Friday’s Giants Links
The big debate about rest continues everywhere. I disagree with Coach Coughlin, but it is not my desicion to make. There are too many reasons not to start all of their starters. But, if T.C. wants Plaxico, Brandon, and the gang to play all out then I’m going to root for them to win the game. The first goal of the season (making the Playoffs) has already been accomplished. I believe that Coughlin “must” win a Playoff game to keep his job. With his job on the line, I don’t know why he sees this as relevant. I believe that we ”should” beat the Bucs. Everything after that is only “possible”. It is “possible” that they can beat the Cowboys and/or Packers. Since both of those teams aren’t playing as well as earlier in the season, the Giants “can” beat those two teams if they are healthy and rested. As far as Eli needing to get hot for the Playoffs, he hasn’t played hot in the second half of any season he’s played in so I don’t expect him to get hot tomorrow. He needs to hit the gym in the offseason to last an entire season. The Pats have a better chance of confusing Eli more than he already is than Eli has of having a good game. He needs to have a good game for the team to win since Plaxico is a non-factor and Shockey is out, Eli has less people to throw to which will make the offense predictable and the Pats defensive backs will jump the routes and make pics. Coughlin’s method of winning a first round Playoff game has not worked the last two seasons so I do feel like he should be more open to change. Go Giants!
Fearless - In this article by Michael Eisen, he states that Jon Gruden already announced that many of his starters will not play in Week 17. So, when Big Blue has to play the Bucs, they’ll be fresh and the Jints won’t be. That’s advantage Bucs. The only reason I would want the Giants to go all out tomorrow is if they were a 1 or 2 seed with a bye week.
Keeping your eye on the prize - This is a great article which I completely agree with regarding the debate between Week 17 and Wild Card weekend.
Newsday:
Giants’ defense eager to face explosive Patriots
Brady to Coughlin: Rest your defensive linemen - I read an article similar to this in the Post. Tom Brady said that Michael and Osi should sit out this game. That was pretty funny to me. In this article, Newsday had this to say about Brady “Brady is the biggest reason the Patriots got there.” How can Newsday believe that Moss is the MVP if Brady is the biggest reason the Pats got there?
Moss the real Pats MVP? - This is a stupid question. Moss is really good, but the Pats 3 other really good receivers this offseason which contributed to the success of the season. Brady has been doing this for years without Moss. In the meantime, Moss was pathetic and saying “I’ll play when I want to play”. That is classless which is not what an MVP is about.
Fans sell tix, Giants lose home field - The Giants losing home field is obviously an overstatement. 80,000 fans are not selling their tickets. Maybe a few thousand. Who cares anyways? The Giants play much better when they are booed anyway. So let a few Pats fans in there to boo them.
‘Santa’ Belichick graces cover of Sports Illustrated - The worst part of the article is that Newsday didn’t not provide an image of the cover.
Hello-o-o! Giants will play to win the game
New York Daily News:
Giants’ defense in a rush to defy Pats
Drug agents file suit against NFL
Boston getting used to idea of beating New York following so much heartbreak
Giants want to shove Pats off throne
Inside the Matchups: Week 17 - Jim Rich picked the Patriots and the under.
New York Post:
IT’S EASY TO DESPISE A TEAM LIKE HATRIOTS
New York Times:
Seeing Vulnerability in N.F.C. Foes, Giants Are Confident
The Star-Ledger:
A perfect reason to root against Pats
Moss, Patriots make a love connection
Bradshaw can’t rest on his laurels
Pierce says Patriots should be stressing - Don’t be fooled by the title because Pierce didn’t say that.
Coughlin draws Belichick’s praise
