| Re: If you were Tom Coughlin...
I think that no matter what Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress shouldn't play more than 2 drives. They have been bothered by injuries all season, and they should put minimal strain on their lower appendages. Plaxico should play a little bit just to get in sync with Eli, but be on a limited snap count. Further, Eli needs to develop some chemistry with his 3 and 4 WRs, Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith, and Shockey's replacement, Kevin Boss.
On the defensive side of the ball, the two starting safeties, Gibril Wilson and James Butler, have missed some games due to injury. Coughlin should limit their time on the field.
I think some other key players, such as Eli Manning, Antonio Pierce, Amani Toomer, Michael Strahan, and Osi Umenyiora should sit in the second half.
The Giants have gotten bounced from the playoffs in the first round two straight years. They need to take a step forward as a franchise and defeat the Tampa Bay Bucs. Yes, beating the Patriots would be nice, but the long-run effects are limited. Winning a playoff game is more important.
Coughlin needs to give his players just enough time on the field to stay sharp, but not too much that they injure themselves or reaggravate and existing injury |