Die Hard Giants Fan

Ralph Vacchiano of The Blue Screen is keeping us up-to-date with all of the Giants’ post-Super Bowl books…

• Giant: The Road to the Super Bowl by Plaxico Burress (with Jason Cole) - It is available in stores now. Also, Burress will be at Book Revue in Huntington, NY for a book signing on Wednesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. if you live nearby and want to stop by.
• Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback - It won’t be available for another few weeks, but you can pre-order it.
• More Than Just The Catch by David Tyree (with Kim Daniels) - Due out this fall.
• A Team to Believe In: Our Journey to the Super Bowl Championship by Tom Coughlin (with Brian Curtis) - Due out this fall.
• Inside the Helmet: Hard Knocks, Pulling Together and Triumph as a Sunday Afternoon Warrior by Michael Strahan (with Jay Glazer) - Was released in 2007 and is being re-released with new sub titles and additional chapters.
• The GM: A Football Life, a Final Season, and a Last Laugh by Tom Callahan (written with Ernie Accorsi’s help) - Was released in 2007 and is being re-released with new sub titles and additional chapters.

That’s quite a list. Hopefully all of the writing has no effect on my boys when the season comes around. Definitely check out some of those books, and feel free to let us know how they are.

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The Pro Bowl will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET.  It will be held at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.  It is the last NFL game until September so enjoy it.  It is tough to enjoy because it is meaning less.  The offseason is long and boring.  It is tough to watch the NBA and the NHL during the regular season because half of the league makes the Playoffs so they have no reason to try until the Playoffs.  March Madness is usually great.  Then there’s almost an entire baseball season before the NFL starts up again.  I wish the NFL went year round.  They could because they only play once a week anyway.

Newsday:

With issues regarding the QB, coach and defense, what seemed to be a disaster somehow became a . . . - Arthur Staple explains how the G-MEN overcame all of their flaws.

BLUE HEAVEN: NOW HE’S RELIABLE - Bob Glauber says this about Eli Manning.

Eli’s spurning of Chargers began Giants’ roll - Shaun Powell goes back to Draft Day in 2004 when Philip Rivers was traded for Eli Manning.

BLUE HEAVEN: WHO’S PERFECT NOW? - Tom Rock relives Super Bowl XLII.

BLUE HEAVEN: THE LONG & WINDING ROAD - Tom Rock takes you through the Jint’s Regular Season.

BLUE HEAVEN: THE PLAYOFFS - Tom Rock revisits Big Blue’s path to the Super Bowl.

Redskins decide on Zorn as head coach - Bob Glauber reports that the Redskins decided to hire Jim Zorn as the Head Coach.  Zorn was a Quarterback Coach for the Seahawks for the last 7 years.  Last month, Dan Snyder hired Jim as an Offensive Coordinator about a month ago even though Zorn was underqualified.  Since Snyder was unable to hire somebody with experience to be a Head Coach, Dan promoted Jim to the Head Coach position yesterday.  Also, Zorn was given a 5-year contract.  The Redskins will introduce Jim as their Head Coach in a news conference today.  I love it.  Snyder continues to put his franchise in a position to fail.  Since they are in the NFC East, it doesn’t get any better.  Dan is onto his sixth Head Coach already since he bought the Redskins.  It seems like the Redskins have been an 8-8 team every year since Snyder has bought the team.  I know the Redskins won the NFC East once since Dan bought the team.  So expect this trend to continue.

RANT OF THE WEEK - A rant by a Giants fan.

New York Daily News:

Giant finish will never be forgotten

Improbable Super Bowl victory capped incredible Giant season

Name the Catch finalists - Ralph Vacchiano has 5 finalists for the name of the catch.  There is a poll, and they want you to place your vote.

As it turns out, blockbuster 2004 trade for Eli Manning was Super one

Giants work repeat plan for 2008 - I’m glad to seen that the Giants are looking to repeat, but we all know how tough it is when every team gets up to bring you down.

HBO sacks the wrong show - Bob Raissman found out why HBO terminated ‘Inside the NFL’.

Dick Lynch made the call

Redskins hire Jim Zorn as new coach

New York Post:

IT’S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME - Mike Vacarro stated this about Super Bowl XLII.

G-MEN ABOUT TOWN - Mike Vaccaro says the Giants own the town like they did in the ’50s.

New York Times:

Accorsi Never Stopped Believing in Manning

Surprise: Zorn Hired As Redskins Coach

Cowboys Hire Texas A&M’s Herring as Linebackers Coach

The Star-Ledger:

Orange embraces Alford, its NY Giant

Needell: Another Redskins shocker!! - Paul Nedell reports on the ‘Skins hiring Jim Zorn as their new Head Coach.

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Do you remember what Tony Romo said after the Giants beat the Cowboys in the Divisional Playoffs?  I do, and you can go to the archives and check it out.  Romo said that the Giants were the best team they faced all season.  That was in a season where they played the Giants 3 times and the Patriots 1 time.  So he knew what he was talking about.

Since the Giants had 6 Championships and the Cowboys had 5 Championship, I was so happy that the Giants knocked out the Cowboys who were the NFC favorites to go to the Super Bowl.  If the Cowboys aren’t in then they cannot win it.  So the Cowboys still have 5, and the Giants have 7 which gives them some buffer room.

 The White House Awaits - Michael Eisen reported that John Mara was invited to the White House.  At the bottom of the article, Eisen included some notes about the post-Super Bowl news conference that Tom Coughlin held.

The Brothers Manning - When Peyton Manning went into the Giants locker following Super Bowl XLII to meet up with Eli, Michael Eisen reveals what happened.

Newsday:

Giants living the dream after Super Bowl upset

David Tyree’s fame is catching

Name the Eli Manning-David Tyree pass - That’s something I’ve been thinking about, but haven’t come up with a name yet.  The article allows readers to submit a name by filling out a form.

Eli enjoys ultimate moment

Worth the wait for Accorsi

Caterer picks up tab for 150 Super Bowl parties

For some fans, long wait to buy Giants gear - I don’t understand why Giants fans don’t already have the gear and need to purchase it after they win the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XLII sets ratings records

Long Island schools: Parade day won’t be excused - Andrew Scharff reported that any Giants fans from Long Island schools that attend the Victory Parade will have an unexcused absense.  How is that different than any other day?  Why is that even a story?

Belichick’s early exit shows he has no class - It really did, and so was his postgame press conference after an 18-0 season.

Burress almost didn’t play - Good thing he did.

Giants revitalized themselves into champions - Once the Giants got through the NFC, you have to go all out even if the team you are playing against is 18-0.  The reason is because you never know when you will get back to the Super Bowl.

City hosts Super Bowl parade and Super Tuesday

Show the Giants there’s no place like home

Giants fan, young son headed to ticker parade

Like Giants, Fox proud of its super effort

Mara calls it Giants’ greatest victory

Knicks fans cheer Giants at Garden - Knicks fans have to root for somebody.  Jim Dolan and Isiah Thomas don’t give anything to root for.

Five offseason questions that Giants must answer - Arthur Staple takes you through them.

Bush up late, calls early

Travel delays ruin visits for Eli

Patriots’ defense showed its age - The defense was the weakness of the Patriots all season so that’s not a shock.

Giants finally get the parade they deserved - Joe Gergen says that the Giants finally get the parade they deserve as they will march down the canyon of heroes again.  The Giants did not win a Super Bowl in the Super Bowl era until Super Bowl XXI which was after they moved to New Jersey, and they were not allowed to have a parade in NYC even though they are the second oldest team in NYC and playing so many years in NYC.

Boston’s Super Bowl loss is city charities’ gain - Boston is better off giving food away to the have nots than the haves.

Giants end New York sports title drought - And for the first time since 1994, it was one of my teams when the Rangers finally won the Stanley Cup after 54 years.  Jim Baumbach pointed out that there hasn’t been a New York sports championship since October, 2000.  Baumbach also pointed out that this seven-year, three-month drought was the longest drought in New York in almost 90 years.

New York Daily News:

New York throws Giant ticker-tape parade worthy of Super Bowl champs

After beating Patriots, repeat already has nice ring to champion Giants - Sounds good to me…

Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning reap sweet rewards following rocky times

Bill Belichick’s early exit from field gives media something to talk about

Giants return, ready to party

Giants ready for Heroes’ welcome

Eli Manning’s Super Bowl performance makes him a household name - Imagine that…Do you think new parents will consider naming their son Eli?

Giants’ victory is upset for the ages - Hank Gola wrote up a great story about the New England Patriots dynasty, or lack there of.  He pointed out that, in the past, when teams that were considered dynasties reached the Super Bowl, they won and won big.  He said that this Patriot team barely won three Super Bowls, and lost the other night.  I would like to add to that.  I still disqualify the 2001 Super Bowl because of the Tuck Rule in the AFC Championship game.  They really lost to the Raiders so it should’ve been Raiders-Rams in the Super Bowl.  So I only really give the Patriots 2 Super Bowls this decade even though the NFL made up a rule in the AFC Championship game to give them another opportunity at one.

Top five Super Bowls of all time - Hank Gola gives what he thinks are the top 5 Super Bowls.

Giants’ wild ride to the top

Like Bill Belichick’s system, Patriots’ legacy ends up far from perfect

Montclair HS cheers alum David Tyree after circus grab helps stun Patriots

Giants still in awe of Eli Manning-to-David Tyree miracle catch

Giant merchandise flying off shelves

Ernie Accorsi, who drafted Eli Manning, feels Super for Giant quarterback

Steve Smith’s Super performance just the beginning for the rookie

Pickin’ Patriots proves Super

5 plays that changed Super Bowl XLII

Giants will let Steve Spagnuolo interview with Redskins - It had to happen eventually.  Good thing Spags brought us a ring first.

Justin Tuck’s in dream world - We knew Tuck signed the huge contract extention and just won a Super Bowl, but he is also getting married according to Ohm Youngmisuk.

Michael Strahan talks repeat to Justin Tuck, mum on retirement questions - Strahan and Tuck better hope Spags comes back to lead the defense to a Super Bowl.

Money well spent, Giant fans fly back to toast Big Blue at final party

New York eateries, bars also score big

New Yorkers revel at Boston’s expense

Tom Brady’s personal passing guru says ankle had impact on performance - If it was that big of a deal then the Pats should’ve put in their backup.

Wait till next year: Patriots promise to come back strong

President Bush calls after Giant win

Stations join Giant effort for parade

Super Bowl scores historic ratings

New York Post:

NOBODY’S PERFECT

ACCORSI ALWAYS BELIEVED

COUGHLIN’S WINS OF CHANGE

AMAZING FEET

SUPER POWERS

BLUE DYNASTY?

A WANTED MAN - is Steve Spagnuolo.

PATS HAVE QUESTIONS, NO ANSWERS - In this article, Mark Cannizzaro referred to the Patriots as Mike Tyson and the Giants as Buster Douglas.  It was funny.

GIANT JOURNEY REACHES END

TOOMER: TYREE CATCH PROOF OF GIANT DESIRE

THE RIDE

THE REASONS - Mike Vaccaro listed 42 reasons why the Giants upset the Patriots.

THE BRADY CRUNCH

THE BLUE CREW

THE PLAY

TYREE GRABS HISTORY AND HOLDS ON TIGHT

THE MANN

THE MIRACLE - Paul Schwartz says that the Giants proved that nobody’s perfect and nothing’s impossible.

New York Times:

An Imperfectly Good Question: What to Do Now?

Their Status Preserved, Dolphins Breathe Easy

TV Audience Sets N.F.L. Record

The Star-Ledger:

Meadowlands hosts Giants celebration

Meadowlands hosts Giants celebration

Giants Parade Slideshow

NY Giants celebrated in NYC

Tyree’s catch makes SI cover - The Star-Ledger Staff included an image of the SI cover in the article.  Sports Illustrated got a great shot of the catch.

David Tyree shows some Montclair love

Canyon of Heroes is lined in Big Blue

Ticker-tape lures NY Giants’ Jersey fans to NYC

Sentiment flows on the Canyon of Heroes for NY Giants

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Mike Freeman over at CBSSportsline.com brought up the comparison of the Quarterbacks that were drafted in the 2004 NFL Draft.  Most football fans remember what took place that day, but I will remind you if you forgot.  The three biggest Quarterbacks that got drafted in 2004 included Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger.  He focused primarily on determining which organization came out on top of the Manning-Rivers mega-trade.  The San Diego Chargers drafted Eli Manning and the New York Giants drafted Philip Rivers.  The Manning family did not want Eli to play in San Diego because they felt like the organization was not well run.  So Eli demanded to be traded.  The Giants essentially traded Philip Rivers, Shawn Merriman, and kicker Nate Kaeding for Eli Manning.  The Chargers also demanded Osi Umenyiora, but Ernie Accorsi said no.

Freeman contacted former GM of the Giants, Ernie Accorsi, to offer his opinions of the trade.  Accorsi supported his claim with facts and opinions.  For the most part, it was enough to convince Freeman that the Giants ended up with the better end of the stick.  He now feels like Manning is the best Quarterback out of that trio.

I am not convinced that Manning is the best Quarterback out of the three.  I still believe that Big Ben is the best of the trio, and that Rivers is at the bottom.  Eli was not traded for Rivers straight up, and I have been convinced that the Giants got the better end of the deal for years already.  My views do not only relate to wins, losses, and stats.  I would take Manning over Rivers anyday.  The G-MEN do not have to deal with Rivers whining, screaming at teamates, and screaming at fans.  Rivers is classless, and Manning is quiet and modest which I like.  The Jints got to keep Umenyiora who has led the league in sacks.  I would take Osi over Merriman as well.  Big Blue did not have to deal with the suspensions for failing the steroid tests.

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I was thinking about how the week off between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl would affect the game for each team.  I’m feeling a little uneasy about the bye week, so I would definitely like you all to chime in and let me know what you think.  Maybe you guys can cheer me up a little.  So here it goes.

Giants

I sort of feel like the bye week will affect the Giants more than it will affect the Patriots.  Historically, the Giants have performed very poorly after the “regular season” bye week.  This is by no means a regular season bye week, but it always seems like the Giants can’t get into a rythem after the bye week.  In the Playoffs, the Giants only experienced the bye week once prior to Super Bowl XXXV.  Big Blue bumped into that stout Ravens ‘D’, and it was ugly.  I’ve really tried to examine the vibe of the team after Sunday’s victory over the Packers.  Here’s some positives.  On the flight home from Green Bay, the two players that were on the 2000 team, Amani Toomer and Michael Strahan, discussed how they can keep the team focused enough to win.  Even they said they got wrapped up in it all back in 2000.  After coming off of that 41-0 thrashing of the Vikings in the NFC Championship game, they felt like the Super Bowl was going to be a walk in the park.  Going into the Playoffs, the Giants were labeled as the worst team in the Playoffs.  After winning the NFC Championship game, Wellington Mara even sarcastically said “we are the worst team in NFL history to win the NFC Championship Game” to the team in the locker room.  So now, Toomer and Strahan feel like they can get keep the rest of the team focused on the ultimate goal.  I really hope that they can do that.  With Toomer on offense and Strahan on defense, they really can reach the entire team.  It would be more difficult if both of them were on one side of the ball.  The Jints have a lot of youth, and those are the players that need to remain focused.  And there are millions of distractions right now.  The Giants had a few days off to unwind.  They were all over NYC.  Then they have to practice for 3 days.  Then they go to Arizona.  They have to deal with the media.  They have to practice out there.  Then they play.  Not only do the players not have Super Bowl experience, neither do the Owners, the GM, or the Coaching Staff.  So it is new to everybody.  What I’m saying doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to overcome, but it may be more difficult to handle than it would be if there was some more guidance from the top down.  I believe that the players will give it their all, unlike in 2000.  I heard Ernie Accorsi say how much losing that game bothers him until this day.  He believed that the players felt like they won the Super Bowl after beating the Vikings.  That’s something I cannot comprehend.  How can you not get up for the Super Bowl?  I do believe that the Coaches can look back at Super Bowl XXXV, and say that’s what happens to a team that gets caught up in it.  That in itself should keep their eye on the prize.  The last thing I wanted to mention is Tom Coughlin.  As much of a successful turnaround as Coach Coughlin had in 2007, he doesn’t match up toe-to-toe with Bill Belichick.  Tom Coughlin is a disciplinarian and a perfectionist, but he isn’t known for being one of the greatest offensive brains or defensive brains in NFL history.  So T.C. really needs to rely on his assistants more than Bill Belichick would need to.  Defensive Coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, seems to be the real deal.  He is a protoge of the Eagles’ DC, Jim Johnson who is a legendary DC.  Since the Giants put up 35 points on the Pats in Week 17, the weight of this game rests on the shoulder of Spags because they can’t give up 38 points again.  The Giants have to make the necessary stops on defense.  The Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, didn’t seem to call many good games during the regular season.  However, he’s done a great job since Week 17.  He’s adjusted to the defenses.  The team appears to be comfortable executing his calls.  The biggest thing thing the Giants need to do to win this game is hold onto the ball.  I’m not talking about turnovers, of course they can’t turn the ball over.  I’m talking about time of possession.  In Week 17, the Giants defense got tired after three quarters of chasing Tom Brady around.  If the offense can stay on the field, then the defense shouldn’t tire as quickly.  The Giants need to hold onto the ball like they did when they beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXV.  Tom Coughlin needs to utilize the game plan of Bill Parcells.  The problem with that is Bill Belichick knows the game plan.  The Coaching Staff needs to out coach Bill Belichick, which will be difficult but not impossible.  The team will need to outplay and outwill the Patriots as well.  Our secret weapon is Ahmad Bradshaw because he sat out in Week 17 due to an injury.  Obviously the Patriots know about him, but they haven’t seen him.

Patriots

On the other side of the ball, the Patriots have been to the Super Bowl three times this century.  They’ve been through all of the extracurricular activities each time.  You already know Bill Belichick is one of the greatest defensive minds in NFL history.  They say his players are getting older and losing a step.  That may be true, but they know what they’re doing…and they always seem like they make the big stop when they need to.  Coach Belichick has lost some of his better assistants a couple of years ago, but he can completely take over the play calling responsibilities if need be.  We know that Belichick is in a lab concocting a game plan for the Giants.  He’ll probably be in that underground layer until gameday devising the ultimate scheme.  He will look at every aspect, every angle, and he will leave no stone unturned.  His players have all been to the dance before, and have had tons of success.  The Patriots had two players on the right side of the O-Line that didn’t start in Week 17 that will play in the Super Bowl.  They were Nick Kaczur and Stephen Neal.  So those are two players that the Giants didn’t see live, and obviously they will give Brady even more time to throw the ball to his army of receivers.  The last thing that I wanted to mention is Tom Brady’s leg and/or possible injury.  If he’s wearing a cast of some sorts then something is wrong.  To what extent?  Nobody knows, and Belichick will never provide you that information.  According to the Patriots injury report, Tom Brady has been listed as questionable each week for years so it means nothing.  The Giants are going to want to hit Brady to see if they can further damage his leg.  Knowing that, Belichick is going to have his O-Line totally prepared for this game.  Did you see the Chargers-Patriots game on Sunday?  There were a couple of times where the line couldn’t hold up, and Brady was screaming at them about it on the sideline.  I’ve never seen him yelling at his teamates on the sidelines before.  But, he didn’t have a good game.

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Back-to-back, the Divisional Playoff game between the Giants and the Cowboys and the NFC Championship game between the Giants and the Packers were two of the greatest games I have ever seen.  Both of them went right down to the final play.  We’ll see how our boys in blue do in the Super Bowl.  I believe it will be a close game, we just need a few things to bounce our way so we can come out of the desert victorious.  I prefer those 41-0 games so there is no chance of losing.  Save the excitement of the nail bitters for years when the Giants are not in the Super Bowl.

Also, the line dropped another 1/2 of a point today.  So, it opened with the Giants being 14 point underdogs.  It was 12 1/2 yesterday.  Now it’s 12.  It’s still too big so expect that gap to keep shrinking. 

 Giants Stats Review - Based on the history of the NFL, Michael Eisen lets us know that the Giants have a pretty good shot at winning the Super Bowl.

Newsday:

Webster has made biggest turnaround for Giants - That’s for sure.  Arthur Staple put together a great article about the turnaround of Corey Webster.

Brady’s foot injury not serious - Tom Rock stated that “The cast-like boot on his right foot was there to help what has been reported as a minor high ankle sprain. Brady will have two weeks of rest before playing again in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 3.
“  This is the same injury that T.O. was recovering from at the end of the season.  Nobody know for sure if the injury reported is accurate.

Boston must be stopped

Ex-Giant Anderson sees Giants upsetting Patriots - I hope Otis is good at making predictions.

Giants-Packers title game ratings winner for Fox - Neil Best stated:

Eli Manning got the last laugh on that Green Bay TV station manager who last week tried to distract him by pre-empting “Seinfeld,” his favorite show, before the NFC title game.

Last night, Fox announced that the Giants’ upset of the Packers averaged 53.9 million viewers - making it the most-watched non-Super Bowl TV show of any kind since 1998, when 76.3 million watched the finale of … yup, “Seinfeld.”

Good for Eli.  It’s funny how things come full circle.  And it’s good news for the Giants because they have been involved in some games that had everybody wanted to watch.  In Week 17, when the Giants had the opportunity to upset the 15-0 Patriots, the game set a record for being the most watched television show besides the Superbowl.  In the NFC Championship Game, it was the most watched Conference Championship game in 13 years.  And in the Superbowl, when the Giants have another shot at upsetting the 18-0 Patriots, it has to be one of the most viewed Superbowls in NFL history.

Plumber’s game-day hardhat reveals his Giants soft spot

For this fan, cheering Giants to a win is no game

New York Daily News:

Giants expect Tom Brady will be Super

Eli Manning turns critics into converts

Five things the Giants learned about the Patriots in Week 17’s 38-35 loss - Ralph Vacchiano wrote 5 things that the Giants learned from playing the Patriots.

Tiki Barber ‘ecstatic’ for Giants - Tiki continues to lie, but I don’t care anymore about Tiki.  After all he said publically about the team, I was happy he retired.

Tom Brady will play in Super Bowl

Jinxed! S.I. puts Eli Manning on cover

While Giants study film from Week 17 loss, so can Bill Belichick - Hank Gola made a bunch of great points about how Belichick could prepare for the Super Bowl.

Giant backup LB and punt snapper Zak DeOssie has Super fan: his dad

Ex-Giant calls timeout on 9/11 walk - The New York Daily News stated that George Martin is taking a detour from his Cross Country charity walk to catch the Giants play in the Super Bowl.

Jim Fassel could coach Redskins

Patriots-Giants Super Bowl drives Jets fans nuts - I don’t know why.  This is news to me.  I’ve never heard any Jets fan dislike Giants fans and vice versa.  I root for the Jets all the time.  Even when they were 4-12.  If you are a Jets fan that hates Giants fans, or a Giants fan that hates Jets fans then please comment about the actual reason.  I know it exists between the Mets and the Yankees.  But I never heard of any hatred between the Jets and the Giants.

The New York Post:

THEY WON’T STAND PAT

GIANTS’ TV RATINGS SOAR

ERNIE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN ELI

ELI WON’T RUN FOR COVER

ARCHIE ‘NEVER ENVISIONED’ BACK-TO-BACK SUPER SONS - What parent would?  What are the odds of that happening?

GIANTS FACE AN ‘OFFICIAL’ REMATCH IN SUPE AS WELL - Paul Schwartz points out that the officiating crew that worked in Week 17 will also work the Super Bowl.  Many Giants players and fans complained about this crew led by Mike Carey.

REESE’S PIECES ARE A-OK

X MARKS THEIR SHOT - Steve Serby wrote up 10 reasons why the Jints can beat the Patriots.

HIS TYNES TO SHINE

New York Times:

Victorious Giants Return Home and It’s Time to Party On - Since the G-MEN came home, they have been partying in the Big Apple.  Tomorrow, they practice for the first time.

The Star-Ledger:

Are the Giants America’s Team? - Even though the Cowboys are labeled America’s Team, I don’t buy into that.  No team that wasn’t there since inception should not be labled that.

Jet LB’s hit unleashed Patriots’ Brady on the NFL

Around the Web: Following the Giants on Twitter and Facebook

A Spags reprieve

Nothing routine about Giants’ routine

Parcells, other Giants’ 1990 alums will be interested viewers of the big game

 Giants Super Bowl run could be a boon for new stadium

Around the Web: Tiki has no regrets - These Tiki articles need to stop.  Enough already.  We are where we are because he isn’t on the ‘team’.

Seubert likely to play - According to Mike Garafolo, Rich Seubert suffered a “small tear in one of his knee ligaments”.  The good news is that he should be ready for the big game.

Pick your favorite Giants Super Bowl moment

Sports Illustrated’s Dr. Z. picks … Giants!

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After Vegas opened the line with the New York Football Giants as 14 point underdogs, so many people have picked the Jints that it moved to 12 1/2.  You still must be a moron to put your money on the Pats.  Remember that they only covered 1 game out of their last 8.  Don’t be fooled.  And besides, the Giants still have scores to settle so they want this game.

 Upon Further Review - Michael Eisen wrote an article about the success that Eli Manning is having.

Transcript: Coach Tom Coughlin - Michael Eisen asked Tom Coughlin tons of questions about the NFC Championship Game.

Transcript: QB Eli Manning - Michael Eisen asked Eli Manning a bunch of questions about the Super Bowl.

Newsday:

Cooper Manning proud of Eli

Brady hits New York without the boot

Brady in walking cast? - The AP reported that “Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was photographed yesterday with what appears to be a walking cast or boot on his right foot.”  Brady will be fine by the time the Super Bowl comes around.  Brady said that he’ll play.  The Patriots declined to comment on the situation.

Giants’ defense is a confident bunch - And they should be!

Weary never felt better to thrilled Giants

Intangible “it” factor makes Giants dangerous  The good ‘ol “it” factor.  The G-MEN got it.

Eli was trying to find his fiancee in crowd - Poor Eli.

Packers give Giants’ Tynes game-winning ball - According to Katie Strang, “Gordon “Red” Batty, head equipment manager for the Green Bay Packers, waited for an hour after the game to meet with a Giants equipment manager to deliver the ball safely to Tynes.”  That was very kind of him.  That’s because the Packers have normal fans.  Lawrence deserves the ball.

Pats glad they’re playing recent foe

It’s likeable Giants vs. villainous Patriots - Sounds like a nice headline, but I wouldn’t consider the Patriots to be villainous.  In the article, Shaun Powell refers to the Patriots as the Yankees of football which isn’t true.  The Packers are the Yankees of football.  That’s why the Packers play in Title Town, USA.  The Patriots are a current dynasty, but a perennial powerhouse by no means.  They never won a Super Bowl until 2001, while teams like the Packers, Bears, and Giants began winning championships in the 1920’s.

America thinks Giants are Super - That’s good to hear.

Now we share Ernie’s vision - That vision would be Ernie’s vision of Eli.

Notes: Heroes’ welcome for Giants - Some NYG players received a well deserved standing ovation last night at Madison Square Garden.

How I made the Giants win - Jennifer Maloney wrote a story about a superstition that a Giants fan did during the last two games.  I told you what mine was.  Please comment about what your superstition was.

Giants fans frozen but feeling super

New York Daily News:

Lieutenant colonel Greg Gadson is Giants’ inspirational co-captain

Photos show Patriots QB Tom Brady shed walking boot on right foot

Conditions perfect for Giants win

Eli Manning gets props from Peyton

From Big Blue point of view, Eli Manning not the other brother

Giants relish underdog role

Terry Bradshaw does about-face while interviewing Tom Coughlin

All in the family for Lawrence Tynes

Keeping Lawrence Tynes on their side proves great move by Giants

Mike Strahan wants redemption - Roger Rubin put together a great article about how excited Strahan and Toomer are to get back to the Super Bowl.  They have a really sour taste in their mouths from the loss to the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.  As much as I dislike Strahan, I love how Strahan and Toomer feel like nothing is good enough unless you win the game.  They feel like they have a lot to say about their painful experience in 2001, and how to make the outcome of Super Bowl XLII better.  The other good thing about them is that one of them is on defense and one of them is on offense.  They can spread their views to players on both sides of the ball.

Plaxico Burress shows little pity for old Pittsburgh Steeler teammates

New York Post:

BEATA-BILL

BAHR ON CLOUD 9 AFTER FIELD GOAL

TOOMER STILL FEELS PAIN OF ‘01 SUPE LOSS

LAWRENCE LEGEND

RING FOR ELI WOULD BE MANNINGS’ GREATEST PEY DAY

REFLECT & REFRESH

COOL UNDER FIRE - Paul Schwartz graded the Giants performance in the NFC Championship game.

CAN YOU SAY UPSET? - The Jints already did it 3 times in the Playoffs, so why not?

COUGHLIN NOT YET READY TO GIVE PAT ANSWERS

New York Times:

For Giants, Redemption Is as Good as It Gets

Before He Made Kick, Tynes Made a Decision

Burress Battles Back at Just the Right Time

Manning Enjoys Highlights

The Star-Ledger:

Chat archive: Needell on Spags

What’s the most annoying thing about Tom Brady?

Around the Web: Is Eddie Murphy a Giants Visionary?

Around the Web: Blogging Brady’s Boot

Seubert will play

If it’s Big Bluish, it’s flying off store shelves - I don’t know why stuff is flying off the shelves now.  If you are a Giants fan then don’t you already have all of the gear?

Giants fans are jumping: ‘We’re going,’ say many — but scoring a ticket is another matter

Around the Web: Gimpy-footed Brady visits supermodel in NYC

Belichick gives respect

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The Countdown to the NFC Championship game is 4 days.  I wish that I was able to go see this game in Green Bay.  One of the places that I want to before I die is Green Bay.  And it would be even more special to see the Giants play the Packers in the Playoffs.  There’s no guarantee that they will face each other again in the Playoffs since the last time they did it was in 1962.  Just like I said last week, I think the Jints could beat the Packers.  We have a 50/50 shot at making the Superbowl.  It doesn’t get any better than that.

Newsday:

How Giants GM Reese put together a winner - Current GM Jerry Reese released players to clear some cap room.  He had a great draft, and he made some some solid acquisitions.  Most of his additions are contributing in a positive way this season and in the Playoffs.

Accorsi has faith in Eli, Webster - Former GM Ernie Accorsi has taken plenty of heat over the years for trading for Eli Manning.  Last Sunday, Ernie went to church during the game instead of watching the Giants because if they didn’t play well then he would’ve taken even more heat.  The majority of the team is Ernie’s.

Lambeau? Brrrring it on

Notes: Knicks fans fired up thanks to Giants’ win - I saw this on the post game highlights.  The Knicks fans were cheering everytime the Giants scored at MSG on Sunday.  They were cheering more for the Giants than the Knicks…and the Knicks actually won the game against the Pistons.

New York Daily News:

Blueprint for a Giant victory

Feel-good Giants make city proud - Mike Lupica wrote a feel good story about the Giants.  He pointed out how they came out of nowhere to get to this point while the favorites like the Mets and the Yankees couldn’t get deep into the Playoffs, and the Knicks became the worst franchise in sports.

Packer legend Vince Lombardi’s saga begins in Brooklyn and ends in N.J. - Philip Bondy put together a feel good story about Vince Lombardi.  Tons of coaching talent has come out of the New York Football Giants organization like Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, and Bill Belichick.  How many championships have these coaches racked up?

Eli Manning’s former coach at Ole Miss sees quarterback he knew

Packers assuming rightful spot in the center of the universe

NFL sentiments: Packers will win - America wants the Packers to win.  That’s the bulletin board material this week for the Giants.  In the Wild Card Round, Ronde Barber called out Eli Manning.  In the Divisional Playoffs, Patrick Crayton and Terrell Owens had plenty to say.  This week, the Packers have nothing to say because they are a classy organization.  Brett Favre isn’t going to give the G-MEN bulletin board material.  So all that the Giants can get pumped up about is the fact that nobody believes in them.  Check out the odds of these two teams making the Superbowl at the close of last season: Giants (30-1) and Packers (75-1).  Nobody gave these two teams a legit shot…especially the Packers.

How the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is scouting the Giants

Prices to go to Green Bay for NFC Championship Game soar - That’s a given.  It’s a pair of the oldest teams in football.  One team leads all others in championships in the Green Bay Packers.  The other has the third most championships in the New York Giants.  The last time these two teams paired up in the Playoffs was in 1961.  Who doesn’t want to see the largest market in the USA play in Title Town, USA?

Tom Coughlin: Giants Super-focused on Green Bay Packers - Tom Coughlin has lost two Conference Championships with the Jaguars.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that the Giants have never lost a Conference Championship game.  So one of the streaks need to come to an end.

New York Post:

NO CHANCE IN HELL - Paul Schwartz tells the Giants to hang up his article titled ‘No Chance in Hell’ on their bulliten board to get them pumped up.

WHO’S RYAN NOW?

PACK & FIELD

THE COLD FACTS

The New York Times:

Out of the Icebox, Packers and Giants Made the N.F.L. Hot - Bill Pennington put together an article about the history between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers.

The Star-Ledger:

Ross will practice today

Pre-practice injury report

Cornerbacks backed into a corner

For Accorsi, a bit of sweet satisfaction

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