By Merril Hoge
Special to ESPN.com
Tiki Barber has a better chance of having a more productive game than Jamal Lewis because the Giants will use Barber in the running and passing games while Lewis will be limited to the running game. Even though the Ravens' defense is great, the Giants can put Barber in favorable situations. In the passing game, the Giants will run receivers downfield, spread the secondary and open things up for Barber to run his routes on the linebackers in space. That's an advantage for Barber. With his great acceleration and first step, he can run away from linebackers.
On running plays, the Giants will give him the ball on misdirection plays, forcing the Ravens' defense to readjust and redirect their momentum. If the Giants were lined up in a straight-ahead, smash-mouth style of offense, the Ravens' linebackers would have the advantage. But the Giants won't use Barber that way. When the Giants run the ball, they will run draws, whams, traps and leads and try to keep him on the perimeter, where he is more likely to make big plays.
Lewis is the Ravens' schedule maker. He will run the ball to keep Baltimore's ball-control offense on schedule. Because the Giants' defense is terrific against the run, Lewis may not have opportunities for big runs. The Giants, however, must pay attention to Lewis for 60 minutes. He has the ability to break tackles and the speed to leave defenders behind. That's a great combination, but I don't think he will have the same
opportunities as Barber will.
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By Mark Malone
Special to ESPN.com
Jamal Lewis runs with great power, he's got good feet and tremendous balance. He's been hesitant at time to get into the hole; but that will come with experience. Lewis has gained 1,300 yards and has been the primary reason the Ravens have been able to endure their lack of offense. Lewis has gotten the Ravens to where they are and they are not going to deviate from what has worked: Lewis will run the ball a ton in this game.
The question will be if he can hold up; there will be a lot of excitement, nerves and exhilaration. Plus, getting to the Super Bowl this season has been like playing two back to back college seasons; he's probably a bit worn down. His yards per carry are down-- 4.4 to 3.1 -- from the from the regular season. Lewis will have to put all of those things aside and concentrate on sticking to what has always worked for them. If the Ravens win, Lewis must
have a big game.
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