The Giants Are Slowly Taking the 2007 Patriots Approach to Controversy

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Think back to the 2007 Patriots season. Spygate, win after dominant win, and even a little chatter from the media about Bill Belichick running up the score on some less-fortunate teams. How did that team handle the multitude of questions from the media? Well, by never really returning the punches swung at them.

Now look at this 2008 New York Giants team. A Super Bowl ring, a 4-0 start and now being dogged by a member of the 1-3 Cleveland Browns. The Giants have decided that the best response to the talk of "knocking (Brandon Jacobs) head off" and "There ain't nothing physical about (their offensive line)" is to follow the Pats' professionalism and just let their game walk the walk.

"Not me anymore," said Jacobs, no longer taking the verbal bait, instead accepting cues from center Shaun O'Hara.

"The best statement you can make is walking off the field a winner," said O'Hara. "I can honestly say I never won a game because of bulletin board material or lost a game because of bulletin board material. You have to play the game. It makes for great TV and great drama for those not involved, but in the end it's all just hype."

I have to say, that statement sounds like a guy way more concerned about the marathon than just one leg of the race. Just for fun, let's say the Browns upset the Giants tonight. Does that end New York's season? Do Eli Manning or Jacobs or O'Hara lose their job or be demoted to the CFL or playing for the Bengals or something horrible?

No, they do not, and they are still probably the favorite in the NFC to advance through the playoffs. The thing is, this "trash talking" by Corey Williams is fairly pointless and the intelligent Giants starters are seeing it as such. Why spout off when you know for a fact you're better at what you do?

What did Tiger Woods say the time Rory Sabbatini claimed he was "as beatable as ever?" Simple, he just pointed at his record and moved on. Nothing to see here folks, keep the line a-movin'.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-13-2008 @ 3:49PM

A.J. said...

The Redskins are the best team that the Giants have faced this year. Obviously, they had a bad game and lost. After that, the Giants played the Rams, Bengals, and Seahawks, who are a combined 2-14 this year.

How about waiting until they play someone halfway decent before handing them the Lombardi trophy - or even the NFC East title - halfway through the season?

I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns manage to pull one out of their rear ends. Sooner or later, the light has to come on. Last year showed everyone what the Browns can do when firing on all cylinders, and it only takes one or two games. And there's no telling when Crennel's patience with Derek Anderson will finally run out and Brady Quinn will step in.

10-13-2008 @ 4:17PM

GiantsFanNYC said...

The Giants are #1 now in their Division and hopefully will continue to be #1, just accept that they are one hell of a team, and give credit where it is due. This isnt luck here people it is just damn good football.....Thank you

10-20-2008 @ 12:57AM

brownpride57 said...

giants are not the no1,sorry to bust ur bubble,when ur giants play our beloved MIGHTY STEELERS they are not going to know what hit them,for sure the giants will be steamrolled and there is nothing the giants will be able to do ,so u better bring plenty of toilet tissue,cause eli is going to need it to wipe his butt,cause when he gets a taste of the steelers ,he is going to have to use all the tissue he can hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10-13-2008 @ 4:29PM

Eddie said...

I don't see what this has to do with the Patriots whatsoever. Brady and Bellicheat delivered similar words with that smug little smirk that still makes me cheer a little inside everytime I see Matt Cassel take the field. The Giants, on the other hand, are sincerely humble and Shaun O'Hara is actually elaborating the point wuite extensively, compared to the pat (pun intended) responses we got from the "Champs" last year.

Here's to the G-Men running the table the right way this year.

10-13-2008 @ 4:32PM

Steve Larabie said...

Yeah, we have to take this season one game at a time. There isn't anyone who can't be beat even by the lower ranked teams. I think that keeping their mouths shut and just playing football is the answer that our fans want to see. Go Giants.