As this miserable 2009 season winds down, we have to look back at all the preseason grandiose expectations.
Click on the following links. Each article proclaims the Giants are going to have a fantastic season.
Sporting News
Defense makes Giants team to beat.
The defense
Prior to the second game of the season against Dallas, I asked New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano this question. What would you consider a successful season for the Giants?
RV: You know, they’ve set the bar very high for themselves. They followed a Super Bowl championship with a 12-4 season and now the pieces are still in place. They’ve got the quarterback, the line, the running game, the pass rush. I think they have the receivers, though I realize I’m in the minority on that. The point is that in a watered-down NFC, they are a Super Bowl contender. I picked them to go 10-6 and I think that if they finish with anything less than 10 wins and don’t make the playoffs, they will consider the season a failure. And really, they need to win at least a playoff game. I realize that’s a lot to ask, but look at last year: Does anyone think it was a success? The ending spoiled everything. The 11-1 start was nice. The top seed in the NFC and 12-4 record and first-round bye … all that was good. But the loss in the playoffs sent everyone into the offseason with a bad taste in their mouths. It felt like a failure. So I think they have to win a playoff game at least to make people – and themselves – feel like this season was anything close to a success.
In the off season, GM Jerry Reese identifies the defense as being the problem in 2008. Through free agency, he upgraded the defensive line position and added a linebacker Michael Boley. Boley was supposed to help in guarding an opponent's tight end.
Here is quotes from Jerry Reese about his 2008 Giants and his plans for 2009.
Reese: We were fine for three-quarters of the season and then we got banged up on the line and didn't have the firepower to get after the quarterback. (Fred) Robbins was playing with two broken hands, Tuck's foot and knee were banged up and (Mathias) Kiwanuka was fighting through things. We couldn't get Donovan McNabb on third-and-20 [in the Divisional playoff game]. There were a lot of turning points in that game, but that was a big one.
Are you still hopeful that Michael Boley can be a productive player this season?
Reese: Yeah, he's outstanding in coverage. We think he can help us cover the running back in Philadelphia (Brian Westbrook), the tight end in Dallas (Jason Witten) and
the tight end for the Redskins (Chris Cooley).
What did you learn from last season?
Reese: Well, I learned a lot of things. We got hit right out of the gate last year with a Hall of Famer retiring (Michael Strahan) and a Pro Bowler (Umenyiora) going down. We made it through three quarters of the season, but then we got worn down. I'll try not to let that happen again. We have to sustain the madness up front. Reese acquired defensive linemen Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. Even with these two guys, the defensive line has been horrible this year.
People like to compare teams to the Super Bowl team (in 2007) and the team that won 12 games last year," Reese told the Daily News. "This team has a chance to be better than those two teams."
Midway through the 2009 season, Reese is on record with this quote.
"We had some early injuries, but you make adjustments. And we'll get guys back. This team should have an opportunity. I think we have a chance. I'll be very disappointed if we don't play well."
Unfortunately, none of the changes on defense have helped. Again as in 2008, the defense has let this team down. So is it the players or coaches? This question will be answered after the season is over.
As the Giants close out Giants Stadium against the Carolina Panthers, will they play with passion or will they come out flat? As Ralph stated, the Giants had set the bar high for this season. This team was built to win now. Therefore, the onus is on the Giants and this coaching staff to win the next two games. And winning the next two games does not guarantee them a playoff berth. Then they will need help to get in. Getting help to make the playoffs was not on the Giants agenda for 2009. If they do not make the playoffs, changes have to be made. Let us hope it starts with Coughlin.
On the contrary, if the Giants do not make the playoffs, according to our poll, many readers think Coughlin should remain the Giants head coach. We would like to hear from you on why Coughlin should stick around.
Please opine in the comments section.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
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2 comments:
The Giants will win their next 2 games and the last one at Giants Stadium should be a win for the fans the emotions are running high for this one. But in order for the Giants to get into the tourament they need help and the only game that I can see as a lost is the Eagles beating the Cowboys for the no 2 seed. Even if they don't make the playoffs they will wind up 10-6
which is a winning record. Why would Mr Mara fire Coughlin? the Mara family is not like that with the quick draw as I go back to the 60's in the Allie Sherman era he inherited a Championship team and ran it into the ground His last 6 years he did not have a winning record and the Maras kept, the fans in the stands were screaming for his head finally after 2 500. seasons Allie was gone.
So as I see it Coughlin still has another 2 years on his contractand he will stay their might be some changes with the OC and DC and as they say you are only as good as your last game Hopefully the Giants can get some momemtuem andget into the playoffs and win a few games GO BIG BLUE SUNDAY
Duke,
Not so fast. You think the Giants will defeat the Vikings at Mall of America field?
The Vikings are 7-0 at home. I do not think the Giants win at Minnesota.
I am unsure about Sunday's game. What Giant team is going to show up?
Carolina has a good defense. Yes, they are injured. However, the Giants defense is horrible.
Giants are 2-1 in December thus far. I do not see them winning their remaining games.
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