Perfection

[tommy]

All the sports shows have been talking about it for days. Should the Giants rest their players and not be concerned about trying to beat the Patriots and only worry about their playoff game?

How great would it  be for the Giants to be the only team to beat the perfect Pats? Is it worth risking players getting hurt or more hurt attempting to play well in this game instead of resting?

[ChadTower]

Is it worth risking players getting hurt or more hurt attempting to play well in this game instead of resting?

The Giants shouldn't give two craps about the Pats' season.  Coughlin's job is to put the Giants in the best possible position to win a championship - beating the Patriots in week 17 is irrelevant towards that goal.

[tommy]

I think they need to play and beat the Pats to prove to them self and everyone else that they are a real playoff team and are worthy of being in the playoffs. This could be seen as a Super Bowl game to Giants fans and see how their team will match up.

[ChadTower]

I think they need to play and beat the Pats to prove to them self and everyone else that they are a real playoff team and are worthy of being in the playoffs. This could be seen as a Super Bowl game to Giants fans and see how their team will match up.

Making the playoffs didn't prove that they belong in the playoffs?  The Giants are a beaten up team - the backs especially.  With Eli at QB you really, really, really need those backs as healthy as possible to get to the Super Bowl.  Playing the Patriots right now is not a good way to get your backs healthy again.

[tommy]

No, I don't think them being in the playoffs means a whole lot right now seeing as how badly they played the last 3 weeks.

Resting for one week is not going to do a whole lot to make anyone who is hurt to be feeling better after one week of rest. Whoever is there now and ready to play won't change much in one week no matter what.

[ChadTower]

No, I don't think them being in the playoffs means a whole lot right now seeing as how badly they played the last 3 weeks.

The Giants are facing the #1 defense in the NFL, on the road, in the first round.  That is where their focus needs to be.  The Patriots just don't matter to the Giants until the Super Bowl.  Proof of worth is a championship, not a week 17 victory.

Unless you're satisfied with a week 17 victory.  Let's face it, the Giants aren't good enough to beat the Pats twice in 4 games with Tampa and Dallas in between.

Resting for one week is not going to do a whole lot to make anyone who is hurt to be feeling better after one week of rest. Whoever is there now and ready to play won't change much in one week no matter what.

Yes, they will.  It makes a huge difference to all of the 750 nagging unreported injuries a football player endures.  Sprains, bruises, strains, all of that stuff can mostly heal in two weeks where playing with them every week just keeps them fresh.

[tommy]

The most important guy is Plex, and he has been injured all year long with basically 6 days rest every week before playing and not practising. That week didn't mean a damn thing to him getting any better all through the year.

One week of rest will not mean anything.

I think having a good showing against a good team will mean a whole lot more.

[ChadTower]

The most important guys are the offensive linemen.  They play all the time with injuries that make Plexiglass' ankle look like a hangnail.  A week of rest to a 320lb tackle is huge. 

[tommy]

Plex is our primary big play guy. He is most important to our offence, our line is fine. And don't call him plexiglass.   

[ChadTower]

He is most important to our offence, our line is fine.

Real life football isn't a video game.  Your OL is by far the most important part of the offense.  If your OL plays poorly you could have Eli's brother back there and it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference.  You'd score 0 and probably give up points on offense, especially against the Pats and Bucs.

Priorities, man.  Do you want a regular season win or a championship?  The Bucs will be nice and rested in two weeks.

[CCM]

One week of rest will not mean anything.

As Chad said, week 17 should mean absolutely nothing to the Giants.  They need to be focusing on the playoffs and getting there as healthy as possible. 

How would Coughlin look if he played all his starters and say Plexiglass really screws up his ankle and is unable to play in the playoffs at all?

[tommy]

It's called momentum and beating the pats or at least making a good showing will go father than any resting will do for the team right now with no confidence (IMO).

Nothing is going to change with one week of resting to any starter we have right now who means anything to the team. Confidence on the other hand will go a long way to making it far into the playoffs.

[tommy]

One week of rest will not mean anything.

How would Coughlin look if he played all his starters and say Plexiglass really screws up his ankle and is unable to play in the playoffs at all?

He's not playing well anyway being hurt, and again, one week won't help him. This about pride right now I think and they will win this game.

[ChadTower]

I guess tommy has never played guard.  He should have more respect for the offensive line.  Or maybe try playing behind a bad one. 

Let's be frank, tommy.  The Giants are not going to win.  You don't stink up the joint for three straight weeks and then beat a 15-0 team.  Limping into the playoffs covered in Richard Seymour's teabag prints isn't going to get them past the Buccaneers.

[tommy]

Giants - 31- 28

[ChadTower]

The only question in this game will be whether they pull Brady before or after his 4th TD pass.

Brady won't play at all in the second half.

[CCM]

The only question in this game will be whether they pull Brady before or after his 4th TD pass.

Brady won't play at all in the second half.

No worries, Brady will probably have his 4 TD's in the first quarter.

[CCM]

The Giants will lose this week and will lose their first playoff game.

[ChadTower]

It surprises me that he seems to think Jacobs is unimportant.  tommy really doesn't seem to get the difference between real life and Madden 08.  The Giants aren't going to beat anybody through the air and their #1 RB is playing on a bad ankle and a fragile hamstring.

[tommy]

Get off it already, just because I made a post about the madden game now you're all about that. 

[ChadTower]

Get off it already, just because I made a post about the madden game now you're all about that. 

I'm all about what seems to be your lack of understanding of how an offense works.  One WR is probably the least important thing involved.

[CCM]

It surprises me that he seems to think Jacobs is unimportant.  tommy really doesn't seem to get the difference between real life and Madden 08.  The Giants aren't going to beat anybody through the air and their #1 RB is playing on a bad ankle and a fragile hamstring.

Yea, I'm not sure where he comes up with this stuff.  Their running back situation is bad, Plexiglass has a bad ankle, the offensive line is dinged up (as are most this time of year), but gosh darn it, tommy said they are gonna win because they have pride.  This isn't some feel good movie, it's real life and the pats are gonna steamroll them.

[ChadTower]

Keep in mind I'm a Bucs fan - I'd love to see them try to beat the Patriots.  The more beaten up and sulky they are going into the first round the better.  I just don't think they should be stupid enough to try it.  Coughlin is on the bubble every year as it is... why add that fuel to the "Coughlin can't win a title" fire?

[koolmoecraig]

Tommy, wanna go $20 on this one?

[shardian]

I would be totally fine with the Pats loosing if it was Ahmad Bradshaw lighting them up for several touchdowns ( That would justify his early jump to the pros, thus DESTROYING my teams season this year). Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen and the best thing the Giants can do is sit their starters, that way their confidence isn't completely destroyed going into the playoffs. 4 INTS and 5 sacks won't do a bit of good for ol' Eli.

[Jdurg]

The best thing that I could see would be the Pats having a perfect regular season, then losing in the first round of the playoffs.  If they go 16-0, it means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING unless they win the Superbowl.  When the Dolphins went undefeated, they won the Superbowl so they didn't lose ANY games that season.  If the Pats don't do the same, then they've accomplished nothing.

It's similar to when the Seattle Mariners won 118 games in 2001.  They didn't win the World Series, so the record really means nothing.  In 1998 the Yankees won 116 games, which was a record at the time, but they went on to win the World Series so their record meant something.

If the Pats win tomorrow, I think it will put even MORE pressure on them since anything short of the Superbowl victory is a failure for them.

(BTW, I'm a Raiders fan so I have little to look forward to for a while.    )

[koolmoecraig]

The 1985 Bears though not undefeated were a better team.

If the Pats can go through the entire playoffs and Super Bowl giving up only 10 points like the '85 Bears did, I'll eat my words. They blanked the Giants in the NFC Divisional playoff and then shut out the LA Rams in the NFC Championship game as well.  They gave up 10 points in the Super Bowl and that was it.

[Jdurg]

Exactly.  That's why just being undefeated means nothing.  Different teams have different schedules which means that one team's season is not as difficult as another team's.  Look at the Patriots this year.  How many honestly "tough" opponents have they had?  The '85 bears were a damned good team.  It's a shame that I only remember them for their "Superbowl Shuffle" montage which is really quite embarassing.

Again, being a Raiders fan I haven't had much to look forward to.  Especially being an East Coast Raiders fan.  Unless they are a good team, I never get to see their games.     I like football in general, but that's probably due to my not getting to see my favorite team play.  Hell, I'm shocked that Justin Fargas has over a thousand yards rushing this year.  It's just depressing seeing how they went from such a great team to such a ---smurfy--- team so quickly.  If only half their team didn't go out on a drug and alcohol binge the night before their only Superbowl appearance that I can remember.   

(Though I did go see a Giants/Vikings game at the Meadowlands a few years ago.  Only time I've ever seen a football game in person.  The best part was the awesome tailgate party beforehand.  I got a lot of great compliments for my Italian Sausage, Venison(sp?) Sausage, Onions, Peppers, Marina Sauce and Cheese concoction.  I didn't have a lot of beer with me that day, but the other people I hung out with and tailgated with were more than happy to help me out.  Honestly, the tailgating was the best part of the trip.  Sitting out in sub-freezing temperature while cooking a huge meal and drinking with complete strangers was fun.   

[koolmoecraig]

Imagine the team having the balls to record the Super Bowl Shuffle with 4 games still left in the season NOT including the playoffs!  Talk about putting a bulleye on your back.

[tommy]

Tommy, wanna go $20 on this one?

Stop trying to get my address to come and stalk me. 

[ChadTower]

According to tommy's past statements, he just proved he either has no balls or does not believe the Giants can win.  That's what he said it meant when I would not put money on anything.

So, tommy...?

[tommy]

I'm not into giving out my address anymore online. Don't ask.

[ChadTower]

You don't have to post your address to make a bet with an individual.

Not selling or buying things anymore?

[tommy]

You don't have to post your address to make a bet with an individual.

Not selling or buying things anymore?

How am I supposed to get my winnings if he does not get my addy at some point? 

Not selling or buying things anymore?

 

Rarely.

[ChadTower]

Did someone actually show up at your house or something?

[tommy]

Did someone actually show up at your house or something?

Shmokes showed up with a bunch of mosquitoes and I got bitten really badly. 

[CCM]

How am I supposed to get my winnings if he does not get my addy at some point? 

 


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