Expect extra and the unexpected. But see to yourself first, especially against a division rival. That’s how the Giants view the Eagles.
Andy Reid began the 2000 season with an onside kick. And even if the Philadelphia coach exits with an empty-the-trick-playbook bang in what almost definitely is his last game with the Eagles on Sunday, the playoff precarious Giants insist they are concerned first and foremost with themselves.
But yeah, they expect a little extra from the Eagles.
“His players always loved Coach Reid,” Victor Cruz said. “I feel like they have a special thing for him and if it is going to be his last game, I’m sure they’re going to want to play their hearts out and win that ball game for him.”
Reid on a conference call downplayed this possibly being the final game in his 14-season Philadelphia run. After losing 10 of 11 games following a 3-1 start, a divine mandate could be all that will save his job.
“You know what? I really haven’t gone there. I normally don’t do those kind of exams,” Reid said. “It’s hard to look forward and look behind in this business, so you look straight ahead at the opponent and we’ve got the holiday week and all that going on, so I’m really focused in on just getting ready for the Giants.”
Reid pointed to ill-timed “turnovers and big plays” as damning his 2012 Eagles. He expects effort whether it’s game 16 or 6.
“That’s what’s gotten us. It’s not from a lack of trying,” Reid said. “I’m sure the way they play this weekend is because it’s the New York Giants versus the Philadelphia Eagles not because of me or what they perceive as my situation.”
For the Giants, there’s that whole pride matter coach Tom Coughlin addressed. The Giants, with a tiny playoff chance, realize Sunday’s affair with Philly is vital for any hope.
“We’re kind of looking at our own thing,” said offensive tackle Will Beatty. “We know each other so it’s not like they’re going to be throwing in a whole lot of tricks.”
Like an onsides kick to start.
“He wants to win. The Eagles organization, they want to beat the Giants. We want to beat the Eagles. You beat the Eagles, it’s like, ‘OK you can go forward to next year still holding your head up high,’ ” Beatty said.
Still, the Giants expect a “Win One For Andy” theme from their divisional rivals.
“You would think. I am sure he is well-respected and we respect him. I feel like he is a guy the players like,” kicker Lawrence Tynes said. “You want to play hard for a guy who has meant that much to that city and what kind of a guy he is. … He seems like a great guy to play for. As opponents, we have to take that into consideration.”
“I expect their best shot. I expect them to play hard, regardless if it’s Coach Reid’s last game or not. This is the Eagles and the Giants,” defensive end Justin Tuck said. “Both of us could have been 1-14 coming into this game and it’s still going to be a brawl.”