Die Hard Giants Fan

Michael Strahan had his retirement Press Conference at 11:30 a.m. today.  Tom Coughlin started it off and called him the greatest Giant.  Then Strahan came on.  He was serious most of the time, but he had a few jokes.  At one point, he almost teared.  It was a pretty good press conference, and it went on for about a half an hour including questions from the media.  To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.

Fresh off of his retirement press conference, Michael Strahan joined ‘Joe and Evan’ on WFAN to talk about his decision.  It was like a brief version of the Press Conference.  To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.

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Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com stated that CBS told them that they want Strahan to work for them.  So he may get offers from FOX and CBS.  One thing Michael is…is funny.  So expect him to be successful on TV.  Hopefully he doesn’t call out his former players or coaches a la Tiki.  Or maybe Strahan should do it because the Giants won the Super Bowl the year that Tiki did that.

Giants.com:

NFLTA: Strahan Top 10 Moments (Video)

Jerome Bettis on Michael Strahan (Video)

Rich Eisen on Michael Strahan (Video)

Coach Tom Coughlin (Video)

NFL Network: Shaun O’ Hara (Video)

Newsday:

Giants’ Strahan sacks his 15-year career

Giants lose a leader in Strahan

DEBATE: Will Michael Strahan play in another game?

Giants remain well-positioned at defensive end - Shaun Powell wrote that, “Strahan may be leaving, but as the Giants open a new era, the real story is who’s coming: Tuck from the left side, Osi from the right, Kiwanuka from either defensive end spot or maybe from linebacker.”

Strahan would be giant in TV booth

Bob Glauber’s top 10 Giants of all time - Bob Glauber list his version of the top 10 Giants of all time:

1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Michael Strahan
3. Sam Huff
4. Mel Hein
5. Phil Simms
6. Roosevelt “Rosey” Brown
7. Harry Carson
8. Tiki Barber
9. Frank Gifford
10. Andy Robustelli

New York Daily News:

Michael Strahan right to leave after winning Super Bowl

Retiring Giant legend Michael Strahan tells Daily News: ‘It’s time’

Mathias Kiwanuka could fill Giant hole left by Michael Strahan

For Mike Strahan, future is with mike

Why Strahan decided to call it a career - Ralph Vacchiano believes that Strahan retired because,

Sometime during the last few weeks, Michael Strahan sat down and made a list of reasons why he should play again in 2008 and the goals he thought he still wanted to accomplish. When he looked at the list, though, he noticed something disturbing:

He had a lot of individual goals listed - like reaching 150 career sacks - but he didn’t have many team-oriented goals left at all.

New York Post:

TUCK IN NO RUSH TO REPLACE LEGEND

MIKE LEAVES LIKE HE PLAYED - ON HIS OWN TERMS

The Star-Ledger:

Kiwi a LB or DE? Looks like both

Strahan: It’s time, I’m done

Giants’ Strahan always interesting

Giants have what it takes to Tuck in loose end

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NFL.com put together a video clip on Strahan’s retirement.  In it, Giants players react to news of Michael Strahan’s retirement after an offseason practice.  To view this video, click here.

A little while ago, GM Jerry Reese joined the ‘Mike and the Mad Dog’ show to talk about the latest Giants news including Michael Strahan’s retirement.  To hear the interview in it’s entirety, click here.

Giants.com:

Michael Strahan retires - John Mara had this to say about Michael Strahan’s retirement announcement,

Michael called me earlier this morning to tell me he had decided to retire. I told him I was disappointed and that I knew he could still play at a very high level and we were hoping to have him back. But I certainly understand his decision. I told him he’s been a great Giant. He thanked me for everything the organization has done for him. I said, ‘I think you’ve done more for us than we can ever do for you.’

Various other players had quotes in the article as well.

Eisen’s Insight (Video) - Michael Eisen and John Schmeelk discuss Strahan’s retirement.

DE Osi Umenyiora (Video)

DE Justin Tuck (Video)

LB Mathias Kiwanuka (Video)

WR Amani Toomer (Video)

QB Eli Manning (Video)

OTA Report: Wide Receivers (Video)

New York Post:

SHOCKEY’S MINI-DRAMA - Paul Schwartz wonders if Jeremy Shockey will attend mini-camp.

The Star-Ledger:

Runyan, McNabb say goodbye to Strahan

Correction: Presser at 11:30 tomorrow - Michael Eisen announced that the Giants will hold a press conference for Michael’s retiredment at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Pierce happy for Strahan

Strahan’s new team? Probably FOX

Strahan’s decision not about money

Toomer still in denial

Umenyiora on Strahan: ‘He’s going to miss us’

Giants teammates, coaches stunned by Strahan’s decision

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According to Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, Michael Strahan has told them exclusively that he has decided to retire.  Strahan said,

It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title. It’s time. I’m done. It’s a tough decision but I wanted to be fair to the Giants and fair to my teammates.

Michael told Jay that he made up his mind last week but wanted to take a few extra days to guarantee that he didn’t change his mind. Strahan retires after 15 seasons on the New York Football Giants.  He’s hanging up his cleats with two trips to the Super Bowl and winning one of them.  He is the all-time Giants sack leader with 141.5 career sacks, he set the single-season record of 22.5, and a sure ticket to Canton.  ESPN.com started the rumor on Friday so it’s not that surprising.  If you’ve followed Die Hard Giants Fan since we began then you would know that I have nothing positive to say about a man who beats his wife.  I feel like he should be in jail rather than in the Hall of Fame which is where he will end up.  The one thing that I never wanted to watch was Strahan winning a Super Bowl which is what just happened.  Yesterday, I said that Jerry Reese needs to get rid of the three bad seeds on the team.  Tiki retired last season, Strahan retired this season, and hopefully Reese will get rid of Shockey somehow.  I want to be able to root for my boys in Blue without having to root for some guy that beats his wife.  The Giants have made it hard for me to do that so all I can say is thank you for retiring Michael.  Go into broadcasting with Tiki.

The Giants were making sure that they had enough players to fill the void if Strahan happened to retire.  The Giants probably will fill his spot in the lineup with Renaldo Wynn and Justin Tuck.  Maybe Mathias Kiwanuka will move back up to the line since he was always a DE before the Giants moved him to a Linebacker last season.

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John Clayton of ESPN.com wrote, ”Though no decision is expected soon, most people believe Giants defensive end Michael Strahan will retire before the start of training camp.”  Clayton believes that Strahan was serious when he stated that he wants $8 million, but he does not believe that the Giants will match it.  John also mentioned that Strahan has plenty of broadcasting opportunities.  I’ve been waiting for Strahan to retire for years already so it can’t come fast enough.

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NFL.com put together a list of the ‘Top 10 pass rushers in NFL history’.  Before I opened it, I thought about how many Giants were on the list.  Obviously, I thought of LT and Michael Strahan.  I wasn’t sure of how many there could be before my time, which isn’t long ago.  When I opened up the list, there weren’t any more Jints than the two I assumed.  Taylor was 3rd which doesn’t make sense to me, and Strahan was 7th.  They have Deacon Jones 1st, but I’ve never seen him play.  The late Reggie White is 2nd, and I always though LT was better than White.  Plus, LT has 2 rings and White has 1.  At the same time, I’m comparing a LB to a DE.  The article contains three videos for each member of the Top 10 list if you want to check them out.

 Mailbag for June 4 - Michael Eisen fields questions posed by Giants‘ fans.  Here’s a good question because the last thing I want to watch this year is the Super Bowl hangover:

Michael,

Tom Coughlin was on the staff  the last time the Giants won the Super Bowl. They didn’t make the playoffs after the 1991 season. What will he do, and how will keep the team focused, and not have the team letdown during this upcoming season?

 

Dear Russell:

The Coach is well aware of the pitfalls that claim the repeat aspirations of most recent Super Bowl champions. He has reminded the players that the hard work they put in last offseason led to their championship and the importance of not letting up this year. In fact, as he handed each player his Super Bowl ring last week, Coughlin said, “Let’s get back to work so we can do this again.” The coach is not letting up one inch or ounce. He is demanding the same dedication to effort and detail that proved so successful last season. The ring ceremony was the last event of the 2007 season. Everyone’s energy is now committed to making 2008 a successful year.

Fan’s Take - A Giants fan wrote their perspective on the improbable 2007 season.

OTA Report: O-Line (Video) - Giants.com takes a closer look at the Giants O-Line during the OTA workouts.

OTA Report: D-Line (Video) - Giants.com takes a closer look at the Giants D-Line during the OTA workouts.

DE Renaldo Wynn (Video) - Giants.com interviews their newest player Renaldo Wynn.

DT Jay Alford (Video) - Giants.com interviews Jay Alford about the OTAs and about his rookie season.  Part of his rookie season included sacking Tom Brady in the Super Bowl so they touch on that as well.

New York Daily News:

After Super Bowl grab, David Tyree is hoping to hang on with Giants - Ralph Vacciano believes that the “Giants are overloaded at receiver, which could put Tyree’s roster spot in jeopardy if he suffers any setbacks.”

Giants to see Jeremy Shockey soon - Ralph Vacchiano stated that Jeremy Shockey is actually supposed to make it up to New York next week.

The enigmatic tight end is expected to participate in the Giants’ mandatory mini-camp next week, according to a team source. He is due in the New York area later this week for a promotional appearance on Saturday afternoon.

According to an advertisement on the Internet, Shockey is scheduled to appear at the Powerade Pro Challenge at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, although his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, could not be reached to confirm his client’s plans. If Shockey shows up, it will be his first public appearance since he was stuck watching Super Bowl XLII from a luxury box because of his broken leg.

New York Post:

SHOCKEY MAY SHOW ON RADAR

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NFL.com had a poll where over 200,000 fans ranked all 32 teams for the 2008 season.  Here are the results:

1. Patriots - Core of team returns to avenge Super Bowl loss after perfect regular season.
2. Colts - Core of Super Bowl XLI team is still intact. Dwight Freeney should be ready for season.
3. Cowboys - Talented squad only got better during offseason with Pacman Jones, Zach Thomas.
4. Giants - Competition in NFC East should be tough as Super Bowl champs look to go back-to-back.

Who knows how this stuff works?  Big Blue is obviously the team to beat.  If you want your team to be No. 1 then beat the Champs.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, ”Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones has received permission from the NFL to participate in offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason.  However, he has not yet been reinstated to participate in regular-season games.”  It seems like Pacman may make it back into the NFL which is a shame.

Florio also reported that Terrell Owens will remain as a Cowboy because, “Owens, we’re told, will receive a signing bonus of nearly $13 million.  In all, he’s under contract for four years, and he’ll earn $34 million.”  Now we have to face this moron twice a year for four more years.

 Tuesday’s OTA Report - Michael Eisen pointed out that Amani Toomer was one of the more visible players on the field today.

Giants Bolster D-Line - Michael Eisen announced that the Giants signed DE Renaldo Wynn which other media outlets reported yesterday.  Eisen included a whole bunch of information about Wynn.

• Michael also reported that the Giants placed linebacker Keith O’Neil on their reserve/retired list.

New York Daily News:

Eli & Amani rekindle their chemistry - Ralph Vacchiano also covered the Giants OTAs.  Vacchiano also noted that:

• Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress, Osi Umenyiora, Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan did not attend.  AP is still on his honeymoon, and who knows where the rest of them were…
• David Tyree did not participate, though he was inside Giants Stadium doing rehab work for his knee.  “Tyree said his knee feels good and his rehab is right on schedule.  He expects to be ready for the start of training camp.”
• Derrick Ward “said he’s 90-95% healed from his broken fibula and isn’t limited at all in what he can do on the field.”
• Mathias Kiwanuka “said he’s getting closer to 100% too and didn’t seem limited on the field.”

New York Post:

WYNN LANDS WITH GIANTS

The Star-Ledger:

A few practice tidbits

Taking attendance at OTAs

Giants announce Wynn signing - Mike Garafolo included Jerry Reese’s and Tom Coughlin’s thoughts on the signing of Renaldo.

More on the Wynn signing - Mike Garafolo explains why the Giants didn’t sign Wynn until June 1 when Wynn first visited the Giants in mid-May.  Garafolo’s conclusion is, “Wynn’s signing on June 1 means he won’t impact the Giants’ chances for compensatory picks in next year’s draft.”

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According to Ryan Kibbe of KSTP.com, some dude named Ray Edwards who is a Defensive End on the Vikings said, “This year I definitely plan on going out here and breaking Strahan’s record of 22 and 1/2 sacks this year.”  Who the hell is Ray Edwards?  If you want to check out his NFL.com Player Profile, click here.  I know that Strahan is going to have something to say about that.

 Fans Take - A Giants fan expresses his thoughts on Big Blue’s improbable 2007 season.

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

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

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

Newsday:

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

New York Daily News:

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

New York Post:

SNEE AWAITS GIANT REWARD

New York Times:

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

The Star-Ledger:

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

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

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

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The NorthJersey.com Giants Blog called True Blue found out that New Orleans Saints are no longer in pursuit of Jeremy Shockey, and the Saints GM Mickey Loomis told Sirius NFL Radio:

It’s no secret we had some discussions with them and we just couldn’t come to a conclusion on the right compensation. I understand that. He’s a very good player and the Giants don’t want to just give him away - unless they feel like they’re getting really good value.
But for the most part that’s dead … I don’t anticipate that being rekindled.

Newsday:

NBC to broadcast preseason Giants games - The AP also covered this story that Giants.com released yesterday, ”The New York Giants and WNBC-TV have reached a multiyear agreement for the network to broadcast preseason games for the Super Bowl champions.”

New York Daily News:

Michael Strahan: $8M or goodbye - Ralph Vacchiano wrote an article about how Michael Strahan wants $8 million to come back in 2008.  You know that I don’t want him back for $1 million, but it’s not my decision.  With that said, Vacchiano rarely includes any quotes from the actual player or source so I don’t always know how credible his sources are.  If you read the article then you won’t come across a threat of an $8 million contract.  What you will read is that Strahan says that money isn’t an issue so I don’t understand the title.

New York Post:

WYNN VISITS WITH BIG BLUE - Paul Schwartz also covered this story about Renaldo Wynn visiting the Giants which The Star-Ledger reported yesterday.

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