How should the Giants approach Saturday?

by Ed Valentine on Dec 26, 2007 7:56 AM EST in New York Giants News

OK, gang, the Christmas celebrating is over. So is the euphoria of beating Buffalo and clinching a playoff berth.

Now comes a tough call. Put yourself in Tom Coughlin's shoes. How do you approach this Saturday's game with the New England Patriots?

The Patriots are, of course, 15-0 with a shot at a historic perfect regular season. At some level, you owe it to the league and the integrity of the game to take your best shot at stopping the Patriots' historic run.

On the other hand, you've been blown out of the playoffs two years in a row. You owe it to your team and your organization to do what is best for the New York Giants. That, of course, would be not to worry about the Patriots at all, rest some of your key players and prepare for Tampa Bay in less than two weeks.

So, what do you do?

• Do you play Plaxico Burress, or rest him in hopes that his chronically injured ankle is a little healthier for the Buccaneers' game?

• What about Brandon Jacobs? The big beast is nursing a sprained ankle, and seems prone to getting hurt. He wants to play Saturday. Do you overrule him and get him fresh for the playoffs?

• Eli Manning? Does he play the whole game? Do you get him a couple of series, hope he does something good and get him out of there? Do you just let Anthony Wright and Jared Lorenzen play and forget about it?

One defense, guys like Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Antonio Pierce could probably use a little rest. Do you play them sparingly, or play them like you normally would?

How about your game plan? Do you put in a Patriots' specific plan and pull out all the stops. Or, do you put in a vanilla game plan, and start adding a few wrinkles that you keep under wraps until you face the Buccaneers?

I know what my answer is. I don't give a hoot about the Patriots' game. Historic implications be damned, that should mean nothing to the Giants.

Do what you have to do to get ready for the Buccaneers. Going all out to beat the Patriots, even if the Giants succeed, will mean nothing if they go to Tampa Bay and get humiliated in a playoff opener for the third year in a row.

If that means I have to watch Lorenzen hand the ball to Reuben Droughns Saturday night, or throw it to David Tyree and Domenic Hixon, so be it.

I care about the Buccaneers, not the Patriots.

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Comments

oh yeah there is a game next week

against the patriots. This game means nothing, if you play starters all you do is risk taking away momentum and focus for Tampa. don't get me wrong i would like nothing more than to see them stop the 'path to perfection' but do it in the Superbowl. Besides this is a good game to get some players feet wet that have not played before. Think the patriots play Starters?

by johnd134 on Dec 26, 2007 9:25 AM EST reply actions

Yes

The patriots will play starters until they are 100% sure that they have won

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by NYERinSF on Dec 27, 2007 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

As I have said before

I don't think you let the Pats come into Giants Stadium and hand them history. Not because you owe something to the league, or to the 72 Dolphins, but just a matter of pride. I think with the exception of resting Plax and Jacobs, you play it like a regular game. Look at it this way: if the weather is good, the way the Pats are playing, the game could be a blowout at halftime anyway, and you can rest your starters in the 2nd half. Other than that, I think the Giants have to put their best team on the field, at least for the first half, and see what happens.

That being said, Giants fans who are auctioning off their tickets to Pats fans should be ashamed of themselves. Sorry to keep beating this drum, but alot of Giants season ticket holders just flat out suck.

Although who knows? Maybe it will feel like a road game to the Giants, and propel them to a win

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 26, 2007 9:28 AM EST reply actions

I'd rest Plax and Jacobs

I'd let the Pillsbury Throwboy play at least a half. We've barely ever seen the guy, but we've kept him around for 3 years or so. It would help to know what he can do. It would help Reese to decide who to bring in to push Eli, something he has to do. I think Reese has as much to do with the team's success this year as anyone. With limited funds, he did a remarkable job. Next year he'll have more room to maneuver in the free agent market. It's too bad he'll probably have to spend significant $ at the QB position (except in the unlikely event Lorenzon proves he can push Eli for playing time), but that's the way it is.

by george cronin on Dec 26, 2007 10:45 AM EST reply actions

rest most guys

but you still prepare and play for this weekend. i agree - the playoffs matter, this game does not, but so do routines, and pride, and avoiding embarrassment, etc. also i have 50 bucks on a side wager with my pats friend made weeks ago that if it came down to it the giants would stop n.e. from going undefeated.

but yeah, to play eli, jacobs and plax more than one quarter of ball is insane.

by DieEaglesDie on Dec 26, 2007 1:48 PM EST reply actions

Play them all!

It's the first Giants game I'm going to in 4 years, I want to see them all!

If I wasn't going, then I think sitting Plax & Jacobs and otherwise playing full strength for a half makes sense.

If I'm going to break them, I'm going to break them both. - LT

by potroast on Dec 26, 2007 3:46 PM EST reply actions

On Saturday...

Rest Burress completely. He doesn't even dress for the game.

Dress Jacobs but use him only in limited situations, play Bradshaw on 65% of your snaps or so. If the guy wants to play and thinks he's ready, it's disrespectful to him not to at least give him a bit of action.

Play Eli. He's not injured and to be honest, he needs to see the pressure that the Patriots will show him. Sitting for a week and getting rusty and losing what timing you have isn't what your QB needs.

I think maybe you give Strahan more plays off than you normally would, but other than that I think you run your normal defense.

Obviously if the game turns out to be a blowout you rest your guys. Weather forecast is chilly and rainy and with a solid running game and good defense anything can happen, though.

by Josh @ Big Blue View on Dec 26, 2007 4:21 PM EST reply actions

Oh, and...

The people who are selling/auctioning their tickets to Pats fans should have their season tickets revoked.

by Josh @ Big Blue View on Dec 26, 2007 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Hmm

How can you advocate the Giants put out a weakened team where they rest starters... but then fault Giants fans for giving their tix away? If the team doesn't care why should the fans? And by the way I speak from experience because the Eagles have rested starters whenever they've had the chance in the final weeks of a season. I would say the same thing to Eagles fans selling those tix. They're expensive and if the team isn't going to even try to win, you might as well sell the tix and use the $$$ to pay for playoff tix.

Plus, I must disagree with your general point. You can't play your QB and rest his weapons. If you want to get Eli hurt or further ruin his confidence, then you throw him out against the Patriots without guys like Burress & Jacobs. If those guys are going to rest you have to give him off as well.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Dec 26, 2007 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

BGN

Thank you. You are right. You cannot throw Eli out there without his weapons. At most, let 'em play a quarter or so and get 'em outta there. I don't care who is going, who is selling tickets, whether the Patriots go 16-0 or what network the stupid game is on. This game is absolutely meaningless, pretty much like any pre-season game the Giants play. The Giants MUST focus on whatever they need to do to be sharp for Tampa Bay. It's time for this team to take a step forward, and to do that they have to beat the Buccaneers -- not the Patriots.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 26, 2007 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

resting his weapons

I'm advocating resting Burress and Jacobs because they're banged up, not as some sort of punishment to Eli. It shouldn't be much of a loss to him since Toomer is the only one who can catch the ball at the moment in any case.

by Josh @ Big Blue View on Dec 27, 2007 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Ther's exactly only one way

we get to the Superbowl this year!
First , I know all to well first hand about badly sprained ankles..........They take a year to get better, resting Plax and Brandon won't help.
Do you think right now we can go to Dallas or Green Bay and knock the crap out of them......I don't.
HOWEVER.......Just say we can come up with and execute a plan to beat the Pats........Once again there's only one way that can happen......I'm not so dillusional to be too optomistic about this BUT.......If our D goes out and sets a tone by knocking the snot out of everyone in another jersey, it might...just might be possible. Is it at all just possible Osi, Stray and Tuck get so fired up that they treat Tom "pretty boy " Brady somewhat rudely? I bet he can't hit Moss in stride while he's on his back............Ok maybe he can , but we could put Randy on his ass at the line (maybe?).God forbid we go and actually knock one of the two out cold. The quickest way to the Patriots heart is through Brady's F****ing sternum.
On offense a well managed run game such as the one that held the ball for 40 something minutes in our last Superbowl win would be the only way I can see the Giants possibly pulling off the upset of the century. Actually I do believe we have the line and the backs to do it!That and a few well thrown passes down the field to keep things honest whether the're completed or not( let those old bastards on the Pats D run a bit for their money.
You can bet that any man worth his salt is not going to be the only team to beat the Patriots and not fight like hell to get back and do it again at the Bowl.
So of course my answer is to go out there like men and roar in to the playoffs instead of ass first like has been the case around here the past couple of years.........If your going out there you might as well try........

by big blue wrecking crew on Dec 26, 2007 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Hello everyone. I just signed up here.

WooHoo. The game will be on CBS and Nbc besides the NFL Network.

by Flagmenfan on Dec 26, 2007 6:14 PM EST reply actions

Welcome aboard!

That's good news. I hadn't seen that yet.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 26, 2007 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

Given a choice

between an unlikely win Saturday (14 point underdogs) and exposing the starters to injury in a statistically meaningless game, and a real shot against a beatable Tampa Bay team next week, it's a no-brainer. Sit Plax and Jacobs at a minimum.

by django48 on Dec 26, 2007 8:21 PM EST reply actions

I don't think any one team

owes anything to the league and the integrity of the game. The league was built by teams like Big Blue. The times have changed; therefore, the way things get handled usually changes.
Sit the starters down and let the scrubs take the field. I understand about being a ticketholder and how this situation could piss off anyone, but several key players on our team need time off. Will it help? There's a lot better chance of it helping than hurting. And how can Eli get any worse? Heck, the only way he can go is up!

Rest 'em. Sit 'em and get them ready for the Bucs.
Let the press worry about the rest.

A plethora of other teams had a chance to beat the Patriots when those games actually counted for something. It doesn't fall on our shoulders now just because no one else could beat them when the games meant something, earlier in the season.

by GAgiantfan on Dec 26, 2007 8:24 PM EST reply actions

How to play the Pats....

I've always felt that not trying to win a game this close to the playoffs is dangerous to the momentum of the team, even if the game doesn't matter. Besides,If we could manage to beat them it would provide us years of happiness, watching the replay on the NFL channel.

Of course Plaxico and Jacobs should be rested. It just doesn't make sense to espose them to possible aggrevation of their injuries.

That said I suggest that we use the game to try to whip Eli into a groove for the upcoming playoff game. We already know we can run the ball. Let's spend the game airing it out, running just enough to keep the rush down. It's a great opportunity for Smith, Boss, and Moss to get some real attention from Eli.

Maybe, just maybe, Eli will start humming the ball the way he did early in the year. Besides it will give the O line a chance to work hard on their pass protection.

by giant fan since 57 on Dec 27, 2007 6:24 AM EST reply actions

Full strength

It sounds like the Giants are going full strength for this game from the reports. After reading everyone's side I think that's the right way to do it. Eli needs the work right now, Plax and the trainers have said a million times this year that rest won't help, and Jacobs looks jacked up for this game. Plus he should be finally splitting carries with Bradshaw anyway. If the Pats start winning in a blowout, which there is a very good chance, then start sitting people.

If I'm going to break them, I'm going to break them both. - LT

by potroast on Dec 27, 2007 11:39 AM EST reply actions

just to preface...

i am not a giants fan. i am a kansas city chiefs fan. i could care less about this game, except for one thing. i want the patriots to lose. it isnt because of the cheating, and it isnt because of the freakin 72 dolphins.

however, you need to try and win the game. you guys have a really good team this year, but not good enough to beat the packers. or the cowboys. you most likely will not make the super bowl, much less the winner of the buzzsaw that is the AFC playoffs. 25 years from now, nobody will remember this giants team. they will be forgotten along with every other non-super bowl-winning team that got into the playoffs, only to lose at some point or another.

however, were you to snap the patriots streak, the streak of domination that ESPN has claimed unbreakable, this giants team will forever be remembered. this team will become a part of football lore, the patriots unbeaten streak snapped on the last week of the season, a saturday, with the entire nation watching. the entire country, outside of patriots fans, are on your side for this one saturday.

---

but i understand if you disagree with that sentiment. no team should feel obligated to win a game for the good of the league, that isnt why i think you should win, and if you couldnt care less about the streak than it means nothing.

however, the more important facet of the argument is just how is this team better off by resting starters? more often than not, teams that do this lose momentum and play worse in the playoffs than before the week of rest. football is about rhythm and routine, and to scrap that to "prevent injury" isnt exactly the best strategy. it is one thing to bench plaxico and brandon because of their consistent injuries, an extra week of rest would surely do them plenty of good. but to rest the rest of the team, just to gear them up for the playoffs, is stupid IMO. there is more of a downside, and less of an upside, to the alternative.

---

i understand if this is falling on deaf ears. if the chiefs were in the same position, im not sure how i would feel. but i am pretty sure i would advocate trying to stop history and playing to win the game.

as herm edwards, who is always good for a good quote no matter how bad of a coach he is, is famous for saying:

"you play to WIN THE GAME!"

you dont play to rest up your starters for a roadtrip to an average tampa bay buccaneers team, or play J-LO to "see what we have". that is what preseason games are for. this isnt a preseason game. this is week 17 of the nfl season, the time of year when winners win and losers give up and rest.

whether you try to win or not, i will be rooting for you. i hate the patriots...

by rockchalktalk on Dec 27, 2007 2:06 PM EST reply actions

Rock

You make a very, very good point. The Giants are not winning the Super Bowl, so they could be remembered for winning this game. However, the players and coaches can't think like that. They need to think about trying to win it all, so I won't blame them if they start resting guys. Oh, and please, no rallying cries from Herm Edwards. LOL!!!

by Ed Valentine on Dec 27, 2007 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

As to whether or

not the team would fare better if we rest the team for this game - it is no more than opinion.

No one knows how it will affect the team. Just like no one knew how Jim Fassel's guarantee would affect the team then.

The facts are this, though:

This game means nothing to us at this point, regular season or playoff-wise. Our spot is secure and won't change as a result of any outcome in this game.
What we DO stand to lose is more players. If they're on the field, there's a much better chance they'll get hurt. That's a fact.

Rest e'm all. From the first to the fourth.

Forget about history. There were a whole bunch of teams before us, when it really counted, who had a chance to beat the Patriots. It's not our fault, nor does it rest on our shoulders because, they didn't.

by GAgiantfan on Dec 27, 2007 4:45 PM EST reply actions

Damn......

Just go in there and stomp the path to perfection. The more this week goes on the more i see this being a definition of The New York Giants. To posture the team in any other way would not be helping them prepare for the playoffs. Would you all not agree that this is not really a team that rests and comes out swinging? Momentum and surge is more what keeps this beast at it's best.Maybe i am just buying into the hype of this weekend. Perhaps to adhere to caution would be best. It just seems it would be better suited to continue the last quarter of the last game and plow into Tampa.

by johnd134 on Dec 28, 2007 2:21 AM EST reply actions