Secondary ready for Ocho Cinco and Houshmandzadeh
New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster got a quizzical look in his eye when asked if he was wary about facing Pro Bowl receivers Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh of the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The two talented receivers have been limited to 11 receptions for 129 yards and no touchdowns in two losing efforts this season, and there is no doubt they are due for a big game.
The Giants and their defensive backs aren't so sure it will be this week.
"We have a lot of good ones (receivers) we go up against in practice every day,"
Webster said, referring to Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress. "Each guy brings a different look. The two they have are both playmakers, but we see enough receivers that I think we can adjust to what they do on the field."
Most of the defensive backs have had to spend extra time watching films of Ocho Cinco — the former Chad Johnson — and Houshmandzadeh this week because they have never faced them in an NFL game.
The last time the Giants and Bengals played was in 2004 and most of the defensive backs — Webster and fellow cornerbacks Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery, safeties Michael Johnson, James Butler and Kenny Phillips — weren't in the league.
The only DBs who were around were veteran cornerbacks Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters and safety Sammy Knight. Madison and McQuarters did not play last week.
The consensus is that Ocho Cinco is quicker and more of a deep threat. Houshmandzadeh is a possession receiver who has the potential to break a play after the catch.
"I wouldn't say we're wary of them, but those two guys are great receivers and they have not put up the numbers they would like, just like the team,"
Dockery said. "Any time, either one or both of those guys can explode. We just have been working hard all week to make sure they don't break out this week."
The Giants' defensive approach doesn't change much with the opponent.
Steve Spagnuolo's defense starts with taking away the run and trying to make an opponent one-dimensional. Once that's accomplished, the front line can pressure the quarterback.
"Our job is to guard them, don't let them catch the ball,"
Ross said. "You go into the game the same as any other. You don't let them catch the ball and you'll be all right."
Cincinnati has not helped itself in losing its first two games. The Bengals are just 5-of-26 on third-down conversions. Ocho Cinco said the Bengals need to start fast on Sunday, possibly throwing some quick slants and outs against Webster and Ross.
"I have watched a lot of film on them. I looked at a lot of things that they do, and they have played very well within the scheme of what the Giants do defensively,"
Ocho Cinco said. "Aaron is very good, Corey is very good, I have seen them play against some of the other top guys in the NFL before and they have held their own."
The key is to be consistent and "be sharp in and out of my breaks,"
he said.
While the defensive backs will be the main focus against Houshmandzadeh and Ocho Cinco, the defensive line is also feeling the pressure to stop them and quarterback Carson Palmer.
"When you have weapons like that plus a quarterback who is very talented, you have to step it up,"
defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka said. "They have helped us out with great coverage the last two weeks. We know if they are being pressed or challenged we are going to do the same for them."
