New York Giants: Shurmur must put an end to Eagles dominance
By Curt Macysyn
New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur has recently come over from the dark side.
By now, New York Giants fans know that Shurmur spent significant time cutting his teeth with the hated Philadelphia Eagles. Actually, Shurmur had two stints with the Birds. The first one started in 1999 and lasted through the 2008 NFL season. He coached the Eagles tight ends, offensive line and quarterbacks during that period.
Shurmur then returned as offensive coordinator when Chip Kelly took over the reins in Philadelphia in 2013. That run ended in 2015. It may be a toss-up if Eagles fans hate Kelly or the Giants more. But those feelings emanate for different reasons.
As Shurmur ushers the New York Giants into a new era, he absolutely must change the aura that surrounds the team. The Giants can no longer be perceived by anyone in the NFL as an easy victory. The Giants need to be the equivalent of sand in your bathing suit every single Sunday.
More to the point, Shurmur has to place special emphasis on becoming the top dog in the NFC East. Doing so requires a victorious trip down the New Jersey Turnpike into the City of Brotherly Love.
Eagles Dominance
For anyone who wants to try, there’s no explaining the Eagles dominance over the New York Giants. As lousy as Chip Kelly turned out as an NFL head coach, according to Pro Football Reference, he had a stellar 5-1 record against Big Blue. Any Birds fan who thinks that stat is deserved, needs to think about that for a second or two.
Over the last eight rivalry games, the New York Giants are 1-7 against the Philadelphia Eagles. For any New York Giants fan who wants to talk about bad bounces or bad luck, please, save that conversation for Jerry Reese.
This season, task No. 1 becomes owning that 1-7 record against the Eagles and also doing something about it. Right now, that’s easier said than done. For the first time in this rivalry, the Eagles are defending Super Bowl champions. In the past, when the Giants were stinking up this rivalry, it was because the Eagles always seemed to have extra motivation. They were the NFC East’s Lombardi trophy-less stepchild.
That’s changed, and the Giants should understand that they can and should become the hunters. Embrace the idea that you’re the underdog and let it motivate you. Being inside the Eagles’ locker room, Shurmur has a perspective from the other camp. He should utilize his experience in a way that completely rewrites the existing narrative.
Following Manning’s Lead
The Eagles may be Super Bowl champions, but the Giants brawled them twice last season. Two close games – both decided by less than a touchdown. Unfortunately, Big Blue came out on the losing end both times.
In fact, because of how the game was lost, people forget that the G-Men actually had a 24-21 lead in Philly with three minutes left in that game. How they ended up losing became another story in the Giants – Eagles lore.
New York Giants
In fact, most of the folk-lore surrounding this rivalry leans in favor of Philadelphia.
We remember Herman Edwards’ fumble recovery, DeSean Jackson’ punt return and Brian Westbrook breaking hearts at Giants Stadium.
Enough already!
Remember, New York Giants fans can no longer rely upon the lack of a Lombardi Trophy as a suitable retort. That’s over, and this rivalry has forever been reset.
If you want or need a response to Philadelphia fans, you at least have this. Quarterback Eli Manning threw for 800 yards and seven touchdowns against the World Champions in 2017. The washed up Eli Manning did that against the World Champions.
The Giants need to own 1-7, and the Eagles need to be reminded of their inability to control Manning.
Just to throw a little gasoline on the fire, if Manning sucks, what does that say about the Eagles defense? Don’t allow Birds fans to have their cake and eat it too.
The new mindset requires a change in the narrative. All of Philadelphia needs to understand that the score favored them, but little else. Shurmur needs to vocalize Manning’s 2017 stats over and over again in the week leading up to that first Giants – Eagles contest.
Next: New York Giants: 5 worst injuries in team history
Circle Oct. 11th on your calendars. It will tell you how far this rebuild has come.