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Fassel fueled Giants' leader has been on the money with his picks this year
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Long before Jim Fassel made his playoff guarantee, the head coach predicted the New York Giants would win 11 games this season. Fassel disclosed Friday that he took a card containing the team's schedule before the start of the season and he put W's next to the games he felt the team had to win to have a successful season. After marking it, he shoved it in his top drawer at the office. "There are certain games if you are going to have a good season you have to win these," Fassel said in a casual conversation with the team's beat reporters just 48 hours before the NFC title game against the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium. Of the 11 games Fassel felt the Giants would win, he was wrong on one. He didn't think New York (13-4) would lose at home to Detroit. He also didn't feel the Giants would beat Jacksonville or win at Washington. Any game Fassel didn't think the Giants would win was left blank on the schedule because he didn't want any L's on it. "So we stubbed our toe once and knocked a couple off," Fassel said after the team's final practice before playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl. A rather candid Fassel noted that offseason signings and the continued development of the team gave the Giants the best shot at success in his four seasons. Getting a few breaks and staying healthy also helped, said Fassel, who admitted he has dreamed about the Super Bowl. "I really do, I dream about the whole thing, going all the way and winning it all," Fassel said. "I do that all the time because I'm a firm believer if you don't dream and think you have a chance, then you are probably defeating yourself along the way." Fassel said there were times during his coaching career when he questioned what he was doing because of the strains it put on his family, However, a love of coaching kept him going. Fassel said his sons have kidded him for a long time about a trip they took from Utah to Denver to watch John Elway play. Fassel had coached Elway at Stanford. The quarterback invited the family to attend a practice and to see a Broncos-Bears game. Fassel was the head coach of Utah at the time. "As we were walking out of practice, my sons said I said, 'I'm going to be a head coach in this league,'" Fassel said. "I don't remember saying that one, but the kids still tease me." A little more than 20 years later, Fassel has gotten one of those rare NFL head coaching jobs. He will coach his biggest game on Sunday. "I'm having fun. I'm excited. This is what you work for," Fassel said. "This is what all the hours and all the moves you made with your family, and all the things you have done in your career [are for], to try to get to this spot." Fassel got some good news Friday when wide receiver Amani Toomer practiced hard for the first time since spraining his left ankle last weekend against Philadelphia. The Giants' leading receiver ran surprisingly well on his routes, running straight ahead and making cuts. "I would say after today he is ready to go," Fassel said, noting Toomer will probably start. "It feels good," said Toomer, who had 78 receptions this season. "I was just doing agility drills yesterday at half speed. Today, I was going full speed. I don't know how I looked, but I felt good."
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