What a luxury it is to face these decisions. After several seasons of mediocre play and futility, the New York Giants have played themselves into a spot in which we can write some of our own story. First, since this is my first thread since our thrilling victory on Sunday night, I want to say what a pleasure this season has been. To continue to build on last year’s improbable run despite all of the injuries, adversity, and uncertainty is amazing. We are putting together one of the best years in Giants history and dynastic traits continue to emerge. The number one seed is a precious commodity in pro football and, for the first time since the 2000 season, we will gear up for a home playoff run. I hope to expect a similar result as 2000 - well, minus the Super Bowl. So I just want to point out the significance of our position. For some reason that I just can’t realize, if the Panthers had won that game and went on to be the number one seed it just wouldn’t have seemed right. The Giants have spent the whole season kicking butt and taking names. It is good to see the Gods of Football inflict some justice.
For the second season in a row we now have a quandary: Do we rest our men? There are many variables that affect this decision. You have to take into account the following: the health of your players, the mental state of your team, and your responsibility to the rest of the NFC’s teams. Let’s take a look at each of these.
Player Health
The best thing to happen to Brandon Jacobs this year were the games he missed due to injury. With Jacobs on the shelf for a few game total, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw failed to match his contribution and made very evident the need to resign Jacobs to a long-term contract. Don’t let the recent game by Ward get you too excited. While that was a great effort by Ward, he is allowed to shine like this because of Jacobs. The mere presence of Jacobs gets teams out of a tackling mentality. I believe that this has a trickle-down effect on the defense. Couple that mental edge with a physical tiring from getting ran over all game, defenses don’t have a chance no matter who is running the ball. The point here is that Jacobs in vital to us winning football games and he is not 100%. Do we give him the week off, play him 1 quarter, or ride him like every week? Joining Jacobs as questions marks will be Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Aaron Ross, Domenik Hixon, Kevin Boss, Fred Robbins, and Kareem McKenzie. Also, as additional preventative measures, do you let Eli “Iron” Manning go out there for a quarter and then sit him to avoid an extinction level event? How devastating would a Manning injury be to this team; I don’t even want to think about it. What to do with these guys?
Mental State of Team
Two words: Last season. That post-season run we had last year was simply a continuation of the last regular season game. That game, be it a losing effort, was the most important game of the season. In that contest, the Giants found their confidence and belief. Being unsure of the team that we had last year, I was a proponent of resting key players - man am I glad I was wrong. The team hadn’t proven that they could even stand in the same circle as the infamous Patriots. With nothing (seemingly) to gain, I did not want to risk having all of our soldiers for the upcoming battles. Well, not only did that not happen, we gained so much more than I expected. We stood with the best team (in term of wins) of all-time and played with ferocity, vigor, and remarkable purpose. While we couldn’t pull that one out we ultimately got what we wanted - we procured a tangible identity and an unassailable confidence that carried us into the history books. So, we are left with a similar situation: a meaningless game at the end of the season. What is a defending Champion to do?
League Responsibility
We have been in other team’s shoes. We have been in a position in which we need help to get into the playoffs. I remember in 2002 that we were in a heated race with the Saints and Eagles for one of the two wild card spots. In the last week of the season, we needed to beat the Eagles and have the Saints lose to the Bungles, errrr-Bengals. We took care of business in Philly (despite Tiki’s three fumbles in that game) and the Aaron Brooks-led Saints lost to a horrible Bengals team. We got in, the Saints did not and everything was gravy until the San Fran meltdown. While those games were meaningful for all involved in the playoff race that season, the point is that some teams need help to get in. Do teams have an unsaid responsibility to the rest of the NFL to play their starters, plan like it is business as usual, and take the field with an expected intensity. With teams such as the Vikings, Bears, and the Eagles dependent on (or at least will be effected by) the outcome of this game, is there an inherent responsibility that comes with the territory?
My Take
We are in a unique spot because not playing the banged-up guys would give them two weeks off due to the bye week. I say bench the injured. There is no need to put Jacobs, Tuck, and Cofield out there when that time could better be spent recovering and studying film. To me, it would be ridiculous to play any of these guys for more than a series. We literally have nothing else to play for so sit them down and get them physically ready for their next opponent. But Murph, what about keeping them mentally ready? Let’s get something straight, this is not the regular season Giants of 2007. This Giants team doesn’t need a “keep your players in game mode” game. This is one of the most mature and intelligent teams in the NFL and if the last 12 months have not reflected that, then what have we proven? Last year, yes…this year, absolutely not. Take two weeks off and come to play. Coughlin, Spags, and Flaherty won’t allow complacency or a lack of preparation to ensue. The Giants, especially after getting back on track last Sunday against Carolina will be focused for the playoffs. Lastly, as far as responsibility goes, screw the other teams jockeying for position. A team sets out with one goal…to reach the playoffs and, hopefully, get to the Super Bowl. Once you accomplish this, it is not your responsibility to look after the bottom-feeders. “The Giants have a responsibility to play…” shut up! Give me a break with this stuff. We have a responsibility to our team, organization, and the fans to do whatever is in the best interest of this team. Responsibility you say? I’ll tell you what to do...why don’t you play well enough so you don’t require welfare from the teams who handled their business during the season? Win more games! The only time I agreed with the “responsibility” argument was last year’s game against New England. We did owe the NFL to stand in their way. I didn’t feel so at the time but now I see the importance of what we did and the decisions that we made.
Regardless of what we decide, I want you all to know how proud I am to be a Giants fan. We have been begging since the 90’s to have a consistently good team. We now have that, so let us all enjoy it. I also want to point out how great it is to have interacted with all of you guys this year. Some of you are crazy and illogical at times but we all share the same, identical want: to have the Giants beat the piss out of everyone else. You guys are great. Happy Holidays to all of you.
Note: Check out H. Kiswani's Big Blue Awards for 2008