Please, trash that route. It should be taken out of every playbook from high school to the NFL. It's a short, five-yard out from the slot position, but the receiver never has a chance to square up and face the defender.
He either gets slammed in the back, or gets some defensive back cramming a helmet into his chest. It stinks, and a lot of receivers end up getting hurt, which is why Mason, already playing with an injured shoulder, limped away holding his thigh.
Go Figurs
We've seen enough of return specialist Yamon Figurs. In two years, he still can't decide when to fair catch or when to run it back.
The Ravens get so desperate for a play that they bring in Reed, their Pro Bowl safety, to return punts. That's a shame. The Ravens should either make Figurs improve, or put him on the bench.
Working the refs
Giants coach Tom Coughlin controlled the pace of this game, and worked the officials from the sideline. He spent more time on the field than the players.
As soon as he threw the red flag late in the third quarter, you knew the officials were going to overturn Rolle's interceptions. By then, he already had them in his hip pocket.
Harbaugh might want to review the tape of Coughlin on the sidelines, and pick up a few pointers.
Fill-ins produce
You knew the Ravens were in trouble on the Giants' first possession of the second quarter.
The Giants went 90 yards on 12 plays with Jacobs in the locker room getting his ankle taped, and right tackle Kareem McKenzie, one of their best linemen, on the sideline getting his knee wrapped.
Too low
Regardless of what Matt Stover says, there is no excuse for him having a field goal blocked by Fred Robbins' armpit in the first quarter.
Tattoo, from "Fantasy Island" fame, could have blocked that one.
Picking their spots
The Giants did a nice job of taking advantage of their matchups. They went after Rolle with receiver Plaxico Burress on fade routes. Burress has a five-inch height advantage on Rolle.
When New York wanted to go downfield, they went after cornerback Fabian Washington, who has become the starter with Chris McAlister on injured reserve. That's good coaching.
Listen to Mike Preston every Monday from 4 to 6 pm on Fox Sports (1370-AM).
