We've been hearing much about leadership issues among Giant's players, staff and several media sources. A few weeks ago, former linebacker Antonio Pierce, now an ESPN annalyst; claims the Giants don't have a leader. Earlier this week during an interview on WFAN's Boomer and Carton Show, Giant's safety Antel Rolle made incendiary comments regarding their Sunday evening loss to the Colts. "Nobody is stepping up to the plate" says Rolle. Antrell later apologized for making this statement to the press due to the fact that he didn't first consult with Tom Coughlin. But he's only echoing what all have been saying for awhile.
Up until this season, Tom Coughlin has always named a "Leadership council". This year he will rely on team captains Eli Manning, Justin Tuck and Chase Blackburn to relay any issues growing among the players. As early as today, I read a few articles that question the head coaches ability to lead his squad. My question is: When do players just play?
Big Blue signed many talented althelets in the off season to plug some of the gaps, had decent draft and even made changes to the coaching staff. I'm hearing too many excuses and nobody seems hungry to win. The atmosphere is moving towards grade school during recess in East Rutherford. Finger pointing and name calling are a new mainstay and everyone seems like they are walking through the motions. We're at the point where theres no one left to blame. Do the Giants clean house this off season and go into rebuilding horror or do we all just grow up and do what we're paid to do? Play football.
My theory on why we're seeing this happen is two fold. First, nearly half of the Giant's roster is comprised of players left from Super Bowl 42. They're millionaires with rings. Take a moment and put yourselves in their head and think about how hungry you would be after having what they do. You've now achieved everything that you set out for. Money+Championship= I'm done. Second, Tom Coughlin is no doubt a great coach but I believe that we've seen him peak.
Coaches and this also can be said for many career types, have their own rise/peak/fall type of progression that can almost be graphed out and bet on. For example, Bill Parcells gets hired. Within two years he turns the team around, goes to a Championship and then Bill quits. It's his M.O. Wade Phillips is different. After he gets hired, the teams defense improves, he goes through ups and downs, usually takes his team to the playoffs and falls. Wade doesn't quit, he's fired. It's his M.O. Tom may be a "One and done" type of coach. He's had success in Jacksonville but that ended badly. I'm not doubting his ability to coach, I'm just going by the way he opperates.
If Antrel wants to be a leader, I suggest that he just take on the roll and others will follow. Leaders aren't made they're born. So to sit around like petty children and discuss who's turn is it to play with the game is counter productive. Just shut up and play. Before long it will be bed time and nobody likes to sleep before January. Go Giants.
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