I've been a bit lazy in getting 5 questions to our opponents blogs. So I got things taken care of early to make sure I got some info. This week, we sat down with Ed from Big Blue View. So, here we go:
NN: So the Giants are clearly on a roll. However, there wins are against teams that are a combined 7-15, and their losses are to a pair of teams that are 10-2. Have the last few weeks success been thanks to lucky scheduling, or are the Giants really a 4-2 team?
BBV: Well, I could say you are what your record says you are and leave it at that. Fact is, the Giants defense has improved dramatically in recent weeks. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is getting guys to attack and is rushing the passer in lots of different ways. Aaron Ross has emerged as a reliable corner and they have a solid defensive line. Offensively, the Giants are explosive. Giants fans are always waiting for the sky to fall, but this is a good team.
NN: What's up with Eli Manning? His numbers seem solid, but it also seems like he creates unease with Giants fans. Thoughts?
BBV: I just wrote a post about Eli -- Personally, I think he's one of the top 10 QBs in the league. I think he will always be judged unfairly as "not as good as Peyton." Compared to everyone else, though, -- except Tom Brady -- I think he measures up well. He has thrown the ball well, is completing 60.7% of his passes, and has grown into a leadership role.
NN: Are the Giants going to a 3-man rushing platoon? Droughns seemed to get a lot of carries and Jacobs hasn't seemed to take a firm hold on the starting job (obviously injuries have played a part in that).
BBV: Not really. It's still Jacobs-Ward-Droughns in that order. Jacobs and Ward were a tad nicked up Monday night, so Droughns finished out the fourth quarter. Jacobs has the tools to be a star, but it's going to be durability that determines how good he will ultimately be. He's always getting nicked up -- probably because he likes to run into people instead of around them -- and I'm not sure he'll ever be a 25-carry per game guy.
NN: Is there any particular reason the Giants pass rush has turned into such a force? Considering the weakness of the 49ers o-line so far this year, this could be a big factor in Sunday's contest.
BBV: The pressure from the defense has been a key to the Giants surge. Sometimes they send a lot of guys, but they can also get to the QB with four. That's especially true when they use their pass-rushing line which includes Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora at the ends, and Justin Tuck (a DE) and Mathias Kiwanuka (a LB/DE) at the tackles. That's four terrific pass rushers lined up, and Tuck and Kiwanuka are generally too fast for the guards they line up against. On top of that, Umenyiora is playing the best football of his career.
NN: What's up with no-practice Plaxico Burress? He's obviously played well without practicing, but could the short week affect that or do you think it even matters?
BBV: Burress has earned the nickname 'Game Day.' He has a high-ankle sprain and only suits up for the games. He's as physically gifted as any receiver in the league, except for probably Randy Moss. He has that ability to make catches even when he's covered, and you'll see Eli throw some balls up to him and just give Burress a chance to make a play. Burress used to be a sort of malcontent who didn't always play hard. this year he's been tremendous. I doubt the short week will affect him much.