Thank you everyone for your kind responses. A quick note. In researching the drive, I was more than mildly surprised to discover how many other “analysts” were flat out wrong in their presentations. For example, one moving “Xs and Os” breakdown of the Manning-to-Burress touchdown pass does not even present the Giant offense in the correct formation. Instead, it shows the Giants in a basic spread (both ends split wide, with slots both left and right), with the Patriot "46" safety covering the left slot. In fact, as described above, the Giants had no slot left. The correct formation was trips (double slot) right, single split left, Burress covered m-2-m by Ellis Hobbs. And the "46" safety did not cover anybody. He was part of the Patriot blitz package.
My next planned project is to break down the Giants' final defensive series. Unfortunately, I still lack game footage, although it is on the way. That said, I have been able to locate video of the Jay Alford sack. I am missing some player numbers plus some of the down field coverages, but I will try my best.
In breaking down the play, what first amazed me is that the Giants were decidedly NOT in a prevent defense. The Giants align in a press m-2-m “Cover 2,” utilizing either dime (4-1-6) or "4-0" (4-0-7) personnel. The difference is semantical: because I cannot read the numbers, I am unsure if the “MAC” position is covered by a linebacker (if so, certainly, Antonio Pierce,) or a DB. Let me describe:
The ball sits on the 26 yard line, left hash mark. New England shows a strong left formation, with TE Ben Wilson one step back into the backfield. The Pats split left and right. Wes Welker sits in the right slot. I am not certain as to who the ends are, but it looks like Dante Stallworth is split up “high,” or left, with Randy Moss split down “bottom,” or right. Kevin Faulk is the lone set back, lined up even with the right tackle. The Patriot line is, left to right: Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppens, Russ Hockstein, Nick Kaczur.
The Giants show a four man front, with a basic 5-3-3-5 gap set. To review, a 5-3-3-5 set aligns a defensive end outside the left tackle’s left shoulder, a defensive tackle in the left tackle/left guard gap, a defensive tackle in the right guard/right tackle gap, and a defensive end outside the right tackle’s right shoulder. The corresponding Giant line personnel consists of Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Jay Alford, Mike Strahan. Both Giant cornerbacks are close to the line, about three yards off the two split ends. As best I can tell, Corey Webster covers “high” on the left end; Aaron Ross “low” on the right end. Both safeties are very deep. The remaining three Gaint players (unknown) are aligned about five yards deep, close up the line of scrimmage. The left (strong side) DB lines up with Wilson (TE), the right (weakside) SB opposite Welker. The middle Giant (LB or DB?) sits in the middle.
As the ball is snapped, the Giants fall into a m-2-m coverage. The strongside (left CB), covers the split on what appears to be a "fly" pattern down the left sideline. The weakside (right CB), possible Aaron Ross, bumps the end (Randy Moss?) and covers another deep pattern one-on-one down the right sideline. Ben Wilson is covered by the "left inside" DB; Welker by the "right inside" DB. The "short" middle Giant drops about 15 yards deep, covering the middle of the field in a “spy” zone. As stated, the two safeties are very deep, splitting the field in half.
But the pass rush is everything on this play. Osi and Justin Tuck run a stunt. Osi is double teamed by LG Mankins and C Koppen. sealing Osi in the middle of the field. Tuck beats Matt Light to the outside, placing himself in position to make the sack. Mike Strahan comes hard to the outside. RT Kaczur steers Strahan past Brady, but Mike, too, is closing in for the sack. But both Tuck and Strahan are too late, as the play is already over.
Alford has been given inside responsibility on the play. As such, he loops out of the three gap into the vacated middle. Patriot RB Kevin Faulk has released from pass blocking responsibilities and speeds through Alford’s now open three gap. The fresh-legged Alford easily beats the obviously exhausted RG Russ Hockstein. With no Patriot help in the backfield, Alford has a clear middle lane to the quarterback. Brady has no chance to get the pass off. The sack is quick, hard, and clean. Third and twenty. Two deep incompletes later, Giants ball. One Giant kneel down: History. Giants 17, Patriots 14.
Big Hitter
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