What to Watch on Saturday

The annual Jets/Giants preseason game is on tap for tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM, moved up from 7 PM to beat the Hurricane.  Here is what to watch for:

CONTINUITY

This is like the final dress rehearsal to a big Broadway production.  The third week is traditionally the one most like a regular season game, where the starters play for an extended period of time.  Coach Ryan has already stated that the first teams will play into the 3rd quarter.  The first team, for the most part has looked good, now we need to see that continue.  Almost in the way that we want to see a pitcher’s effectiveness increase as he extends his pitch count, that is what we want to see out of Mark Sanchez and company.  The first team offense has moved the ball pretty well so far.  Now we want that continue for more than a half.  Let’s see the defense keep a team down for a half as well.

RED ZONE OFFENSE

The offense in the red zone has not been good.  Other than last week’s TD from Sanchez to Santonio Holmes, they have not moved the ball at all.  This is a big red flag that we need to see step up before week 1.  We know that they are going up against a Ryan led defense on September 11th, and we need the offense clicking on all cylinders.

WELCOME HOME PLAXICO

Should be interesting.  Plaxico Burress will be playing against the Giants for the first time since the SuperBowl in Arizona, and the first time since going to jail for shooting himlself in the leg.  How will he handle himself?  Will there be nerves going against his old team?  Will he play well?  Will his ankle and back hold up?  How will the Giants fans treat him, returning after leaving the way that he did.

THE KICKING GAME

Someone needs to step forward.  We have a hot competition going on in both the kicking and punting categories.  TJ Conley and Chris Bryan have punted to an average of within a yard of each other, Conley at 43.3, and Bryan at 42.5.  Nick Folk and Nick Novak have been virtually equal as well, both perfect from inside 40 yards, Folk with a slight lead hitting his only attempt from over 50 yards, and going 1-2 from 40-49 yards.  Interested in seeing if anyone takes a commanding lead here.

Be safe and enjoy the game.