Newer, Friendlier TC

Dear Daves and PK,

 

Ah, Winston Justice.  We love that guy.  Meanwhile, Osi has barely been heard from since.  And with Kiwi out for the season, the front seven is not as formidable as they can be going forward.

 

But it is the defense coming together in week 3 under the leadership of Michael Strahan, and that miracle goal line stand in Raljon against the Redskins, that has made the Giants the team they are.

 

The Giants are 7 - 3.  That is tremendous.  But haven't we already seen what happens next?

 

Giants fans are obviously very pleased with this record.  In our wildest dreams before the season, never did us fans expect the G-Men to be in such a position.  Add considering the fact that the only teams the Giants have lost to, the Cowboys and Packers, have two losses combined and are the top two teams in the NFC, we have every reason to expect a playoff slot.  After last week's road win in Detroit, the Giants are technically the third best team in the NFC.

 

Then why does this doubt remain?  Because of the annual end of season Coughlin crumble.  Coughlin's second-half record with the Giants is 8-17 over four years.  The team has been unable to close out a season.  They can't take the pressure.  There is the constant fear that one bad week could set in motion the inevitable downward spiral. 

 

This Sunday will be critical for Coughlin to show the world something. Last week, the Giants let the Lions hang around all game, and gave them not one, but two chances to win in the last three minutes.  Luckily, the Lions proved that they were not as good as advertised and the Giants defense pulled off two great interceptions.  But this week, I hope the Giants put a beating on a weaker opponent at home.  41-0 sounds about right.

 

The team needs to put some more points on the board.  Too many red zone turnovers, and field goals where touchdowns should be.  Offensively the Giants have had weapons.  But now there are obstacles everywhere you look.  Brandon Jacobs' hammy injury will sideline him for a while.  Ward will likely remain out.  So they are starting Reuben Droughns at tailback.  The receiving corps could be solid, but Amani is a year older, Plaxico has not practiced all year, Steve Smith is nonexistent, and for some reason they choose not to involve Sinorice Moss.  Montclair High standout wideout/special teams master David Tyree has remained on the sidelines.  Shockey has gotten some big yards, but mostly 7-9 yard outs, not enough muscling for first downs like we know he can. 

 

Eli Manning will have to deliver, and deliver big.  He needs to shake that blank stare off his face and toss the ball down the field.  If he can close out this season and win a playoff game on the road, then I believe he can be the QB of the future.  But if they crash and burn again, then it is not necessarily the time to pull the plug, but certainly we need to assess what is out there.

 

But the key is Coughlin.  Six games to go (wait, one is against New England), so there are really five games to go.  They need to win three, but they have the ability to take all five.  Beat Minnesota.  Win in Chicago or Buffalo.  And split with the Eagles and Redskins will get you there easily.

 

I hope that this newer, more laidback Coughlin does the trick.  With the whole country watching, and the New York media on his back, maybe he realized that the pressurized locker room he ran wasn't helping that fact that the team burst at the seams every year.  Maybe the newer, friendlier TC will be the change necessary to take this team to the next level.

 

-- Ben