| It’s not Mark McGwire chasing Babe
Ruth’s home-run record in 1998, but Giants DE Michael Strahan’s pursuit of Mark
Gastineau’s NFL sack record this season has been a display of dominance nonetheless. With
one sack in Sunday’s game against the Packers at Giants Stadium, Strahan would break
Gastineau’s single-season mark of 22, set in ’84. It appeared that Strahan would
fall short entering his matchup last week against nemesis Jon Runyan of the Eagles. But
Strahan won the battle, recording 3½ sacks in the first half alone, giving him 21½ on
the year, a new Giants single-season record.
Entering the season, Pro Football Weekly personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum ranked
Strahan as the No. 1 defensive end in the game. That hadn’t changed as of late
October, when NFL insiders tabbed Strahan in PFW as the league’s most dominating
defensive player. Since then, Strahan has only reinforced that belief.
Said Buchsbaum in November: "I’ve never seen a defensive lineman play better
than he’s played thus far. He’s destroying people with speed, quickness,
finesse, power, rip move — a little of everything. He’s been in the league eight
years; they know what he can do. They only way to block him is with the Russian
Army."
This week Strahan will face Packers ORT Mark Tauscher, a second-year pro out of
Wisconsin. But Tauscher won’t be alone. He’s likely to receive some help at
times, and in the end, whether Strahan breaks the record will largely depend on Packers QB
Brett Favre. After all, he’ll be the one holding the ball.
But according to Favre, Strahan is all but assured of making history Sunday.
"We’re going to do everything we can to keep him out, but I don’t know
if we’re going to keep him away from the record," Favre said of his offseason
golfing buddy. "I might give it to him early. I want to say, ‘Give it to
him,’ ask him if he’ll take the next three quarters off. Work out a little side
deal."
The Packers have protected Favre very well this season, allowing only 21 sacks through
15 games. Green Bay’s percentage of sacks allowed is the third-lowest in the league.
Favre himself is part of the reason for the solid protection. His ability to improvise
outside the pocket and buy time for his receivers is key to keeping him upright.
But the offensive line’s performance has sagged a bit since ORG Marco Rivera broke
his right hand. When he’s needed a breather, Tauscher has moved inside, with veteran
Earl Dotson entering the game at tackle. So all three likely will face Strahan at one time
or another.
For the most part, though, it will be Tauscher’s show.
"We have a lot of confidence in Tausch," Packers OL coach Larry Beightol
said. "I think that he’ll certainly do well. You know, he also has to prepare at
guard because Marco is still not at 100 percent. So he’s not able to just focus in on
one area. But he’ll do fine, I believe. I have no qualms. We’re not planning on
doing a lot of extra stuff."
According to Beightol, Tauscher has been more than solid as a pass blocker. He has
exceptional balance, strong legs and thighs, and he can anchor when other linemen might
not be able to. Tauscher also has blocked well for the run and can pull.
"He’s had an outstanding year," Beightol said. "For a second-year
guy to step in there and play both spots (tackle and guard), which he has the last five
games, is impressive. You know, he’s not given credit for being a good athlete
because of his body structure, but he’s a lot better athlete than people give him
credit for. He’s able to pull and do all the things we want him to do."
Strahan has shown a great deal of respect for Tauscher, who is sometimes teased for his
resemblance to the Pillsbury Doughboy.
"He may not look like much of an athlete," Strahan said, "but he
definitely can play. It is never easy to get a sack. They have a quarterback that I
consider a friend, a guy I have known for quite a few years and somebody I know is a tough
guy to get in the first place. It is not only Tauscher, it is Brett and that whole line.
Those guys are playing really well right now. It is one of the best offenses in the
league."
And Strahan is one of the best defensive ends in the league.
Check that: the best. |
