“The New York Football Giants are NOT in trouble.” This is what I’ve been telling myself the last 48 hours.
I know, I know. The defense has injuries at all three levels. Two Pro Bowl defensive ends (along with one of their primary back ups) are out. Three outside linebackers are injured. The starting right cornerback is hurt too. Oh yea and let’s not forget about the offense. The starter at left tackle has a broken leg and the best wide receiver in franchise history is out for the year. To top it off, the quarterback was awful against the Bears.
Not a big deal.
Despite the injuries, the Giants’ defense is ranked 10th in the NFL. The front seven have been solid against the run all season and while losing Sam Madison hurts the depth in the secondary, R.W. McQuarters has actually been playing better than Madison. On offense, Tiki Barber leads the league in rushing. As back up tackles go, Bob Whitfield, a 15 year veteran and former Pro Bowler is pretty good. As for Eli Manning and the passing game, he still has his top weapons in Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey who have combined for 10 touchdowns.
So nope, the Giants aren’t in trouble. They are still 6-3. Still in first place in the NFC East. Still 3-0 in the division. This is just a little bump in the road, a minor interruption on the way to the Superbowl. By week 17 all of these injuries and bad vibes will be far off memory. Yup that’s it. I’m not worried at all. Now pardon me while I dust off my rabbits’ foot, avoid the New York Post for the rest of the week and find my lucky New York Giants sweater.
Your right about one thing at least we are still 6-3. We're a game ahead in the division and have beaten each division team once. That is the good part.
The bad part is how can anybody think positive things after Whitfields performance Sunday night? You can't feel comfortable with him right now.
Cory Webster played damn awful and is getting picked on at corner quite a bit lately so if the front 4 rush doesn't keep pressure on the qb were in trouble there.
As a Giants fan I will stay hopeful but it is hard to stay positive at this point with so many key player injuries.
Chuxtory: I know you're shaking in your Cowboy boots now.
Ironhead1: I didn't say my positive outlook is LOGICAL. LOL with that said, look at it this way, #1. Whitfield should get more reps and be more prepared this week.
#2. He will not be facing the Bears D-line.
kwamby ...... I certainly know the loss of Strahan and Osimenyiora didn't help plus Arrington for the season. But one has to wonder what sort of rabbit Coughlin will need to pull out of his hat next ? The team is capable of so much more but with these string of injuries it's certainly not helping. The loss to the Bears was equally devastating and the tackling left a lot to be desired. Letting Hester with that runback for a TD was outrageous !
All "positive thinking"/ joking aside, over the next few weeks, until they get a few guys back, they have no margin for error. They can't have stupid turnovers. No blown coverages, no mental lapses on special teams. They can still put up points. Tiki, Shockey and Plax can make plays. But they have to play smart,mistake free football.
At 6-3 ourselves I was hoping the same for my beloved Saints. Hopefully on Christmas Eve Santa breaks Tiki's leg so he doesn't go for 200+ against us...
But, the D that has been so good over the past month, devestated with injuries isn't impressive anymore.
all started when Arrington went down, ended with Madison's reaggravated hammy.
Pettigout didn't help matters, ask Eli.
These guys need to get healthy quick, and get some of the key players back. They were terribly exposed in the second half Sunday night. They must get their playmakers back or they are in a lot of trouble!
kwamby .... Hasn't that been what Coughlin has been trying to instill into them all along ? If only they'd listen instead of flapping their gums they'd be better off. Either way that division is now going to get extremely testy as everyone will be out beat up on one another. Whoever comes out of it victorious will be battered and bruised.
I know you're dealing with older guys, but I have never seen a team that has to deal with all these linebacker injuries the last 2 years like the Giants have to. It seems like that position is jinxed. By the way, how sweet was it to see that fat sour #### Bill Belichick face on Sunday. What an ####. What did the Jets do to this guy, only offer him millions of dollars to become their head coach.
30 year old life long sports fan of the Knicks, Giants and Mets and since some of my best friends are Jets fans I root that they will end their years of inflicting heartbreak on their fans. I've worked in various roles for the NFL, NBA and AFL (gotta love Arena Football) which has given me a slightly jaded opinion of sports media.
Currently I look forward to watching Reggie Bush, Isiah Thomas getting fired and the Mets making a run at the World Series this fall. I'm absolutely tired of talking about Barry Bonds, T.O.,
Some of my favorite writers include: Paul Zimmerman, Len Pasquarli, William Rhoden, Peter Gammons, Bill Simmons, Peter King, Scoop Jackson, Marty Noble and a host of others that I'm forgetting.
