NYG Def vs NE; Injured want to Play

[Giantmetfan07]

Excitement Reigns!

Barry Cofield figures the members of the Giants defense can take one of two approaches as they prepare to face the most prolific offense in NFL history.

DT Barry Cofield and the Giants want a chance to knock off the Patriots

"You can be terrified or you can be excited," the second-year defensive tackle said today.

It's safe to say the Giants defenders feel no terror and are indeed excited as they approach the greatest challenge of their careers. The New England Patriots, in case
you haven't heard, will take the Giants Stadium field Saturday night with a 15-0 record. In addition to becoming the first NFL team to reach that lofty plateau, the Patriots are in the process of rewriting the offensive section of the NFL record book.

They have scored a record 71 touchdowns. They have scored 551 points and can surpass the mark set by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings (556) with a touchdown or
two field goals. Their plus-312 point differential (551-239) is another record. Tom Brady's 48 touchdown passes is one shy of Peyton Manning's single-season mark, just as Randy Moss' 21 scoring receptions leave him one behind Jerry Rice's record.

Giants.com
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Finish Strong

Plaxico Burress and Brandon Jacobs personify the decisions Tom Coughlin has to make this week.

Both players have nagging ankle injuries. Yet both very much want to play Saturday night, when the Giants will host the 15-0 New England Patriots. Coughlin is preparing with his customary determination to try to win this game, just as he tries to win any other. Normally, that would mean playing starters such as Burress and Jacobs as long as necessary.

But this is not a normal week. The Giants will travel to Tampa next week to face the Buccaneers in an NFC Wild Card game. Outside the locker room, the prevailing wisdom seems to be that Giants will be best served by resting Burress and Jacobs, among others. Coughlin won't tip his hand regarding his personnel plans. But the Giants' leading receiver and top running back made it clear today that they want to play and expect to play against the Patriots.

"No one in here is screaming "Let's rest," I can tell you that," Jacobs said today. "Guys want to play. It's the last regular season game and it's home. Guys won't want to sit down.

"Coach Coughlin said we're going to play to win the game. Whatever we have to do to do that, that's what we're going to do. No matter what it is, we're going to do it."

Giants.com
I personally think the Giants defense can certainly give Brady a run for his money. Just have to hope the secondary can come up big again.

Jacobs and Burress have been sufferin injuries all year, but I think if Jacobs splits good portion of time with Bradshaw they will do fine. Eli's gotta come thru for us.

 

[The Guid]

One question...why?

I mean yeah you can end the undefeated streak but why wouldn't you want to rest players for the playoffs.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I'll tell you why.

Here's the two scenario's.
1. You Beat the New England Patriots, ending their perfect season and disgruntling all Patriots Fans, and enter the playoffs with a high confidence boost.
2. You lay down and die, prove that you don't stand a chance, lost momentum and lose the game. You enter the playoffs with a Manning who you needed to have a good game entering the playoffs to raise his confidence against the already prepared Bucs. The players want this game, the fans want this game. Also, odds are you are going to have to Play the Bucs, Cowboys, Packers and if you get past all three of those, THE PATRIOTS AGAIN.

My choice. Numero uno. What's your Baggino?

 

[The Guid]

3. The Giants "high" on their defeat of the New England Patriots, head into Tampa Bay bruised and beaten. Get handled by the Buccaneers and are forced to watch the rest of the playoffs at home, again.

There is always that scenario..

Anyway, I think the smart thing would be to rest them if you want to get to the Patriots in the Superbowl, this game is meaningless. Momentum won't mean jack if you lose two or three starters because you wanted to end the undefeated season. It may be a different story if the shoe was on the other foot, I really don't know but I do know that the Giants should be resting their starters for the playoffs.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

even if they bench them you miss the fact that unless they have high momentum entering game that they won't beat the Packers and Cowboys and the Patriots, 3 weeks in a row. Take the 15-1...

 

[The Guid]

even if they bench them you miss the fact that unless they have high momentum entering game that they won't beat the Packers and Cowboys and the Patriots, 3 weeks in a row. Take the 15-1...

I would gladly take 15-1...Undefeated is good and all, don't get me wrong, but from day one I have been about winning the Superbowl

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I agree but they have better chances of Beating the Pats now with their strong defensive front than getting all the way to the Super Bowl. They're not that great a team. The great story of this century will be "Pats start 15-0, Wild Card NY Giants defeat them weak 17, win vs. Tampa Bay WC round, Beat Packers Next round, NFC Champ, defeat Div. Rivals Dal Cowboys, defeat 17-1 Patriots in the Superbowl.