Despite Winless Record, New York Media Is Confident Giants Will Win
By Adam Carlson
Oct 10, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Giants running back Da
If you’ve been reading articles in the New York media the last couple days, they seem to believe that the Giants will get their first win of the year against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
The main reason that is given for this confidence is that the Vikings have a new starter at quarterback this week in Josh Freeman. Freeman has only been with the team for about two weeks, and will work from an abbreviated play call set.
But they could be giving the Vikings coaching staff much too much credit in that assessment.
Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) talks with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave against the San Francisco 49ers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
First of all, Minnesota’s offensive play call set is really basic. Other than learning some different terminology, Freeman should be able to come in and be effective. If they have seen offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s play call sheet (as it was featured on the C’Mon Man! segment of Monday Night Countdown last week), they will know that the offensive strategy for the Vikings isn’t exactly for geniuses or rocket scientists.
Secondly, when has the coaching staff in Minnesota recently taken a quarterback that was rough and refined him into a gem? It is not as if another two weeks with Musgrave and quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson have made that big of a difference. Freeman has already been an NFL quarterback long enough to have his own tendencies and rhythm.
Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) and quarterback Josh Freeman (12) look on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, plugging Christian Ponder back in wouldn’t make this team more prepared to face the defense. Minnesota has seemed to have moved on from the Christian Ponder experiment. At this point in the season, why not start Freeman and see if he can be the spark that this team needs on offense? Plus, it’s not as though the Giants pass defense has been stellar this year too.
So, the media in New York can be as confident as they like about the game on Monday night, but nobody knows the results of the game until it has been played. Hopefully, Josh Freeman can play a game of lights-out football and make those writers eat crow.