Sorry I havent posted in a while, I know you all missed me.
What we saw sunday was one of the more disgraceful performences in Giants history. Sure, you can go back to "the fumble" in 1978 or getting blownout by Dallas on Monday Night 1995. But this, this was as low as it gets. The Giants have had more heartbreaking losses obviously, but for pure embarressment purposes, this one might take the cake. In all my years of watching the Giants, I would say this might have been the most disgusting game I have ever seen them play. Forget what was at stake; they couldnt tackle, block, do anything for that matter. On top of that the team did not seem to care. Because of this changes need to be made. I already gave you a list a couple of weeks back, an overhaul needs to be done defensivly. You dont know what you are getting with Kenny Phillips who had major knee surgery, and young players such as Aaron Ross and Kiwi have proven too not be as good as advertised. We all know Osi needs to go, I dont care if he miraculously returns to form, he is a clubhouse cancer, someone that practically asked out after the game.
I think on offense the team is set, Smith and Nicks are going to be an unbelievable tandem, Boss has proven too be very solid, Eli had a career year despite being hurt, Ahamd Bradshaw proved he could be a very good number 2 back. What I worry about on offense is the line holding up because besides Snee and Beatty, who will take over for McKenzie in 2010, this line is old. Depth needs to be established. And then the number 1 back. Maybe you reverse the role with Bradshaw and Jacobs. One thing is for sure, the cap hit on Jacobs is too big to cut him, so they have to keep him. With Andre Brown coming back (who knows rutupuring your achilles as a 22 yr old running back is devastating) and D.J Ware, someone might emerge. Running backs or like middle relievers, they are a dime a dozen, so I wouldnt go crazy over that.
When you look at the free agent d-ends, two names stand out: Julius Peppers and Elvis Dumervil. Sorry Gmen fans, but neither will hit free agency. Carolina will retain Peppers and Dumervil will 100% be re-uped by the Broncos. Also, people forget, Peppers disappered for 1 1/2 years, he finally has regained his form, and is a club house cancer from all accounts. I will pass. Dumervil on the other hand would be an AMAZING acquistion, but again, a zero percent chance of that happening. Besides that there really isnt anyone. The good news is that this does not include cuts, so there might be other ends out there come March. However, the rest of the list includes, Aaron Kampman who is coming off an injury and is 30, Marcus Spears, Kyle Van Den Bosch, and a 33 year old Javon Kearse. However, just take a look at the interior lineman. Wilfork, Seymour, Casey Hampton are all free agents. However, the Coefield and Robbins are free agents as well. I think the Giants resign Coefield, let Robbins walk and go HARD after Wilfork. If they can manage to sign Wilfork you move Chris Canty to D-end and rotate him with Kiwi. The GIants could not stop the run whatsoever this year, and what better way than signing one of the best run stuffers in the league in Vince Wilfork. Remember, the Pats dont like paying guys, and I could EASILY see them letting him walk.
Couple of linebackers stick out. Merriman for one, and Karlos Dansby, Demeco Ryans, and Barret Rudd. I LOVE Ryans, and I think he would make an AMAZING replaced for fat Pierce. Listen, the Giants have so many holes on defense that they are going to have to spend and outrageous amount of money this spring in free agency. Its an uncapped year, and they are going into a new stadium where the revenue will POUR in. The bad news is the list of DB's are non-exsistent, and safties you could potentially sign a Nick Collins, or Roman Harper of the Saints. But the guy I am looking at, is Darren Sharper. If you cant beat him, then sign him. He KILLS the Giants, could give pointers to Eli to why he kills him, and also would bring desperatly needed leadership to that locker room. He could mentor young guys like Johnson, and Phillips and not too mention that he still is pretty good.
So here is my 2010 to do list:
- The Cowboys it looks like will not fire Wade Phillips, so you have to lure an excellent d-coordinator that runs a 4-3.
- Sign Vince Wilfork, DeMeco Ryans, and Darren Sharper. (Realistically, you would get two of three)
- Shore up the offensive line depth
- Trade Osi for a 3rd and 6th round pick
- Use 5 of now 8 picks on defensive players
- Cut Kareem McKenzie, Rockey Benard, Antonio Pierce...Let Danny Clark, Fred Robbins, Chase Blackburn, Kevin Dockery and obviously C.C Brown walk.
If you do those things, which sounds like a lot, and frankly it is, the Giants will be back as a contender next year.
- Lew
Showing posts with label Giants News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giants News. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Giants Prepare for to Get # 6 Seed
Kiss the NFC East goodbye. I dont even want to talk about that game sunday. I am in the middle of finals, the game upsets me everytime I think about it, and everyone who wanted to know my opinion has already talked to me. Bottom line is, this defense is simply atrocious. BEYOND BAD. So the Giants can say what they want, that they are going to win out and how for the best blah, blah, blah and all that junk. The defense might as well call themselevs the Detroit Lions because thats what they resemble right now. They are ruining a career and breakout year for Eli Manning, Steve Smith, a very productive Kevin Boss, and a playing hurt but yet pretty effective all season Ahamad Bradshaw. Look, best case scenario the Giants sneak into the playoffs and will either lose in a shootout to the Eagles are Cardinals. This team is not going any further than that. In any case, here is what I do ensure none of this happens again.
Fire Bill Sheridan; Hire Wade Phillips...as D-Coordinator
-Ok the first is a given and in addition to that I fire everyone on the defensive staff, even veteren defensive line coach Mike Wauffle. As players, you dont deserve anything for performing like that, things need to be COMPLETLY SHAKEN UP. As for Sheridan, he has been lost all year, he sends blitz packages in none blitz situations, sends pass rushers in coverage etc. The guy has been lost since training camp. Now, the ladder might come as a surprise. Wade Phillips will 100% get fired at the end of the season, # 6 seed or not. Why not hire Phillips to run the Giants defense. As a Head Coach, Phillips is atrocious. As a defensive coordinator, he is in fact pretty decent. Now, after compiling his overall defenses with the Saints, Eagles, Broncos, Bills, Falcons, and Chargers (only as d-coordinator) his defenses have ranked about 13th in the league. That number is not fantastic, but it is certainly better than what we have been since week 6, which is about 29th in the league. Plus, Phillips knows the NFC East inside and out, he has been the Cowboys coach for the last three years, and would know everything there is to know on the Dallas Cowboys. Not too mention, I think he and Coughlin would make a good team combining their knowledge of how to attack the Eagles. Now its not great, its not like getting Dick Lebeau, but I am being realistic, and I think it is worth a shot.
Trade Osi
- Some might be saying, "why would you subtract from an awful defense." I will tell you why. Osi is a distraction on this team. Last year they went 12-5 (incl. playoffs) without him and were well on their way to winning the Super Bowl if not for the Plax incident. Now, if you remember, the pass rush was dipping greatly at the end of the year, but it was still decent, not like it is right now. And still, the rest of the defense was playing well enought to combat the lack of pass rush. Certainly, if Osi were around in 2008, I dont know if he would have made that much of a difference. Pre injury Osi and post injury Osi are two different things. Since week 1 he has looked flat, and does not have that speed he used to have that made him so great. He thinks he is a much better player than he is, benefiting GREATLY from Michael Strahan. From waht I understand he is a complainer, the last of the old guard from the "2006 complain squad" and I think its time for him to go. Now, I think you can get a 3rd and 5th or 4th and a 6th for him, and honestly I would do either. The last thing this team needs is a distraction and its not exactly like Osi is helping out on the field either. In fact, the Giants are worse of WITH him than they are without him.
With the Giants first Four to Five Picks draft a defensive player
-This is a must. It doesnt all have to be secondary, but it HAS to be defensive players. The offense for now is ok, getting depth along the offensive line, and certainly a speedy, shifty back would be nice. O, and a veteran reciever who can catch the ball (where are you Amani) but besides that the offense is pretty much ok for the future. The defense is a completly different story. I think the pieces are there, but its still a bit away. I think drafting Brandon Spikes to replace Antonio Pierce is a given, Todd McShay has him going to the Giants, and I think he should be available for the Giants to take. From there you have to draft at least two guys in the secondary, another linebacker, and a guy on the defensive line. I am serious, out of the seven or actually six picks the Giants have for the 2010 draft, five have to be on defense.
Sign a Free Agent On the Defensive Line
- I need to see the list of FA out their for 2010 but we are headed into an uncapped year, so I think going out and making a smart move for a top defensive player is a given. It doesnt have to be the best player on the market, but one close to it.
Cut Rocky Benard, Antonio Pierce, C.C Brown, Fred Robbins, Michael Johnson, Gerris Wilkinson, and Danny Clark
- Heads have to roll for the performence of this defense. Remember after 2006 how the Giants cut Pettitgout, and Arrington as all Giants fans were absolutly shocked? Well same sort of deal, except these are not as big players. I would have included Osi but since I traded him, and since his contract is simply to massive, I cannot cut him. All seven have been absolutly AWFUL this year, some the whole year, others at times. I would love to do the same to Chris Canty, but remember, its only one year and his contract is way too big. Clark and Pierce are too old, I would love to have them on the coaching staff, but both think they can still play, which they cant. Pierce thanks for the memories, and dont let the door hit you on your ass. Robbins, I think the longest tenured Giant along with Osi, and Jeff Feagles has been a very solid memeber of the Giants. Again, he is old and his career is almost finished. Benard was an ENOURMOUS free agent bust, so bad that he was deactivated last game and his tenure with the Giants is almost certainly over. Brown, Johnson, and Wilkinson are young players who you have to make examples of. Wilkinson was a complete non factor barely ever played, but was a draft but, Brown was maybe the worst Giant I had ever seen, besting Curtis Deloatch, Tito Wooten, and Frank Walker. Johnson might come as a shock since he contributed in '07 and '08 but you know what, he was down right bad, check that, AWFUL this year, and was completly exposed for what he is.
Five moves, follow these guidelines, and the Giants should be ready to do big things come 2010 in the new stadium.
- Lew
Fire Bill Sheridan; Hire Wade Phillips...as D-Coordinator
-Ok the first is a given and in addition to that I fire everyone on the defensive staff, even veteren defensive line coach Mike Wauffle. As players, you dont deserve anything for performing like that, things need to be COMPLETLY SHAKEN UP. As for Sheridan, he has been lost all year, he sends blitz packages in none blitz situations, sends pass rushers in coverage etc. The guy has been lost since training camp. Now, the ladder might come as a surprise. Wade Phillips will 100% get fired at the end of the season, # 6 seed or not. Why not hire Phillips to run the Giants defense. As a Head Coach, Phillips is atrocious. As a defensive coordinator, he is in fact pretty decent. Now, after compiling his overall defenses with the Saints, Eagles, Broncos, Bills, Falcons, and Chargers (only as d-coordinator) his defenses have ranked about 13th in the league. That number is not fantastic, but it is certainly better than what we have been since week 6, which is about 29th in the league. Plus, Phillips knows the NFC East inside and out, he has been the Cowboys coach for the last three years, and would know everything there is to know on the Dallas Cowboys. Not too mention, I think he and Coughlin would make a good team combining their knowledge of how to attack the Eagles. Now its not great, its not like getting Dick Lebeau, but I am being realistic, and I think it is worth a shot.
Trade Osi
- Some might be saying, "why would you subtract from an awful defense." I will tell you why. Osi is a distraction on this team. Last year they went 12-5 (incl. playoffs) without him and were well on their way to winning the Super Bowl if not for the Plax incident. Now, if you remember, the pass rush was dipping greatly at the end of the year, but it was still decent, not like it is right now. And still, the rest of the defense was playing well enought to combat the lack of pass rush. Certainly, if Osi were around in 2008, I dont know if he would have made that much of a difference. Pre injury Osi and post injury Osi are two different things. Since week 1 he has looked flat, and does not have that speed he used to have that made him so great. He thinks he is a much better player than he is, benefiting GREATLY from Michael Strahan. From waht I understand he is a complainer, the last of the old guard from the "2006 complain squad" and I think its time for him to go. Now, I think you can get a 3rd and 5th or 4th and a 6th for him, and honestly I would do either. The last thing this team needs is a distraction and its not exactly like Osi is helping out on the field either. In fact, the Giants are worse of WITH him than they are without him.
With the Giants first Four to Five Picks draft a defensive player
-This is a must. It doesnt all have to be secondary, but it HAS to be defensive players. The offense for now is ok, getting depth along the offensive line, and certainly a speedy, shifty back would be nice. O, and a veteran reciever who can catch the ball (where are you Amani) but besides that the offense is pretty much ok for the future. The defense is a completly different story. I think the pieces are there, but its still a bit away. I think drafting Brandon Spikes to replace Antonio Pierce is a given, Todd McShay has him going to the Giants, and I think he should be available for the Giants to take. From there you have to draft at least two guys in the secondary, another linebacker, and a guy on the defensive line. I am serious, out of the seven or actually six picks the Giants have for the 2010 draft, five have to be on defense.
Sign a Free Agent On the Defensive Line
- I need to see the list of FA out their for 2010 but we are headed into an uncapped year, so I think going out and making a smart move for a top defensive player is a given. It doesnt have to be the best player on the market, but one close to it.
Cut Rocky Benard, Antonio Pierce, C.C Brown, Fred Robbins, Michael Johnson, Gerris Wilkinson, and Danny Clark
- Heads have to roll for the performence of this defense. Remember after 2006 how the Giants cut Pettitgout, and Arrington as all Giants fans were absolutly shocked? Well same sort of deal, except these are not as big players. I would have included Osi but since I traded him, and since his contract is simply to massive, I cannot cut him. All seven have been absolutly AWFUL this year, some the whole year, others at times. I would love to do the same to Chris Canty, but remember, its only one year and his contract is way too big. Clark and Pierce are too old, I would love to have them on the coaching staff, but both think they can still play, which they cant. Pierce thanks for the memories, and dont let the door hit you on your ass. Robbins, I think the longest tenured Giant along with Osi, and Jeff Feagles has been a very solid memeber of the Giants. Again, he is old and his career is almost finished. Benard was an ENOURMOUS free agent bust, so bad that he was deactivated last game and his tenure with the Giants is almost certainly over. Brown, Johnson, and Wilkinson are young players who you have to make examples of. Wilkinson was a complete non factor barely ever played, but was a draft but, Brown was maybe the worst Giant I had ever seen, besting Curtis Deloatch, Tito Wooten, and Frank Walker. Johnson might come as a shock since he contributed in '07 and '08 but you know what, he was down right bad, check that, AWFUL this year, and was completly exposed for what he is.
Five moves, follow these guidelines, and the Giants should be ready to do big things come 2010 in the new stadium.
- Lew
Thursday, December 10, 2009
New York Giants This Decade
In honor of SI's All Decade articles recently posted (they posted the NFL yesterday and the MLB today) I am going to go through the best and worst of the Giants, Knicks, and Yankees this decade. Let’s first start with the Giants, as the Knicks and Yankees will be posted in the coming days.
Best Team: 2007
This is an easy choice. The Giants were 10-5 heading into the much anticipated New England game at home against the 15-0 Pats. Most people did not know what to think of this team, they had some ugly losses (twice to Dallas, Green Bay, Minnesota, and Washington) while they had some unimpressive wins (Detroit, Philly, Chicago, Miami) and looked like a team headed for a first round loss in the playoffs. It all changed on that night, a night where the Giants almost picked off the undefeated Pats, holding a 28-17 lead late in the third quarter. The Giants ended up losing that game, but gained all the momentum from staying that close with New England. We all know what happened next. They dominated the Bucs, beat the despised 13-3 and #1 seeded Cowboys, went into historic Lambeau Field and beat Favre and the Packers in overtime IN -24 DEGREES IF YOU FACTOR IN THE WINDCHILL (of course this was Favre's last game with Green Bay) and went on to beat the 18-0 Pats in Super Bowl 42. Probably the most historic season in Giants history, not just this decade.
Worst Team: 2003
The 2003 Giants were a team that had all the hype going into the year, but any true Giants fan knew this team was headed for trouble. After the second worst playoff collapse in NFL history (38-14 middle of the third quarter to lose 39-38 to the 49ers) the Giants were not over that loss heading into the '03 season. I don’t care what anyone says, I know they were not over it, and they needed to clean house, which they did one year later. You know how I know that? Because the Giants had two DEMORALIZING losses in the first six weeks of the season. The first was to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The Giants trailed 23-7 in the third and 29-14 in the 4th, came ALL THE WAY BACK and went ahead 32-29 with seconds left, only for Matt Bryant to kick the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. Quincy Carter completed a 30 yards pass, and Billy Cundiff tied the game with a 52 yard field goal. The Cowboys won in overtime. The second game was against the Eagles who were struggling mightily. The Giants had a 10-7 lead and were milking the game. The Eagles could not move the ball to save their lives. McNabb has 64 yards passing, the Eagles with 9 first downs and 134 total yards of offense. Jeff Feagles punted the ball to Brian Westbrook, and Westbrook took the ball 84 yards to the house. Just like that, the Giants lost.
The Giants then won two games in a row and improved to 4-4, the ladder when coming against the Jets in Overtime (a game my friend and I at the time Josh predicted would be a tie) ended up in a Giants victory only after Brett Conway hit a 29 yard field goal with a minute left in the game. After that, the Giants fell apart, losing 8 games in a row to end the year (plus the 2004 opener to make it 9) which saw the bachelor Jesse Palmer start at the end of the year and lose every single game. This also started the streak: the last Giants game I did not attend or watch live was the last game of the year, a 37-24 lose to the eventual NFC Champion Carolina Panthers. This year also saw the last of the Jim Fassel era and the infamous Joe Horn cell phone game.
Best Regular Season Game: Giants-Patriots 2007
15-0 Pats, one win away from historic 16-0, a sight nobody has ever seen before. The only team in their way was an up and down New York Giants team that stood at 10-5. From the kickoff you knew this was not your average regular season game. You knew this was a game on the 2nd play when Eli ran a play action to Plaxico Burress over the middle for 40 something yards. The crowd was so in shock and went so nuts that you just had a feeling something special was going to happen. This also happens to be the best crowd of any regular season Giants game I have ever been to, and I have been to roughly 60 games at Giants Stadium. We all know what happened, but still that night NFL history was made, and a little over a month later, the Giants got their revenge, and more NFL history was made.
Best Playoff Game (Non Super Bowl): 2000 NFC Championship Game
Yes, the 2007 NFC Championship game was great, a historic win, but this was the first time the Giants went to the Super Bowl in 10 years, and was the first home NFC Title game since 1986 against the Redskins. The Giants absolutely pummeled the Vikings, winning 41-0. Kerry Collins had the game of his life, passing for almost 400 yards 5 touchdowns and 1 pick. It was one of the most shocking games and really turned around the career of Kerry Collins.
Best Super Bowl: 2007 Giants-Pats
Well, there is only two to choose from and I don’t think we are choosing the 34-7 debacle against the Ravens in Super Bowl 35. As we all know, the Pats were 18-0 the Giants were on a miracle run at 13-6 and seemed to believe they could win. The game was close and then all of a sudden in the 4th quarter the Giants went ahead 10-7 on a touchdown to David Tyree on a post route beating Asante Samuel. The Pats then went down the field, killing the clock, and scored with 2:32 left in the game on a touchdown to Randy Moss. The rest is history. The most memorable play in Super Bowl history (I would argue top 5 of any sporting event of all-time) when Eli Manning shed two tackles and threw a bomb to David Tyree who made the catch on his helmet for 32 yards. This culminated in a touchdown to Plaxico Burress and the Giants won the Super Bowl 17-14 beating the 18-0 Pats.
Best Crowd: 2000 NFC Championship vs Vikings
As you know, I have been to more Giants game than one can imagine. Any big game in the last 13 some odd years I have been at. I am ruling out the Super Bowl because it was not at Giants Stadium, though that of course was by far the most electric crowd I have ever seen. You can argue the 2008 game against the Panthers, maybe the 2000 Playoff game vs the Eagles. But in my mind, the NFC Championship game against the Vikings was the best. On the third play Kerry Collins connects on a touchdown to Ike Hilliard and the place goes apeshit. I got coffee spilled on me after that play and did not fully soak that play in. On the ensuing kickoff the Vikings fumbled and the Giants got it back. The next play was a touchdown to Greg Comella. The Vikings finally got the ball for the first time down 14-0. Game over. I swear I thought the stadium was coming down once Kerry Collins made an AMAZING fake and threw a perfect 8 yard lob in the back of the end zone to Joe Jurevicious to make it 24-0 in the 2nd quarter. The Giants were finally going to the Super Bowl.
Best Player: Michael Strahan
Despite Peter King's omission on the all-decade team (something so mind boggling I won’t even go any further) Strahan was the best end I had personally ever seen, and I would put him top 4 or 5 best defensive ends of all-time. Yes, he was the leader of a defense that routinely collapsed in big spots (which changed in 2007) but Michael Strahan as an individual was flat out dominating. In the decade (2000-2007) Strahan had 89 sacks, 390 tackles. He stopped the run as well as any end in the NFL and rushed the passer like Deacon Jones. His 2001 campaign (Favre lay down or not) with 22.5 sacks for the NFL record was one of the single most dominating seasons for a defensive player. As I said, he wasn’t Simeon Rice who just rushed the QB, he dominated the run so much that you could not even run to his side. Strahan is my favorite Giant of all-time and every game I miss him a bit more, and realize how great he was.
Worst Player: Trey Junkin
Mention Junkin's name to any Giants fan and they will cringe. He was signed for one game and he botched two snaps including the potential game winner against the 49ers in that epic 2002 playoff loss
Best Pick/ Trade: Eli Manning 2004
I might catch some heat for this and I know Eli has struggled at times (ok a lot of times) but there is no denying the Eli Manning is a franchise QB. He plays hurt, never complains, and never misses a start. Not to mention since he became a full time starter in 2005 he has made the playoffs every single year, including leading the Giants on one of the most improbable rides in NFL History which ended in Eli throwing a game winning Touchdown with 39 seconds left to Plaxico Burress to win the Super Bowl against the undefeated Pats. He won that Super Bowl and won the MVP award in that game as well. O yea, the only two Quarterbacks to throw two 4th quarter touchdowns in a Super Bowl: Joe Montana and Eli Manning.
Worst Pick: Ron Dayne 2000 12th Pick
He was a Heisman Trophy winner at Wisconsin and most Giants fans thought he would be the bulldog back to compliment Tiki Barber, a Jerome Bettis if you will. During his two years he was actually good. In 2000 he rushed for 770 yards and five TD's, respectable numbers, and helped the Giants to the Super Bowl. The next year he bested his Yards per carry, rushed for 690 yards and 7 TD's, again not bad. However, injuries and lack of work ethic derailed Dayne's career and by 2005 he was out of a Giants uniform. He is since out of the league, last playing for the Texans in 2007, a career year for Dayne.
Best Rivalry: Giants-Eagles
This Rivalry really hit its peak during this decade. The teams met 22 times (one more meeting this Sunday night) which includes three playoff meetings. The Giants won the 2000 Playoff battle, but the Eagles won in 2006 and 2008. The Giants are 10-12 including the three playoff meetings this decade, and the matchup include some memorable games. The Brian Westbrook in 2001, the Ron Dixon play in 2001, where he almost scored on a 80 yard hook and ladder play when he was knocked out at the one. Still, it is the best hook and ladder play I have ever seen run in the NFL. In 2002 the last game of the regular season the Giants won in overtime to clinch a playoff berth. 2004 came T.O and his antics. 2005 provided an overtime game at Philly which ended the Eagles season. 2006 had the memorable Eli lead comeback. Down 24-7 in the 4th quarter the Giants rallied back tied the game, and won 30-24 in overtime. 2007 brought the Osi 6 sack game.
There you have it, the New York Giants the last decade, a decade that will be remembered in Giants lore forever. I will be back for more stuff tomorrow.
- Lew
Best Team: 2007
This is an easy choice. The Giants were 10-5 heading into the much anticipated New England game at home against the 15-0 Pats. Most people did not know what to think of this team, they had some ugly losses (twice to Dallas, Green Bay, Minnesota, and Washington) while they had some unimpressive wins (Detroit, Philly, Chicago, Miami) and looked like a team headed for a first round loss in the playoffs. It all changed on that night, a night where the Giants almost picked off the undefeated Pats, holding a 28-17 lead late in the third quarter. The Giants ended up losing that game, but gained all the momentum from staying that close with New England. We all know what happened next. They dominated the Bucs, beat the despised 13-3 and #1 seeded Cowboys, went into historic Lambeau Field and beat Favre and the Packers in overtime IN -24 DEGREES IF YOU FACTOR IN THE WINDCHILL (of course this was Favre's last game with Green Bay) and went on to beat the 18-0 Pats in Super Bowl 42. Probably the most historic season in Giants history, not just this decade.
Worst Team: 2003
The 2003 Giants were a team that had all the hype going into the year, but any true Giants fan knew this team was headed for trouble. After the second worst playoff collapse in NFL history (38-14 middle of the third quarter to lose 39-38 to the 49ers) the Giants were not over that loss heading into the '03 season. I don’t care what anyone says, I know they were not over it, and they needed to clean house, which they did one year later. You know how I know that? Because the Giants had two DEMORALIZING losses in the first six weeks of the season. The first was to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. The Giants trailed 23-7 in the third and 29-14 in the 4th, came ALL THE WAY BACK and went ahead 32-29 with seconds left, only for Matt Bryant to kick the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. Quincy Carter completed a 30 yards pass, and Billy Cundiff tied the game with a 52 yard field goal. The Cowboys won in overtime. The second game was against the Eagles who were struggling mightily. The Giants had a 10-7 lead and were milking the game. The Eagles could not move the ball to save their lives. McNabb has 64 yards passing, the Eagles with 9 first downs and 134 total yards of offense. Jeff Feagles punted the ball to Brian Westbrook, and Westbrook took the ball 84 yards to the house. Just like that, the Giants lost.
The Giants then won two games in a row and improved to 4-4, the ladder when coming against the Jets in Overtime (a game my friend and I at the time Josh predicted would be a tie) ended up in a Giants victory only after Brett Conway hit a 29 yard field goal with a minute left in the game. After that, the Giants fell apart, losing 8 games in a row to end the year (plus the 2004 opener to make it 9) which saw the bachelor Jesse Palmer start at the end of the year and lose every single game. This also started the streak: the last Giants game I did not attend or watch live was the last game of the year, a 37-24 lose to the eventual NFC Champion Carolina Panthers. This year also saw the last of the Jim Fassel era and the infamous Joe Horn cell phone game.
Best Regular Season Game: Giants-Patriots 2007
15-0 Pats, one win away from historic 16-0, a sight nobody has ever seen before. The only team in their way was an up and down New York Giants team that stood at 10-5. From the kickoff you knew this was not your average regular season game. You knew this was a game on the 2nd play when Eli ran a play action to Plaxico Burress over the middle for 40 something yards. The crowd was so in shock and went so nuts that you just had a feeling something special was going to happen. This also happens to be the best crowd of any regular season Giants game I have ever been to, and I have been to roughly 60 games at Giants Stadium. We all know what happened, but still that night NFL history was made, and a little over a month later, the Giants got their revenge, and more NFL history was made.
Best Playoff Game (Non Super Bowl): 2000 NFC Championship Game
Yes, the 2007 NFC Championship game was great, a historic win, but this was the first time the Giants went to the Super Bowl in 10 years, and was the first home NFC Title game since 1986 against the Redskins. The Giants absolutely pummeled the Vikings, winning 41-0. Kerry Collins had the game of his life, passing for almost 400 yards 5 touchdowns and 1 pick. It was one of the most shocking games and really turned around the career of Kerry Collins.
Best Super Bowl: 2007 Giants-Pats
Well, there is only two to choose from and I don’t think we are choosing the 34-7 debacle against the Ravens in Super Bowl 35. As we all know, the Pats were 18-0 the Giants were on a miracle run at 13-6 and seemed to believe they could win. The game was close and then all of a sudden in the 4th quarter the Giants went ahead 10-7 on a touchdown to David Tyree on a post route beating Asante Samuel. The Pats then went down the field, killing the clock, and scored with 2:32 left in the game on a touchdown to Randy Moss. The rest is history. The most memorable play in Super Bowl history (I would argue top 5 of any sporting event of all-time) when Eli Manning shed two tackles and threw a bomb to David Tyree who made the catch on his helmet for 32 yards. This culminated in a touchdown to Plaxico Burress and the Giants won the Super Bowl 17-14 beating the 18-0 Pats.
Best Crowd: 2000 NFC Championship vs Vikings
As you know, I have been to more Giants game than one can imagine. Any big game in the last 13 some odd years I have been at. I am ruling out the Super Bowl because it was not at Giants Stadium, though that of course was by far the most electric crowd I have ever seen. You can argue the 2008 game against the Panthers, maybe the 2000 Playoff game vs the Eagles. But in my mind, the NFC Championship game against the Vikings was the best. On the third play Kerry Collins connects on a touchdown to Ike Hilliard and the place goes apeshit. I got coffee spilled on me after that play and did not fully soak that play in. On the ensuing kickoff the Vikings fumbled and the Giants got it back. The next play was a touchdown to Greg Comella. The Vikings finally got the ball for the first time down 14-0. Game over. I swear I thought the stadium was coming down once Kerry Collins made an AMAZING fake and threw a perfect 8 yard lob in the back of the end zone to Joe Jurevicious to make it 24-0 in the 2nd quarter. The Giants were finally going to the Super Bowl.
Best Player: Michael Strahan
Despite Peter King's omission on the all-decade team (something so mind boggling I won’t even go any further) Strahan was the best end I had personally ever seen, and I would put him top 4 or 5 best defensive ends of all-time. Yes, he was the leader of a defense that routinely collapsed in big spots (which changed in 2007) but Michael Strahan as an individual was flat out dominating. In the decade (2000-2007) Strahan had 89 sacks, 390 tackles. He stopped the run as well as any end in the NFL and rushed the passer like Deacon Jones. His 2001 campaign (Favre lay down or not) with 22.5 sacks for the NFL record was one of the single most dominating seasons for a defensive player. As I said, he wasn’t Simeon Rice who just rushed the QB, he dominated the run so much that you could not even run to his side. Strahan is my favorite Giant of all-time and every game I miss him a bit more, and realize how great he was.
Worst Player: Trey Junkin
Mention Junkin's name to any Giants fan and they will cringe. He was signed for one game and he botched two snaps including the potential game winner against the 49ers in that epic 2002 playoff loss
Best Pick/ Trade: Eli Manning 2004
I might catch some heat for this and I know Eli has struggled at times (ok a lot of times) but there is no denying the Eli Manning is a franchise QB. He plays hurt, never complains, and never misses a start. Not to mention since he became a full time starter in 2005 he has made the playoffs every single year, including leading the Giants on one of the most improbable rides in NFL History which ended in Eli throwing a game winning Touchdown with 39 seconds left to Plaxico Burress to win the Super Bowl against the undefeated Pats. He won that Super Bowl and won the MVP award in that game as well. O yea, the only two Quarterbacks to throw two 4th quarter touchdowns in a Super Bowl: Joe Montana and Eli Manning.
Worst Pick: Ron Dayne 2000 12th Pick
He was a Heisman Trophy winner at Wisconsin and most Giants fans thought he would be the bulldog back to compliment Tiki Barber, a Jerome Bettis if you will. During his two years he was actually good. In 2000 he rushed for 770 yards and five TD's, respectable numbers, and helped the Giants to the Super Bowl. The next year he bested his Yards per carry, rushed for 690 yards and 7 TD's, again not bad. However, injuries and lack of work ethic derailed Dayne's career and by 2005 he was out of a Giants uniform. He is since out of the league, last playing for the Texans in 2007, a career year for Dayne.
Best Rivalry: Giants-Eagles
This Rivalry really hit its peak during this decade. The teams met 22 times (one more meeting this Sunday night) which includes three playoff meetings. The Giants won the 2000 Playoff battle, but the Eagles won in 2006 and 2008. The Giants are 10-12 including the three playoff meetings this decade, and the matchup include some memorable games. The Brian Westbrook in 2001, the Ron Dixon play in 2001, where he almost scored on a 80 yard hook and ladder play when he was knocked out at the one. Still, it is the best hook and ladder play I have ever seen run in the NFL. In 2002 the last game of the regular season the Giants won in overtime to clinch a playoff berth. 2004 came T.O and his antics. 2005 provided an overtime game at Philly which ended the Eagles season. 2006 had the memorable Eli lead comeback. Down 24-7 in the 4th quarter the Giants rallied back tied the game, and won 30-24 in overtime. 2007 brought the Osi 6 sack game.
There you have it, the New York Giants the last decade, a decade that will be remembered in Giants lore forever. I will be back for more stuff tomorrow.
- Lew
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Giants still Going at it
Young Ben sent me a quote from Justin Tuck that out of 10 he has an 11 view of optimism for the season. I like where Tuck's head it at, but common Justin, the season looks very, very bleak. It seems once Plax shot himself, the Giants as a whole crumbled. Since Plax's inexplicable move, the Giants are 7-9 which includes a lose in the divisional round to the dispised Eagles.
Not sure you can blame it all on Plax, but what once looked like a dynasty in the making, is turning into a bunch of crap. I wont give up on the year until I see them lose these next two weeks. For some reason, there is still a shred in me that feels the Giants can somehow get out of this. And though the Eagles were 5-5-1 last year and made it all the way to the NFC Title game, this year Giants seem to have too many holes.
Yes, you can give me the Dec. Cowboys collapse which will surely happen, or the Eagles injuries on offense, but this Giants team simply cant stop anyone and I dont know how they can fix that.
Eli now has a stress reaction, and if they lose sunday and he is hurting, I would shut him down. With a lose the G-Men would be 6-6 and no real hope of making a run after losing 6 out of 7. I unfortunatly will miss the first half of this game as I will be on a plane to Indianapolis for the baseball winter meetings. Huge job fair, got to do some work.
- Lew
Not sure you can blame it all on Plax, but what once looked like a dynasty in the making, is turning into a bunch of crap. I wont give up on the year until I see them lose these next two weeks. For some reason, there is still a shred in me that feels the Giants can somehow get out of this. And though the Eagles were 5-5-1 last year and made it all the way to the NFC Title game, this year Giants seem to have too many holes.
Yes, you can give me the Dec. Cowboys collapse which will surely happen, or the Eagles injuries on offense, but this Giants team simply cant stop anyone and I dont know how they can fix that.
Eli now has a stress reaction, and if they lose sunday and he is hurting, I would shut him down. With a lose the G-Men would be 6-6 and no real hope of making a run after losing 6 out of 7. I unfortunatly will miss the first half of this game as I will be on a plane to Indianapolis for the baseball winter meetings. Huge job fair, got to do some work.
- Lew
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
New Giants DVD
The Giants recently released the "Top 10 greatest Giants games" this includes the 1986 season, 1990 season, the 2007 super bowl run and the 2000 season. A must have for all Giants fans wanting to relive some of the glorious G-Men moments. Also, the World Series video game out a few days ago, and the collectors set of all 6 World Series games comes out in a few weeks.
Bradshaw is sidelined and might not make the trip, and Pierce is seeing a specialist in L.A and might not be a coach tomorrow.
- Lew
Monday, November 16, 2009
Giants Feeling Better
Looks like the bye has the Giants back on track. "It gave me a chance to rest my shoulder" said Justin Tuck about his sprained shoulder that has limited him to 3.5 sacks this year. From what I read Eli went down to the Ole Miss game and hung out. The more I thought about it, the more I think Eli is battling that heel injury he suffered during that Kansas City game. He has over thrown too many guys, even more than he has in the past, despite playing very well vs the Chargers.
From the comments from most of the Giants today, it seemed that most of them needed the week off and that they are ready to go for the Falcons game on sunday. "Going nine weeks in a season without a break, with training camp and everything, sometimes you don’t feel tired until you get away and you realize your body is tired, your mind is tired,'' Eli Manning said. "We met today and guys are excited to be back and ready to go. Wasn't a real long practice. There was good energy, guys were sharp. Guys are excited about the opportunity we have.''
I have been going back and forth on this game for the last few days, and I am standing by my thinking that the Giants will blow out Atlanta. Atlanta as I have mentioned about a million times in this space is an atrocious road team (their only win coming against a bad 49ers team), have lost their star running back (Michael Turner) to an ankle injury, and the Giants are in a must win situation. Not mention the Giants have had two weeks to prepare for this game and are furious about the four game losing streak thus having the media write them off. I would be surprised if the Giants did not at least take care of business if not blow them out of the water.
Yesterday was probably the best sunday the Giants have had in weeks...AND THEY DID NOT EVEN PLAY!! The Cowboys lost to Green Bay and star tackle Marc Columbo, Eagles lost to San Diego and possibly Brian Westbrook for the year with a second concussion in 3 weeks. Michael Turner will almost surely miss sunday's game not too mention Atlanta lost, Kyle Orton might miss the Thanksgiving game against the Giants, and star tackle Jordan Gross is out for the year, which means he will miss the game vs the Giants. Thats pretty amazing considering all those injuries and teams lost affects the Giants.
- Lew
From the comments from most of the Giants today, it seemed that most of them needed the week off and that they are ready to go for the Falcons game on sunday. "Going nine weeks in a season without a break, with training camp and everything, sometimes you don’t feel tired until you get away and you realize your body is tired, your mind is tired,'' Eli Manning said. "We met today and guys are excited to be back and ready to go. Wasn't a real long practice. There was good energy, guys were sharp. Guys are excited about the opportunity we have.''
I have been going back and forth on this game for the last few days, and I am standing by my thinking that the Giants will blow out Atlanta. Atlanta as I have mentioned about a million times in this space is an atrocious road team (their only win coming against a bad 49ers team), have lost their star running back (Michael Turner) to an ankle injury, and the Giants are in a must win situation. Not mention the Giants have had two weeks to prepare for this game and are furious about the four game losing streak thus having the media write them off. I would be surprised if the Giants did not at least take care of business if not blow them out of the water.
Yesterday was probably the best sunday the Giants have had in weeks...AND THEY DID NOT EVEN PLAY!! The Cowboys lost to Green Bay and star tackle Marc Columbo, Eagles lost to San Diego and possibly Brian Westbrook for the year with a second concussion in 3 weeks. Michael Turner will almost surely miss sunday's game not too mention Atlanta lost, Kyle Orton might miss the Thanksgiving game against the Giants, and star tackle Jordan Gross is out for the year, which means he will miss the game vs the Giants. Thats pretty amazing considering all those injuries and teams lost affects the Giants.
- Lew
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Day After The Disaster
The sun came up this morning, and there is another day. Everyone is now calm and can look at the Giants season and say all is not lost. They 100% have to beat the Falcons, and that has not changed. Everyone wants to blame someone or something when bad things occur, whether it is a bad loss, or a death or anything; people need to be blamed in our society. So, Coughlin was pointed the finger last night, and rightfully so, I even wrote about his future. But I think I might have gotten a little too carried away with saying he should be gone after the 2010 season. I think if the team misses the playoffs, and then misses it again in 2010, we should look into Coughlin's future. But remember, this is a guy who had the Giants in the playoffs from 2005-2008, won two division titles, and won a Super Bowl. Pretty good resume so far. So one bad year (and thats where this one is headed) will not cost Coughlin his job. It wont even get him on the hot seat. But with his age being a huge factor, I think two bad seasons in a row could be it for him. Remember, the Jags kept Coughlin a season too long, and it of course rendered into a 6-10 season. His last three years in Jacksonville after going 14-2 in 1999 and choking in the AFC Title game vs Tennessee, went a combined 19-29. I just dont want to see the Giants go through the same stretch.
The only good news? The Giants are the second team to start a season 5-0 and lose four straight games. The first? The 1989 L.A Rams who of course STUNNED the Giants in one of the team's worst playoff losses and went on to go all the way to the NFC Title game. So, I guess the Giants could look at that. The bad news? No Super Bowl winning team has ever had a four game losing streak.
You want more bad news? The Giants, outside to beating the Cowboys (more on that in a second) have not beat a good team this year. Heres the deal with the Cowboys win, I have a rule, I have carried this rule every year and it works out close to 100% of the time. NEVER COUNT THE FIRST THREE GAMES OF THE SEASON. Remember the Giants in 2007, the Pats in 2004, the Eagles in 2004, etc etc the first three games are not a barometer of anything. Five is too many games, lets say the Giants went 2-3 through their first five games, they would not be 2-7 and the first five games would have ended their season. However, usually three games does not make or breaking your season (USUALLY) and the first three games teams are still trying to figure out who they are. So, the Giants beat the Cowboys in Week 2, they went in total opposite directions after that game, which means that win in fact doesn't really mean that much. It doesnt, the Cowboys are now a ten times better team, and playing with more confidence. Are they good? No, but they are better than that very medicore team the Giants played in week 2. Look in 2007, the Giants were blown out by the Packers. Look what happend in the NFC Title game later that year. The same goes when the Pats were blown out by the Bills in week 1, and lost in week 3 to drop to 1-2. Everyone said the Pats were done. They went on to win 16 games in a row including playoffs. Lets not forget our good friends the Jets, who went 3-0 and are now 4-4 and look to be headed to a 6-10/ 7-9 finish. This all means, in my opinion the Giants have not beaten a good team all year. This is pretty, pretty distressing if you ask me.
So, big news on the Inept. I am still trying to write a piece on A-Rod and his new born legacy, but today a long piece will be posted on the disaster that is the New York Knicks and their 1-6 record. O, and in case you dont know, the Jazz have our number 1 pick. Yea. , its that bad in Knicks land.
- Lew
The only good news? The Giants are the second team to start a season 5-0 and lose four straight games. The first? The 1989 L.A Rams who of course STUNNED the Giants in one of the team's worst playoff losses and went on to go all the way to the NFC Title game. So, I guess the Giants could look at that. The bad news? No Super Bowl winning team has ever had a four game losing streak.
You want more bad news? The Giants, outside to beating the Cowboys (more on that in a second) have not beat a good team this year. Heres the deal with the Cowboys win, I have a rule, I have carried this rule every year and it works out close to 100% of the time. NEVER COUNT THE FIRST THREE GAMES OF THE SEASON. Remember the Giants in 2007, the Pats in 2004, the Eagles in 2004, etc etc the first three games are not a barometer of anything. Five is too many games, lets say the Giants went 2-3 through their first five games, they would not be 2-7 and the first five games would have ended their season. However, usually three games does not make or breaking your season (USUALLY) and the first three games teams are still trying to figure out who they are. So, the Giants beat the Cowboys in Week 2, they went in total opposite directions after that game, which means that win in fact doesn't really mean that much. It doesnt, the Cowboys are now a ten times better team, and playing with more confidence. Are they good? No, but they are better than that very medicore team the Giants played in week 2. Look in 2007, the Giants were blown out by the Packers. Look what happend in the NFC Title game later that year. The same goes when the Pats were blown out by the Bills in week 1, and lost in week 3 to drop to 1-2. Everyone said the Pats were done. They went on to win 16 games in a row including playoffs. Lets not forget our good friends the Jets, who went 3-0 and are now 4-4 and look to be headed to a 6-10/ 7-9 finish. This all means, in my opinion the Giants have not beaten a good team all year. This is pretty, pretty distressing if you ask me.
So, big news on the Inept. I am still trying to write a piece on A-Rod and his new born legacy, but today a long piece will be posted on the disaster that is the New York Knicks and their 1-6 record. O, and in case you dont know, the Jazz have our number 1 pick. Yea. , its that bad in Knicks land.
- Lew
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Interesting Giants Article
This is an article I just found that lists the 5 worst Giants playoff losses. I will make my own list, this list is decent, but I can do better. Plus, the guys website is awful, it took me about 10 mins for it to load. Remember, please comment on your opinion of the state of the Giants, I am interested.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/179096-the-5-most-devastating-playoff-losses-in-giants-history
- Lew
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/179096-the-5-most-devastating-playoff-losses-in-giants-history
- Lew
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Danny Clark Rips Cowboys Stadium
Apparently Danny Clark did not think the Jerry Jones half-dome was all that special.
Clark told Sirius XM satellite radio that the visiting locker room inside the stadium features few creature comforts. "There's not a lot of hot water in there," Clark said. "[Jones] cut some corners in the bathroom there." Clark also was dismissive of the noise factor created by an NFL-record crowd of 105,121. "It wasn't as loud as you would think 105,000 people would be," he said.
No love lost between these two teams.
-Lew
Clark told Sirius XM satellite radio that the visiting locker room inside the stadium features few creature comforts. "There's not a lot of hot water in there," Clark said. "[Jones] cut some corners in the bathroom there." Clark also was dismissive of the noise factor created by an NFL-record crowd of 105,121. "It wasn't as loud as you would think 105,000 people would be," he said.
No love lost between these two teams.
-Lew
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Ross out and other Giants news
According to my favorite Giants blogger Ralph Vacchiano and his blog "The Blue Screen" Aaron Ross will miss his 2nd straight game due to that balky hamstring. Sucks, because Ross really had a decent camp and had a few nagging injuries until that self-described "pop" he felt the final day of camp. Once again the G-Men will have to go with a thin secondary, though Kevin Dockery should be back. However, in practice today the secondary got a hit when not one but both safeties Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson went down with injuries. Phillips' is a little more serious than Johnson's but both should be playing sunday.
The Giants made a couple of moves earlier today cutting O-Lineman Tutan Reyes, and D-Lineman Lugar Douzable. Both of them were complete non-factors, though some thought Reyes could supplant Seuburt or Diehl on the left side if one of them went down. Cornerback DeAndre Wright was also cut from the practice sqaud and so was running back Allen Patrick. All of these moves were made because...Michael Boley is back from his one game suspension, and Gartrell Johnson was picked up from the Chargers. Johnson was a fourth round pick last year of San Diego and it seems the Giants simply made a swap of 4th round Running back picks (Andre Brown their 4th round pick is out for the year with a torn ACL). Coughlin was quoted as saying Johnson could, "can be up in the line of scrimmage." Ok whatever you say Tom. Clearly this was a move to fill out the depth chart; an insurance policy if you will. Johnson will probably be on the team the rest of the year and either him or Ware, most likely him, will be cut at the end of the year.
-Lew
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