Blog

In any game there are highs and lows, and being able to bounce back from the lows is a key to winning. Against the Giants I thought we were doing what we were supposed to be doing, we were executing and we didn’t have any mental breakdowns until the third quarter. That’s the one I would like to have back.

Coming out of halftime the Giants were able to make some plays on us and score 17 unanswered points. We have to be strong in those moments when things are not going well and someone has to step up and make a play to stop a drive. We didn’t do that.

It all starts with not having enough pressure on the quarterback. We came after Eli Manning a couple times but weren’t able to get him off his spot. He stayed in his comfort zone the whole game. I don’t think he played great but he was efficient enough to win the game.

I really don’t think we lost because of what the Giants did, I think it’s more so what we didn’t do.

We will learn from this and get better. I thought our linebackers did a great job, I thought Dan Connor played a great game.

I will say this, I’m not a fan of the turf at the new Meadowlands Stadium. I don’t know if it hasn’t settled or what, but it was very slick. A lot of players complained during the preseason and I see firsthand what they were talking about. You could see it in the Jets’ Monday Night game, many defensive players had a tough time maintaining their footing and that always favors the offense.

We’re home against Tampa Bay this weekend and it will be a good game for us to bounce back. When you have a young team like we do, one thing that can really get you going is to have the home crowd behind you. This is a divisional game against a worthy opponent and it’s always a grudge match when we play the Bucs. We know each other well. It would be great to get that first win at home and get some momentum.

After coming out last season and digging a hole that we could not climb out of, we want to get back on track fast. This morning there are 16 teams that are 0-1 so there’s no reason to panic. But we know we have to go back to the drawing board, so we’re focusing on Tampa and we’re going to go out and try to build on the positives that we had last week.

Carolina Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Jon Beason writes a blog for www.playerpress.com at www.jonbeason.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jonbeason.