Michael Strahan tries to fire up reeling Giants
In this Feb. 3, 2008 file photo, New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (92) dives on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second quarter during Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Credit: AP
That unmistakable voice could be heard through the walls of the Giants' practice facility, rising with each impassioned inflection.
It's been four years since Michael Strahan donned an NFL uniform, but his unplanned pep talks with his former teammates have become a fixture in times of struggle.
From two rooms away, Mathias Kiwanuka could hear Strahan's booming voice addressing the defensive line.
"You know when you're hearing that much noise something has to be up," said Kiwanuka, who was in the linebackers' meeting. "It was Strahan's tone. I'm sure y'all know it: loud, passionate, boisterous. Just very passionate about what he's saying."
Last year, Strahan delivered a speech to the Giants when they started 1-2 after allowing 67 points to the Colts and Titans. He also addressed the team in 2009 after the Giants dropped four straight after a 5-0 start.
But his cameo Wednesday was the result of a chance encounter with defensive end Dave Tollefson in the hallway.
"I was actually walking out of the D-line room to go to the bathroom," Tollefson said. "And I [saw] him and I said, 'Come on. Come in here and say what's up, man.' "
Strahan's message wasn't "groundbreaking," Tollefson said. But with the Giants reeling from embarrassing losses to the Eagles and Saints -- and with Aaron Rodgers and the undefeated Packers coming to town Sunday -- his words struck a nerve.
"He came in there and told us that we need to get correct and we've got to stay strong as a defensive line and we can't be falling apart," Jason Pierre-Paul said. "It's on us. Before he came in there, we said the same thing."
Though Kiwanuka didn't see his former teammate face-to-face, he said Strahan's speeches always carry special weight, given his 15-year career with the franchise.
"He has credibility 'cause he not only played in the league a long time and all the records he broke, but he did it here," Kiwanuka said of Strahan, who holds the franchise record for sacks (141.5). "He's been through every situation that we're facing, so I think young guys automatically respond to a guy like that."
Said Tollefson: "He can tell me how to iron clothes and I'll probably iron them how he says it. Seriously. The guy demands respect and he's always kind of been like that. And you give it to him."
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