New York Giants Studs and Duds vs. Dallas Cowboys Week 1

Uani Unga: Dud

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) scores the game winning touchdown as New York Giants linebacker Uani

Any time an undrafted free agent has to start, they will have a lot on their plate. When it is at middle linebacker as the quarterback of the defense, it is an even taller task. That is what Unga, the 27-year old and second year undrafted player, had to do against the Cowboys and it was not pretty.

Unga was replacing the injured Jon Beason, which is hard enough to do in it’s own right when you are not facing a quarterback as savvy as Romo. Romo’s veteran knowledge and savviness showed all night against the inexperienced Unga, especially on the last two drives of the game. Unga struggled to get his teammates into the right position on multiple occasions, even struggling to figure out where he should go himself. This made for easy target practice for Romo.

With Rodgers-Cromartie and Amukamara locking down the perimeter well, Romo decided to pick apart the middle. He lived throughout the game when it mattered most behind the defensive line and in front of the linebackers, namely Unga. He routinely picked Unga out and targeted him in the passing game, as Unga was not quick enough to keep up with the running backs, while his inexperience made problems covering the middle of the field.

Lance Dunbar was a favorite target of Romo, as Unga just couldn’t contain him. Dunbar actually led the Cowboys in receiving Sunday night, catching eight passes for 70 yards. Witten caught the game winning touchdown in front of Unga, has Unga backpedaled into the endzone, showing his inexperience as Witten planted at the goalline and just turned into the endzone after making the catch. He also caught eight passes and went for 60 yards with two touchdowns.

While Unga did pile up 12 tackles to lead the team, his inexperience showed too often and it hurt the Giants. It is hard to imagine all of these some problems cropping up had the more experienced Beason been in the lineup.

Next: Wide Receiver Struggles