|
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New York Giants close
the Jim Fassel era when they host the playoff-bound Carolina Panthers in the
teams' regular season finale.
With the Giants finishing a disappointing season, they reached an agreement
with Fassel last week that allowed him to coach the final two games with the
understanding he would be fired once the season ends.
``This has been a bad season. It's been a very disappointing season and I feel that deeply,'' Fassel said. ``I think it's time for them. They need a change. I need a change. I think it's the right thing to do.''
The team has already started the search for his replacement, with former Jacksonville coach Tom Coughlin and New England assistants Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel among the early favorites.
All three were former Giants assistants when Bill Parcells was the head coach.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fassel took over in 1997 and led the Giants to the Super Bowl following the
2000 season, losing to Baltimore. He leaves as the third-winningest coach (60-55-1)
in team history, one spot behind Parcells.
``I am disappointed for him,'' said Panthers coach John Fox, an assistant under Fassel from 1997-01. ``He has had a good run there. He has done an outstanding job there. Just a year ago, they were in the playoffs. They have had an unfortunate year. I am sure Jim will be just fine.''
The Giants are coming off a 19-3 loss to Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, as New York lost its seventh straight and ended its streak of six games with at least one touchdown.
``I don't care what the circumstances are or where in the season we are,'' Fassel said. ``We have to get better.''
About the only highlight for New York was three sacks by Michael Strahan, who leads the NFL with 17 this season. Quarterback Jesse Palmer, making his second career start, was 18-of-32 for 190 yards and was sacked five times.
With a division title already wrapped up and no chance to get a first-round bye, Carolina might rest its injured players again.
Running back Stephen Davis (ankle), center Jeff Mitchell (groin), defensive end Mike Rucker (knee), cornerback Terry Cousin (calf) and defensive tackle Brentson Buckner (knee) all missed Carolina's 20-14 win against Detroit on Sunday.
While those five sat out, their fill-ins did just fine, limiting Detroit to eight first downs and 106 yards of total offense. Jake Delhomme threw for two touchdowns and John Kasay kicked a pair of field goals to lead the Panthers to the leisurely victory they so desperately needed.
Despite winning its first division title in seven years, very few of Carolina's wins came easily. Seven of the Panthers' 10 victories this year were by three or fewer points and eight came in the final two minutes or overtime.
And as much as Carolina needs momentum-building wins to close out the regular season, allowing ailing players time to heal is also a priority. Fox has been vague about whether any of them will play against the Giants.
``There's that chance,'' Fox said Monday. ``Right now, it looks like Jeff Mitchell and Stephen Davis will be available for practice on Wednesday.''
But Fox always plays it coy with playing status. He refused all last week to discuss if resting his ailing players against the Lions was an option since the game meant little to the playoff-bound Panthers.
The five were deactivated right before the game, but afterward Buckner said some of them could have played.
``I went into the week preparing to play, I could have played, but coach and the trainers wanted to use their judgment,'' he said. ``Stephen Davis, he was begging to play. I think we all could have played. But it was one of those deals where coach said 'Let's use our better judgment.'''
Fox just smirked at Buckner's assessment on Monday.
``That wasn't our medical staff's opinion,'' Fox said. ``I appreciate Brentson's feistiness to play, but we will evaluate him again this week.''
Of all the injured players, Rucker's appears to be the most serious.
He has missed two straight games with a sprained knee and Fox said there's no timetable for Carolina's sack leader to return -- indicating he may not even be ready for the playoffs.
``He is making progress,''
Fox said. ``I don't have an exact comeback date yet.''