These Giants Are Not Who We Thought They Were

Sorry for the lack of pictures, the computers in the computer labs wont let me.  Who knows why.  Anyway, while most of us were eating or done eating our Thanksgiving meal, the Giants were being ripped to shreds by a reeling, and really not very good Denver Broncos team.  I say every week, when Kyle Orton, a self proclaimed Jack Daniels drinking bum (well maybe he didnt say that, but look at these pictures)

http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/06/kyle-orton-montage/ AND http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/08/kyle-orton-back-again/

beats you on every throw, there is a problem.  When someone asks me, "Lewin, what is the problem with the Giants?"  I answer quite simply: It is everything.  Because you know what, it really is the whole team that flat out stinks right now.  Lets go through it.

The Offensive line, something that was a staple of the this team in 2007 and 2008 has been dreadful this year.  They are not opening up lanes for Jacobs, and have been commiting way too many penalties, and stupid penalties at that.  20 yard passes are being called back because of holding and so forth.  Wheather they aged quickly or not, they look bad.  Everyone on the line.  Eli is probably the strength of this team, but too often he mails in games.  I get it, he is hurt, but you cant go out there like the games vs New Orleans, Arizona, Philly, Denver and just look flat.  Flat out awful from the get go.  We have no chance if Eli doesnt play well, not like the last few years.  I am not going to continue to harp on the Jacobs 5 year rule, but he is not the same for whatever reason.  The play calling for him has been awful, stretch runs are not his strength, but the fact he cant hit the hole is not Gilbride's fault, its the fact Jacobs looks old and slow.  Jacobs, if you are not effective, runs will not be called your way.  Now, I am not defending the fact the Giants have run the ball 33% of the time the last 6 games, an absymal number, and the fault of Gilbride, but Jacobs has not exactly deserved those carries.

I cant say much on the wide recievers except for a few games, this unit has looked good.  On Thursday they were awful, Eli had time and they just could not get open.  But Steve Smith has been a life saver and Manningham is a ncie deep threat to have.  They have to start working Kevin Boss in the red zone more, but o wait, the Giants did not even get into the red zone last game.

As for the defense, we all know Bill Sheridan is way over his head and will undoubtedly be fired by seasons end, but its still not his fault that the secondary cant cover anyone outside of Corey Webster, the linebackers cant cover the underneath, and that once vaunted pass rush is tied with the Packers for 15th in the NFL in sacks.  O, and 11 of those 23 sacks came against the Chiefs and the Raiders.  Tuck is hurt, I will give him a pass the guy is a warrior, like Eli, who doesnt complain and just plays football (you hear that Jets).  But after the Dallas game, Tuck was stepped on by Flozell Adams in a dirty, bush league move, and he has not been the same.  Osi on the other hand has been horrendous, a shadow of his former self.  Maybe it takes a year to recover, maybe he wont ever be the same, who knows, and yes I liked his passion, but common Osi, you have been a complete non-factor so far, so the last person people want to hear from is you.  Accorsi missed the boat with Kiwi, he should have taken Santonio Holmes and not traded that pick and then take Kiwi, because frankly Kiwi will never be a good NFL player.  He has been somewhat over his head since he was a rookie (remember the non sack on Vince Young, the interception and subsequent fumble against Dallas).  Again, its in the past, but I dont think Kiwi will ever live up to the hype.  And what about this last draft class?  The Giants and Jerry Reese thought they were a dynamic team, go anywhere from 11-5 to 13-3 and drafted projects with William Beatty, Ramses "This might be the worst pick in Giants history" Barden, Travis Beckum and Clint Sintim.  All projects, all have had less of an impact than Kevin Federline has been to raising his kids.  In retrospect, it was a poor decision, but we all thought this team was great, so I am not going to fault Reese there.  I will fault Reese for signing Rocky Benard, who no other team would touch with a 20 foot pole, and C.C Brown who was the number 1 backup.  Your telling me you could not find a better backup than C.C Brown?  Please. 

Honestly, what probably should have happend, and the Giants missed the opportunity, much like they did with John Fox (though I obviously would have rather had Coughlin than John Fox) would have been to named Spags the eventual successor to Coughlin and pay him an absurd amount of money to stay D-Coordinator.  Think its unrealistic, think again.  Spags told people that if the Giants did this, he would have stayed.  Now, did Spags turn Chicken Shit into Chicken Salad?  I think it was a combo of both, and I guarentee you the Giants would have been better if Spags was still around.

I ll say this, if the Giants dont win sunday vs Dallas, than you can start looking towards the draft.  Hey, at least the Yankees are World Champs.

- Lew

Derek Jeter Sportsman of the Year

I dont know if it has been officially announced yet, but Derek Jeter either today or tomorrow will be named SI Sportsman of the Year.  This is probably the most prestigous award an athlete can get because it pretty much is states the athlete of the year.  The New York Post reported yesterday that Jeter will be named the Sportsman of the Year.  This just adds to Jeter's unbelievable resume, which includes a should be 2006 MVP Award, 5 time World Champion, All Star MVP, 4 time gold glove winner, 4 time silver slugger winner, a rookie of the year winner and World Series MVP. 

Jeter won this award by batting .334 and with a .406 on base along with 18 home runs while becomeing the all time Yankees hit leader, breaking the immortal Lou Gehrig.  In addition, Jeter went on to win another World Series, his 5th and first since 2000.  O, he also is dating Minka Kelly, the outrageously hot actress from the show "Friday Night Lights" and just built a 30,000 SQ FT house on Davis Island in Tampa Bay.  Decent year for the captain.

- Lew

Giants Preview

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  For the first time since a 30-3 loss in Dallas in 1992, the Giants will be playing on Thanksgiving day.  Both teams come in at 6-4 and hungrey for a win.  The Broncos have lost four straight, have seen there once enourmous division lead evaporate.  They need to right the ship, and do it fast.  As for the Giants, they have confidence heading into Denver after beating Atlanta last week in overtime.  The team is most definatly mad they are spending their Thanksgiving on the road, and will take it out on the Broncos.  If there is a game the Giants can "afford" to lose, it would be this one, an non conference game.  However, they still need to win, and keep that confidence going heading into the game against Dallas on dec. 6.

How will the Giants prevail?  Well, they need to keep the ball out of Brandon Marshall's hand.  Corey Webster will be on Marshall all game, and he needs to shut him down like he shut down Roddy White last week.  Other than that, Kyle Orton is banged up, Knowshon Marano has not played well at all, the Broncos lack a big game player besides Marshall on offense. 

The Giants on offense need to run the ball better.  Jacobs was terrible last week, and no Bradhsaw this week means Danny Ware will be showcased for the first time.  They need to pound the ball and often and wear down the Broncos solid defensive front.  Diehl will have his hands full with Elvis Dumervill, so running to the oppiste side will be key.  It is a clam, windless day in Denver, so Eli will be able to throw the ball as well as he did last week.  Look for a big game out of easy E.

I like where the Giants are headed, I like this matchup, the Giants just regained confidence and the Broncos are reeling, I think the Giants take this game and head into a matchup with Dallas that will possibly decide the NFC East.

- Lew

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

Syracuse Ranked 9th in Country

I know, I know, I did not comment about my Cuse destroying Cal and UNC at Garden on Thursday and Friday.  Amazing, I havent heard a buzz on campus in all of my four years like the one I heard after we beat UNC 87-71 on friday.  Everyone is pumped, the city, the students everyone cannot believe we put on a performence we did against the likes of Cal and UNC.  Ok,ok, I know Cal is missing two of their best players and UNC is very inexperienced and young, but still they were both pre season hyped; ranked #13 and #4 respectively.  The Orange did not just beat them, they KILLED both teams, punished them. 

Wes Johnson could be an All American, the guy is a future lottery pick and showed why in this tournament.  I am not entirely sold on this though, I know, they looked fantastic, but they have a long way to go.  The Big East is extremly tough, and Nova, UConn, Louisville, West Virginia, Georgetown and even Pitt and Notre Dame will be hard games.  Not too mention tough games at Florida (played in Tampa) and home vs Memphis.  Niether Pitt, Notre Dame, Florida, or Memphis are ranked but they are still tough games, which could yield a loss. 

All in all, the Cuse looks good, the big improvement from last year is the defense, which looks very, very good.  You want to play the what if game, look at the 2009-2010 roster if Johnny Flynn did not want to go for the lime-light (I dont blame him, he was picked 6th I mean top 10 pick, you have to go) and if Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf did not hate coach Boehiem and the school respectively. 

Starting Lineup:
Johnny Flynn
Eric Devendorf
Wes Johnson
Rick Jackson
Arinze Onauku
Bench:
Paul Harris
Andy Rautins
Scoop Jardine
Brandon Triche
Kris Joseph

That right there my friend is a National Championship team that might go undefeated.  I am not kidding, that team is so ridiculous it is unfair. 

- Lew

Joe Mauer MVP

Joe Mauer wins the AL MVP today, becoming the first catcher in 33 years to win the award.  Tex and Jeter finished 2nd and 3rd respectivly.  I have been saying this all year, Mauer deserves it, the team went 17-4 when Morneau went down to win the Central and he had one of the best hitting years a catcher has had in all time. 

One thing I dont get is how someone voted Miguel Cabrera MVP.  Mauer won 27 of 28 votes and one asshole voted Cabrera.  I think this is absurd, only an idiot would vote for Cabrera, a guy most certainly a Tigers beat writer or a guy who somehow hates Joe Mauer, and I dont know how any person can hate Joe Mauer.


- Lew

Zack Greinke Wins AL Cy Young

Zack Greinke was announced the AL Cy Young winner today for AL's best pitcher.  No surprise here as Greinke lead the league with an amazing 2.16 era.  Greinke recieved only 3 second place votes, as he crushed the competition which included Mariners starter Felix Hernadez (second place) and Tigers ace Justin Verlander (third place).  World Champion C.C Sabathia from the Yanks came in 4th with a mere 13 votes, and soon to be Red Sox (Its probably going to happen from what I have been hearing) rounded out the top five with 11 votes.

Interesting fact, with Greinke winning, the AL Cy Young winner has resided in the AL Central for the fourth straight year ('09 Greinke, '08 Cliff Lee, '07 C.C Sabathia, '06 Johan Santana) and the 5th time in 6th years ('04 Johan Santana).  Bartolo Colon won in 2005 for the Angels, dont get me started on this because if Mariano was going to win a Cy Young, it would have been in 2005.  There was no clear cut starter that year, and all Mariano did is post a 1.38 ERA, 43 Saves in 47 chances, 7-4 record, 78.1 innings, 80 k's, gave up 50 hits, 12 runs, 2 (yes, 2) HR's, and had under a 1.00 whip.  The fact he did not win is mind boggling, utter stupidity, and pisses me off to no end.  How cool would it be to say along with Mo's other accomplishments "Cy Young Award Winner."  Ahh, I guess we just have to settle for 5 time world champion, best reliever ever, most saves in the postseason, and possibly regualr season if Hoffman ever retires.  O well.

- Lew

Mad Dog Moment #4

Can you say R.A DIC-KEY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hzI_aBATO8

- Lew

For Once, the Bad Guys Lost

You know the saying, "good guys always finish last."  Well nobody ever consider Bill Belicheck a good guy, and he usually never finished last.  After Belicheck started to act like a brat after the back to back titles, the national spotlight really came down on him in a negative way.  But it all got out of control when the "spy gate" incident happend in the first game of the 2007 season, aptly nicknamed by Bill Simmons the "eff you" season.  The Pats dominated everyone, ran up the score, went on 4th down when they were up by 30 in the 4th quarter, and though they stopped dominating everyone (the Ravens came close, so did the Eagles, and of course the Giants in the infamous last game of the season) they still got to the Super Bowl unscathed; 18-0. 

Ever since that glorious Feb. 3, 2008, the Pats have never been the same; almost as if the football gods came down on Belicheck for all his sins during the seasons.  In 2008 Brady goes down and though they go 11-5, they are not feared and miss the playoffs, and this year they lose a game in which Belicheck tried to outsmarted everyone....and it failed MISERABLY in a game on national T.V vs the best team in the league.  They blew leads of 24-7, 31-14, and 34-21, the ladder two in the 4th quarter.  The Pats never did that, but more importantly Belicheck would never make that type of foolish decision, or at least they would make it.  I disagree with Francesa as I think the Colts would have scored anyone, but whats harder, going 29 yards, or going around 72 yards (the average punt of the night would have landed them on their own 28).  I love every moment of this, I hate Belicheck, every NY fan hates Belicheck, and most of America hates Belicheck.  Its great, he tried to pull the "I am Bill Belicheck and I am smarter than you" card and it backfired.  If this was not Bill Belicheck, lets say it was Dick Jauron, Jauron would be fired on the plane.  But its Belicheck so he gets a pass, as he probably should.  I have said this since the Super Bowl, I think this is the downfall of the Pats, they lost a close game in OT at Denver (Brady's first OT loss) a tough loss at the Jets when the pressure was really, REALLY on the Pats, and now this.  This is another example that the Pats will not be on top for awhile.

Maybe if Coughlin showed a hint of the Belicheck cajones, than MAYBE we would have scored a TD against San Diego and won 24-21.  Yes, I am still bitter.

- Lew

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

Amazing Fact

Want to hear something insane?

In the month of November the Giants, Jets, Knicks, and Nets have one, count them, one combined win (a Knicks win over New Orleans). 

How many wins did the Yankees have in November?  Two. 

- Lew

Michael Kay Rant

I thought I would post this because senor Beans mentioned Michael Kay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuUTqSKNAH0

- Lew

Lebron to switch Number to 6

Lebron James out of nowhere, probably a marketing move (it always is) decided to rip everyone, including himself for wearing the number 23 because it is "disrespectful" to Jordan.  James said he is going to wear #6 because of a few things, his second favorite player was Doc J (6), his son was born on Oct. 6, and his daughter was born in June, the 6th month.  Whatever Lebron, just play basketball, and don't insult my intellegence by saying this is not a marketing move to sell more jerseys and cash in on the profit.  You can wear 6 all you want in NY. 

-Lew

Mad Dog Moment #5

I am in a good mood today here is Mad Dog Moment number 5. 

This is from his infamous rant on the S.F Giants when they were knocked out of the playoffs by the Marlins in 2003.

(Watch Mike laughing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWKbw_7jSQA Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0O9dA1pbBI Part 2

- Lew

Changing your Name in Sports

I am going to have a little fun at my former roomates expense, J.R, or should I now saw Earl Smith III.  (Ok, yes this is incredibly weird, but back in 2004 Five Star basketball camp held in the Bronx at Fordham, J.R Smith was in fact my roomate for three days.  I dont know how this happend, he was getting drafted very soon, and I have absolutly no idea why this occured.  His boys would always be in my room, they ripped on me etc etc.  The only thing I will share is that he rang up an outrageous cell phone bill on my phone.  I dont recall what it was, but he was on my phone, which I let him use, for maybe six hours a day.  No joke.  Would Smith remember me?  It would be like if I asked you to recall a Star Trek episode you flicked on for a minute 15 years ago.  The answer is no). 

Anyway, J.R Smith recently got back from suspension and changed his name to Earl Smith III, his given name.  This, he thinks, will give him a fresh start.  I got to say, this is the dumbest idea you can possibly come up with.  William Peterson the former G-Men corner changed his name to William James.  He still sucks.  So, Earl, I mean who are you now DMX aka Earl Simmons, who also went by the name Earl.  Did you think by going by the name Earl you might impersonate a police offer at an aiport like Earl DMX Simmons did a few years back? 

So let me get this straight, the name Earl is going to get your life in order, and stop chucking up shots even though Carmelo and Billups are better than you?  Is it going to lead to an All Star apperance and a Championship for Denver?  Is it going to help the fact that you are an atrocious defender and only care about yourself?  Let me ask another thing, what if I had a job and I changed my name from Alex to Lexor.  I became Lexor Lewin because I thought it sounded cool and it would bring me a fresh start after maybe struggling at first.  How would the be precieved?  Probably negativly.  Only in sports I guess.

- Lew

Derek Jeter

I really did not think this was necessary, but someone left a comment about how "overrated" Derek Jeter is.  First, I want to say that I love when people disagree with me, it makes this blog better, and creates sports arguements, especially one who made good points like the person who left the comment.  It was knowledgable and I respect that opinion.  However, it is a false one. 

Let me first state that yes, there are a lot of bandwagon Yankees fans, however, I personally do not know one single band wagon Yankee fan.  In fact, if anyone tried (Which I am not sure if this person was doing) to call me a band wagon fan, I would respond by probably giving you a run down of the history of your team.  Not that it means anything, but most likly I know more about your team than you do your own team.  That is for people in general. not for this particular person.  Secondly, I would then run down the history of the Yankees starting with them becoming the Yankees from the Highlanders which were previously the Baltimore Orioles franchise.  I would go into 1920 Babe Ruth sale and how they played in the Polo Grounds and John mcGraw kicked them out because Ruth was drawing more for the Yanks than the Giants did, and 1923 first year of the old stadium and their first championship and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.  So, until you actually have talked to me as a sports fan, dont call me a bandwagon hopper, because chances are my knowledge is far superior than yours.

Ok, now that is out of the way, lets get to your arguement, which by the way, is filled with some very strong points.  For one, your right, I dont if Jeter was on another team he would be who he is, or if he was a good looking guy.  However, Mariano is Hispanic and is a legend in Yankee and baseball land.  In fact, Jeter is half black, so saying if he was another color or race on the Yankees would make a difference, I would say no.  As for the hits record, I personally was very aware of it, I have been since 2004.  I cant speak for anyone than myself and a few of my good Yankee friends, however, people, older fans, were talking about it for a while when I went to games.  You can overhear conversations and it was in the papers since 2006 when Jeter passed 2,000 hits.  And yes, I knew Gehrig held the record.  Secondly, the hits record is a MONUMENTAL deal.  I dont know what your talking about.  When Rose broke Cobb in 1985 vs the Padres, everyone, media, fans were going nuts. Getting over 4,000 hits is simply insane, and a VERY big deal before Jeter even got close to 3,000.  Do you remember the celebrations of Gywnn, Ripken, recently Biggio when he got there?  It is a HUGE deal, it is one of the most rare things you can do, getting over 3,000 hits and automatically puts you in the Hall of Fame. 

I think this is your best point on Jeter as a captain.  Your right, I was complaining about him too during the draught, and the 9th inning of Game 5 was a killer mistake.  I get on him for that, and your right, not enough Yankees fans do, which believe me pisses me off probably as much as you.  In Yankees fans minds Jeter has earned that, which I think is sort of dumb, but he has earned his way out of a lot of things.  He definatly deserved to get bashed for that double play.  As a captain, Jeter really has not done that good of a job, your right, it must be nice to have that lineup and team surrounding you this year.  However, he does motivate the team by how hard he plays, and by how much he wants to win.  This is a fact, every player who has played for the Yankees outside of A-Rod and Chad Curtis has "loved" Jeter.  If you dont believe me, read the comments after some players left.  Jeter does not say anything to the press, but frankly neither does Bill Belicheck.  Does that not make Belicheck a good leader because he is an asshole to the press?  The guy wins every year, he won 11 games with Matt Cassell for god sakes. 

As for the Tim Duncan comparison, I disagree, Jeter DOES make players better.  The flip play is a good example, he saved Shane Spencer's ass on that one.  That was a run for sure.  Do you know how many errors he saved Chuck Knoblauch during his throwing the ball away stage.  He also makes pitchers better, for when he was younger the in the hole jump throw play, the behind the head catch, he made both those plays hundreds of times, saving hundreds of runs along the way. With the bat, Jeter makes his teammates better as well.  Anytime, ANYTIME a big hit is needed Jeter gets it.  He hit over .350 in the World Series this year, he hit the Walk Off vs Arizona, he hit two huge homers vs the Mets, one to lead off the game in the 2000 World Series.  Do you know how much momentum that gives a team to lead off a game with a Home Run, especially that of the World Series.  He did that same thing in the ALCS this year.  He never hits home runs until he gets to the postseason, where he is now 5th on the ALL TIME HOME RUN LIST in the playoffs.  Pretty amazing for a guy who has averaged about 15 for his career.  Seriously, I cannot list all of the big hits he has had, there are too many.  I am being serious, not a smart ass, he has had too many big hits since 1996.  Even as a rookie, he had an rbi single to bring home Joe Girardi to make it 2-0 Yankees in Game 6 of the World Series.  Who was that off of?  Greg Maddux in his prime.  When he gets on base it fires other guys up, whether leading off an inning, or trying to get a two out rally.  How about his stealing ability?  He has stolen over 300 bases, and most of them seem to come in big spots.  As a base runner, Jeter is usually always heads up and rarely if ever makes a mistake on the base path.  Want to know how valuable he is, take a look at maybe his worst year 2008 the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in his career.  I am telling you that had a lot to do with Jeter not performing well at the plate, and in the field.

Throw out the numbers, the intangibles he brings a team are so significant, his desire to win so great, that is why he makes players better.  This is a fact.  If you were in a group project, and there was a prize, and one guy in your group was so driven, and helped you out on certain things in the project, and influenced the group, and you as well, your telling me that passion would not rub off on you?  I know it would on me, and by the end I would have done everything in my power to win that group project.  This is what Jeter brings to the table, besides all the stats I just threw at you. 

As for Mariano, he is the most valuable player of that four.  There is no denying that.  He is the greatest pitcher I have and will ever seen, and I agree he should get more credit, which he is starting to recieve recently.  As for A-Rod, if your going to call Jeter a "stats" player than what is A-Rod an "Uuber Stats" player.  This is the same guy who hit two homers and 7 RBIS on the last day of the season JUST SO HE COULD GET TO 30-100!!!  This is also the king of the "we are up 10-2 in the ninth I will now hit a grand slam."  These are called pulling an A-Rod.  I love A-Rod, I have defended him for years, but to say Jeter is more of a stats guy than A-Rod is absurd.  A-Rod did an amazing job this postseason, and without him the Yankees would not have won, but that is why baseball is a team game, EVERYONE for the most part, must contribute to win a World Series.  A-Rod, for once, did his part.  Listen, Tim Duncan can have an off series and still win a Championship because players like Parker, Manu, and now Richard Jefferson could step up and contribute.  In baseball, a marquee player cant have an off series, unless your Mark Teixeria.  If A-Rod or Jeter have an off series, we dont win this year. 

So in closing, I think you made some solid points, you were clear, but I think my points will show that Derek Jeter is deserving of all the praise he recieves.

- Lew

Mad Dog Moment #6

Since I havent posted the Mad Dog moments in awhile I thought, what the hell, here is two in a row.  Mad Dog moment #6 happend just a month ago, I was driving in the car with my buddy PA on our way to Game 1 of the ALCS and this came on.  I had to pull over and call my buddy and Chris Russo aficionado the Fish. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63OjiC8sc3U

- Lew

Mad Dog Moment #7

This is just funny.  Downright funny, Russo thinks Minko is getting a little fat.  By the way, if you dont know John Minko has never owned a T.V or any technological device in his life.  O, and he went to Butler.  Thats all you need to know about the fascinating life of the Mink Man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDgHh06XCKI

- Lew

 

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

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