The End

The debate today is whether AJ Feeley should remain the starter for next week’s game vs. the Seahawks or whether Donovan McNabb should reclaim his starting job if he is healthy enough to play. The debate will be a boon to WIP and there will be lots of breathless coverage on whether McNabb practices this week, etc. blah, blah, blah.

 

It’s a short-sighted conversation. The larger issue is that last night’s game probably hastened McNabb’s departure from Philadelphia. The offense looked smooth and efficient last night. At times even, dare I say, explosive. And AJ Feeley shredded the best team in the league for 345 yards, 3 TDs and a 64% completion rate. AJ Feeley is a journeyman quarterback. But as his record and performance with the Dolphins will attest, he is a career backup qb.

 

The larger, unanswered question is why the offense looks so much better without McNabb than with him. (one theory has it that different routes are called for the receivers when McNabb is in and when Feeley/Garcia is in. With McNabb at QB, the receivers run 7 yard routes with 22 yard alternates. With Feeley and before him Garcia, the receivers run 7 yard routes and 15 yard alternates, a difference that leads to more and better passing opportunities.)

 

Part of it is that it appears the team plays harder when McNabb is not in the lineup, as if they know #5 isn’t around to bail them out so they had better make something happen themselves. How else to explain the best pass protection of the season last night? How else to explain an entire receiving corps that suddenly developed a case of sticky hands? Seriously, there were at least half a dozen passes caught by Eagles WRs last night that are simply dropped when they’re thrown by McNabb – and that includes both of Greg Lewis’ touchdown receptions. And that doesn’t even count the Kevin Curtis circus catch that was ruled out of bounds but upon further review on my Tivo showed that he got his second foot inbounds. And we haven’t even mentioned how guys like Reggie Brown and Curtis who can’t get off a jam at the line were getting consistently wide open in the Patriots secondary.

 

And oddly, the inspired play extended to the defense as well. The pocket pressure the Eagles put on Brady was the most they’ve applied all year. Gocong made some big plays. JR Reed was laying a big lick everytime he got a chance. Even special teams got in on the action by recovering a surprise onside kick.

 

Notwithstanding the two backbreaking INTs – the TD return and the game ender (INTs that McNabb would be skewered for but everyone is overlooking in promoting Feeley to the permanent first team), the Eagles played their best game of the season. That they did it without McNabb will be the big offseason discussion.

Good day

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3 picks

AJ Feeley would have been the starter next week but for those two INTs on the Eagles last two possessions. Possessions that could have won, if not tied, the game. Would McNabb have thrown those two picks? Probably not the first one, maybe the second. (Reid says the 1st was a "miscommunication" but didn't elaborate on who was at fault - Feeley or Curtis. Hint: Reid/Mohrninweg were at fault for the play call..per Cris Collinsworth who articulated the reasons why).

Home game vs. Seattle is a disaster in the making if McNabb/Offense/Team doesn't play well. Best case scenario and easiest to manipulate...let McNabb rehab thumb and ankle one more week before "playoff push' and play Feeley next week.

Deja Vu All Over Again

Losing by three to the Patriots in a game that was within the Eagles grasp...quarterback throws 3 INTs, including one to seal the win for the opposition, Greg Lewis plays the game of his life. Tonight's 31-28 loss was like a flashback to superbowl 39. The only thing missing was an LJ Smith fumble.

The defense gave up 24 points. Just like SB39. The Eagles offense was one touchdown better than 3 years ago. And this was a road game, not neutral site.

Or maybe the better comparison is the McNabb-Reid first NFC Championship game. The Eagles kept the game competitive against a high powered offense, the "greatest show on turf," but ultimately lost late.

Oddly, this loss may have been the best "complete" game the Eagles played all year (some may count the Lions shellacking, but consider the quality of the opposition). Hopefully, this can propel the bubble Eagles on a playoff run. Bunch of teams at 5-6. This one hurts since it was one the Eagles could have (should have?) stolen.

Reid said McNabb is starter next week, then walked out of press conference after being asked again.

Lost more tomorrow.

22.5

My friend PK offers his thoughts on the 22.5 point spread for the Eagles-Pats game:


NE 38, NYJ 14
NE 38, SD 14
NE 38, Buff 7
NE 34, Cleve 17
NE 34, Cinn 13
NE 48, Dallas 27
NE 49, Miami 28
NE 52, Wash 7
NE 24, Indy 20
NE 56, Buff 10

Those are the scores, plain and simple. If you look at the 1st 5 games of the year, then Pats -22 is an absurd, absurd, absurd point spread, given that they didn't beat the Browns or Bengals by that much.

However, from that game on, Belichick has decided that it is critically important for him to turn Brady into the equivalent of Ivan Drago. The idea isn't to win games, but to utterly humiliate you as a team and coach. That's the objective, humiliation. Even so, in those 5 games, they've covered 22 pts just twice.

I think it's probably a good spread. Right where it should be. I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole, because the Pats have taken 2 different approaches heading into their 2 really big games this year: in Cincy, they downshifted and cruised to victory getting ready for Dallas; at home against the Skins, they decided to completely blow their wads and humiliate Gibbs.

Now, they play at Baltimore a week later, not a huge responsibility but a threatening game. Maybe they go big against the Eags, then dial it back and just try to win in Baltimore without getting hurt?

Damned Whatever He Does - Diverging Interests

Discussing the prospect of McNabb playing in tonight's game during our annual Black Friday football game, a good friend of mine suggested that McNabb just sit out. He said it was clear that McNabb wasn't going to be 100% and there is a good chance that the Eagles are going to get hammered anyway - and if they did, McNabb would just have to deal with that much more criticism about how he can't even keep the Eagles competitive. (Note: not even he believes this, but we are all by now familiar with the irrational anti-McNabb screeds.)

I tend to agree. And now McNabb is definitely out for the game and AJ Feeley will start. What happens, if by some miracle, the Eagles win? And as i've noted previously, i think there chances of winning rest mainly on running Westbrook 30 times tonight. And the chances of Reid calling that many running plays will only happen if McNabb is not the quarterback.

I doubt there will be a call for Feeley to replace McNabb as the starter in the wake of what would be an epic upset. Not even the most rabid McNabb-haters can argue that Feeley is a better QB than McNabb. Certainly there will be charges that McNabb has been holding the offense back (and no acknowledgment of a more balanced run/pass ratio). There may even be the ridiculous proposition put forth that rookie Kevin Kolb couldn't do any worse than McNabb in light of Feeley's performance. And amidst all these what if scenarios would be the vastly improved playoff chances of a suddenly 6-5 giant-slaying Eagles team.

Most likely the Eagles will get their heads handed to them tonight and lose by four touchdowns. that is perhaps the "best" outcome for McNabb - being in no way involved with the looming debacle on the field and free of criticism and finger-pointing, though somehow some will find a way to blame McNabb. Still, the lead up to tonight's game is just the latest and clearest sign of how divergent, indeed contradictory, the interests of the franchise quarterback, head coach, and the team have become.

The Last 5 Minutes

On the eve of the first game between the Pats and Eagles since Super Bowl 39, Bob Brookover reviews that game and lasting pain for Eagles fans because the game was so eminently winnable.

But what is most interesting are the comments of former Eagles Ike Reese and Artis Hicks about the game, especially the last five minutes. Conventional wisdom holds that the Eagles second to last drive took too long - that the offense didn't play with a sense of urgency - and that it was McNabb's fault cause he was throwing up in the huddle.

Hicks dispels that lasting, damning myth, explaining that on one play McNabb couldn't catch his breath cause he had been hit by Tedy Bruschi. As it was the intervening time was only 30 seconds. It's also worth remembering that the Eagles did actually score a touchdown on the play to cut the lead to a FG. And honestly, I don't recall Hicks' citation of a B. Westbrook drop that would have been a touchdown before the two minute warning.

In fact, Reese, the special teams captain laments the questionable calls to try on onside kick with 3 timeouts, a mistake that was compounded by an all-out punt block that left no one deep to field the kick. the result was an extra 15 yards during the roll and precious time off the clock. Those two decisions left the Eagles with the ball at their own 4 yard line with 46 seconds to go.

But in part because of TO's cryptic remarks a month after the game - though clearly aimed at McNabb, that McNabb was at fault for the pace of the second to last drive, the entire last 5 minutes of the game debacle have been blamed on #5. Alas, as Hicks and Reese's recollections bear out, blame begins at the top - with the game management decisions made by Andy Reid and not whether McNabb was vomiting in the huddle.

Close to the Vest

McNabb missed practice today. I can’t help but think that McNabb and Reid are playing coy with #5’s status for Sunday night to give Belichek at least some variable to think about. One would think defensive preparations would be different for McNabb compared to Feeley since they do have different quarterbacking styles.

Per Sack Freak Out

Peter King thinks Brian Westbrook might be able to carry the Eagles into the playoffs on his back (and legs), and does the math on Jevon Kearse’s salary per sack: $1.21 million. It is a damning counterargument to Eagle fans that have demanded more high profile free agent signings. Note: I’m not one of them, notwithstanding his per sack cost, I think Kearse had an intangible impact on many games that did not appear in the stats. Also, Kearse’s Eagles career will be cut short by a devastating 3 ligament tear knee injury that, don’t forget, he suffered against the Giants in overtime last year. A game that never should have gone into overtime but for Andy Reid’s offensive play blunders.

22.5

The Eagles are 22.5 point underdogs for Sunday. My gosh 22.5 points? For a professional football game? That’s amazing. Especially since the Eagles aren’t one of the worst teams in the league. They’re not the dolphins for gosh sakes.

 

My friend writes that he thinks the Eagles could give the Patriots trouble.

 

I actually believe the Eagles can give the Pats a game because I believe the way to do it is to run at them and control the game with short passes and the occasional deep ball.  Brian Westbrook is the ideal player, much like Joseph Addai, to accomplish such a game plan.  Unfortunately, Reid is sitting in his office think he needs to score 38 to beat the Pats and that the only way to do that is to throw the ball 70 times.

 

Call me the happy optimist, but I too could weirdly see the Eagles being competitive, or I could easily envision them being blown out by 5 touchdowns. Though I would jump at giving 12.5 points to the Pats on a 3 teamer. I would be not nearly as comfortable taking the Eagles and 32.5.

 

I do think the Eagles could make a game of it. Aside from Westbrook, they have a good, veteran secondary in Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, and Brian Dawkins, though Mikell sprained his knee (who himself was a replacement for Considine) so they will play JR Reed. They also have one of the better defensive coordinators in the league. Alas, the pass rush is lacking, which could be a huge problem against a veteran, precision passer like Brady.

 

As to my friend’s point about throwing 70 times. Andy Reid is thinking that he will throw 70 times cause he just loves to do it, not because he thinks he needs to score a lot of points. Oddly, given that Reid calls vastly more running plays for the backup quarterback (see Feeley 2002, Garcia 2006, and Feeley last week), would the Eagles have a better shot at beating the Pats with Feeley and a balanced offensive philosophy? Does that trump a banged up McNabb with a tweaked ankle and a jammed throwing thumb – not to mention the rehabbing ACL – especially if McNabb would be called on to throw 55 times whereas Feeley would only be asked to throw 30 times and get to hand off 30 times?

 

And finally, I do hope Reid learned his lesson from last year’s game vs. an AFC juggernaut on national TV. In that game vs. the Colts Reid called stuff like he was desperate to score points to keep pace with the Colts. Fake punt, double reverse pass, going for it on 4^th and 4 near mid field. It all blew up in his face and kept putting unneeded pressure on a weak  defense that didn’t need the extra pressure.

 

Hopefully he will play it more straight and not panic so early in this game.

Jimmy Rollins' MVP

It is kind of amazing when you think about it. Years from now, people looking at the stats will be incredulous that Rollins beat Holliday, unless they can appreciate baseball at altitude and also see that Holliday hit 25 of his 36 homers at Coors Field and .376 at home and “only” .301 on the road. Coors field is more of a hitter’s park than Citizens Bank.

 

I know Holliday is the Rockies’ big bopper and best player but I don’t think it compares to the importance of Jimmy Rollins to the success of the Phillies. The leadership, attitude, and play – at shortstop no less. They have Howard and Utley, but Jimmy Rollins makes them go.

Touche Comcast

Comcast is firing back at the NFL. Point to Comcast for noting that the NFL Network is available to its subscribers, on a tiered package, though not on the basic plan which the NFL is adamant on. And the cable company goes on to note the irony of the NFL’s position, “While the NFL claims that it wants its games to be seen by the widest possible audiences, it's actually their rules that limit which games fans can watch," said Comcast VP David Cohen. "It's the NFL that designates which cities can have over-the-air broadcasts of specific games. It is also the NFL that decided to take these eight games off of free broadcast television and to try to enrich themselves at the expense of their fans by creating a multibillion-dollar asset called the NFL Network."

 

Indeed, Comcast seems to be in the stronger position. No local viewer will miss their team’s games regardless of whether it is on the NFL Network in other parts of the country (unless, of course, the game’s not a sellout.) And is there really a tremendous demand for the Colts-Falcons game. I, and Comcast, think not.

Not For Long

Amazing turnover among both the Eagles and Patriots’ rosters from their Super Bowl teams. 8 remaining starters (offense and defense) for the Eagles (McNabb, Westbrook, Runyan, Thomas, LJ Smith, Sheppard, Brown, and Dawkins) and 9 for the Patriots. Not one skill position player besides Brady is left. In total, 17 Patriots are still on the roster from that super bowl squad and 14 for the Eagles. What’s truly astounding is the game was only 33 months, or less than 3 years, ago.

 

The roster turnover really does highlight the need to continually stock good players. The Patriots have obviously done that. The Eagles, not so much.

Codey Stops Jets Fans Cold

Good for NJ Senate President Richard Codey, whose letter to the NJ State Police and the Stadium authority has prompted security personnel - who were looking askance at the problem - to now prevent boorish Jets' fans behavior by Gate D of the stadium.

This all comes in the wake of a NY Times story yesterday. As I said, the NFL tolerates an amazing level of improper fan behavior at NFL games. But what the league simply cannot stand - at which certainly sparked this crackdown - is bad PR.

Senator Decries Behavior at Jets Games

Away Game Report

Ben, my Giants friend, completed the football exacta this weekend, hitting his alma mater’s showdown with Ohio State in Ann Arbor on Saturday, and then going to Detroit for the Giants-Lions game on Sunday.

 

Here’s his take of Ford Field and the Detroit Lions faithful.

 

The NFL Away Game Report – Giants at Lions, 10/18/2007

 

PARKING:

I drove to the Detroit in the morning.  Am I a loser for going to a football game alone?  No more than I am loser for going to a movie alone.  Or the Van Halen concert alone.  Or a Rush concert alone (btw – they played Fly by Night over the PA, nice!).

 

As I was graduating from Ann Arbor, Detroit was legalizing gambling.  I had not been back in almost 10 years to Detroit.  Getting off the freeway, I parked at the new Greektown Casino parking deck.  I figured a casino parking lot would be free (and I was correct).  The lots closest to the stadium cost between $25 and $45.  But is free parking in a casino lot actually free?  Or is there a hidden cost?

 

We know that NFL games attract a certain caliber of person.  Imagine if to get your team's football game, you (or your also gambling-addicted brother) had to walk through two casino floors.  It was a wild scene of gamblers wearing Honolulu blue and silver.  In the 15 minutes I was there -- two and a half hours to game time -- the blackjack minimum went from $5 to $15 dollars to suck the fans dry.  The twenty bucks you save on parking is indubitably going onto a table or into a machine.

 

Because it is right downtown, there is no room for lots of parking spaces.  Some vacant lots at ground level,  but mostly parking decks.  Many, including myself, believe that the best place in the whole world is tailgating at the parking lot outside Giants Stadium (although not for the next few years).  But Detroit does not seem great for hanging around outside.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD:

The look of Detroit has been described as something akin to Dresden, Germany -- circa 1945.  It is not pretty – decrepit, empty buildings and other forms of blight.  But it has its moments.  Outside the Greektown Casino is obviously Greektown.  Pretty cool little neighborhood.  I bought a paper to read about the UM/OSU disaster and ate a leg of lamb for 13 bucks.  Good deal.  Then only a 10 min walk to the stadium.

 

FACILITIES:

Ford Field is obviously indoors – I am not a fan of the concept.  I liked the stadium.  It was bright, shiny, and new.  There are windows to let in sunlight, which is a big deal.  I remember the Silverdome, which was a disaster.  Ford Field is less than 2/3rds the size of the Silverdome.  The best part for Detroit is that there were no empty seats.  Meaning that Lions fans who can't make the game can actually see the game.  Because in my four years in Michigan, I could count on one hand the number of Lions home games on TV.  Most were blacked out due to games not being sold out.  As NFC East fans of teams with stadiums sold out every week, we have never been in this predicament.  But let me tell you, it is one depressing mess on Sunday without the home team on. 

 

(I remember that my Lions fan friend moved to Portland, Oregon after college and got more Lions games than he would have seen in Detroit.  Why exactly?  Because Portland always got the Lions game because the Lions were Joey [Harrington]’s Team.  Classic.)

 

Food options seemed plentiful.  Johnsonville Brats everywhere, Greektown gyros looked good, and obviously plenty of beer.

 

FANS:

The press made this game out to be their biggest since the playoff game in DC in 1999.  But even with that motivation, the fans were not nearly loud enough.  I really think that the lack of weather, the lack of cold to encourage body movement, hinders any home field advantage.  Add in the fact that the fans don't truly believe that their team might be good – which they are not – and you have trouble.

 

I feel like most college-educated fans in Michigan focus more on football Saturdays, making the Lions a distant second.  Maybe I am used to the blue-blooded bourgeois Giants fans, but I thought that the average Lions fan I interacted with was inordinately dumb.  Or maybe it was just the guy behind me, who actually was not only dumb, but apparently Canadian (living in Windsor).

 

Aside from the fight a few rows back, harassment of opposing team fans in Detroit was minimal.  Fans were not particularly knowledgeable, but were also not too crass or outlandish (a la

Philadelphia or Jets).  Steady flow of fans leaving with 10 minutes to go and the Lions down 16-3.  Too much time left to be leaving the game when 17-16 is such a plausible scenario.  And sure enough, a two minute drive and a TD by the Lions brought them right back in it.  Then Kitna throws a pick with just over two minutes to go.  Fans exit.  WHY?  You have three timeouts and a two-minute warning.  Sure enough, the Lions get the back with a minute and a half.  But the fans who left must have known the Lions better than I did.  Because sure enough, another pick by the Giants sealed the deal.

 

OVERALL:

It is hard to overstate how bad the Lions are historically.   It was a hysterical kick in the pants to Lions fans when in 1996 the Jacksonville Jaguars won two playoff games in their second season of existence.  After all, this is a team with one playoff win in the past fifty years!!! 

 

Despite that history, the Lions have sold out every game since they moved into the new building.  The beautiful facility was a huge upgrade from the Silverdome, and a heck of a lot more convenient.  No traffic in or out for me.

 

It had been ten years since the Giants played at the Lions.  I hope it is not another ten years before I get to go back and watch the Giants in the D.  Maybe next time someone will be willing to go with me.

Just Good Enough

Dear Ben and the Daves,

 

I don't see the Giants collapsing this year, not with the schedule they have left. I think 10-6 is the worst outcome for them, which should be enough to get you to the playoffs. The question is whether, long term, you'd be better off with a new coach. I just don't think Coughlin is a guy that can take you to the next level. And the more years you keep winning the wild card slot in the playoffs, then losing in the first 2 rounds, the more often you end up keeping Coughlin.

 

Phillies fans went through this with Charlie Manuel down the stretch. We desperately wanted a new manager but even more desperately wanted to just make the damn playoffs. And lo' and behold, he made the right moves to make the playoffs. Now we're stuck with him.

 

As for Eli and the wedding conversation, I was there and can't remember who was making which points, but yes, I agree with that assessment of Manning. He's deep enough into his career that he's not going to turn into a superstar. He's just not. In his fourth season, Brady was winning his second Super Bowl throwing for more than 3,600 yards, 23 TDs and just 12 INTs.

 

In his brother's fourth season, Peyton had his 3rd straight 4,000-yard season.

 

Unfair comparison? Then let's compare to McNabb, who in his fourth season -- 2002 -- played just 10 games but threw for 2,300 yards, 17 TDs and just 6 INTs.

 

Eli is not going to develop into one of the top 3 QBs, but I don't think he's a loser QB who should be tossed aside, either. He is what he is, an average to good QB who on days when he's asked to do too much for the entire course of a game, collapses. He can instead become every bit as good as Kerry Collins in his best season,  he can be a good game manager on a team built around a power running game with a strong defense.

 

That's my take.

 

-          - PK

At Jets Game, a Halftime Ritual of Harassment - New York Times

At Jets Game, a Halftime Ritual of Harassment - New York Times For such a popular sport, the NFL and its teams certainly tolerate A LOT of inappropriate behavior among its fans attending football games. I see it all the time at Eagles games. The language, gestures, drunkeness. Here's just the latest example of non-family friendly and downright boorish behavior at Jets games.

The Blank Stare

Dear Ben, Dave, and PK,

I'm not sure which is more improbable: Eli "shaking off the blank stare" or Coughlin truly becoming a friendlier coach.

That blank stare of his is a permanent facial feature. I don't doubt his effort and commitment. You don't get to be a collegiate all-american, a #1 draft pick, and a starting QB in the NFL without effort and talent - even if your name is "Manning." But I understand why Eli's look is so disconcerting to Giants fans. His expression and entire demeanor don't inspire confidence. Certainly not to the fans, and maybe not even to his teammates, their tepid denials to the contrary. And, honestly, appearances do count for something. It is one of the reasons - among many - that I am so uncomfortable with the Eagles quarterback-in-waiting Kevin Kolb. He looks like a weasel. Very shady. I don't want my starting quarterback to look like he's a street punk, regardless of his arm strength or accuracy. This picture really doesn't do my point justice. But notice him the next time they cut to him during a game and you'll know what I mean.

(Years from now, sports writers will have a field day speculating about why the Mannings were so intent on maneuvering Eli to NY and the fallout from it - both to the NYG and San Diego teams involved but also to young Eli's career. Was the trade demanded to avoid the authoritarian oversight by Marty Schottenheimer? If so, it was a colossal blunder to opt for the even worse martinet Coughlin. Did the Mannings think Tiki a better back than Tomlinson? Surely, it can't have been for the "exposure" and marketing opportunities of the New York area as Peyton's ubiquitous pitch-master presence belies Indy's small market status.)

But I am surprised to read that you think the Giants may need to assess what's out there regarding quarterback talent if the team crashes and burns late in the season again. (As an aside, that road playoff win should in theory be more realistic given that the Giants will likely have a better record than either of the two division winners they might play.).

Last Saturday night our mutual friend and your Giant fan colleague, "the Shuff," (note the two "f's") seemed resigned that what you see with Manning at this point is what you are going to get. He might have even said, "Eli is what he is," – channeling our earlier Bill Parcells’ reference - but I was on my fourth double scotch by then so can't accurately recall. Shuff elaborated – lamented was more like it, that Manning - in his fourth year at this point - is a good quarterback but isn't going to be a superstar. Competent may not be what you had in mind for the overall #1 pick, but it may be adequate enough depending on the surrounding players and coaches. (though I'm not sure Eli, the team or the fans will be able to handle the crushing disappointment of those revised expectations down the road).

Compounding Eli's misery, or is it Giants’ fans’ misery?, is the ascendance of two other young NFC East QBs. Of the three young guns in the East, and I purposely qualify "young" to avoid putting McNabb in the equation, Romo I think is clearly #1, Manning may still be hanging on to #2, but Jason Campbell is coming on strong and may soon surpass him if he hasn't already.

Has playing for Coughlin stunted Eli’s development? I don’t know. But I suspect that it couldn’t hurt Eli to have a change in coaches. But barring another improbable late season collapse it appears very likely the Giants will make the playoffs. Whether they get bounced in the first or second round, it would be hard to fire Coughlin then, wouldn’t it? Is Eli consigned to playing just well enough to continue to preserve the job of the coach who has prevented him from truly flourishing, and keeping him and the team from taking the next championship step? Oh the irony. I doubt it’s lost on Archie Manning.

- Griff

Congratulations J-Roll

The 2007 National League MVP.

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