http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2011/08/29/2011-08-29_three_things_to_watch_for_new_york_giants_and_jets_in_preseason_meeting_at_metli.html Hurricane Irene delayed the Jets' and Giants' annual preseason meeting, but the storm has moved on and it's time for New York's two NFL franchises to square off on Monday night at MetLife Stadium (7 p.m., Ch. 4). Here are three things to watch for Big Blue and Gang Green entering the third preseason game for both teams: GIANTS 1. What about QB Eli Manning? He has bad memories of his last game against the Jets, when he was sandwiched between LB Calvin Pace and S Jim Leonhard, lost his helmet and ended up with a bloody three-inch gash in his head. He's also still looking for his first preseason touchdown pass. The real thing to watch with him, though, is any pre- or postgame interaction he has with Jets WR Plaxico Burress - the Super Bowl teammate he refused to endorse or even meet with when Burress was visiting with, and pondering a return to, the Giants. 2. Will WR Victor Cruz do it again? The Paterson (N.J.) sensation had his coming-out party against the Jets a year ago, catching six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns and forcing the Jets coaches to famously ponder in front of HBO cameras who that little No. 3 was. Now Cruz wears No. 80, but he's a good bet to be the Giants' No. 3 receiver. He has four catches for 50 yards so far this preseason, and appears to be the favorite for the job. NJ TRANSIT TRAINS NOT STOPPING AT MEADOWLANDS STATION FOR GIANTS-JETS 3. Will CB Aaron Ross keep on the upswing? The injury-prone, former first-round pick is now a key player again due to Terrell Thomas' torn ACL. Ross looked terrific last Monday night, but the key with him is consistency and the ability to stay healthy - two things he hasn't shown in the NFL. Monday night he's back in the starting lineup. Given the Giants' recent injury history and Ross' painful past, everyone should proceed with caution. (Kevin Hagen/For News) JETS 1. What will Plaxico Burress do for an encore? The lanky wide receiver showed no signs of rust in his Jets' debut last week with three receptions for 66 yards, including a terrific over-the-shoulder 26-yard touchdown grab in the rain. Burress insists he doesn't harbor any ill feelings toward the Giants, but preseason or not, he'd love to show his former team what it is missing out on now. Mark Sanchez appears to have developed instant chemistry with his new target. 2. Will the Jets' running game show up? Gang Green's ground-and-pound attack has been stuck in neutral in the first two preseason games. Last week, the starters gained just 16 yards on 11 carries (1.5 yards per rush) in the first half. Shonn Greene, who returns after missing that game with a skin infection on his foot, will be running behind an offensive line that welcomes back right guard Brandon Moore from a hip injury. 3. Can Rex Ryan's defense generate a pass rush? The Jets' outside linebackers and replenished defensive line haven't created much havoc through the first two weeks of the preseason. Calvin Pace, who is fully healed from a foot injury that bothered him for much of last season, will be the anchor of the edge rush. With the starters playing at least one series into the third quarter, there will be plenty of opportunities to sack Eli Manning.
I'm looking for 3 things: 1) How does Brandon Moore look? I expect him to be a little rusty, but our run game desperately needs him to be healthy so I'll keep a close eye on him. 2) Who looks like they're locking up a roster spot? Obviously the 3rd game is when the first stringers get the most playing time, and it will be interesting to see which bubble guys get some playing time with the 1s. 3) Please, please nobody get injured. The first two preseason games are exciting for me because of the novelty of having football back. The second two are like walking on eggshells because I just want to see our guys go into week 1 healthy.
1) Maybin's progress in our defense 2) Kyle Wilson's improvement 3) How Ellis, Wilkerson, Powell, and Kerley impact our team's progress
^Maybin won't play much, and isn't close to the 53. He's gotta make a big case to stay here next week. I'm looking at Moore's return to finally get a look at the starting OL. I'm looking at how the RB rotation is going to look between the 3 RBs that are returning from last season. I want to see the Red Zone scoring improve, dammit.
O: keeping the Giants front four off Sanchez D: how they handle NYG's running game ST: someone/anyone 'stepping up' in the kicking-punting dept. Shaky leg syndrome thus far.
RZ scoring 3rd and long - the Sanchez to Keller/LT security blanket. Maybin's performance as a SPR after being here 2 weeks.
I think the thing I'm most interested in seeing is how Rex is going to throw his tantrum tonight. He has to do something better than the headset thing; maybe throw the Gatorade barrel at the referee, or if he's really mad he could eat Bryan Schottenheimer.
Brick vs jason pierre paul. The rest of the ol looking good Sanchez timing and accuracy The front 7 and run defense And most important. Staying healthy Want to see how cro does against nicks cause I assume revis will be on manningham
He is going to see significant time Thurdsay most likely. I read they are splitting the squad because of no turn around.....just a thoery
Link Need to see that Snoopy trophy, and how that and the new financial donations impact the yearly rivalry. Maybe it's just me, but Rex seems determined to win this game. I am a little worried about starters getting injured.
Very happy to see Brandon Moore back. The main thing I want to see out of this game is our run game and O line play.
Oh of course that was self implied I should've clarified. Without the run game sanchez will have to pull magic out his ass
