Restoring Giants Pride - Redskins Pregame

We've all seen the film of Tom Coughlin's locker room prouncement following the comeback against the Eagles that the players had demonstrated some "Restoration of Giants Pride". Many - myself included - thought the emotion from that comeback might serve as a springboard to ignite this Giant's team. Sadly, what transpired that following week in Seattle surely wasn't Giant's Pride.

I remain convinced that this is the most talented Giants team since 1986. Of course, that is the reason why the disappointment has been so sharp, the worries so pronounced - the frustration so evident. The Giants knew last spring they needed to be in mid-season form by the start of the season because they faced the toughest part of a very brutal schedule right up front, at the very beginning. Instead, they have played passive disorganized football - and have not demonstrated any rhythm or flow on either side of the ball.

Sunday they face a rejuvenated Redskins team that is on a roll. Brunell set an NFL record 2 games ago, completing 22 straight passes. Moss already has 17 receptions in 2006 and is averaging 19.2 yards per catch. Last week he scored three touchdowns and was named NFC Player of the Week. Over the past two games Portis has run for 197 yards and three touchdowns, during which time their offensive line did not allow a single sack.

The approach the Giants need to take for this game is simple and straight forward. It has nothing to do with x's and o's, game plans or schemes. The players must be allowed to play themselves out of the doldrums they've exhibited thus far this season. They must be allowed to attack - on both sides of the ball. Give them an outlet to unleash all that pent up anger and frustration.

On offense, give the O-line an opportunity to establish physical dominance. Run blocking is aggressive, pass blocking passive. The Giants need to run, run and then - when the Redskins least expect it - run some more. A little bit of smash mouth football, baby.

On defense, stop forcing them to sit back and take punch after punch. Forget about "bend don't break". Let them be aggressive - let them attack. Attack the running game. Attack the quarterback. If the Giants do not get any sacks they will lose this game. They need to do whatever it takes to bring pressure - even if that means further exposing an already weak secondary. The pass rush needs a spark - a springboard to get itself going. They must bring the pressure on Sunday - even if it means bringing 6-7-8 men and getting burned for some long plays. Once they get the pressure going, things will open up for Stahan and Osi and soon enough the blitzes will become less necessary. A little bit of smash mouth football, baby.

The Giants have the talent to play dominating football - on both sides of the ball. This isn't a finesse team. This is a team that must be allowed to exact its pound of flesh. All they need is a game plan that allows them to play some smash mouth football. This is a make or break game and their season is on the line. This is the time - this is the game - for "Restoring Giants Pride".