Die Hard Giants Fan

So I know you can’t tell much from the first pre-season game but you can definitely get a basic idea of who is the consistent no matter what player on the field.

My basic observation of the game begins with Derrick Ward. Not very good in the running game but great in the short pass situation. I think he’ll be a lethal weapon when used in play action plays. He seems to be more of a natural catcher and good at making strides after the catch for more gains. Eli Manning seemed very comfortable in the pocket and I can definitely see that it is all thanks to his offensive line. We’ll see great things from him this season again and spreading the ball around to different wide receivers is going to be every defense’s nightmare. Brandon Jacobs maintains sharpening up his cutting abilities which can only make him more dangerous. This guy is a beast as it is and if he develops more finesse with his run he’ll be more of a main target to defenders. Once this man gets past the second wave of defenders and is left to face the undersized cornerbacks and safeties, you know he’s going helmet to helmet with these guys. Kevin Boss is still the boss and showing why he’s the boss. The type of player who will surprise us the most is going to be this man here. Yes Shockey is gone but if you think we have a good back up, you’re wrong, this guy is a definite starter. A little more work on his blocking ability and we’ll have a well rounded tight end again, or we can depend on Madison Hedgecock. Hedgecock has become the real deal when it comes to blocking. His size is definitely something we can take advantage of, especially since he knows how to angle himself and push his own weight around. last but not least, Ahmad Bradshaw is looking very good once again. He has not lost a step since his outstanding performance last season and continues to look more and more like a number 2 running back. It’s amazing how the two punch has become more popular nowadays with the great talent that comes from these young players. Just like Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor from the Jacksonville Jaguars, our two headed monsters will show everyone this season the benefit of vision and power

We will soon see everyone in it for some real action. I can only imagine what this season is going to be like for our Giants, but I can tell you we are well prepared for the future.

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So the New York Football Giants decided to order their Super Bowl XLII rings from Tiffany & Co., a New York based Jewelry Store, rather than from Jostens who is the typical jewelry store used by the NFL.  So what does Tiffany & Co. do?  They have the rings made in Massachussetts.  Go figure…

New York Post:

BIG BLUE’S BLING HAS MASS. APPEAL - Paul Schwartz is surprised that the Super Bowl XLII rings are being produced for Tiffany at E.A. Dion, Inc. because they are located in Attleboro, MA.  Attleboro is only about 10 miles from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

New York Times:

Hard Hits and Hard Work Motivate Giants Fullback - Anna Katherine Clemmons describes all of the hard work that Madison Hedgecock put in to make it to the NFL.  Hedgecock still works the farms in North Carolina during the offseason.

The Star-Ledger:

Giants to work out a few locals - Mike Garafolo wrote that the Giants will be bringing in some local draft hopefuls to work out.  Most of them are from Hofstra, and Garafolo jotted down a few notes about each of them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newsday:

Focused Giants say they’ll be ready for Sunday

Strahan enjoys 2nd Super Bowl

Burress doesn’t back down from prediction

Bradshaw has given Giants an unexpected lift

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

Pats anything but blase about Super Bowl

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

Giants see edge in having faced Patriots

Plaxico’s prediction draws mixed reviews

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

McQuarters, Madison mentors for Giants D-backs

McDaniels keeps Patriots’ offense running smoothly

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

Pepper Johnson not optimistic about race in NFL

Kinder, gentler Coughlin has boosted Giants’ morale

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

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

Giants, Patriots make this Super Bowl special

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

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

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

Ex-Giant Bahr knows pressure, has faith in Tynes

New York Daily News:

Giants look to rush, rattle Tom Brady

Ohm’s Super Bowl Blog: Day 4

Scaling Mount Brady will be Giant task

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

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

Diary: Surrounded by cookie monsters

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

Plaxico Burress’ mouth runs late

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

Jessica Simpson or Gisele Bundchen? Giants make their selections

Ben Roethlisberger high on Eli Manning

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

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

Madison Hedgecock a Giant blessing

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

Tom Coughlin, Chris Snee share professional, family bond

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

Tom Brady, Joe Montana pass each other compliments

New York Post:

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

BRADY & CO. BLOW OFF BURRESS PREDICTION

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

ELI CAN COUNT ON O-LINE GENERALS

PLAX IS TARDY TO EVENT

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

MARONEY PROVES CRITICS WRONG

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

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

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

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

GIANTS JOURNEY

New York Times:

Undersized Patriots Are Shedding Their Anonymity

Blue-Collar Giants Revel in Unity and Obscurity

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

The Star-Ledger:

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

Plax’s knee the issue

A promise is a promise

Seau: Bradshaw will be “great”

Nice guy Tom Coughlin inspiring NY Giants

A sad reminder of Pat Tillman

NY Giants’ Plaxico Burress just sits and talks

Stepping up for Gridiron Greats

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I still feel like the Giants need to stop talking.  They aren’t really saying anything wrong, but the media has been spinning it out of control.  On Thursday night, the Rangers retired Brian Leetch’s number, and the local press took what Plaxico Burress said about the Patriots’ receivers and put it on the back page after fabricating the story.  That’s what the Giants have to deal with.  So Brian Leetch didn’t end up on the back page after a Hall of Fame career with the Rangers, but Plaxico did for complementing the Pats and saying that the Giants’ receivers can play with them.  If the Giants say nothing then there won’t be any problems.  The media should be ashamed of themselves, but that will never happen.

 Super Bowl Profile: TE Kevin Boss - Keith Karlsson wrote an article about how much Kevin Boss has contributed to help get Big Blue into Super Bowl XLII.

Super Message - Michael Eisen covered a story about the Super Bowl message that Michael Strahan delivered to the team.

Manning Support - Michael Eisen had another interview with Peyton Manning regarding Eli Manning.

Transcript: LB Antonio Pierce - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Antonio Pierce regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: C Shaun O’ Hara - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Shaun O’Hara regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: DE Michael Strahan - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Michael Strahan regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Colts QB Peyton Manning - Michael Eisen chatted about Eli Manning with Peyton Manning.

Transcript: Coach Tom Coughlin - Michael Eisen discussed the status of various players with Tom Coughlin.

Transcript: Various Patriots Quotes - Michael Eisen obtained quotes from various Patriot players.

Transcript: Patriots WR Donte’ Stallworth - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Donte Stallworth regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots WR Wes Welker - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Wes Welker regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Transcript: Patriots Coach Bill Belichick - Michael Eisen had a Q&A Session with Bill Belichick regarding Super Bowl XLII.

Newsday:

Giants’ Umenyiora:Comments won’t fire up Patriots

SUPER BOWL XLII: GIANTS VS. PATRIOTS: Magic includes a vanishing act

Release and catch: Hixon, Hedgecock have shined - Katie Strang pointed out how Domenick Hixon and Madison Hedgecock got released by their former teams, and now they have their turn to play in a Super Bowl.

Peyton Manning pours on the praise for brother Eli

SUPER BOWL XLII: GIANTS VS. PATRIOTS: BIG BLUE ZONE - Donte Stallworth responds to the comments Plaxico Burress made on Thursday.

Giants’ good-luck charm: Tight end Jerome Collins - Arthur Staple believes that backup TE Jerome Collins is a good luck charm for the Giants because he is a Notre Dame alumni.  Also, Collins hasn’t played a down in his 3-year career.  He was on the Rams last season, but he ended up on the Colts for the final two games of the regular season and sat on the bench throughout the Playoffs and won a ring.  Staple believes that Collins on the bench in the Super Bowl is another good luck charm.

New York Daily News:

Peyton Manning: Eli has ‘what it takes to lead his team’ to NFL title

Two Mannings are better than one against Tom Brady and Patriots

Giant curfews loom large for Big Blue

Tom Brady disappears again

If Antonio Pierce & defense can help it, pressure will be on Tom Brady

Patriots respond to Plaxico Burress’ boast, don’t take Giant bait

Osi Umenyiora tries to explain comments about Matt Light

Michael Strahan glad he didn’t follow Tiki Barber’s lead and retire

Late teammate Marquise Hill isn’t forgotten by Patriots - Hank Gola revealed the feelings of the Patriots regarding the late Marquise Hill.

Jeff Feagles has talent to boot

Super Bowl prediction? Nah, just stuff of ‘Legend’ - Ethan Sacks revealed how the movie “I am Legend” predicts the final score of the Super Bowl, and it didn’t pick the Giants.

New York Post:

JEREMY: DON’T BE SHOCKED BY WIN - Steve Serby interviewed Jeremy Shockey who has been MIA since being placed on IR.

OSI WANTED TO SHINE LIGHT ON DIRTY TACTICS

WEIS GUY GAME PLAN - Charlie Weis discusses the game plan for the Giants and the Pats.

A LONG TOM AGO - Mike Vaccaro wrote an article about Tom Coughlin’s playing days at the RIT.

SHULA WILL BE ‘JUMPING’ IF GIANTS WIN - I bet he will.  Don Shula will be at Super Bowl XLII to congratulate the Patriots if they win jump up and down if the Giants win, according to Steve Serby.

PEYTON: THIS WON’T BE ELI’S LAST SUPER BOWL

VACANCY SIGH STILL OUT ON BRADY’S LOCKER

PATS BOWLED OVER - According to Mark Cannizzaro, the Patriots were very impressed with the Giants after they met in Week 17.

A FAMILY THING - Steve Schirripa, of The Sopranos, feels like the Giants are having all of this success because they are like a family.

TIKI REACHES OUT TO CONGRATULATE EX-’MATE STRAHAN - Towards the end of the article, Paul Schwartz included the prize money that will be allocated to each team based on winning or losing the Super Bowl.

OPEN & SHUT - Paul Schwartz decifered how differently Tom Coughlin and Bill Belichick handled the reporting of injuries.

New York Times:

Giants’ Tuck and Patriots’ Thomas Linked by More Than Blood

Reprising Anonymous Role in Another Super Bowl - Bill Pennington wrote about the Jeremy Collins story for the NYTimes.

Peyton Sees Success in His Brother’s Future

Giants Have Fan in Cashman

The Star-Ledger:

Seubert, Dockery in pads

Fathers’ legacies nurtured by sons - Matthew Futterman explains how the sons of the late Giants owners feel about going to the Super Bowl.

O’Hara is Giants’ shining Knight

Bruschi basks in the moment

The Brady mystery keeps rolling on

Into the sunset - Steve Politi thinks that Michael Strahan can go out on top like John Elway or Jerome Bettis.

Osi just wants Brady to be dirty - So do I, but Osi and the crew need to make it happen.

Peyton steps up for Eli

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In tomorrow’s big game against the Eagles, Tom Coughlin and his Coaching Staff are going to have to make plenty of game-time decision about who is starting on both sides of the ball.  T.C. mentioned that all of the backups are ready to step up and play some football.  Hopefully he is correct, and we don’t get burned like the Dirty Birds did in Week 4 when they were down 5 players. 

Newsday:

Giants try to make best of things with injuries

New York Daily News:

Steve Smith glad Tom Coughlin pushed him, might be active for Giants Sunday

New York Post:

MADISON’S AVENUE - Paul Schwartz tells a story about the life of Madison Hedgecock and how he grew up in North Carolina and now plays for the New York Football Giants.

GIANTS CHASE TO FILL PIERCE PLACE

New York Times:

Giants’ Blackburn May Get Chance to Solve the Eagles

The Star-Ledger:

Fantasy Focus

WR Smith set to go

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On Friday, the Giants extended FB Madison Hedgecock’s contract through 2012 according to CBSSportsline.  He’s currently in his third year, and he has 5 catches for 38 yards so far.

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