Michael Strahan Weighs in on Difference Between ’07 and ’11 New York Giants

Published: 12^th Jan 12 11:36 am

by Jeff Shull
New York Giants, Houston Texans, Texas A&M Football Featured Columnist

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Alan Maglaque-US PRESSWIRE

Lately there have been a ton of comparison’s drawn between this year’s New York Giants and the team that went all the way in 2007.

If you remember, we gave you a couple reasons why those two teams should not be compared, but why not let a Giant great do that for you?

Michael Strahan commented on those comparisons, saying each team is/was different. Quotes thanks to ESPN New York’s Ohm Youngmisuk.

“I think these are two totally different types of teams,” Strahan said. “Our team in 2007 was led on the defensive side of the ball. We realized defensively, and especially up front, we had to get after the quarterback and had some good secondary play. This year, you can lean on the offense to put points on the board.”

Strahan says one of the main differences is Eli Manning.

“At that point in 2007, Eli finally started to get his confidence in himself. We were still a little unsure every game about what was going to happen with him. I understand the comparisons but I wish this team would have their own history. This is a good team and they’re hoping that the defense hits the same hot streak that the offense hit back in 2007 when they needed it the most.”

Strahan also recalls the problems he had adjusting to the coaching style of Tom Coughlin and compared his situation with what Antrel Rolle has gone through in his two years with the squad.

Strahan and Coughlin definitely did not see eye to eye, which Strahan admits, but during that 2007 run they started to gel. Rolle has gone through a similar transformation this year.

“A perfect example of a player taking on the personality of their coach is Antrel Rolle. He’s said, ‘I was forced to play for a coach like this and it’s ridiculous,’ and now he says that he wouldn’t want to play for any other coach. Tom Coughlin tests you to a point and it happened with me.”

“You have to ask yourself ‘do I want to be a part of the problem or a part of the solution’”Strahan continued. “When you start to buy in and want to be a part of the solution you realize that he’s a very good coach whose only focus is to win. It seems like the main guy that needed to buy in, the guys who are the leaders, like him and Chris Canty, believe in it now.”