Giants may rest players, still expect to play hard
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Reuters
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 27, 2008 00:00
NEW YORK - The playoff-bound New York Giants may rest a number of players for Sunday's game at Minnesota coach Tom Coughlin said, but he still expected his side to play to win.
Last year the Giants went all out in their regular season finale against the unbeaten New England Patriots despite having qualified for the playoffs, and while they lost a pulsating match 38-35, they fed their self-confidence.
About a month later, the Giants beat New England 17-14 in the Super Bowl, ruining the Patriots' bid for a perfect season.
"I will tell our team that we play every game to win," Coughlin told reporters about the game against Minnesota, who would clinch a playoff berth with a victory. "We have always believed at this time of the year it is important to be playing your best football. We would like to continue to do that but we will do the right thing and the smart thing about our team."
Coughlin said some players could be sidelined to ensure they are in top shape for a run at defending the title. The Giants have a bye in the first-round of the playoffs after claiming the NFC top seed in beating the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. However, the players that suit up will play full-out as a matter of principle and self-protection, said Coughlin.
"You have to be aware of the fact that they (Vikings) have a tremendous amount at stake and they are going to play as hard as they can possibly play," he said. "The 45 guys that we put on the field have to play to the best of their ability with outstanding intensity, great physical play because we know that is the mind-set that the Viking team will take."
Quarterback Eli Manning said the team needed to maintain their momentum given they have a week off between the regular season and playoffs.
"It is a long time before our next game so that is why we are going in with this mentality," he said. "We are going in to play well and keep this thing going."
Starting running back Brandon Jacobs, who returned last Sunday after being sidelined with a sore knee, said he was not sure whether he would play against the Vikings.
If Jacobs does not start, Derrick Ward would get the starting nod, needing to rush for 52 yards to join Jacobs over the 1,000-yard mark and become the fourth pair of running backs to gain 1,000 yards each in a NFL season.
"I want him to get it. I really do. I want him to get out there and run as hard as he can to get those 52 yards," Jacobs said.
Meanwhile, Brett Favre said he would consider his health during discussions on his future with the New York Jets after the team faces the Miami Dolphins this weekend for a playoff berth, Bloomberg reported.
The 39-year-old quarterback said he would talk with Jets coaches and management in the next week or two before reaching a decision about continuing to play in the National Football League.
"Do I see myself playing here next year? I didn’t think I’d be here to begin with after everything that had taken place in the offseason," he told reporters.
The 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback and three-time Most Valuable Player joined the Jets in August after 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets have improved from 4-12 to 9-6 since his arrival.
About a month later, the Giants beat New England 17-14 in the Super Bowl, ruining the Patriots' bid for a perfect season.
"I will tell our team that we play every game to win," Coughlin told reporters about the game against Minnesota, who would clinch a playoff berth with a victory. "We have always believed at this time of the year it is important to be playing your best football. We would like to continue to do that but we will do the right thing and the smart thing about our team."
Coughlin said some players could be sidelined to ensure they are in top shape for a run at defending the title. The Giants have a bye in the first-round of the playoffs after claiming the NFC top seed in beating the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. However, the players that suit up will play full-out as a matter of principle and self-protection, said Coughlin.
"You have to be aware of the fact that they (Vikings) have a tremendous amount at stake and they are going to play as hard as they can possibly play," he said. "The 45 guys that we put on the field have to play to the best of their ability with outstanding intensity, great physical play because we know that is the mind-set that the Viking team will take."
Quarterback Eli Manning said the team needed to maintain their momentum given they have a week off between the regular season and playoffs.
"It is a long time before our next game so that is why we are going in with this mentality," he said. "We are going in to play well and keep this thing going."
Starting running back Brandon Jacobs, who returned last Sunday after being sidelined with a sore knee, said he was not sure whether he would play against the Vikings.
If Jacobs does not start, Derrick Ward would get the starting nod, needing to rush for 52 yards to join Jacobs over the 1,000-yard mark and become the fourth pair of running backs to gain 1,000 yards each in a NFL season.
"I want him to get it. I really do. I want him to get out there and run as hard as he can to get those 52 yards," Jacobs said.
Meanwhile, Brett Favre said he would consider his health during discussions on his future with the New York Jets after the team faces the Miami Dolphins this weekend for a playoff berth, Bloomberg reported.
The 39-year-old quarterback said he would talk with Jets coaches and management in the next week or two before reaching a decision about continuing to play in the National Football League.
"Do I see myself playing here next year? I didn’t think I’d be here to begin with after everything that had taken place in the offseason," he told reporters.
The 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback and three-time Most Valuable Player joined the Jets in August after 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets have improved from 4-12 to 9-6 since his arrival.