Game Preview: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals, November 14, 2004

Rally Around Big Blue!

We are springing to the call
of our brothers gone before,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom,
And we’ll fill the vacant ranks
with a million free men more,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.

The (Giants) forever, hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Down with the (Cardinals), up with the star,
While we rally ’round the flag, boys, rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.

With the Giants’ casualty list growing (12 out for the season and other ailing), including the critical loss of Michael Strahan, Battle Cry of Freedom immediately came to mind for me this week. The vacant ranks of those gone before have been filled. Will the team rally – rally once again?

I am not going to talk about the opponent this week. This game is not about the Cardinals. It is strictly about the Giants. The losses of Strahan and Keith Washington are tough hurdles to overcome, but in these losses there are opportunities. For years, Michael Strahan and Jessie Armstead were the heart and soul of the New York Giants’ defense. When Armstead was waived after the 2001 season, Strahan became the sole leader of the defense. His very presence inspired the troops, but it also may have intimidated others from stepping up to the plate and assuming leadership responsibilities. Strahan has fallen and others MUST assume the mantle of leadership.

How does one become a leader? “What I’ve found is that the best type of leadership there is for somebody to make a play,” says Coach Coughlin. “Make a play. Make a play, rally people around you, get them excited.”

In a way, this is going to be a good test run for the Giants to find out what life without Strahan will be like in the not-too-distant future. Strahan turns 33 years old this month. He undoubtably has a future in television if he wants it and the demands of being a new father. He is in the twilight of his career, with production that is declining at the same time as his salary escalates. I am sure Strahan will be back in 2005, but will he be back in 2006? I see similarities here with LT’s situation in 1992, when he suffered his first and only season-ending injury. Taylor came back to play in 1993 because he didn’t want to finish his career by being carted off the field. But 1993 was his last season. The 1992 Giants did not rally. They were 5-4 at the time of his injury, but the team lost six of its last seven games without him to finish 6-10.

The Giants can avoid a similar fate if others step to the plate and carry this defense. Will Allen, Will Peterson, Frank Walker, Gibril Wilson, Brent Alexander, Nick Greisen, Kevin Lewis, Carlos Emmons, Reggie Torbor, Osi Umenyiora, Norman Hand, Fred Robbins, Lance Legree, and William Joseph – it’s on their shoulders now. There is strength in numbers and fame and money to be made. How? Make plays, win ball games. The legacy of the 80-year old Giants is defense. There is a proud tradition to uphold. Be aggressive, be physical, get to the football!

How cool would it be for this defense to still carry the team minus Strahan, Washington, and both starting safeties? The national media would be dumfounded. It is possible. Without the threat of Strahan’s disapproval looming over his shoulder, Defensive Coordinator Tim Lewis can really vary his defense now. I would expect to even a great variety of looks from both the 4-3 and especially the 3-4. Look for players such as Reggie Torbor to see a lot of situational playing time. Opposing offenses won’t know what is coming. If the defense makes plays and wins games, media attention will be focused on the players…new stars will arise from the ashes. New York is the media capitol of the world and New Yorkers love defense.