Hey people. I am being lazy today and not posting (I know it sucks, but read Bill Simmons he posted like 10 things today and about a 5,000 word essay on Tiger) but I have to write a 10 page paper tomorrow so believe me, during my breaks I will be posting a lot and just trying to put it off as much as possible.
A few thoughts:
- The Steelers are atrocious; their season is over and we can relax at how amazing Ben Rothlisberger is. Great QB, no denying that, but the guy isnt Joe Montana, sorry. This team is centered around Troy P. and the running attack, the former missed 3/4 of the season and the ladder is non exsistent. Losing back-back games to the Raiders and the Browns is one of the most pathetic things I have seen in a long time. And that includes watching an 0-16 Detroit Lions team last year. The Raiders are better with Gradkowski, but they are still a team who Alabama could possibly beat. And then there are the Browns. The Browns are statstically worse than the 0-16 Lions, a team thats only win was a 6-3 barn-burner against the lonly Bills. Derek Anderson was 2-17 for 20 yards that day. If I am a Steelers fan, you hope they lose out, go 6-10 and then get a top 15 pick, say 10-12 range, take someone really, really good, and then go out and win 13 games. This exactly happend when they took Rothlisberger in 2004.
Syracuse is legit. I dont know if they can get a 2 seed or miraculously a #1 seed, but Syracuse is definatly AT THE VERY LEAST a top 10 team. They are not just beating teams, they are blowing them out. Now, last nights game was not a blowout in any stretch of the imagination, but they still won by 12 and controlled the whole game. This team is less talented than last years sweet 16 team, but believe me, this team is actually A TEAM. They care, they have GREAT chemistry, and the depth is fantastic. Cuse can beat you inside like they did last night with Rick Jackson and Arinze, they can beat you mid range with Wes Johnson, and they can beat you outside with Andy Rautins, Brandon Triche, and D-Up Scoop Jardine. This team plays defense as well, and makes teams pay for turnover. The big problem: Foul shooting. It always is, and you NEED to hit free throws to go far in the tournament, Memphis in 2007 proved that. However, this team should be ranked #5 come monday, and they have now beaten 3 top 25 teams by an average of 15.7 points. The rest of the teams Cuse has won by an average of over 30 points, so unlike my last four years at Cuse, this team is blowing out teams, not letting teams linger. Now, if we had Johnny Flynn? Well, I think you might be talking about a 37-3 type team, and one the great teams in Syracuse basketball history and a team that would be by far the number 1 contenders to win a National Title. This year? Who knows. The Final Four is such a toss up every year, nobody ever knows what is going to happen. Is it possible? Sure. Is it likely? Probably not, but the way this team is playing now, it is always nice to dream of dancing to Indy this coming April.
- Lew
Friday, December 11, 2009
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 9, 2009
Giants Impressive
Sorry it has taken me so long to get to this game. What a game. Giants Stadium was rocking, and the Giants actually showed up this time and swept the Cowboys for the first time since 2004. I have to say, you look back on the post I made after the bye week, and it is a possibility that everything shapes up the way I thought it would. Though, I have to admit, I did think the Giants did not have it in them after the Denver game. But give Tom Coughlin credit, the guy is a great coach, he got them motivated and focused and the Giants played a great game against the overrated Cowboys. In fact, the Cowboys might not make the playoffs now with games against the Chargers, Saints, Redskins, and Eagles. If the Giants can manage to win this sunday vs Philly, they would be 4-1 in the division with a chance to go 5-1 if they beat the Redskins on monday night. There is a big possibility the Giants could win out here. Now I dont know if that could happen, the Eagles are a very tough team, but if the Giants do win, look out, all the momentum will be on their side.
Lets get to this game because there were some negatives as well. Lets not crown the Giants defense as kings yet. They did an atrocious job against the pass, but came up HUGE on a couple of plays. That was the key: the big stops on third down as well as the big 4th and 2 stop on Barber, a huge play by Aaron Ross. Besides that, the Giants gave up a mind blowing 14 catches 156 yards to Jason Witten, and 16 more receptions between Roy Williams and Miles Austin. Maybe that is good for the Detriot Lions, but if your trying to make the playoffs that simply doesnt cut it. What the Giants did which they have not been doing is that they stopped the run. Barber was a complete non factor, and Kiwi stepped up HUGE in stopping the run on sunday. The Giants still have a long ways to go defensivly, but building confidence is almost as big as the actual product, if you can believe you can do it, then there is no stopping you. The Giants did not believe they could stop anyone and it showed. After this game, it feels like they are starting to believe now, and if that confidence translates in the Philly game, then as I said before, look out.
I thought Eli played the weirdest game I have ever seen him play. He only made 11 completions, but on almost all of them he look fantastic. However, on the 14 incompletions, he looked brutal. There was no inbetween with Eli. Of course, two of his Td's were plays made by Jacobs and Nicks, and his one pick was totally his fault, so to say Eli played well would be false, but he made the plays he needed to and sometimes that is enough. Lets also calm down on Brandon Jacobs. He broke out of his shell for ONE PLAY. That one play was as big as it gets, but he stil had a brutal game on the ground (39 yards) and was a non factor blocking. I have to give all the credit in the world to Jacobs on that one 74 yard touchdown, but lets be fair, he still had a bad game on the ground. Is it time to start Hakeem Nicks yet? Nicks looked so good on that touchdown, he broke a tackle and walked into the end zone. The guy has such good hands, and he makes it look easy out there. Another guy who is simply having a ball out there is Steve Smith. Steve Smith is on pace to break every Giants single season receiving record, and he makes it look easy. he gets open EVERY THIRD DOWN and despite a couple drops here and there, he is reliable almost all of the time. If he doesnt get to the Pro Bowl the system is falwed (which of course it is).
Again, lets take a step back on the defense. They played excellent against the run, but BRUTAL against the pass. If that was Drew Brees out there, or Peyton or Brady, we give up 500 yards passing. Easily. Tony Romo proved why he is not a good Quarterback, why he will always be average at best. He missed wide open recievers, he over threw Roy Williams which would have been another TD, and he looked rattled out there. The problem was his recievers for the most part were WIDE OPEN the whole game. Why is that? Because besides Cory Webster, who had an average game at best, they Giants cannot cover anyone. Jason Witten, who I think is the third maybe 2nd best tight end in the league, had a game for the ages as I mentioned before. Roy Williams who could not do ANYTHING this entire year broke out for two TD's. Miles Austin also had a big game. Remember, this Cowboys offense had been brutal the last three games and one included the Raiders. Yes, 17 points is good (the last TD was a garbage TD) and Romo threw the ball a ridiculous 55 times, but that still is no excuse why he completed almost 40 of those passes. The rush was not there again, only two sacks and Romo fell down for one of them. I am still am far from impressed by this defense, but again, they made the stops when they had to. In addition, the Cowboys are a soft team, a team that has the deer in the headlight look whenever they play a big game, dont expect that from Andy Reid and the Eagles. The Eagles only get the Deer in the Headlight look when they are in a monumentally big game such as the NFC Title game or Super Bowl.
The lift that Dominik Hixon gave them on that punt return cannot be expressed in words. Not only did that return end the game, it might turn around the season. The crowd went as nuts as I have seen it in awhile, a season on the brink, and Hixon said we are not laying down. All with that return, a season could be revived. I still dont know how he got out of the first attempted tackle, along with three other Cowboys whiffs and Hixon was gone. Its the first punt return for a TD since Chad Morton in 2005 against the Cards on opening day, a day where he had both a kickoff and punt return for a TD. Its the most memorable punt return since Tiki Barber on Monday Night Football all the way back in 1997 against the same Cowboys. Barber broke a tie game against the defending Super Bowl Champs and though Dieon Sanders brought the kickoff return back as the final gun went off, the play was nullified due to an illegal forward pass. I loved the sidelines reaction, especially from Justin Tuck who carried Hixon off the field, and Tom Coughlin, who did the double fist and was obviously very emotional. The team said after that seeing Coughlin like that gave them a lift; if he is so end to it, how can I not be into it.
One last thing, the fact the Flozell Adams did not get suspended is a disgrace. This is twice now against the Giants and three times total that he has been fined and did something almost suspension worthy. The guy is a thug, a straight up thug, who tries to hurt people instead of playing football. Tuck was right in everyway to call him a dirtbag, Flozell's response "Justin Tuck is a nobody." Yea, a nobody who wears a large Super Bowl ring on his finger and had two sacks and five tackles in that game. A guy who had 13 sacks last year, and is a warrior on and off the field. A guy who is playing with a seperate shoulder that YOU gave him and does not complain. A guy who is slowly becoming my favoirte player because of his no-excuse-just-play mentality. Yea, Justin Tuck is a nobody.
I think this Sunday Night game is going to be a battle. The last two sunday night Giants-Eagles game, one at each stadium, were both won by the Giants. However, the last two playoff meetings between these two teams, both in each stadium, have both been won by the Eagles. This is going to be a war, both fan bases despise each other, the crowd should be as intense as any regular season game, in fact this should absolutly be a playoff atmosphere game. The Giants will be just as pumped as they were last week, knowing that their season is on the line. The Eagles will be pumped as ever because they know they can pretty much end the Giants season (especially as a division winner) and put themselves in prime position to win the NFC East. This will be a battle from the start to the finish, I cant wait.
- Lew
Lets get to this game because there were some negatives as well. Lets not crown the Giants defense as kings yet. They did an atrocious job against the pass, but came up HUGE on a couple of plays. That was the key: the big stops on third down as well as the big 4th and 2 stop on Barber, a huge play by Aaron Ross. Besides that, the Giants gave up a mind blowing 14 catches 156 yards to Jason Witten, and 16 more receptions between Roy Williams and Miles Austin. Maybe that is good for the Detriot Lions, but if your trying to make the playoffs that simply doesnt cut it. What the Giants did which they have not been doing is that they stopped the run. Barber was a complete non factor, and Kiwi stepped up HUGE in stopping the run on sunday. The Giants still have a long ways to go defensivly, but building confidence is almost as big as the actual product, if you can believe you can do it, then there is no stopping you. The Giants did not believe they could stop anyone and it showed. After this game, it feels like they are starting to believe now, and if that confidence translates in the Philly game, then as I said before, look out.
I thought Eli played the weirdest game I have ever seen him play. He only made 11 completions, but on almost all of them he look fantastic. However, on the 14 incompletions, he looked brutal. There was no inbetween with Eli. Of course, two of his Td's were plays made by Jacobs and Nicks, and his one pick was totally his fault, so to say Eli played well would be false, but he made the plays he needed to and sometimes that is enough. Lets also calm down on Brandon Jacobs. He broke out of his shell for ONE PLAY. That one play was as big as it gets, but he stil had a brutal game on the ground (39 yards) and was a non factor blocking. I have to give all the credit in the world to Jacobs on that one 74 yard touchdown, but lets be fair, he still had a bad game on the ground. Is it time to start Hakeem Nicks yet? Nicks looked so good on that touchdown, he broke a tackle and walked into the end zone. The guy has such good hands, and he makes it look easy out there. Another guy who is simply having a ball out there is Steve Smith. Steve Smith is on pace to break every Giants single season receiving record, and he makes it look easy. he gets open EVERY THIRD DOWN and despite a couple drops here and there, he is reliable almost all of the time. If he doesnt get to the Pro Bowl the system is falwed (which of course it is).
Again, lets take a step back on the defense. They played excellent against the run, but BRUTAL against the pass. If that was Drew Brees out there, or Peyton or Brady, we give up 500 yards passing. Easily. Tony Romo proved why he is not a good Quarterback, why he will always be average at best. He missed wide open recievers, he over threw Roy Williams which would have been another TD, and he looked rattled out there. The problem was his recievers for the most part were WIDE OPEN the whole game. Why is that? Because besides Cory Webster, who had an average game at best, they Giants cannot cover anyone. Jason Witten, who I think is the third maybe 2nd best tight end in the league, had a game for the ages as I mentioned before. Roy Williams who could not do ANYTHING this entire year broke out for two TD's. Miles Austin also had a big game. Remember, this Cowboys offense had been brutal the last three games and one included the Raiders. Yes, 17 points is good (the last TD was a garbage TD) and Romo threw the ball a ridiculous 55 times, but that still is no excuse why he completed almost 40 of those passes. The rush was not there again, only two sacks and Romo fell down for one of them. I am still am far from impressed by this defense, but again, they made the stops when they had to. In addition, the Cowboys are a soft team, a team that has the deer in the headlight look whenever they play a big game, dont expect that from Andy Reid and the Eagles. The Eagles only get the Deer in the Headlight look when they are in a monumentally big game such as the NFC Title game or Super Bowl.
The lift that Dominik Hixon gave them on that punt return cannot be expressed in words. Not only did that return end the game, it might turn around the season. The crowd went as nuts as I have seen it in awhile, a season on the brink, and Hixon said we are not laying down. All with that return, a season could be revived. I still dont know how he got out of the first attempted tackle, along with three other Cowboys whiffs and Hixon was gone. Its the first punt return for a TD since Chad Morton in 2005 against the Cards on opening day, a day where he had both a kickoff and punt return for a TD. Its the most memorable punt return since Tiki Barber on Monday Night Football all the way back in 1997 against the same Cowboys. Barber broke a tie game against the defending Super Bowl Champs and though Dieon Sanders brought the kickoff return back as the final gun went off, the play was nullified due to an illegal forward pass. I loved the sidelines reaction, especially from Justin Tuck who carried Hixon off the field, and Tom Coughlin, who did the double fist and was obviously very emotional. The team said after that seeing Coughlin like that gave them a lift; if he is so end to it, how can I not be into it.
One last thing, the fact the Flozell Adams did not get suspended is a disgrace. This is twice now against the Giants and three times total that he has been fined and did something almost suspension worthy. The guy is a thug, a straight up thug, who tries to hurt people instead of playing football. Tuck was right in everyway to call him a dirtbag, Flozell's response "Justin Tuck is a nobody." Yea, a nobody who wears a large Super Bowl ring on his finger and had two sacks and five tackles in that game. A guy who had 13 sacks last year, and is a warrior on and off the field. A guy who is playing with a seperate shoulder that YOU gave him and does not complain. A guy who is slowly becoming my favoirte player because of his no-excuse-just-play mentality. Yea, Justin Tuck is a nobody.
I think this Sunday Night game is going to be a battle. The last two sunday night Giants-Eagles game, one at each stadium, were both won by the Giants. However, the last two playoff meetings between these two teams, both in each stadium, have both been won by the Eagles. This is going to be a war, both fan bases despise each other, the crowd should be as intense as any regular season game, in fact this should absolutly be a playoff atmosphere game. The Giants will be just as pumped as they were last week, knowing that their season is on the line. The Eagles will be pumped as ever because they know they can pretty much end the Giants season (especially as a division winner) and put themselves in prime position to win the NFC East. This will be a battle from the start to the finish, I cant wait.
- Lew
Granderson Set to Join yanks
So, after the second day of the winter meetings, Curtis Granderson is now a member of the Yankees. To be honest, I have always been a Granderson fan, solid Center Fielder who covers good ground, very, very good base runner, solid baseball instincts, one of the best clubhouse guys in the game, and a very solid power hitter for a guy who plays center. However, the fact that he cant hit any lefties, does not draw any pitchers or wear pitchers out like Damon, and the fact that since 2007 his numbers have decline, make me a littler leery of this deal. Yes, the players the Yankees gave up were not very significant (ok Austin Jackson was a solid, solid prospect, but the guy has shown zero power in the minors, and is 22 years old which is not a good sign that the power will ever develop. Do we really need two Brett Garnder type players on the Yankees) Ian Kennedy might as well be starting for the Garbage All-Stars and Phil Coke is an inter-changable reliever, much like 97% of middle relievers in the game.
I am not sure where the Yankees go from here. Granderson always led off for Detriot, which he certainly will not do with the Yankees, as Jeter patrols the leadoff spot. Putting Granderson in the two hole would be like putting Cano in the two hole, a bad idea from the start, which makes me wonder if they will in fact bring back Damon as the primary DH. Damon and Granderson are very much a like as players, they both a solid power, but not GREAT power, and batting Granderson 6th in the lineup might not be out of the question. A lineup of:
1.Jeter
2.Damon
3.Tex
4.A-Rod
5.Posada
6.Granderson
7.Cano
8.Swisher
9.Melky
Not bad at all, but a very weird lineup. Its almost as if you have 3 leadoff hitters in the lineup. I am not so sure I am a fan of that, which means I think the Yankees will look else where for a power bat, someone who can man the 5 hole whenever Posada takes a day off, because Granderson is not that type of player. It will be interesting to see. Cash wanted to get younger and more athletic and he did that. Next up is to get more pitching and I dont mean Halladay. Could Lackey be next??
- Lew
I am not sure where the Yankees go from here. Granderson always led off for Detriot, which he certainly will not do with the Yankees, as Jeter patrols the leadoff spot. Putting Granderson in the two hole would be like putting Cano in the two hole, a bad idea from the start, which makes me wonder if they will in fact bring back Damon as the primary DH. Damon and Granderson are very much a like as players, they both a solid power, but not GREAT power, and batting Granderson 6th in the lineup might not be out of the question. A lineup of:
1.Jeter
2.Damon
3.Tex
4.A-Rod
5.Posada
6.Granderson
7.Cano
8.Swisher
9.Melky
Not bad at all, but a very weird lineup. Its almost as if you have 3 leadoff hitters in the lineup. I am not so sure I am a fan of that, which means I think the Yankees will look else where for a power bat, someone who can man the 5 hole whenever Posada takes a day off, because Granderson is not that type of player. It will be interesting to see. Cash wanted to get younger and more athletic and he did that. Next up is to get more pitching and I dont mean Halladay. Could Lackey be next??
- Lew
Saturday, December 5, 2009
NFL PICKS
Hey all,
These next few weeks are going to be slow on the blog. I have finals and tomorrow I will be in Indianapolis for the Baseball Winter Meetings.
I dont have time right now to write stuff, so here are my quick picks this week.
Falcons (+5.5) Over Eagles
Falcons 23 Eagles 20
Rams (+9) Over Bears
Bears 26 Rams 20
Lions (+ 13) Over Bengals
Bengals 27 Lions 17
Steelers (-13.5) Over Raiders
Steelers 30 Raiders 10
Colts (-7) Over Titans
Colts 30 Titans 17
Broncos (-5) Over Chiefs
Broncos 19 Chiefs 10
Pats (-4) Over Dolphins
Pats 38 Dolphins 20
Redskins (+9.5) Over Saints UPSET OF THE WEEK
Redskins 27 Saints 24 OT
Bucs (+5.5) Over Panthers
Panthers 23 Bucs 20
Jags (PK) Over Texans
Jags 33 Texans 27
Chargers (-13.5) Over Browns
Chargers 37 Browns 13
Giants (+2.5) Over Cowboys
Giants 27 Cowboys 20
49ers (PK) Over Seahawks
49ers 20 Seahawks 16
Vikings (-3) Over Cards
Vikings 28 Cards 24
Ravens (+3) Packers
Ravens 17 Packers 13
QUICK GIANTS NOTE:
D.J Ware out, Bradshaw should play, but again who knows if it will even matter. I will miss the first half of this game due to the fact this was the only flight to Indy, so though I am pretty, pretty upset, there is nothing I can do. Plus, lets be real, this team does not have it. I am trying so hard to pysch myself into believing into this team, but its just not happening. Whoever thinks this team could turn it around like the 07 Giants, is simply wrong. The 07 Giants were at one point 9-4, completly different than a 6-5 team who has been blownout in 3 of their 5 losses, and two devastating losses where they blew leads in the wanning moments. These team is not the same I am sorry. Now that apparently Osi and big Fred Robbins have been benched to the second team, a tell tale sign of a desperate team. The Giants know deep down they are in trouble and despite my incredibly bias opinion of thinking they will win, it would not surprise me one bit if they lost the next three game and finished something like 7-9.
- Lew
These next few weeks are going to be slow on the blog. I have finals and tomorrow I will be in Indianapolis for the Baseball Winter Meetings.
I dont have time right now to write stuff, so here are my quick picks this week.
Falcons (+5.5) Over Eagles
Falcons 23 Eagles 20
Rams (+9) Over Bears
Bears 26 Rams 20
Lions (+ 13) Over Bengals
Bengals 27 Lions 17
Steelers (-13.5) Over Raiders
Steelers 30 Raiders 10
Colts (-7) Over Titans
Colts 30 Titans 17
Broncos (-5) Over Chiefs
Broncos 19 Chiefs 10
Pats (-4) Over Dolphins
Pats 38 Dolphins 20
Redskins (+9.5) Over Saints UPSET OF THE WEEK
Redskins 27 Saints 24 OT
Bucs (+5.5) Over Panthers
Panthers 23 Bucs 20
Jags (PK) Over Texans
Jags 33 Texans 27
Chargers (-13.5) Over Browns
Chargers 37 Browns 13
Giants (+2.5) Over Cowboys
Giants 27 Cowboys 20
49ers (PK) Over Seahawks
49ers 20 Seahawks 16
Vikings (-3) Over Cards
Vikings 28 Cards 24
Ravens (+3) Packers
Ravens 17 Packers 13
QUICK GIANTS NOTE:
D.J Ware out, Bradshaw should play, but again who knows if it will even matter. I will miss the first half of this game due to the fact this was the only flight to Indy, so though I am pretty, pretty upset, there is nothing I can do. Plus, lets be real, this team does not have it. I am trying so hard to pysch myself into believing into this team, but its just not happening. Whoever thinks this team could turn it around like the 07 Giants, is simply wrong. The 07 Giants were at one point 9-4, completly different than a 6-5 team who has been blownout in 3 of their 5 losses, and two devastating losses where they blew leads in the wanning moments. These team is not the same I am sorry. Now that apparently Osi and big Fred Robbins have been benched to the second team, a tell tale sign of a desperate team. The Giants know deep down they are in trouble and despite my incredibly bias opinion of thinking they will win, it would not surprise me one bit if they lost the next three game and finished something like 7-9.
- Lew
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Sad but True
Recognize this? Yep, this is the site of where the bleachers would have been at a game anytime since 1923. Pretty sad, but the same bleachers that have been their since 1976 are gone. The freeze is gone as well. All those memorable home runs, Reggie's three home runs, Tino's home run, Chambliss, the list goes on and on. The memorable right field bleachers and the infamous center field black seats all gone. Nobody cared about the left field bleachers, but their gone too along with both bullpens. Its sad really.
- Lew
Jim Fassel Finally a World Champion
It took 6 years after he was fired by the Giants, and two after he was fired as Offensive Coordinator by the Ravens, but Jim Fassel is a world champion.....Of the UFL. He took the Las Vegas Locomotives to the first ever UFL Championship. Read some of the quotes from Fassel.
"This looks great," Locos coach Jim Fassel said, staring at the Bill Hambrecht Trophy. "That was a fight. That was a fight to the finish."
That Bill Hambrecht trophy, wow what an honor. You got to love the Bill Hambrecht trophy. You got to always cherish the Bill Hambrecht trophy, something like that doesnt come around ever year. Right next to his NFC Championship Ring should be the Bill Hambrecht trophy on Fassel's ever-growing trophy room.
(There he is, look at all those fans in the stands....WAIT WHERE IS THE BILL HAMBRECHT TROPHY!!!!???)
The game did end in OT and adopted the College overtime rules, which of course the NFL should use but are too stubborn to change.
"It was so important for our guys to fight all the way and wait for their opportunity," Fassel said. "We had made some adjustments defensively, and we were able to wear them down."
"It's hard to win a championship all the way to the finish," Fassel said. "Right now we're the only ones, and we're going to enjoy it for a while."
Ok, first off Jim, congrats, that is a real accomplishment winning a UFL Bill Hambrecht championship. I think you should stay and become a legend in the UFL because everyone is starting pay attention to the league and the explosive Locomotives offense. But Jim, your right its hard to win a championship.....IN THE NFL or COLLEGE not in the UFL where there are FOUR TEAMS!!! FOUR TEAMS!!! The regular season was SIX GAMES THATS IT SIX GAMES!!!! All Jim Fassel had to do was do ok in the six games and win two more in the "playoffs." Real hard Jim.
One more funny thing about the UFL, the coaches are former NFL legends the beforementioned Jim Fassel, Dennis Green, Jim Haslett, and Ted Cottrell. O and I just found out that Bill Hambrecht, get ready for this....IS THE OWNER OF THE LAS VEGAS LOCOMOTIVES!! So I guess the first team to win a title gave the league trophies name to their owner. Good system, keep it up.
- Lew
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
The Trials and Tribulations of Spree
My friend Dilb sent me a very interesting email on monday. It read: Former NBA Player forclosed on mansion.....HAHAHA ITS SPREE!!!
This is where we are in the life of Latrell Sprewell. The career of Spree has been one of many ups and downs, with the downs outweighing the ups. Lets look at the career of Spree.
Spree came out of Milwaukee, possibly the only exciting person/thing that ever came out of the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin. He went on to star at Alabama for 3 years after a stint at the prestigous Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Now Spree was no angel, he got into some fights, was not ever a happy camper, and had a huge chip on his shoulder, but the fame a fortune eventually got to him. When he was picked 24th by the Warriors, he surprised the NBA world and become an explosive scorer. Here is a commerical before the Spree we know today took off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb7wRp545YA
As I said, Spree was no angel. In 1995, Sprewell fought with teammate Jerome Kersey and returned to practice carrying a two-by-four, and reportedly threatened to return with a gun.
Finally, almost a year to the day, December 1st, 1997, Spree had an argument with coach P.J Carlisa-shit and....well we all know what happend. Spree choked him and to turn a long story short ended his days with Golden State and cost him a year in the NBA. Not to be outdone, during his suspension, Sprewell was charged with reckless driving for his role in a 90 mph accident that injured two people, spending three months under house arrest as part of a no-contest plea.
So of course the Knicks pick him up and in three seasons 1999,2000,and 2001 Spree was a huge part of the Knicks success and frankly on his best behavior. In fact, most Knicks fans and some NBA fans thought he had changed his act, that Spree had grown up. He helped lead the Knicks to an NBA Finals appreance, which has been their last as of now, and also helped the Knicks to an Eastern Conference Finals apperance as well as a 4th seed in 2001. He averaged 18.6 points for his Knicks career, and despite getting destroyed in the NBA Finals in 1999, Spree put up 26 a game, including a 35-10 in Game 5. He even had a commerical that just showed him doing his hair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6DYYh5f2sg&feature=related
However, the Knicks do what they do best, making dumb decisions and signed him to a 5 year $62 million extension. Things went downhill from here.
In 2002 Spree showed up fat and out of shape to training camp. Spree showed up to camp with a broken hand as well, which he claimed occurred when he slipped on his yacht; the Knicks fined him a record $250,000 for failing to report the incident to them. Sprewell sued the New York Post for claiming that he broke his hand in a fight. This of course was proven that he broke his hand on the yacht while he was having a massive blowout on his boat.
You could tell, despite Sprewell's success in the 2002-2003 season that his time with the Knicks were coming to an end. It soured after that enourmous fine, and Spree quit on the Knicks, forcing a trade in the offseason that sent him to the T'Wolves that brought the legendary Keith Van Fish to the Knicks.
Right before opening night 2004, Spree turned down a 3 year $21 million extension from the Wolves as he was insulted by the low offer and stated, "I have a family to feed." I bet you wish you had the money now Spree. He had the the worst season of his career that year and in 2005 a bunch of teams inquired about him. However, only Latrell Sprewell would demand a big contract despite being a free agent during the season and all the teams told him to basically go to hell.
One month into the 2005-06 season and without a contract, Sprewell's agent, Bob Gist, said his client would rather retire than play for the NBA minimum salary, telling Sports Illustrated, "Latrell doesn't need the money that badly. To go from being offered $7 million to taking $1 million, that would be a slap in the face." Several days later, Gist said that Sprewell planned to wait until "teams get desperate" around the trade deadline in February, and then sign with a contending team (an eventuality that never materialized). Gist said that Sprewell would not be interested in signing for any team's $5 million mid-level exception, calling that amount "a level beneath which [Sprewell] would not stoop or kneel!"
In March 2006, Sprewell was offered contracts by the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, both of whom were considered at the time to be strong favorites to win the NBA Championship; however, when contacted by these teams, Sprewell failed to respond with an answer to whether he would sign with them. As a result, the Mavericks and Spurs were no longer pursuing him, and he remained a free agent as the season came to a close. There was also some interest in Sprewell by the Los Angeles Lakers at the beginning of the 2005-2006 season, but a disagreement in the contract offer resulted in a failure to reach a deal.
Then there came the post NBA troubles for Spree.
Remember that wheel company he had, Sprewell rims or whatever, the one that was used on Pimp My Ride and all that stuff? Yea, well it went bankrupt.
On August 30, 2006, Milwaukee police investigated a claim by a 21-year-old female who claimed that she and Sprewell were having consensual sex aboard his 70-foot (21 m) yacht, named "Milwaukee's Best," when Sprewell began to strangle her. Police allegedly observed red marks on the woman's neck. Police investigating the allegation searched Sprewell's yacht for evidence. On September 6, 2006, police indicated that he would not face any charges from the alleged incident. Sprewell is seeking a restraining order against the woman along with "civil remedies" against the accuser.
On January 31, 2007, Sprewell's long term companion sued him for $200 million for ending their relationship agreement. She claims Sprewell agreed to support her and their four children since they were in college.
On August 22, 2007, it was reported by multiple news agencies that Latrell Sprewell's yacht was repossessed by federal marshals after Sprewell failed to maintain payments and insurance for the vessel, for which he reportedly still owed approximately $1.3 million. In addition, while piloted by Sprewell, the yacht was run ashore near Atwater Beach, just north of Milwaukee. Sprewell refused to contract with a professional salvage firm to remove the yacht. The yacht was eventually freed with the help of a local fishing vessel.
In February 2008, Sprewell's yacht was auctioned for $856,000 after he defaulted on a $1.5 million mortgage, and in May 2008 a Milwaukee area home owned by Sprewell went into foreclosure status. He also owes more than $72,000 in unpaid taxes and his company, Sprewell Motorsports, has not paid credit card bills in months.
In other reports Sprewell has not paid his takes in over "5 years, maybe more, no the guy has no money." So there you go, the once promising career of Latrell Sprewell, who averaged 20 plus a night for Golden State, who brought the Knicks to the NBA Finals, who made over $100 million in his NBA career, is now broke, faces millions of dollars in lawsuits, and STILL CHOKES PEOPLE!!!
- Lew
This is where we are in the life of Latrell Sprewell. The career of Spree has been one of many ups and downs, with the downs outweighing the ups. Lets look at the career of Spree.
Spree came out of Milwaukee, possibly the only exciting person/thing that ever came out of the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin. He went on to star at Alabama for 3 years after a stint at the prestigous Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Now Spree was no angel, he got into some fights, was not ever a happy camper, and had a huge chip on his shoulder, but the fame a fortune eventually got to him. When he was picked 24th by the Warriors, he surprised the NBA world and become an explosive scorer. Here is a commerical before the Spree we know today took off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb7wRp545YA
As I said, Spree was no angel. In 1995, Sprewell fought with teammate Jerome Kersey and returned to practice carrying a two-by-four, and reportedly threatened to return with a gun.
Finally, almost a year to the day, December 1st, 1997, Spree had an argument with coach P.J Carlisa-shit and....well we all know what happend. Spree choked him and to turn a long story short ended his days with Golden State and cost him a year in the NBA. Not to be outdone, during his suspension, Sprewell was charged with reckless driving for his role in a 90 mph accident that injured two people, spending three months under house arrest as part of a no-contest plea.
So of course the Knicks pick him up and in three seasons 1999,2000,and 2001 Spree was a huge part of the Knicks success and frankly on his best behavior. In fact, most Knicks fans and some NBA fans thought he had changed his act, that Spree had grown up. He helped lead the Knicks to an NBA Finals appreance, which has been their last as of now, and also helped the Knicks to an Eastern Conference Finals apperance as well as a 4th seed in 2001. He averaged 18.6 points for his Knicks career, and despite getting destroyed in the NBA Finals in 1999, Spree put up 26 a game, including a 35-10 in Game 5. He even had a commerical that just showed him doing his hair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6DYYh5f2sg&feature=related
However, the Knicks do what they do best, making dumb decisions and signed him to a 5 year $62 million extension. Things went downhill from here.
In 2002 Spree showed up fat and out of shape to training camp. Spree showed up to camp with a broken hand as well, which he claimed occurred when he slipped on his yacht; the Knicks fined him a record $250,000 for failing to report the incident to them. Sprewell sued the New York Post for claiming that he broke his hand in a fight. This of course was proven that he broke his hand on the yacht while he was having a massive blowout on his boat.
You could tell, despite Sprewell's success in the 2002-2003 season that his time with the Knicks were coming to an end. It soured after that enourmous fine, and Spree quit on the Knicks, forcing a trade in the offseason that sent him to the T'Wolves that brought the legendary Keith Van Fish to the Knicks.
Right before opening night 2004, Spree turned down a 3 year $21 million extension from the Wolves as he was insulted by the low offer and stated, "I have a family to feed." I bet you wish you had the money now Spree. He had the the worst season of his career that year and in 2005 a bunch of teams inquired about him. However, only Latrell Sprewell would demand a big contract despite being a free agent during the season and all the teams told him to basically go to hell.
One month into the 2005-06 season and without a contract, Sprewell's agent, Bob Gist, said his client would rather retire than play for the NBA minimum salary, telling Sports Illustrated, "Latrell doesn't need the money that badly. To go from being offered $7 million to taking $1 million, that would be a slap in the face." Several days later, Gist said that Sprewell planned to wait until "teams get desperate" around the trade deadline in February, and then sign with a contending team (an eventuality that never materialized). Gist said that Sprewell would not be interested in signing for any team's $5 million mid-level exception, calling that amount "a level beneath which [Sprewell] would not stoop or kneel!"
In March 2006, Sprewell was offered contracts by the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, both of whom were considered at the time to be strong favorites to win the NBA Championship; however, when contacted by these teams, Sprewell failed to respond with an answer to whether he would sign with them. As a result, the Mavericks and Spurs were no longer pursuing him, and he remained a free agent as the season came to a close. There was also some interest in Sprewell by the Los Angeles Lakers at the beginning of the 2005-2006 season, but a disagreement in the contract offer resulted in a failure to reach a deal.
Then there came the post NBA troubles for Spree.
Remember that wheel company he had, Sprewell rims or whatever, the one that was used on Pimp My Ride and all that stuff? Yea, well it went bankrupt.
On August 30, 2006, Milwaukee police investigated a claim by a 21-year-old female who claimed that she and Sprewell were having consensual sex aboard his 70-foot (21 m) yacht, named "Milwaukee's Best," when Sprewell began to strangle her. Police allegedly observed red marks on the woman's neck. Police investigating the allegation searched Sprewell's yacht for evidence. On September 6, 2006, police indicated that he would not face any charges from the alleged incident. Sprewell is seeking a restraining order against the woman along with "civil remedies" against the accuser.
On January 31, 2007, Sprewell's long term companion sued him for $200 million for ending their relationship agreement. She claims Sprewell agreed to support her and their four children since they were in college.
On August 22, 2007, it was reported by multiple news agencies that Latrell Sprewell's yacht was repossessed by federal marshals after Sprewell failed to maintain payments and insurance for the vessel, for which he reportedly still owed approximately $1.3 million. In addition, while piloted by Sprewell, the yacht was run ashore near Atwater Beach, just north of Milwaukee. Sprewell refused to contract with a professional salvage firm to remove the yacht. The yacht was eventually freed with the help of a local fishing vessel.
In February 2008, Sprewell's yacht was auctioned for $856,000 after he defaulted on a $1.5 million mortgage, and in May 2008 a Milwaukee area home owned by Sprewell went into foreclosure status. He also owes more than $72,000 in unpaid taxes and his company, Sprewell Motorsports, has not paid credit card bills in months.
In other reports Sprewell has not paid his takes in over "5 years, maybe more, no the guy has no money." So there you go, the once promising career of Latrell Sprewell, who averaged 20 plus a night for Golden State, who brought the Knicks to the NBA Finals, who made over $100 million in his NBA career, is now broke, faces millions of dollars in lawsuits, and STILL CHOKES PEOPLE!!!
- Lew
Monday, November 30, 2009
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
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
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
Thursday, November 26, 2009
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
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
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 23, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Zack Greinke Wins AL Cy Young
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
Monday, November 16, 2009
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
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
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
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
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