Deep BIG BLUE Thoughts…Week 10

The time has come. If this season is going to be salvaged it is going to have to start with 4 men, The Big Blue Four Horsemen.

In one of my articles in the beginning of the season I named who I thought the 5 most important Giants would have to be if another playoff run was going to be made.

One of the 5 was David Wilson. Fair to say Wilson’s season did not go as I thought it would, but all that stuff pales in comparison to how Wilson’s season ended. Spinal Stenosis is a very serious condition. Former Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels, who was the 3rd overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, was forced to retire from Spinal Stenosis. Although Samuels was diagnosed with the ailment as a child, it is still something that can unfortunately end up costing Wilson the rest of his promising young career. I’m sure I speak for Bleed Big Bluers when I say take the rest of the year to make sure you’re safe to play next season Mr. Wilson, God willing we see back on the field in August.

That leaves four. Since 2 are on offensive and 2 are on defense lets pair them up shall we. Each side of the ball is going to need a Batman and a Robin to pull this run off…Here are our caped crusaders for offense and defense.

OFFENSE — Eli Manning (Batman) – Hakeem Nicks (Robin) — I had Eli ranked number 5 and Nicks ranked number 2 in my Top 5 Giants article. It is time for Eli and Nicks to put this offense on their shoulders. Neither can do it alone, they need each other and we need them. These two being on the same page combined with the way team MVP in the first half of the season, Victor Cruz has been playing can give the Giants the fire power they need to put up big points and take some pressure off a defense that has played well despite our record. If Nicks wants the contract he thinks he deserves in the off season, he now has 8 games left to prove he is worth it.

DEFENSE — JPP (Batman) – Prince Amukamara (Robin) — I had Prince ranked 4th and JPP ranked 1st in my Top 5 Giants article. Prince hasn’t been flashy, but he has been solid all year. He has shown pretty good ball skills so far and has played well against some quality wide receivers over the 1st half of the year. Prince has the ability to play straight up man coverage and does a nice job coming up and helping on run support and screens. I think a better 2nd half of the season could be in store for the Prince. Enter JPP…the beast is

back according to JPP in comments he made this week. JPP declared himself at 90% healthy and sent a message via New York media to Oakland this week for the Raiders to bring their A game. Normally I am not one for talking and giving the opposing team chalk board material for a game, but this I liked. JPP comments mean he is feeling better, more confident…he’s got the swag sauce back, he is dripping Swagu. And that is great news for a defense that is playing well despite their top playmakers early season struggles. If JPP gets back to his old ways of harassing QB’s starting Sunday against Oakland, it can very well create more chances for the Prince to make a couple of more impact plays as well. Since Prince is covering the opposing offense’s number 1 WR, and the number 1 WR is usually the guy said Qb is most comfortable throwing to, a nasty pass rush spearheaded by JPP could lead to a pick 6 or two for Prince.

FANTASY PLAYS OF THE WEEK — I will no longer be mentioning Zac Stacy in these pieces. If you have Stacy he is a must start and a Top Ten back every week moving forward.

QB’s TO PLAY —

Jake Locker — Titans — Only two teams have allowed more fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks than Jacksonville, which has surrendered 16 passing touchdowns and has forced just three turnovers.

Cam Newton — Panthers — Call me crazy with him playing on the road against the 49ers but you will regret sitting him. Not only is Cam primed for a good game against a defense that has been more bark than bite this year…but the Panthers are going to win this one outright as well.

RBs TO PLAY —

Reggie Bush – Lions — See what Eddie Lacy did to the Bears on MNF? Bush won’t get that many carries…but with his speed he may not need a lot to have a huge impact in this one.

Mike James – Buccaneers — This year, James has averaged 2.2 yards after contact per carry, second most in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Dolphins allow the third-most rushing yards after contact. James had 68 yards after contact in Seattle last weekend, 158 yards total.

WRs TO PLAY —

Kendall Wright — Titans — Getting the most targets and reception on his team, at home against the Jaguars… Nuff said.

Kendrick Allen — Chargers — I like all the Chargers wide outs again this week. Keep an eye on Vincent Brown.

Riley Cooper — Eagles — Since Week 5, when Nick Foles started against the Bucs, Cooper is averaging 21.2 yards per reception, third highest among WRs with the qualifying amount of targets during that period.

Doug Baldwin — Seahawks — Atlanta gets toasted by slot receivers and with no Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin still not back yet, expect Baldwin to make some plays from the slot. Good chance he finds the end zone or at least gets a chance to.

TEs TO PLAY —

Garrett Graham — Texans — Arizona gives up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and Case Keenum ain’t afraid to sling it.

Greg Olson — Panthers — Gut feeling here. Cam likes him a lot and I think he finds pay dirt at least once this Sunday,

PICKS OF THE WEEK — Wow, 4-8 picking against the spread last week. Total bullshit if you ask me. I was in a couple of them late but excuses are like assholes, we all got em. Nowhere to go but up…hopefully these picks get me back on the winning track.

SEASON RECORD — 22 – 25 -2

Giants -7 over the Raiders — No McFadden for the Raiders is going to make things tough on Terrell Pryor all day long.

GIANTS 30 Raiders 14

Rams +10 over the Colts — Rams aren’t as bad as you think they are and the Colts give up a lot on the ground. Zak Stacy does enough to keep this one close.

COLTS 20 Rams

16

Dolphins -1 over the Bucs — The Dolphins are coming off a win against a quality opponent in the Bengals, and had their locker room questioned this week on every level. With everyone liking the Bucs to upset a distracted Dolphins team this weekend, I my friends am going the other way. I think the Dolphins come together and beat a Bucs team they are clearly better then and get to 5-4 on the year.

DOLPHINS 23 Bucs 17

UPSET OF THE WEEK —

PANTHERS -7 over the 49ERS — I’m buying the Panthers. It starts with a front seven that is as nasty as they come, it ends with one of the most gifted athletes in the league starting to come into his own as a leader. Cam takes a big step this week and does some Kaepernicking of his own in San Fran. This pick was made with 60% Panther…So you know it’s good.

PANTHERS 24 49ers 21

Enjoy the games this week

BLEED BIG BLUERS and LETS GO GIANTS!!!