Veteran presence on the defensive line.  Notre Dame guy.  Character guy.  Durable.  Not Strahan but insurance against his improbable retirement.  You cannot have enough big people who know how to play!  Coach Coughlin seems to be collecting some of his former Jags (Danny Clark, now Renaldo Wynn) as well as former Jag (their leading tackler last year) safety Sammy Knight.
Veteran presence is crucial in the Sagnuolo defense which will receive a very healthy infusion of youth with two smart, fast, productive linebackers in Kehl and Goff... sidenote: Justin Tuck and Renaldo Wynn are, arguably, the best two defensive players to come out of Notre Dame in the last fifteen years.
The right combination of veteran smarts and and youthful courage is a Wynn win for the Giants.

Continue reading "Wynn Win for Giants with veteran DE"

Today's Belmont Stakes features a potential triple crown winner, Big Brown.  Our Big Blue World Champions face a crowded field of contenders, and, like Big Brown, Big Blue starts from the number one post position.  In horse racing, that means getting squeezed against the rail, fighting through the pack, establishing a lane, and breaking when the opportunity presents. So it is with the New York Giants.  Dallas and Philadelphia will squeeze them against the rail for the NFC EAST, certainly.  Look for Dallas to fade a little as the austere and powerful gaze of Bill Parcells transforms into a distant memory for the players, who are getting used to Wade Phillips' more laid back style -- something akin to the good cop/bad cop routine, a situation that resembles the substitute teacher taking

Continue reading "Triple Crown Thoughts"

DE Michael Strahan retires today. One of the best.  Played the run as well as the pass.  Future Hall of Famer despite the Brett Favre play.  Opportunity knocks for the youngsters on the Giant defense which just got a lot younger. Look forward, not back. Somewhere, Philadelphia Eagle J. Runyon is smiling. Washington Redskins Jansen and Samuels too. Dallas Cowboys House Adams, and Columbo are glad.  Giants fans may be sad... but rejoice -- we're the CHAMPS!  Like Marciano, Mike goes out on top. 

Continue reading "Mike Strahan Goes Out On Top"

The Giants seeming unwillingness to enhance the existing deals of our controversial tight end and our mercurial number one receiver sheds light on the team's philosophy regarding positional importance.  Take care of the linemen.  Receivers and tight ends can come and go -- they are both wonderful players -- each offers unique talent for their position, but the position itself is the question. You know Coach Coughlin wants to run the ball.  Does extending and enriching an injury-prone tight end like Shockey make financial sense when Boss and Michaels can do the same job for half the pay?  What about Burress's knees and ankles and the general wear and tear of 9 seasons?  He played great in that cold weather championship game in Green Bay, you've got to give him that. Both Shockey and Burress have nice size -- a luxury for a QB's vision, especially when he's just starting to adjust to the speed of the NFL game...but Eli's adjusted now so unless Shockey and Burress learn to stay healthy, well, we've see the Jerry Reese method of operation regarding oft-injured veterans.

Continue reading "Giant Grumblings/Young Man's Game"

In the mix for the Giants punt returner job so far are the incumbent, R.W McQuarters, WR Michael Jennings, WR Sinorice Moss, WR & KR Dominik Hixon, and RB Ahmad Bradshaw.
McQuaters is experienced and offers good ball security, which is the number one priority.  Saved his best for last in our Championship Season, but is a little long in the tooth.
Jennings offers world class sprinter's speed.  He was on task to make the team last year when he got hurt.
Moss has great explosiveness.  Does he have great hands?
Hixon is a strider but sees lanes as evidenced in his kick returning ability. Again, hands?
Bradshaw is an interesting participant.  As long as he hangs onto the ball. 
Offensive co-ordinator Kevin Gilbride said he was very happy with the work the WRs did against press coverage in this camp.  He also said Eli Manning looked very sharp.

Continue reading "Mini-Camp Punt Returners"

Why?  These teams are not the toughest stretch on the schedule by any means, but they will be relatively healthy this early in the season and that is always trouble.  
First, The Washington Redskins.  New coach, new system, new receivers, veteran offensive line, Clinton Portis if he's healthy, Santana Moss in the West Coast Zorn version, dink and dunk, run after catch, hit Cooley underneath.  Defensive line is questionable. Linebackers are okay.  Defensive backfield is better at S than at CB. This seems like a ball control kill the clok kind of game for the Giants -- run the football, keep their offense off the field, and take our shots downfield taking advantage of Burress' height v. smaller CBs. Potential hazards: The QB, Campbell gets hot.  This offense just might fit his skill level perfectly and the coach is smart enough to tailor the offense to the players' best skills. Giants should use the offense to keep them off the field and use our versatile attack to control the clock and, on defense, get after the QB, don't let him set his feet.  Also, hit Portis early and often. Don't be surprised if Kenny Phillips starts right away. Also, expect the young linebackers to play smart/fast football, using the versatile Kiwanuka in various disguised blitzes. I predict now one corner blitz that rattles the bones of Jason Campbell and results in a defensive touchdown for us.  You heard it first here.  Giants 31 - Redskins - 13

Continue reading "First Games Represents Early Trap"