Giant Struggles

     The New York Giants have hit their mid-season slump. Once a year the Giants loose a stretch of games that leave the fans wondering. This is becoming a predictable event for the Giants. Every year they seem to start off strong. Come game 6 or 7 they tend to cool off. Then the burden falls on the Giants head coach, Tom Coughlin. Coughlin is currently the oldest coach in the NFL. He always seems to be able to do or say the right thing in order to refocus the team. This trend started in 2008. The Giants, once again, started of the season hot and, once again, hit a 3 or 4 game slide. Tom Coughlin lit a fire under the team as they went on to take down the undefeated New England Patriots in the Superbowl that year. My point being, the Giants have nothing to worry about, as long as they get their act together.
     Chris Berman, of ESPN, stated that the Giants main concern for the rest of the season is to stay injury free. So far this season the Giants defense, specifically their secondary, has sustained a number of injuries. Although these players are expected to return at some point this season, the Giants have been struggling to fill these positions affectively. Chris Berman also gave Tom Coughlin a great deal of credit, stating his ability to motivate his players. Coughlin know how to connect with his players making them want to leave it all out on the field. I believe the Giants will have no problem making it to the playoffs for two reasons. One, they have a bye this week, which will allow the team to rest and recuperate. Two, their next game is agains the Green Bay Packers. That might sound like a challenge, but the Giants have a tendency to play to the level of their opponent. With two weeks to prepare, I think the Giants will have no problem taking down Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers.

The Lakers Slow Start

     The Los Angles Lakers are an elite team in the NBA. However, they just lost their Hall of Fame head coach Phil Jackson. Phil ran a very unique, one of a kind offense. He is credited for patenting the triangle offense. The triangle offense requires a scoring guard, which they have in Kobe Bryant, and two  big men, which they have now have in Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. Unfortunately, the Lakers new coach Mike Brown does not believe in the triangle offense and I believe that is whats hurting them the most. The Lakers have all of the pieces to be the best team in the league, but without the correct game plan it is impossible to be successful. Granted these guys are still new to playing together, but this is the Lakers worst start in the Kobe Bryant era.
     According to Steven A. Smith the team is just learning how to play with one another defensively. Steven A. gave Mike Brown a lot of credit when it comes to his defensive game plan, but he said that Mike Brown's offense is asking these new players to step out of their comfort zone and try do do things that they are not capable of. Steven A. firmly believes that the Lakers success sits with Mike Brown. He has three perennial all-stars to work with. He needs to get it together.