Giants notebook: Path to Super Bowl isn't sexy, but effective
Before the 2011 season began, New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese was criticized for not bringing in wideout Plaxico Burress, for failing to re-sign tight end Kevin Boss and receiver Steve Smith and for not keeping pace with the signings of the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The details of those decisions -- cap space, team chemistry, other positional needs -- weren't important to those offering criticism. They wanted Reese to take a hacksaw to a team that was 10-6 in 2010, but failed to reach the playoffs.
Instead, Reese got out the scalpel, trimmed some fat, restructured some contracts and found production with players like tight end Jake Ballard and wide receiver Victor Cruz. And while he has every right to rub his success in his detractors' faces, Reese is quick to remind us that every year is unique and the difference between success and failure is razor thin.
"Every year's different for us," Reese said. "Whatever we feel we need to do to make the team better, we do it. In 2009, we thought we had a pretty deep team and we ended up 8-8, because we went out and got some free agents. That isn't always the way to do it."
Reese brought in defensive tackle Chris Canty in 2009 and safety Antrel Rolle in the summer of 2010, and while both players are contributing members to a NFC Championship defense this year, they hadn't had much success in New York until this season.
But even if some past free agent signings didn't initially make a difference, Reese felt confident filling his roster with a few inexpensive free agents and a hoard of rookies -- both drafted and undrafted.
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"Everybody has different ways of doing things," Reese said. "We had a good nucleus of guys coming back and we just felt like we needed to make the best football moves. Obviously, they're not sexy moves. We signed a guard [Kevin Boothe, who has been with the Giants since 2007], we signed a center [David Baas] and we signed a punter [Steve Weatherford]. That's not really sexy, especially from a fan perspective.
"Fans are fans and they like to see big names and see you look like you're stacking the deck, but we had good players already and we needed to fill the holes we thought were there and we tried to do that."
Of course, as successful as the Giants look right now, their regular season record (9-7) took a slight hit from a year ago (10-6). They managed to win the division and have been a buzzsaw in the playoffs, which makes the circumstances all the more absurd to Reese.
"Last year we win 10 games and we don't qualify for the tournament and you're not that smart," Reese said of the perception of him. "This time, we win nine games, win a division, less games, and now it seems I'm pretty smart again. It just comes with the territory and that's just part of it. It just is what it is."
What's old is new
Veteran offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride -- who pioneered a version of the run-and-shoot offense with the Houston Oilers in the early 1990s -- was asked about his frequent use of three-receiver sets, something the reporter suggested was a bit outdated.
"Isn't that amazing?" Gilbride asked. "When I was at Houston we were four-wides, and it was considered gimmicky. You were stepping out of the box, and now it's the norm."
In any formation though, Gilbride admits it's up to the players to determine just how successful a given team will be. In this case, the progress of Giants wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham have made the difference.
"We've been lucky that we've gotten better every year that we've been here throwing the ball," he said. "This year was the best we've had, and I think it is a tribute to the receivers' development and to some of the growth that has taken place along with [Eli Manning's development]."
Ballard anticipates more attention
Tight end Jake Ballard burned the Patriots for four catches, 67 yards and the game-winning touchdown in Week 9. He didn't receive much defensive attention in that game, but New England hasn't made that same mistake against other opposing tight ends this season, and Ballard expects more double teams this time around.
"Against the Steelers this year and [against] Jason Witten of the Cowboys, they made sure they hit those guys every play when they were running out for routes," Ballard said. "We thought that was going to be the case when they played us but they didn't do that to me as much. They weren't worried about me. So I'm thinking this time around they might pay a little more attention and it's going to be harder for me to release off the ball freely."
Tight end Bear Pascoe said the Patriots typically use linebackers to cover tight ends, but they are willing to drop down a safety to help out from time to time.
Bradshaw, Umenyiora limited at practice
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) both were limited at practice while wideout Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) and weakside linebacker Jacquian Williams (foot) all fully participated. Bradshaw told CBSSports.com that he'll likely sit out of Friday's practice. Usually he only practices on Fridays, but he says this schedule gives his foot more rest before Sunday's game.
