Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Giants fans prayers were answered when star defensive end Michael Strahan returned to the field on Sunday, but now all are hoping that he hadn't. Just as the defense felt whole again, Strahan re-injured his foot and will miss the remainder of the season. Amidst renewed optimism with their favorable chances of making the playoffs, the Giants will also be without the services of Luke Petitgout. There had been hope the left tackle would be able to return, but he has not healed as quickly as the organization previously thought. The announcement of Morton was a mere formality after he tore his ACL in Sunday's home loss. For Giants fans, the losses of Strahan and Petitgout are devastating. Although Sunday's game left little to be desired, Strahan seemed to be very active after his long lay off. There was some concern he could re-aggrevate the injury, and obviously those trepidations were warranted. The status of Petitgout has always been more of a mystery, but everything out of Giants' camp suggested he'd be prepared as early as the season finale at Washington. His recovery has not progressed far enough for the Giants to feel he'd be ready anytime soon.
Obviously the bigger story is losing these three key components, but my bigger issue is with their replacements. Taking their spots on the roster will be WR Darius Watts, TE Darcy Johnson, and RB Robert Douglas. Some rationality can be given to the Watts signing. He's a young, speed guy who enjoyed a little success in his short tenure with Denver. The Giants receiving corps needed a bolster, and I have no problem bringing in outside help to do so. It seems there are better options out there with the recent release of Vikings WR Marcus Robinson, but Watts certainly had more signability. However, I don't possibly see a need for another TE and RB, no matter what their caliber. The Giants were content to enter the season with 2 Tight Ends and have had no problem using Rich Seubert in addition to Shiancoe and Shockey. Johnson has failed to catch on with the Giants in the past, and Tight End is one of the few positions the Giants are settled in. Another one of those positions is Running Back, but the Giants inexplicably signed Douglas off the Texans practice squad. First, how desperate for RB's do you have to be to sign a guy who couldn't catch on in the Texans backfield. Secondly, the Giants just flat out do not need any more running backs. When they placed Derrick Ward on IR last week, they promoted practice squad running back James Sims. That signing was curious enough, there was no need to add another guy who is not going to carry the football. With glaring needs on the defensive and offensive lines, how is that not addressed? I understand the Giants signed OL Steve Edwards when they released Chris Claiborne, but nagging injuries along with Petitgout's trip to the IR makes more linemen necessary. On the other side of the ball, the Giants are in desperate need of bodies. Right now the Giants are inexperienced and thin along the defensive line and could really use a run stopping end to spell Kiwanuka. It seems the incompetence from the sidelines is leaking in to the management office.
A lone bright spot is that John Hufnagel has been stripped of playcalling duties. According to Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants beat writer for the Daily News, Coughlin made the decision to give the offense a spark. The man now responsible for restoring order to the offense will be quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride. Since Hufnagel has set a very low standard, I feel confident Gilbride can bring more to the table. This move clearly signals that Coughlin fears for his job, as well he should. Even though a win virtually assures the Giants of a playoff berth, it is widely speculated that his abrasive style has not meshed well with Giants executives. Getting in to the playoffs may not even be enough to save his job, but you can be assured failing to qualify will certainly end his reign.
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