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Giants can handle the loss of Burress
The Giants have so many offensive dimensions. Eli Manning is very good at throwing the football down the field and making the throws that put points on the board. They also have shown that they have a lot of depth at receiver and running back, and their offensive line is solid. Plus, they play great defense.
So, you take one little piece away from the Giants, a very confident and veteran team, and it's not going to affect them. At least not initially.
Besides, I don't really think it will ever affect them for the simple reason that I believe there is going to be some finality to the Burress situation pretty soon. I don't think this Burress thing is going to linger. I don't know if the legal process will let it linger. It would not surprise me if there's a suspension, pending the legal process. Once that happens Burress will be in essence separated from the team and the Giants can go about their business.
The team or the commissioner will do something depending on the legal fallout from his current situation.
Prior to the legal process working out, I could see either the Giants or the NFL suspending him until there is a legal resolution. Now, I'm not saying he won't be a Giant next season. I don't know that. But I would be surprised if he plays again this season.
'08 Giants better than '07 Pats?
Remember, a year ago the Patriots dominated teams the first few months of the season. Tom Brady and Randy Moss really dominated teams with their passing game. But in the last part of the season, the Patriots struggled.
The Giants have shown none of that. This team is so much stronger than the Patriots were heading into December a year ago because of how they approach games. I mean the physical part of it. Sure, they can throw the ball and make big plays, but they love to run the ball and play great defense. Because of this approach and their overall talent, the Giants are getting stronger in comparison with the Patriots a year ago. They are not squeaking by anybody. They are starting to beat up teams like they did with the Redskins.
I think there are some teams that can challenge them. The Dallas Cowboys might be able to do it if they can get it together. The Cowboys can make enough plays offensively to challenge them, though they might struggle on defense against the Giants' offense. But I think the Cowboys can match points with them if they are clicking like they have been the past two games. The Cowboys don't have the depth that the Giants have right now, so they can't afford to lose a Marion Barber, or a receiver, but on front-line talent I think they can match them.
When you have a team like this, obviously overall talent is the key. Now, a bad coach wouldn't have the Giants at 11-1. But a good coach taking great talent can do some outstanding things. Tom Coughlin is very solid and the players definitely know now what to expect from him. With Coughlin, the Giants are going to be physical. He is going to be demanding and they are going to be very disciplined.
For a veteran team, Coughlin is the perfect guy. I think with a veteran team there can be more risks there with the coaching staff than with a young team. What I mean is that young team is eager and motivated and maybe they will run through a wall for the head coach. The veteran team I've always felt needed a demanding, disciplined coach. And that's what Coughlin is.
NFL Week 17
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Week 17 action
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Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
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After the first incident with Plaxico Burress when he failed to show up, don't forget Coughlin didn't blink and eye. He suspended him right away. A young coach might have said, 'Gee, I need this guy in order to win. I better not sit him down.' A veteran coach like Coughlin is not going to take any B.S. and he sat him down. I think he probably gained the respect of his veterans when he did that, too.
Titans a cut below
The Tennessee Titans have the same solid record as the Giants, but are still a level below them. I say that because I think the jury is still out on whether they can beat you if you slow down their running game. Granted, there were a couple of games in which Kerry Collins threw the ball very well and they were able to win that way. But I don't know if Jeff Fisher's team can count on that.
I'm not even sure that they are far and away the best team in the AFC, though they seem like it right now because of their record.
NFC South on the rise
Finally, what can I say about the NFC South and its top teams Tampa Bay, Carolina and Atlanta? Well, everybody talked earlier in the season about how strong and deep the NFC East was, and most people haven't really talked about the NFC South.
But the more you watch these teams play, the more impressed you are. Fans forget what a long, grueling season the NFL can be. Injuries occur and teams get better while others teams start to falter. These South teams have gotten better.
I think Atlanta with Matt Ryan and a new coaching staff has really gotten better. I already said that Mike Smith is my Coach of the Year and he seems to have a great grasp on his talent level. The rest of the team knows what Michael Turner brings to them. They can also go deep with Roddy White, who has opened some eyes this season. Who knew he could be such a star?
Carolina is a veteran team. Jake Delhomme has been up and down this season, but he's a veteran who can make plays like he did with Steve Smith on Sunday at the end of the game up in Green Bay. Smith is one of the league's best playmakers. They didn't have him the first couple weeks of the season.
Tampa had a little quarterback shuffle at the start of the season, but now Jeff Garcia is starting to play well. Jon Gruden knows his talents, and it really looks like they have a solid running game with Cadillac and Warrick Dunn. Don't forget they already lost Earnest Graham, their leading rusher. But the bottom line is you know the Bucs are going to play solid defense.
The NFC South has all of sudden jumped up there. It's gotten to the point that maybe the two NFC wild-card teams will come from the South and not the East like we were all saying a month ago.
But as good as those three teams are, I still believe they are cut below the Giants and probably the Cowboys. Maybe I am biased about that, but when Dallas is playing right they can be awfully good.
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