In the first three years of Tom Coughlin's head coaching tenure in New York, the Giants were a mess. They were an egotistical team, laden with immature stars (Shockey), talking heads (Tiki) and as a whole rebelled against Coughlin's domineering coaching style. In addition, there were constant media outburtsts with guys throwing coaches and teammates under the bus. Compounding the problem, was the fact that the team had a young quarterback in Eli Manning who, being even-keeled by nature, was overwhelmed by the big veteran egos in the locker room. Despite all this, the team made the playoffs twice, being bounced in the first round both times.
Coming into the 2007-2008 season, expectations were low following the retirement of leading rusher Tiki Barber. Tom Coughlin was seemingly a lame duck coach, almost certain to be fired at season's end and most experts predicted a 6-10 campaign that would place the Gmen in the NFC East cellar. Who would have known that the adversity facing Coughlin and departure of the outspoken Barber, the two things that were to doom this team, would serve as the catalysts for positive change and a successful season.
It all started with Coughlin. After assessing the team's negative response to his overbearing coaching the past three seasons, he very admirably swallowed his pride and contstructed a veteran players committee. This consisted of the team's most respected veteran players such as Shaun O'Hara and Michael Strahan (a staunch early critic of Coughlin) who would help lead in the locker room/practice field and most importantly present the players concerns/thoughts to the coaching staff. This open dialogue fostered not only a better understanding and respect between the veteran players and coaches, it helped create a harmonious locker room where guys were held more accountable by one another for their actions.
This behind the scenes transformation would not have been possible without Tiki Barber's departure. Tiki's criticisms were a trigger for many of the issues in the locker room and had an overall negative effect on the team's attitude. His departure gave everyone else a bigger voice, especially Eli Manning who has earned the respect of his teammates after publicly replying to Tiki's criticisms and playing through a shoulder injury the entire season.
While the offseason brought a lot of positive change off the field, ultimately a team's success is decided in the win column and following two straight losses out of the gates things weren't looking good. In my view, the Giants success this season can be defined by two comeback wins, both on the road:
- Week 3 in Washington: The Giants avoided a 0-3 start that would have buried there season, overcoming a 17-3 halftime deficit to win 24-17.
- Week 16 in Buffalo: Coming off an ugly home loss, the Giants saw their playoff lead disappearing with the Pats looming on the horizon. Down 14-0 early, the Giants rallied in terribly wintry conditions to win 38-21, clinching a playoff berth.
The Giants determined and fearless road play was on display again this weekend in the Florida sunshine as they overcame an early deficit to dominate the final three quarters of their playoff game with Tampa winning 24-14. The win in Tampa was their 8th straight and feeds into the team's self-imposed identity as "Road Warriors."
The Giants now head to Dallas for their third meeting with the Cowboys this season and suprisingly the first ever in postseason play. With Washington eliminated, the Giants will not see another home game this season and something tells me they wouldn't have it any other way.
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