http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/28811.htm<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>October 2, 2005 -- One game. For all the psychological mumbo-jumbo thrown around about the impact of a victory or loss in a particular week, each game is a singular event. Some results feel better or worse, though, depending on the opponent and the timing and the circumstance. The quarter-pole of the Giants season corresponds to the arrival of their bye week, making the upcoming respite a natural time to take stock. The difference between success and failure today against the Rams will determine how the Giants judge the first segment of the season. "You definitely want to do well going into the bye because it's a horrible week off if you don't win," defensive end Michael Strahan said. "The last thing you want to do is go into the bye week at 2-2 with two losses in a row because that is a big setback." Last week's loss in San Diego to the desperate and talented Chargers was predictable and, in the grand scheme of things, acceptable if the rampant defensive collapse was an abnormality. A return home to Giants Stadium, for the first "regular" game of the season (Sunday at 1 p.m.) corresponds to the first game without a pre-made theme (Sept. 11 in the opener, Hurricane Katrina and the Saints in the second game, the Eli Manning Saga a week ago). It is a misnomer to lump these Rams in with the Greatest Show on Turf group that a few years ago ravaged the league. Marc Bulger is a solid quarterback but he doesn't perform at the MVP level that Kurt Warner did for three seasons. Stephen Jackson is a capable young running back but he's no Marshall Faulk, who currently is a backup. Their most potent weapon is Torry Holt, who leads the NFL with 23 receptions for 358 yards. The Rams will be without their other top gun, as Isaac Bruce will be sidelined with turf toe, a huge break for the Giants. The loss of Will Peterson, the Giants' best cornerback, for this game and possibly the season with a back injury is a damaging blow, even though the team is well-stocked at the position. Asked if he worried about his club being overconfident after seeing the Giants defense torched for 45 points last week, Rams coach Mike Martz said, "I don't think that's an issue for us because it makes us sound like we're real, real good on offense and we're not." Still, the Rams have scored 73 points and are seventh in the league in offense. "When you got a group like that coming in here, you're going to have to be on your 'A' game, there's no room for error at all," cornerback Will Allen said. The Rams are 2-1, having faced three teams (49ers, Cardinals and Titans) that will all be on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Giants in their 45-23 loss in San Diego were not able to lay a hand on Drew Brees. Applying pressure might be the only way to relieve the strain on a defensive backfield that has allowed 285 passing yards per game, which ranks 30th in the league, and now must function without Peterson. The run defense, solid in the first two games, sprung leaks to the tune of 268 rushing yards, with 192 provided by the wondrous LaDainian Tomlinson. "You got to try to forget about what happened last game," defensive end Osi Umenyiora said. "It was embarrassing, we got to kind of like start anew for this week, take St. Louis like it's the first game again. You try to forget about it, but in the back of your mind it's going to be there because you don't ever want that to happen again. We don't think it ever will happen again." Despite Manning's career-best 352 passing yards last week, he said, "I feel comfortable out there right now, but there's still a lot for me to learn. I'm not playing at the highest level I think I can be." Umenyiora lines up opposite LT Orlando Pace, one of the best in the business. "He's been there nine years, I don't know if he's worried about me in there, but if he's smart, he'd be a little concerned, not worried though," Umenyiora said. "When I was a rookie, he dominated me. Hopefully, it will be a different story this time." Remember Ray Agnew? He was one of the Giants' first high-priced free-agent acquisitions and played at defensive tackle from 1995-97. He works for the Rams as their team pastor and director of player development.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tha.New.Look.Giants. @ Oct 2 2005, 12:30 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Last week's loss in San Diego to the desperate and talented Chargers was predictable and, in the grand scheme of things, acceptable if the rampant defensive collapse was an abnormality.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Oct 4 2005, 05:00 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>LOL I had to do it, I saw it on WCRemix and I had to put it in here, Sorry TNLG </div> lol I dont really care actually, cause Eli wasn't affected at all by the crowd or the Chargers themselves. It was our defense, not our offense or Eli. Eli had a stellar game.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Oct 4 2005, 02:05 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>I can't wait till the Giants come into D.C. to face the 'skins...you think 45-23 is bad </div> the redskins offense wont even come close to doing to our defense what San Diego did
