New York Giants' Injury Update: Barden Likely Out With Ankle Sprain

[UPDATE: 3:04 PM EST -- Head coach Tom Coughlin said today that Ramses Barden is likely lost for the season after suffering a "significant" ligament tear and a fractured ankle Sunday against Dallas. ]

Ramses Barden of the New York Giants was having the best day of his two-year NFL career, until he rolled his ankle awkwardly while trying to catch an Eli Manning pass in the end zone in the second quarter Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Now, Barden is in a walking boot with an ankle injury that might cost him a week or two of action.

"I tried to come in here and run a little bit and I don't think they thought I was looking too well," Barden said. "Nothing to worry about. It is just rehab and get healthy. If it is a week, two weeks, I don't know how long it is going to be but when I find out, I will be back full speed and working my butt off. Might be 48 hours, who knows?"

The 6-foot-6, 229-pound Barden had three catches for 34 yards before being injured. Barden's absence left the Giants with only three healthy wide receivers in the second half -- Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and rookie Duke Calhoun.

Tight end Kevin Boss said he "pretty darn sore" due to landing awkwardly on his back after leaping to make a tremendous 19-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

Cowboys 33, Giants 20: McCann's Pick Six Was Game's Key Play

The New York Giants made a season’s worth of mistakes on offense in their 33-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium. None, however, was bigger than a pass from Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks that was intercepted and returned 101 yards for a touchdown by Bryan McCann of the Cowboys.

The play happened with the the Giants facing third-and-goal from the Dallas two-yard-line midway through the second quarter. With the Giants trailing, 9-3, Manning tried to hit Nicks on a quick slant in the end zone. Nicks, however, appeared to give up on the route, allowing McCann to step in for the interception. The touchdown gave Dallas a 16-3 lead and left the Giants playing from behind when it appeared they were on the verge of grabbing the lead.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin pinned the blame for the play on Nicks, the standout second-year receiver.

“(Nicks) stopped to run the slant. You can’t do that. You have to continue to run the route, run through the defenders, do whatever you have to do,” Coughlin said. “Unfortunately…that’s a basic principal. If you’ve got the slant called, you’ve got to run the slant.”

Manning would not come right out and blame Nicks for the play, but it certainly sounded like the quarterback did not get what he expected from Nicks on the pass route.

“I talked to Hakeem (Nicks) about it and we’ve worked it out, but you can’t have that happen,” Manning said. “At the worst you take a field goal and best is a touchdown so that is a 10 point swing there at the least and it is hard to overcome those things. We did a good job fighting back; we just made too many mistakes.”

Making the play even worse for the Giants, it came two plays after a false start by lineman Will Beatty negated a Giants touchdown run.

“We didn’t play well enough to win. We didn’t execute the way we’ve been executing. We gave up big plays. We didn’t make as many big plays. We hung in there. We gave it a good effort at the end, but it was too little too late,” Coughlin said. “Once again, the interceptions hurt us right at the end. We thought we had the ball in the end zone with a chance to be within six with lots of time left – seven minutes left – but that was called back by a holding penalty. We missed a short fourth and one that obviously would have kept the ball in our hands. We just didn’t play well enough to win.”

New Meadowlands Stadium Power Outage Caused By Blown Transformer

Following Sunday’s 33-20 victory by the Dallas Cowboys over the New York Giants the outcome of the game was not the only story. The third quarter power outage that delayed the game for about 12 minutes was the other major story.

New Meadowlands Stadium CEO Mark Lamping spoke to reporters following the game. Here is some of what he said:

Opening Statement:
Earlier this evening at right about 6 p.m. we had a transformer that blew at the New Jersey Sports Authority substation. We get our power in the building through the sports authority. When that happened, our systems worked as designed; we actually have two lines coming into the stadium. As the power shifted from one line to the second we had a power glitch that occurred, it switched back to the original first line and power was restored at about 6:15 (P.M). During the entire period we had about 5 seconds where there was no power, that’s basically what happens when the power shifted from our one line coming in to the second. The system worked as designed, you never want to have power problems, it’s not the first time that it’s happened. The protocol within the stadium worked as designed; we can have the police or security speak to that. We had no security problems related to the power outage. Obviously we had what you would normally have at a Giants-Cowboy game, but we had no security incidents that were related to any of the power.

Q: What are the procedures in terms of you and the officials in terms of getting play restored and getting things going again on the field?
A: Well the NFL is in charge of what happens on the field, it’s not our responsibility. Our focus was 100% on the safety of the fans in the building and getting the power restored to the building and getting play resumed.

Q: Was there smoke or fire?
A: Not around the building.

Q: How long was the power completely out in the whole stadium?
A: About five or six seconds, that’s it. That’s what happens when there’s a switch from one line to the other. The entire episode began at about 5:59 (P.M), we did our switch from one line to the second line coming into the building at 6:15 (P.M) so about 16 minutes later, and it was literally five or six seconds during the switch that the power went down, which is what happens. That’s how the system is designed.

Q: Was there any point where you thought you might not finish the game?
A: We were thinking about what to deal with at the moment and our focus was first on the safety of the fans in the stadium and the power came back. The game was always in the hands of the NFL not the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Q: Was the transformer that blew inside of the stadium?
A: All of the problems that we incurred and resulted in issues we had here were genesis of outages from outside of the stadium.

Q: During construction was there any indication that you could have a power outage?
A: No. This isn’t the first early evening game and we’ve had plenty of night games already this year and haven’t had any power related issues, so like I said the testing will start tonight as soon as we get people out of the building. We’ll determine what the cause was and initiate any remedies necessary to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Cowboys 33, Giants 20: New York Falls As Garrett Debuts With Victory

The New York Giants seemed willing accomplices Sunday in the ‘Jason Garrett is the Dallas Cowboys’ knight in shining armor’ story. The Giants (6-3) were atrocious defensively and made numerous mistakes offensively as the 2-7 Cowboys defeated the Giants, 33-20, at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Things were so bad for the Giants that the brand new $1.6 billion stadium couldn’t even make it through the entire game without malfunctioning. The game was delayed for 12 minutes after the second of two power outages in the third quarter caused all of the stadium’s lights to go out.

Here is the Giants’ official statement on the power outages:

The New Meadowlands Stadium experienced two power outages in the 3rd quarter of tonight’s game. Power was lost when one of the two feeders to the stadium experienced a power interruption. The power source to the stadium was then switched to the second feeder. The appearance of the stadium not being at full power at that time occurred because the halogen lighting had not fully powered up. A second power interruption occurred to the second feeder causing a full outage. Functionality to the original feeder was restored and we are now receiving power though that feeder. We are currently investigating the original cause of the interruption.

The Giants hurt themselves offensively with mistakes and turnovers. A false start penalty cost them one first-half touchdown, and two plays later Bryan McCann intercepted an Eli Manning pass and ran it back 101 yards for a touchdown.

In the second half a holding penalty on guard Kevin Boothe negated a 48-yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks.

All in all, a bad game for the Giants. A reason for the Cowboys, however, to smile.

Electrical Issues Delay Giants-Cowboys Game

The New York Giants game vs. the Dallas Cowboys at New Meadowlands Stadium has been delayed early in the third quarter due to electrical issues.

Apparently, a transformer has smoke pouring out of it causing the lights to go out.

The Giants have also seemingly blown a fuse as they trail the 1-7 Cowboys, 26-6.

Giants' Steve Smith Has Partially Torn Pectoral Muscle

New York Giants’ wide receiver Steve Smith will miss Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys — and possibly others — with a partially torn pectoral muscle. Giants’ coach Tom Coughin confirmed that news Friday afternoon.

“He’s going to be out of the game and it’s going to be one of those deals hopefully week to week and we’ll see,” Coughlin said. “I’m not sure exactly how long.”

Smith went to the Pro Bowl a year ago when he set a franchise record with 107 receptions. This season he has 47 catches through eight games, second on the team behind Hakeem Nicks (51).

Coughlin expects second-year receiver Ramses Barden and rookie Duke Calhoun to get additional playing time in Smith’s absence. Mario Manningham will start opposite Nicks.

Speaking Thursday, Giants’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride admitted the loss of Smith would hurt the high-flying Giants’ offense.

“He’s the most polished receiver we have. He’s a guy who has really earned the respect of the defense to such a point that so many of the things they do are designed to stop him,” Gilbride said. “It’s a huge loss, but we’ll make do.”

Barden has just two catches on the season, while Calhoun has not caught a pass. Reserve tight end/H-Back Travis Beckum could also see additional time as a slot receiver, a place where Smith excels. He has eight catches for the season.

Giants Vs. Cowboys: When The Cowboys Have The Ball

(Sports Network) – Making his third start since replacing Tony Romo, Kitna passed for two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 7. Including playoffs, running back Felix Jones has eight career touchdowns (seven rushing, one kick return) and averages 47.1 yards per score. Also including playoffs, fellow back Marion Barber has a pair of 100-yard games versus the Giants. Rookie wide receiver and first-round pick Dez Bryant had three touchdowns in the teams’ last meeting, including a 93-yard punt return and two 15-yard scoring receptions. He has six total touchdowns (four receiving, two punt returns) this season, the most among NFL rookies. Fellow wideout Miles Austin had 10 catches for 104 yards and a 22-yard touchdown in last year’s road meeting with New York. Tight end Jason Witten has 23 catches for 251 yards (125.5 per game) and a touchdown in his past two matchups with the Giants. He’s aiming for a third game in a row against the Giants with nine-plus catches and 95-plus yards.

The Giants are led defensively by end Osi Umenyiora, who has seven sacks and six forced fumbles in his past five games, while counterpart Justin Tuck has four sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in his past five outings. Including the playoffs, the Giants have won 14 in a row when Tuck has sack. The Giants are the best in the NFC against the run according to the numbers, allowing just 80.9 yards per week and 3.45 yards per carry, while opposing quarterbacks have completed just 54.6 percent of their passes for 169.8 yards per game on a New York defense that’s amassed nine interceptions and 24 sacks. Umenyiora’s eight quarterback takedowns are tied with Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware for third in the league, while cornerback Terrell Thomas’ three interceptions are best on the team. Safety Antrel Rolle has racked up 44 tackles, including 37 solos, to pace Big Blue.

Cowboys Vs. Giants: When The Giants Have The Ball

(Sports Network) – The streaks could continue as Giants quarterback Eli Manning aims for a fourth win in a row against Dallas. He tied a career-high with four touchdowns in the teams’ last meeting, and has passed for four scores in a game four times, two of which have been versus Dallas. He had a 125.8 rating in last week’s 41-7 win at Seattle and aims for a fourth in a row with a 100-plus rating. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw had 126 rushing yards in the Week 7 meeting with Dallas. He rushed for two touchdowns versus Seattle and ranks third in the NFC in scrimmage yards (905). Backfield mate Brandon Jacobs has five rushing touchdowns in his past five games and has found the end zone in four of his past five versus Dallas, including the playoffs. Wideout Hakeem Nicks had six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown last week against Seattle. He has 100- plus yards in four of his last five games. Nicks shares the NFL lead with a career-high nine receiving touchdowns and has three scores in his last two meetings with the Cowboys. Fellow wide receiver Steve Smith aims for a fourth game in a row with 100-plus yards versus Dallas.

Dallas’ defense is paced by Ware, who has eight sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his past seven meetings (including playoffs) with New York. He has 64 1/2 sacks since 2006, the most in the NFL over that span. Cornerback Terence Newman had an interception in his last meeting with the Giants and has three picks in the past four games between the teams. Brooking had a 41-yard interception in his last game versus the Giants, the longest of his career. Also, cornerback Mike Jenkins has two career interceptions against New York, including one that was returned for a 23-yard touchdown. Statistically, the Cowboys are allowing 123.9 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry, while the pass defense has yielded 214.4 yards per week and a 67.5 percent completion rate while generating 17 sacks and just five interceptions. The aforementioned Ware has eight of the team’s 17 sacks, while five players have an interception apiece. Linebacker Bradie James is tops among Cowboys with 60 tackles, including 40 solo stops.

Giants Vs. Cowboys: Fantasy Football Focus

(Sports Network) - Big names no longer outweigh small numbers for the Cowboys, whose overall tumble has left their statistics in disarray. If any player has warranted a start based on the last several weeks, it’s probably Dez Bryant at wideout and perhaps Witten as a tight end. On the other hand, nearly everyone wearing Giants’ blue in this game seems a viable choice. Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and Hakeem Nicks can justify starts, as can the New York defense. Avoid Steve Smith as his status for Sunday is uncertain.

Steve Smith Injured At Giants Practice, Status For Sunday Unknown

New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith left practice early today with what coach Tom Coughlin described as a “strained pec.” His status for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys is unknown.

“He had trouble driving his arm after the injury so he couldn’t continue,” Coughlin said. “I don’t have anything to tell you about him until they do all of the tests.”

Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride called Smith’s injury a “huge loss” and sounded like a coach who was preparing to go without the Pro Bowl receiver.

“He’s the most polished receiver we have. He’s a guy who has really earned the respect of the defense to such a point that so many of the things they do are designed to stop him. That’s what has helped open up opportunities elsewhere. Whether it’s a double-team, or last time we played them, they were playing two zone but manning him up inside the zone and bringing the free safety over in case it’s a double move on his part,” Gilbride said. "I think people basically have said it’s hard to cover him one-on-one inside, so people have committed other people and additional resources, whether it’s another person or a schematic adjustment, so that either opens up running opportunities for us or passing opportunities for other people. It’s a huge loss, but we’ll make do. "

If Smith can’t go Mario Manningham (21 receptions) would start in his place and Ramses Barden would likely function as the fourth receiver. The Giants could also use reserve tight end/H Back Travis Beckum as the slot receiver in Smith’s spot.

The Giants are already hurting on offense this week as starting linemen Shaun O’Hara and David Diehl will not play.

Giants Vs. Cowboys: First Look At Dallas

Here are five things about the Dallas Cowboys to keep an eye on Sunday when they face the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium.

1. The Jason Garrett Factor -- The team's new head coach is trying to toughen the team up, practicing in full pads on Wednesday. Garrett has been the team's offensive coordinator for several seasons and was once considered a rising star. That star has waned in recent years, and what impact Garrett can have on the discombobulated 'Boys is debatable.
2. What kind of effort will the Cowboys give? -- They did not give much in the two games before Wade Phillips was fired as head coach, getting outscored 80-24. Does that change with Garrett? Does it matter?
3. Jon Kitna is not Tony Romo -- The veteran Kitna has not been good since taking over for the injured Romo. In three games he has four touchdowns, six interceptions and a paltry 70.9 quarterback rating.
4. Where is the defense? -- Through eight games the Cowboys have given up 232 points, and only Buffalo (233) has given up more.
   
5. Why can't they run? -- Dallas is 31st in the league in rushing at 75.6 yards per game. A season ago they averaged 131.4 yards per game, seventh in the league. They have the same running backs, so you have to wonder what gives there.

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-7) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (6-2)

SERIES

STATS

NOTES

COWBOYS: QB JON KITNA passed for 2 TDs vs. NYG in Week 7…Incl. playoffs, RB FELIX JONES has 8 career TDs (7 rush, 1 KR) & averages 47.1 yards per TD (377 yards).  Incl. playoffs, RB MARION BARBER has 2 100-yard games vs. NYG…Rookie WR-PR DEZ BRYANT had 3 TDs in last meeting.  Had 93-yard PR-TD & 2 15-yard rec. TDs.  Has 6 total TDs (4 rec. 2 PR), most among NFL rookies.  WR MILES AUSTIN had 10 catches for 104 yards & TD (22 yards) in last game at NYG.  TE JASON WITTEN has 23 catches for 251 yards (125.5 per game) & TD in past 2 meetings.  Aims for 3rd in row vs. NYG with 9+ catches & 95+ yards…LB DE MARCUS WARE has 8 sacks, 4 FFs & 2 FRs in past 7 meetings (incl. playoffs).  Has 64.5 sacks since 2006, most in NFL.  CB TERENCE NEWMAN had INT in last meeting & has 3 INTs in past 4 vs. NYG.  LB KEITH BROOKING had 41-yard INT in last game vs. NYG, longest of career.  CB MIKE JENKINS has 2 INTs vs. NYG, incl. 23-yard INT-TD

GIANTS: QB ELI MANNING aims for 4th win in row vs. Dal.  Tied career-high with 4 TDs in last meeting.  Has passed for 4 TDs in game 4 times & 2 have been vs. Dal.  Had 125.8 rating last week & aims for 4th in row with 100+…RB AHMAD BRADSHAW had 126 rush yards in last meeting.  Rushed for 2 TDs vs. Sea.  Ranks 3rd in NFC in scrimmage yards (905).  RB BRANDON JACOBS has 5 rush TDs in past 5.  Has TD in 4 of past 5 vs. Dal. (incl. playoffs)…WR HAKEEM NICKS had 6 catches for 128 yards & TD last week.  Has 100+ yards in 4 of past 5.  Ties for NFL lead with career-high 9 rec. TDs.  Has 3 rec. TDs in 2 meetings.  Has 4 TDs in past 4 vs. division.  WR STEVE SMITH aims for 4th in row vs. Dal. with 100+ yards.  In past 3 meetings, has 25 catches for 345 yards (115 per game) & 2 TDs.  Since start of 2009, leads NFC with 154 receptions.  WR MARIO MANNINGHAM had career-high 10 catches & 150 yards (1 TD) vs. Dal. (9/20/09)…DE OSI UMENYIORA has 7 sacks & 6 FFs in past 5.  DE JUSTIN TUCK has 4 sacks, 3 FRs & 2 FFs in past 5.  Incl. playoffs, club has won 14 in row when Tuck has sack. 

Giants Vs. Cowboys: NFL Week 10 Wednesday Injury Report

The New York Giants look to extend their winning streak to six games this Sunday when they host the reeling Dallas Cowboys. Jason Garrett was named interim head coach of the Cowboys following Wade Phillips' termination early this week. Will he and his team forget about their putrid first half of the season and put up a tough test against the Giants? We'll see. In the meantime, here's your Wednesday Injury Report for both squads.

Kevin Boothe Appears Likely To Start

Before heading out to practice today New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin did not say directly that Kevin Boothe, just removed from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List, will start at left guard Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. He didn't have t. The Giants really have little choice.

Asked if Boothe was ready, Coughlin said "In about 15 minutes it'll be Boothe's time to go. He's got to go.."

Normal left guard Rich Seubert is expected to play center in place of Shaun O'Hara. Left tackle David Diehl, who moved to guard last week, is out with a hamstring injury. The only other guard on the roster is rookie Mitch Petrus.

"We prepare the guys that are healthy to play. That's what we have to do and hope that we get some of these people back faster than is being predicted," Coughlin said. "The one advantage that I think you saw the other day was that when Kareem came off for that play and in goes Koets and Koets just goes to center, Richie goes to guard and that kind of was an indication to me that moving people around and having to spend a lot of time with guys in different spots in preseason, like it or not, does have its merit in situations like that, but we've just got to get positions stabilized and get the people who are going to be in the backup roles prepared and ready to go."

Giants' Offensive Line A Mess, But It Could Be Worse

If you have been paying attention this week you know that the New York Giants offensive line is a mess heading into Sunday's NFC East game at New Meadowlands Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys.

The situation, though, is not nearly as dire as it could be.

http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/11/10/1805543/giants-offensive-line-a-mess-but-it-could-be-worse

NFL Odds: Giants Open As 13.5-Point Favorites

In case you didn’t already know, the folks from Odds Shark have teamed up with SB Nation to provide odds pages for all of the major sports.

When it comes to Week 10 NFL Odds the 6-2 New York Giants are 13.5-point favorites over the 1-7 Dallas Cowboys. That makes this week’s Giants-Cowboys meeting at New Meadowlands Stadium the biggest NFL point spread currently on the board.

Do you think new coach Jason Garrett can get the Cowboys, outscored 80-24 the past two weeks, to give a better effort? Or, are they done. It’s a lot of points to give, but the Giants are the better team and they are at home.

Dallas did fire coach Wade Phillips this week and they could be determined to begin digging out of the hole they are in. The Giants have won five straight after a dismal 1-2 start, and are looking like a threat to make a deep playoff run.

New York Giants Vs. Dallas Cowboys: Giants Will Be Shuffling Offensive Line

The big storyline surrounding this week's NFC East matchup between the division-leading New York Giants (6-2) and the cellar-dwelling Dallas Cowboys (1-7) is, of course, Jason Garrett replacing Wade Phillips as head coach of the reeling Cowboys.

While the Giants might wonder what type of impact that will have on the Cowboys, beaten by a combined score of 80-24 the past two weeks, the Giants have an issue of their own to address this week.

That would be their beaten-up offensive line. Right now, what that line will look like on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys is a mystery.

For certain, usual starting left tackle David Diehl will not be in the lineup. He will miss his first NFL game after 120 starts due to a partially torn hamstring. Diehl told McDonald & Tierney on ESPN Radio earlier today that he hopes to return next week against Philadelphia.

"It's my hamstring," Diehl said on his weekly spot on 1050 ESPN's McDonald and Tierney show. "I hurt my hamstring. I am just glad that it isn't my hip because if you hurt your hip then that is surgery and stuff like that. It is muscular and it will take a little time to heal up a little bit. My goal is to be back at Philadelphia next week."

More likely, he could miss several weeks. Shawn Andrews, who started at left tackle last week against Seattle for the first time while Diehl shifted to guard, will start there.

The Giants today placed Adam Koets, who has started three games this season at center on injured reserve, and activated lineman Kevin Boothe from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List. Boothe could go from PUP directly into the starting lineup at left guard.

That is because usual starting left guard rich Seubert is likely to have to make a second straight start at center with Koets on IR and Shaun O'Hara unlikely to play for a second straight week due to a Lisfranc sprain of his foot. Right now, O'Hara does not sound like a guy who will be ready to play this weekend.