The importance of resting up
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- December
- 30
Before we got the lighter side of Eli Manning yesterday, he did spend a moment talking about the importance of actually taking full advantage of the opportunity to rest up for the playoffs.
“We have some days off and we have to use that time wisely and get rest and make sure you are using that time wisely to get your body and get your mind mentally fresh and make sure we come in next week feeling good,” Manning said. “We are going to have a big game and this is where it all counts. We have been in these situations before, but nothing from here comes easy and we know that.”
Last season at this point, Manning was looking to break through in the postseason. The improbable Super Bowl run provided instant validation.
“No, I don’t feel any different,” he said. “We know these games are tough. They are always tough. Every team that we could possibly play has earned their spot and played great football and it is going to be a great challenge. It is going to be in Giants Stadium, we never know what the weather might be, but you are going to be playing good teams and you just know that you have to go out there and be able to play your best football. You can’t afford to have missed opportunities. You can’t afford to make mistakes and turn the ball over, so it is always an exciting time. Every team presents problems, but that is why you play this game, to play in these sort of big games in this sort of atmosphere.”
And there are some other notes to pass along …
The Giants will host their divisional playoff game at 1 p.m. on Jan. 11, according to the NFL.
Based on the final standings, opponents for next season have been determined, and the Giants won’t have an easy time.
They will host Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, Arizona, Oakland and San Diego. They will visit Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Denver and Kansas City.
Antonio Pierce was a little gruff while discussing the future of Steve Spagnuolo yesterday, but he did compliment the defensive coordinator, who’s reportedly set to interview with the Jets later this week. He’s also been contacted by the Lions and Browns.
“Spags is a grown man,” he said. “He is his own employee. He is the CEO of Spags Inc. and my job is not to tell coach Spags what to do and what not to do. My job is to listen to him because he is my defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and that is all I care about. Anything else that is being speculated or being asked about I think that just shows you the kind of performance that our defense and coach Spags have put together this year.”
In other words, don’t stir up any distractions before the playoffs.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 9:56 am by Mike Dougherty. 
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Ernie Palladino
They let Lombardi, Landry and Fox (and many others) go. They now now the value of a winner. The Giants will not let Spags go; but he has got to do the smart thing, interview and find out his market worth so that he and the Giants can both know what it takes to treat him fairly.
Man, if the do let Spags go, they should already be planning to get something, like a draft pick out of it. The Giants should promote Spags to assistant HC right now and guarantee him TC’s position when he is done. That way any team that does sign Spags would have to compensate the Giants with draft picks.
Strong words from Pierce, considering he has created the most off the field distractions this year.
Spagnuolo is a master of the blitz, when we had last year’s front four he had the most dynamic schemes in the NFL and they worked. With Strahan and Osi gone this year, his schemes haven’t always worked but still.
anybody else worried about the passrush or lack thereof lately?
Am I missing something??? Didn’t Spag sign a new two year deal this year?? Thats “BS” that he’s should be allowed to talk to anyone! This time of the year!!! Give me a break!
Yes “CJ” the passruch has been at some other games other than the ones we’ve been watching!!!
Did anyone read that i have changed my vote about Burress will be back next year???
Yes Mike “Boss” has some vertical abilty but Burress has both speed and “lift”!! Eli misses that corner route to burress ! it was so automatic!
Giants shouldn’t be so quick any more to fuel other teams at any cost!