Both Could be Gone

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While both decisions made sense in the short term, it's the long-term ramifications that should have Eagles and Giants fans wondering.

The Burress benching came after a seemingly infinite number of disciplinary issues by the player, and at a certain point, Tom Coughlin was going to lose any sense of control he had over the team. Fortunately for Coughlin, the Giants are not led by their aerial game -- this is a run-first, defense-led squad. It's doubtful that Burress will spend any more time in a Giants uniform, and they will have to replace him through the draft or free agency. There aren't other playmakers of that caliber (so to speak) in the roster without him. It's a hit, but not a big one.

The McNabb situation was more complicated. While he's had sub-par performances this season, he's also been without his number-one target (Brian Westbrook) for stretches of time, and it isn't as if he's got another marquee receiver to hit downfield. Rookie DeSean Jackson has provided that to a point, but McNabb has never had the kind of elite receiver that makes, for example, the 37-year-old Kurt Warner look like the NFL MVP from a decade ago. The question becomes, at what point does McNabb tire of the stuff he has to put up with? Did that benching do enough good to make it worthwhile, or will it be seen as the last nail in the coffin when the relationship between the Philadelphia Eagles and the greatest quarterback in the franchise's history comes to an end?

By Doug Farrar  |  January 6, 2009; 9:26 AM ET  | Category:  New York Giants , Philadelphia Eagles , Plaxico Burress Save & Share:                 
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