The MOST CONTROVERSIAL COACHING in New York Giants HISTORY | Packers @ Giants (2001)

[@JeremyAsbridge]

I would have fired Fassel right after that. Saying “You did that because you’re worried about next season? Well, now you don’t have to worry about next season anymore. You’re fired. “

[@Iamtezwayne]

You gotta go back to Hold on let me check My notes LAST WEEK !!! LMFAO

[@pace1195]

Conspiracy suggestion: "Not getting players hurt for next year" sounds better than, "We had a gentlemen's agreement to get Strahan the record for an easy win for the Packers with

[@Office_De_Receiver_Complaints]

I agree, I don't why all the grief. That honestly sounded pretty good to me.

[@billlyb23]

This may be the reason why Fassel was seemingly blakcballed after the 2003 season

[@nasetvideos]

I remember this one so well--Being from NY, this was a game that stands out more than 20 years later. Great job reporting on this and explaining the context of everything involved. Excellent video

[@tigercap100]

I watched it live too. Very intentional but nobody cared

[@marcdaley]

What really stuck the nail in Fassel's coffin was the 2003 game against the Eagles where they lost 14-10 thanks to a Bryant Westbrook punt return for a touchdwown. The coaching staff wanted to punt it out of bounds for obvious reasons. Fassel overruled them and told Jeff Feagles to punt it to Westbrook. Afterwards, Fassel threw Feagles under the bus and said he mis-hit it.

[@marcus813]

The Giants were able recover well enough to win their following 2 games, but the bottom fell out after that.

[@BallinNQnz]

No, Jeff Feagles did not kick it right. He did not kick it like he wanted to, which was to kick it out of bounds.

[@BallinNQnz]

@@waffles5433 Matt Dodge was a bum.

[@daedanjackson9681]

He just died ... Nail in coffin ⚰️🤯🙃😬.... That being said you are absolutely right that was what did it

[@BallinNQnz]

@DEZZNUTZ 1001 that was the following season. He made some mistakes but then tried to blame others for that.

[@msarzo]

Considering the fact his own GM (his direct boss!) OPENLY questioned his decisions at the end of the game and whether he wanted to win, it was a minor miracle he stayed on until 2003. EXCELLENT video! I doubt the Giants would have won if he'd actually used those timeouts and the Gints got the ball back with about two minutes left, but at least it would have showed something.

[@gluserty]

Yeah man, they have to at least try; maybe I'm mistaken, but isn't that the spirit of competition? Reminds me of when I was a kid and I took the ball away from Phil Christian Alvin Harper-style in his backyard, so he stomped off and quit the game (Phil wasn't a Giant, but his waistline was expanding at the time, 1993).

[@mrmoose6619]

Or if he saved the timeouts for the offense and had Collins call them after any inbounds play. Even with a TD, it would have taken a minor miracle... though at least then everyone would be satisfied that he and the Giants were at least trying.

[@gluserty]

@@mrmoose6619 At the 2:42 mark, the Giants should've began using their timeouts; with the two-minute warning, the Giants would give themselves a puncher's chance to make it happen, but I guess Fassel didn't want to punch. The best thing I can say about all this is at least the Giants didn't go out like the Saints did in the final 4 games of the season, which was the most non-competitive stretch I've ever seen from a decent team with no major injuries (this season was fried anyway due to the September attacks, and my fiance at the time & I sure picked a tough time to get married: major blizzards in December of that year as well, even in places like North Carolina).

[@mrmoose6619]

@@gluserty I'm more about giving the offense the time outs... different coaching strategy. Either way, it's not as if the Giants could save the time outs for next year.

[@gluserty]

@@mrmoose6619 That works as well; I just feel it's easier for the offense to stop the clock, via the sidelines or spiking the ball (but not on every play😋).

[@djohns808]

I remember this. It was so weird. A 9 point game and they played like it was over. And I remember Fassel's comments too. Thanks for this video. Great job.

[@chuckeecheeze4649]

Very puzzling. Until you look at the point spread for that game. Then. Ohhhhh!

[@clintrichardsonclintfromny203]

I would still vote Ray Handley as worst Giants Coach ever overall.

[@bradjames891]

Jim Fassel did take the Giants to a Super Bowl.

[@christopherengel7436]

You have to vote for Handley. Fassell wasn't the worst Giants coach ever by a stretch. MacAdoo?, Judge? Of course Handley. Fassell seemed to get worse every year and was terrible with this players & coaches. Passing the blame, this mess, etcetera

[@jasonfire3434]

What I don’t get is why they didn’t go for 2 down 34-16 after the first score, but then went for 2 down 34-23 after the second TD, but then didn’t use those timeouts on defense after that. It’s like Fassel couldn’t decide what to do.

[@chuckeecheeze4649]

Two words: point spread

[@redmustangredmustang]

When Jim Fassel got there he was able to get the Giants to the playoffs with essentially a mediocre QB and then got them to a Super Bowl. If the bottom didn't fall out after the 49ers blown lose in the playoffs, he still be coaching the Giants in the 2000's.

[@iamhungey12345]

Or at least still have a job as a head coach after the Giants.

[@CTubeMan]

Fun Fact #1: The Buccaneers and Eagles played in the season finale on Sunday Night knowing they would be playing each other in the Wild Card Round the next week. Fun Fact #2: This was the second straight day in which the referee in the game in question was the late Johnny Grier.

[@RetroJR3379]

That was the 1st Flex game cause Week 2 which became Week 17 SNF was the Browns/Steelers

[@PaulToppers]

This seems so fishy, that it even looks like he bet against his own team. Apparently, the Packers were 3 point favorites. Things like not going for 2 to make it 16, but kicking the xpt to get it to 17(even though they did go for 2, for some strange reason to make it a 9 pt game later on), and not using his timeouts in the last 3 minutes of the game. I am not saying for certain that he bet against his team that day, but all his coaching moves late, sure make it look like it.

[@markphelt6395]

I can just hear Jackie Gleason somewhere goin ooooooph.

[@MongoJoe7863]

Okay that "Lord of the Sack" sign is crazy 😂

[@steelersfan1903]

Thanks for the video Jaguars Gator! Does anyone happen to know any fights or brawls that occurred that had 3 or more ejections? Here are some that I do know: 1. Steelers vs Browns 2019 (3 ejected) 2. Dolphins vs Bengals 2020 (3 ejected) 3. Bengals vs Raiders 2012 (3 ejected) 4. Giants vs Rams 2014 (4 ejected) 5. Bears vs Cardinals 1986 (4 ejected) 6. Bills vs Oilers 1987 (4 ejected) 7. Steelers vs Oilers 1987 (3 ejected) 8. Raiders vs Broncos 2017 (3 ejected) 9. 49ers vs Cardinals 2017 (3 ejected) 10. 49ers vs Bears 2018 (3 ejected)

[@iamhungey12345]

Yeah as a kid I wasn't aware Strahan had a run for the sack record, I was bummed about the fact that the Giants lost that game. In fact it was after the game that I became aware of the sack record and even then my memory was pretty vague.

[@ciesaro]

When I saw the headline I immediately thought about Ray No Balls Handley. Arguably the greatest coach the New York Giants ever had. Even over Ben McAdoo Patrick Shumur and Joe Judge

[@danangell5482]

McAdoo gets an unfair rap. He was right about Eli being done.

[@stever7157]

I detect a lot of sarcasm here. 😃

[@SeanNYGNYR]

@@danangell5482 right or wrong McAdoo was terrible.

[@jmad627]

I’m a diehard Giants fan and I’m both laughing and crying after reading your post.

[@ciesaro]

We Giants die hards have suffered through thin and thin throughout the last few decades with breaks from Parcells and Coughlin.

[@kyledamron]

As a Raiders fan who grew up on just win baby, this would royally piss me off. Much like our coach in the super bowl the next year

[@skittlecar1]

I dunno. Joe Judge QB sneak on 3rd and 9 with their back against their own end zone was pretty shitty.

[@jmad627]

It sure was.

[@kyledamron]

Honestly the gifted sack tarnished the record

[@iamhungey12345]

Plus it was because of the flak I felt this actually hurt Strahan's case for Defensive Player of the Year award. The vote was fairly close and some got the notion that Strahan only won because of the sack record but I get the feeling it may have cost him couple of votes. In addition it kind of overshadowed his all around game that made him worthy of the award.

[@paulkelly8232]

He should have already had the record. He was not credited with a sack vs Washington that was cleary missed.

[@iamhungey12345]

@@paulkelly8232 This as well as another sack from one of the Eagles game that was taken away from him due to a questionable claim by Reid that McNabb was running, causing the sack to be changed to a tackle.

[@danangell5482]

I completely support Fassel's decision not to go for the win. What good would a win have done the Giants? When you can't make the playoffs, 7-9 is better than 8-8. The Giants absolutely did the right thing to not go for the win in this game. I agree that he should have put in Jesse Palmer and the backups in the fourth quarter, but a coach not trying for the win in Week 17 with his team already eliminated will get nothing but praise from me. When you're a fan of an NFL team, there is nothing more frustrating than winning a meaningless game and blowing your shot at a better pick next season.

[@donaldpaluga]

Wouldn't have been surprised if winning the game means the Jints got the second place schedule. Washington would go 7-9 with it in the 2002 season

[@rwt8410]

I was a big Giants fan at this time. I remember this game well because of the Strahan sack controversy. I wouldn't have had a problem with Fassel putting in backups at the end of the game. As you said in your video, they had no chance of making the playoffs. As someone in the comments pointed out, winning the game was just going to hurt their draft chances. Fassel should have had a gameplan that everyone knew about before going into the game, a gameplan with both the owners and the players: "If it looks like the game is getting out of reach, do you want to play for pride or should we make sure we're fully healthy for next season?" Everyone should have been on the same page before the beginning of the game.

[@aaronb1300]

I love your videos, but the volume is too low!!!

[@DolFan316]

So it's not just me, then?

[@CTubeMan]

This unofficial Official Jaguar Gator 9 historian will remind everyone you made Dumb Decisions (TM) videos about the following: 1. How in 1977 the Giants punted with less than two minutes to play down 14 against the Falcons. 2. How Colts Coach Frank Kush didn’t call timeouts he had at the end of a 1984 game against the Cardinals, allowing them to kick the winning field goal late. 3. How Urban Meyer showed similarly horrible logic last year in Seattle.

[@chuckeecheeze4649]

The Favre/Strahan play was even worse than you said. Strahan hit Favre in the face mask with his hand on the play. So it really should have been called- roughing the passer. 15 yard penalty and no sack. As far as winning the game goes, have you seen Superbowl 51? If you can't see what the Falcons did to help the Patriots come back, you're blind. Perhaps the league gave orders for the Giants to stand down. I haven't looked at what the point spread was for this game, but I would blindly bet that nine points allowed the undoubtedly favored Packers to beat that point spread. The same logic can be applied to Strahan's gifted sack.

[@gluserty]

The Giants did rank 9th in yards gained, but after this shaky game (still don't like the sack record; FAKE!), they finished 21st in points scored. That's why, and the video on the 1980 Rams/Falcons game on this channel confirms, we'd rather take the points.

[@iamhungey12345]

Hence why the next time some idiot say "I missed that high powered Giants offense" I'll point to their wasted scoring opportunity. It also didn't help that Collins and Tiki seem to try to set the record for most fumbles.

[@gluserty]

@@iamhungey12345 I think the 2001 Giants were too often unable to make that decisive play or score that important touchdown, lacking the finishing touch they had in 2000 & re-emerged in 2002 (they went the opposite way in 2003 by both blowing games AND leaving points on the field, before then succumbing to a Roadhouse full of injuries), albeit inconsistently.

[@garydarland5259]

This isn't even close to the biggest "give up" by a coach in NFL history. There was a much bigger example in the same division a few years before this

[@acork7601]

Where can we watch footage of this game? Please share the wealth

[@xturner09]

The sudden yell actually scared the hell out of me

[@theycallhimwoods]

after the game everyone assumed that the sack was traded for the loss

[@weegeemike]

Week 17 and not an interdivisional game? Didn't even know that was a thing

[@carloscolon3331]

I been a fan of big blue for years and I never heard of this story

[@jmad627]

Me either.

[@GrandPapaCap]

Because it's a fabrication of what was really going on

[@markbrian7179]

No shock, the New York Jets has spent the last 11 years no wanting to win games.

[@mrmonty86]

It was just a knee-jerk decision.

[@ReveiwKing999]

4:55 I think you really ought to do a video about the crazy ending to the Giants-Eagles game you mention there. That game really gets overlooked compared to all of the other miracle endings that rivalry's had over the decades.

[@goldosprey]

There's seriously a lot in this rivalry. the two Miracles at the Meadowlands would be great

[@GrandPapaCap]

This is a complete reach imo....teams do things like this all the time, such as punting near midfield late in one possession games...foh

[@marcus813]

I agree that Fassel's reasoning didn't make sense. If he was so worried about Kerry Collins suffering such a catastrophic injury, why have him play on the final drive, let alone have him attempt 4 passes? The Giants were able to overcome this foolishness and make the playoffs the following season, but they blew their game in San Francisco.

[@kerrymckeithen8323]

I always felt he did it for draft positioning but could never admit to that because that would be considered tampering/ intentional tanking. There was an log jam of teams at 7-9 that year and they were at the bottom. If the won that game they would have went 8-8 missed the playoffs and went from drafting Jeremy Shockey at 14. As the first 7-9 team to pick. All the way to 24th as the only 8-8 team and behind Baltimore as they got the last stud in that year's first round.

[@mickeypayne5779]

If i not making playoff help your team with next year pick

[@bradjames891]

I wrote Jim Fassel a letter and he wrote me back. I had a good relationship with him if no one else did.

[@Davepool-hs7vr]

And to think that the Giants didn’t fire Fassel until after the 2003 season

[@thomascrowley9122]

I'd never had an issue with what Favre did his team had the game in hand. Why not let Strahan sack him for the record. Fassell should've used the timeouts, but i have a hard time calling it the most controversial decision in Giant history.

[@TheAlfrulz]

I don't know if this was the most controversial decision ever, with it being the regular season finale and the Giants already out of playoff contention. A couple others come to mind that had greater impact on the Giants franchise. - Ray Handley choosing Jeff Hostetler over Phil Simms to be the starting quarterback heading into the 1991 season. It was roundly criticized, divided the team and wasted both the 1991 and 1992 seasons. - Offensive coordinator Vince Lombardi had a platoon quarterback situation in the 1950's. He let the backup Don Heinrich start the game while the more accomplished Charlie Conerly observed and assessed the defense from the sideline until Lombardi felt it was the right time to insert Conerly. Neither QB liked the arrangement, the Giants were rarely an offensive powerhouse during that time (but always championship contenders) , and no one else has ever tried this setup.

[@itz-luigi1210]

Not going to mention either miracle at the meadowlands ?

[@iamhungey12345]

@@itz-luigi1210 That one at least led to intervention that would turn the team around.

[@DolFan316]

1:27 *RIDICULOUS!!! PREPOSTEROUS!!! DOWNRIGHT LUDICROUS!!!* No, I still can't let it go.

[@jefffuller9918]

I have been a Giants fan since the late 60's. I have never despised a coach as much as Fassel. If I despise him more than Ray Handley that speaks volumes.

[@wcm5636]

Until the NFL changes it’s method for selecting draft order and scheduling, I struggle to agree with you on this.

[@BuccaneerBruce]

They really could have fired him that Monday morning.

[@stevengrvp]

Those giants uniforms crazy time

[@beast1160]

That’s a crazy story!!

[@D0ugh.B0y]

I call bullsh!t on this! Not a personal attack on you, I just think you’re missing one small thing that makes a huge difference here. The reason why is because I think Ernie Accorsi put Fassel up to this. If you look back to when Ernie Accorsi was with the Baltimore Colts, you would see how much he valued draft position at all cost to the point of being stubborn enough to take John Elway with the 1st pick knowing full well Elway would never play in Baltimore. He was willing to to call Elway’s and every other GM’s bluff to get as many highly placed picks as possible no matter the circumstances. He took it as far as to still draft Elway and look to next season’s draft picks. Knowing how stubborn Ernie Accorsi can be as a GM, I have no doubt that he would have potentially told Jim Fassel to “coach the game well but don’t worry about winning or losing. Your job is safe. And the higher a pick we get in the draft next year, the better.” Not saying that’s what happened, but it fits with Ernie Accorsi. lol What are your thoughts, kind sir??? I enjoy and appreciate your work. Thank you very much for the effort you put into it. All the best to you and your family.

[@vidowatcher91]

Wonder if there was an agreement with GB, hey you give us the sack record we make no effort to win

[@GrandPapaCap]

A jaguar fan talking about not winning???

[@mickeypayne5779]

What about last year fans ask for tie so this go on every year

[@ciesaro]

RIP JOHNNIE GRIER!

[@RetroJR3379]

If he was a young rookie coach I would give him a pass but Fassel not only quit but had no confidence on the Giants. Down by 9 if you dont get the TD a Field goal still gives you a chance and go for the onside

[@joshuarayborn]

I think it was in exchange for the sack at the end

[@jimclark6493]

They weren’t going to the playoffs anyway. The 2002 team rallied around Fassel and made a great surge to get into the playoffs. Unfortunately they blew a big lead and the refs screwed up the final play. Fassel should have gotten the Redskins job instead of Jim Zorn. New York will always love Jim Fassel. Especially for his participation after the 9/11 attacks. R..I.P. Coach

[@PrinceGenius123]

I actually think the clown show caused by the sack turned him off and made him just want to get out of there

[@FirstLast-jc7pq]

I think on the low there was a deal if Strahan got handed the sack record so he wasn’t gonna spite GB call timeouts when they gave a great record and free down to giants

[@mickeypayne5779]

I hear Warren Sapp have that and Favre never like Sapp so he give his self up?

[@sirstewartwallace3917]

I'd always wondered the reason why Fassel never got another shot at being an NFL head coach after being fired. I had read that he and Giants management didn't get along but that reason felt vague. But either way, his downfall was hard and fast.

[@DolFan316]

Listen all ya'll, it was a sabotage. A SABOTAGE I tell you!

[@chaosgreyblood]

I can only suspect that Fassel's statements after the game may have played a large factor in that. Why bother with a coach that ain't gonna go all out to win a game that's still within your reach?

[@CTubeMan]

@@chaosgreyblood In Fassel’s final season with the Giants the team was accused of quitting down the stretch.

[@iamhungey12345]

I was surprised as well, you'd think being that he did took the Giants to the SB there would be teams knocking on his door.

[@FirstLast-jc7pq]

Throwing Sean Payton under the bus in 2002 it’s like the golden rule among coaches he did it against Arizona the following year

[@a.grimes4202]

I don’t agree with Fassel’s reasoning, but I can certainly see wanting to protect a star player and feeling as though there’s nothing to play for without hopes of making the playoffs. The only flaw in that logic is that even in the final week of the season, you never have nothing to play for - even the 2008 Detroit Lions, in their final game of the season, at *0-15* at the time, played for pride and to win and not become the first 0-16 team in NFL history...sure, they failed, but unlike the pathetic 2001 New York Giants, they actually made an effort to win. SMH.

[@bradjames891]

Jaguar Gator 9 isn't a GM. He has the Constitutional right to his opinion but that's as far as it goes.

[@DanStrayer]

Best thing I can come up with is draft position? 🤷 Which wouldn’t fly in Philly, btw #DougPederson

[@johnliberty3647]

All his records mean nothing after he promoted Desmond the Amazing on his TV show. I really liked him too. For him to show Moral Depravity live on TV really hurt to see because he was always that good guy type of player.

[@johnliberty3647]

@DEZZNUTZ 1001 Yep, it really bummed me out too. I hate to bring in politics to a football channel but I am so sick of the degradation of society. Not that I am prude but I draw a line when they drag kids into that.

[@iamhungey12345]

I know what you mean.

[@christopherengel7436]

I hate the Giants. More than any other NFL team. (I am an Eagles fan) Couple things on this, 1. Strahan deserved every accolade & record he earned. He was a phenomenal player & teammate. 2. Notice I used the word earned in number 1. This play where Favre decided to give himself up to make sure Strahan got the record just shows what a selfish guy he really was. (Further evidence was his maybe retiring every year) 3. Favre tarnished the record & made it about him like he likes to do. Which is a bummer. 4. About the game though, why bother going for 2 after not going for 2 earlier? That's right he wanted to lose sorry.

[@iamhungey12345]

Plus the sack record overshadowed Strahan's all around game that made him worthy of the DPOTY award he won that season. The guy was one of the defensive lineman against whom the running play would be a terrible idea.

[@christopherengel7436]

@@iamhungey12345 exactly. As much as I loathe him. (Eagles fan he's a Giant) He was a 100% everydown d-lineman as good against the run as he was the pass. Didn't fall for deceptions. His game was as good as it gets.

[@camerondelamotte159]

the heart was there no dought coughlin fluked 2 coach parcells and yes coach belichick that is new york football giants

[@mickeypayne5779]

Don't talk about NBA and NHL

[@paultheaudaciousbradford6772]

Coach be stupid.

[@stevenbauer4799]

no controversy. favre took a dive to hand strahan the sack record that is so * tainted.

[@e93sports80]

10:15 34-25

[@patrickstogsdill74]

Thay sound slike he didn't want to win

[@SkunkApe407]

Two views, and four likes? I'm no mathematician, but those numbers seem off...

[@Cramhead43]

Views tend to lag behind likes on YT for whatever reason.

[@msarzo]

@@Cramhead43 I think it's the Patreon crowd liking the video before it goes live for the rest of us. One of the perks of being a Patreon supporter is getting to see the video before the rest of us do.

[@SkunkApe407]

So basically, the YT algorithm is on meth again.

[@msarzo]

@@SkunkApe407 When is it NOT on meth?

[@SkunkApe407]

@@msarzo lol, true.

[@kibitznec700]

Speaking of stupids

[@e93sports80]

👍👍

[@frenchfrey65]

I always viewed Strahan's sack as a sportsmanlike gesture by Favre, I never saw anything wrong with that. And this to me isn't the worst coaching, that was McCarthy in 2018 @ Seattle, or the blowout loss to Washington putting the Packers to 4-6 in 2016. You HAVE to watch his post game interviews for both. Coming off a weird botched pass on 3rd down, the Packers still had a shot at 4th down with Rodgers, with little time left on the clock, McCarthy told the Packers to punt instead, McCarthy's reasoning? He "ran the numbers". He felt he had a better shot with a hurt defense to win the game than with Aaron freaking RODGERS! That was the 2018 Seattle game! The blowout loss to Washington was WORSE! That team had no business ending 10-6 and "running the table" and getting to the NFC title game. The defense that year was historically bad (I'm amazed Dom Capers lasted as long as he did), Rodgers threw 40 TD's 7 int's that year and somehow they go 10-6!? After the blowout loss to Washington, and i"m paraphrasing here, McCarthy admitted that he had NOTHING, he had no answers! He didn't know how to win with the Packers and Aaron Rodgers! HOW THE HELL WAS HE NOT FIRED THEN!? HOW DO YOU LISTEN TO THAT SPEECH AND NOT FIRE THE MAN! Oh, because he won SB45? OK WHAT HAD HE DONE FOR US LATELY!? Doug Pederson was fired, what 2 years after winning the Eagles 1st SB? GIVE ME A BREAK PACKERS! The fact that McCarthy only got 2 12+ win seasons with Rodgers is a crime! LaFleur got 13+ wins 3 years in a ROW! Sure he's made some bad decisions (like starting Billy Turner at LT 2 years in a row in the playoffs!?) but the man has simply UNLOCKED A-Rod's potential!

[@teen_laqueefa]

Ayahuasca unlocked that, dude.

[@frenchfrey65]

@@teen_laqueefa why not both? :D

[@JoeBobTarheel]

all i hear from JaguarGator is WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH!!!!!!

[@sirstewartwallace3917]

Why are you here then?