The New York Giants are officially playing for pride. All of the teams in the NFC East have struggled through the early part of the season, but a team with an 0-6 record and the type of injuries across the offensive front that New York has typically doesn’t make the playoffs. Despite that, the Giants have a legitimate chance to grab their first win of the season against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
Antrel Rolle still believes his team is capable of dominating an opponent. During his weekly interview with WFAN on Tuesday, the veteran defensive back said the G-Men need to stop trying to keep games close.
“This is my fourth year being a part of the Giants and what we do is we lead,” Rolle said, via the NY Daily News. “Let’s not let that be our mindset that we have to hang in there for dear life at the end of every game and make it so close.
“Go out there and you blow their ass out early. Put them in a panic mode. Put their backs up against the wall.”
I highly doubt it is New York’s attention to keep the score close. The biggest issue has been Eli Manning’s tendency to throw the ball to the opposition, which has put the Giants’ defense in compromising positions. Manning’s protection has also been horrendous.
“We’re capable of doing it as a team,” Rolle added. “We’re that dynamic as a team, despite what our record show, that we can go out there and blow teams out. And I know that we can. But like I say, talk is cheap. You’ve got to go out there and play the game.”
Rolle, who previously urged his teammates to get their heads out of their asses, was also asked if he agreed with teammate Terrell Thomas’ assertion that some people in the Giants locker room do not care about winning.
“I don’t know if guys don’t care,” Rolle said. “I know that there’s guys that show it and express it way more than others. That’s something that I’m certain of. Whether they care or not, they’re here, and they’re in this locker room and they’re part of this team. They should care.”
If the Giants want to salvage any type of dignity this season, they’ll have to care. Winning becomes even tougher when your playoff hopes disappear this early on.
