NEW YORK – It is the eve before kickoff and all through the night NFL fans are stirring with anticipation and delight. If I was a better poet I would probably finish this…
Anyways, I’m up and restless thinking about the new season which kicks off Sunday. For those of you who know me, you know I get the schedule in March, review it, make a prediction, then put it away. Then, I pull the schedule out after preseason is over and repeat the process. So here is a game by game break down of what I came up with:
Week 1: vs. Carolina
The Panthers, as all Giants fans remember from last season, have an outstanding running game. The Giants have improved on the defensive line but the linebackers are still unproven and a big question mark. Ultimately, I do think the Giants pull it out in a close one. Eli Manning’s proficient and experienced offense beats out Matt Moore this Sunday.
Prediction: Giants 28-24
Week 2: @ Indianapolis
Manning Bowl 2.0 rolls in and its much of the same. The Giants are a very different team from when they last met but big brother Peyton still has his way with Big Blue. The Giants secondary looks strong with Rolle and Phillips (who is now ready for the season) but injuries to Ross and Webster worry me, when it comes to going up against Peyton’s proficient passing attack.
Prediction: Colts 35-21
Week 3: vs. Tennessee
Chris Johnson is another great running back coming to the Meadowlands this season. I think the Giants have improved enough this season that they will have a good answer for great runners. I don’t think Vince Young has enough receiving talent in his stable and Johnson can’t do it all on his own. In a good strong bounce back game, the G-Men win.
Prediction: Giants 21-10
Week 4: vs. Chicago
Lovie Smith is on the hot seat this year and I don’t think his team is going to help one bit. I don’t think the Bears have any answers this year, so as long as the Giants arrive serious and play strong they should have no problem here.
Prediction: Giants 17-7
Week 5: @ Houston
Big Blue hits the road for another AFC South battle. Again, I have questions about the health of the secondary but by this point in the season hopefully everyone is a-o-k. I think the Giants pull a small upset here as Bradshaw has his first really big day of the season gaining 12o yards or more.
Prediction: Giants 24-14
Week 6: vs. Detroit
I think Detroit is going to have a better season, Stafford is a year older and a year wiser. I don’t think they get past the Giants. As long as the Giants don’t walk in acting like they’ve already won, then they will win. Play the game and get the results you know you can.
Prediction: Giants 35-14
Week 7: @ Dallas
First NFC East game of the season, Giants embarrassed Dallas in their home opener last season, it won’t happen this season. Big Blue falters here, Dallas takes the win in a shoot out.
Prediction: Dallas 42-28
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: @ Seattle
Pete Carroll takes one step forward but releasing T.J. is two steps back. I have a lot of faith in the guy (and not just because he’s sitting on my fantasy bench!) I think cutting him was a mistake. Hasselbeck is left with an unproven, and maybe even untalented group to work with. Giants take this one easy.
Prediction: Giants 28-10
Week 10: vs. Dallas
The NFC East rivals meet again, and again the Cowboys prove to be too much for Big Blue (the Giants get them back in the playoffs though).
Prediction: Dallas 28-13
Week 11: @ Philadelphia
Big Blue rolls in to town looking for their first division win. New running back, new quarterback, same old beating. Giants get them good this time.
Prediction: Giants 14-10
Week 12: vs. Jacksonville
The Giants really play the leagues best running games this season, MJD runs into town and the Giants better be ready. Unfortunately, MJD is a one man team and can’t make up for a poor passing game and a bad D.
Prediction: Giants 28-14
Week 13: vs. Washington
The Giants know McNabb well, they know the Redskins too. I don’t see the Giants having much trouble here. Of course, it is an NFC East matchup, so anything can happen but for this articles sake, it won’t.
Prediction: Giants 24-14
Week 14: @ Minnesota
Whoever made this schedule really wanted to test the Giants run D. AP is ready and waiting to tear Big Blue apart and expose any holes there may be. Normally seeing Farve late in the year could be a good thing but in his own dome? I don’t think so.
Prediction: Minnesota 35-14
Week 15: vs. Philadelphia
It’s the end of the year, the Eagles have had some time to learn, grow, and gel. They don’t let this division showdown go…
Prediction: Philadelphia 28-21
Week 16: @ Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers puts up MVP like numbers and the game is away at Lambeau Field in winter. Giants continue their skid in this game.
Prediction: Green Bay 17-7
Week 17: @ Washington
Giants stumble into the playoffs after this final NFC East showdown where they regain some of their steam. Should be a good confidence booster.
Prediction: Giants 35-17
So the Giants go 11-5, grab a wild card spot behind Dallas. They only go 3-3 in the division which is a tough pill to swallow. The G-Men beat Dallas in the Divisional round of the playoffs but Green Bay beats them in the NFC Championship game. This season should be an obvious improvement for Big Blue. I think the D is significantly improved. The linebackers are probably the weakest part of the team as of now but by the bye week they will be playing well. The O-line has some concerns so look for Eli to be on his back a bit and neither Bradshaw or Jacobs to have a spectacular season.
Overall, the Giants get better. I think they are set up very well for the 2011 draft. Either Osi or Kiwi will leave next season but JPP is a suitable replacement. I think next years draft will have the G-Men taking a running back in the first round, draft O-line in the next 3 rounds, draft a return man, and maybe a punter in the last. Then, after a healthy camp, the Giants win the Super Bowl 512 days from now in Indianapolis.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The New York Giants have signed another defensive player in LB/DE Alex Hall today. Hall (6’5″ 250 pounds) was a seventh round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2008. The Giants picked him up off the waiver wire from Philadelphia today, where he was traded by the Browns last year. He is a young guy who has played linebacker as well as defensive end. The Giants have reportedly shown interest in using him as an end. Hall could end up becoming a utility man of sorts this year splitting time between LB and DE and I will need to investigate his special teams abilities. Something tells me he will see some time there as well.
The Giants also waived recently injured safety Chad Jones today. Many have speculated that the move is simply so they can put the rookie on the Non-Football Injury list that would shut him down for the season, while making roster space in the meantime. This happened with WR Domenik Hixon a few weeks ago and everything worked out. Chad Jones might be a different story because teams might be willing to take a shot on Jones, particularly some of the west coast teams. This could also mean that the team has received some bad news and felt it would be best to do things quickly. We need to get some more info on this part of the story.
What do you think about the Giants adding yet another defensive end into the mix? Does the recent news of Osi’s inevitable surgery mean he could be forced to get it sooner by the team?
Can you feel the electricity in the air Giants fans? The 2010 New York Giants training camp begins this Sunday!
It is now only four days away or roughly 95 hours away, whichever you prefer to use as a measurement of time. The point is that it is close and the players have begun preparing their minds to play football. Like Rocky Balboa, looking into the mirror in Rocky III, the players are searching their souls and asking if they have done all that they can do to be ready. If not, they can always put in the extra work at camp to get ready.
This is not a test, I repeat this is not a test. LIVE DRILLS will be held and players will be putting the pads back on in a matter of days. After, a light run through without pads the first couple of days (helmets only), the guys will be eager to hit something. Sort of like holding a pit bull back with a chain, waiting to be released. I normally do not write about the team in this manner but they have convinced me that they are not playing around this year. They are dead serious about making it back to the playoffs in 2010 and the journey begins this Sunday at training camp.
The Giants were embarrassed by what happened last season and when Mr. Mara became vocal, the message was clear. Changes were about to be made and people would lose their jobs. Not because Mr. Mara is a mean guy but because it was so painfully obvious where the problems existed and nothing could be done about it. It was best to severe ties with those individuals and move in another direction. The defense and special teams are the two areas with the most questions. There are some starting jobs still available and those jobs will be won through competition at camp. Writers are so focused on those two areas, that it might be easy to forget that the Giants have a very good offense.
QB Eli Manning didn’t get many new weapons this year and I doubt if he would even need another WR for 2010. In the 2011 NFL draft, sure I can see them grabbing another WR with in the first four rounds but not this year. Eli Manning had a career year in 2009 despite the poor overall outcome of the season. He will be even better this year. They are still trying to figure out the TE scenario. They have some quality TE’s in Kevin Boss and Travis Beckum and need to work them into the offense a bit more. This could be the area where Easy Eli creates the largest spike in production. The running backs will have their own mini battle for the third string slot. That would be RB’s Andre Brown and DJ Ware competing for that role, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have the number one and two spots locked down for now. RB Gartrell Johnson will also be in the mix but I expect Andre Brown to outperform them both for the third string spot. Johnson did show flashes of his ability in 2009 but will have a tough fight on is hands this season.
Be sure to check out our previous article on the 2010 New York Giants training camp for specific camp info. A must read if you are planning on attending one of the practices in Albany.
I’m sure the comparison has been done before but guess what? We are going to do it again. I want to take a look at the New York Giants leading WR Steve Smith and compare him with the Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith. In case you haven’t noticed they share the same name and some might say the same game. Why do I hear a collective groan emerging from my computer, yes I know it is not the most interesting news to those outside of the Giants or Panthers community but some find it interesting.
The two star WR pro bowlers, league leaders, game breakers will meet in New Meadowlands stadium on September 12, 2010 (1:00 PM EST) to do battle. This is going to be a game that Giants fans will be calling for some blood. Without question, the Carolina Panthers have become hated by Giants fans. Almost as much as the teams in their own division. The Panthers seemed to have the Giants number every time they’ve met over the past five or six years. They beat the G-men particularly bad during the end of the 2009 season at the last home game at the old Giants stadium. That one hurt. That one still hurts. The Panthers also crushed the Giants in the 2006 playoffs adding another notch on the rivalry stick. The Giants fans would love nothing more, then to see the Panthers get thoroughly beat, during the New York Giants first home game/opener in the new stadium.
“There will be blood” will not be just a Daniel Day Lewis film come September 12th. The Giants fans will be fit to be tied and the Big Blue player pride will be riding high. I expect the G-men to crush the Panthers by twenty points. The players need to win this one to get that chip off their shoulders. I believe they will christen the new stadium the right way with a victory over John Fox and his boys.
Let’s take a look at the player statistic comparison for the two Steve Smiths.
1. WR Steve Smith – New York Giants – 25 years old – 5’11” 195 pounds – 2009 stats: 107 receptions 1220 yards 7 TD’s – 4 years NFL experience – 2009 Pro Bowl player
2. WR Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers – 31 years old – 5’9″ 185 pounds – 2009 stats: 65 receptions 982 yards 7 TD’s – 10 years NFL experience
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.
The NFL, in the annual owners meetings; this year being held in Dallas, voted today between Miami, Tampa, and New York as the host cities for the 2014 Super Bowl. As I mentioned yesterday, all indications pointed to the New Meadowlands Stadium as the victor and indeed it was. Reports indicate that Miami was eliminated for the discussion first and after four ballots New York came out on top. The real significance is that it will be the first outdoor cold weather Super Bowl and for that many doubters are upset. They do have a fair point, I mean could you really see David Tyree making the catch if the field was covered in snow? But, the game was designed outdoors in the bitter cold and for football purists everywhere this is indeed a victory.
There is no way to tell if this ruling will have any implication on the future of the game as far as Super Bowl locations. Who knows maybe 2015 goes to Green Bay. My gut tells me this was a call made by the owners in an effort to show of the fruit of the stadiums owners Woody Johnson, John Mara, and Steve Tisch labor. It seems as though the league really wants to show off the brand new stadiums teams are building, and it could go along way to attracting bidders for the stadiums still not purchased naming rights. Either way, this is very exciting news for all three owners and nothing but good things can come of this.
Not too much in the news this week Giants Fans. Rookie mini camp was this past weekend, but surprisingly not much news came out from it. Matt Mosley reported on the progress of Linval Joseph. The second round defensive tackle out of East Carolina apparently had a very impressive weekend. Supposedly, he was great at encouraging teamates throughout the camp, so maybe on a defense that is really looking for a voice of leadership this kid can provide a spark.
Speaking of defensive leadership, I think it may be the one issue no one is talking about. Who is going to step up and replace Pierce’s voice? Osi certainly won’t and Tuck has never been out spoken. I personally am hoping Rolle can step in, or maybe Boley, whoever starts at MLB or maybe even Joseph.
Back to this past weekends camp, reports indicate that Jason Pierre-Paul is athletically impressive but that Linval should have a more immediate impact. I think the best case scenario is for JPP to really learn this year and then next year, when either Osi or Kiwi leave, (and one of the certainly will) he can step into the rotation and play a big role.
Final note, Herm Edwards appeared on ESPN after a “Sports Nation” poll revealed Giants’ Fans believe the team will go 12-4 this season. Herm disagreed believing the NFC East will be too strong and the middle of the schedule will be too brutal. He seems to believe the team will be a 10-6 wild card team. Sounds reasonable. In the next edition I’ll try and give a very early schedule break down and maybe do a few more as the offseason progresses.
As of April 12, 2010, the NYG Reporter fully supports and promotes the American Red Cross on our website. You can find a link to the site on the right side bottom. I have personally done volunteer work for the Red Cross during the 2005 hurricane season (Wilma) in South Florida and another time in the late 1990’s. I know what it feels like to have no power, electricity or water for two weeks. Disaster relief and preparedness are things that no one generally thinks about until it’s too late. I would urge all Americans to have a proper kit ready for all disaster type situations. One of our community leaders Saulo Padua, who is practicing law in Brazil, just recently experienced first hand what the devastating storms can do. Brazil was hit very hard last week. Hopefully, Saulo can leave a comment here and tell us a little about what he has seen there. The Red Cross was founded in 1881 and has been helping with disaster relief for 129 years.
It doesn’t take much to contribute to the American Red Cross. The socialvibe company has made it even more simple to donate some time to them. If you click the American Red Cross banner on the bottom right hand side of the screen, it shows you that all you need to do, is spend some time (literally) looking around as a donation. It’s very simple and shows a “counter” with exactly how many minutes are being donated by those browsing. Everyone who checks out the American Red Cross from the NYG Reporter site will counted but not named, with respect to our community privacy policy. We will select a new charity to support every three months. It doesn’t mean we longer support the previously posted charity, it just means we are giving some other charities a chance to be promoted. We will settle on four charities to support and promote them seasonally. The American Red Cross is the first to be chosen but not the last.
I urge all parents and people alike, to take the time to make a disaster preparedness plan. Every home should have a small bag with the following items in it. Keep this bag in a place where you know it will always be ready to go if something should happen. Going over a “what to do if…” scenario with children and spouses. It takes one night of sitting and talking. Having the bag ready to go, takes a lot of thinking out of the process when trying getting back to normal. The thing with a disaster is you never really know what you are going to need, until you need it.
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?
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THE 2011 NFL LOCKOUT IS OVER AS OF 7/25/11. The lockout lasted (136 days). **A judge ordered the end of the NFL lockout for 4 days on 4/25/11 but I do not subtract those 4 days from the total.
NEW YORK – It is the eve before kickoff and all through the night NFL fans are stirring with anticipation and delight. If I was a better poet I would probably finish this…
Posted by Josh Berman 
nygreporter.com 