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Sunday, 09 January 2011 14:12 |
By Dan Fredricks
As the New York Giants were on their way to a 17-14 win over the Washington Redskins, the Green Bay Packers officially ended the Giants playoff hopes by beating the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
Big Blue needed a combination of a win over the Redskins and a Green Bay loss to secure a birth in the playoffs.
“We did our part and got our 10th win,” said head coach Tom Coughlin. “Unfortunately Green Bay won their game so there are no playoff opportunities for our players and I feel bad for them.”
The 2010 season had it’s up and downs, however the one game which stands out more than others is the fourth quarter meltdown versus Philadelphia at the New Meadowlands Stadium. With the Giants leading 24-10 at the end of the third quarter, the Eagles scored 28 points in the final period in a deflating 38-31 loss.
“We had opportunities earlier in the year to seal our own fate,” said defensive end Jason Tuck. “One thing you always learn is to take care of your own business.”
Unfortunately for the Giants, they needed to rely on the Packers who took care of their own business leaving Big Blue thinking about next year.
“Hopefully we come back year and take advantage of the opportunities we missed this year,” added Tuck.
Despite the Giants not playing in the post season, the team had many shinning moments throughout 2010.
The offensive line was steadfast all season in allowing only 16 sacks of quarterback Eli Manning. The team’s previous record was 24 back in 2002
Manning had a very consistent season setting team records in several different categories.
The 31 year-old play caller connected on 31 touchdown passes for the season, the third-highest total in Giants history. Manning became the first quarterback in Giants history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in two separate seasons. He finished the 2010 campaign with 4,002 years and in 2009 he compiled 4,021. Manning also set a franchise record of 339 completions in a single season.
On the defensive side of the ball, Osi Umenyiora led the league with 10 forced fumbles.
As a team, the Big Blue’s defense finished with 46 sacks. It was their highest total since 2007 when the Super Bowl champion Giants led the NFL with 53.
Although disappointment will overshadow the accolades of 2010, Tom Coughlin will return as the Giants coach for the 20100 season.
“There was never a doubt in my mind or Steve’s [Tisch] or Jerry’s [Reese] mind in bringing back Tom,” said President & CEO John Mara. “That was a no-brainer.”
Coughlin, 64, has compiled a 65-47 record during his seven year tenure with the Giants.
In 2007, the Waterloo, N.Y. native led the Giants to a Super Bowl victory over the undefeated and unbeatable New England Patriots. Ironically, the Giants also ended the regular season with a record of 10-6.
“I have a lot of pride in this team and it’s coaching staff,’ said Mara. “However, when you don’t achieve your ultimate goal, then there’s going to be disappointment.”
Collectively, the Giants appear to be a sound team for next season with no major improvements on the horizon.
“We were 10-6 but we need to be better,” said Mara “We had plenty of opportunities this year and we just didn’t get it done. Obviously there are some improvements that need to be made, but on a whole, I am happy with this team for the future.”
As for the future, the Giants’ 2011 regular season opponents are set. In addition to home-and-home games with Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia, the Giants will be host to games versus St. Louis, Seattle, Green Bay, Buffalo and Miami. Road games will include stops in Arizona, San Francisco, New Orleans, New England and the New York Jets.
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