On February 4, 2008 the New York Giants were the toast of the nation. They had just upset the “evil empire” New England Patriots in Superbowl XLII the night before, beating them 17-14 in a game in which few gave them a chance to even stay close.
New York fans gladly boasted in the faces of their dumb-founded, multi-sport nemeses, savoring every second of Bostonian pain. The media was madly clamoring to punch out reams of David versus Goliath stories depicting the untimely demise of the Patriots’ perfect season. And all anybody could talk about was how effective Eli Manning was in the postseason.
It seems nobody even remembered that five weeks earlier Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and the entire Giants organization had their feet to the flames in the face of another late season sputter as they finished a season 4-4 that they had started at 6-2.
The Giants of the Tom Coughlin era have been notoriously underachieving in the second half of seasons, usually skidding into the playoffs at the end only to suffer a familiar early-round exit.
These Giants have never had the makeup to consistently perform at a high level. They have always flashed glimpses of dominance, which they clearly exhibited throughout their Superbowl winning playoff run.
However, a seemingly more important indicator is their alarming inability to maintain this level of performance throughout the course of an entire season. Surely, nobody ever expects perfection from any team, and ten wins in any season is a record to be proud of. However, it is the games which the Giants should win, but don’t, which are the tell-tale sign that they are yet to arrive as a serious NFL powerhouse.
Last year, Eli Manning and the Giants were dominated by a mediocre Minnesota Vikings team in week 12. In that game, Eli Manning was picked-off four times, with three of those INT”s being returned for touchdowns as Minnesota cruised to a 41-17 romp.
This kind of humiliation does not occur to teams with the makeup to achieve repeat Superbowl appearances. Instead, it is more indicative of a one-year wonder team which, though impressive, is likely to be short-lived.
Even more exhibitive of New York’s inability to consistently win like a champion is their 2-6 finish to the 2006 season in which they started 6-2.
It is these kinds of Jekyll and Hyde performances that make it highly unlikely that the Giants will again reach the Superbowl. That is if they even make the playoffs at all.
The NFC East is possibly the most competitive division in all of football. Three of the four teams from that division made the playoffs last year, and a case can be made for at least the same number to achieve that level of success in the upcoming year.
The Cowboys are undoubtedly the cream of the crop, in the regular season anyway. The Eagles are always a contender, and with a well-groomed Asante Samuel set to join a healthy Donovan McNabb and the uber-productive Brian Westbrook, they will likely push the Cowboys for the division crown. That will likely leave the Giants to battle with the Redskins for third place and hoping to secure a wild-card spot.
The two NFC wild-card spots may be at a premium this year, however. Outside of the NFC East, from which at least one wild-card team will undoubtedly emerge, a resurgent Vikings team looks to push the Packers for the North title. The always unpredictable South could see the Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers all return to their dominant forms. And the classically under-achieving West may finally get its act together enough for the Cardinals to post a playoff-worthy performance. Consequently, the final wild-card spot is sure to enjoy no shortage of suitors.
All this translates into a more competitive playoff race. And with the Giants facing the toughest intra-division opponents, a 10 win season may not realized; especially if the Giants and Tom Coughlin continue their inconsistent ways.
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from 6 days ago
Good article. Over the last two years, the Giants are 3-5 at home. Yes, the G-men have been inconsistent especially Eli.
I agree with you about Dallas. I think they are the team to beat in the NFC East.
from 6 days ago
Over the last two years the Giants have only played eight home games? Obviously you meant in 2007.
If the 2007 Giants proved anything it's that pre-season prediction don't mean squat. If I could I would forward this story to every player on the team to help motivate them for the upcoming season. In fact, the writer is correct -- the G-Men have NO CHANCE to even win four games, let alone make the playoffs. I think they're going to go 2-14 this year and 0-6 in the division. Yeah, that sounds about right.
from 6 days ago
THEY BEEN THE TEAM TO BEAT FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, LISTEN.., DALLAS AINT REALLY THAT GOOD, THEY GOT A QUEER RUNNING AROUND LIKE A NUT THROWING THE BALL, A SAFETY WHO JUST KEEPS HAVING THE REFS IN HIS POCKET AND NOT CALLING HORSE COLLAR TACKLES, A CRYING RECEIVER WHO RECEIVES FROM HIS QB, A OWNER WHO IS A PIECE OF S**T BUYING TICKETS TO A GAME THAT THEY DIDNT EVEN EARN YET, AND BASICALLY, THEY WILL BE LEFT WATCHING SOMEONE ELSE REPRESENT THE NFC IN THE SUPERBOWL, AGAIN!!!! ALSO, THE GIANTS RULE!!!! PLAYOFFS EVERY YEAR ELI STARTED, RECORD THAT STAT, JUNIOR!
from 6 days ago
"My team's the best because they're my favorite!"
- Hector (CAPS OMITTED)
from 5 days ago
GOOD ONE JOSH, I LIKE CAPS AND GIANTS, AND TAVARIS JACKSON IS THE REAL DEAL!
from 5 days ago
My SENTIMENTS exactly!
from 6 days ago
MR. Carr's analysis is flawed. It is the same old nonsense spouted every year about Manning, Coughlin and the Giants. The reality is that last year the Giants lost four games to the NFL's best teams, New England, Dallas, and Green Bay. The avenged each of these loses in the playoffs. They also lost to two very hot teams in the Vikings and the Redskins. The two previously years they made the playoffs despite injury riddled seasons. Last year it took time (10 quarters) to adjust to a new defensive coordinator. The key to the Giants continued success is their stable front office, a relatively young offensive line, and an emerging defense led by a very bright defensive coordinator. Eli Manning is an outstanding, and still a young and underrated quarterback who NFL executives (though not fickle sportswriters) routinely praise. The greatest obstacle remains the natural letdown that often follows as Super Bowl. This is a difficult division. Philadelphia remains a very good team that is likely to reemerge as a Super Bowl challenger. Dallas is very talented, if not a little dysfunctional. So, the Giant may not repeat--but they are very capable talent-wise and leadership wise. Frankly, the more disrespect that is shown by writers, such as Carr, the better. The Giants seem to feed off this kind of disrespect.
from 6 days ago
I think the argument stands. The point is not that the Giants weren't good, it was that they are inconsistent. The Giants didn't just lose to the Vikings last year, they were destroyed by them. And a new defensive coordinator had nothing to do with it, because at the beginning of the season (the first 10 quarters as you put it), they were fine. It was the end of the season where they struggled; where they have always struggled.
I am not claiming that Eli Manning is a bad quarterback. In fact, I feel that Eli is a pretty dang good QB, and I felt the same way when New York fans and media were calling for his head as recently as week 15 of last season. His problem, however, is that he has failed to perform consistently well throughout his career thus far. He's always had stretches where he appears like a legitimate star QB, and has always followed up those stretches with highly inconsistent gameplay. Until he proves that he can consistently lead the Giants to wins, not just against good teams, but, more importantly, against bad and mediocre teams, the Giants will not have what it takes to repeat.
Your final comment cemented my analysis. The NFC East is too difficult a division for an inconsistent team, such as the Giants, to succeed. Dallas and Philadelphia are going to be applying pressure the entire season. Though dysfunctional, Dallas has shown that they know how to win regular season games, and there is no reason to suspect they will not repeat as division champion. As you said, New York is very capable in virtually all facets. However, capable is not enough. They will need to consistently perform at a high level to stay competitive with the Eagles and Cowboys. And history indicates that they cannot consistently play football at a championship level for the duration of an entire season, having finished 2-6 and 4-4 in the second halves of the past two seasons.
from 6 days ago
I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams that they might repeat. But they'll at least contend in the NFC East. Parcells is gone and his teams historically deteriorate after he leaves. Wade Phillips ain't no Tuna. Who knows about the Skins and Zorn. The Beagles could go either way too.
from 6 days ago
Yes, the Giants do seem to feed off of disrespect. Most "experts" had them pegged for 5 to 7 wins in 2007. However, it's also accurate to say that they probably won't repeat in 2008. That said, this is a team that has made the playoffs the last 3 years, and that is a good measure of consistence, no matter how ugly the 2nd half of the 2006 season was. So while there may be a Jekyll and Hyde trend within each season, the long-term trend has shown the Giants to be a reasonably well-built team with a world-class pass rush and a very good O-line that specializes in run-blocking. With good, young players in both of these areas, as well as a decent QB who has finally silenced his critics, the Giants should be a playoff-caliber team for the next few seasons.
from 6 days ago
WELL MINNESOTA HAD THEIR FOOT UP SAN DIEGOS REAR END ALSO BUT NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THAT. WE WILL BE THERE IN JANUARY AGAIN BECAUSE MY QB TO DATE WILL WIN GAMES LIKE HE KNOWS HE HAS TO. IF BONY HOMO GETS HURT, THERE GOES DALLAS, AT LEAST WE GOT BACK UPS FOR DAYS IN EVERY POSITION, ALL THE OTHER TEAMS IN MY DIVISION RELY ON ONE PERSON TO TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE.
from 6 days ago
AARON, MY SEDIMENTS EXACTLY, TELL THESE FOOLS HOW IT IS MY BROTHER!
from 6 days ago
Sediments huh? LOL
from 5 days ago
YEA I HEARD THAT WORD IN A COMMERCIAL
from 5 days ago
Was it a commercial for water erosion?
from 6 days ago
Keep putting the Giants down, this is what they lived off of last year. While they didn't get play as well as the Cowboys or Packers, they still managed to win 10 games.
Keep putting down Eli Manning, last year against the two top seeds of each conference (Cowboys, Patriots) Eli threw for 14 touchdowns in 5 games ( 3 Dallas games and 2 New England)
You are wrong again because the Giants defense is fierce, relentless, fast and versatile and can flat out get after the passer. It's not even about getting gaudy sack numbers but rather altering the quarterback's throw. Think about the Super Bowl
The Giants have made the playoffs every year with Eli at quarterback. He is an absolute LEADER and the team rallies around him. There are only 5 starting quarterbacks who are still starting with a Super Ring: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and maybe Kurt Warner and Eli Manning.
Word to Tony Romo: Eli Manning has 1 more Super Bowl Ring than you have playoff wins.
Cowboys fans stop being bitter that the Giants won when it mattered.
This post my be bias because I am a die heart fan of the New York Football Giants but the Giants should be able to contend to repeat. They have built there team through the draft.
from 6 days ago
I haven't disagreed with anything you just said. All I've said is that they are inconsistent and, therefore, will not be able to repeat a Superbowl berth from the highly competitive NFC East.
from 5 days ago
GOOD ARTICLE MIKE!
from 6 days ago
Keep putting the Giants down, this is what they lived off of last year. While they didn't get play as well as the Cowboys or Packers, they still managed to win 10 games.
Keep putting down Eli Manning, last year against the two top seeds of each conference (Cowboys, Patriots) Eli threw for 14 touchdowns in 5 games ( 3 Dallas games and 2 New England)
You are wrong again because the Giants defense is fierce, relentless, fast and versatile and can flat out get after the passer. It's not even about getting gaudy sack numbers but rather altering the quarterback's throw. Think about the Super Bowl
The Giants have made the playoffs every year with Eli at quarterback. He is an absolute LEADER and the team rallies around him. There are only 5 starting quarterbacks who are still starting with a Super Ring: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and maybe Kurt Warner and Eli Manning.
Word to Tony Romo: Eli Manning has 1 more Super Bowl Ring than you have playoff wins.
Cowboys fans stop being bitter that the Giants won when it mattered.
This post my be bias because I am a die heart fan of the New York Football Giants but the Giants should be able to contend to repeat. They have built there team through the draft.
from 6 days ago
I love how everyone goes out on a limb and says the giants won't repeat. Yeah you're right they probably won't, there are 31 other teams that can win it all next year. And considering there have only been eight teams in NFL history to repeat as Super Bowl champs, it doesn't look promising for the giants. But that doesn't mean they aren't contenders. If anything I think the giants could be an even better team next year but most likely won't repeat.
from 6 days ago
Is it more surprising that I made the fairly obvious observation that the Giants are unlikely to repeat, or that there has already been five people tell me I'm wrong?
from 6 days ago
If you're referring to people commenting on your atricle I don't see one comment that says the Giants are going to repeat. And unless you're going to make a statement and say that they certainly won't repeat, your "argument" is 100% obvious in saying they are "unlikely to repeat."
"And history indicates that they cannot consistently play football at a championship level for the duration of an enitre season" -you
It doesn't matter that they didn't play consistently all of last season, THEY WON THE SUPER BOWL. How's that for history?
from 5 days ago
Ok, well I was trying to provide an objective analysis, but if you want me to I will say that in my opinion they certainly won't repeat. I thought it was obvious from my article that I don't even think they'll make the playoffs. But if you want me to connect the dots for you I'm happy to do so. I don't know what difference that makes in anything, but there you have it, I'm 100% convinced they will not repeat (sorry Giants fans).
And thank you for pointing out they won the Superbowl...although I do believe I mentioned that already it was nice to have it reinforced by you.
The basis of my argument is not that the Giants aren't good, or weren't good last season. I'm saying they are not consistent enough to string together more than one Superbowl run. I think that is a fair analysis and, despite that you may think it's obvious, and apparently below you, it seems to find support on both sides of the argument. So if I write an article that says I don't think the Giants will even make the playoffs for X reason, and a bunch of Giants fans respond that they think they will because of Y and Z, then it appears that it is a topic that merits some discussion.
To me, that's pretty obvious.
from 5 days ago
"Those of who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it"- George Santayana
As an objective observer, I think Joshua's truth is valid. He is not a fan of the Giants and I think writes an excellent article.
Giant Fans,
When the Giants have appeared in a Super Bowl, what has happened the following season?
They did not make the playoffs.
1987- 6-9 (0-3 with replacement players)
1991- 8-8
2001- 7-9.
Please check out:
New York Football Giants
www.nygmennfl.blogspot.com
from 5 days ago
And then?
from 5 days ago
And then?
from 5 days ago
My point is that consistency isn't always a determining factor in Super Bowl champions- proven by last year's Giants. If they were so inconsistent last year and still won the Super Bowl, why couldn't they do it again?
So while I agree in thinking it's going to be extremely difficult for the Giants to repeat, I don't agree with your reasons why.
I also just didn't like how you said they are "unlikely to repeat" in your article. It's nothing personal dude, I'm just saying based on the numerical odds alone they are extremely unlikely to repeat. It's hard to argue against that.
Btw I'm not a Giants fan, I actually hate the Giants and am a Jets fan. But the Giants will be contenders in '09.
from 5 days ago
They could do it again but I don't think they will because they have trouble winning games they are supposed to (like when they get off to a hot start and have to take care of business down the stretch run, or like when they play mediocre opponents such as the Vikings, who have beaten them the past two times they've played), and also because they are in the toughest division in football. Props to them for getting hot last year, but the only teams to have repeat visits to the Superbowl in the modern era (Patriots, Broncos, Cowboys, etc.) the one thing they have in common was that they were consistently dominant during those stretches. I don't think the Giants are capable of that level of consistency, which is why I don't believe they will repeat.
I probably chose the phrase "unlikely to repeat" because I didn't want it to appear like I was blasting the Giants the whole article. I respect what they did last year, I feel that they have the potential to do it again, but I don't think they will. They don't have the level of consistency necessary to join only a handful of teams who have made repeat visits over the past 20+ years. So if it's that phrase that's really bothering you, just know I only used it to avoid the use of confrontational and aggressive language.
And although I know the odds are certainly stacked against them to do so, I feel that they do have the talent to consider it a possibility. I think everyone who's commented thus far would agree with me on that. That's why this topic warrants discussion, because they have the tools to do it. I just don't think they will.
I know it's nothing personal, so don't worry about it. The point of these articles is to generate discussion. So I welcome opposing viewpoints.
from 5 days ago
Tell 'em Nick!
from 2 days ago
Thanks for telling us why the Giants won't repeat by using the past as evidence. Basically, you're only argument that looks at the upcoming season is "they're in a tough division." Well done.
from about 17 hours ago
And really, who cares what they did after their past Superbowl appearances? Does what happened in 1987, 1991 and 2001 really mean anything to this team today? Nope.
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