New York Giants Official Website

DECEMBER 30, 2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - So, Giants fans, here we are. One week left in the regular season, and we're officially out of the playoff hunt. Not the situation anybody wanted, but one that shouldn't be too much of a shock to anyone who's been watching this season progress. I'll tell you one thing - the team I saw last Sunday certainly didn't deserve a playoff berth.

What I learned from Sunday...

What bothers me most is that the game began with such promise! That first drive was going perfectly. We were moving down the field methodically, averaging about 5-7 yards per play, gaining first downs and killing that clock. Then, suddenly, Madison Hedgecock got called for a holding penalty on what looked like a picture-perfect touchdown pass to Steve Smith. And it wasn't just a holding penalty; it was a blatant tackle that occurred right in front of the referee, when a chip would've sufficed. Soon after, Mario Manningham carelessly fumbled away a completion down near the end zone, and the wheels completely fell off. From there, it was all downhill.

You'd think the guys out there would have a little pride, given what was at stake on Sunday. Not only were we playing for our playoff lives, but it was also the Giants send-off to their home for the last 30 years. It made me physically ill to sit there and watch the whole game.

Coughlin and his coaching staff put in 18-20 hour days, seven days a week. And for what? To see an offense that becomes completely unglued after a promising opening drive ends badly? To see a defense show up, void of aggression? Maybe Bill Sheridan wasn't the answer to Steve Spagnuolo's departure, but you can bet he put a lot more effort into this game than it seemed any of the players did on the field. Our defensive needs in the off-season are many. They can be fixed through free agency and the draft, but to be a consistent winning team in December in the NFC East (like the Philadelphia Eagles have been - yes, hearing that should sting), a lot of soul searching and self- examination needs to start, and it needs to start this week in Minnesota.

The stadium deserved a better performance.

My friends and I went to the game with all the passion and optimism in the world, expecting our beloved Gmen to send the stadium off with a huge statement victory, helping us inch ever-closer to a potential playoff berth. We were in our seats up in the mezzanine a good hour or so before kickoff, and watched with pride as the Giants stretched and warmed up for the last time in the stadium. Not a single one of us had any doubt that we'd win this game handily, making for a truly joyous day of celebration for the landmark that is Giants Stadium. Even Jimmy Hoffa seemed to be sending optimistic vibes from way underneath the building's foundation.

As miserable as it was, I forced my friends and myself to sit there until the clock ran out. Forget the embarrassment that took place on the field - we owed it to the stadium, and to the franchise. The team is bigger than one embarrassing performance, or one unfulfilled season. That stadium has been home to some of the greatest experiences of my life, and I wasn't going to let one disheartening performance by the guys wearing Giants uniforms ruin its send-off. The guys playing might not have played well enough to give it a fitting goodbye, but it didn't mean the fans should disrespect it as well. As upset as the game made me, I still walked out of the stadium with my head held high. Not too long ago, it was the home of champions. I felt really bad for Lawrence Taylor, especially. To come in and watch the final Giants home game in the stadium, after calling it home for the entirety of his Pro Bowl career, only to see that embarrassing performance? If only LT (or even Sehorn, for that matter) could've suited up. Those guys know what it means to play with heart and passion.

Where do we go from here?

There are obviously a lot of questions to be answered this off-season. What we, as fans, should really hope for is that the Giants at least show some heart and toughness in their last game this Sunday in Minnesota. While it won't mean anything for us regarding January's second season, it would be nice to see the kind of fight that seemed to be missing last week.

Regarding the off-season, I'd love to see Jerry Reese go out and get us a shutdown corner. I realize Webster and Ross have been out the last few weeks (Ross nearly the whole season), and as a result we've been playing with back-ups, but that doesn't change my opinion. Although I have been very encouraged by what I've seen from Jonathan Goff since stepping in for the injured Antonio Pierce, I think we should use the draft to build up our linebackers and safeties. If there's anything we've learned this season, it's that you can't have enough depth in those areas (it'll be nice having Kenny Phillips back next year, that's for sure).

Random thoughts:

Is anyone else really bummed out that the Jets, not the Giants, have the last home game of the season in the stadium? As bad as our last performance was (plus the fact that the Jets still have a shot at making the post-season), it seems only fitting that the last game in Giants Stadium would be played by the team with the same name.

Having several weeks off of work for the holidays, I've managed to see two movies since coming east. They were "Sherlock Holmes" and "Avatar" (in 3D). Both were AWESOME! I highly recommend them to anyone who loves the experience of going to the movies.

My new year's resolution: convert one Eagles fan into a Giants fan in 2010. I know it's next to impossible, but I figure if I find one out in LA, far from their home turf, it might be a little easier. Plus, it's always a real pleasure to turn fans from the dark side to the side of good. I'm setting the bar pretty high for next year!

In conclusion...

Its going to be a really tough January. For many, it means not even being able to watch the NFL playoffs, simply because it hurts so much to see two teams from the NFC East playing, not one of them being the Gmen. But we'll survive it. Let's finish the season on a positive note next week, and start getting ready for next year! If you want to contact me, feel free to e-mail me at gmensuperfan@gmail.com. You can also find me on Facebook, under the name "Gmen Superfan." Until next week, GO GMEN!!