Die Hard Giants Fan

A few days ago, SportingNews.com broke down the Quarterbacks in the NFC. Big Blue ended up No. 5 on their list. Yesterday, they broke down the Offensive Lines in the NFC. Here’s the Top 5 on the list…

1. Dallas Cowboys - “Three Pro Bowlers — LT Flozell Adams, RG Leonard Davis and C Andre Gurode — pave the way for one of the league’s most prolific offenses. The short-yardage running could be better, but that’s nit-picking.”
2. Philadelphia Eagles - “LT William Thomas and RT Jon Runyan are reliable but aging bookends. RG Shawn Andrews is nearing elite status. The massive line is better suited for a power rushing attack than the team’s pass-happy scheme.”
3. Minnesota Vikings - “LG Steve Hutchinson, C Matt Birk and LT Bryant McKinnie make life easier for RB Adrian Peterson, but McKinnie sometimes struggles in pass protection. The right side has been a problem but is improving.”
4. Green Bay Packers - “LT Chad Clifton and RT Mark Tauscher offer the security QB Aaron Rodgers needs, though Clifton isn’t as strong in the running game. Feisty C Scott Wells uses technique and leverage to get the job done.”
5. New York Giants - “The unit of LT David Diehl, LG Rich Seubert, C Shaun O’Hara, RG Chris Snee and RT Kareem McKenzie includes no superstar but has no weak link. It protects Eli Manning and excels in the power running game.”

The Cowboys do have a massive O-Line which bothers me because it makes it a little more difficult for the Giants to get through. I never thought the Eagles had a great O-Line, rather I thought they had a really good Quarterback who avoids getting sacked except in Osi’s 6 sack game. I don’t know much about the Vikings’ or the Packers’ Offensive Lines. They are correct by stating that the Giants don’t have a superstar, but they play very well together.

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Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger got his hands on the details of Chris Snee’s six-year contract extention, according to his agent Noel LaMontagne of EAS Sports.  Are you ready?

*Total value of $41.25 million without escalators. With escalators, the max value of the deal is $43.5 million.

*$13.5-million signing bonus.

*Base salary average of $6.875 million.

*$17 million guaranteed.

*$23 million in the first three years of the contract.

All I can say is WOW and wonder what Plax thinks about it.  Do you think Burress regrets opening his mouth and sitting out?  The Giants should take money away from Burress just for the fun of it.

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A lot of people were concerned that the Giants did not give Chris Snee a contract extension yet.  Especially since he’s the son-in-law of Coach Coughlin.  Well, today NFL.com reported that the Giants reached agreement on a six-year extension with the guard that ties him to the team through 2014.  The financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal will make him one of the five highest paid guards in the game.

Congrats to Chris.  Since Coughlin got a four-year extension and Snee got a six-year extension, they will remain in blue for at least four more years together and off-the-field…well forever.  I love this move by Jerry Reese because Chris is a very solid guard who comes to play week-in and week-out.  He acts like a professional.  In this offseason of drama, we finally get to hear some good news out of the Meadowlands, and it happens to come to a player that says absolutely nothing about his contract.

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Most of the news this week has been about the OTA’s.  We got to hear from the entire coaching staff, and they provided us with some foresight as they head into the 2008 season.

 Offensive Coaches Speak - Michael Eisen pointed out that the Offensive Staff met with the media today.  Eisen provided the entire transcript.

Transcript: Tight End Coach Mike Pope - Giants.com had a Q&A Session with Mike Pope.

Newsday:

Giants expect reluctant Shockey to attend camp - “Pope said yesterday that he expects his star pupil to be in attendance at the team’s mandatory minicamp next month and when training camp begins in Albany in late July.”

New York Daily News:

Giant coach says Jeremy Shockey’s in Super Bowl shock - “Pope, the Giants’ tight ends coach, believes that’s the primary source of Shockey’s unhappiness - that he had to watch the Giants win Super Bowl XLII because his broken leg kept him off the field.”

New York Post:

SNEE AWAITS GIANT REWARD

New York Times:

Giants Face Questions About Two Key Players - “Many people in the Giants’ organization have had to parry questions about the futures of Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan.”

The Star-Ledger:

Pope says Shockey rift fixable - Mike Pope had this to say about Jeremy Shockey at this week’s OTA:

I don’t think you can individualize this. Any player who’s a big part of the team and gets out of the roster for a period of time, it’s a terrific shock because that’s what they do. … I know he was very, very upset about not being able to finish what we collectively started. I’m sure there was a lot of disappointment.

I don’t think he’s any different than other players. Once the team gets back together and they get involved together, those things — whatever they have been — tend to become less of a factor and they eventually disappear. You start playing together, you start winning and the upside of the game is what you’re looking at, then things usually run fairly smoothly.

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According to NFL.com, the Dallas Cowboys have reached agreements with RB Marion Barber and CB Terence Newman to long-term extensions today.

• “Barber agreed to a seven-year deal worth $45 million, with $16 million in guaranteed bonuses. The deal will total $21 million over the first three years, all of which puts him in the salary range of LaDainian Tomlinson, Edgerrin James and Larry Johnson — heady stuff for a guy whose only career start came in his last game.”
• “Newman’s deal is a six-year extension. Since he had one year left on his original contract, that means he’s also locked up through 2014, just like Barber. His contract is worth $50.2 million, including $22.5 million guaranteed.”

So now we gotta face the Barbarian for the next 7 years.  Newman doesn’t bother me because he’s so wrapped up in talking smack that he forgets to play the game.

 Defensive Coaches Speak - Michael Eisen pointed out that the Defensive Staff met with the media today.  Eisen provided the entire transcript.

Transcript: Safeties Coach David Merritt - Giants.com had a Q&A Session with David Merritt.

Transcript: Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo - Giants.com had a Q&A Session with Steve Spagnuolo.

New York Post:

ELI READY TO ‘SHOCK’ - Dan Martin tells us that Eli Manning is looking forward to playing with Jeremy Shockey in ‘08.

The Star-Ledger:

A late vote for SB MVP - David Merritt believes that James Butler was the MVP of Super Bowl XLII.

TE coach Pope on Shockey - Mike Garafolo lets us know that Mike Pope was asked a bunch of questions from the media about Shockey, and Pope has not spoken to Shockey.

Snee not worried about his contract

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Even though the workouts are voluntary, the NY Giants officially had to report to work today.  In an article below, Michael Eisen captured their thoughts about returning to work and seeing everybody again.  2008 is the year where Big Blue will try to repeat, and it begins here.  The NFL always displays the stats on how poorly Super Bowl Champs play the year after.  Let’s hope that the G-MEN don’t come down with that.

 Giants Return! - Michael Eisen pointed out that the Giants Offseason Program began today.  Eisen found out what the Giants think about seeing each other again.

Fans Take - A Giants fan tells us what she thought about the 2007 season.

New York Daily News:

A sneak peek at the Giants (literally) - Ralph Vacchiano wrote this about Mathias Kiwanuka, “LB Mathias Kiwanuka, who missed the final six games of last season with a broken leg, is far enough along in his rehabilitation that he’s begun running. In a brief conversation as he walked into the stadium this morning, he said his recovery is going well.”

The Star-Ledger:

It’s official: NY Giants will host Skins in opener - After being leaked last week, Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that, ”the Giants and Redskins will kick off the 2008 season with a 7 p.m. game Sept. 4.”

NY Giants set for offseason workouts - Mike Garafolo details who was not expected to attend the Giants Offseason Workouts and why.

 COUGHLIN’S SON-IN-LAW TO SKIP WORKOUTS? - According to Mike Florio, Chris Snee is planning to skip the voluntary workouts because he wants a new contract.  I guess he wants to follow the footsteps of Osi.

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Super Bowl Weekend is creeping up on us.  It reality, these two weeks have seemed like forever and it isn’t even over yet.  I’d rather the NFL went back to playing one week after the Conference Championship game.  So much of nothing has occured.

People have continued to bet on the Jints, so the Giants are a 12 point underdog again rather than a 12 1/2 point underdog.  I still don’t see this game getting out of hand.  In Week 17, it was a shut out.  Neither team played good defense so I do think both teams will play better defense.  In the Playoffs, the Giants did not allow an excessive amount of points in any game.  Tampa Bay wasn’t a potent offense anyway so that doesn’t count.  Dallas was the 2nd most prolific offense this season and they did nothing.  Green Bay was a pretty high scoring team that put up 20 points.  So I do believe that both the Patriots and the Giants will play better defense than Week 17 because it’s the Super Bowl. 

 Transcript: RB Brandon Jacobs - Brandon Jacobs answers questions about the running game and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Michael Strahan - Michael Strahan answers questions about Steve Spagnuolo’s first year as the Defensive Coordinator and about how historical this game is no matter who the winner is.

Transcript: WR David Tyree - David Tyree answers questions about the special teams unit and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: QB Eli Manning - Eli Manning answers questions about his performance in the Playoffs and about Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Michael Strahan - Michael Strahan answers questions regarding the defensive game plan for Super Bowl XLII, the 2000 Giants team, and the 1986 Giants team.

Transcript: S Gibril Wilson - Gibril Wilson answers questions about the defense during the 2007 season and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: CB R.W. McQuarters - R.W. McQuarters answers questions about the secondary and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots Coach Bill Belichick - Bill Belichick answers questions extensively about NFL history and Super Bowl XLII.  Extensive answers are a rarity from Bill.

Transcript: WR Plaxico Burress - Plaxico Burress answers questions about his ankle, and his prediction, and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: WR Steve Smith - Steve Smith answers questions about his career.

Transcript: WR Amani Toomer - Amani Toomer answers questions about the changes Tom Coughlin has made and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: FB Madison Hedgecock - Madison Hedgecock answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DT Fred Robbins - Fred Robbins answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: S James Butler - James Butler answers questions about his performance in the 2007 season.

Transcript: LB Antonio Pierce - Antonio Pierce answers questions about the 2007 season.

Transcript: GM Jerry Reese - Jerry Reese answers questions about his impact as a GM.

Transcript: DT Barry Cofield - Barry Cofield answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: C Shaun O’ Hara - Shaun O’ Hara answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Osi Umenyiora - Osi Umenyiora answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.  Apparently, Tom Coughlin handed out more shirts with the motto “Talk is Cheap, Play the Game” because things were getting out of hand down there.  This is Osi’s response:

I think so.  I got mine and I’m wearing mine and this is my motto from here on out.  As a matter of fact, I want to apologize to (Patriots OT) Matt Light for calling him a dirty player.  He’s really not a dirty player at all, I apologize, that’s my fault.  I’m sorry Matt Light, I didn’t mean anything by that.  I didn’t mean to cause a whole hoopla or ruckus, it was between me and you and we’ll see each other on Sunday.  I love you man.

Osi said he’s going to shut up, he apologized, and said he loved Matt Light.  What is that about?  Osi punked out.  This story is the reason why you should just say nothing.  Osi said Light was dirty, and now has to mend the issue.  It looks stupid so if you never say anything then you won’t look like a punk.

Transcript: CB Aaron Ross - Aaron Ross answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots LB Mike Vrabel - Mike Vrabel answers questions regarding his versatility, Andre Tippett being voted in the Hall of Fame, and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots LB Junior Seau - Junior Seau answers questions about Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots QB Tom Brady - Tom Brady answers questions about his journey to this point and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots S Rodney Harrison - Rodney Harrison answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Coach Tom Coughlin - Tom Coughlin answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots WR Randy Moss - Randy Moss answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots G Logan Mankins - Logan Mankins answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Patriots Scouting Report - Michael Eisen breaks down the New England Patriots.

Duel Role - Michael Eisen goes in depth about the on-the-field and off-the-field relationship between Chris Snee and Tom Coughlin.

A New Look - Michael Eisen described the new look of Tom Coughlin.

Transcript: K Lawrence Tynes - Lawrence Tynes answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: CB Corey Webster - Corey Webster answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: LT David Diehl - David Diehl answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Michael Strahan - Michael Strahan answers questions on whether he’s contemplating retirement and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: LB Kawika Mitchell - Kawika Mitchell answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: RB Brandon Jacobs - Brandon Jacobs answers questions regarding the Playoffs and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Osi Umenyiora - Osi Umenyiora answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: LB Antonio Pierce - Antonio Pierce answers questions regarding his leadership role on the Giants and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi - Tedy Bruschi answers questions about his stroke recovery and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: OC Kevin Gilbride - Kevin Gilbride answers questions about the success of the 2007 season and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Justin Tuck - Justin Tuck answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: WR Amani Toomer - Amani Toomer answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Head Coach Tom Coughlin - Tom Coughlin answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: QB Eli Manning - Eli Manning answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: RT Kareem McKenzie - Kareem McKenzie answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots TE Ben Watson - Ben Watson answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick - Bill Belichick answer questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots RT Nick Kaczur - Nick Kaczur answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Newsday:

Focused Giants say they’ll be ready for Sunday

Strahan enjoys 2nd Super Bowl

Burress doesn’t back down from prediction

Bradshaw has given Giants an unexpected lift

Super Bowl surprises - Jim Baubach discusses how surprised he is by all of the Super Bowl hype.

Pats anything but blase about Super Bowl

How to beat the Patriots - Bob Glauber provides 5 ways that the Giants can use to try to beat the Patriots.

Giants see edge in having faced Patriots

Plaxico’s prediction draws mixed reviews

FOX’s pregame show will mix celebs with football - FOX continues to show us why they suck.  There is no reason for celebrities to be any part of a pregame show.  There is no reason for anybody to have to suffer by having to listen to Joe Buck broadcast a football or baseball game.

McQuarters, Madison mentors for Giants D-backs

McDaniels keeps Patriots’ offense running smoothly

Patriots’ Samuel could give Eli Manning fits - I’m very concerned about Asanti Samuel lurking in the secondary.  Samuel had a pick in Week 17, and he’s always getting interceptions in big spots.

Pepper Johnson not optimistic about race in NFL

Kinder, gentler Coughlin has boosted Giants’ morale

Patriots star wideout Moss has become team player - I was interested in knowing if Randy Moss would fit into the Patriots organization in September, but I guess Tom Rock wanted to reiterate that point.

Patriots love Belichick, and see softer side - Various Patriots admit that they are in love with Bill Belichick.

Giants, Patriots make this Super Bowl special

Giants are thrilled Feagles is still kicking - So am I.

Blog bite: Brady says Giants’ black suits ‘looked terrible’

Patriots coy about Brady’s ankle on injury report - The Patriots did not include Tom Brady’s ankle injury on the injury report, but they continued to leave him on the injury for his supposed shoulder injury.

Ex-Giant Bahr knows pressure, has faith in Tynes

New York Daily News:

Giants look to rush, rattle Tom Brady

Ohm’s Super Bowl Blog: Day 4

Scaling Mount Brady will be Giant task

Eli Manning will need to play like Phil Simms did on Super stage

Pats’ assistant Josh McDaniels likely to be candidate for head coaching jobs

Diary: Surrounded by cookie monsters

Fashion statement: Randy Moss fires back at dark-suited Giants

Plaxico Burress’ mouth runs late

Old Jets feel Super about Giants - That would be the 1968 Jets.

Jessica Simpson or Gisele Bundchen? Giants make their selections

Ben Roethlisberger high on Eli Manning

Don’t bother planning Patsies parade! Big Blue’s going to win it, faithful say

Giants’ Ruegamer honors Pat Tillman - Ohm Youngmisuk pointed out that Grey Ruegamer also went to Arizona State with Pat Tillman.  This is what Ruegamer throught about Tillman, “It’s kind of surreal to come back to Arizona.  It’s Super Bowl 42, that was Pat’s number in college. We are playing in (Arizona) where he played for the Cardinals and they have a memorial for him outside. So it is kind of weird.”

Madison Hedgecock a Giant blessing

Pepper Johnson gives Patriots’ defense a healthy dash of Big Blue history

Tom Coughlin, Chris Snee share professional, family bond

Risk for fans cheering too heart-ily - The AP reported that New York Doctors want New Yorkers to “take their meds and get plenty of sleep before the big game after a new report revealed fans are more likely to have a heart attack while watching a big sporting event.”  What?  What about Bostonians?

Tom Brady, Joe Montana pass each other compliments

New York Post:

BRADY MUST FEEL GIANT RUSH HOUR - That’s what I’m talking about.

BRADY & CO. BLOW OFF BURRESS PREDICTION

AS TUCK WOULD HAVE IT, JUSTIN DREAMS MVP - If Justin Tuck plays like it then he can win it.

ELI CAN COUNT ON O-LINE GENERALS

PLAX IS TARDY TO EVENT

IT’S BOOT-IFUL - Mike Vaccaro relives the Championship game when Tom Coughlin led Boston College to a huge upset over Notre Dame.

MARONEY PROVES CRITICS WRONG

SHOCK WAVE - Tim Hasselbeck had some not so nice things to say about Jeremy Shockey.

MATCHUP OF THE DAY - Steve Serby examines the matchup between Michael Strahan and Laurence Maroney.  Serby explains why Strahan has the edge.

STOPPING MR. VERSATILITY A GIANT TASK - So says Bart Hubbuch about Kevin Faulk.

SECRET WEAPON - That’s what Mark Cannizzaro thinks of Kevin Faulk.

GIANTS JOURNEY

New York Times:

Undersized Patriots Are Shedding Their Anonymity

Blue-Collar Giants Revel in Unity and Obscurity

Absent With Leave: Missing the Big Game - John Branch wrote a story about Jeremy Shockey.

The Star-Ledger:

Plax out again - Plaxico Burress didn’t practice yesterday or today because he now has a knee injury to add to his season long ankle injury.

Plax’s knee the issue

A promise is a promise

Seau: Bradshaw will be “great”

Nice guy Tom Coughlin inspiring NY Giants

A sad reminder of Pat Tillman

NY Giants’ Plaxico Burress just sits and talks

Stepping up for Gridiron Greats

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Phessional already put Plaxico on blast in the last post.  It is well derserved.  Tom Coughlin, Jerry Reese, John Mara, and Steve Tisch are very disappointed in Plax.   I also wish he said nothing.  However, none of his teamates said anything to him.  He was also over 30 minutes late to the media session today.  Burress had a monster game against the Packers so Belichick already was going to make sure that he doesn’t repeat that type of an outing.  Now Burress just added fuel to the fire, and Belichick is just going to eliminate him.  In my sarcastic tone, maybe every offensive player should guarantee victory so Belichick cannot eliminate all of them.  This is the first time this season that Plaxico behaved like years past.

 Transcript: Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels - Josh McDaniels answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots RB Laurence Maroney - Laurence Maroney answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots S James Sanders - James Sanders answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots S Rodney Harrison - Rodney Harrison answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Giants Meet the Media - Michael Eisen included various quotes from various Giants regarding Super Bowl XLII.  This was Harrison’s response to the New York-Boston rivalry

I’m from Chicago, so I really don’t know. Overall, I’ve been seeing a lot of this controversy – New York versus Boston, the Red Sox versus the Yankees, and now it’s the Patriots against the Giants. They hate us and we don’t really care for them, just as well as the Yankees and the Red Sox. It will be interesting to have the two best teams in the National Football League go head-to-head in a heavyweight battle. So we’ll see what happens. Hopefully we can end up on top.

The media kept asking why the Giants why they wore black, and the Giants kept saying that they are on a business trip.  However, a rumor surfaced that the Giants wore all black because they are going to the Patriots funeral.  Here is Harrison’s response to that “We’re too young. We’re not ready to die. We’ll see what happens on Sunday.”

Media Daze - Jeff Miller compiled a bunch of articles from various media outlets regarding Super Bowl XLII.

THE LONG WAIT - A Giants fan named Blue-Blooded reflected on the 2007 season even though it has not ended yet.

Transcript: CB Sam Madison - Sam Madison answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: T David Diehl - David Diehl answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: GM Jerry Reese - Jerry Reese answers questions about his role, as a first year GM, with the Giants and Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo - Steve Spagnuolo answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII and a whole bunch of other topics like becoming a Head Coach and working for the Eagles.

Transcript: LB Kawika Mitchell - Kawika Mitchell answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: G Chris Snee - Chris Snee answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.  The first question was about Tom Coughlin being his head coach and his father-in-law, and this was Snee’s response “When it’s football time he’s the coach. When it’s off the field, then he’s a normal guy. When he’s off the field he’s a family man. He can be fun to be around. It’s not the impression that he’s no fun at all. He’s a normal guy. He’s fun to be around.”

Transcript: Patriots S Rodney Harrison - Rodney Harrison answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.  A few questions were asked about what Bill Belichick is like when he is not coaching, and Harrison’s response was “I don’t know. Every time I see him, whether it is 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning or 10:00 at night, he’s always in the office. But that is a part of what makes him so great as a coach. There are certain sacrifices you have to make in order to get to that next level and he’s doing it. That is why he’s such a success. I’ve never even seen him sit down in the cafeteria and have a decent meal. I just see him grab some chips and poke them in his mouth and keep moving. He is a different [type of] man.”.  I love it…a different type of man.

Transcript: Patriots WR Wes Welker - Wes Welker answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.  Near the end of the interview, this was Welker’s response to the difference between Miami and New England “Weather. Women. Wins.”

Transcript: QB Eli Manning - Eli Manning answers questions regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Newsday:

Giants ‘D’ anxious for another crack at Patriots - I want to see the Pats get ‘Jacked Up’.

Joe Buck won’t pre-plan for possible historic call

Al Groh rooting for Patriots

Giants’ run to Super Bowl surprised bloggers, too - Hell yeah we’re surprised.  That’s been something I’ve been wanting to write about for a while, but I was waiting for the season to end first.  This was the first year for Die Hard Giants Fan, and it has been a great first year.

Plaxico’s prediction doesn’t upset Giant teammates

Coughlin shocks by having fun on Media Day - Wow…I can’t believe it!

Burress’ victory prediction out of line - We all know Plaxico Burress’ prediction.  It was on the back page of the newspapers.  This is Tom Coughlin’s response to Burress “”It’s not the way we’ve handled ourselves this season, if there’s anything I feel I have to have a discussion with Plaxico about, that will be between him and I.”

Patriots linebackers aged to perfection

Even Patriots weren’t sure about Moss at first - I can understand who the Pats were uncertain about Randy Moss.  Do you remember when he said “I’ll play when I want to play.”

Like fathers, like sons for Giants owners - Shaun Powell discusses the partnership between John Mara and Steve Tisch.

Spagnuolo focuses on Pats, not ‘Skins’ job

Blog bite: Eager Eli?

Giants fan won’t wear his heart on sleeve

New York Daily News:

Tom Coughlin, John Mara bristle over Plaxico Burress’ guarantee - The Giants organization needs to open up a can of whoop ass on Plaxico Burress.

Tom Coughlin not afraid to show displeasure with Plaxico Burress

Patriots’ media strategy says a lot

Randy Moss hopes to make impact for Patriots in first Super Bowl

There’s a softer side of Tom Coughlin

Michael Strahan sings at media day - I heard it live.  He always has jokes.

Boston plans parade as Giants gain bulletin board material - These plans were made by the Mayor not the Patriots.

Patriots will throw Eli Manning new look

Patriots downplay Plaxico Burress’ remarks about Giant win - Just wait until they make him a non-factor on Sunday.

Dear Diary: How’s this thing work?

Ohm’s Super Bowl Blog: Day 2

Mayor Bloomberg has put a lot at steak on the Super Bowl

Nuns at Phoenix monastery renting rooms to Super Bowl fans - Everybody has to put food on the table.

Steve Spagnuolo says Washington Redskins can wait

Super Bowl showmen bleed Big Blue

Super Bowl stories, then & now - Gina Salamone considers then to be 1991 when the Giants won there last Super Bowl.

The Tom Brady man crush

What you can buy for the price of a trip to the Super Bowl

New York Post:

BITE ADDED TO PLAX BUILDUP

LOOPY SUPE WHOOP

MATCHUP OF THE DAY - Steve Serby decifers the matchup between Antonio Pierce and Tom Brady.

KRAFT: SPYGATE BROUGHT COACH, OWNER CLOSER

GAL LOOKS AFTER GIANT APPETITES

PATS’ REACTION TO BURRESS: TALK IS CHEAP

WIDEOUTS CREATE MATCHUP WORRIES

PASS THE GRAVY IN PATS’ ATTACK

THIS QB IS LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

JACOBS, BRADSHAW: DESERT STORM - Steve Serby thinks that the 2-Headed Monster will be a big factor in Super Bowl XLII.

MOSS TAPS INTO THE UPSIDE OF ANGER

REESE OF MIND

The New York Times:

Where Everyone, and Anything, Goes

Coach Follows Dream to Football’s Summit

Some Quirky Drills for Gritty Players

Patriots’ Backup Quarterback Happy Playing Himself

Shockey’s Loss Is Not the Giants’ Gain

The Star-Ledger:

Wednesday injury report

Brady blasts Plax prediction

Giants video fever: Catch it

Coughlin, Mara: Enough NY Giants guarantees

NY Giants’ Michael Strahan is ringleader at pre-Super Bowl circus

Doug Williams is still scoring points

Antonio Pierce provides NY Giants’ swagger

NY Giants’ Steve Spagnuolo delaying thoughts of promotion

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We are an hour from game time and I’m PUMPED UP about today’s game.  It’s been 7 long years and it’s all about to change today.  I’m hoping that we are giving the Game Ball to Brandon Jacobs later because that means he did what he’s supposed to do.  Or, maybe Eli Manning will impress us by leading the team to a victory rather than being a non-factor in a Giants victory.  There are a couple of bad things.  We know about Jeff Garcia, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, and the Tampa defense, but we’ll also have to sit through a horrible broadcast.  Originally they announced it as Joe Buck and Moose Johnston, but right now they announced it as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman which is the worst tandem that the NFL can bring us.  If it is Joe Buck and Moose Johnston then that is the second worst tandem that the NFL can bring us.  You may be better off listening to the game on WFAN. 

 Key Matchup - John Schmeelk covers the key matchup for the Wild Card game against the Bucs.

Newsday:

GIANTS GIGANTIC NUMBERS - Newsday pointed out the stats for both starting QBs today.

THE LAST WORD: Not weathering well in the Sunshine State

Undrafted NFL players prove value in postseason

Giants, Coughlin on same page for playoffs

Jury still out on Giants quarterback Eli Manning - Shaun Powell states the obvious.

Jerry Reese has made right moves as Giants’ GM - Bob Glauber goes over each of Jerry Reese’s draft picks from last offseason.

Giants’ Coughlin has worked on dealing with media

New York Daily News:

If this is his swan song, Giants want Michael Strahan to get ring - I would rather see the Jints win without Michael Strahan.

Win or lose against Tampa Bay, Tom Coughlin a lock to return to Giants - I believe that Coach Coughlin will get at least a year win or lose.  However, I believe that he’ll be able to negotiate a real contract for big bucks and a longer period if he gets out of the first round of the Playoffs.

No-name Buccaneers’ defense is rebuilt and ready for playoff run - About half of them are new, a few of the old Bucs are still around, and they also brought in defenders from other teams that are known like Cato June.

Brandon Jacobs a weighty proposition for Tampa Bay defense - Yep…all 264 pounds of him.

Playbook: Giants at Bucs

New York Post:

GIANTS: BUC STOPS HERE

THIS ONE’S ON YOU ELI - Steve Serby provides Eli with a pregame pep talk.

TRENCH WAR FAVORS JINTS - I agree with Paul Schwartz about that.

HE’S BAAAACK! - Yes, Bart Hubbuch is talking about Jeff Garcia.

JINTS DC HAS EYE ON JEFF

TWO TEAMS TAKE DIFFERENT PATHS ON REST ISSUE

SEVEN-YEAR ITCH - I’ve been feeling it the whole time.  Win already!

SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH… Giants Right Guard Chris Snee.

PLAYS OF THE DAY

JINTS WILL PAINT PIRATE SHIP BLUE

The Star-Ledger:

Plax’s healing process

Spagnuolo’s saving grace: Love of family

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I am quite surprised that only one Giant was elected to the Pro Bowl. I think a case could definitely be made for Burress, Snee, and Strahan. Congrats to Osi for making the team, he should have been a starter not a reserve. Maybe I’m just biased, but appears to me Kerney, Kampman and Osi all have similar stats, with Kerney and Osi leading the way.
The biggest snub in my humble opinion is Fred Taylor being left off of the AFC roster, this guy has been a beast this year when it mattered most to Jacksonville. He carried the team when Garrard was hurt and did this all while splitting time with Jones-Drew. I don’t know how he’s done it but he’s found the fountain of youth.
For a complete listing of the full rosters for both the AFC & NFC go to NFL.com

This weeks Power Rankings from ESPN.com rightfully show our G-Men plummeting from 9th to 12th. Maybe it was the winds fault, but I didn’t see the Redskins dropping 12 passes. 12 freaking passes! My god. And, I did not see journeyman Todd Collins throwing as many ducks as Manning, he had crisp, tight spirals and threw downfield effectively. I predict tough times ahead for our beloved Giants, especially with the loss of Shockey for the year…Kevin Boss anyone?

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