Wonderama- End of the Reg Season
We spoke with Wonder on Sunday night after the Regular Season had just finished no comments
Momentum Going Into the Playoffs
Two items: (1) The playoffs and (2) The Giants.
(1) It pays to have momentum going into the playoffs. Fwiw, the Giants were
5-0 in 1986
3-2 in 1990
5-0 in 2000
3-2 in 2007
2-3 in 2008
This year the
Saints 2-3
Vikings 2-3
Eagles 4-1
Cardinals 3-2
Packers 4-1
Cowboys 3-2
Colts 3-2
Chargers 5-0
Bengals 2-3
Patriots 3-2
Jets 4-1
Ravens 3-2
(2) There has been really good quality discussion about the Giants, needs, realities etc..
“When you have that many games where you get blown out, there’s something wrong,” Mara said, “and it means that something has to be done.”
My take on Mara's response (in light of Coughlin and Gilbride staying) is: this is a classic response when you have a need for change and an organization that fundamentally resists it. He wants and instinctively understands that his team needs a major shakeup, yet there he is doing the minimalist dance of (tacitly accepting just) the Sheridan departure. He thinks/hopes this is the end of 2006. He thinks a Coughlin pep talk is going to turn it around, but this is the end of 2009 and it is much more serious. Mara thinks that Coughlin deserves to keep coaching his team, yet his own comments say Coughlin does not.
So he balks.
Gilbride without question had to go. That Washington performance saved his job, but it will end up costing Coughlin HIS, because with Gilbride there, there is
no offensive urgency
no intragame offensive adjustments
no significant intergame adjustments
consistent inability to leverage the personnel correctly
The Giants offense has the ability to carry the team, but Gilbride is almost always unwilling to accept responsibility and put that requirement on his shoulders. Yes, infrequently, we see him attack. But much more frequently we see urgency fade in and fade out. This is why Coughlin fades in and fades out. Add a defense that is anything less than excellent and the result is mediocrity. Barring a truly inspired choice who really delivers for the defense, Coughlin's fate will remain sealed as long as Gilbride is around because the teflon is now gone.
NFL's Black Monday
Before the axe fell on Sheridan the original #58 weighs in on the aftermath of yet another ‘embarrassment’ and what was a disastrous season.
no commentsMinn 44 Giants 7
Mike Francesa can let in the Giants callers Monday and do it all over again. Pathetic, embarrassing, no pride. no comments
Phil Simms for Week 17. Intragame comments NYG-MINN
1) Colts could have handled the Perfect Season pressure. They were built for it, the players wanted it. (Francesa noted that the fan base had a revolt this week in Indianapolis.)
2) Saints have trouble. They would have lost today to the Panthers, given how injured they are, so probably a wise move to pack it in today and bench a lot of players and regroup for the playoffs. There is hope for the Saints, despite losing so many games at the end of the season.. the rest will get them healthier and faster.
3) Vikings need the 2 seed badly. They have structural problems: the defense is not complicated enough. It gives up too many easy completions and (as noted here by Simms earlier this season) relies on the Jared Allen sack or other big play to derail your drive. Also, the Viking OL is not protecting Favre well enough right now.
4) Chargers are so impressive. They have been beat up and have lost players but the coaches have been able to make adjustments.
5) Ravens have been killed by their own mistakes with costly penalties. Pass interference has plagued the team. They have been able to address this problem as of late. Ray Rice playing very well.
Francesa: Is there a #1 team who is above the rest in the NFL as we head into the playoffs?
Simms: Yes, it is the Indianapolis Colts. The defense is very fast and does not give up the big play.
Ultimatenyg here. The comment about the Chargers stings little bit back here in Giantsville. How much confidence do you have in the Giants to make adjustments? This is something purely in the coach's realm. On the defensive side, we specifically refer to simplifying the role of the free safety so that he is not out of position. On the offensive side of the ball, we of course refer to the lack of Play action/TE/Screen/Smaller RB in space.
Final thoughts before today's game: if Eli Manning is not hurt, it is a good day. Let's see the younger players play. Barden, Bomar, Beckum, Beatty, Goff, Boothe, Kehl, Sintim, Rashad.
