Oct 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of the New York Giants helmet of guard Chris Snee (not pictured) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

2013 NFL Draft Picks

2012 Draft Recap

1.32 David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
2.31 Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
3.31 Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
4.32 Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati
4.36 Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn
6.31 Matt McCants, OT, UAB
7.32 Markus Kuhn, DT, North Carolina State

Biggest Needs

Guard

Defensive tackle

Middle linebacker

Offensive tackle

*Wide receiver

 *Based on re-signing Victor Cruz

If the New York Giants want to get back to the Super Bowl after missing the playoffs completely in 2013, then they’ll need to hit a home-run with their first-rounder, and in this draft, there’s still plenty of immediate-impact prospects still on the board. Upgrading the offensive line is the most glaring need, but if the Giants don’t feel they’ll be able to sign restricted free agent receiver Victor Cruz to a long-term deal, then WR becomes a more immediate need.

Adding some beef on the interior of the defensive line is also a good option here. At this point, the odds seem to favor the Giants upgrading the trenches here, whether int be on the offensive or defensive line.

Previous Pick: Cowboys- Johnathan Cooper, G, UNC

Next Up: Chicago Bears

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Nov 11, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) is congratulated by quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after scoring during the first half against the New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

As the glow from Paul Brown Stadium wears down, the Bengals are reflecting in the completion of a game plan that was implemented last week against the Broncos and the elder Manning but executed this week against the Giants and the younger Manning.

Taking advantage of a much weaker offensive line, the Bengals defensive front pressured Eli Manning into some terrible decisions. In addition to his huge impact in run defense, nose tackle Pat Sims snagged an interception off one of many Geno Atkins pressures. Atkins spent a good portion of the game in the Giants backfield, but defensive end Carlos Dunlap turned in what was easily his best performance of the season.

Dunlap finished with 1.5 sacks, but more importantly played the run very well in a big step towards proving he can be an every down player. The defensive line as a whole played a huge part in the win, as Manning’s other interception was a horrendous throw under duress. Nate Clements was the lucky recipient of that miscue.

The Bengals secondary was huge, as well. Leon Hall played his usual tough, physical brand of football. He shadowed Victor Cruz throughout the game and shut down one of the best slot receivers in the game. Hall has slowly worked himself back to his pre-Achilles injury status of a shutdown corner, and eliminating Cruz without a dedicated bracketing safety was a big reason the Bengals stymied the Giants offense.

That is not to say that he was the only outstanding corner, because Adam Jones played the best game he ever has in stripes. His punt return will make the highlight reels, but he played man coverage within inches of his designated receiver and showed outstanding instincts in zone, disrupting passes with excellent instincts and closing speed. Bengal nation is praying that when he left the game with a calf injury it was mostly precautionary.

On the offensive side of the ball, the line shut down the vaunted Giants pass rush. Undrafted rookie Trevor Robinson has improved with every snap that he has played and makes the coaching staff feel better about letting Kyle Cook mend at his own pace. Robinson might not be the all-around center that Cook is, but his rough edges become smoother with each contest. Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith were impenetrable barriers on the edge, and guards Clint Boling and Kevin Zeitler played heady football picking up the blitzes and twists that the Giants threw at them.

With that solid protection, Andy Dalton played his best game of the season. His ball placement was the genesis of many of the biggest plays of the game, especially in his touchdown pass to Andrew Hawkins. Even though it was late in an out route, he threw it past the defender but still in a spot where Hawkins could reach it.

Big win! Who Dey!

— Andy Dalton (@andydalton14) November 11, 2012

Who dey!!! instagr.am/p/R6Axjqjq6T/

— Aj Green (@ajgreen_18) November 11, 2012

Great win! Great atmosphere! Thanks fans for getting loud! Celebrating at Nada

— Kevin Zeitler (@kzeit70) November 11, 2012

 

Great win today..The fans were great today #WHODEY

— Emmanuel Lamur (@EmanLamur) November 11, 2012

Great Team Win Today, we were clicking on all phases of the game. #WhoDey

— Geno Atkins (@GenoSacks) November 11, 2012

Great win today!!! #WHODEY thanks for ur support

— Bruce Gradkowski (@bgradkowski5) November 11, 2012

S/o to all the Bengalnation y’all were loud as hell today at PBS appreciate that!Great win today let’s keep it going one at a time!#BELIEVE

— Domata Peko (@DomataPeko) November 11, 2012

Adam Jones: “The emphasis was we got to f—-n win a game. That was probably our first game playing relentless football for 60 minutes.”

— Bengals RapidReports (@CBSBengals) November 11, 2012

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