By Matt Jussim
Will they or won’t they?
That is the question heading into this weekends Giants game. Will Tom Coughlin rest his starters? The coach said that he would do what is in the best interest of the Giants, but did not say if or how much his starters would play in the season finale on Sunday.
"My answer to all of your questions will be that in conjunction with the medical people and with the idea of improving our game, having individuals perform at a higher level than we did in the last game, which is always our theme, we will do the best thing for our football team," Coughlin said.
The Giants have already clinched a first round bye and home field advantage through the playoffs, so they don’t really have anything to play for on Sunday. But try getting that past Coach Coughlin. "The week off comes after the last game," the coach said yesterday.
Last year the Giants had everything to gain, and barley anything to lose when they faced the undefeated Patriots to finish the regular season. Everyone knew Tom Coughlin would have his team play hard. He has an immense respect for the game and I think everyone realized that he wouldn’t allow an undefeated season to occur against the Giants practice squad.
New York wasn’t expected to win that game by any stretch, but if they could somehow pull it out, or at least keep the game close, it would have given the team some confidence going into the playoffs. We all know how that ended up.
This time around though, the Giants will be facing a team that hasn’t even clinched a playoff spot. And if Minnesota ends up winning the game and making the postseason, they will be the team with some confidence, and set themselves up for a possible a playoff rematch with New York.
As of right now, the Giants are unsure who will venture to the Meadowlands for the NFC divisional playoff game that will take place two weeks from now. There is a possibility that the team could be the Vikings.
That could complicate things for the Giants. Not only must they decide if the should rest some of their players, they also need to think about what schemes they will and will not show to a team they could possibly play again in the future.
Some players will definitely be resting this weekend. According to the Associated Press cornerback Aaron Ross will miss Sunday’s game due to a concussion, and at least four other starters are listed as questionable for the season finale.
Tight end Kevin Boss (concussion/ankle) was listed as doubtful on the injury report this week, and Brandon Jacobs (knee), defensive tackle Barry Cofield (knee), and offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie (back) were questionable.
Ross suffered his concussion in last Sunday’s game against the Panthers. "My head is still hurting sometimes, but as far as every thing else, I don't know nothing," the cornerback said. "I haven't had a chance to do anything, so I don't know how far along I am. I have to listen to them. I have to get out of here, my head is still hurting." Kevin Dockery will join Corey Webster as the starting cornerbacks for this Sunday’s game.
Tight end Boss was injured twice in the Panthers game. He suffered a concussion, and then later on rolled his ankle while making a catch later in the game.
Jacobs practiced earlier in the week, but he did not participate on Friday. He might be the one starter who needs some rest more than anyone. He has been hurting recently, and due to his powerful running style, he is more inclined to be injured than some of the Giants other players.
If Jacobs does not play, it would also give Derrick Ward a better chance gain the 52 yards he needs to reach 1,000 yards on the season. If he does it would make the Giants the fourth team in NFL history to have two running back rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
"We prepare like there is only one objective in mind and that is to win," Coughlin said. Whether the Giants win or lose on Sunday, their number one goal will to remain healthy and well rested for their NFC divisional playoff game in two weeks.
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