Giants Q&A: Blackburn back with new number
Chase Blackburn of the New York Giants celebrates after he caught an interception in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers. (Dec. 4, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
Who the heck is No. 93?
That's Chase Blackburn, and if you had trouble placing the former Giants linebacker and special-teams captain in his new number, you weren't alone. "[Aaron Rodgers] said, 'I didn't recognize you in that 93; you were hiding on me,' " Blackburn said after playing most of the defensive snaps and coming up with a key interception of Rodgers in the second quarter to set up a touchdown. Blackburn, who wore 57 for his first six seasons with the team, was credited with five defensive tackles and two on special teams.
Blackburn just signed with the Giants on Wednesday and he was calling the defensive plays in the huddle?
Sure, why not? "That's what I've done in the past," he said. "It's really not a big deal. It wasn't anything different."
The difference, of course, is that he spent the first 11 games watching from his couch at home and suddenly found himself in the midst of a thriller against an undefeated defending Super Bowl champion. He said he had his notes at home from last year, though, which he had been brushing up on from time to time during his time away from football.
What happened to Kenny Phillips?
The safety injured his right knee in the second quarter, an injury that is believed to be an MCL sprain that would keep him out for a few weeks. "[My] ACL is good," he said briefly as he left MetLife Stadium. "I've got to get an MRI in the morning to make sure I'm all right."
Who's the newest 1,000-yard receiver for the Giants?
That would be Victor Cruz, who took care of the milestone early with a 42-yard reception in the first quarter and finished the game with seven receptions for 119 yards. He has a team-high 62 catches for 1,076 yards this season. The team record of 1,343 yards in a season, set by Amani Toomer in 2002, certainly is within reach.
Why the shake-up on the offensive line?
Two situations, both of which caught the Giants by surprise.
First, Stacy Andrews had to be taken to the hospital Saturday night with pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. The blood clots are thought to have originated in his legs, broken up and traveled to his lungs. The 30-year-old lineman is expected to be released from the hospital Monday, but his availability for the rest of the season certainly is in doubt.
Then, just before the game, starting center David Baas had to be scratched because of headaches. That meant guard Kevin Boothe slid over to center and second-year player Mitch Petrus had to make his first career start at left guard.
Who is in fourth place on the Giants' all-time rushing list?
Brandon Jacobs (4,657) moved into that spot, dashing past Alex Webster (4,638), who was at the game and was one of five players inducted into the team's Ring of Honor. Jacobs is unlikely to reach third place on the list, currently held by Joe Morris (5,296).
