The Giants are SO stupid

[KazooSkinsFan]

OK, I get NE playing their starters to win.

- Who doesn't talk about the Fins perfect season? Who wouldn't want to make history and be remembered and talked about for decades? I'd totally have wanted the Skins to do that if we were in that situation. Not just a SB winner but a team for the ages.

- And they have next week OFF. This helps them be sharp AND rested. The downside is risk of injury. But at this point to go for history and to be sharp in the playoffs and still be rested with a week off is a risk you have to take.

But the Giants do not have a week off, they play next week. They know they are getting NE's best, NE is a cold weather team and the conditions aren't going to hurt them. So what do they get?

- On the small chance they win, they are a historical footnote. They STOPPED the Pats from being 16-0. But that footnote is not historical by their own deed. They STOPPED NE from being 16-0, which means NE isn't a team for the ages and their stopping them isn't a footnote for the ages either.

- And in return, they exposed their team to injury risk and they didn't get their week off. Every week through the NFC playoffs that will hurt them more and more. I don't get it. What were they thinking? What possible benefit did it do for them or their fans to fall on a sword for a SMALL chance of beating NE?

[Countertrey]

What were they thinking?

Pride goeth before the fall...

[Deadskins]

That's Caughlin for ya.

[HEROHAMO]

OK, I get NE playing their starters to win.

- Who doesn't talk about the Fins perfect season? Who wouldn't want to make history and be remembered and talked about for decades? I'd totally have wanted the Skins to do that if we were in that situation. Not just a SB winner but a team for the ages.

- And they have next week OFF. This helps them be sharp AND rested. The downside is risk of injury. But at this point to go for history and to be sharp in the playoffs and still be rested with a week off is a risk you have to take.

But the Giants do not have a week off, they play next week. They know they are getting NE's best, NE is a cold weather team and the conditions aren't going to hurt them. So what do they get?

- On the small chance they win, they are a historical footnote. They STOPPED the Pats from being 16-0. But that footnote is not historical by their own deed. They STOPPED NE from being 16-0, which means NE isn't a team for the ages and their stopping them isn't a footnote for the ages either.

- And in return, they exposed their team to injury risk and they didn't get their week off. Every week through the NFC playoffs that will hurt them more and more. I don't get it. What were they thinking? What possible benefit did it do for them or their fans to fall on a sword for a SMALL chance of beating NE?

You play to win the game.

[KazooSkinsFan]

OK, I get NE playing their starters to win.

- Who doesn't talk about the Fins perfect season? Who wouldn't want to make history and be remembered and talked about for decades? I'd totally have wanted the Skins to do that if we were in that situation. Not just a SB winner but a team for the ages.

- And they have next week OFF. This helps them be sharp AND rested. The downside is risk of injury. But at this point to go for history and to be sharp in the playoffs and still be rested with a week off is a risk you have to take.

But the Giants do not have a week off, they play next week. They know they are getting NE's best, NE is a cold weather team and the conditions aren't going to hurt them. So what do they get?

- On the small chance they win, they are a historical footnote. They STOPPED the Pats from being 16-0. But that footnote is not historical by their own deed. They STOPPED NE from being 16-0, which means NE isn't a team for the ages and their stopping them isn't a footnote for the ages either.

- And in return, they exposed their team to injury risk and they didn't get their week off. Every week through the NFC playoffs that will hurt them more and more. I don't get it. What were they thinking? What possible benefit did it do for them or their fans to fall on a sword for a SMALL chance of beating NE?

You play to win the game.

In December or January?

[HEROHAMO]

OK, I get NE playing their starters to win.

- Who doesn't talk about the Fins perfect season? Who wouldn't want to make history and be remembered and talked about for decades? I'd totally have wanted the Skins to do that if we were in that situation. Not just a SB winner but a team for the ages.

- And they have next week OFF. This helps them be sharp AND rested. The downside is risk of injury. But at this point to go for history and to be sharp in the playoffs and still be rested with a week off is a risk you have to take.

But the Giants do not have a week off, they play next week. They know they are getting NE's best, NE is a cold weather team and the conditions aren't going to hurt them. So what do they get?

- On the small chance they win, they are a historical footnote. They STOPPED the Pats from being 16-0. But that footnote is not historical by their own deed. They STOPPED NE from being 16-0, which means NE isn't a team for the ages and their stopping them isn't a footnote for the ages either.

- And in return, they exposed their team to injury risk and they didn't get their week off. Every week through the NFC playoffs that will hurt them more and more. I don't get it. What were they thinking? What possible benefit did it do for them or their fans to fall on a sword for a SMALL chance of beating NE?

You play to win the game.

In December or January?

Every game that is played whatever the month may be.

[Fios]

I respect the Giants for the effort they gave, I'm stunned others do not feel the same way. Just rolling over and giving the Pats the 16th win is unacceptable and cowardly. And if you don't think folks would remember that the Giants spoiled a 16-0 season on the last game of the year, you're insane.

[KazooSkinsFan]

OK, I get NE playing their starters to win.

- Who doesn't talk about the Fins perfect season? Who wouldn't want to make history and be remembered and talked about for decades? I'd totally have wanted the Skins to do that if we were in that situation. Not just a SB winner but a team for the ages.

- And they have next week OFF. This helps them be sharp AND rested. The downside is risk of injury. But at this point to go for history and to be sharp in the playoffs and still be rested with a week off is a risk you have to take.

But the Giants do not have a week off, they play next week. They know they are getting NE's best, NE is a cold weather team and the conditions aren't going to hurt them. So what do they get?

- On the small chance they win, they are a historical footnote. They STOPPED the Pats from being 16-0. But that footnote is not historical by their own deed. They STOPPED NE from being 16-0, which means NE isn't a team for the ages and their stopping them isn't a footnote for the ages either.

- And in return, they exposed their team to injury risk and they didn't get their week off. Every week through the NFC playoffs that will hurt them more and more. I don't get it. What were they thinking? What possible benefit did it do for them or their fans to fall on a sword for a SMALL chance of beating NE?

You play to win the game.

In December or January?

Every game that is played whatever the month may be.

I think you missed the gist of my question. If you have a CHOICE. Do you win meaningless games in December while reducing the risk of your chance of winning in January? Say the Aints and the Gnats had lost at 1pm and we KNEW we were in. Sure, the players on the field would be playing to win. But why on earth would we play players like Moss, ey and others who either played 16 games or aren't 100%? That would be insane.

We had to go all out in this game because we didn't KNOW we were in and no way we take any chance on not getting in. But we now have 3 road games ahead of us. How much would it have helped to rest some key guys? You REALLY would have wanted to play our whole team if we had known at kickoff we were in and what our seeding was? Are you SERIOUS?

[welch]

Seems to me that it undermines the integrity of the game if a team gives up -- plays to lose.

There is also the mentality of these guys: they go out to win, no matter what.

On the Redskins game, it drove me nuts every time the "expert" announcers told the Redskins to pull their starters because Denver had a lead over Minnesota.

You win your way to the playoffs.

(Right: I remember that Gibbs pulled some starters in the last game in '91. He had a lead, and the starters had played more than a half. He was playing the Eagles, a dirty team (body bag game) so there was reason to pound them, and reason to get Rypien out. Anybody remember who, other than Mark the Ripper, came out?)

[Redskin in Canada]

Interestingly, not only was this a decent and honourable decision by Coughlin. It was a GREAT decision to provide MOMENTUM for the Giants going into the post-season. I expect them to beat Tampa in Tampa if they play with the same energy and conviction.

That G-men OL is awesome. Eli played GREAT at last.

They did not have any injuries and they believe they can take on anybody else. Great decision by Coughlin. He earned a lot more respect from me than he ever had.

[Jake]

I respect the Giants for the effort they gave, I'm stunned others do not feel the same way. Just rolling over and giving the Pats the 16th win is unacceptable and cowardly. And if you don't think folks would remember that the Giants spoiled a 16-0 season on the last game of the year, you're insane.

I agree. I still remember where I was when they took away Denver's perfect season in 1998.

I'm glad they lost but I agree that it was best to put up a fight and make them earn it.

[KazooSkinsFan]

Seems to me that it undermines the integrity of the game if a team gives up -- plays to lose.

There is also the mentality of these guys: they go out to win, no matter what.

On the Redskins game, it drove me nuts every time the "expert" announcers told the Redskins to pull their starters because Denver had a lead over Minnesota.

You win your way to the playoffs.

(Right: I remember that Gibbs pulled some starters in the last game in '91. He had a lead, and the starters had played more than a half. He was playing the Eagles, a dirty team (body bag game) so there was reason to pound them, and reason to get Rypien out. Anybody remember who, other than Mark the Ripper, came out?)

Gibbs had no choice. I agree on the Minnesota thing, but they ended up going to OT. There is no possible way you take any chance of TWO miracles happening and you're on the sidelines, which had Gibbs pulled starters this week could have ended up happening. Can you imagine even if it was remote lightning would strike twice if we HAD ended up out of the playoffs because Gibbs pulled our players against Dallas AND Minnesota came back and won (which they ALMOST did)? That would make the timeout incident look like nothing. In 91 we had our spot sewn up, it was completely different.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I respect the Giants for the effort they gave, I'm stunned others do not feel the same way. Just rolling over and giving the Pats the 16th win is unacceptable and cowardly. And if you don't think folks would remember that the Giants spoiled a 16-0 season on the last game of the year, you're insane.

I agree. I still remember where I was when they took away Denver's perfect season in 1998.

I'm glad they lost but I agree that it was best to put up a fight and make them earn it.

It wasn't on the last day of the season heading into 3 straight road games though. I just can't imagine given the 16 game season and depletion of our team with nagging injuries we wouldn't in that situation have rested some key guys. Again I'm NOT advocating that who did play not go all out. I'm advocating resting the key guys who either played a full slate or aren't 100%. We have a chance, but winning presumably in Seattle, Dallas AND Green Bay is going to be tough and I care a lot more about maximizing that they winning any meaningless game.;

[KazooSkinsFan]

Interestingly, not only was this a decent and honourable decision by Coughlin. It was a GREAT decision to provide MOMENTUM for the Giants going into the post-season. I expect them to beat Tampa in Tampa if they play with the same energy and conviction.

That G-men OL is awesome. Eli played GREAT at last.

They did not have any injuries and they believe they can take on anybody else. Great decision by Coughlin. He earned a lot more respect from me than he ever had.

I don't particularly think it hurts them in Tampa. I see it more as if they survive that then it's 2 MORE road games (unless both they and we make the NFC Championship game). A week off could give some worn guys a lot more staying power in the playoffs.

[JPM36]

I think what the OP is saying is that the Giants should have put their own team ahead of some record that another franchise is chasing.

Does anyone criticize the Jaguars or Bucs for "laying down" this past weekend? Like the Giants, they had already clinched their playoff position and had a wild card game to play the very next weekend. Why expose their key guys to injury in a game meaningless to their season when the game they have been working for all year is just a week away?

I give the Giants credit for giving the Patriots a great game but look what they got for it: they still lost and they had a few guys (including their starting C) get hurt in the game.

What if Plaxico or Osi had gotten hurt? Then would people still be applauding their effort? Or would they be calling Coughlin an idiot for putting his star players at risk in a meaningless game?

That game on Saturday had to take a toll on the Giants, both mentally and physically. It will be interesting to see how their game goes against the Bucs, who took the complete opposite strategy and rested their key guys in preparation for the PLAYOFFS.

[Deadskins]

JPM36, care to revisit this one?

[JPM36]

Just glad I was wrong JS.

Frankly, I think anyone who says they honestly thought we were going to make the playoffs when we were 5-7 and reeling from Sean's death is a boldfaced liar but whatever.

I'm just glad we're back in the postseason!! Sunday was incredible.

[Deadskins]

Frankly, I think anyone who says they honestly thought we were going to make the playoffs when we were 5-7 and reeling from Sean's death is a boldfaced liar but whatever.

Other than the fact that many posters here posted just that belief at the time, I might agree with you.

[PigSkin]

They did not have any injuries....

While the move was a good confidence builder, especially for Eli Manning, Shaun O'Hara (center) and Kawika Mitchell (linebacker) had knee injuries and Sam Madison (cornerback) hurt himself on the long TD pass to Moss. They also had a rookie saftey, Craig Dahl, who tore an ACL and is out for the season.

[Assasin atm]

If i was Coughlin i do the same thing he did. The Giants have been struggling the last month or so of the season. They needed to get some integrity and continuity together before the playoffs. The way i look at it is the team has been bad lately so you either A: Sit your stars and injured players and get ready for Tampa and carry that losing momentum into the first round and lose. B: Play a real game against NE and possibly get some rythym and flow back into the offense and defense (which they did in my eyes) with the risk of injuries which would prob also result in a playoff loss. But plan B can pay off if noone gets hurt and you play well against NE. Its 50/50. He needed to risk injuries to get his team back playing well. He sits them- they will carry their suckiness into Tampa and lose, they play and get injured- they lose to Tampa. They play and have a good game- they increased their chances at Tampa. I dont care either way and i think the g-strings will lose anyway but they now have a better shot because they played NE tough.

[JPM36]

Frankly, I think anyone who says they honestly thought we were going to make the playoffs when we were 5-7 and reeling from Sean's death is a boldfaced liar but whatever.

Other than the fact that many posters here posted just that belief at the time, I might agree with you.

Ok. I'm sure you were on the phone with your travel agent scheduling a trip to Seattle or Tampa when we were 5-7.

If a fan of another team that was 5-7, on a 4 game losing streak, and just had their best player murdered, came in here and said "Oh we're going to make the playoffs" every person on this board would have called that person a HOMER. Sometimes when you're a homer you end up being right. I am a realist. In this case, I am obviously ecstatic that the homers were right but I will still never believe anyone who says they honestly believed this team was going to the postseason after the Buffalo game.

Enjoy the game today.

[KazooSkinsFan]

Frankly, I think anyone who says they honestly thought we were going to make the playoffs when we were 5-7 and reeling from Sean's death is a boldfaced liar but whatever.

Other than the fact that many posters here posted just that belief at the time, I might agree with you.

Ok. I'm sure you were on the phone with your travel agent scheduling a trip to Seattle or Tampa when we were 5-7.

If a fan of another team that was 5-7, on a 4 game losing streak, and just had their best player murdered, came in here and said "Oh we're going to make the playoffs" every person on this board would have called that person a HOMER. Sometimes when you're a homer you end up being right. I am a realist. In this case, I am obviously ecstatic that the homers were right but I will still never believe anyone who says they honestly believed this team was going to the postseason after the Buffalo game.

Enjoy the game today.

Or you might think the person was a "fan" of the team. Or you might remember that we did almost the same thing 2 years ago.

[SkinsJock]

Dallas loses to the Giants - not only is it so great to see the pukes lose but this win almost certainly means that Coughlin and manning are with the Giants next year - that is 2 wins for us

[Tacoma Redskin]

Dallas loses to the Giants - not only is it so great to see the pukes lose but this win almost certainly means that Coughlin and manning are with the Giants next year - that is 2 wins for us

Romeo adds to his legacy of late season failures. They have lost 3 of their last 4 including 2 games in which they failed to find the end zone. They haven't played a decent game since November...and, of course, the streak of years without a single playoff wins grows deeper into double digits!

[welch]

If a fan of another team that was 5-7, on a 4 game losing streak, and just had their best player murdered, came in here and said "Oh we're going to make the playoffs" every person on this board would have called that person a HOMER. Sometimes when you're a homer you end up being right. I am a realist. In this case, I am obviously ecstatic that the homers were right but I will still never believe anyone who says they honestly believed this team was going to the postseason after the Buffalo game.

OK. I honestly believed that this team would win four games, and might well go to the playoffs.

Yes, I stood in the rain and the gloom going from Jack Kent Cooke Stadium to the Metro, and said, "They can still do it. Gibbs will get the team settled and pointed at these next four games. They play again on Thursday, and that puts them at another disadvantage. Few teams are as dangerous as one the experts have ridiculed AND Joe Gibbs is coaching."



As Kaz said. Simple: what they have done before they could do again.