Don’t get crazy. Steve Smith didn’t utter those three words, but yesterday he tried to hold back the onrush of praise that suddenly has rained down on a Giants receiver corps that for so many months was considered the weak link of the offense and the Achilles’ heel for the entire team.
Just like that, the exploits of Smith and Mario Manningham have directly led to a 2-0 record and on a national stage, in front of the largest crowd in NFL history, those two young receivers put on a show, dancing around the Cowboys to steer the Giants to a thrilling 33-31 last-second victory.
Just like that, Smith and Manningham are among the league leaders in receptions and yardage. They both hauled in 10 passes against the Cowboys, the first time in the long history of the Giants that two receivers had double-digit receptions in the same game.”It has only been two weeks,” Smith said yesterday. “This is just the beginning. We can’t get all excited over this. We still got a lot to do. Up to this point we are doing pretty good, but we still have a long way to go.”
Pretty good is an understatement. Smith is tied with Randy Moss for the NFL lead with 16 catches. Manningham is tied for sixth with the Dolphins’ Tedd Ginn Jr. at 13, behind Santonio Holmes, Andre Johnson and Hines Ward. In receiving yardage, Dallas Clark moved into first place with 222 yards after last night’s 183-yard effort in the Colts’ 27-23 win over the Dolphins. Smith and Holmes are tied for second with 214 yards and Manningham is fourth with 208.
Crashing the statistical party usually reserved for the usual suspects, Smith and Manningham have combined for 29 receptions and 422 yards, making them the most dynamic duo in the NFL. For now.
Two games do not a season make, but this is a dramatic start at a position considered nearly barren with the departures of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Most doubts about the Giants focused on the lack of proven performers in the passing game.
Who was Eli Manning going to look for in times of trouble? At the moment, Smith has answered the call. In his previous two seasons he has always been a steady possession target but he’s getting down the field and making plays behind the secondary.
Who was Manning going to rely on to turn something small into something big? At the moment, Manningham has been the man, showing he’s the most dangerous player on the team with the ball in his hands.
“He is a quick, really quick, elusive guy,” Smith said. “I think I am quick, too. I am more of a polished route runner. Both of us catch the ball well. I think Eli is developing a good rapport with him and he is just confident in him.”
One factor in the sluggish start for Brandon Jacobs and the ground game is the way in which defenses attack, keeping a safety up near the line of scrimmage as an extra run defender. The only way to loosen that grip is for Manning to foil that strategy by throwing over the top. So far, he has done that, but little has changed in the way the opponent tries to stop the Giants.
“We understand that is going to happen when you lose two great receivers and we have such a good running game,” Smith said. “We led the league in rushing last year. They are going to load the box and give us opportunities on the outside to make plays. That is what we are excited about. Hopefully they don’t [change]. Hopefully they continue to let us get the opportunities to make big plays.”
The balance is not yet there. Rookie Hakeem Nicks will miss at least one more game with a sprained foot and Domenik Hixon remains a starter despite a slow start, although a sprained right knee could land him on the sideline. Two won’t be enough, but through two games it has been more than that.
“We had some good days and some tough days in training camp and the preseason,” Smith said. “We are just glad it’s coming together now.”