Giants at Browns: Players to Watch

The New York Giants are playing as a well-oiled machine after four games in 2008. The Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, are arguably the most disappointing team in the league. Even the most pessimistic Cleveland fan could not have predicted a 1-3 start. In theory, the Giants should have little difficulty getting to 5-0. I'll get into that more during tomorrow's preview. For now, here are a few players to watch out for on Monday night.

Plaxico Burress

You may remember Plaxico Burress from such performances as the Giants versus the Rams in week 2 of 2008 or Super Bowl XLII. Sure, Burress didn't necessarily say all the right things coming off of his suspension. All will be forgiven when he's got over 100 yards receiving and one touchdown...in the first half against the Browns.

Seriously. Do you think Eric Wright or Brandon McDonald are going to stop Burress? For those of you unfamiliar with the Browns, number 21, the guy who will stare at Burress as he coasts down the sideline, is Brodney Pool.

Derrick Ward

The only thing the Browns defense handles worse than "change of pace" running backs are play action screen passes. This should mean a big day for Ward, especially on second/third and long situations. Cleveland is 22 in the league in defending the run, bad news for a team facing the trio of Ward, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw on a cold Monday night along Lake Erie. Don't be surprised if Ward finishes with 150 yards of total offense and a score against the Browns.

Domenik Hixon

Hixon is a different "Player to Watch" than normal. He is expected to play against the Browns after suffering a first half concussion against Seattle last Sunday. While some of us have been talking about Hixon since August, the rest of the country caught on after his four catch/102 yards/one touchdown that could have been two performance last week, all in the first (less than) 30 minutes of the game. With Burress back, though, it will be interesting to see how Hixon will be used. If nothing else, he should at least be back to returning punts.

Just say no to McQuarters.

The entire defensive line