Interview Time!

To keep with the tradition of exchanging information within the Fanball Network, I sought out some correspondence with someone on the other side of the coin to get prepared for this weekend’s collision with the Giants. I sat down with New York Giants correspondent Mike Farley to get the low down on everything New York Giants and get his opinion on some pressing issues heading into the game on Sunday. Mike does a fabulous job on his site G-Men Den which is also a part of the Fanball network.

Anthony Blake: The Giants were thoroughly dismantled by the Eagles this past week on both sides of the ball. What is the morale of the fan base considering this was the team’s 3rd consecutive loss?

Mike Farley: The fans are losing confidence rapidly, I think more so than the players and coaches are. The team looks at things and think they can fix them easily…we look at it and see gaping holes in a once-proud defense and an offense that has had the wheels come off, especially from Eli Manning. We see this game as a must-win.

AB: Brandon Jacobs has been average at best this year after a huge 2008. What’s the feeling on him this year and what’s the difference from last season to the current one aside from the fact that he finally got his $$$?

MF: I’m not sure anyone knows the answer to that. The offensive line has played together a long time but is a year older, and so is Jacobs, who despite being a fairly young player, has had his share of injuries just about every season. I think he may have slowed down just a step, but he’s certainly looked better the last two weeks despite the rest of the team struggling.

AB: The secondary has really struggled in New York on many occasions this season. What kind of adjustments will the team need to make to take on the aerial attack of the Chargers this week?

MF: I think when you talk about the Giants’ defense, you start with the pass rush, and that has been a huge disappointment this year. I think I saw a stat where they had half the number of sacks at the mid-point as they have the last two seasons. That, and the fact that S Kenny Phillips and CB Aaron Ross have been out. I like Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas, but CC Brown and Aaron Rouse are positively killing this team, and so is the lack of a pass rush.

AB: The defensive line has had trouble getting pressure on the quarterback for the Giants so far in 2009. Is the underlying issue the loss of their defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the offseason or is there something different within the personnel?

MF: I think it’s a combination of things, but first off, yes, they miss Steve Spagnuolo more than they will admit. Osi Umenyiora had knee surgery last year, so he’s not the same…Justin Tuck has been playing hurt, and they have not had Chris Canty in the lineup, but he may return this week.

AB: Eli Manning has really struggled over the last 3 weeks completing just 31% of his passes. Are the Giants finally starting to feel the absence of a big time playmaker in the wide receiving corps or does most of the blame fall squarely on Manning’s shoulders?

MF: For the most part, I blame Manning. He has made a few perfect throws that were dropped, but he’s made a rash of really poor decisions, almost reverting back to the Manning we remember from a few seasons ago….what we call “Bad Eli.” I think Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith, as well as tight end Kevin Boss, will continue to make everyone forget about Plaxico.

AB: How about a final score for this contest and a player of the game?

MF: Giants 30-27, I like Osi Umenyiora for player of the game, because their defense has to bust out eventually.

Want to see my answers to some of the inquiries from Mike’s end? Be sure to check out his work at G-Men Den and give him some positive feedback. Many thanks to Mike for this lively conversation!

Tags: Aaron Ross, Anthony Blake, Brandon Jacobs, CC Brown, Chris Canty, Corey Webster, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Kenny Phillips, Kevin Boss, Mike Farley, Osi Umenyiora, Plaxico Burress, Steve Smith, Steve Spagnuolo