12/24/11 Christmas Eve DAC Day 24, Ho Ho Ho

December 24, 2011

NEW YORK – It is Christmas Eve everyone and the Giants play the Jets. It’s going to be a fun day with family enjoying the game for me. I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas Eve and I look forward to discussing the game on Monday. This is bigger then the need to get a win, this is a battle for New York. The fans all know it and so do I. There is a lot of pride on the line in this game for both teams and coming out with the win is a must. Just like in that movie “The Invasion” we need to get some Big Blue jerseys in MetLife stadium for the game. Excuse me, I mean Giants stadium.

The Giants have to play and beat the Dallas Cowboys next week in the season finale at MetLife stadium. That will surely be one of the hottest tickets of the year because the Giants playoff hopes depend on that win. The fans will be out in force rain, sleet or snow for this one. I expect the tailgating to be huge for the finale and fans can have a blast just hanging out until kickoff if they weren’t fortunate enough to get tickets. Never drink and drive of course and be sure to have a designated driver to get you home. Remember, be safe, kids go to games too.

Whatever religion you are or what holiday you celebrate, I wish all of you a happy holiday season equally. I celebrate Christmas and write about what I know. I hope you can all respect that. Feel free to leave a comment about what holiday you celebrate and how you do so.

– Rodney Hampton was generous enough to stop by with a final Christmas wish for our readers and to answer five little questions. I think our readers will enjoy it and yes, this is the real Giants RB Rodney Hampton everyone. Be sure to check out Hamps Camp (www.hampscamp.com) for his football camp and after school programs in the Houston, Texas area. Hello again Rodney and thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. Merry Christmas to you and the family!

Five Christmas Questions for Rodney Hampton:

1. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Hampton Answer: Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and Santa Claus is coming to town. Classic ABC movies for the holidays.

2. What is your favorite Christmas dinner?

Hampton Answer: I don’t really have a favorite dinner. We always have so much food around, a feast, that there is always something good to eat. 

3. What is your favorite Christmas drink?

Hampton Answer: a glass of red wine, a merlot.

4. What type of music do you listen to on Christmas eve?

Hampton Answer: I have a piano that plays by itself and we love to listen to the Christmas carols from there. The piano music really puts me in the Christmas spirit. 

5. What Christmas traditions do you and your family have and celebrate?

Hampton Answer: We play a game called The White Elephant Gift Exchange (Google it for the rules) on Christmas day. It’s so much fun because no one can control the gift they receive and some of us purchase gifts that no one wants. It’s so much fun!

1. Rodney Hampton’s Christmas message to nygreporter readers:

Rodney: I’d like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Take some time and reflect on the year. Make a list of at least five things that you are thankful for. Sometimes we get too consumed with all of the gifts and money being spent during the holiday season. Take some time this year and focus on the small things (sometimes these are the things we take for granted). Remember the reason for the season, and be sure to have a safe and joyful holiday! May God bless each of you!!!

2. Robert’s (nygreporter owner) Christmas message to readers:

Robert: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our readers! Thank you very much for continuing to read our articles and see a different perspective on the team. Let’s get in the playoffs and do some work Giants! Eli Manning needs to be in the Pro Bowl. So do a bunch of other players this year. God Bless all of you and your families! Thank you to the military stationed all over the world who cannot be home this year. God Bless and protect you always! 

RD – nygreporter.com – Merry Christmas!

Go GIANTS!

Please Support The Wounded Warrior Project by Clicking Here, You Are Not Forgotten!!


Giants Need to Break Out the Ugly Stick Against Rams

September 19, 2011

NEW YORK – It doesn’t matter how the Giants win tonight against the Rams, they just have to win. All that matters is that they avoid the dreaded 0-2 start and build some confidence going into their second divisional battle next Sunday against the Eagles. I’m not advocating any dirty play by Big Blue mind you, I am simply saying they need to man handle those guys and take the victory. I have already said that I believe the team needs to win every game from here on out leading up to the bye week (week seven). If the Giants lose tonight, things are going to get very interesting in New York.

The Giants are still dealing with a ton of injuries and will need the younger players to step up. This is your wake up call, you are an NFL player now and the team needs you. I believe the team has enough talent to win this game but there a few factors that need to come together. First, the special teams group needs to play better. They need to play like their jobs are on the line because they should be at this point. Second, the offensive play calling needs to be more aggressive and less predictable. Third, QB Eli Manning needs to get out of the funk he has been in since the preseason and get back to the player we all know he can be. I’m beginning to wonder if he is getting enough rest at home after having his first child. He seems sluggish and unfocused at times out there. If the three factors I’ve mentioned here can come together, I think the Giants will win the game tonight and get back on the right track for the season.

I recommend that all Giants fans watch this game tonight. I’m sure I do not need to tell the “true blue” fans that but there is an extra incentive for fans to check it out. The Giants will be honoring the 25th anniversary of the 1986 New York Giants Championship team that won Super Bowl XXI. That 86′ team is widely considered one of the best NFL teams ever. It is without question a top three all-time team and some may argue they are number one overall. The Giants will have a special halftime ceremony to honor the players and fans can even grab an autograph if they attend the game. Former Giants players will be located at all four entrances and available for autographs from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST. Be prepared for long lines and additional security measures.

The game itself starts at 8:30 PM EST and the weather is expected to be clear and around 60 degrees. If you have kids, you might want to bring a jacket for them (and yourself) if you plan on attending the game. My final score prediction is Giants 27 – Rams 21.

What is your final score prediction for the Rams game tonight? Leave comments below.

RD – nygreporter.com

Please Support George Martin’s “A Journey for 9/11” Charity Walk. Never Forget!


nygreporter.com and shop.giants.com forge Merchandising Partnership

March 11, 2011

NEW YORK – We have finally locked down a partnership with Shop.Giants.com. That means you can now find official New York Giants merchandise on our website. This is something that I have wanted to do for a while and think our readers will appreciate the convenience of going straight to the official New York Giants team store if they decide they want to buy something. If you want to learn how you can do this for your own website, using your own favorite team, I suggest you check out an affiliate program and learn how to Find a sponsor for your web site. Get paid for your great content.  You get a percentage for using team ads. You will need to get approved and once you do, just become a partner with a merchant, such as shop.giants.com. As you can see, there are no minefields of advertising to maneuver around on nygreporter and we intend to keep it way. However, we do want the fans to have access to Giants products.

You all know that too many advertisements can ruin a good website. Pop ups and the loud ones are avoided like the plague. That is why I will not let ads ruin our website. You will only be able to purchase New York Giants merchandise on this website. Of course, NFL gear for the NFL Draft, NFL Pro Bowl and the Super Bowls to be included too. But you will never find the clutter we have all come to loathe. You can be sure your getting official Giants gear when visiting us here. I mean, think of the possibilities, you have Eli Manning jerseys and  Steve Smith jerseys and you have a host of other Giants jerseys you can choose from as well. You can always get a team hat if you need a gift for a sports fan. You never see anyone get mad over getting a hat. Other items that nobody ever gets mad at receiving are team T-shirts, just make sure you know the right size.

It’s nice to know that you can always just go straight to specific catalog areas if you feel like browsing too. After all, it can get pretty cold in East Rutherford during the winter at New Meadowlands stadium and people will need to dress warm while they wait for the game to start, tailgate gear might be just the thing you’re looking for. I am proud to have Giants products available on my site, I know our readers are people who represent their team to the fullest. All of this talk about “stuff” has me wondering what your most prized Giants possession is? Mine revolve around meeting a player usually but what are yours? Feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

What is your most prized New York Giants possession? My favorite is a helmet that Michael Strahan personally signed for me.

RD – nygreporter.com

Please support the Eric LeGrand charity walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org


nygreporter Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary at Midnight!

March 5, 2011

NEW YORK – What a crazy year it has been in the world of sports. I can’t believe we have been up and running for a full year already. I was trying to get our readers an interview with a Giants player for this special occasion and got very lucky, because I have one of the best players on the team answering a few questions for us. I will publish the article tomorrow (Sunday 3-6-11) of an interview I had with a “surprise” New York Giants player (he has since been revealed as WR Steve Smith). I suggest you all come back tomorrow and see who it is that I’m talking about. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Hopefully, we will be able to get more interviews now with Giants players and coaches. I know these are exactly the types of articles Giants fans want to read with their coffee in the morning or at home at night. Some of the other writers here like Josh and Saulo, have been with the website since we first went live. Others such as Andrew joined us last year. I would like to say thank you for all of your contributions and as always guys, I look forward to reading your next articles. What a strange journey it has been to get us here today. At the stroke of midnight tonight it will be one year.

Things will continue to get interesting during the next few weeks with the upcoming NFL Draft, The CBA talks (extended another week), free agency and trades. We will be here to cover it all and give our unique perspective on the team. When Saulo takes a moment from his world travels and gets on his laptop, he usually blesses us with an informed article. We need to read more from Saulo! When Josh isn’t studying for mid-terms or finals, he also blesses our readers with well thought out stories concerning the current state of Big Blue. I am sure we will see more of Josh over the summer. Andrew has been busy lately but he also gives us a great perspective on the team through his work. Thank you once again writers for all that you do and thanks especially to all of our readers who are making nygreporter a respectable family friendly website. We have not wavered from our clean chat policy or managing a safe environment for sports fans.

If any of our readers have a website suggestion, please feel free to leave a comment below. You do not need to be a member of nygreporter (although we hope you will become a member) to leave a comment but you do have to have a wordpress account. To become an nygreporter member, make a wordpress account, then make a separate account for nygreporter.com on wordpress. You can also subscribe to our email list or RSS feed if you prefer. We are always open to hearing new ideas about projects our readers might like to share and we always encourage participation.

Here are some of the more interesting things that happened during the past year.

– Getting to do our first big time interview with New York Giants WR Steve Smith, Steve Smith Interview 3/6/11, nygreporter Edition 0001

Being a “featured” blog on Giants.com and working towards developing a partnership, Giants.com features nygreporter on their Website

The shout out we got from Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger on NJ.com for correctly picking the final score of a game. Here is a link to the story and video, Mike Garafolo Gives nygreporter a Shout Out on NJ.com

Attending the New York Giants 2010 NFL training camp at the University of Albany. Here is a link to the pics, Images

Going on the “Eisen’s Insight Live” podcast and talking Giants football with Michael Eisen and John Schmeelk. Listen for “Robert from New York” at the 16 minute mark of the show. Here is a link to the podcast, NYGReporter Calls “Eisen’s Insight LIVE” on Giants.com

Doing the LIVE updates for the 2010 NFL Draft on the Giants via nygreporter, New York Giants 2010 NFL Draft RECAP

– Calling the “Mike Francesa Show” and talking football with Mike while he was at Giants training camp in Albany. No links are available but it was a good 5 minute talk about the Giants defense.

Getting involved with multiple charities and promoting their causes on our website, American Red Cross – Wounded Warrior Project – A Walk To Believe – A Journey for 9/11

COMING SOON: We are working on a partnership that will allow nygreporter.com to sell New York Giants merchandise. We will ONLY promote New York Giants products on our website.

Feel free to leave your comments below, we would love to hear from some of our readers. Once again, thank you to the Giants community for all of your support.

RD – nygreporter.com – 1 year anniversary 3-6-11

Please support the Eric LeGrand charity walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org


An Open Letter to Our Readers: nygreporter.com

March 4, 2011

Dear Loyal Readers,

As some of you may or may not be aware, this Sunday (March 6th), will be the one year anniversary of the creation of nygreporter.com! It has been an incredible year to say the least. As we approach both our one year mark and our 24,000th view, we here at nygreporter would like to take step back and reflect on the year it was. Having started in March of 2010, this site has followed the exact path of a real year in the NFL. As you all know, the seasons official begins in March each year and we have been lucky enough to be here covering the ups and downs of the 2010-2011 campaign.

We were there through all of the botched punts, the 25 interceptions, the horrific and scary losses but we were also there to witness 4002 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, 1235 rushing yards for 1052 receiving yards, we saw 11.5 sacks twice over and a 5 interception season by one shutdown corner. We saw 10 wins, we saw no playoffs, we saw an IR list that looked more closely to the size of an active roster (kidding of course) but most of all we saw a ton of heart from a team that in the end was left defeated yet hungry. I strongly believe that the team has an incredible hunger to win; I see big things in the future for this group of guys!

As far as nygreporter goes? Well, we are hungry too! Hungry to improve, to write better, to write more, to see more traffic and ultimately more success. I see big things in the future for us too. You, as the reader, can expect big things this coming year. We will be here all season long for years to come covering your favorite team, so please, stick with us, support us, spark debate in the comment section, let us know you are here and what you are thinking! We would absolutely love to hear from you! We wish all of our readers the best in everything they do, thank you for sticking with us through our first year we hope you have enjoyed reading our work almost as much as we have enjoyed writing it. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!

Sincerely,

Josh Berman – nygreporter.com, writers and staff


Is Keeping Coughlin Really The Best Choice?

January 21, 2011

How in Holy Simms’ name did the Giants let this season slip through their fingers like that??? Really, all the Giants needed was to hold on to a big lead against Philly at home with 8 minutes left on the clock and they were in the playoffs! Sure, there were other games lost, like that pathetic loss to the Titans in week 3, when the Giants self-destructed and gave the win, and I mean literally handed it, to a pedestrian at best Tennessee team. There is also the loss to the Romo-less Cowboys at home in week 10, in which Jon Kitna, yes, Jon FREAKIN’ Kitna, tore our defense apart throwing for 327 yards and 3 TDs.

These were three games that Big Blue should not have given up in any circumstance. These losses define just what this Giants team had become in 2010: slackers. I remember saying during the ‘07 Super Bowl run that when the Giants were on fire, there was no stopping them and the bigger the stage, the better they played but now all I see are excuses and laments.

Furthermore, when the head coach of the New York Giants tells anyone who criticizes a 10-6 season to kiss his butt, well, I begin to think it’s time for a change. The problem is less about the record, as 10-6 usually gets you into the playoffs but more about the way the G-men posted such a record. This team had every chance to go 13-3 and be the No. 1 seed in the NFC but no, they killed themselves along the way with sloppy play (hey, it even rhymes!).

Don’t get me wrong, I love Tom Coughlin, and I really respect what he’s done for the Giants but lately I’ve been wondering what some other coaches could do with this talented team. In other words, I find it difficult to see what contributions are specifically made by Tom Coughlin himself! He doesn’t call the plays on offense or defense (actually, it seems as if he has no control over his defense at all), and this season the team was so anti-Coughlin that I began to question his ability to reach the players lately. The offense was a turnover machine. The defense, albeit playing well for the most part, too often settled for playing the coverage game and forgot that blitzing may actually be good, especially when you have such talented pass-rushers!

Where is Coughlin’s finger on the team? I thought he was supposed to be this strict, fundamentalist coach but his team lacked fundamentals A LOT of the time this season. On offense, drops occurred by the dozens, fumbles killed tons of drives and don’t even get me started on the interceptions!! On defense, when they were clicking they seemed unstoppable but there were games in which they looked like a bunch of fools playing a pickup game in somebody’s backyard in inner New Jersey – completely clueless!

Now, just to prove how talented this team is, even with all the mistakes that were made, they still won 10 games! Imagine what a coach who the players actually listen to could do with this team. That’s why, even disapproving of the attitude and the way they came out to the public, I tend to understand what KP and Antrel Rolle were talking about in that interview.

I truly believe it’s time for a change in leadership and I don’t know if bringing in one of the big guys (Gruden, Cowher, etc) is the answer either. All I know is that the players need a fresh start. They need a coach they can rely upon and rally behind to win games, much like the Patriots do with Bill Bellichick, and I hate to say it, like the Jets do with Rex Ryan. Sadly, the coach for New York is just not Tom Coughlin anymore in my opinion.

Saulo Padua – nygreporter.com


New York Giants Face Trap Game

October 14, 2010

The New York Giants, looking to increase their first winning streak in a year, face the NFL’s punching bag of the last few seasons, the Detroit Lions (1-4), at home in the new Meadowlands Stadium. Easy matchup, one might think. That is where a mistake can be made. As I said, this is a trap game.

The Lions, although having only one win in the season, have more fight in them than meets the eye. Just looking at the games this season, out of the 4 losses, it is very easy to see that those games were not decided until the very end.

In the season opener against Chicago, a blown call nullified a Calvin Johnson touchdown that would most likely assure the win for Detroit.

Then you move on to analyze the Eagles game, and the story continues. The Lions scored a touchdown with 1:55 left, made the two-point conversion, putting the game at 35-32, then on the ensuing kickoff they recovered an onside kick. They were not able to capitalize on that, but again the game was decided on the final seconds.

Against Green Bay, a team that is supposed to be one of the finest in the NFC, once again Detroit was able to push the game until the fourth quarter, the final score being 28-26. These three games could have easily gone either way, and Detroit could be, say, a 3-2 team, just like our beloved Giants.

With that in mind, it is paramount to stay focused and duly prepare for this game. As it is said quite frequently in this organization, “every game is important“. The way the Giants have been playing is impressive and inspiring, however, paraphrasing Antrel Rolle, it is always better to win three in a row than two in a row.

 

Saulo Padua – nygreporter.com


2010 New York Giants: Pre Draft Diagnosis

April 10, 2010

After taking a look at the current New York Giants roster, I believe the team can do well in 2010. They are a young football team that should have some good competition come training camp time. I was surprised at some of the number of players per position. Some of the areas where I thought the G-men were thin, they weren’t. Using the current roster, if it doesn’t change again before the draft, you can begin to see what the team might be thinking since they are so close (12 days away from the 2010 NFL Draft) to getting down to business. The Giants War Room will be rocking and I would not be surprised to see some deals getting done. The G-Men have been very aggressive this off season.

Giants fans are left with more questions then answers. The team has addressed the safety position thoroughly and made some other basic roster moves. Jerry Reese is a man who always has a plan and I am sure he can see the future better then any of us. I’m on the fence currently about drafting either a linebacker or offensive lineman in round one. Linebacker is the bigger need but if the ones they targeted are off the boards, then I would go offensive lineman here. Getting Eli Manning some help during his prime, can only benefit the team long term.

I expect the defense to be better in 2010 without a doubt. They are young and fast and I believe they are going to surprise a lot of teams. I’m excited to see who is going to step up on offense and if the team is ready to invest in another big weapon for Manning. Look for RB Brandon Jacobs to have an improved year and get back to knocking people down, north and south. DE Osi will have some reassuring to do after his 2009 season, by playing his heart out and convincing coaches and fans he wants to stay with the team. WR Steve Smith will prove that 2009 was not a fluke by mimicking his success this season. LB Clint Sintim and WR Ramses Barden should get more playing time and OL William Beatty could be starting by the end of the year.

There are a lot of exciting possibilities in 2010. I expect a real battle at the linebacker position during training camp. I believe that will be the most interesting of them all. Will DE/DT Chris Canty and DT Rocky Bernard make a difference? What do you think about the 2010 New York Giants situation as of today, right now?

Here is a list of questions that I am asking myself about the New York Giants prior to the 2010 NFL Draft. Feel free to leave your comments below.

1. Backup QB situation. Is Jim Sorgi “game ready”? Is Rhett Bomar the answer?

2. Who will play the Middle linebacker position for Big Blue in 2010?

3. Will the running backs be healthy? Will RB Andre Brown emerge?

4. Will safety Kenny Phillips be healthy and ready to play?

5. How will new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell do in his first year with the team?

6. How will some of the other coaching changes effect the plays on the field?

7. Who will the Giants take with the number one pick in the 2010 NFL Draft?

8. Will CB Aaron Ross be healthy and ready to play mentally?

9. Will K Lawrence Tynes still be on the team for the 2010 season?

10. Will P Jeff Feagles have a better season then in 2009?

11. Will TE’s Kevin Boss and Travis Beckum get more work on the offense?

12. Will WR Hakeem Nicks have a breakout season in 2010?

13. Why are WR Sinorice Moss and RB DJ Ware still on the roster based on their career numbers?

14. Will OL William Beatty be starting at left tackle by the end of the season?

15. Can the New York Giants make it back to the playoffs in 2010?

RD – NYGReporter.com


Incredible Interview with former Giant George Martin

March 29, 2010

I wanted to post this tonight, so that members could view this great Steve Adubato interview with George Martin. Some of you have known me for a very long time and know how much I support what this man is doing for the 9/11 first responders. I have written 2 full articles about Big George and unfortunately, my efforts to get him a key to New York City did not work out. George Martin is just an incredible man and I hope you enjoy checking out this interview. I will add another full story, at a later time, with all of my opinions and thoughts about this true American Hero. I hope you will also visit his non-profit charity website and make a donation for the 9/11 first responders, if you are able to.

The link to the interview can be found in the comment area below. Enjoy!

RD – NYGReporter.com


Welcome to the NYG Reporter!

March 6, 2010

This is a website for New York Giants fans and writers to come and discuss New York Giants football. There is nothing left out of the discussion here concerning the G-Men during the season and off season. We are looking to build a strong network of solid New York Giants writers.

We have been featured on CBS Sports, USA Today, Giants.com, Giants 101, SB Nation and bleacher report just to name a few. The goal was to create a stress free environment for Giants writers to come and share their thoughts and strategies, without feeling suffocated or pressured to constantly write new material for the site. All are welcome here, from the established and seasoned sports writer, to the beginner trying to make sense of it all. Welcome to the NYG Reporter!

This site was born on March 6, 2010. I hope you decide to check us out and stay a while!

Robert Domaine – nygreporter.com