New York Football Giants

I have a yearning for a strong safety this year and I love Mark Barron from Ala.  Senior player and a leader on the team and a position of need.  Linebacker seems to always be the first mentioned and it still isn't the core of old, but the Giants helped themselves during the off season by resigning Chase Blackburn and trading for Keith Rivers (Bengals).  We can aslo expect Clint Sintim back this year.
Back to Barron;  We are thin at safety after Anrtel Rolle and Kenny Phillips.  Deon Grant is gone.  This is our most critical need.  However, we will have to climb the board to get there.  Barron is projected to got in the mid first round, Jerry Reese will have to spent picks or arrange a trade to get to a 12th slot.  If Barron goes earlier, we could grab the next best or trade back down. 

MK, time to get busy.

Category: NFL

NEW YORK – That was one heck of a way to end a great season. The Giants defeat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Indianapolis. It took a fourth quarter comeback to win a second Super Bowl for Big Blue as QB Eli Manning wins his second Super Bowl MVP Award. Most seem to agree this win puts Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, you can include myself among them. There really is no way to describe the joy I’m feeling now and will feel for a very long time. I’m stuck someplace between numb and bursting with energy. Some where in between shocked and exhausted. I’m running on empty but so happy that it doesn’t matter at this point. The true blue fans have been waiting and anticipating this moment and when it finally arrives, it’s wonderful. So enjoy it!

Thank you to the New York Giants organization including the Mara and Tisch families. Thank you to Head Coach Tom Coughlin, the rest of the coaches and players. Thank you GM Jerry Reese, who has done an outstanding job, since taking over for Giants legend Ernie Accorsi. Go back and read all of my articles about Mr. Reese and you will see I have always been a fan of his work and have praised his draft skills and player transactions. Some of his moves however, had even me scratching my head this past offseason.

In the NFL Lockout riddled 2011 year, players were coming and going at will in the NFL and the G-men lost some key players like WR Steve Smith, TE Kevin Boss, C Shaun O’Hara and OL Rich Seubert to retirement or contract situations. Then they lost CB Terrell Thomas, LB Clint Sintim, OT William Beatty, WR Domenik Hixon, LB Jonathan Goff and about ten more guys to the dreaded IR list (injured reserve). 2011 marks three straight years of injury epidemics for the G-men with at least 12 going on the season ending IR list, per year, that’s about 20% of the team going down for three straight years. But the Giants and Jerry Reese made all the right moves that had this team clicking by the end of the season. Congrats you are now Super Bowl Champions!

I thought singers Kelly Clarkson and Madonna did a good job with their respective areas of the nights entertainment. I thought NBC could have done a better job with the trophy presentation and post game stuff but thats why we have remote controls right? I also noticed audio problems coming from the NBC channel during the game. I suggest that Giants fans out there savor this moment and really enjoy this win for a couple of days. Do not get into any talks about the draft or who is signing what contract and when, just relax for a few days and enjoy winning the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLVI Champion New York Giants

QB Eli Manning – Super Bowl XLVI MVP Manning had a great game finishing with 296 yards 1 TD and 0 INT’s. Congrats Champ!

WR Hakeem Nicks – Nicks had a solid Super Bowl performance finishing with 103 yards 0 TD’s. Congrats Champ!

RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw played like he wanted another ring and finished with 72 yards 1 TD rushing and 19 yards receiving. AB is a big part of this Championship. Congrats Champ!

DE Justin Tuck – Tuck was emotionally spent following his 2 sack performance in Super Bowl XLVI. God Bless and Congrats Champ!

LB Chase Blackburn – Blackburn was making a lot of plays out there and finished with 1 INT. Congrats Champ!

DE Jason Pierre-Paul – JPP will forever be double teamed now, so he will need to get bigger. He was still causing havoc and blocking passes. Congrats Champ!

TE Jake Ballard – Jake Ballard was injured during the game and finished with 10 yards. Congrats Champ!

CB Corey Webster – Webster played like a Champion and got his ring, great season Corey! Congrats Champ!

RB Brandon Jacobs – Jacobs ran hard and finished with 37 yards. Two rings for Mr. Jacobs now. Congrats Champ!

S Antrel Rolle – Rolle was playing his heart out and creating chaos for the Patriots. Congrats Champ!

WR Victor Cruz – The Salsa King Cruz caught Eli Manning’s only TD pass of the game. Congrats Champ!

CB Aaron Ross – Ross owned the first quarter and really made an impact in this game. Congrats Champ!

LB Michael Boley – Boley had an outstanding game and was the leading tackler for Big Blue. Congrats Champ!

WR Mario Manningham – Super Mario had the play of the game and finished with 73 yards 0 TD’s. Congrats Champ!

S Deon Grant – The veteran safety was fourth on the team in tackles and really whacking guys out there. 3 more years! Congrats Champ!

TE Bear Pascoe – Pascoe filled in nicely for the other two injured TE’s and finished with 33 yards. Congrats Champ!

DE Osi Umenyiora – Osi was causing disruptions for most of the game and really turned up the heat at the end. Pay Osi! Congrats Champ!

FB Henry Hynoski – Hynoski made a couple of nice catches and was blocking like a mad man. Congrats Champ!

TE Travis Beckum – Beckum tore his ACL early in the game and never returned. I’m sure the Super Bowl ring will help him heal. Congrats Champ!

DT Linval Joseph – Joseph did a great job in the middle and is a player to keep an eye on. Congrats Champ!

S Kenny Phillips – KP was second on the team in tackles and was throwing his body into every tackle. Congrats Champ!

DT Chris Canty – Canty had a nice game was clogging up the middle for Big Blue. Congrats Champ!

P Steve Weatherford – The Giants will sign Weatherford long term this offseason. The Weatherman had an outstanding game. Congrats Champ!

K Lawrence Tynes – Tynes had a great game by making both of his FG attempts and his lone extra point attempt. Congrats Champ!

Giants Offense – The Giants offense beat the Patriots defense for most of the game. Now, they are Champions of the World. Congrats Champs!

Giants Defense – The Giants defense held Brady to 17 points. They had 2 sacks and 1 INT. Great Game Champs!

Giants Special Teams – The special teams had a very nice game and have improved a lot since week one. Great Game Champs!

What did you think about the game and Super Bowl XLVI festivities?

Category: NFL

"I kinda figured [I was in]," he said, "but I didn't know what the ref was going to do. Knowing who we were playing against and how things operate around here."

Mario Manningham on his 38 yard 4th quarter grab.



Category: NFL

Of course a Giants fans dream is the SuperBowl, in 25 years this will be the 5th and another chance to add to the collection of Lombardi Trophys.   One thing that sets this game apart from the previous 45 is the opportunity to sell watching the game to your wife/girlfriend.  If all goes well there will be 3 or 4 opportunities for the better half to pick up some salsa lessons  Out here in ELI country (Eastern Long Island) my wife and I share the game.  I watch the first half, she watches half time and I watch the second half, works for us.
Predicting the outcome of the game can involve comparing secondaries, O-Lines or special teams.  The alternative is my "Who are ya" formula.  The Patriots led by future HOF coach and QB beat one team with a winning record.  That win was notched when the Ravens kicker missed the tying FG from the 14 yrd. line.
The Giants on the other hand have beaten 4 playoff teams, advantage Giants.  The Giants bring home the hardware 34-24.

Category: NFL

NEW YORK – What an incredible season it has been for the Giants. A month or so ago, fans were wondering if they would make it to the playoffs at all and here they were, finding themselves battling for the NFC Championship crown. If the Giants beat the 49ers, they would be in the Super Bowl once again. Guess what? The Giants beat the 49ers 20-17 in overtime and will be going to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis for a rematch against the New England Patriots. Hollywood could not write a more riveting script.

The Giants have owned the Patriots since 2007 including the preseason, regular season and postseason. The Patriots are the real underdogs in this game and face the hungry NFC Champion Giants.

Let me just pause for a moment to acknowledge QB Eli Manning. This guy has weathered every storm thrown his way and really showed the NFL world how tough he is last night. Manning was getting beat down the entire game by a rabid 49ers defense and he kept getting up and performing. I have always respected Eli Manning but the way he played last night brought me to another level of respect for him. Easy Eli is a tough guy and a true Iron Man. I’m glad he is our quarterback and I’m happy that he is getting the respect he deserved all along.

This game was a battle from the opening kickoff until the final FG in OT. The 49ers defense played a terrific game and my hat is off to them. The Giants took a 10-7 lead into the locker room at halftime and seemed to pick up some momentum with a nice drive prior to heading inside.

The second half of the game was intense. Both teams were fighting all the way up to the coin toss for overtime and beyond. Make no mistake, the Giants earned their spot in the Super Bowl. I am very proud to say that I am a Giants fan and really proud of what Eli Manning did on the field. Hey Giants fans, we’re going to the Super Bowl, again!

Let’s take a look at my notes from the game.

QB Eli Manning – What can you say about Manning? This guy is simply awesome and for all his quiet demeanor, a true tough guy. He finished with 316 yards 2 TD’s 0 INT’s

RB Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw ran hard as usual and had his hands full with a rabid 49ers defense. He finished with 74 yards rushing and 52 yards receiving.

WR Hakeem Nicks – Nicks got banged up early but returned to the game. He finished with 55 yards.

DE Justin Tuck – Tuck was playing on another level last night and finished with 1.5 sacks.

LB Michael Boley – Boley was doing a lot more out there then the final stats would lead you to believe. He plays with a lot of passion.

WR Victor Cruz – The ‘Salsa King’ Cruz had another superb performance and finished with 142 yards 0 TD’s.

DE Jason Pierre-Paul – JPP cannot be contained and gets double teamed every game now. He was the Giants leading tackler and finished with 0.5 sacks.

S Antrel Rolle – Rolle finished in the top five tacklers once again and played a great game. I love the way this guy plays football.

RB Brandon Jacobs – Jacobs didn’t get in much work last night because they were throwing the ball all over the place and Bradshaw got a lot of work. He finished with 13 yards 0 TD’s.

LB Jacquian Williams – This young man was playing like he wanted to go to the Super Bowl. He is only going to get better and finished with 1 forced fumble.

WR Mario Manningham – Super Mario wasn’t getting many balls thrown his way but still managed to grab 1 TD in traffic. Maybe the biggest play of the game in my opinion.

CB Corey Webster – I’ve been saying it all year, Webster has taken his game to another level and really improved. He finished with 1 forced fumble.

TE Bear Pascoe – Pascoe had only one catch in this game but it was a big one. He finished with 1 TD, his first ever in the NFL. Congrats Bear!

LB Chase Blackburn – Blackburn was second on the team in tackles and I still cannot figure out why they let this guy go in the offseason. Re-sign him Jerry!

DE Osi Umenyiora – Osi was battling a tough offensive line out there all night and finished with 0.5 sacks. He simply causes havoc every game.

FB Henry Hynoski – This guy has really stepped up his game. He has been playing with a lot of heart and making contributions to the team. He finished with 20 yards.

LB Mathias Kiwanuka – Kiwi is a straight baller and was playing with a mean streak last night. He finished with 0.5 sacks.

DT Linval Joseph – I really like what I have been seeing from this young man. Keep an eye on him because he could end up as one of the greats.

S Kenny Phillips – Phillips is such an instinctual player and when he hits somebody, they fall to the ground. His angles and approaches are incredible.

CB Aaron Ross – Ross was out there making plays and continues to do a good job filling in for the injured Terrell Thomas. Good job Aaron!

S Deon Grant – Grant was in the top five for defensive tacklers and has become a force for Big Blue. I hope he retires a Giant in five or six years.

K Lawrence Tynes – What can I say? Tynes kicked the winning FG that sends Big Blue to the Super Bowl. Heck of a kick Larry!

P Steve Weatherford – The Weatherman is a weapon. He had another solid game last night. Consistency in the punting game is a relief for a change.

Giants Offense – This group of players had the toughest game of the year last night and certainly the most physical. They came out on top due to resiliency.

Giants Defense – The Giants defense had a superb game last night. This group has really stepped up in recent weeks and finished with 3 sacks 0 INT’s and 2 forced fumbles.

Giants Special Teams – The special teams play was good last night. Thomas deserves the game ball and Tynes did what he had to do. Still some missed tackles and room for improvement.

What are your thoughts on the Giants performance against the 49ers?

Category: NFL