New Giants QB Sage Rosenfels and RB Darius Reynaud

September 7, 2010

NEW YORK – Hello Giants Fans, the 2010 NFL regular season begins in two days and the Giants are just about ready to get down to business. The G-Men signed QB Sage Rosenfels and RB Darius Reynaud, while they were making their cuts to get the roster down to fifty three players. I’m still in shock over the team letting DT Jay Alford go.

The Giants actually made a trade to get the return specialist Reynaud and backup QB Rosenfels from the Vikings, something very unlike GM Jerry Reese to do, since he took over for former GM Ernie Accorsi. I’m not here to report this news to you because it happened a couple of days ago. I’m writing this article to get some feedback on what you think of the transactions and if you agree with what the team did. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.

I have to be honest, I was surprised to see Big Blue waive QB Rhett Bomar. I thought the guy played pretty well during the preseason. I’m glad that he cleared waivers and was signed to the Giants practice squad. He managed the game well and was not afraid to run the ball if the situation arose. I was equally surprised to see QB Sage Rosenfels signed to the team. I watched the video interview with him on Giants.com and found him to be a level headed guy who is eager to learn the playbook. He is a veteran who has been around for a while but hopefully he will not be needed as QB Eli Manning continues his Iron Man streak for starting consecutive games. He is currently third on that list behind only QB Brett Favre and his brother QB Peyton Manning. Rosenfels will be Manning’s only backup since the team placed QB Jim Sorgi on the IR list last month.

I’m not sure what to make of RB Darius Reynaud yet because I don’t know much about him. I had to look up what he has done and from what I see, it looks like he will be an upgrade to special teams that has been decimated by injuries early into the 2010 season. I’m placing my faith in the front office on this one and would not be surprised if Reynaud had a very good year. I was surprised the team let RB Andre Brown go. With Jacobs and Bradshaw getting over recent injuries, I can easily see this becoming a problem area if the guys can’t remain healthy.

What do you think about the G-Men trading draft picks to the Vikings for QB Rosenfels and RB Reynaud? What draft picks would be a fair?

RD – nygreporter

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Possible NFL Schedule Change; 16 to 18 Games

August 25, 2010

Well hey there New York Giants fans and NYGReporter Supporters (has a nice ring to it huh?), no this article is not specifically Giants related, it effects the entire league. So, I am stepping outside my usual shell and reporting on a larger scale. Well, not so much reporting, more addressing. The difference? Reporting I might say “The NFL is considering changing the schedule from 16 to 18 games” (which it is), but in addressing that I am going to say “The NFL should change the schedule from 16 to 18 games”. See the difference?

While this almost seems like a thesis statement (do you like the scholarly new college goer wording?) it is not. However, I do strongly believe that in order for the National Football League to progress forward it is necessary to expand to 18 games. And here’s why:

  1. Preseason Games: There are too many of them! Everyone knows the 3rd one counts the most, but none of them actually count at all and considering 3 Giants have had head injuries in this preseason alone I think we can all do without two of them.
  2. Injuries: Everyone keeps saying it will create more, but did anyone stop to think it will create less? Well not exactly, but it may give guys enough time to get back, especially if the season still starts the same date it will allow two extra weeks of healing time. Just a thought.
  3. Competitiveness: If we push more division games toward the end of the season it will ensure competition. Plus, who knows maybe it will allow some bubble teams to make up ground.
  4. NFL Expansion: Everyone knows Goodell’s plan to bring the NFL world wide, the extra games could mean an extra bye week or even just more time to go more places.
  5. Competing with other Leagues: No, no other football league has a chance, but the MLB and NBA and NHL all have longer seasons and less offseason waiting around time. I know the waiting builds suspense but right around now I just don’t want to wait any longer for football and the thought that I could be watching games that matter is enticing.

So anyways, this is simply my opinion, I don’t claim to be an expert on the matter but from a fan’s perspective, I would like to see more hard hitting, meaningful football. ESPN reports that owners are “eagar” while the players “aren’t so sure”. There is a lot that goes into this change. Ultimately, I wish we would all focus on the collective bargaining agreement rather than the schedule. Schedule changes are aimed to take place in 2012, the bargaining agreement is due up this year. Prioritize league, prioritize.

Josh Berman – nygreporter.com


nygreporter Sports Special: Alex Rodriguez 600th HR

August 8, 2010

Hello Sports Fans,

In our second segment of the “NYG Reporter Sports Special” (major global sports news), we take a look at a truly rare feat in sports history. Four days ago in the Bronx, New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, hit his 600th home run out of the park, in the first inning against Shawn Marcum and the Toronto Blue Jays. He finally did it after the longest drought between HR’s for the No.600 group members with 46 at-bats between HR’s (his 17th of the season). As if written for a made for TV movie, he hit home run No.600 exactly 3 years to the day from when he hit No.500. Spooky stuff huh? He will need to keep that 100 HR per 3 year pace going to become the king, something he could realistically achieve in 6 or 7 seasons.

I am a Yankee fan and I was happy that Alex hit that home run in Yankee stadium (monument park to be exact). The ballpark needed something to cheer for as 2010 has been particularly hard on the Yankee family. Because both owner George Steinbrenner and announcer Bob Sheppard, passed away within days of each other during the summer of 2010.

Alex became just the seventh player in baseball history to reach the No.600 plateau. He was also the youngest player ever to achieve this benchmark at 35 years old, which he had just turned a week earlier. It is hard to believe that A-Rod has played 17 seasons in the major leagues.

I wanted to wait a few days before I covered this historical accomplishment because of the backlash I expect. Everyone here at the nygreporter would like to say Congrats to Alex! I think it is a shame that the steroid era has tarnished this accomplishment in some writers minds. Most fans of the game will be rooting for Alex to do well but almost all of them still shake their head when the topic of steroids comes up. Alex was a man about the situation and admitted it but it is still something that will follow him where ever he goes. I say it is in the past and everyone should leave the man alone and let him do his job.

If you take a look at the all-time home run list below, you will see that Rodriguez is only nine home runs away from taking sole possession of sixth place by surpassing Sammy Sosa. This is something I think A-Rod is more then capable of doing this year. However, he will have to wait until next year to take over Ken Griffey Jr and the fifth spot at 630 home runs. Again, something that A-Rod is very capable of doing. For a guy who is clearly aging well, A-Rod might be able to play another decade.

Rodriguez was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1993 and he was born in New York.

Most Home Runs All-time as of 8/8/10:

1. Barry Bonds – 762 HR’s

2. Hank Aaron – 755 HR’s

3. Babe Ruth – 715 HR’s

4. Willie Mays – 660 HR’s

5. Ken Griffey Jr. – 630 HR’s

6. Sammy Sosa – 609 HR’s

7. Alex Rodriguez – 600 HR’s

8. Frank Robinson – 586 HR’s

9. Mark McGwire – 583 HR’s

10. Jim Thome – 577 HR’s

Do you think 3B Alex Rodriguez will end up as the all-time home run king by the end of his career? Will he hit 763 home runs?

Alex Rodriguez awards received:

1996 – AL Batting Champion

2001 – AL Home Run Champion

2002 – AL Home Run Champion, AL RBI Leader, AL Gold Glove-SS, AL Hank Aaron Award

2003 – AL MVP, AL Home Run Champion, AL Gold Glove-SS, AL Hank Aaron Award

2005 – AL MVP, AL Home Run Champion

2007 – AL MVP, AL Home Run Champion, AL RBI Leader, AL Hank Aaron Award

2009 – World Series Champion

1996-2009 – 10-time Silver Slugger award winner

1996-2010 – 13-time All-Star roster member

RD – nygreporter.com

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NYG Reporter Sports Special: Edition 0002


Just Talking About New York Giants Football

July 21, 2010

Hello Giants Fans!

Things have been extremely quiet in the football world lately, not including the usual Brett Favre chatter of course. I took a little mini-break during this quiet time and figured I’d enjoy the peace while it lasts. We haven’t heard any New York Giants news in a week but I anticipate this week to heat up by Friday. The Giants first round pick, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, still hasn’t signed with the team and that is something that can happen at any moment. Their second round pick, Linval Joseph has yet to sign also. The team is now only 10 days away from the beginning of training camp in Albany, New York.

Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. What is going on with Giants star safety Kenny Phillips? This is a question that has been lingering, like a thorn in my mind. I cannot overemphasize how important having Kenny Phillips on the field would be for Big Blue. He is a game changer and a very good athlete. If the front office has been coy about his status and he returns full boar, then the Giants have quietly put together the best safety tandem in the NFL.

Time heals all wounds they say, so I’m anxious to see how pro bowl DE Osi Umenyiora performs in 2010. The front office has clearly made a statement by drafting rookie DE Jason Pierre-Paul. I’m not sure why Giants writers feel the need to include this fact when Osi’s name is brought up. I think I understand why. Osi if you’re reading this, tell me if it makes sense to you. Giants fans still have Osi ranked the number one DE in their minds. Not everyone feels this way but a good portion of them do. The writers and fans haven’t given DE Justin Tuck the reigns completely yet and still know what you’re capable of. Osi is young and has had ample time to recover from his injury a couple of years ago.

I’m extremely curious to learn what defense new DC Perry Fewell intends to use. I found it promising that he was experimenting during minicamp this year. Some have mentioned a tampa 2 defense and others have said he will switch to a 3-4 defense. I’m not sure about those drastic changes but I would anticipate those scenarios to all be a part of the arsenal Fewell intends to employ. This guy looks like he mixes it up and keeps opposing offenses guessing. I do however expect him to be more aggressive then former DC Sheridan was. You cannot blame a guy for attacking when his back is against the wall and I think if Sheridan had done that a few times, he might still have his job. Probably not but you never know.

What I’m about to tell you is extremely disturbing, parental discretion is advised. Former Giants safety CC “Can’t Cover” Brown has come out in the news and said that the New York media controls the New York Giants. Really CC? Why would you want to go there? We understand your fighting to put food on the table in Detroit but let’s be honest, you had a poor year in 2009. In fact, the entire team has a poor year and yes, you were a part of that team. The New York Giants are one of the classiest organizations in all of sports with a deep history and tradition. You owe the team, front office, owners and the coaches an apology. I could have taken a very mean angle on this topic but I want to give CC the benefit of the doubt, because a lot of what happened last season was not his fault.

That’s all for now, let us know what you think in the comment area below. Be sure to check out the NYG Reporter “LIVE FROM NYG TRAINING CAMP” special in the near future.

RD – nygreporter.com

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