From the early days at Giants stadium (1976 - 2009), defense has always been the name of the game. In a game where the offense always gets the glory, it were NY Giant Hall-of-Famers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson that helped define “D-Fence” in NFL Football.

Over the last 25 years the Giants have had 5 coaches: Bill Parcells (1984-1990), Ray Handley (1991-1992), Dan Reeves (1993-1996), Jim Fassel (1997-2003) and Tom Couglin (2004 - present). In all these years except the current 2009 season, Defense defined the Giants. But no longer.

So what is the problem with the Giants defense?

Sure, you could use the excuse that injuries have plaqued the Giants defense but the other NFL teams and past Giant defenses have had to deal with the same issues. Some might argue that the Giant offense isn’t controlling time of position and therefore not giving the defense sufficient rest - THAT’s BULL!

The problem with the NY Giants defensive problems starts with defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan (in his first year) and ends with the lack of talent and depth on the defensive line and especially it’s secondary. To see opposing QB’s sit in the pocket for ever and seeing opposing receivers wide open in the secondary - it’s hard to watch - and even harder to swallow!

If you are questioning whether the Giants Defense are the cause of their problems consider this statistic in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles @ Giants stadium (12/13/2009):

The Giants lost 45-38 despite outgaining the Eagles 512-374 and holding the advantage in time of possession by nearly 10 minutes.

For the record, the New York Giants have given up over 40 points in three games in 2009 - just absurd for an NFL team that prides itself on defense.

So if Tom Couglin and the Giants really want to compete in 2010, they will need to have the defensive reserves audition in the final three weeks of the NFL season. Then its time to look for a new defensive coordinator and defensive talent in the off-season - the Giant Fans will demand it!

The New York Giants beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 on an 18 yard fumble return on the final play of their Monday night NFL pre-season scrimmage at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford.

With 10 seconds left and the ball on the Panthers own 18 yard line, fourth-string quarterback Hunter Cantwell went back to pass and was hit in the arm by Giants Defensive Tackle Leger Douzable. The ball went into the air and NY Giant defensive end Tommie Hill grabbed it and ran it back for a touchdown.

Cantwell had tied the game with 57 seconds left on a five-play drive that ended with a 31-yard TD pass to Jason Cherry and a 2-point conversion pass to Andrew Davie.

The Giants got the ball back but the Panthers defense held them to a three-and-out series. Jeff Feagles then punted it away, setting up the bizarre game-ending play.

“Everybody figured on defense they would take a knee,” Douzable said. “When they snapped it, I put a move on the guard. I saw the quarterback with the ball in his hand and I got it.”

“Both sides have a lot of work, but we have time. We have three weeks to do it,” Panthers coach John Fox said.

The Giants had led almost the entire game, scoring on a 19-yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw, a 36-yard screen pass from David Carr to halfback Danny Ware and a 46-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes.

Eli Manning played only two series but was happy with the running game and defensive play of the Giants, who forced 5 Panthers turnovers.

The Carolina Panthers play their next 2009 NFL pre-season game against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, August 22, 2009 @ 7:30 pm EST in Florida.

Eli Manning and the New York Giants head to Chicago next Saturday, where they take on the Bears in their next 2009 NFL pre-season. Gametime is 8:00 pm EST.

source: espn

TEAMS
Dallas Cowboys (5-3) at New York Giants (6-1)

GAME INFO
November 2, 2008
Time: 4:15
TV: Fox
Surface: Field Turf - Giants Stadium
Weather: More sun than clouds. Cool. 55° F. 6mph wind

SPREAD
N.T Giants (-9)  Under/Over 41 Points

TEAM STANDINGS
The Dallas Cowboys are in jeopardy of falling out of the NFC East playoff race with half the season to go. They trail the New York Giants (6-1) and Washington Redskins (6-2). The Philadelphia Eagles are right behind them at 4-3.

The New York Giants, on the other hand, have reeled off two consecutive wins and are in first place in the NFC East.

MOMENTUM
The Dallas Cowboys started the season strong, winning their first 3 games. Since then, they are 2-3. The Cowboys are 2-2 on the road and 3-3 against NFC teams. They beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Home last week by a score of 13-9. The Cowboys are averaging a little over 25 points a game while giving up, on average, 24 points a game.

The New York Giants are 4-0 at home and 4-0 against NFC teams. They have won 2 straight going into Sunday’s game.  They have won two in a row, are 4-0 at home, and 1-2 on the road.  They are averaging 27 points a game while giving up only 16.  In the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s game they held the Pittsburgh Steelers to -18 yards total offense - just an outstanding feat, considering the Steelers offense is led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

KEY INJURIES
Cowboys: OG Kyle Kosier (foot sprain), RB Felix Jones (hamstring), CB Terence Newman (sports hernia) and QB Tony Romo (broken right pinkie) are out; TE Jason Witten (broken rib) said he wants to find a way to play if possible. Giants: OLB Gerris Wilkinson (knee) is out.

KEYS TO THE GAME
According to NFl.com, QB Brad Johnson will start, but if he struggles early the Cowboys won’t hesitate to turn to Brooks Bollinger, who took practice snaps with the first team this week. The 40-year-old Johnson lacks arm strength and mobility, making it difficult for him to get out of the way of the Giants’ ferocious pass rush or hurt New York vertically. Either quarterback will need a massive game from RB Marion Barber to alleviate the pressure. … If CB Anthony Henry isn’t ready to play, the Cowboys will start a pair of rookies in Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Even when healthy, Dallas would have a difficult time matching up with all of the Giants’ options downfield, so the Cowboys desperately need an effective pass rush. Giants QB Eli Manning is still prone to critical errors when forced to unload the ball before he wants to.

SERIES HISTORY
This is the 92nd regular-season meeting between the two. The Cowboys lead the series 54-35-2. The Cowboys won the two regular-season games last year, but the Giants beat the Cowboys in the playoffs en route to winning the Super Bowl title. A Cowboys win would be their fourth straight regular-season win against the Giants.

PICK PREDICTION

Giants 27-13
Take the Giants even though they are giving nine points to the ‘Boys.

• The Giants defense is just too good
• Brad Johnson lack of mobility
• Giants are playing at home
• The weather will not hamper Eli Manning