Some people of have written in and wondered why I don't write about the Strahan situation. The answer is quite simple, what is there to tell that the other 500 media outlets aren't giving you? Strahan is contemplating retirement, but really we all know he wants more money, and the Giants front office will not go through this season what they did with the Tiki Barber tour last season. There I have addressed the issue, now on to some football
He's a former 4th round pick from Souther Illinois, and he came in with a bang stating that "he will not be denied a yard". Brandon Jacobs is the largest RB in the NFL and the largest in Giants history (and maybe the history of the NFL). However this big back has moved from the shadows of the most prolific back in Giants history to the forefront. The question is can he handle it.
For his career he has been the short yardage, goal line back, picking up those tough yards, and he's been really good at it. Much better then his predecessor (who also wore #27), Ron Dayne. Dayne is gone as is Barber, and now fans and coaching will look to Jacobs to bring back that bruising, wear down the defense type of running.
With Jacobs (and now Reuben Droughns, acquired in a trade with Cleveland for WR Tim Carter), I, as do many fans, expect offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, to implement a thunder and thunder type of attack. I believe he will, and by doing this, a lot of pressure can be taken off the shoulders of Eli, who under Huffnagle, was throwing like a madman in some games.
It will be interesting to see if Jacobs can handle the fulltime roll of the Giants running back job. One thing is for sure though, he will get his chance, and it is now his job to lose.
About the Author:
Mike Podlesny co-hosts the Big Blue Review. A weekly podcast covering the NY Giants. You can listen to the podcast by visiting http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Jul 25, 2007 to August 1, 2007 Poll Results
Question: How many wins will the Giants get this year?
| More than 10 wins: | 47% |
| 7 to 10 Wins: | 43% |
| 5 to 7 Wins: | 6% |
| less than 5 wins: | 2% |
Friday, July 27, 2007
Camp Opens is Eli Ready?
Giants camp has officially opened, Tiki Barber has retired and now the offense falls squarely on the shoulders of the man the Giants mortgaged the future for, #10 Eli Manning.
Over the previous 3 seasons, I, as well as all Giants fans, have seen flashes of greatness out of Manning, but in the same breath, we have seen plays where we shake our heads and say "what" to ourselves? Making everyone think, is he the second coming of, ugh, Dave Brown, instead of Phil Simms.
No one will forget the game against Denver, two seasons ago, when Eli lead a 4th quarter game winning drive, or the miraculous come from behind victory against division rival Philadelphia, last season. Then again, no one wants to remember the debacle that was the Titans game of a year ago, or the playoff disaster against Carolina, where the offense couldn't even get a field goal.
Fast forward to 2007, with new hope, dreams and ambitions by the players, New York media, and the fans. So called experts are not giving this year's Giants team much of a chance, but lets not forget, one year's disaster, could be next year's Saints. This is the NFL afterall, a league that prides itself of parity and where only one thing is for sure, and that is the Colts and Patriots are powerhouses, and everyone else is up in the air as, who knows how good they will really be.
Eli Manning has taken a step further in this offseason, calling out superstar tight end Jeremy Shockey for not showing up on time to the OTAs, or standing in front of the NY media, which is never an easy thing to do, and in not so many many words, saying, 'this is my team and I am ready to be the leader'. Obviously I am paraphrasing, but you get the point.
GM Jerry Reese has done an excellent job in the offseason. He's put together some pieces, however this team still needs more, and is more than likely a year or two away from being considered a Superbowl contender. Regardless of what pieces Reese brings in, there is one main peice that needs to rise above the play of the past three seasons, and that is Eli Manning. If he continues to play the way he has, it would mean Ernie Accorsi made the biggest blunder in draft history, trading away the farm for young Eli, and will set this franchise back for many years. If Eli turns out to be an excellent QB, win some playoff games, and maybe just maybe a Superbowl? Then EA will go down as a genious, no one in NY will remember the trade that could have landed them LB Shawn Merriman, and no one will certainly remember the game against Carolina or Tennesee.
About the Author:
Mike Podlesny co-hosts the Big Blue Review. A weekly podcast covering the NY Giants. You can listen to the podcast by visiting http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/
Over the previous 3 seasons, I, as well as all Giants fans, have seen flashes of greatness out of Manning, but in the same breath, we have seen plays where we shake our heads and say "what" to ourselves? Making everyone think, is he the second coming of, ugh, Dave Brown, instead of Phil Simms.
No one will forget the game against Denver, two seasons ago, when Eli lead a 4th quarter game winning drive, or the miraculous come from behind victory against division rival Philadelphia, last season. Then again, no one wants to remember the debacle that was the Titans game of a year ago, or the playoff disaster against Carolina, where the offense couldn't even get a field goal.
Fast forward to 2007, with new hope, dreams and ambitions by the players, New York media, and the fans. So called experts are not giving this year's Giants team much of a chance, but lets not forget, one year's disaster, could be next year's Saints. This is the NFL afterall, a league that prides itself of parity and where only one thing is for sure, and that is the Colts and Patriots are powerhouses, and everyone else is up in the air as, who knows how good they will really be.
Eli Manning has taken a step further in this offseason, calling out superstar tight end Jeremy Shockey for not showing up on time to the OTAs, or standing in front of the NY media, which is never an easy thing to do, and in not so many many words, saying, 'this is my team and I am ready to be the leader'. Obviously I am paraphrasing, but you get the point.
GM Jerry Reese has done an excellent job in the offseason. He's put together some pieces, however this team still needs more, and is more than likely a year or two away from being considered a Superbowl contender. Regardless of what pieces Reese brings in, there is one main peice that needs to rise above the play of the past three seasons, and that is Eli Manning. If he continues to play the way he has, it would mean Ernie Accorsi made the biggest blunder in draft history, trading away the farm for young Eli, and will set this franchise back for many years. If Eli turns out to be an excellent QB, win some playoff games, and maybe just maybe a Superbowl? Then EA will go down as a genious, no one in NY will remember the trade that could have landed them LB Shawn Merriman, and no one will certainly remember the game against Carolina or Tennesee.
About the Author:
Mike Podlesny co-hosts the Big Blue Review. A weekly podcast covering the NY Giants. You can listen to the podcast by visiting http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 23, 2007
As Camp Draws Near, Questions Still Remain
In a few short days the New York Giants will open camp, and so will begin the first season for Giants GM Jerry Reese, and unless their is significant improvement, Tom Coughlin's last.
The Jerry Reese era started with a bang...players were released, not resigned, and lost to free agency, and yet through it all many holes were filled. Reese's first draft as the Giants GM, was for the most part a success. He addressed the secondary, depth on the D-Line, a quality WR, offensive line help, and an additional tight end to compliment Shockey. Though a lot seems to have been done, questions still remain for this team. Questions that have the so-called experts believing, the Giants are in for a long season.
Camp opens on Friday, with the younger guys reporting. Each day I will look at a glaring weakness, leading up to Big Blue Review's, pre-camp podcast where these weaknesses and more will be covered in depth, as we interview Inside Giants Football's Tony Marshall.
Day 1: Who's playing Left Tackle?
Eli Manning is a right handed QB, making his blind side to the left. Therefore, on the offensive line the LT position becomes extremely important to protect the franchise QB. One problem, the Giants LT (Luke Pettigout) was cut prior to the draft, leaving many experts to believe that the Giants were looking at central Michigan's Joe Staley to be the 20th pick. The pick came, as did secondary help in Aaron Ross, and went as did Joe Staley to the 49ers later in the draft. This leaves the question, who is playing LT?
In last year's draft, the Giants drafted Guy Whimper. Noted as a project pick, the big tackle will need to speed up his learning curve as the Giants are now out of time. Look for David Diehl to slide over to the LT position this season until Whimper is ready or rookie 6th round draft choice out of Oregon State, Adam Koets is ready to move, which is highly unlikely.
My advice ... "keep your head on a swivel Eli!" Seriously though, I think Diehl will do an admirable job, and may be better then we can imagine. But having a question mark at the line's most important position is a bit scary. I believe Reese and the Giants have a plan. Prior to the draft it was my thought the Giants would draft a linebacker since Reese seemed to cut every LB they had on the Roster. Instead, Reese went with secondary help in round 1, then made the announcement they were moving last year's first round draft choice, Mathias Kiwianuka (Kiwi for short), to the outside linebacker position. My guess is Reese and Coughlin will do something similar here, and they more than likely have a plan in place. What that plan is? who knows, but the season fast approaches, so we are sure to find out.
About the Author
Mike Podlesny co-hosts the Big Blue Review. A weekly podcast covering the NY Giants. You can listen to the podcast by visiting http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/
The Jerry Reese era started with a bang...players were released, not resigned, and lost to free agency, and yet through it all many holes were filled. Reese's first draft as the Giants GM, was for the most part a success. He addressed the secondary, depth on the D-Line, a quality WR, offensive line help, and an additional tight end to compliment Shockey. Though a lot seems to have been done, questions still remain for this team. Questions that have the so-called experts believing, the Giants are in for a long season.
Camp opens on Friday, with the younger guys reporting. Each day I will look at a glaring weakness, leading up to Big Blue Review's, pre-camp podcast where these weaknesses and more will be covered in depth, as we interview Inside Giants Football's Tony Marshall.
Day 1: Who's playing Left Tackle?
Eli Manning is a right handed QB, making his blind side to the left. Therefore, on the offensive line the LT position becomes extremely important to protect the franchise QB. One problem, the Giants LT (Luke Pettigout) was cut prior to the draft, leaving many experts to believe that the Giants were looking at central Michigan's Joe Staley to be the 20th pick. The pick came, as did secondary help in Aaron Ross, and went as did Joe Staley to the 49ers later in the draft. This leaves the question, who is playing LT?
In last year's draft, the Giants drafted Guy Whimper. Noted as a project pick, the big tackle will need to speed up his learning curve as the Giants are now out of time. Look for David Diehl to slide over to the LT position this season until Whimper is ready or rookie 6th round draft choice out of Oregon State, Adam Koets is ready to move, which is highly unlikely.
My advice ... "keep your head on a swivel Eli!" Seriously though, I think Diehl will do an admirable job, and may be better then we can imagine. But having a question mark at the line's most important position is a bit scary. I believe Reese and the Giants have a plan. Prior to the draft it was my thought the Giants would draft a linebacker since Reese seemed to cut every LB they had on the Roster. Instead, Reese went with secondary help in round 1, then made the announcement they were moving last year's first round draft choice, Mathias Kiwianuka (Kiwi for short), to the outside linebacker position. My guess is Reese and Coughlin will do something similar here, and they more than likely have a plan in place. What that plan is? who knows, but the season fast approaches, so we are sure to find out.
About the Author
Mike Podlesny co-hosts the Big Blue Review. A weekly podcast covering the NY Giants. You can listen to the podcast by visiting http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 13, 2007
Big Blue Review Going Live?
COMING SOON! We go Live!
Mike Podlesny hosts the weekly podcast, the Big Blue Review, which covers in depth the New York Football Giants. You can listen to the Big Blue Review at http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/. The podcast is also availble on iTunes.You can email the Big Blue Review at Email the Big Blue Review.
Mike Podlesny hosts the weekly podcast, the Big Blue Review, which covers in depth the New York Football Giants. You can listen to the Big Blue Review at http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com/. The podcast is also availble on iTunes.You can email the Big Blue Review at Email the Big Blue Review.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Former Giants TE Ken McAfee passes at 77
From Boston.com
==========================================
By Globe Staff July 10, 2007
Kenneth A. MacAfee, a key component of the dominant New York Giants teams of the mid-1950s and a player credited with being the first tight end in the NFL, died July 4 in Brockton. He was 77.
Mr. MacAfee, a Brockton resident, had collapsed while playing golf and was believed to have suffered a heart attack.
Mr. MacAfee was a sprinter at Boston University and a football player at the University of Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide in receiving in 1951. After a standout year as a receiver for the Giants in his rookie year, he found his role was about to change.
Vince Lombardi, then offensive coordinator for the Giants, moved Mr. MacAfee from outside, or split, end, to tight end.
"When Vince told me I was a tight end, I didn't even know what he was talking about," Mr. MacAfee told the Globe in 1979. "I was primarily a blocker."
"Pro football back then was always single-wing formations, so Dad didn't know what to think about this new position, but he went along with Vince," his son, Kenneth Jr., told the Globe in 2003. His son had been a star tight end for the University of Notre Dame and a college Hall of Famer. "It worked out for him. A year later, the Giants won the NFL championship."
With such star players as Frank Gifford, Sam Huff, Emlen Tunnell, Rosey Grier, Mel Triplett, Pat Summerall, and Roosevelt Brown, the Giants were a leading team in NFL in the mid and late 1950s. They won the 1956 title game over the Bears, 47-7, and battled the Baltimore Colts in what many observers believe was the greatest NFL game ever played, the 1958 title game in which they lost in sudden death, 23-17.
Many of his memories, however, centered on being part of a close team, he said. "We were really one big happy family," Mr. MacAfee said. "If one guy went out at night for a beer, 32 others went with him. That's the way it was."
Life in the NFL took its toll.
"I got to see my dad sit down to watch TV and crack every joint in his body, I mean ankles and toes and knuckles," his son said in the 2003 interview. "I saw what pro football could do to a person's body."
Mr. MacAfee spent his offseasons in a variety of jobs, including working as mason contractor, with a men's clothing manufacturer, and at the old Haffenreffer Brewery in Jamaica Plain.
"I don't know if the players were any more dedicated then or now," Mr. MacAfee had said. "But today's player doesn't have to work, and we did, just to keep the family and the mortgage going."
The 1958 title game was the last he played with the Giants. In 1959, his last season, he split the year with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins.
His football salary never exceeded $10,000. After retiring from football, he worked in sales with the F.C. Phillips Co. in Stoughton and Warehouse Equipment Inc. in Braintree.
Mr. MacAfee grew up in Brockton and graduated from Oliver Ames High School. He served in the Marines during the Korean War.
In addition to his son, of Needham, Mr. MacAfee leaves his wife Diane E. (Lockwood); three sisters, Norma Baer, Nancy Sciore, and Martha Gomes; and two grandchildren.
A wake and prayer service have been held.
==========================================
By Globe Staff July 10, 2007
Kenneth A. MacAfee, a key component of the dominant New York Giants teams of the mid-1950s and a player credited with being the first tight end in the NFL, died July 4 in Brockton. He was 77.
Mr. MacAfee, a Brockton resident, had collapsed while playing golf and was believed to have suffered a heart attack.
Mr. MacAfee was a sprinter at Boston University and a football player at the University of Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide in receiving in 1951. After a standout year as a receiver for the Giants in his rookie year, he found his role was about to change.
Vince Lombardi, then offensive coordinator for the Giants, moved Mr. MacAfee from outside, or split, end, to tight end.
"When Vince told me I was a tight end, I didn't even know what he was talking about," Mr. MacAfee told the Globe in 1979. "I was primarily a blocker."
"Pro football back then was always single-wing formations, so Dad didn't know what to think about this new position, but he went along with Vince," his son, Kenneth Jr., told the Globe in 2003. His son had been a star tight end for the University of Notre Dame and a college Hall of Famer. "It worked out for him. A year later, the Giants won the NFL championship."
With such star players as Frank Gifford, Sam Huff, Emlen Tunnell, Rosey Grier, Mel Triplett, Pat Summerall, and Roosevelt Brown, the Giants were a leading team in NFL in the mid and late 1950s. They won the 1956 title game over the Bears, 47-7, and battled the Baltimore Colts in what many observers believe was the greatest NFL game ever played, the 1958 title game in which they lost in sudden death, 23-17.
Many of his memories, however, centered on being part of a close team, he said. "We were really one big happy family," Mr. MacAfee said. "If one guy went out at night for a beer, 32 others went with him. That's the way it was."
Life in the NFL took its toll.
"I got to see my dad sit down to watch TV and crack every joint in his body, I mean ankles and toes and knuckles," his son said in the 2003 interview. "I saw what pro football could do to a person's body."
Mr. MacAfee spent his offseasons in a variety of jobs, including working as mason contractor, with a men's clothing manufacturer, and at the old Haffenreffer Brewery in Jamaica Plain.
"I don't know if the players were any more dedicated then or now," Mr. MacAfee had said. "But today's player doesn't have to work, and we did, just to keep the family and the mortgage going."
The 1958 title game was the last he played with the Giants. In 1959, his last season, he split the year with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins.
His football salary never exceeded $10,000. After retiring from football, he worked in sales with the F.C. Phillips Co. in Stoughton and Warehouse Equipment Inc. in Braintree.
Mr. MacAfee grew up in Brockton and graduated from Oliver Ames High School. He served in the Marines during the Korean War.
In addition to his son, of Needham, Mr. MacAfee leaves his wife Diane E. (Lockwood); three sisters, Norma Baer, Nancy Sciore, and Martha Gomes; and two grandchildren.
A wake and prayer service have been held.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The New York Giants roller coaster ride of the 2006-2007 season ended with a fizzle. The once 6 and 2 team struggled down the stretch, making the playoffs as an 8 and 8 contender, only to fall in the opening round to division rival Philadelphia on a last second field goal. Injuries, poor play, an inconsistent QB all were a contributing factor.
We fast forward to the off season. Tiki Barber, the Giants’ most prolific running back in history, retires, along with long tenured GM Ernie Accorsi. New GM Jerry Reese is hired and before you can blink an eye, linebackers Carlos Emmons, Lavar Arrington are cut, linebacker Brandon Short is not resigned, kick returner Chad Morton is let go as is starting left tackle Luke Pettigout. All these moves add up to a huge and dramatic shift as far as team needs.
When the season ended, most, if not all Giants fans, felt, the need fell squarely in the secondary to address their woeful coverage team and at the WR position to replace the traded Tim Carter (sent to Cleveland for Reuben Droughns) and the aging Amani Toomer. That is no longer case. With the exiting of three linebackers, and an offensive tackle, the need paradigm has shifted. I have outlined my thoughts on the needs of the New York Giants and where they fall.
1. Linebacker – The clear number one need is linebacker and that is not arguable. With the 20th pick of the first round, the Giants will be able to grab themselves a pretty good one. Patrick Willis, although a MLB, is clearly the best of the bunch and will more than likely go to Buffalo at pick 12. Pittsburgh also needs linebacker help, and they are leaning towards Beason or Timmons. Look for the Giants to fill their first need at pick #20 with Paul Posluszny, the outstanding linebacker from Penn State. If he is gone at this point that would mean either Beason or Timmons is still available. Beason is the better option here and would fit in better than Timmons.
2. Offensive Line – With the departure of your starting left tackle and your backup tackle in Bob Whitfield, you better believe that the offensive line must be addressed in round 2. By the time the Giants pick in round 2 all of the top prospect left tackles will be gone. However, Tony Ugoh a talented OT out of Arkansas may still be available. If he is, or even close to the Giants pick in round 2, I can see them pulling the trigger on him.
3. Defensive Tackle – What? Defensive tackle? Before secondary help? Yes. The third round is a great place to pick up some depth. Let’s face it, William Joseph did not turn out to be the DT that we had hoped, and more than likely won’t be here after the 2007-2008 season. Fred Robbins and Barry Coefield can only play so many minutes before they need a rest. Joseph is unable to give them quality depth to give the starters a rest. Although it wouldn’t surprise me if the Giants grab a CB in this round, I think Quinn Pitcock the DT out of Ohio State would be a good fit here. He may not be available as he could go as early in the late second round to Kansas City.
4. Secondary – What was once the greatest need of this team, has ultimately dropped down to the 4th need (in my eyes anyway). I think round 4 is a great place to pick up a decent corner that can step in right away and be a contributor both in the nickel or the dime and definitely as a backup. If Giants are lucky they may be able to get a steal of Tanard Jackson out of Syracuse or Jonathan Wade out of Tennessee with this pick, although they are highly unlikely to fall this far.
5. Wide Receiver/Tight End – Tight end is the more glaring need at this point over wide receiver as well. Other than Shockey, the Giants don’t have another one to go to. Shockey hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year, so they absolutely need to address this position with someone who can block, has decent hands and can run crisp routes. Oh yeah, and expect to be a starter by the end of the year. Joe Newton out of Oregon State or Martrez Milner out of Georgia could fill this spot nicely. If there is no value there for the TE position, the Giants may stick with tradition and draft a WR, which is what they have done every year for nearly 10 years and that is draft at least one WR in every draft (except in 1999).
So there you have it. My top 5 needs the Giants must address in the draft. I think Jerry Reese has done some surprising things, but at the same time he has done some smart things as well. One of those is not over paying in the free agent market and waiting for the draft to fill the needs of this team.
Also be on the lookout for June 1st cut day. Giants may get lucky and pick up a veteran or two that could add depth to the team.
Mike Podlesny hosts the weekly podcast, the Big Blue Review, which covers in depth the New York Football Giants. You can listen to the Big Blue Review at http://big-blue-review.blogspot.com. The podcast is also availble on iTunes.
You can email the Big Blue Review at Email the Big Blue Review.
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