The Official 2007 New York Giants Analysis Thread

[161 and River Ave.]

With the offseason starting, lets move on from 2006 and get ready for the 2007 NFL Season. Obviously there are a lot of pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.

The LB Corp is paper thin. Pierce is the only returning starter. Blackburn will return, as well as Wilkinson. What will the front office do to replace Arrington and Emmons (thank God he's gone).

Here is what Reese has done since the major cleanup a few weeks ago. A 2nd round tender has been placed on Gibril Wilson. A 4th rounder on Torbor, and a 7th rounder on Ward.

http://blogs.nydailynews.com/giants/archives/2007/03/post_3.php


The Giants have also reached an agreement with O'Hara.

The numbers on Shaun O'Hara's contract are five years, $19 million with a $7.5 million signing bonus. The contract includes $12 million over the first three years. Not all of the $12 million is guaranteed, but a good portion is.
Not a bad contract for O'Hara in a deal that works for all parties in this one.


http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/

[BRNXBMRS]

The amount of money that the Giants and O'hara were arguing over was $150,00 (a lot to us common folk). Are you kidding me, he was gonna walk over this. I am very happy he is staying.

Three players the Giants are expected to target in free agency:

RB Dominic Rhodes: From Super Bowl hero to Brandon Jacobs' backfield mate? A recent DUI arrest hasn't ruled him out.

LB Cato June: They won't get Adalius Thomas and they're desperate for linebackers, so they should make a big run at this former Pro Bowler.

S Michael Lewis: Big-hitter who was benched in Philly, but is only 26. Could spell the end for Will Demps.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/story/501916p-423284c.html


I could see the Giants going after Lewis and they are also looking at Roderick Hood especially since Spagnuolo has come up from Philly.

[161 and River Ave.]

The amount of money that the Giants and O'hara were arguing over was $150,00 (a lot to us common folk). Are you kidding me, he was gonna walk over this. I am very happy he is staying.



http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/story/501916p-423284c.html


I could see the Giants going after Lewis and they are also looking at Roderick Hood especially since Spagnuolo has come up from Philly.

He is making a lot for a center, but thats just how the market is going to be this year. Compared to what the Cowboys gave Gurode, it worked out well for us.

[161 and River Ave.]

Updated: Rhodes visited Giants today.

Dominic Rhodes, DUI arrest and all, will eventually be their new running back. Apparently he’s excited enough about the Giants that he plans to visit them today, and the Giants don’t usually bring guys in if they’re not ready to make them an offer. Given his light NFL resume and his recent appearance in the police blotter, I can’t imagine he’ll get many other takers, even in this market.

http://blogs.nydailynews.com/giants/

[RIyankee]

Updated: Rhodes visited Giants today.



http://blogs.nydailynews.com/giants/

I think Rhodes will be a good pickup for you guys. He's not flashy, but he's a smart, no-nonsense back that just hits the hole and runs N-S. My kind of back.

[BonusCantos]

This one caught my eye:

The Giants apparently won’t be in the market for a kicker, which shocks me. I think it’s a mistake that they seemingly have no interest in re-signing kicker Jay Feely, though I do understand why the rest of the market (Billy Cundiff, Martin Gramatica) doesn’t excite them. That leaves them with former Ohio State kicker Josh Huston, whom they signed in January. Yikes.

I'd rather have Feely than the rest of the above.

[161 and River Ave.]

This one caught my eye:



I'd rather have Feely than the rest of the above.

I'd like to take my chance with Huston. Feely was bad on kick-offs and i'm still not over the Seattle game. He made some big kicks, but he also missed some big kicks. I'll take a shot with a rookie kicker. Look at NE and their rookie.

[BRNXBMRS]

Since the Seatelle dibacle, Feely always had me on the edge. if he wants to leave for more money let him. I'll roll the dice with Josh Huston.

[RIyankee]

Since the Seatelle dibacle, Feely always had me on the edge. if he wants to leave for more money let him. I'll roll the dice with Josh Huston.

My opinion on kickers in general...

Two of the top kickers in the recent playoffs were Robby Gould, who was Adam Vinatieri's caddy in NE during camp, and Stephen Gostowski, a 4th round rookie. Go with 2-3 youngsters in camp and pick the best one.

JMHO :)

[BonusCantos]

If Huston's the way they want to go, that's fine though. There's virtually nothing available that I'd consider good.

[Pepper03]

My opinion on kickers in general...

Two of the top kickers in the recent playoffs were Robby Gould, who was Adam Vinatieri's caddy in NE during camp, and Stephen Gostowski, a 4th round rookie. Go with 2-3 youngsters in camp and pick the best one.

JMHO :)

Gotta give you credit there:-hide-: -you were right about Gostowski-he's good and he showed in the playoffs he can make pressure kicks.

[deranged2005]

Joey Porter? Cato June?

So far, not impressed with the people the Giants are talking to.

[RIyankee]

Joey Porter? Cato June?

So far, not impressed with the people the Giants are talking to.

Jon Beason (http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/nflcombineprofile.php?pyid=10995) would be a great pick for your team.

[161 and River Ave.]

Joey Porter? Cato June?

So far, not impressed with the people the Giants are talking to.

Not much out there. Nate Clements was the best defensive player available this year.

[BRNXBMRS]

False start #77, 5 yds 1st down signs with Tampa.

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network and PewterReport.com report that former Giants left tackle Luke Petitgout has agreed in principle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[BRNXBMRS]

Jay Feely is officially out as the Giants' kicker, leaving an untested rookie to replace him next season.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/503423p-424615c.html

[In Mo I Trust]

Any word on what the plan is for left tackle?

[JfromJersey]

Letting Feely go is a real puzzling move. There really aren't any decent FG kickers out there to replace him.

[161 and River Ave.]

Letting Feely go is a real puzzling move. There really aren't any decent FG kickers out there to replace him.

It looks like they will go with Josh Huston. 25 yr old from Ohio State. He was in Europe last year.

[BonusCantos]

This is about the 3rd or 4th time this offseason I find myself saying "Reese better know what he's doing."

[RhodyYanksFan]

This is about the 3rd or 4th time this offseason I find myself saying "Reese better know what he's doing."

Not the best mindset to have about your new GM. I know what you mean though. They seem to be resting on their laurels while all the other teams are making moves and bettering themselves.

[apolansk]

Tim Carter just got traded to Cleveland for Reuben Droughns.

per Adam Kaplan on Sirius

[BonusCantos]

Not the best mindset to have about your new GM. I know what you mean though. They seem to be resting on their laurels while all the other teams are making moves and bettering themselves. They're letting a bunch of people go, but you can only solve so many problems with the draft. Sooner or later they're going to have to go to free agency.

[161 and River Ave.]

The Droughn's deal is an absolute steal. Excellent, excellent trade. Tim Carter was nothing on this team, and he most likely would have been cut. Now we have a legitimate back-up. I am thrilled with this trade.

[tdel23]

The Droughn's deal is an absolute steal. Excellent, excellent trade. Tim Carter was nothing on this team, and he most likely would have been cut. Now we have a legitimate back-up. I am thrilled with this trade.

I agree Iike the trade, Carter was always hurt and never lived up to his potential here is a link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2793305

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

The Droughn's deal is an absolute steal. Excellent, excellent trade. Tim Carter was nothing on this team, and he most likely would have been cut. Now we have a legitimate back-up. I am thrilled with this trade.

Yeah but you have to pay him a $1.75 million bonus in a few weeks.

[JfromJersey]

The only negative to the deal is Droughn's questionable character.

[BonusCantos]

It seems like Jerry made a good trade here. Tim Carter was useless, and now BJ has some help at the HB position.

[Panamaniac42]

The only negative to the deal is Droughn's questionable character.

Agreed (wasn't he the one who threw his wife through a door?). Still, I'm happy that we got someone useful in return for a completely useless player who never stepped up when he was given opportunity after opportunity to do so.

[In Mo I Trust]

Good trade, Carter is useless.

[BonusCantos]

Meh.

The Giants are reportedly expected to meet with free agent linebacker Cato June at some point this upcoming week.
June has had little interest on the free agent market. He was a Pro Bowler in 2005 but is undersized and can only play one position. The visit with New York would be his first this offseason.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=1565

[JeffWeaverFan]

I'm not sure how much of a steal it is to trade for Reuben Droughns. IMO, he's just a bad RB. You gave up nothing to get him, but I don't see him really helping the team.

[TheBamTino24]

Reuben Droughns doesn't impress me on his own, but when I realize the only thing that the Giants had to give up was Tim Carter, I think it's a good move.

Droughns gives them some insurance with Brandon Jacobs. I like the idea that these are both backs that can physically wear down opposing defenses, however, where is the big play potential? Draft a 3rd down/scat back? Curious.

Jerry Reese still has A LOT of work to do. I know some people are worried over setting Luke Petitgout and Jay Feely loose, but both were inconsistent players for the Giants. And I'm not sure it is wise to entrust so much money into a 30 year old, 300 LB lineman coming off a broken leg.

[RhodyYanksFan]

I think it's sad that on a New York Yankees message board, the Patriots thread is 5x as long as the NY Giants one.

[In Mo I Trust]

I think it's sad that on a New York Yankees message board, the Patriots thread is 5x as long as the NY Giants one.

Hopefully that will change once/if the Giants start making some moves.

[tdel23]

I think it's sad that on a New York Yankees message board, the Patriots thread is 5x as long as the NY Giants one.

well what do you want from front running Pats fans j/k :P

[RIyankee]

well what do you want from front running Pats fans j/k :P

Prior to 2006, I heard squat from Giants fans. :lol:

[tdel23]

Prior to 2006, I heard squat from Giants fans. :lol:


touche :)

[BonusCantos]

According to ESPN, BJ and Reuben will be a platoon of sorts at halfback.

[161 and River Ave.]

I'm not sure how much of a steal it is to trade for Reuben Droughns. IMO, he's just a bad RB. You gave up nothing to get him, but I don't see him really helping the team.

What bad RB has back-to-back 1400 total yd seasons? Sure, one was with Denver, but the latter was with a horrible Cleveland Browns offense. Thats not a bad RB. Also, we aren't asking him to carry the load by any means. He will just be there to give Jacobs a breather. Considering what Tim Carter did for the Giants, this is a steal. Carter never accomplished anything, while Droughns has a respectable track record.

[161 and River Ave.]

Prior to 2006, I heard squat from Giants fans. :lol:

Prior to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, I never heard of a Pats fan.

[Pepper03]

Prior to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, I never heard of a Pats fan.

It sure did add to the fanbase, but the Pats have always had a devoted following and the real increase in their popularity began with the hiring of Bill Parcells and the drafting of Drew Bledsoe.

[RIyankee]

Prior to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, I never heard of a Pats fan.

You need to get out more. :)

The Pats have sold out every game since 1994. I've been following them since 1976.

[RhodyYanksFan]

You need to get out more. :)

The Pats have sold out every game since 1994. I've been following them since 1976.

Can't we all get along? This is the Giants thread, not the Jets.

[BRNXBMRS]

Back to football talk, letting Frank Walker go. Good, bad, no big deal? I will say no big deal. Reese must be waiting till the vets get cut in June to make a move. I hope he has a plan.

[In Mo I Trust]

Good, I was sick of Walker.

[tdel23]

Good, I was sick of Walker.

yeah I was never a huge fan of his either.

[TheBamTino24]

According to Mike Garafolo of the Star Ledger of NJ, the Giants have signed FB Vonta Leach to an offer sheet.

Texans FB Vonta Leach, a restricted free agent who visited the Giants last week, signed an offer sheet today, the team has confirmed. The NFL Network is reporting the offer is a four-year contract worth $8 million with $1.6 million guaranteed.

Entire blurb:
http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/

Texans' Biography:
http://www.houstontexans.com/team/roster_detail.php?PRKey=261&section=TH%20Players

So far, the Giants have not done much in the FA market. That much is obvious. But if you look at the players who Jerry Reese has not brough back - Tim Carter, Frank Walker, Luke Petitgout, LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons - all of them were plagued with injury and/or mistake-prone issues. The biggest mouth of the team - Tiki Barber - has also moved on.

There are 3 big issues to me:

1. WR: Right now we're relying on Plaxico Burress and a 12 year veteran coming off serious knee reconstruction in Amani Toomer and an injury-plagued rookie season for Sinorice Moss. Eli Manning's progression will continued to be thwarted with just 1 viable downfield threat.

2. CB: I think the safeties will be fine with Will Demps continuing to build upon the improvement he showed at the end of 2006. And Gibril Wilson has my trust. But Sam Madison? Corey Webster? I don't know. I like RW McQuarters as a nickel back, but nothing more.

3. RB: I liked the Reuben Droughns for Tim Carter deal, but we are going to need a bonafide homerun threat out of the backfield. A David Meggett type.

I'm actually less concerned about the LT issue than most. I'm confident David Diehl can assume that position because he actually played it well for stints in 2005. Nice move by Reese to bring back Shaun O'Hara, IMHO.

[161 and River Ave.]

3. RB: I liked the Reuben Droughns for Tim Carter deal, but we are going to need a bonafide homerun threat out of the backfield. A David Meggett type.


The HR threat is Brandon Jacobs. Fans have this idea that Jacobs is just a punishing back with no speed. He ran a 4.40 and 4.47 40 at his pro day. He's not just a bruiser, the guy can run like a deer.

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/uwire/032405aad.html

The guy is a human highlight reel every time he touches the ball; whether he is running through people or past people. Take a look yourself.

http://www.khanhdom.com/cms/htmlos/02375.1.18994520560313913266/1000190_brandonjacobs

He can run up the middle, and bounce outside. I was sold on his playmaking ability when he took a screen pass 50 yds vs. Dallas.

[JfromJersey]

The HR threat is Brandon Jacobs. Fans have this idea that Jacobs is just a punishing back with no speed. He ran a 4.40 and 4.47 40 at his pro day. He's not just a bruiser, the guy can run like a deer.

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/uwire/032405aad.html

The guy is a human highlight reel every time he touches the ball; whether he is running through people or past people. Take a look yourself.

http://www.khanhdom.com/cms/htmlos/02375.1.18994520560313913266/1000190_brandonjacobs

He can run up the middle, and bounce outside. I was sold on his playmaking ability when he took a screen pass 50 yds vs. Dallas.

Carl Banks thinks BJ can be the Giants version of Larry Johnson. I hope he's right. I think he's faster in the open field than LJ.

[CptCrunch]

Carl Banks thinks BJ can be the Giants version of Larry Johnson. I hope he's right. I think he's faster in the open field than LJ.

He needs to develop LJ's patience and vision. I'm excited to see what he can do this upcoming season.

[In Mo I Trust]

According to WFAN Al Wilson is taking a physical in NY and supposedly a deal will get done.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Al Wilson is taking a physical in NY right now with the Giants according to WFAN - looks like you guys traded for him.

[BonusCantos]

Looks like the deal is dead, from the chatter on both the Denver & NYG boards.

Update:
While the Denver Post is reporting Al Wilson has been traded to the Giants, the Newark Star-Ledger reports the deal will not happen.
Wilson was in New York for a physical Friday, but the Star-Ledger quotes a source saying the team won't make a move for Wilson. It appears the Denver Post has jumped the gun, but we'll keep the matter updated.

[TheBamTino24]

According to longtime NY Giants beat writer Ernie Palladino, LB Al Wilson failed his physical:

Turns out Al Wilson, the subject of trade discussions between the Giants and Broncos, did fail a physical today. Thus, the trade is dead, probably beyond revival.

Doctors apparently were apprehensive about a neck injury Wilson incurred in December. He was carted off the field, but came back to play the following week. He also had a thumb injury, but the neck was the real sticking point.


http://giants.lohudblogs.com/2007/03/23/flunked/

[deranged2005]

What a freakin weird offseason thus far...

[In Mo I Trust]

This was mentioned on PFT, why would the Giants sign that fullback from the Texans to an offer sheet but not include a poison pill provision? It doesn't make any sense.

[RIyankee]

This was mentioned on PFT, why would the Giants sign that fullback from the Texans to an offer sheet but not include a poison pill provision? It doesn't make any sense.
Collusion.

[deranged2005]

This was mentioned on PFT, why would the Giants sign that fullback from the Texans to an offer sheet but not include a poison pill provision? It doesn't make any sense.

My personal opinion is ownership. If Mr. Mara didn't do it, I doubt his son would.

[RIyankee]

My personal opinion is ownership. If Mr. Mara didn't do it, I doubt his son would.

The Pats gave Miami an additional 7th round pick rather than use the poison pill to pry Wes Welker away.

The Poison Pill is a technical loophole that violates the spirit of RFA and transition tags. The NFLPA wants teams to use them because is promotes player movement, forces team to tender their RFAs at a higher level, and creates animosity and disunity among owners (Minnesota/Seattle a year ago), which always benefits the NFLPA. The NFL tried to close the loophole, but Upshaw wanted concessions that the owners were unwilling to give.

Teams like the Giants and Pats refuse to use the PP and that's evidence of (righteous) collusion. How far Upshaw will take this will determine the state of labor peace over the next 2 years. Upshaw is already pulling a Fehr on the steroids issue. Tagliabue not getting busted on his first ballot might have something to do with his end run dealings with Upshaw for the band-aid CBA that is currently in place.

[RhodyYanksFan]

I'm really glad Eli didn't get boo'd on SNL this week. I could totally see that happening.

[ALR83]

I'm really glad Eli didn't get boo'd on SNL this week. I could totally see that happening.

It's so funny cause I was thinking the same thing when I realized Peyton would mention him.

[Panamaniac42]

<table class="s_playerNewsTable" id="Table1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="471"><tbody><tr><td width="11">
</td> <td style="background: rgb(206, 2, 38) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="10">http://rotoworld.com/images/left_corner_player_news.gif</td> <td class="s_playerNewsTitle" style="background: rgb(206, 2, 38) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="430"> <table class="s_playerNewsTitle" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="left" width="33"> http://rotoworld.com/images/teamlogos/NFL_sm/KC.gif </td> <td align="left"> Kawika Mitchell (http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=1380)-LB-Chiefs (http://rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_news.aspx?sport=NFL&majteam=KC)</td> <td style="" align="right">Mar. 26 - 3:35 pm et</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td><td style="background: rgb(206, 2, 38) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" width="14">http://rotoworld.com/images/right_corner_player_news.gif</td> <td width="6">http://rotoworld.com/images/pixel.gif</td> </tr> <tr> <td>http://rotoworld.com/images/pixel.gif</td> <td class="s_playerNewsLeftBorder">http://rotoworld.com/images/pixel.gif</td> <td class="s_playerNewsText"> http://rotoworld.com/images/pixel.gif
The Giants will sign LB Kawika Mitchell to a one-year, $1 million contract.
Mitchell is young (27), big (253 pounds), athletic, and has racked up over 100 tackles the past two seasons. It appears he'll use this year in New York to show he can play outside and reenter the free agent market in 2008 with versatility on his resume. The Giants could be getting a steal if Mitchell, a middle linebacker in Kansas City, excels on the strong side.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger (http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2007/03/mitchell_to_sign_oneyear_1m_de.html) Related: Chiefs (http://rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_relatednews.aspx?sport=NFL&majteam=KC)
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[BonusCantos]

Not really familiar with Mitchell's body of work, but I've got no complaints about the move.

[TheBamTino24]

Carl Banks thinks BJ can be the Giants version of Larry Johnson. I hope he's right. I think he's faster in the open field than LJ.

Very interesting comparison despite the fact that Brandon Jacobs is a lot bigger than Larry Johnson (6'4", 265 lbs to 6'1", 230 lbs). Jacobs has certainly shown glimpses of that style of running.

And I also take Carl Banks' analysis very seriously. The guy knows his stuff, IMHO.

The HR threat is Brandon Jacobs. Fans have this idea that Jacobs is just a punishing back with no speed. He ran a 4.40 and 4.47 40 at his pro day. He's not just a bruiser, the guy can run like a deer.

You're right. But the question I have is will Jacobs alter his running style to emulate Tiki Barber. What I mean is, Barber realized that in order to keep those legs as fresh as possible and bust big runs late in games, he needed to avoid excessive hits. So when he knew he was caught, he went down.

Jacobs doesn't seem to have that trait from the relatively small sampling I've witnessed. But I am confident that he'll be great. Not good. Great.

[ace]

I guess by signing this FB from Houston that they won't be taking Brian Leonard in the draft which disappoints me greatly.

[Panamaniac42]

I guess by signing this FB from Houston that they won't be taking Brian Leonard in the draft which disappoints me greatly.

I thought Leach is staying in Houston.

Anyway, they wouldn't reach for Leonard with their 1st rounder, and Leonard will be gone by the time the Giants' 2nd round pick rolls around. People seem to think the Pats are going to take him with their first round, which is probably the perfect fit. As long as he doesn't go to the Eagles I'll be happy :)

[BonusCantos]

Giants to Open 2007 Season in Dallas on Sunday Night (http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=24388)

[TheBamTino24]

The Texans matched the offer sheet on Vonta Leach. Scratch him.

We've brought in so many veteran names over the past few years only to see them turn into busts, that I like what Jerry Reese did with Kawika Mitchell.

I'm also interested to see if Gerris Wilkinson and Reggie Torbor can step up.

Kawika Mitchell was a 2nd Round Draft Pick (47 overall) in 2003:
http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/kawika_mitchell/

[BRNXBMRS]

Giants to Open 2007 Season in Dallas on Sunday Night (http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=24388)

This sucks!

[161 and River Ave.]

This sucks!

Why? We picked off Romo 5 times last year. Our pass rush should also be healthy for the first week of the season. Sounds like fresh meat to me.

[TheBamTino24]

I'm excited about Opening Night being down in Dallas on national TV.

I like what the Giants are doing defensively with these young players. Osi Umeniyora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, and Kiwaka Mitchell form an impressive group of versatile front-7 players.

Will Reggie Torbor and Gerris Wilkinson step up? Believe it or not, our LB corp could be better than the past 2 playoff seasons' groups.

[161 and River Ave.]

I'm excited about Opening Night being down in Dallas on national TV.

I like what the Giants are doing defensively with these young players. Osi Umeniyora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, and Kiwaka Mitchell form an impressive group of versatile front-7 players.

Will Reggie Torbor and Gerris Wilkinson step up? Believe it or not, our LB corp could be better than the past 2 playoff seasons' groups.

Anybody will be better than Emmons. The dude was a statue. I really hope we go LB in round 1 though. Two words: Paul Posluszny.

Mitchell, Pierce, and Pos is a pretty good LB corp. With Blackburn, Torbor, and Wilkinson on the bench.

[BRNXBMRS]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by BRNXBMRS
This sucks!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Why? We picked off Romo 5 times last year. Our pass rush should also be healthy for the first week of the season. Sounds like fresh meat to me.

No not playing the Cowgirls eff them, I was talking about opening the season for the 2nd year in a row on a Sunday night with all the commercials it'll be past midnight when this game ends.

[TheBamTino24]

Leading up to the Opening Night game on NBC in Dallas, the Giants will play familiar foes in the preseason: NYJ, CAR, BAL, and NE.

http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=24568

FYI: Apparently the full NFL regular season schedule was due to be released on Thursday, but has been delayed:

http://giants.lohudblogs.com/

[RhodyYanksFan]

Leading up to the Opening Night game on NBC in Dallas, the Giants will play familiar foes in the preseason: NYJ, CAR, BAL, and NE.

http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=24568

FYI: Apparently the full NFL regular season schedule was due to be released on Thursday, but has been delayed:

http://giants.lohudblogs.com/

They seem to play the Pats every preseason. They have them in the regular season this year too.

[ace]

One of the latest mock drafts I've seen had Leonard going 26th to the Eagles.

[BRNXBMRS]

Sunday, 9/9 8:15 PM EST NBC at Dallas
Sunday, 9/16 1:00 PM EST FOX GREEN BAY
Sunday, 9/23 4:15 PM EST FOX at Washington
Sunday, 9/30 8:15 PM EST NBC PHILADELPHIA
Sunday, 10/7 1:00 PM EST CBS NEW YORK JETS
Monday, 10/15 8:30 PM EST ESPN at Atlanta
Sunday, 10/21 1:00 PM EST FOX SAN FRANCISCO
Sunday, 10/28 1:00 PM EST FOX at Miami (London)
Sunday, 11/4 BYE
Sunday, 11/11 4:15 PM EST FOX DALLAS
Sunday, 11/18 4:15 PM EST * FOX at Detroit
Sunday, 11/25 1:00 PM EST * FOX MINNESOTA
Sunday, 12/2 4:15 PM EST * FOX at Chicago
Sunday, 12/9 1:00 PM EST * FOX at Philadelphia
Sunday, 12/16 8:15 PM EST * NBC WASHINGTON
Sunday, 12/23 1:00 PM EST * FOX at Buffalo
Saturday, 12/29 8:15 PM EST NFLN NEW ENGLAND

http://www.giants.com/gameday/schedule2007.asp

Five primetime games, good news is the london game is 1 pm est.

[RhodyYanksFan]

I wonder why they have the gave vs the Redskins at night over the gave vs Chicago?

[tdel23]

I wonder why they have the gave vs the Redskins at night over the gave vs Chicago?

maybe it will be one of the flex schedule games and they will flip it later in the season?

[161 and River Ave.]

maybe it will be one of the flex schedule games and they will flip it later in the season?

No more flex scheduling this year. The Giants vs. Bears isn't prime time b/c Cincy is playing Pittsburgh that week. Thats a divisional game and a rivalry.

[tdel23]

No more flex scheduling this year. The Giants vs. Bears isn't prime time b/c Cincy is playing Pittsburgh that week. Thats a divisional game and a rivalry.

oh I did not know about no flex schedule this year, thanks for the heads up.

[Seth]

No more flex scheduling this year. The Giants vs. Bears isn't prime time b/c Cincy is playing Pittsburgh that week. Thats a divisional game and a rivalry.
I don't think the NFL is getting rid of the flex scheduling. I looked at the NFL schedule on nfl.com and from Weeks 11 through 17, it said that Sunday night games during those weeks are subject to change.

[161 and River Ave.]

I don't think the NFL is getting rid of the flex scheduling. I looked at the NFL schedule on nfl.com and from Weeks 11 through 17, it said that Sunday night games during those weeks are subject to change.

Yep your right my bad. I saw games scheduled at night those weeks and figured they were set in stone.

This will be the second season of flexible scheduling, which allows the league to schedule Sunday night games 12 days ahead in weeks 11 to 17.
This season, the league tentatively has scheduled games in that spot, including Kansas City at the New York Jets as the final game of the season, a return by Chiefs coach Herman Edwards to Giants Stadium to play the team he coached from 2001-2005

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2833348

[BRNXBMRS]

According to NFL Network (TV), former Detroit Lions wide receiver and first round bust Charles Rogers visited the Giants today.

http://louisville-basketball.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/12/giants-meet-with-former-detroit-lions-bust/

I'd will roll the dice and take a shot with him.

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

I'm really glad Eli didn't get boo'd on SNL this week. I could totally see that happening.

I know this post is late, but they were actually quite welcoming towards him....lots of cheering.

When he announced, "this is my dad Archie Manning," I think the reaction was less cause I don't think they knew who he was, other than being Peyton and Eli's father, who they're always showing at their games! ;)

[Shaun4013]

Five primetime games, good news is the london game is 1 pm est.

Bad news is that its in London.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Bad news is that its in London.

Good news is it's not a home game.

[Shaun4013]

Good news is it's not a home game.

Very true.

[BonusCantos]

They did the logical thing and scheduled a bye week (I believe for Miami as well) after the London game. It wouldn't have been fair otherwise.

[In Mo I Trust]

We're on the clock..........

[JfromJersey]

Aaron Ross.
The Giants need a cover CB desperately, but I don't think he can step right in to start as a rookie. I see him used more in nickle packages, and as a PR.
It was a safe pick at #20.

[BonusCantos]

New York Giants 2007 NFL Draft (Day 1):
R1 (20): Aaron Ross, CB/Texas
R2 (51): Steve Smith, WR/USC
R3 (81): Jay Alford, DT/Penn State

Day 2 Picks:
R4 (116)
R5 (153)
R6 (189)
R7 (224)
R7 (250)

[JfromJersey]

Rd 4 - Zak Deossie, OLB Brown. Not a bad pick. The son of former Giant Steve Deossie.

[BonusCantos]

The Giants' draft slate is done:

Ross, Smith, Alford, DeOssie, Boss, Koets, Johnson, and Bradshaw.

[161 and River Ave.]

http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=25327

Kiwanuka being moved to Strongside Linebacker

[BRNXBMRS]

Moving Kiwanuka to LB is the biggest suprise of the weekend.

[RIyankee]

Drafting DeOssie and moving Matthias to LB, tells me that TC is looking to move to 3-4, maybe.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Drafting DeOssie and moving Matthias to LB, tells me that TC is looking to move to 3-4, maybe.

I think any sort of change will be good. I guess Arrington didn't fit into a 3-4 scheme.

[161 and River Ave.]

Drafting DeOssie and moving Matthias to LB, tells me that TC is looking to move to 3-4, maybe.

Absolutely not. They don't have the personel and Spags isn't a 3-4 defensive coordinator. Kiwanuka is a hybrid DE-LB that can play the strong side. Though this is most likely a short term move until Strahan retires.

Looking at the defense, Osi and Strahan are too small for 3-4 DE's. We dont have a 3-4 NT, though you can make the argument Coefield could. Pierce is too small for a 3-4 MLB. The strength of our defense is the defensive ends, not LB. A lof of the Giants are happy with the defense Spags runs because it favors quick DE's.

Moving Kiwi to SLB is just an attempt to get another playmaker, which he is, on the field.

[BRNXBMRS]

The Left Tackle problem maybe solved.

The Browns called the Giants soon after drafting Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the third pick in the first round, according to a league source, but the Giants felt the price - reportedly a fourth-round pick - was way too high for a player entering just the second year of a six-year, $36.5 million deal."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/05/01/2007-05-01_giants_in_trade_talks_for_browns_tackle.html

[rock]

Is Shaffer supposed to be any good? Never heard of him.

[Shaun4013]

Solid draft for the Gmen.

[ace]

Should've taken Leonard.

[161 and River Ave.]

Should've taken Leonard.

Can't say I agree. Who's going to replace Toomer either this year or next year? Not Sinorice Moss.

[apolansk]

Can't say I agree. Who's going to replace Toomer either this year or next year? Not Sinorice Moss.

And our RB/Fb situation is fine without drafting anoter one, that isn't necessary, just because hes a local product.

[161 and River Ave.]

And our RB/Fb situation is fine without drafting anoter one, that isn't necessary, just because hes a local product.

If Leonard played for Nebraska or any team outside of Jersey for that matter, no Giants fan would have thought about drafting him. Sure it would have made a feel good story about a Rutgers kid playing for the Giants. But where would he fit in? In the current Giants offense, passing plays arent designed for the fullback. Hell, the fullback position is not as common as it used to be in the NFL anyways. A lot of teams run Single Back sets. With Jacobs and Droughns as the RB's, he would just sit on the bench.

WR was a position of need, and Steve Smith will be a solid contributor. He is better than Tim Carter, Jennings, Tyree, etc etc.

[In Mo I Trust]

We didn't need Leonard.

[Panamaniac42]

Should've taken Leonard.

I wanted it to happen real bad but I understand :(

[RhodyYanksFan]

If anyone is interested, you can buy a LaVar Arrington jersey for $9.97 on the Giant's website.

[In Mo I Trust]

I wanted it to happen real bad but I understand :(

At least he didn't go to the Eagles.

[deranged2005]

My interview with 4th round draft pick, linebacker Zak DeOssie

http://www.ny-footballgiants.com/columns/author/14/

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

WR was a position of need, and Steve Smith will be a solid contributor. .

WILL be?? When did this happen??

[RhodyYanksFan]

WILL be?? When did this happen??

Different Steve Smith.

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

Different Steve Smith.

Srry...thanks. ;)

[JfromJersey]

Different Steve Smith.

If he's half as good, I'll be happy.

[Panamaniac42]

At least he didn't go to the Eagles.

Oh yeah. Which I thought was a no-brainer for them. They can have fun with Thomas Tapeh instead. I'm glad I can still root for Leonard, unlike L.J. Smith.

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

Oh yeah. Which I thought was a no-brainer for them. They can have fun with Thomas Tapeh instead. I'm glad I can still root for Leonard, unlike L.J. Smith.

Not to stray off the subject Panaman, but do you have a bigger sized avatar you could send me? that'd be great...thanks!

(Email is in the profile)

[BonusCantos]

You got it easy, Panamaniac; one of the guys from here got drafted by Chicago, but the first one went to Dallas. I knew Jerry Jones was going to snatch him.

[Shaun4013]

Plax is in camp. Fantastic News.

[JfromJersey]

Now if Shockey shows up I will truly be shocked.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

If football doesn't pan out for Eli, he may have a singing career.

http://drunkathletes.synergyofsports.com/2007/01/16/elis-living-on-a-prayer.aspx

[RhodyYanksFan]

Did they have their rookie camp yet?

[161 and River Ave.]

Did they have their rookie camp yet?

Yes it concluded this weekend.

http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=25513

[TheBamTino24]

When does the veteran mini-camp begin?

I'm very interested to see how these linebackers play. I'm really high on Mathias Kiwanuka and it seems like Kiwaka Mitchell could be poised for a breakout season.

[BRNXBMRS]

When does the veteran mini-camp begin?

I'm very interested to see how these linebackers play. I'm really high on Mathias Kiwanuka and it seems like Kiwaka Mitchell could be poised for a breakout season.

I want to see Gerris Wilerson step it up, and if Strahan gets hurt you think Kiwi goes back to DE. Chase Blackburn!

[RIyankee]

I want to see Gerris Wilerson step it up, and if Strahan gets hurt you think Kiwi goes back to DE. Chase Blackburn!

I liked Wilkerson coming out of college. I hope he does well with the Giants.

[deranged2005]

Now if Shockey shows up I will truly be shocked.

Shocked yet?

[161 and River Ave.]

Shocked yet?

Haha.

Seriously though, Shockey is the least of the Giants problems. Right behind Plaxico Burress.

[161 and River Ave.]

http://www.giants.com/player/?file_300=http%3A%2F%2Fplay%2Erbn%2Ecom%2Fplay%2Easx%3Furl%3Dnfl%2Fnfl%2Fopen%2Fgiants%2Fwmdemand%2F07%5F0530%5F10%2Ewmv%26proto%3Dmms%3Fmswmext%3D%2Easx

5/30 Interviews with Eli, Jacobs, and Coughlin. Eli looks like he added weight and I'd say thats a good thing.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

http://www.giants.com/player/?file_300=http%3A%2F%2Fplay%2Erbn%2Ecom%2Fplay%2Easx%3Furl%3Dnfl%2Fnfl%2Fopen%2Fgiants%2Fwmdemand%2F07%5F0530%5F10%2Ewmv%26proto%3Dmms%3Fmswmext%3D%2Easx

5/30 Interviews with Eli, Jacobs, and Coughlin. Eli looks like he added weight and I'd say thats a good thing.

I agree. Some people will say that added weight will affect his mobility. To that I'll say, "What mobility?"

[BRNXBMRS]

Kendrick Calncy was recently released from Az, think the Giants will welcome him back at DT instead of William Joseph?

[Shaun4013]

Kendrick Calncy was recently released from Az, think the Giants will welcome him back at DT instead of William Joseph?

One can only hope. Joseph is useless.

[BRNXBMRS]

Shcockey shows up for OTAs.

So what’s the big surprise? The one and only Jeremy Shockey was in attendance at the Giants OTAs today

http://mvn.com/nfl-giants/

[BonusCantos]

A new signee:
The Giants continued to shape their roster today, a week before their full-squad mini-camp and seven weeks prior to the opening of training camp. In a move that adds depth and experience on the offensive line, the Giants signed guard Zach Piller, who played the first eight years of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Piller, 6-5 and 315 pounds, has played in 87 career games with 58 starts.

[BRNXBMRS]

Jessie Armstead, the emotional leader of the Giants for most of his nine years with the franchise (1993-2001), will re-sign with the team today so he can officially retire as a Giant.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2007/06/13/2007-06-13_jessies_adieu_is_in_blue.html

:gulp:

[BonusCantos]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2007/06/13/2007-06-13_jessies_adieu_is_in_blue.html

:gulp:
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[161 and River Ave.]

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/

Giants FB Jim Finn is out for the year.

[BRNXBMRS]

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/

Giants FB Jim Finn is out for the year.

I just read that this am, wtf!. I didnt hear any mention of him getting hurt when he did it. This sux.

[BonusCantos]

Now they'll be needing a new FB, it appears.

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

Now they'll be needing a new FB, it appears.

K....so who's available?? Is anyone in the works??

[BonusCantos]

Why yes, someone is:

With the announcement yesterday that fullback Jim Finn will miss the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery, the team is looking for a replacement. They may not need to look further than their own roster. First-year back Robert Douglas has been getting most of the snaps with the first team during this week’s mini-camp at Giants Stadium.

Finn’s injury leaves Douglas as the only fullback on the Giants’ roster.

http://www.giants.com/news/special_features/story.asp?story_id=25627

[BonusCantos]

According to an article from Giants.com, Mini-camp is ending. The veteran players are now off on summer vacation and the rookie orientation/conditioning session ends soon.

Training camp opens on July 27 at SUNY Albany. I've done the trip before; it was hot and not really anything special in the training sessions themselves, except for getting really up-close (and by that I mean close enough to shake hands/sign autographs if they're nice) to the players and coaches.

[RJ44]

According to an article from Giants.com, Mini-camp is ending. The veteran players are now off on summer vacation and the rookie orientation/conditioning session ends soon.

Training camp opens on July 27 at SUNY Albany. I've done the trip before; it was hot and not really anything special in the training sessions themselves, except for getting really up-close (and by that I mean close enough to shake hands/sign autographs if they're nice) to the players and coaches.


Last year I went on autograph day and got Tiki to sign my Tiki jersey, Osi and Coughlin signed my hat, which I now have to retire, due to 3 years of signing (there's no room left!).
I'll make the trip once a year to get myself amped up for the season, but I agree with BonusCantos, there's not really anything special going on (drills are fun to see once).

[BonusCantos]

The parking can also be a pain in the ass. Get there early and bring a bottle of water if anyone decides to go who hasn't before.

[TheBamTino24]

Training camp opens on July 27 at SUNY Albany. I've done the trip before; it was hot and not really anything special in the training sessions themselves, except for getting really up-close (and by that I mean close enough to shake hands/sign autographs if they're nice) to the players and coaches.

I agree with you. We were up in Saratoga in 2005 right when training camp opened. It always a neat thing to do if you are nearby. It's not something I would plan for on its own though.

Got real close up with the players, including Eli Manning.

As far as the 2007 Giants go, I'm interested to see if a lot of the talking goes away now that Tiki Barber has retired. I like a lot of the moves they made...they ended the season 2-7 with highly regarded veteran players, so let's see what happens with some younger - and hungier (?) - players willing to toe the line.

I'm still out on Eli Manning. Manning held the team back a lot in 2006. With Brandon Jacobs needing to prove what type of every-down RB he can be, it's up to Manning to make up the difference.

[BonusCantos]

I, too, got close to Eli -- about 5 feet away. I said good morning to him and he nodded. That was basically the high point of the day.

On the subject, 2007 is Eli's make-or-break year, no doubt about it.

[TheBamTino24]

On the subject, 2007 is Eli's make-or-break year, no doubt about it.

How about going after Dante Culpepper? Do you push Eli Manning a little?

[BonusCantos]

How about going after Dante Culpepper? Do you push Eli Manning a little?
Don't know how I'd feel about that. I will say this, though: if Eli doesn't pan out this year, I would not be opposed to the Giants going after a QB in the draft or FA.

[161 and River Ave.]

I'm still out on Eli Manning. Manning held the team back a lot in 2006. With Brandon Jacobs needing to prove what type of every-down RB he can be, it's up to Manning to make up the difference.

I think his team held him back a lot in 2006. I can recall 3 games off hand in which Eli Manning led the Giants down the field in the 4th quarter to tie or win the game...only to have our poor excuse for a defense give the lead right back. The Dallas and Philly games at the Meadowlands and the Philly playoff game.

That said, this is a huge year for Eli. He now needs to become the face of this franchise and become the leader on offense.

[BRNXBMRS]

How about going after Dante Culpepper? Do you push Eli Manning a little?

I think if the Giants had a "name brand" backup QB, 1-2 bad games from Eli the fans would want him to go in and only hurt Eli further. As said earlier I also think this is Eli's make or break year.

[RIyankee]

I think if the Giants had a "name brand" backup QB, 1-2 bad games from Eli the fans would want him to go in and only hurt Eli further. As said earlier I also think this is Eli's make or break year.

Eli is only entering his 4th year. I feel that 5-6 years is fair. JMHO

[cupcollector99]

I think if the Giants had a "name brand" backup QB, 1-2 bad games from Eli the fans would want him to go in and only hurt Eli further. As said earlier I also think this is Eli's make or break year.

The last thing they need is a QB controversy..

[RhodyYanksFan]

The last thing they need is a QB controversy..

Exactly. They need their playmakers to actually make plays. This is Eli's and Plaxico's make or break year because Toomer is likely done after this year.

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

The last thing they need is a QB controversy..

Seconded.

[BonusCantos]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL&filter_teams=NYG

A few Giants updates from Rotoworld, some of which are fairly old but I know I haven't been following football lately.

To sum up,
Plax had surgery around March (which was previously unreported as far as I know)
Osi will be looking for a new contract and has changed agents
Gilbride has entertained the notion of making Droughns the FB, but it appears they'll stick with Douglas
DeOssie has been signed
Ex-Giant Arrington is doing much better

[161 and River Ave.]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL&filter_teams=NYG

A few Giants updates from Rotoworld, some of which are fairly old but I know I haven't been following football lately.

To sum up,

Plax had surgery around March (which was previously unreported as far as I know)
Osi will be looking for a new contract and has changed agents
Gilbride has entertained the notion of making Droughns the FB, but it appears they'll stick with Douglas
DeOssie has been signed
Ex-Giant Arrington is doing much better

Perhaps Chief Osi Umenyiora, the self proclaimed best DE in the NFL, should play a full season before asking for a new contract.

[Jonny]

It's just a made-up rumor from the Giant-haters at PFT, just like the Strahan nonsense.

[yanks_fan_in_nc]

It's just a made-up rumor from the Giant-haters at PFT, just like the Strahan nonsense.

PFT? :confused:

[#1PaFan]

Perhaps Chief Osi Umenyiora, the self proclaimed best DE in the NFL, should play a full season before asking for a new contract.

Osi was a guest recently on the NFL Network. The man is absolutely hilarious! :gulp:

[RIyankee]

PFT? :confused:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm)

[deranged2005]

Osi's new agent is probably looking for a new deal. He doesn't get a penny of Osi's old contract.

[BRNXBMRS]

Its about time Eli showed some sack and speak up!

Yesterday, however, the usually soft-spoken quarterback didn't hold back when asked about what he thought life would be like without newly retired running back Tiki Barber. "I don't think we're concerned," Manning said. "We're excited by the players that we have who wanted to return for this season, and who wanted to be a part of the Giants and play."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/12/2007-07-12_manning_lobs_barb_at_barber.html

[161 and River Ave.]

Its about time Eli showed some sack and speak up!

Yesterday, however, the usually soft-spoken quarterback didn't hold back when asked about what he thought life would be like without newly retired running back Tiki Barber. "I don't think we're concerned," Manning said. "We're excited by the players that we have who wanted to return for this season, and who wanted to be a part of the Giants and play."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/12/2007-07-12_manning_lobs_barb_at_barber.html

I won't miss Tivi Barber off the field.

[BRNXBMRS]

I won't miss Tivi Barber off the field.

You can say that again.

[#1PaFan]

Its about time Eli showed some sack and speak up!

Yesterday, however, the usually soft-spoken quarterback didn't hold back when asked about what he thought life would be like without newly retired running back Tiki Barber. "I don't think we're concerned," Manning said. "We're excited by the players that we have who wanted to return for this season, and who wanted to be a part of the Giants and play."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/12/2007-07-12_manning_lobs_barb_at_barber.html

Whoa!! Alright, Eli! :gulp:

[TheBamTino24]

Thought this write up at CNNSI.com by Bucky Brooks was pretty accurate:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bucky_brooks/07/09/tc.preview.nfc.east/1.html

[deranged2005]

Camp in a week! And in celebration, an article I wrote for another site...

http://www.ny-footballgiants.com/columns/author/14/

[TheBamTino24]

Camp in a week! And in celebration, an article I wrote for another site...

http://www.ny-footballgiants.com/columns/author/14/

Insightful article. Some comments:

1. I was never a huge fan of Luke Petitgout. I often thought he was an average blocker with a below average discipline. However, the experience he brought to protecting Eli Manning's blindside cannot be overlooked. There's certainly something to be said for those who have gone through the battles against the NFC's top defensive linemen. It'll be interesting to see which player ultimately replaces him at the end of Training Camp, but even then I'll have no idea how that player will perform when the season starts, and the true test begins.

FWIW, I believe Tiki Barber had a couple 200 yard games in 2005 and 2006 with David Diehl at LT. I remember one in particular - 2005 against Kansas City.

2. It looks like our LB corps will be the most versatile we've had in a few years and that should play well into the defensive philosophy of new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with his blitzing and cover packages. Plus, Spanguolo seems intent on playing to the strenghts of the CB's on the roster - which is physical play off the ball.

3. Who is Eli Manning? He's been a pedestrian passer the past two seasons. Yes we got into the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1989 & 1990, but I really felt Manning held the team back in 2006. That shouldn't be happening from the #1 pick, and in his 3rd NFL season with targets like Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, and Jeremey Shockey. I know losing Amani Toomer hurt him last year, but I'm still skeptical.

[161 and River Ave.]

Insightful article. Some comments:

3. Who is Eli Manning? He's been a pedestrian passer the past two seasons. Yes we got into the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1989 & 1990, but I really felt Manning held the team back in 2006. That shouldn't be happening from the #1 pick, and in his 3rd NFL season with targets like Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, and Jeremey Shockey. I know losing Amani Toomer hurt him last year, but I'm still skeptical.

Eli Manning, in just his 2nd and 3rd seasons, has the 5th most TD passes the last 2 years. Thats who Eli Manning is. Not sure what else you are expecting from him this early in his career.

And again you bring up the idea that Manning held the team back, and i've called you out on it before. Did you not watch our defense this year? There are so many other problems with this team.

Did you not watch Eli lead us back against the Cowboys at home. Only to have Jason Witten burn Will Demps.

Did you not watch Manning lead us back vs. the Eagles at home, only to have our DL crumble vs. Westbrook?

And did you not watch the playoff game where he lead us down field in the rain in Philly?

[BonusCantos]

BJ was just on Sports Sunday, and they included a clip from Reuben.

I sensed they were trying to jumpstart a little first-string-RB controversy (by pressing him on whether or not he wants to be a 1-2 punch with Reuben or if he just wants to be "the guy"), but BJ said he looks forward to working with Reuben and wearing down defenses. Good answer.

He hates Dallas. Another good answer.

[destiNY]

I just got my Giants official newsletter for this year "Touchdown" They had a nice post draft issue, hopefully Ross can make a impact sooner rather than later.

[BonusCantos]

I just got my Giants official newsletter for this year "Touchdown" They had a nice post draft issue, hopefully Ross can make a impact sooner rather than later.
We got ours too; didn't read it.

[Jonny]

Manning wasn't the problem in 2006. It was the defense.

Word is that Diehl is a lock to be the starter. He doesn't worry me at all in run blocking, but it remains to be seen whether he can keep Manning safe.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Manning wasn't the problem in 2006. It was the defense.
A QB rating of 77 is a problem, especially with as good of a running game as the Giants had. The defense might also have been a problem, but the Giants will go nowhere unless Eli improves his game by a large margin.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

A QB rating of 77 is a problem, especially with as good of a running game as the Giants had. The defense might also have been a problem, but the Giants will go nowhere unless Eli improves his game by a large margin.

Exactly. Anyone who doesn't say that the defense wasn't the biggest problem is mistaken. However, Manning did not produce the way he needed to considering he had Tiki Barber took a lot of heat off of him. This year he needs to step up because I can tell you right now that Brandon Jacobs (at least not yet) and Reuben Droughns aren't going to contribute nearly as much as Tiki Barber did.

[Jonny]

A QB rating of 77 is a problem, especially with as good of a running game as the Giants had. The defense might also have been a problem, but the Giants will go nowhere unless Eli improves his game by a large margin.

Manning didn't lose any games last year. The defense directly lost 3-4 games. It's ridiculous the scrutiny Manning gets compared to a guy like Pennington, who didn't have the greatest year.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

Manning didn't lose any games last year. The defense directly lost 3-4 games. It's ridiculous the scrutiny Manning gets compared to a guy like Pennington, who didn't have the greatest year.

The Jets were supposed to stink last year according to most experts. He didn't get any scrutiny because they were not looked as an much of a contender and yet they made the playoffs.

[TheBamTino24]

Manning didn't lose any games last year. The defense directly lost 3-4 games. It's ridiculous the scrutiny Manning gets compared to a guy like Pennington, who didn't have the greatest year.

I agree with you that the defense was a huge problem. But part of the reason they wore down late in games was Manning's inability to convert consistently, as well as put more points on the board.

There were a number of games where Manning was atrocious - at Tennesse, at Jacksonsville, the Chicago game where we led by 10 near half time - that completely changed the game.

Or even the fact that we got the ball 3 times on the Philly side of the ball in the playoffs and got not a single point.

Manning had 6 games where his QB rating did not even break 70. That's awful. NYG won 2 of those games - at Atlanta, and at Washington.

[deranged2005]

I agree with you that the defense was a huge problem. But part of the reason they wore down late in games was Manning's inability to convert consistently, as well as put more points on the board.

There were a number of games where Manning was atrocious - at Tennesse, at Jacksonsville, the Chicago game where we led by 10 near half time - that completely changed the game.

Or even the fact that we got the ball 3 times on the Philly side of the ball in the playoffs and got not a single point.

Manning had 6 games where his QB rating did not even break 70. That's awful. NYG won 2 of those games - at Atlanta, and at Washington.

Part of the problem was the defense couldn't make a spot, either. Couldn't make a stop when they needed to in Tennesse. the Giants were overpowered in basically every aspect against Jacksonville and when they needed to stop the bleeding against Chicago, they couldn't.

He played well at Washington. He had some nice passes. Sometimes your WR have to catch the ball too.

[BRNXBMRS]

Another issue from last year was the defense giving up the big play on 3rd and long.

[BonusCantos]

Another issue from last year was the defense giving up the big play on 3rd and long.
That draw play by the Bears on 3rd and 20-something, to me, was the turning point of the season.

[BRNXBMRS]

That draw play by the Bears on 3rd and 20-something, to me, was the turning point of the season.

The best part is the Giants get to play the Bears again this year.

[rock]

Eli always seems to start out the season very well and puts up good numbers but then fades down the stretch for some reason. Maybe he is in not good enough shape, maybe he doesn't like the colder weather, who knows.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Manning didn't lose any games last year. The defense directly lost 3-4 games. It's ridiculous the scrutiny Manning gets compared to a guy like Pennington, who didn't have the greatest year.
Manning was the #1 overall pick and this was his 3rd season in the league. He was horrible in that season. Of course he's going to be more scrutinized than Chad Pennington, who most people thought was completely done after his 2nd shoulder surgery.

And, despite Pennington coming off his 2nd major shoulder surgery, and having a much worse running game than Eli did, he still had a much better season.

[161 and River Ave.]

And, despite Pennington coming off his 2nd major shoulder surgery, and having a much worse running game than Eli did, he still had a much better season.

:roflmao:

Please don't compare Pennington and Manning. Pennington plays in a QB safe system where they run 5-10 yd outs. Pennington wasn't asked to do what Manning had to do in the Giants offense. Frankly, it was stupid the way Hufnagle developed him. We won't get into that.

You can have little girl armed Pennington. I'll stick with the 4th year QB who has had the 5th most TD passes and 5th most YD's the last 2 years. There's only going to be an improvement with him.

[JeffWeaverFan]

:roflmao:

Please don't compare Pennington and Manning. Pennington plays in a QB safe system where they run 5-10 yd outs. Pennington wasn't asked to do what Manning had to do in the Giants offense. Frankly, it was stupid the way Hufnagle developed him. We won't get into that.

You can have little girl armed Pennington. I'll stick with the 4th year QB who has had the 5th most TD passes and 5th most YD's the last 2 years. There's only going to be an improvement with him.
I wasn't the one comparing Pennington and Manning. Did you even read the post I quoted? What I said is that last year, Pennington was much better than Eli Manning. Do you care to say that that statement was incorrect? Pennington had the better QB rating. Pennington, while supposedly not asked to do as much as Eli, still somehow threw for more yards. And, most importantly, Pennington did it WITHOUT a running game, while Eli had one of the best, probably a top 3, running game in the NFL.

Your next paragraph has nothing to do with what anyone is talking about. Maybe you didn't understand, but this was all about what Eli did last year, and then the fact that Penningtonw as better than Eli last year. You would rather have Eli over Pennington in the future? I surely would hope so...

[161 and River Ave.]

I wasn't the one comparing Pennington and Manning. Did you even read the post I quoted? What I said is that last year, Pennington was much better than Eli Manning. Do you care to say that that statement was incorrect? Pennington had the better QB rating. Pennington, while supposedly not asked to do as much as Eli, still somehow threw for more yards. And, most importantly, Pennington did it WITHOUT a running game, while Eli had one of the best, probably a top 3, running game in the NFL.

Your next paragraph has nothing to do with what anyone is talking about. Maybe you didn't understand, but this was all about what Eli did last year, and then the fact that Penningtonw as better than Eli last year. You would rather have Eli over Pennington in the future? I surely would hope so...

I hope we're not going to use QB rating to measure QB play. If we are, Damon Huard, Mark Brunell, and Tony Romo are going to be in the top 10 QBs. Was the Giants running game better? Yes, it was. But Pennington for a full year had NFL caliber WR's. Manning played with Burress, Shockey, and (insert name here) for 8 games.

Pennington was much better than Eli. Spare me, Eli Manning single handedly won games for the Giants while Pennington was asked just not to lose games for the Jets. You cannot say Pennington was "much better" than Eli, when looking at the numbers you see Eli put up more points..which is what ultimately counts.

[Mark19]

I hope we're not going to use QB rating to measure QB play. If we are, Damon Huard, Mark Brunell, and Tony Romo are going to be in the top 10 QBs. Was the Giants running game better? Yes, it was. But Pennington for a full year had NFL caliber WR's. Manning played with Burress, Shockey, and (insert name here) for 8 games.

Pennington was much better than Eli. Spare me, Eli Manning single handedly won games for the Giants while Pennington was asked just not to lose games for the Jets. You cannot say Pennington was "much better" than Eli, when looking at the numbers you see Eli put up more points..which is what ultimately counts.

I follow both teams and I think I can honestly say that Eli is the better QB but I'd rather have Chad start a meaningful game. Manning has a great deal of talent but he fades badly down the stretch. Pennington doesn't have much of an arm but he plays to his team's strengths and consistently puts out his best effort.

[Jonny]

Pennington wasn't much better. I made the comparison because he was barely better. Fact is, the Jets played a joke schedule last year while the Giants had the toughest in the league along with the Bengals. The Jets also have a great coach in Mangini and a future HC in Brian Schottenheimer, while the Giants had Coughlin and a terrible, now-fired OC that hated using the vaunted running game. Oh, and no defense to bail him out.

You'd rather not have Manning in a meaningful game? I thought the knock on Manning was that he only cares in the 4th quarter when the game is on the line?

[161 and River Ave.]

Excellent, excellent article on Brandon Jacobs.

http://www.nj.com/giants/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/118542403988410.xml&coll=1

[BonusCantos]

Pennington wasn't much better. I made the comparison because he was barely better. Fact is, the Jets played a joke schedule last year while the Giants had the toughest in the league along with the Bengals. The Jets also have a great coach in Mangini and a future HC in Brian Schottenheimer, while the Giants had Coughlin and a terrible, now-fired OC that hated using the vaunted running game. Oh, and no defense to bail him out.
Ah, the good ol' "Cover Zero". If Spagnuolo learned from a guy like Jim Johnson, he should end up being light years better than what we've had since John Fox left.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I hope we're not going to use QB rating to measure QB play. If we are, Damon Huard, Mark Brunell, and Tony Romo are going to be in the top 10 QBs. Was the Giants running game better? Yes, it was. But Pennington for a full year had NFL caliber WR's. Manning played with Burress, Shockey, and (insert name here) for 8 games.

Pennington was much better than Eli. Spare me, Eli Manning single handedly won games for the Giants while Pennington was asked just not to lose games for the Jets. You cannot say Pennington was "much better" than Eli, when looking at the numbers you see Eli put up more points..which is what ultimately counts.
Burress, Shockey and insert name here with one of the best RB's in the game isn't too shabby. A great TE and a great RB is as good as it gets for a QB. Damon Huard, by the way, was really good last year when he played.

Eli also single handedly lost games for the Giants. Eli also threw more interceptions. Eli also had a running game (which is what really was asked to win games for the Giants). Eli sucked last year, in his 3rd year since being the #1 overall pick. Chad was fine last year, in the 1st year coming off his second major shoulder surgery.

[RIyankee]

I'm no Eli fan and I think that the Giants got hosed by SD in that deal. That said, in defense of Eli, Shockey and Burress are both overrated, imo, and neither are ideal teammates. Eli needs better protection, which in turn will yield better results.

[161 and River Ave.]

Burress, Shockey and insert name here with one of the best RB's in the game isn't too shabby. A great TE and a great RB is as good as it gets for a QB. Damon Huard, by the way, was really good last year when he played.

Eli also single handedly lost games for the Giants. Eli also threw more interceptions. Eli also had a running game (which is what really was asked to win games for the Giants). Eli sucked last year, in his 3rd year since being the #1 overall pick. Chad was fine last year, in the 1st year coming off his second major shoulder surgery.

Obviously we don't see eye to eye with this so i'm not discussing it anymore. Eli sucked last year? Not at all. You want to say he was inconsistent, i'll agree 100%. Nothing about 24 TD's "sucks."

[dabomb2045]

I'm no Eli fan and I think that the Giants got hosed by SD in that deal. That said, in defense of Eli, Shockey and Burress are both overrated, imo, and neither are ideal teammates. Eli needs better protection, which in turn will yield better results.

It must be tough when you have those two idiots crying like little babies and showing you up after every play when they dont get a ball thrown their way

[161 and River Ave.]

I'm no Eli fan and I think that the Giants got hosed by SD in that deal. That said, in defense of Eli, Shockey and Burress are both overrated, imo, and neither are ideal teammates. Eli needs better protection, which in turn will yield better results.

Let's wait 10-15 years before we talk about who got hosed. FWIW, the money the Giants would have used for a 2005 1st rounder helped to sign Pierce and Burress.

[dabomb2045]

Obviously we don't see eye to eye with this so i'm not discussing it anymore. Eli sucked last year? Not at all. You want to say he was inconsistent, i'll agree 100%. Nothing about 24 TD's "sucks."

IIRC (without looking at stats)....he was phenomenal the 1st half of the year, and god awful the 2nd half.

That 2nd half and OT he had against Philly in Week 2 was maybe the best football I saw a QB play all season. By the end of the season though, he was just terrible.

[RIyankee]

Let's wait 10-15 years before we talk about who got hosed. FWIW, the money the Giants would have used for a 2005 1st rounder helped to sign Pierce and Burress.

Giants received

Rights to 2004 1st Overall Pick - Used to sign quarterback Eli Manning.[/URL]
Chargers received


Rights to 2004 4th Overall Pick - Used to sign Quarterback Philip Rivers.
2005 1st Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Linebacker [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawne_Merriman"]Shawne Merriman (http://forums.nyyfans.com/).
2004 3rd Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Kicker Nate Kaeding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Kaeding).
2005 5th Round Draft Pick - Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Left Tackle Roman Oben (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Oben).

Let the reader be the judge.

Moreover, the Giants could have made those signings from the savings of having a #4 QB instead of paying #1 money for Eli.

[dabomb2045]

Wow...the Giants could have had Rivers AND Merriman instead? Yeah I'd say that trade isn't looking so hot right now.

Merriman is a franchise LB, and Rivers had a good year last season and will be a very good QB for a long time.

[RIyankee]

Wow...the Giants could have had Rivers AND Merriman instead? Yeah I'd say that trade isn't looking so hot right now.

Merriman is a franchise LB, and Rivers had a good year last season and will be a very good QB for a long time.

To be fair, Rivers struggled badly againt the blitz late in 2006. So, I'm not completely sold on him either. But he's at least as good, if not better, than Manning right now. Considering the cost to get Manning, the Giants don't look good coming out of this deal right now.

[161 and River Ave.]

Giants received

Rights to 2004 1st Overall Pick - Used to sign quarterback Eli Manning.
Chargers received

Rights to 2004 4th Overall Pick - Used to sign Quarterback Philip Rivers.
2005 1st Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Linebacker Shawne Merriman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawne_Merriman).
2004 3rd Round Draft Pick - Used to draft and sign Kicker Nate Kaeding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Kaeding).
2005 5th Round Draft Pick - Traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Left Tackle Roman Oben (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Oben).
Let the reader be the judge.

Moreover, the Giants could have made those signings from the savings of having a #4 QB instead of paying #1 money for Eli.

What exactly have Chargers done that Giants haven't. Both have won the division once and lost a home playoff game. I'll wait 10 years until I decide who got "hosed."

[RIyankee]

What exactly have Chargers done that Giants haven't. Both have won the division once and lost a home playoff game. I'll wait 10 years until I decide who got "hosed."

14-2 and losing to the Pats by the thinnest of margins in 2006.

Had they beaten the Pats, they would have killed Indy and the Bears. SD barely missed the playoffs in 2005 with a 9-7 record while playing in the AFC and in the tough AFC West.

The Giants, while playing in the inferior Nominal Football Conference got blanked at home by the Panthers, 23-0, in 2005 and went one and done after backing into the playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2006.

[dabomb2045]

14-2 and losing to the Pats by the thinnest of margins in 2006.

Had they beaten the Pats, they would have killed Indy and the Bears. SD barely missed the playoffs in 2005 with a 9-7 record while playing in the AFC and in the tough AFC West.

The Giants, while playing in the inferior Nominal Football Conference got blanked at home by the Panthers, 23-0, in 2005 and went one and done after backing into the playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2006.

Exactly. To say the Chargers and Giants are on the same level is pretty ridiculous. SD could have easily won that playoff game against the Pats, I think you would even admit that. Take away all those dropped balls and McCree fumbling that INT...that game might have turned out differently. With Indy being weakened a bit...the AFC will come down to the Chargers and Pats.

Unless Eli steps up huge this will be a rough year for the Giants.

[RIyankee]

From PFT (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm)...

POSTED 11:09 a.m. EDT, July 26, 2007

GIANTS SIGN AARON ROSS
by Michael David Smith

PFT Editor Mike Florio reports that the Giants and first-round draft pick Aaron Ross have reached an agreement on a contract. Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger has also reported on the deal (http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2007/07/breaking_news_ross_to_sign.html) this morning.

Ross, a cornerback from Texas, will sign a five-year deal worth a maximum of $13.5 million. The contract includes $8 million worth of guarantees.

Ross is expected to compete in training camp with veteran Sam Madison (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/07/24/training-camp-battles-new-york-giants-aaron-ross-vs-sam-madi/) for a starting job on the opposite side of the field from established starter Corey Webster. Almost immediately after he was drafted, Ross said he expected to start (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/04/28/aaron-ross-is-ready-to-start-for-the-giants/), and the word out of Giants camp has been that he'll have every opportunity.

[161 and River Ave.]

14-2 and losing to the Pats by the thinnest of margins in 2006.

Had they beaten the Pats, they would have killed Indy and the Bears. SD barely missed the playoffs in 2005 with a 9-7 record while playing in the AFC and in the tough AFC West.

The Giants, while playing in the inferior Nominal Football Conference got blanked at home by the Panthers, 23-0, in 2005 and went one and done after backing into the playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2006.

But they didn't beat New England, so what is your point? Both went home with T-Shirts that read thanks for coming to the playoffs. A loss is a loss, the Chargers have nothing over the Giants other than a first round bye.

And for everyone that loves to point out how good Eli should be b/c of Tiki and Shockey. I see that and raise you an LdT and Gates for Rivers.

This conversation is going nowhere. You cannot evaluate a trade with franchise QB's 3 years after it was done. This is silly.

[RIyankee]

But they didn't beat New England, so what is your point? Both went home with T-Shirts that read thanks for coming to the playoffs. A loss is a loss, the Chargers have nothing over the Giants other than a first round bye.

And for everyone that loves to point out how good Eli should be b/c of Tiki and Shockey. I see that and raise you an LdT and Gates for Rivers.

This conversation is going nowhere. You cannot evaluate a trade with franchise QB's 3 years after it was done. This is silly.

You asked me what SD did that the Giants didn't do and I answered your question. To clarify, the Chargers were a SB competitive team in 2006 while the Giants haven't sniffed a SB.

Again, let the reader be the judge.

[BonusCantos]

Unless Eli steps up huge this will be a rough year for the Giants. I don't think a single one of us will disagree.

[Mark19]

I don't think a single one of us will disagree.

If the Giants want to make the playoffs, he'll need to become an elite QB.

[BonusCantos]

If the Giants want to make the playoffs, he'll need to become an elite QB. He just has to be good enough to win games, which means he'll have to raise his game, but he's never going to put up Peyton's video game numbers. To be honest, even without Tiki, I like this year's talent and coaching staff a little better overall than last year. They cut out a lot of the frequently-injured dead weight this offseason too, which is always a plus.

[Mark19]

He just has to be good enough to win games, which means he'll have to raise his game, but he's never going to put up Peyton's video game numbers. To be honest, even without Tiki, I like this year's talent and coaching staff a little better overall than last year. They cut out a lot of the frequently-injured dead weight this offseason too, which is always a plus.

I think Jacobs will have a tough year. He is like a battering ram, none of Tiki's instincts or agility.

[161 and River Ave.]

I think Jacobs will have a tough year. He is like a battering ram, none of Tiki's instincts or agility.

FWIW, he is actually faster than Tiki. His 40 time is at 4.4 seconds. I posted a Jacobs article on the previous page. It's a very good read. He said he knows he has to change his running style sometimes and that he can make people miss. He also worked with Carini in the offseason.

Jacobs is going to shock a lot of people this year.

[161 and River Ave.]

He just has to be good enough to win games, which means he'll have to raise his game, but he's never going to put up Peyton's video game numbers. To be honest, even without Tiki, I like this year's talent and coaching staff a little better overall than last year. They cut out a lot of the frequently-injured dead weight this offseason too, which is always a plus.

I agree completely. This team looks to be healthier, younger, and faster. This years WR's corp is so much better. A healthy Sinorice Moss is going to add a whole new element. I believe Steve Smith will emerge to be a solid #2 by seasons end.

As for the defense, it can't get any worse. Emmons and Arrington are replaced by Mitchell and Kiwi. Mitchell isn't a stud, but he's played in 40 some straight games. Something we definitely need at LB. Emmons was horrible, and Arrington played 5 games. Kiwi has the ability to play very well at SLB. Considering he is built like a hybrid DE/LB. Him rushing the passer behind Strahan could be deadly. So the LB Corps is def improved.

I don't know how the secondary can play worse. I hate Demps, but supposedly he still felt the effects of injuries the year before. Corey Webster at LSU was a man coverage CB, not a zone "read and react" CB that Lewis had going on. Madison was very reliable last year, hopefully he doesn't lose a step. RW was great in the Nickle role, not so much as a starter. Ross seems to have the makings of a play maker, though he is a rookie. Overall I think the secondary will play better b/c Spags will utilize Madison and Ross in bump and run, something they both excel at. In fact, the defense in general seems very happy with Spags. Coughlin said yesterday on the FAN that they are moving from a "read and react" to the "attack" mindset.

The two biggest issues are LT and Eli. Can Diehl play a solid LT. He sure did in the playoff game. And can Eli play more consistent. He shows flashes of brilliance, but it needs to be more consistent. Obviously it is there.

[161 and River Ave.]

Tom Coughlin Transcript is up at Giants.com

http://giants.com/news/transcripts/story.asp?story_id=25663

[keg411]

Eli Manning should be a good QB. Somehow he isn't. I do agree that their defense was horrible and that he did, on a few occasions bring the team back (the Eagles game comes to mind).

That said, he's INT prone and right now the OL is still below average. Until the Giants can build a better line, Eli will probably continue to struggle. IMO, the reason Pennington had better stats was that they drilled into the young rookies the importance of pass protection so that Chad didn't get killed. The Giants offensive line was absolutely atrocious and had no discipline.

If the line play is better this year, I see no reason why Eli's stats and the Giants record shouldn't improve. If they are still as bad as last year, then Eli will continue to be an average QB.

[161 and River Ave.]

Assistant Coaches transcripts courtesy of Giants.com and BBI.com. I would link to it, but the interviews were posted in a thread which might be dead in a few days.


Quarterbacks Coach Chris Palmer, July 26, 2007
What have you learned from your students the last couple months, especially Eli?
Well I’ve been very pleased with Eli. I think he’s done an excellent job in the spring. I thought that we worked on his accuracy and we worked on his footwork and I thought he did an excellent job there. I saw improvement from when we first started until the end. And I thought that as the camp went on I thought he became more comfortable with everything.

Are there things you could do in practice to simulate pressure? To simulate a blitz or simulate anything like that and try to work on throwing off the back foot and the things Tom talked about, how you’re going to have to do that at times?
Well for me it’s all about balance and rhythm. And I think he sees the blitz and the pressure very, very well. You know there are two types of pressure. There’s mental pressure where you’re in a two-minute drive and you have to execute the mental aspect of it. And then there’s physical pressure and our defense has done a good job giving us a variety of blitzes and coming after us and I thought we handled that fairly well. And I thought that he did an excellent job in that area. I think the quarterbacks, you’re never in a comfort zone where you can throw with both feet on the ground. I mean there are going to be times where that happens, and I know that I’ve seen Eli make all the throws, I’m encouraged. I mean I’ve been around enough good quarterbacks that he can be one of those good quarterbacks that I’ve dealt with in the past. So I’m encouraged by everything that I see right now.

With Tiki gone, can you see Eli taking more control of the huddle, even if it was just in the mini-camps?
Well I wasn’t here last year so I really can’t comment on that, but I know this, that he’s talked to the guys that he needed to correct. I thought that he was more vocal. I saw him grow as a person from the first time we started going over the film and watching for thirteen hours. I saw the development of a player that I was very pleased with.

How much is the re-tooled offensive line going to be critical for Eli developing this year?
I think a quarterback’s like a good spaghetti sauce. He can cover up those noodles when they’re not real good. And I think the quarterback has to make plays and he makes guys better. Now my wife’s Italian, so don’t get me in trouble for that. I think that quarterbacks make the whole team better and I think if you look at Eli when he’s playing very, very well, he’s done an excellent job in that area.

Is there anything you can point to that says ‘Oh yeah, he’s a Manning’? Is there something in his demeanor, something in his background, something in the way he carries himself that helps him at quarterback?
I can tell you that he’s a football player. I can tell you that. And a General Manager in this league who has been very successful and who has gone to Super Bowls, a number of Super Bowls, told me that the salary cap has changed the league, but the development of the player has not changed. And everybody wants to compare Eli and Peyton and everyone forgets that Peyton had a 6-10 season there in his development and nine years later he’s in the Super Bowl. And I think that what I see from Eli is an excellent quarterback that’s going to be very, very good in this league and will lead his team to the Promised Land.

How have you been helping Eli improve between last season and this one?
Let me just say that the thirteen hours we spent watching film was very tedious and “Why did you do this? What did you see here?” And when you sit down and you go over films for thirteen hours, that’s a grueling experience and I thought that he learned from it and the things that we talked about early in the film session, he carried out to the field and had great carry-over.

How are you developing that trust you need in a relationship between yourself and your quarterback? How close does it have to come? How quickly is it coming?
It varies. It takes two. It’s like a marriage. You’ve got to say, “This is what I see, what did you see?” You have to have an understanding, you have to use the same language, and you’ve got to be open. There are a lot of factors that are involved in that and it doesn’t happen overnight.

Is he a guy that wants it? Some guys want it and some guys can deal with it. Does he want that?
Well I hope he wants it, because if not, I’m out of a job. Here’s my experience, any time that we’ve coached a player, if the player thinks that you’re helping him, he’ll listen to you.


Wide Receivers Coach Mike Sullivan, July 26, 2007
What’s your outlook for your young receivers (Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith)?
Both of those young men bring a lot to the table. I think they both have the skills and ability to help us. I think obviously with Sinorice, it’ll be important that he gets reps, as many of these game-type reps in the preseason. With the situation last year, he was set back a bit with the injuries and so in a lot of ways we need to take extra steps. We’re confident that he’s headed in the right direction. We’ll see his ability and his energy and make for some good competition.

Could Steve Smith have done more in the pre-season mini-camp?
It’s so hard to say. Those guys come in and we throw a lot of material at them and they had to make that quick jump from the college game to the pro game. He did a lot of good things, but I can’t say, it’s very premature. We got a lot of practices ahead of us. We’ve got four pre-season games. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up.

The two of them, are they really competing for the same position or are their skill sets different enough that you guys can use them in different ways?
Well we want to get the best players we can on the field. Each of the receivers has a lot of their own unique talents and features that can help us win and whatever the best mixture is, with Coach Coughlin and Coach Gilbride, we’ll put that together and make those decisions with the best players on the field. I think they both have talents and the key thing for them both will be to make sure they understand their assignments, that they’re not making any of the mental errors and all the areas where they can improve. The fundamentals. Their ability to beat man-to-man coverage, to recognize defenses, to recognize zones. If they maximize that, they get that type of momentum heading into the season.

What are each of their strengths?
I think Steve catches the ball very well. He’s got very good hands. I think Sinorice has an explosiveness and a suddenness and he’s very, very quick when he’s changing direction. A guy that has been able to show an ability in practices to make some plays inside as well as outside.

Who do you think is going to play where and how often?
In any of those type of questions, it’s hard to explain who’s in what position. You’d have to ask Tom. I’m just chain of command. My job is whoever’s out there, get them squared away. Make sure they know what their assignments are. And most importantly improve their fundamentals that help them become the best possible receivers that they can be.

Is Steve further advanced than other young guys you’ve seen maturity-wise?
He definitely has brought a lot to the table, impressed a lot of people through the mini-camps and now it’s very important for him to take that next step and build upon it. But the standpoint of where he was at with regards to other receivers at that stage, we’re certainly very impressed with what we’ve seen.

Sinorice fully healthy? Is there any fear at all that he’s not?
To my knowledge, I understand he’s in good shape. I’m not aware of any injuries. Again, any of those type of questions, you’re going to have to ask Tom about.

Do you know where Amani is physically or is that just going to be played out in training camp?
It’s really going to have to be played out in training camp. I do know he’s worked extremely hard. He’s been very diligent in his rehab in the training room, very focused. Right now coach has said that he’s going to come out and try to practice once a day and we’ll see where that shakes out. Hopefully there will be more and we’re really looking forward to that. We know he can be a big part of our offense.


Linebackers Coach Bill Sheridan, July 26, 2007
Could you tell me what you see from spring practice and a new unit coming back in the summer now?
Probably the biggest change is that we’ve moved Mathias Kiwanuka to Sam. We had a good spring and this will be a very important preseason for him and he’ll get better every day. It’s new for him, laying back in pass coverage. He’s so used to rushing the passer

Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo
July 26, 2007


Speaking of the hot seat coach, are you ready for training camp , are you ready to improve this defense?
Yes, I’m always ready for training camp, I called Pete about mid-way through the summer and he had told me he had received phone calls from all the assistant coaches halfway through vacation itching to come back. You know we enjoy our time off, and that was great, but we are ready to go. For me, it was a little different, I feel like a rookie again. I couldn’t find my way up here, it’s a new university, a new camp. I’ve been in the same place for eight years. But, we are all excited to go. Yeah I am fired up.

Last we saw you at the mini camp you had a sense of what these guys can do. Now, it’s going to be a little different, players have the chance to put the pads on, start hitting, are you anxious to see what you have back?
Yes, let’s face it, the game is played with pads on, so I am not going to have a complete feel for what we have, and what we can do, and who we can trust, and who we can count on, until we actually have played a real game of football. I am really anticipating that first day when we put the pads on.

The reason you are standing here right now is because of the way the defense performed last year, whether that is fair or not, they were ranked in the 20s, do you feel that is unacceptable for a defense, especially a Giants defense, especially if they are going to be competitive this year?
I am probably no different that any coordinator in this league right now. If they are standing here at their training camp, we are all striving to be the number one defense. I don’t think that anybody wants to be in the 20s and I don’t think that anybody wants to be in the teens. I would not put a figure or a number on it, but I will say this, and I have always been this way, the rankings, the statistics, and all those things, whether it’s defensively or offensively, really take a backseat to one stat. We are all trying to win games, and winning takes care of everything. As a group, as a team, as an offense, as a defense, as a group of special team players, if we can get the W, that’s the one that matters the most.

Earlier in the spring your defensive players said they were eager to learn your system and gave you great reviews, does that make it a lot easier to get your point across?
I am happy to hear that. But I don’t know if I would use the word easier. Even when I speak to them tomorrow for the first time, it is just going to be a continuation. This is a long process and I spoke to the guys about that back in the mini-camp, it was just the beginning. We have a lot of growing to do and a lot to get done, and there are still a lot of elements and still a lot of unknowns. We don’t want to put too much emphasis on one portion of this. We have a long ways to go, and that is what training camp is for.

Are you anxious to see how Kiwanuka progresses now?
Yes, because let’s face it, his head was spinning trying to learn all of those different things. Now, he can probably add to what he does really well, which is a lot of the physical aspect of the game, and that is all natural, physical football stuff, which he has been doing for years. So, yes I am looking forward to seeing that.

How many reps are you looking for him to get during those defensive sets?
At the Sam linebacker position, with what we call the base defense, we want him to get as many as possible. I mean we haven’t figured out a number yet, but we want to keep him healthy and keep him fresh.

Your general manager has expressed concern about the secondary. Do you share that with him, is that area of the defense a question mark?
I hate to say that anything is a question mark, but certainly Jerry knows what he is talking about, so I am sure he has a feel, a better feel than me, for what these guys can do in games right now. I think the best way to put it , isn’t that I am concerned about these positions, but rather , I am anxious to find out about these positions. Now, we are getting closer and closer to the first game, so we certainly want to get the questions answered.

Is it a good sign to have the ability to rush the passer and how will that affect the rest of the defense?
Certainly, if you have two guys that can do that, or four or five or whatever it is, it makes everyone else behind them better. That’s a slam dunk, a no brainer.


Offense Coordinator Kevin Gilbride, July 26, 2007
So are we going to recognize this offense this year?
I don’t think you will have any difficulty in being reminded of a vast majority of things we have done in the past. I think it will actually be the same. Again, I think we discussed at the end of the spring, there are some different components and I’m anxious to see the next three-four weeks exactly what those parts can do and what will be the things that they do best. And that will be the kind of shape and the tweaking of whatever it is that we do, but essentially they will be the same.

With the Jim Finn Injury, do you use a fullback?
That is a great question. We will experiment with Robert Douglas, we will experiment with some of the tight ends and move positions. There are certain kind of runs that you kind of need a fullback and I’m not just talking about short yardage or goal line but certain runs that have been pretty successful for us have required a lead back. Now, you can fool around with one back and there are certain things that you can do that way that you can’t do with the two backs, but those two back runs have been good runs for us and we would like to have the ability to go to them. So if somebody can surface as a proficient fullback we will certainly have that aspect or that part of the game in our game plan. It certainly remains to be seen.

Can Jacobs and Droughns play in the same backfield?
Rueben was a fullback at one time, but he certainly does not want to be a fullback again, if you ask him, I’m sure. And he’s a little undersized for what you ask of that position. So could it happen? Yes. Do I anticipate it? In a likely scenario, probably not.

Is there a depth chart for running back? How do we classify Brandon and Rueben?
I mean you got to start with Brandon as the guy with Rueben competing for as much playing time as he can get and Brandon trying to hold off and trying to get as much as he can hold on to. But, I mean, there are other guys there too. Derrick Ward, young guy that we are anxious to see what he can do. Again, as Tom just talked about in his speech, there’s some interesting competition at certain positions and it is probably not proper for me to say that I think this guy is going to start. But right now you got to say that Brandon is the guy we feel confident in to be the running back to carry the ball 20-25 times a game, but we will let it all play out.

So you think Jacobs is going to be your guy?
He could be, I don’t know. He certainly gives you a tough physical presence and I think that he catches the ball reasonably well and I think he can do that part of it but the other aspect is can you decode what is being thrown at you with all the sophistication and that’s a whole other animal. You know, right now we would like him to, and if he can do all three, great. But make sure we can use you for first and second down back and then if you can do third down that’s great. But right now if somebody can be that guy, we would like him to be that guy. But right now, we don’t know.

Every year we seem to ask when is Eli going to be more like Peyton. Is that a fair question?
I don’t think so. The only thing that is similar about them is the last name and that they both are big, cerebral quarterbacks, but the style of offense, the compliments that he has and the complimentary parts that the offense that he has are vastly different then what Eli has. So what we ask him to do, what we ask our offense to do and the different players that we have, is significantly different than what the Indianapolis Colts offense has, talent wise and what they do systematically. So it’s really not a fair question. To be honest with you, it's fair for us to ask him to get better, yeah, and that is what we have to expect that those times that he plays very, very well we need to see that more often and probably more importantly those times when he makes those big mistakes that we can ask him, he’s certainly smart enough to say, "hey, let's cut those out” and I think if he does that, we will be delighted.

Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty, July 26, 2007
The last couple of years you had a certain running style with Tiki Barber. How much of an adjustment will it be with Jacobs back there now on your offensive line?
Brandon ran a lot of the same offense that we have had in the past year and he is very capable along with Rueben Droughns and Derrick Ward to run our offense. Going in we have a core of a running unit, we will do the same that we have done in the past. You always tweak things, not only with the personnel you have but you tweak things against the defense you are going to run. Obviously one guy can make things happen in a different way than another guy. Maybe one guy is more powerful. I mean Brandon Jacobs is a big human being and we want him to get down as fast as he can and open up holes. So we do have a philosophy on offense, as you well know from watching us. You may see some tweaks in that but nothing that we are going to go out and totally change up.

What are the qualities David Diehl has that will make him a good left tackle?
The biggest quality that David has is that he is a football player and he is an offensive lineman. Probably when he was born he was able to walk or crawl, he probably did it in three point stance. Now that’s what he is. He takes his job, whatever it is, very seriously. And I have been fortunate from a personal standpoint to be around a group of guys on the offensive line like we have here with the New York Giants because they are all in that same mold. They come to work, in the classroom and on the football field, to get better and make their team better. That’s really what he brings to the table. Our habits are formed at a very young age, when you are a youngster. When you have good habits, work habits, it carries over into whatever profession you choose in life. David’s work habits are second to none.

Running Backs Coach Jerald Ingram
July 26, 2007


Do you find that Brandon Jacobs leaves himself vulnerable at times near the end of runs and have you tried to teach him how to go down?
The thing that is different about him, is that he is one of the biggest running backs to play the game. Franco was big, Eddie George was big, this guy, he is a different kind of big. He is “defensive” big. He is big and strong, so in his mind going down equates to being defeated, so that is why he wants to stand strong. But, that is part of the learning process that he has. We are all creatures of habit, so he has been able to get away with those things over the years, and probably carried people for extra yardage by doing that. But, he is in the NFL now, so he has to learn how to get a little bit lower, get yourself on the ground, so you can last a little bit longer, and we can protect ourselves by running the clock. So, yes we have addressed the issue.

Brandon has a very tough mentality about him, and obviously creates a physical presence out on the field. What else does he need to do to complete his game?
Playing physical and tough, running straight at people, only gets about 1.5 yards per carry. This is the NFL, we need to be around 5 yards per carry, and over 4.5 yards per carry is good. You know, it’s all great, but you have to be able to make people miss in this league. And you have to make big plays, because big plays excite the offense. Big plays excite the offense. Big plays excite your offensive linemen. He will have enough physical plays that will excite our defensive players; he will excite our offensive line by just being physical and big and hitting people. But, you have to be a playmaker in the NFL, to last long and be productive and be a good, successful team. That’s what he wants to bring. He wants to bring some leadership, he really does. He may not have known how in the past but he has grown to learn how now. Now, he has the shot to be a leader. He gets his values lined up right; everything will take care of itself. Learn how to get low, learn how to handle situations, learn short yardage, goal line, the best thing we did last year was teaching him how to run the 2-minute drill and third down situations. He had never had to deal with these types of situations before as a running back. That is your value as a running back, when you leave this game; you want to leave as someone who could do everything. You don’t want to just be a power back, a goal line back, no, your value is being able to handle everything. Did you protect the quarterback, did you help the o-line, did you move the chains? It is just like Walter Payton, you know, he was everything.

In practice, we have seen beautiful form as a receiver from Jacobs, but we never see that during the games. Will we see more of that?
Brandon has good hands. It is amazing when you look at some of the bigger backs from last year, and how effective they were in the pass game. When they catch a five-yard pass, that is almost a guaranteed extra three yards until they are brought down, so that’s a solid eight yards. It gives your quarterback a chance, so he isn’t throwing third and long or third and extra long.
Tight Ends Coach Mike Pope
July 26, 2007


Are there any new, good drills that you will be implementing this training camp?
I do have a couple new drills, yes, and they will be exposed on the practice field. So, you will see them when they are there.

How much of Jeremy continuing to improve is on Jeremy and how much of the equation are the other components that go into production from a tight end, such as Eli Manning’s ability to get Jeremy the ball?
Unlike golf, where people can go out and work on their own, it doesn’t quite work that way. It is combination of many things, and we spent a lot of time this spring getting everyone on the same page and trying to emphasize getting the ball downfield more. Everybody is displeased that a guy with his size only averaged 9.1 yards per reception. We have to do better than that. It doesn’t take that many balls downfield to improve that. Hopefully, something that we can come out of this camp with is the ability to push the ball more downfield and stretch the field. Particularly against the type of coverages that are played today, so many two-deep coverage schemes. We hope him to be a player in the middle of the field.

Jeremy is in his 6<SUP>th</SUP> year, do you feel that he is still on the rise?
I think that initially you have to be every year, because he has been a Pro Bowler two times. He led the team in receiving last year, he’s not an unknown item. There are always coaches who are eyeing him, and plan to stop the type of player that he is. You get to a point where the player physically probably won’t get a lot bigger or faster, the age is in the decline, so the experience and the things that they have learned along the way they need to put that all together. And then, as you said, it’s about creating opportunities, getting open, getting him the ball, and then contributing that way. I thought that he made a great deal of progress on the blocking side this past year. He really contributed to our running game. You don’t run for that many yards, especially off tackle, without contribution from a guy like him.

Everyone makes a big deal of what he does in the off-season, are you satisfied that he does what he has to do to be ready for training camp?
The conditioning part of it, you can do anywhere and you can do it with your teammates, or you can do it by yourself. I don’t have an argument for that.



http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=25665

http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/

[161 and River Ave.]

From Arthur Staple's blog

Palmer said in his first meeting with Manning that the QB had six areas he wanted to improve upon. Palmer wouldn't tell us all six, but said one was making better throws while moving to his left. What they worked on there was getting the mechanics down -- hips square, left shoulder under the chin. I'm the other five areas were things a bit more particular to Manning, but Palmer didn't say.

Palmer also said that he considers a QB young until their sixth or seventh year. He cited Phil Simms, who didn't break out until his fifth season, as a QB who didn't follow the third-year-as-a-starter breakout pattern. "It's wrong to say the third year is the magic year," he said.


http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/blog/

[Jonny]

Eli also single handedly lost games for the Giants.

Name one. That never happened. The rest of your post is similarly ridiculous, ignoring how terrible of a situation Manning was in.

[nhyankeefan]

161, thanks for posting the coaches interviews and the Jacobs article from a few days ago. Those were good reads.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

Name one. That never happened. The rest of your post is similarly ridiculous, ignoring how terrible of a situation Manning was in.

I'd go on the record and say he cost them the game against the Titans. His bad decision making is what lead to the Titans forcing turnovers and giving them the win.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Name one. That never happened. The rest of your post is similarly ridiculous, ignoring how terrible of a situation Manning was in.
We have the Bears game, where Manning didn't have a good game, but, to be fair, the defense also deserves blame with that 3rd and long play. So in that game, he didn't single handedly lose the game, but going 14-32 with 0 TD's and 2 INT's and 132 yards passing isn't exactly good. You aren't going to win many games doing that.

The very next game against the Jaguars he was bad once again.

The Titans game he certainly gave away.

And the Saints game he went 9-25 throwing for 75 yards.

So single handedly losing games might be a bit strong, as usually the defense wasn't good in those games either, but that has a lot to do with Eli not being able to stay on the field or completing any passes.

edit: And let me also add that the Giants were 1-5 in games where Eli had 2+ INTs

There was also only one game where Eli played well and the Giants lost, and that was against the Cowboys. And, Eli was also a bit of a fumble machine in his losses. He had 3 in that Bears game, which was very winnable.

[RIyankee]

From PFT (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm)...

POSTED 2:57 p.m. EDT, July 27, 2007

STRAHAN A NO-SHOW

Recently, there were strong rumors in league circles that Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm#) might not report for training camp. Many scoffed at (and/or flat-out ignored) our information indicating that, once training camp opened, Strahan very well might not be there.

According to Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger, Strahan didn't show (http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2007/07/reese_confirms_strahan_retirem.html). But instead of calling the move a holdout, the official word is that Strahan is contemplating retirement.

"Last night, I talked to his agent and his agent said to me -- this was about seven o'clock -- [Strahan] was contemplating retiring," G.M. Jerry Reese said. "That's all I know right now. We haven't spoken to him. We'll get more details about it. We'll put him on reserve/did not report to camp."

Coach Tom Coughlin said that Strahan left a voice message last night, but did not mention retirement.

"I thought it was a little bit of a late notice, but that's the way the National Football League works sometimes," Reese said. "I just told [agent Tony Agnone] if [Strahan is] ready to retire we wish him God speed and we'll see what happens. Tony said, 'Jerry, he might wake up in the morning and say, "I want to play."' We're still trying to connect with him and get more details."

Our take? Strahan is holding out without holding out. He wants more money, and if he doesn't get it he simply won't play anymore. But in lieu of engaging in a formal holdout, which would subject him to fines in the amount of $14,000 per day and bonus forfeiture, Strahan is taking a path that would likely result in no financial consequence, if he ultimately calls it quits.

Sure, the team could still fine him until he files his retirement papers, but likely won't. Also, if the Giants pursue Strahan for the recovery of bonus money for a premature retirement but by all appearances did not demand repayment from TiVi Barber, the result disparity would expose the franchise to heavy criticism from the media and fans.

If Strahan retires, Reese hasn't ruled out bringing in defensive end Simeon Rice, who was cut by the Buccaneers on Thursday.

Strahan is scheduled to earn $4 million in base salary in 2007 and 2008. We've heard that he believes he was given assurances by former G.M. Ernie Accorsi that a new deal was coming, but that Reese has refused to honor those alleged promises.

[161 and River Ave.]

From PFT (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm)...

Let him join Tivi Barber. This is just a plot to get more money. Well Michael, you aint worth it. You have missed a ton of games since 2004 and you are going to be 36. See ya.

Either he really does retire, or he rejoins the Giants b/c he cannot afford to pay 14k a day.

Just another distraction. Tivi is gone, he needs to go too...

[161 and River Ave.]

Player transcripts are up at Giants.com


Giants Quarterback Eli Manning, July 27, 2007

Happy to be here?
Yeah, it’s always good to get back to training camp and get to work.

What have you been doing since the end of mini camp?
Just continuing to train and get ready. I’ve been working out in the weight room, running, throwing some and just trying to get ready for season. Also, mentally get away for a little bit and make sure you're rested and prepared for the long season.

How is it working with Chris Palmer? Is there anything in particular you guys have been working on?
Every quarterback coach has a different way of doing drills and has new ideas and different techniques. I am just trying to get used to those and we have just been going over the plays from last year and how he likes to read things. We are just trying to get on the same page in terms of how we talk about things. We are just trying to get our terms in order.

Is there any added excitement? Tiki is not going to be here, so more of the focal point is going to be on you and the passing game possibly. Is there more excitement for you this year?
There is excitement going into every season. It’s a new start. You put last year behind you and focus on the players and the team we have this year. I’m excited about the guys we have coming into training camp and the things that we could do this year. It is just a matter of how hard we are going to work to improve our game and get better as a team.

What differences have you seen within yourself so far between workouts this year and last year?
You know, just trying to be consistent and just make good throws and take charge of the offense. We are just going to have to see what we will be able to do better this year then last year from an offensive standpoint. A lot of that comes during training camp. Our offense is going to change because we have a new coordinator and we are just going to see in what ways we are going to be better than last year.

Is it going to be a whole new system with Kevin (Gilbride) as the new offensive coordinator or is it going to be familiar since he was on the staff last year?
We are familiar with the offense. It’s not like a whole new change. It’s not like we have all new terminology or anything. It’s a lot of the same plays, a lot of the same terminology. He’s obviously going to be the one calling the plays and so there will be some differences. A lot of it is just trying to change up a few things. But, it is really most of the same offense.

With Tiki’s departure, do you think your role off the field changes at all?
I think everything we do is based on being a good team and everybody having the same understanding of what our goals are. I think it is just trying to get everybody on the same page and working hard towards the same goal.

What is your outlook for the team this year?
I think coming to training camp, we are not going to make any predictions; we are not going to say we are going to get to a certain place. It’s just a matter of saying we are going to come in and work hard and prepare ourselves and try and get better in every aspect we can. If we are not doing so well, then how can we improve that and the things that we are doing well, and then let's focus on those things. It’s just a matter of everybody being committed to this team and being ready for the beginning of the season.

http://giants.com/news/transcripts/archive.html

[NYYRocket]

Don't know what Strahan expects in a pay raise but he has been hurt so much he doesn't deserve a raise, 4 mil is plenty for him at this stage.

[Jonny]

I'd go on the record and say he cost them the game against the Titans. His bad decision making is what lead to the Titans forcing turnovers and giving them the win.

Uh, Matthias Kiwanuka ring a bell?

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

Uh, Matthias Kiwanuka ring a bell?

Yes and there is no doubt that tackle was crucial, but Manning having a pass deflected on 4th and 3 to start the 4th quarter and two costly 4th quarter INTs were more costly.

[161 and River Ave.]

New Coughlin transcript 7/28

http://www.giants.com/news/transcripts/story.asp?story_id=25681

Key points

- Toomer looked very sharp in practice. He'll be practicing once a day
- Tuck and Webster worked in the afternoon practice. If Tuck can be ready for the opener that would be huge. He showed a ton of promise his rookie year rushing the passer.
- Coughlin is handling this Strahan ordeal perfect IMO.

[161 and River Ave.]

Don't do it Reese. Unless its a vet minimum.


RICE TO GIANTS?
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that free-agent defensive end Simeon Rice will visit the New York Giants on Monday, and the Tennessee Titans thereafter.
The Giants' flirtation with the former Buccaneer is the latest step in a chess match between the Giants and Michael Strahan. Strahan reportedly is contemplating retirement, although many league observes believe that Strahan is merely holding out without calling it a holdout.

Instead of giving more money to Strahan, the Giants could give his roster spot to Rice, and force Strahan's hand.


http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[deranged2005]

Yes and there is no doubt that tackle was crucial, but Manning having a pass deflected on 4th and 3 to start the 4th quarter and two costly 4th quarter INTs were more costly.

The entire defense not making a stop for the entire 4th quarter is more costly than 3 passes by Eli Manning.

[BonusCantos]

Let him join Tivi Barber. This is just a plot to get more money. Well Michael, you aint worth it. You have missed a ton of games since 2004 and you are going to be 36. See ya.

Either he really does retire, or he rejoins the Giants b/c he cannot afford to pay 14k a day.

Just another distraction. Tivi is gone, he needs to go too...
If they have to cut him loose, I would be fine with that. He's on the downslide and he's not even worth what he's making now. They ought not play games with this guy, just save the headaches and don't let this chess match drag out through the preseason.

[TheManKnownAsMecca]

The entire defense not making a stop for the entire 4th quarter is more costly than 3 passes by Eli Manning.


Uh, agree to disagree.

The first INT lead to a TD by the Titans.

The second INT is what gave the Titans the opportunity for the win. Bironas kicked a FG with about 6 seconds left because of that INT, again by Pacman. That throw was beyond awful.

Manning only threw for 143 yards in the game as well.

Kiwanuka and Walker both had idiotic plays but Manning's poor play is what resulted in the loss.

[deranged2005]

Uh, agree to disagree.

The first INT lead to a TD by the Titans.

The second INT is what gave the Titans the opportunity for the win. Bironas kicked a FG with about 6 seconds left because of that INT, again by Pacman. That throw was beyond awful.

Manning only threw for 143 yards in the game as well.

Kiwanuka and Walker both had idiotic plays but Manning's poor play is what resulted in the loss.

The Pacman INT wasn't an awful throw. Burress gave up on that play.

4th quarter.

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr id="home" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" class="home" align="left">Tennessee Titans at 12:55</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-NYG46</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(12:55) (Shotgun) V.Young pass incomplete short middle to B.Scaife (G.Wilson).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-10-NYG46</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(12:50) (Shotgun) V.Young pass deep right to B.Wade pushed ob at NYG 21 for 25 yards (K.Dockery).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-NYG21</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(12:22) (Shotgun) V.Young left tackle to NYG 19 for 2 yards (R.McQuarters, M.Kiwanuka).
PENALTY on TEN, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at NYG 19.</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-23-NYG34</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(12:03) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short middle to T.Henry to NYG 29 for 5 yards (G.Wilson).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">3-18-NYG29</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(11:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) V.Young pass short middle to B.Wade to NYG 20 for 9 yards (W.Demps).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">4-9-NYG20</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(11:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) V.Young scrambles right end to NYG 13 for 7 yards (F.Walker, G.Wilson).
PENALTY on NYG-F.Walker, Unnecessary Roughness, 7 yards, enforced at NYG 13.</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-6-NYG6</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(10:51) (Shotgun) T.Henry up the middle to NYG 7 for -1 yards (A.Pierce, J.Bell).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-7-NYG7</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(10:11) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short left to B.Scaife pushed ob at NYG 4 for 3 yards (K.Dockery).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">3-4-NYG4</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(9:38) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short middle to B.Scaife for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.</td></tr><tr id="kick" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" class="bg3" align="left">R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Amato, Holder-C.Hentrich.

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-NYG36</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(7:46) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short right to B.Wade to NYG 27 for 9 yards (G.Wilson, F.Walker).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-1-NYG27</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(7:12) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short left to B.Wade pushed ob at NYG 16 for 11 yards (R.McQuarters).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-NYG16</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(6:55) T.Henry right end pushed ob at NYG 7 for 9 yards (G.Wilson).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-1-NYG7</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(6:29) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short right to B.Scaife pushed ob at NYG 2 for 5 yards (W.Demps).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-2-NYG2</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(5:53) T.Henry right guard to NYG 1 for 1 yard (G.Wilson, C.Emmons).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-1-NYG1</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(5:24) V.Young right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NYG-F.Robbins, Defensive Offside, declined.</td></tr><tr id="kick" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" class="bg3" align="left">R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Amato, Holder-C.Hentrich.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-TEN24</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(2:58) (Shotgun) V.Young pass incomplete deep right to B.Jones.</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-10-TEN24</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(2:53) (Shotgun) V.Young pass incomplete deep right to D.Bennett.</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">3-10-TEN24</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(2:48) V.Young pass incomplete short right to D.Bennett (M.Kiwanuka).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">4-10-TEN24</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(2:44) (Shotgun) V.Young scrambles right end pushed ob at TEN 43 for 19 yards (F.Walker).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-TEN43</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(2:31) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short left to R.Williams to NYG 37 for 20 yards (J.Bell, W.Demps).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-NYG37</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(1:59) (Shotgun) V.Young scrambles up the middle to NYG 21 for 16 yards (F.Walker).</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">1-10-NYG21</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(1:22) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short left to D.Bennett to NYG 14 for 7 yards (K.Dockery). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.</td></tr><tr id="play" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td class="bg3" align="left">2-3-NYG14</td><td class="bg3" align="left">(:49) (Shotgun) V.Young pass short middle to B.Jones for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.</td></tr><tr id="kick" class="bg2" align="right" height="17" valign="middle"><td colspan="2" class="bg3" align="left">R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Amato, Holder-C.Hentrich.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Giants couldn't make a stop. Period.
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[TheBamTino24]

Interesting theory on Michael Strahan by Mike Garafolo, the Star Ledger's beat writer for NYG:

http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2007/07/a_theory_on_the_strahan_situat.html
Then, there's the fact that he's called coach Tom Coughlin twice when he knew the coach wouldn't answer: 11:30 p.m. Thursday (after Coughlin's bedtime) and 7:40 p.m. yesterday (10 minutes after the start of a team meeting). He's delaying that conversation as much as possible. It's a game he's playing, people.

No, I don't buy this retirement talk. I just feel Strahan is positioning himself a little bit after watching Tiki Barber set up his life after football last year.

And I think this is only Step 1. It's going to be a long season with a lot of Strahan clips running on loops on ESPN.

But that's just one idiot's opinion...MG.

[BonusCantos]

Interesting theory on Michael Strahan by Mike Garafolo, the Star Ledger's beat writer for NYG:

http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2007/07/a_theory_on_the_strahan_situat.html Well yeah. He's screwing with the FO, and it was pretty obvious to me.

[161 and River Ave.]

Saw this posted on another forum. This compared Eli's first two years as a starter to other notable QB's

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 474pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=632 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 90pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4388" width=120><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" span=8 width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 90pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=120 height=18>Player</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>Comp</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>Att</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>Comp%</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64></TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>Yds</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>Y/A</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>TD</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=64>INT</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Eli</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>595</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1079</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>55.1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="7006">7,006</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.5</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>48</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>35</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Brady</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>637</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1014</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>62.8</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6607">6,607</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.5</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>46</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>26</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Brees</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>525</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>882</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>59.5</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="5392">5,392</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>28</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>31</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Peyton</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>657</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1108</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>59.3</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="7847">7,847</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>7.1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>52</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>43</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>McNabb</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>615</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>1062</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>57.9</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6598">6,598</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.2</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>46</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>25</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>McNair</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>505</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>907</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>55.7</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="5893">5,893</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.5</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>29</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>23</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Aikman</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>381</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>692</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>55.1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="4328">4,328</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.3</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>20</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>36</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Elway</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>541</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>985</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>54.9</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6489">6,489</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.6</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>40</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>38</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Kelly</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>535</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>899</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>59.5</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6391">6,391</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>7.1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>41</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>28</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Favre</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>620</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>993</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>62.4</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6530">6,530</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.6</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>37</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>37</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Montana</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>524</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>834</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>62.8</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6178">6,178</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>7.4</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>36</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>23</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Moon</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>459</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>827</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>55.5</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="6047">6,047</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>7.3</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>27</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>33</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Simms</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>327</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>667</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>49</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"></TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num="4064">4,064</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>6.1</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>28</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" x:num>33</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[BRNXBMRS]

Reese not taking any garbage. I love it, get the cancers out of here.

Do we want him here? Sure. But if he wants to retire, we'll wish him the best. We can win without him."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/30/2007-07-30_reese_who_needs_ya_mike.html

[BonusCantos]

Reese not taking any garbage. I love it, get the cancers out of here.


http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/30/2007-07-30_reese_who_needs_ya_mike.html Good. Call his bluff, Jerry.

[tdel23]

Reese not taking any garbage. I love it, get the cancers out of here.


http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/30/2007-07-30_reese_who_needs_ya_mike.html

good for Reese, if Strahan doesn't want to be here let him walk away from his contract.

[Panamaniac42]

Reese not taking any garbage. I love it, get the cancers out of here.


http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/07/30/2007-07-30_reese_who_needs_ya_mike.html

Word up.

[BonusCantos]

According to Roto, Justin Tuck is expected to start at LE so long as there's no Strahan.

[161 and River Ave.]

The Giants have begun fining Strahan

http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/

[BonusCantos]

The die has been cast. Reese isn't going to play Strahan's game.

S--- or get off the pot, Mike.

[TheBamTino24]

For as great as Tiki Barber and Michael Strahan were as NY Giants, their acts got old quick. Just constant bitching.

I look at both of them as All-Time Giants, but their era will always stand out as an underachieving mess from that 1997 NFC Wild Card game against Minnesota to last year's collapse.

[TheBamTino24]

NFL.com's Pat Kirwan visited Giants' camp already. Good stuff:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10274762

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 30, 2007) -- As I pulled into the New York Giants camp, I had a few preconceived notions about the state of affairs in "Big Blue" country -- no one could replace Tiki Barber, letting Luke Petitgout go was a mistake, Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress should have been at the facility for the offseason, Michael Strahan wasn't really retiring, and head coach Tom Coughlin was going to struggle to keep his team together this season. All I can say as I left camp after a day with the team, coaches and front-office executives is that the team is a whole lot better off than I thought it could be.

...

The Giants are in a very tough NFC East and play all three division opponents in the first four weeks. A slow start and the media/fan pressure could be beyond description. It's easy to say this team is headed for 5-11 or 6-10, but I leave camp thinking of the Giants as an 8-8 team, and with a little luck they grab a ninth win. If you struggle with this analysis, get in your car and drive to Albany, N.Y., and look for yourself. There really are a few different things going on at Giants camp that could change your mind.

[161 and River Ave.]

I really want to know why letting go of Luke was such a mistake the media makes it out to be. Obviously they haven't watched him since he came out of ND. Drafting him, he was supposed to be a franchise left tackle. Since then he's always been an injury concern, and was a liablity with false starts and holding penalties.

If it isn't obvious by now, Reese is trying to get this team younger, healthier, and faster. Something Arrington, Emmons, Morton, and Pettitgout weren't.

[BonusCantos]

False start -- 77, offense. 5 yard penalty; repeat first down.

Yeah, I'll miss that 5 times a game.

[161 and River Ave.]

Osi on the possibility of Simeon Rice, and some other notes


From Osi Umenyiora, who rather emphatically informed reporters today that "I'm not going to move (to left DE) because Simeon Rice is coming. I won't do it."

Among other Osi gems:

On Rice: "It's not like we're talking about Julius Peppers. Simeon Rice is an outstanding pass rusher, but that's what he is. People say he's not the best against the run, and I guess people give him that reputation for a reason."
More on Rice: "There's nowhere for him to play. He can't play left end because that's where teams run the ball. And he's not playing right end, because that's where I am. I'm a right end and I've been successful there, so I don't feel a need to move to a different position. It's ridiculous."

On the possibility of Strahan playing for another team: "It wouldn't even be right. I'd probably throw up if it happened. I tell him he can't (play for another team) all the time. But with all the money being thrown around, who knows?"
Osi still believes Strahan will be here, and obviously that's where Osi's loyalty lies. Strahan despises Rice, so Osi does too -- which can't help Jerry Reese's desire to move forward without Ol' 92.
The rest of the team still believes Strahan will be here in due time as well. "Until he tells me he's retiring or there's a press conference," another Giant said, "he's just in the training room."

I'll have some notes in the paper on Steve Smith and Sinorice Moss; both have looked solid thus far. Moss has been running with the 1s as the third WR and with the 1s when Burress and Toomer are out, and he looks fit and strong. He's also trying to win both return jobs.

Smith made that great diving catch on Saturday I mentioned and has been moving along slowly, as I'm sure the Giants want him to.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/blog/

[BonusCantos]

Apparently, this year I'll be at the Giants-Jets game on Columbus Day weekend, and I didn't bother to think about the rest of the tickets. Perhaps my brother and I can go to either of the night games in December.

The parking's going to be a nightmare this year, though. Because of the parking elsewhere and busing to the stadium, we're going to cut out tailgating for the first year ever. :(

[161 and River Ave.]

Very good article by Don Banks of SI.com


1. I think I'm coming around to the notion that the combination of new Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer and new Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride (he was elevated from QBs coach) will end up being a good thing for Eli Manning, he of the up-and-down results in his first three NFL seasons. Palmer and Gilbride worked together in Houston in the early '90s, and both had separate stints on Tom Coughlin's staff in Jacksonville later that decade. They're all very familiar with one another, and I think Manning will benefit from that ease of relationship.

"That's a plus for us,'' Coughlin said Sunday. "It's kind of easy to get back on the same page. Chris has been able to come in and just jump right in on the task at hand with Eli. We all want consistency from Eli. Including Eli. It's a real high expectation level, but we all want more of that Philadelphia finish.'' (In Week 2 of last season, the Giants won 30-24 in overtime at the Eagles in what was hailed as Manning's coming of age performance).

Palmer and Manning are also well-matched temperamentally, because the laid-back Eli doesn't need a screamer at this point in his career. He needs a good teacher who can provide a calm, efficient approach to ironing out the kinks that his fundamentals get into from time to time. I'm not predicting a monster season for Manning, but the double-teaming of Palmer and Gilbride should give No. 10's game a chance to shed some of inconsistency that has driven the Giants and their fans more than a little crazy.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/07/29/giants.postcard/index.html