Die Hard Giants Fan

Well, all of the NBA and NHL teams in the NY Metro area have been eliminated from bringing any Championships to New York.  There weren’t any local NBA teams in the Playoffs.  The Rangers took care of the Devils in 5 in the first round, but got eliminated by the Penguins in 5 in the second round.  So the New York Football Giants will remain being the Kings of New York until October at a minimum when the World Series takes place.

Giants.com:

Roster Moves - Michael Eisen reported that the Giants announced that they have signed four rookie free agents yesterday:

• University of Alabama Wide Receiver D.J. Hall
• University of Alabama Defensive End Wallace Gilberry
• Tennessee Defensive End Antonio Reynolds
• Michigan State Safety Nehemiah Warrick

Newsday:

Giants now paying Diehl like premier left tackle - Tom Rock expresses his thoughts on the David Diehl contract extention.

New York Daily News:

David Diehl’s contract gets Giant boost

New York Post:

JINTS GIVE NEW DEAL TO DIEHL

PIERCE: STRAHAN WILL RETIRE - Justin Terranova lets us know what Antonio Pierce thinks about Michael Strahan’s retirement.

The Star-Ledger:

Another QB headed to Giants - Mike Garafolo reported that Valdosta State Quarter Back Willie Copeland is scheduled to attend the Giants mini-camp this weekend.

Diehl gets a six-year deal

Giants announce four more rookie signings

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The NY Giants hooked up David Diehl with a new 6-year contract extention worth about $31 million.  Diehl played left tackle last season without making left tackle money.  Add winning the Super Bowl to your resume, and I guess you can get a $31 million contract.  Expect Diehl to be the starting left tackle for a few years because he’s getting paid to do so.

Giants.com:

Jay Fund Event Recap - Michael Eisen tells us how successful the Jay Fund Event was this weekend.

Breakfast Matters - John Schmeelk pointed out that Brandon Jacobs paid a visit to George Washington High School in Manhattan.  The purpose of Jacobs’ visit was to encourage children to eat three meals per day.

New York Times:

Coughlin’s Playful Side Has Deep Roots in Florida - John Branch also covered Tom Coughlin’s charity event this weekend.

The Star-Ledger:

Differing opinions on Strahan - Mike Garafolo lets us know how some Giants think that Michael Strahan will be back, and others think he will retire.  Garafolo also provided this video where Strahan tells us nothing new.

Giants reward Diehl with extension - Mike Garafolo reported that the Giants gave David Diehl a six-year, $31-million contract extension.  Diehl is a stud.  He bounced around the O-Line as requested by the team.  He ended up playing left tackle last season when the Giants cut Petigout.  Most of us never expected Diehl to be able to fill that void, but he did and deserves his extention.

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The New York Football Giants waived DT Manny Wright yesterday.  Wright only played one season wearing blue.  The team didn’t provide a reason for Manny’s release.  We all know that Wright has been struggling with weight issues since being drafted in 2005.  It seems like he’s lazy when it comes to staying in shape.  Manny was determined to trim down and made the final roster in 2007.  He played in six Regular Season games and was listed as inactive during the Playoffs.  He must’ve gone back to his old ways again if he was cut.

Giants.com:

The Next Chapter - Michael Eisen found out that Eli Manning is preparing harder then ever for the 2008 season.

Ready for more - Michael Eisen says that Amani Toomer is looking forward to the 2008 season.  At the very bottom of the article, Eisen reported that the Jints waived Manny Wright yesterday.

New York Post:

GIANTS CUT D-TACKLE - Paul Schwartz also covered how Big Blue cut Wright.

The Star-Ledger:

Draft visits and other tidbits - Mike Garafolo stated that the Giants will be bringing in a lot more draft hopefuls to work out next week.  Here’s some of the players coming in, according to Garafolo, “Among the other players who will be coming in, according to various sources and reports, are: Auburn DE Quentin Groves, Michigan WR Mario Manningham, Arkansas State S Tyrell Johnson, Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams and Utah DT Gabe Long. There will be plenty more names that will leak out next week. (Of course, don’t forget this one disclaimer: The Giants brought in a bunch of first-round hopefuls last year; none of them was CB Aaron Ross, whom they eventually drafted.)”  Mike also noted that:

• Brandon Jacobs and the Giants are not even close on preliminary contract terms.
• David Diehl was moved from right tackle to left tackle, and is looking for some cheddar.
• Corey Webster is going into the final year of his contract so he will be looking for an extension.
• Regarding today’s workouts, Big Blue also brought in some veterans.

Eli still wants Shockey around - Mike Garafolo got Eli’s thoughts on whether or not he wants Jeremy Shockey around in ‘08.

Giants waive DT Wright

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Since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLII, New York City held a Ticker Tape for them up the Canyon of Heroes at 11:00 a.m. on February 5, 2008.  It officially began at 11:10 a.m.

The Giants began walking through the Canyon of Heroes with the George Halas Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy.  Various floats full of Giants went through the Canyon of Heroes as 50 tons of confetti came falling down from the sky.  Giants players had their video cameras and were filming it.  The Giants donned their Super Bowl Champion hooded sweatshirts.  Mayor Bloomberg jumped up onto a float with Eli Manning and Michael Strahan who were holding the Lombardi Trophy.  Marching bands came up Broadway.  Governor Spitzer and Senator Schumer came up Broadway in a car.  John Tisch was on a Gray Line bus.  The Giants fans were screaming and chanting the whole time.  One of the chants was “18-1″.  A float came up Broadway with Steve Spagnuolo and Kevin Gilbride.  David Diehl came off the float and said “it was an unbelievable experience”.  Kareem McKenzie also came off the float and said that Giants fans are the “greatest fans in the world, they cheer for you”.  Other chants were “Defense, Defense, Defense” as floats came out with defensive players.  Justin Tuck said “This is crazy, I never heard of anything like this, the fans scream your name, and it’s amazing.  It’s amazing, I’m lost for words, I’ve been doing this for miles, and this is ridiculous”.  Antonio Pierce said “It’s amazing, we need to do this Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, every day of the year.  We didn’t do the impossible.  It’s beautiful that everybody came out so early in the morning.  Don’t stop celebrating.  Tell your boss we’re going to party all week.”  Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins got off the float and hi-fived the fans.  Barry Cofield said “it’s unbelievable.  I never expected anything close to this”.  The fans started chanting “Boston Sucks”.  Antonio Pierce said “It’s the best thing in the world.  All these people came to support us.  This is for the fans of New York.”  Plaxico Burress got up on a float with Gibril Wilson.  Gibril Wilson said ‘It’s crazy right now.  It’s great to see all these people out here”.  R.W. McQuarters said “It gets no better than this.  This is the best thing I’ve ever seen.”  Jeff Feagles and Lawrence Tynes came out on the next float.  Lawrence Tynes said “It is beyond his expectations.  It’s unbelievable.  I was a piece of the puzzle, and it feels good to contribute.”  John Tisch said “I’m a life long New Yorker.  One of the greatest things is seeing New York embrace this team.  And the fans all came here to say thank you.  This is a team of the people.  It’s fabulous, just fabulous.”  Harry Carson by phone said “I really agreed with John Mara.  It was the most historical franchise win for the Giants.  They came through.  They did New York and New Jersey fans well.  I’m watching the parade.  I’m currently in Hawaii.  I’m really impressed with who’s there.  It’s so appropriate that they have a ticker tape parade in New York.”

The City Hall Ceremony began around 1:00 p.m.  Whoopi Goldberg came out first because Mayor Bloomberg invited her there.  She gave an introduction.  The radio voice of the New York Giants, Bob Papa, came up next.  He gave a short speech, and introduced Mayor Bloomberg and other NYC officials and Meadowlands officials, Senator Schumer, Elliot Spitzer, Shelly Silver.  Then he introduced the World Champion New York Football Giants.  Speakers included Bob Papa, Governor Spitzer, Senator Schumer, Coach Coughlin, Speaker Silver, John Mara, Steve Tisch, Michael Strahan, and Eli Manning.

Every Giant received a key to the city.  New York City did a wonderful job with the Victory Parade and the City Hall Ceremony.  Hundreds of thousands of Giants fans were going crazy.  It was great to see all of that.

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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. 

Giants.com:

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.

Giants.com:

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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As each day passes, I’m trying to figure out all of the advantages that the Giants have on Sunday.  There are some, but there needs to be more.  The number one thing they got right now is their ‘MOJO’.  We need to hope it carries through to the Superbowl.  Say that the Giants are Austin Powers and the Cowboys are Dr. Evil.  We need to hope that Dr. Evil does not take away Austin Powers’ mojo.  Think about it this way.  Do you remember the goal line stand against the Redskins in Week 3?  Sure you do.  Betts was stopped and the Giants got their mojo during that game.  Big Blue went on to win 6 straight before the bye week.  After the bye week, the Cowboys came into the Meadowlands and beat the Giants.  Since then, the Giants lost their mojo.  The Giants won some, lost some since then, but they never won in the same fashion as they did on that 6-game win streak.  Now, the Giants have recaptured their mojo.  So how far will it take them?  I hope Dallas doesn’t take it away again.  They are an offensive machine, but they are not playing like they did in Week 9 either.  The Giants are on a one-game winning streak now, and they only need to win 2 more to make it to the Superbowl.

Giants.com:

All eyes on defense

Transcript: C Shaun O’ Hara

Transcript: DE Michael Strahan - In Michael Eisen’s interview with Michael Strahan, Eisen asks:

How do you expect Dallas’ offense to change if T.O. can’t play?

He is going to play.  I mean come on.  I have a bridge in Brooklyn, do you want to buy that sucker if you believe he is not going to play?  He is going to play.  The guy came out there three days after breaking a leg and played in the Super Bowl.  He sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber like Michael Jackson, he does all that stuff he needs to do, the guy is going to play in the game, and that is what we are going to prepare for and practice for.  He is not the type of player that if he plays he limits himself so if he is in there expect him to do everything that he always does.

Strahan is always good for a joke.  He brought up Michael Jackson.

Transcript: DE Osi Umenyiora

Transcript: T David Diehl

Transcript: Coach Tom Coughlin - Check out the last question of Michael Eisen’s Q&A Session with Tom Coughlin:

Q:  Have you talked to Parcells regarding getting inside info on Cowboys.

A:  No, I wouldn’t do that.  Bill wouldn’t do that, either.

Transcript: LB Antonio Pierce

Cowboys Scouting Report

Newsday:

Gimpy Burress key to Giants victory

Improved Giants defense itching to get at ‘Boys - I love this title, and I hope it’s backed up on the field on Sunday.

Romo says his focus is on Giants, not Jessica - What else would Romo tell the media?  Wouldn’t it be funny if he said he was focusing on Jessica, not Giants?

Off field, Giants are no match for flashy Cowboys - Who cares?

New York Daily News:

Terrell Owens back at practice

Giants: Terrell Owens will play - I don’t know why everybody keeps writing this story.  Everybody knows that T.O. will play.  It seems like everybody wants to take credit for pointing out the obvious.

Tony Romo: Weekend with Jessica Simpson got me away from distractions

Giants need to focus on Tony Romo, and forget about Jessica Simpson - I don’t understand why the Giants would focus on Jessica Simpson.  This article doesn’t make any sense.

Kevin Boss hopes to fill injured Jeremy Shockey’s shoes - Kevin Boss needs to fill Shockey’s shoes.  Shockey had a great game last time because he overmatched Roy Williams.  As long as Tom Coughlin sees that Boss has good hands in practice, they are going to go to Boss a lot.  They want to take advantage of Williams because he’s far from the best defender on Dallas.

Wade Phillips confident in Cowboys - The Coach should always have confidence in his team.

New York Post:

GIANTS DRAW LINE IN SAND

COUGHLIN: TERRELL WILL PLAY

BIG BLUE: WE HAVE RIGHT MANN FOR JOB

TERSE TONY

New York Times:

Now That Romo Has Rested, Critics Ask if He’s Ready

Cowboys Won’t Say If Owens Will Play

Giants Using Power to Start, and Finesse to Finish - A great article by Bill Pennington.  The article is about the big man Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.

The Star-Ledger:

Spags must mix it up

Mara withdraws his name from ATL GM search

Injury report (No Boss)

Boss lands in the middle of things for Giants

Romo’s approach not always to the letter

There’s a Jessica for hire; Giants should ante up

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This is by far the most news I’ve ever seen in one day.  Yes, the Patriots went 16-0 by beating the Giants last night.  It was aired on every channel.   The newspapers published a billion articles about it.  I enjoyed the game, but we’re down 3 men.  As soon as the Giants release a statement on their health, I’ll let you know.  Hopefully, it will have no impact on the Playoffs.  Center Shaun O’Hara is a critical loss.  The mis-snap by his replacement to Manning last night wasted a first a first down at a critical moment for Big Blue.  If O’Hara is out or not 100% next week then that’s advantage Bucs.  Sam Madison could be out next week, and we all know we need him back there.  Kawika Mitchell is another guy who has been playing well lately.  As far as the freshness factor, Gruden rested his starters two weeks in a row.  I believe that is too much.  So the momentum gained by the Giants without rest might wash out the fact that the Bucs are going to play with 2 weeks off.  1 week off is perfect, in my opinion.  Definitely stay with us as we get ready to go for a Superbowl run.

Giants.com:

Postgame Notes - Michael Eisen provides a bunch of interesting facts.  Here’s a few that I found interesting:

• “The Giants’ 35 points were the most allowed this season by the Patriots, who finished the season as the first 16-0 team in NFL history.”
• “Manning completed 22 of 32 passes for 251 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 118.6. It was his highest rating of the season; his previous high was 113.1 at Dallas.”
• “Manning finished the season with 3,336 passing yards, the second-highest total of his career, and 23 touchdown passes, one less than he threw in each of the previous two seasons. He is the second Giants quarterback in history with three consecutive seasons with more than 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes. Phil Simms did in from 1984-86.”
• “Brandon Jacobs rushed for 67 yards on 15 carries and finished the season with 1,009 yards – despite missing five games and most of a sixth. This is the sixth season in a row the Giants have had a 1,000-yard rusher. Tiki Barber did it each of the previous five seasons. Jacobs is the first Giants back other than Barber to rush for more than 1,000 yards since Gary Brown in 1998 (1,063).”

Transcript: Patriots QB Tom Brady - In Michael Eisen’s Q&A Session with Tom Brady, Eisen asked Tom how it felt to be part of a historic undefeated season and to break Peyton Manning’s record.

Transcript: Patriots WR Randy Moss - In Michael Eisen’s Q&A Session with Randy Moss, Eisen asked Randy how it felt to be part of a historic undefeated season and to break Jerry Rice’s record.

Transcript: QB Eli Manning - In Michael Eisen’s Q&A Session with Eli Manning, Eisen asked Eli what Peyton said to him when he called before the game.  Peyton told Eli that the Pats defense is beatable.

Transcript: WR Plaxico Burress

Transcript: Various Patriots Players

Newsday:

Atmosphere was just perfect

Giants O’Hara, Diehl, Madison injured - The Jints put up a great fight last night, but Shaun O’Hara, David Diehl, and Sam Madison left the game with injuries.  Hopefully this doesn’t come back and bite us in the buttocks.  O’Hara sprained his left knee, and he is schedules to have an MRI today.  The Giants haven’t released a statement on his status yet.  Kawika Mitchell also sprained his knee in the game and left the game.  Sam Madison left the game due to an abdominal strain.

Brady, Moss connect twice to set records

Perfection isn’t ever easy

BOB GLAUBER’S HOT READS

Fan remembers undefeated Dolphins didn’t get hype

Ex-Giants GM Accorsi to consult for Falcons - First the Falcons want Parcells, and now Ernie.  The Giants staff is in demand!

New York Daily News:

Patriots rally past Giants to finish 16-0

Bill Belichick’s Swamp sequel film has happy ending

Magical Giant night ends with loss

A look back at Pats’ 16-0 season

Tom Brady, Randy Moss earn hardware

Eli Manning impressive against Pats

Giants fans stay devoted in defeat

Three Giants starters hurt in loss

Tom Coughlin: This was perfect preparation for playoffs - Seriously, if the G-MEN were able to play like they did last night then they have a chance to win the Superbowl.  The problem with the Giants has been ‘inconsistency’.

New York Post:

SWEET 16 FOR PERFECT PATS

TRIO GOES DOWN WITH INJURIES

GIVE TOM CREDIT - HE WENT FOR IT

2ND TIME’S CHARM FOR LANDMARK TD

HISTORIC UPSET ELUDES BIG BLUE

SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH… Ahmad Bradshaw.

New York Times:

Record-Setting Night, Perfect Finish for Patriots

Giants Give It Their All, But Lose Players Along Way

Patriots’ Defense Takes Manning’s Mistake and Capitalizes

The Star-Ledger:

Pats rally past Giants to finish season 16-0

Some fans’ standards way too low

Fill-ins answer call for Giants

Small Welker big key for Pats

Injuries might prove costly next week

Record-breaking TD for Moss, Brady

Escalator accident injures five fans

Coughlin had guts to play game this way

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The Philadelphia Eagles effective blitz schemes can play a major impact in Sunday’s match-up against the Eagles.  Philly has been doing this for years.  However, during the first two games of this season their defense didn’t resemble the pass rushing defense that they’re known for.  But Week 3 against the Lion was much different…not only did they put up 56 points on offense, their defense racked up 9 sacks (which is the second highest in Eagles franchise history).  DE Trent Cole amassed 3 1/2 sacks during that game.  The Birds lead the NFL in sacks with 14, and Cole leads the NFL with 5.

Eli seems to struggle when getting hurried and pressured.  He tends to rush as the game speeds up, and throw those INTs in critical moments.  But the big battle isn’t with Eli, it’s with the O Line.  The offensive line needs to stop the blitz and allow Manning with enough time to make his passes.  David Diehl will be facing Cole head-to-head so it’s his responsibility to make Cole ineffective this week. (New York Post)

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After today’s cuts, Michael Eisen provided a list of his predictions, and here it is:

Offense: 26

Quarterback (3): Eli Manning, Jared Lorenzen, Anthony Wright.

Running Back (4): Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns, Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw.

Fullback (1): Robert Douglas.

Tight End (3): Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews.

Wide Receivers (6): Amani Toomer, Plaxico Burress, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, David Tyree, Anthony Mix.

Linemen (9): David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, Zach Piller, Grey Ruegamer, Guy Whimper, Adam Koets.

Defense: 24

Ends (3): Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Adrian Awasom.

Tackles (5): Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, William Joseph, Manny Wright, Jay Alford.

Linebackers (7): Antonio Pierce, Kawika Mitchell, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chase Blackburn, Reggie Torbor, Zak DeOssie, Gerris Wilkinson.

Cornerbacks (5): Sam Madison, R.W. McQuarters, Corey Webster, Kevin Dockery, Aaron Ross.

Safeties (4): Gibril Wilson, James Butler, Michael Johnson, Craig Dahl.

Specialists: 2

Punter (1): Jeff Feagles.

Kicker (1): Lawrence Tynes.

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