Die Hard Giants Fan

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.

Giants.com:

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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Not too much came out of the swamps of dirty Jersey today.  The Giants had a death in the family, and a little bit of charity work by Eli is all. 

Giants.com:

James P. Gleason passes - Giants.com reported that James P. Gleason, who ran the Giants’ ticket office for 17 years, died on Thursday at the age of 86.  Giants.com included a short bio about Gleason.  Die Hard Giants Fan would like to send out regards to the Gleason family and the Giants organization for the loss.

Exercising with Eli - John Schmeelk wrote this about Eli Manning who welcomed a group of kids to Giants Stadium on Thursday as part of the NFL’s Play 60 Program:

Eli Manning helped raise $25, 000 on Thursday by welcoming 12 kids to a football clinic here at Giants stadium. The clinic was auctioned off in an effort to raise money for St. Vincent’s Hospital. The winner of the auction donated the prize back to the hospital, which was then able to select the children who participated in the event. Eli has a long standing relationship with St. Vincent’s that he’s very proud of.

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On Tuesday, TMZ ”has learned that the romance between Jessica Simpson and hotshot QB Tony Romo is as dead as the Cowboys’ 2007 playoff run.”  I was under the impression that they ended their relationship as soon as the Cowboys lost to the Road Warriors in the Playoffs.  I guess they rekindled their relationship.  Oh well.  Since Tony Romo is 0-2 in the Playoffs, we’ll have to see how Romo screws up in the 2009 Playoffs.

Giants.com:

Giants and WNBC-TV Partnership - Giants.com announced that the New York Giants and WNBC-TV today announced that they have entered into a multi-year agreement for the network to broadcast Giants preseason games.  NBC will televise two 2008 Preseason games.  The voice of the New York Giants, Bob Papa, will handle the play-by-play duties along with Carl Banks and Howard Cross.  That sounds good to me.  How come we can’t get our guys during the Regular Season and the Postseason?

Good Situation - Michael Eisen pointed out that Andre’ Woodson will get a chance to learn behind Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.

Mailbag - Michael Eisen answers questions posed by Giants fans.

New York Daily News:

Michael Strahan has a plan about future but keeps it quiet

New York Post:

STRAHAN  NOT SAYIN’ IF HE’LL DO IT AGAIN

The Star-Ledger:

Veteran DE Wynn visits - Mike Garafolo reported that DE Renaldo Wynn visited the NY Giants.  According to Wynn’s agent Peter Schaffer, Schaffer says that, “He had a good visit and there’s interest on both ends. We’ll continue to talk and see what develops.”  Wynn has been around for a decade, and he’s played for the Jaguars, the Redskins, and the Saints.  If you would like to check out Renaldo Wynn’s Player Profile on NFL.com, click here.

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It took a few months for Eli Manning to get to Disneyland.  Usually, the Super Bowl MVP goes there immediately.  However, there was some bad weather between Glendale and Los Angeles after the Super Bowl so the trip was postponed.  Then, Eli toured the national TV circuit.  Then, Eli got married and went on their honeymoon.  Finally, Abby and Eli made it to Disneyland yesterday.

Giants.com:

Eli goes to Disneyland - Fans cheered and confetti flew on Main Street USA yesterday as Disneyland hosted newlyweds Abby and Eli Manning.  This tradition of Super Bowl MVP’s going to Disneyland is already 22 years-old already when Phil Simms said, “I’m going to Disneyland” after winning Super Bowl XXI.

New York Daily News:

Eli Manning floats in for Disney parade

New York Times:

Four Players Who Came Out of Africa Return to Help - John Branch explained how four NFL players from Nigeria went back there to meet with the President, establish college scholarships, distribute HIV testing kits, dig water wells, establish soccer leagues, make connections, and spread ideas.  Osi Umenyiora was one of the four NFL players who made the trip.  Branch captured the thoughts of Osi and the other three football players in the article if you would like to check it out.

The Star-Ledger:

Phillips takes Tiki’s number - Mike Garafolo believes that Kenny Phillips is wearing No. 21 as a tribute to the late Sean Taylor because he showed up at The U when Taylor went pro.  Phillips wore No. 1 at Miami.

Eli finally makes it to Disneyland

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New York Daily News:

Strahan’s ‘08 plans remain Giant secret - The AP told us why Michael Strahan didn’t visit the White House this week.  Strahan went to the Kentucky Derby, and he attended the Playboy party Friday night.  I don’t see how the two events overlap.

The Star-Ledger:

Sky-high Eli still down to earth - Steve Politi wrote an article about Mark Kelly, a West Orange native and one of five Giants fans on the space shuttle mission scheduled for later this month, will stuff the No. 10 Eli Manning game jersey from the historic Super Bowl XLII victory into his locker onboard shuttle mission STS-124.

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I’m sure all of you Giants fans know that the Cowboys got Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones from the Titans already.  Ed Werner of ESPN.com reported that,

Sources tell Werder that Dallas will send its fourth-round pick (the 126th overall) in Saturday’s draft to the Titans for Jones. There are also conditions attached to the trade related to Jones being reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and how much he plays for the Cowboys. If he plays a significant amount of time in 2008, the Titans will get an additional pick from the Cowboys in 2009. If he doesn’t get reinstated by the NFL, sources said the Cowboys get the Titans’ fourth-round pick in 2009.

The big issue here is whether or not Commissioner Roger Goodell will reinstate Pacman.  Prior to Goodell, these players never even got suspended for any wrong doing.  I don’t know what the Commissioner is going to do here because there isn’t a track record yet.  He has two options: 1) Reinstate a player that has been suspended. 2) Don’t reinstate a player that has been suspended.  We know that Goodell will suspend players, but we don’t know what will happen after the suspension is over yet.  My gut tells me that the Commissioner will reinstate Jones, but I believe that this guy should never play football again.  Another rumor surfaced this week.  According to ESPN.com, “Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones paid “extortion” money to a 29-year-old man arrested for a Las Vegas strip club shooting that left a club employee paralyzed, police said.”  We’ll have to see how all of this plays out.  It all sound very Ray Lewis-ish and Kobe Bryant-ish to me, and they all still play.

According to Clare Farnsworth of Seattlepi.com, the Seattle Seahawks have no interest in Shockey.

Newsday:

Giants’ first pick must bled in with champions - Tom Rock dissuses the concept of drafting a player that is going to gel with a Championship team.  That is the pressure that lies on Jerry Reese this weekend.

New York Daily News:

Giants get picky over Jeremy Shockey - Ralph Vacchiano summarized the overall Jeremy Shocky situation.

Prediction: Giants will select Miami’s Kenny Phillips in NFL Draft - Ralph Vacciano predicted that Big Blue will select Miami Safety Kenny Phillips with the 31st pick.  Pat Kirwan of NFL.com had the G-MEN picking Phillips in his Mock Draft that I wrote about on Monday.  If you missed that post and want to check out Phillips’ Draft Player Profile then check it out on ‘Monday’s Giants News: More Mock Drafts’.

New York Post:

TURNING THE CORNER - Paul Schwartz wrote up an article about Corey Webster’s status on the Jints.  Schwarts believes that if the Giants draft a cornerback in the first round then it’s a bad sign for Webster.

New York Times:

Cowboys Get Jones in Trade, Not Knowing if He Can Return - Judy Battista reported that the Cowboys traded for Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones.  Battista did not included the trade details so I will get them from another website.

The Star-Ledger:

A few late-round/undrafted guesses - Mike Garafolo provided a list of players that could be drafted by the Giants in the later rounds.

Eli Manning honeymoon sighting

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I have been waiting for NFL.com to release their pick for the New York Football Giants.  They finally did today.  The funny thing about it was that they asked Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star Ledger, to make the 31st overall pick for the New York Giants in the NFL.com 2008 Mock Draft.  In this video clip, Garafolo believes that the Giants will pick Jerod Mayo.  NFL.com put together a Draft Player Profile on Mayo if you want to check it out.

NFL.com has other Mock Drafts as well.  In Mock Draft, Mike Mayock wrote this analysis about the Giants, “The Super Bowl champions need a legit No. 2 wide receiver opposite Plaxico Burress. Mario Manningham has a big-time skill set, if his work ethic can improve and he stays out of trouble, he can be a home-run hitter for the Giants.”.  Mayock has the Giants taking Michigan Wide Receiver Mario Manningham.  NFL.com put together a Draft Player Profile on Manningham.  In Mock Draft 4.0, Pat Kirwan wrote this analysis about the Giants, “The Giants see a few good players fall to them at the bottom of the draft and have already told me they are very happy to stay right where they are. Phillips is the best safety in the draft and the Giants need one. Their division is loaded with match up tight ends that expose poor cover safeties.”  Kirwan has the Giants selecting Miami Safety Kenny Phillips.  NFL.com put together a Draft Player Profile on Phillips.  In Mock Draft 5.0, Vic Carucci wrote this analysis about the Giants, “The Giants would like to move outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end, his natural position. Mayo would allow them to do so.”  Like the NFL.com pick, Carucci has the Giants selecting Tennessee Line Backer Jerod Mayo also.  The Draft Player Profile on Mayo is above.

Newsday:

Giants unlikely to draft last-minute interviewees - Tom Rock believes that the Giants are not going to draft any of the players that have worked out at Giants Stadium recently.  This is something that Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger has pointed out multiple times as well.  Jerry Reese makes it seem like the Giants are interested in players that they are not going to draft, then they draft somebody else.  An example of this is when the Giants drafted Aaron Ross in last years draft.  Jerry Reese never showed any interest in Ross prior to the draft, and obviously the Giants selected him in the first round.

Eli Manning marries college sweetheart Abby McGrew

New York Daily News:

Brandon Jacobs at MSG with arm injury

Eli calls honeymoon audible - Jo Piazza and Bill Hutchinson pointed out that Abby and Eli Manning had originally planned to stay at the Mexican resort for a few more days, but changed to a secret destination at the last minute.

The Star-Ledger:

Giants have select talent in top scout - Mike Garafolo gathered the thoughts of Marc Ross and Jerry Reese about their roles in the Giants franchise.

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The print media wrote about the NFL Draft today so you know it’s right around the corner.  It’s next weekend in case you forgot.  I’ve been pumped about it for a while now.  Just like the media wants to know if Reese will continue to make great choices, I want to know the same thing.  I’m sure all of us Giants fans want to know the same thing.  I’m not to concerned about that though because I trust the Giants organization to do the right thing.

Newsday:

After high-impact drafts, Giants can cruise - Tom Rock believes that the Giants don’t have many glaring needs to fill in the NFL Draft next week so the Giants don’t have much pressure on them to have to get it right.  Also, Rock reminded us that Jerry Reese is only the GM this year meaning that he’s no longer the director of player personnel.  Last year, he wore both hats because he was the director of player personnel for the previous five years.  This year, Marc Ross is the director of college scouting so it is imperative that the Reese and Ross tandem get off to a great start.

New York Daily News:

Giants eye more Jerry Reese picking - Ralph Vacciano reminds us of how well of a Draft Jerry Reese had last year, and he’s anxious to see if he has similar success this year.

Jeremy Shockey trade waves - Gary Myers thinks it would be crazy for the Giants to trade Jeremy Shockey.  The problem is that if he’s not happy, he’s not going to produce.  He’s going to whine.  In one of the articles I wrote about yesterday, he threatened to sit on the bench if his role was not changed.  So if you are the Giants, do you keep him if he is going to sit on the bench?  Do you keep him if he plays but his desire is to sit on the bench?  Or do you trade him for market value and bring in somebody else that wants to be on the team?

Giants’ Eli Manning married in Mexico - Jo Piazza covered Abby and Eli Manning’s wedding down in San Jose de Cabo, Mexico.  They have a photo of the couple, and if you click on it then there is an entire photo gallery.

New York Post:

GIANTS ON THE CLOCK - Paul Schwartz also wrote that Jerry Reese wants to repeat last year’s Draft success.

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 As you will read below, Eli is getting married this weekend.  Go Eli!

I miss football so much right now.  What do you guys think of a 52-Week season?  Hah, wouldn’t that be something?  At least winning the Super Bowl added another month to the long offseason.

New York Daily News:

Eli Manning to wed girlfriend in Mexico - Jo Piazza and Dave Goldiner pointed out that Eli Manning is going to marry his college sweetheart, Abby McGrew, this weekend.  Eli met Abby while they were students at the University of Mississippi, and he proposed to her last March.  The couple wants the wedding to be very low-key, you know Eli.  Guess where the wedding is?  The wedding is on Saturday at the One&Only Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Do you think Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson, and Jason Whitten will be down there?  Alright, that was a low blow because were talking about Abby and Eli’s special day.  Die Hard Giants Fan would like to wish Abby and Eli and wonderful and long lasting marriage.  And maybe, just maybe, they will have some sons with the “Manning Quarterback” pedigree so we will continue to see more Manning’s playing QB in the NFL.

New York Post:

JINT GUEST LIST A SMOKESCREEN - Paul Schwartz lets us know about the workouts this week at Giants Stadium.  This article was more of an overview and not as in depth as the articles written by Mike Garafolo at The Star-Ledger.

The Star-Ledger:

Reese won’t say yes or no on Shockey

Preseason sked change - Mike Garafolo found out that the NFL reported two Preseason schedule changes.  The Giants were affected by one of the changes.  “Instead of traveling to Carolina on Saturday, Aug. 9 to play the Panthers, the Giants will instead open their preseason in Detroit against the Lions on Thursday, Aug. 7.”

Eli Manning plans to get married this weekend, report says

Hayes, Grant visit - Mike Garafolo pointed out that two more draft hopefuls will be working out with the Giants: Winston-Salem State DE/LB William Hayes and Ohio State LB Larry Grant.

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The Giants news is below.  The 2008 Regular Season schedule has been released, but I didn’t look at it yet.  I’m going to provide it to you and break it down for you shortly in the next post.  I want to be able to draw my own conclusions about it.  I just wanted to get the news out first.

Also, the Cowboys reportedly made a better offer to the Titans for Adam “Pacman” Jones last night.

Giants.com:

2008 Schedule Released! 

Newsday:

Eli: We want Shockey - Tom Rock pointed out that Eli Manning said he wants Jeremy Shockey again.

New York Daily News:

Michael Strahan won’t commit to return - Ralph Vacciano wrote, “Michael Strahan had his annual meeting with the Giants general manager last week, but he told Jerry Reese that he’s not yet ready to make any decisions about his future.

New York Post:

STRAHAN QUESTION HOVERS OVER GIANTS

ELI: JINTS FOCUS ON GETTING BETTER - Brett Cyrgalis parroted what the New York Post wrote about on Saturday.

The Star-Ledger:

Breaking down the schedule

Official schedule released

Two more games for you

Piecing together the schedule

Report: Strahan, Reese meet

A few more predraft visits - Mike Garafolo reported that the following players will also be working out this week with the Giants: Miami LB Tavares Gooden, Wisconsin WR Paul Hubbard, Duquesne WR Bruce Hocker, Eastern Kentucky CB Antwaun Molden, UNC DE Hilee Taylor, Georgia QB Willie Copeland.

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