Let's start today's look around the Inter-Google at what is being written about our New York Giants with the best thing you will read all week about Sunday's game with the Philadelphia Eagles. I wish I had written this first item myself. What I really want to know is, why didn't I?
Eagles can’t be beat, so why should Giants try - NYPOST.com
All will not be lost for the Giants after they lose Sunday night in Philadelphia. Sure, they won’t be in first place anymore, but they will be only one game behind the awesome Eagles and heck, a wild card playoff berth still represents progress after last season’s meltdown.
Of course, the Giants hope they aren’t embarrassed like the Redskins were in the 59-28 annihilation Monday at FedEx Field. But if the Giants can at least compete with the Super Bowl-bound Eagles, hold the incomparable Michael Vick to mortal numbers — and not the six touchdowns, 332 passing yards and 80 rushing yards he amassed in eradicating the Skins — it will be something to build on for the remaining six games.
Exactly. What's the point? With that as backdrop, I give you a little musical interlude. I was going to save this for Sunday's 'mood music,' but it fits perfectly. Maybe we will just call it this week's mood music. Sorry about the intro to this one, but it's the best I could find.
"We were like pit bulls, ready to get out of the cage."
I have to think Eagles' wide receiver DeSean Jackson wishes he had chosen different words to describe Philadelphia's victory over Washington Monday night.
Moving on to some discussion of Giants' left tackle Shawn Andrews ... and Eagles trolls here at BBV.
Leave the trolls along, gang. We know there is a ton of resentment of Andrews from Eagles' fans, we know they are here largely just to annoy you and we know Andrews has played well for the Giants. So, just leave them to their hatred. They want a fight, so don't give them one.
Instead, how about a 'Kudos' for Philadelphia coach Andy Reid? He had some classy things to say about Andrews in his Wednesday conference call with reporters.
"I'm proud of him and to come back from what he had - what a tribute to hard work right there. I said this often when he was with us, that I had never seen an offensive lineman that was as talented as Shawn Andrews and I've seen a few offensive linemen, I've played the position, I've coached it, I'm very familiar with the guys that have come through the league," Reid said. "He's as talented a guy as ever and then he had that series of injuries and he came back, but it took a long time and he worked his tail off and he came back and I'm proud of him for that.
"He's a tough kid. He comes off with that great personality, but he's a tough kid and he's worked through things and things have worked out for him and it was just a matter of time and sometimes in this business it's hard to wait, but he kept going and kept at it and chipped away at it and got himself back."
Thank you, Andy. Now, let's just hope Andrews' back issue is only minor and he is ready to match up with Philly's Trent Cole on Sunday.
Giants' coach Tom Coughlin knows that to win Sunday his team cannot turn the ball over. He has been preaching taking better care of the ball all season, and Wednesday he was about as pointed with the message as he has been all season.
"I don't want to turn the ball over any more. I'm tired of that stuff. I told the players that this morning. When you look at them, they're plus-12 and we're minus-five," Coughlin said.
Quarterback Eli Manning also addressed the turnover issue on Wednesday.
"You can't give the ball to the other team. We had two last week that are on me, two interceptions. So, we have to find ways," Manning said. "You have to take care of the ball. You can't give their offense easy field position and momentum. Obviously they're very talented and do a good job mixing blitz with coverage and disguising. Everybody has to be on the same page and everybody has to know exactly what's going on, when you're protected, when you're hot, and everyone knowing who their responsible for in their protections. We have to run the ball and be effective, don't go backwards, and be consistent. Take what they give you."