The NFL Owes Giants and Vikings Fans a MNF Game

February 11, 2011

NEW YORK – Many football fans will remember the brutal winter of 2010. This had to be one of the worst winters on record and it caused chaos for some NFL teams just trying to play football. The New York Giants were one of the most effected teams, having been stranded in airports twice during away games. The crown jewel of the 2010 NFL winter issues had to be the roof collapsing in Minnesota under the weight of tons of snow. Can you guess who was scheduled to play the Minnesota Vikings that very same evening in the Metrodome? If you said the New York Giants, you would be correct.

Not only was the game re-scheduled to a bizarre double Monday night game schedule (the game started at 7:20 PM EST) it was also moved to Detroit. Worst of all, the fans were not able to watch the game on TV because ESPN would not allow another game to air at the same time. Forget about the CBA talks, something needs to be done to address this issue so it never happens again. The NFL also owes the Giants and Vikings fans a Monday Night Football game each in compensation. The NFL is smart enough to add a clause to contracts that allow for more flexibility of airing rights due to natural disasters. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has to address this further and make amends to the fans who were looking forward to a great game and also missed the opportunity to see history as QB Brett Favre broke his Iron Man streak at 297 games. I would suggest that the NFL at least write in a clause that states, in the event of an emergency, fans can watch their teams play on the internet. This wouldn’t solve the issue but it is a start.

Some fans may have moved on and forgotten about this issue but not me. I was very angry when I couldn’t watch my team play a game because of advertising contracts. It is absolutely ridiculous and something that sorely needs correction. The NFL needs to recognize that the fans of today are much smarter then ever before and it looks bad when they know why things like this go down. Do the right thing and fix the problem before it happens again. There are only 16 games per regular season and fans look forward to seeing each and every one of them. I am confident the NFL will make amends and not allow this to happen again.

RD – nygreporter.com

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New York Giants Will Focus on Depth and Improve in 2011

February 10, 2011

NEW YORK – There is no denying the fact that the New York Giants are a very talented football team. I have been one of the fans that said the amount of injuries the team had in 2010, seriously effected their play on the field. The Giants placed 16 players on the IR List in 2010. I’m not so sure that argument applies any longer, after seeing the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl with 15 of their players residing on the IR list. I like to believe the Giants are a deep team but maybe we have all been wrong. After back to back injury plagued seasons, fans have to wonder just how deep the team really is and what coaching changes need to be made in the conditioning department. The Giants went 8-8 in 2009 and 10-6 in 2010 respectively.

Giants GM Jerry Reese is a draft guru and I’m sure that he will be focusing on depth this year. He will certainly address the offensive line (which did an outstanding job in 2010) and get more talent to help out in that area. OL William Beatty, OL Adam Koets and OL Mitch Petrus are three guys who fans might see more of in 2011. He will focus on improving the cornerback position and quite frankly, he should. Why have a defensive coordinator who specializes in DB’s and then not get him at least two more players of his choosing to coach? This seems like a no brainer. I am comfortable with the safeties on the team but the cornerback position seems to need a little depth. CB Terrell Thomas has been outstanding on his side of the field and lead the team in tackles in 2010.

The linebacker position is another area that must be on the team radar. The current linebacker group has a lot of talented players but they certainly don’t have a Lawrence Taylor playing back there. The G-Men need the next LT to be thrown into the mix and lead that group of young men. Fans still need to see how LB Clint Sintim and LB Phillip Dillard work out but bringing in a young veteran “Patrick Willis” type of player should be a priority in my opinion. As crazy as it sounds, the Giants might need to throw another wide receiver into the mix too. It was painful to see WR after WR go down with injuries and I would not want that to happen again in 2011. NFL teams need two No.1 and two No.2 WR’s on the team these days for just that very reason. Every fourth and fifth WR should be able to start as a No.3 on any NFL team. This is an ideal situation for all NFL teams and hopefully something Big Blue can pull off.

The one area of the team that needs the most help is also the only spot on the team that does not have depth. I’m talking about special teams and boy do they need work. P Matt Dodge and K Lawrence Tynes should both be concerned for different reasons. Dodge should be concerned because of his inconsistent rookie season and Tynes might feel the heat of a team needing a change at the kicker position. The return specialists also had their fair share of problems in 2010. Special teams coach Tom Quinn should also be very concerned about his job in my opinion.

Regardless of the injuries or depth issues, the New York Giants have enough talent to make the playoffs. There is no reason why they should have been watching the playoffs on TV this season with their 10-6 record. I will not guarantee anything or jinx the team but I would be shocked if the G-Men were to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year. If that were to happen, there would be big changes in New York for 2012. What do you think?

RD – nygreporter.com

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Super Bowl XLV Final Score: Packers 31 Steelers 25

February 7, 2011

NEW YORK – The NFL football season is officially over. The Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers last night 31-25 in a great game. This is a game that lived up to the hype for once. There was a sense that the Steelers could come back at any moment and there really wasn’t a feeling that the Packers had the win locked up the entire game. Ultimately, the Steelers turned the ball over way too many times. This is the Super Bowl guys, you can’t give up the ball to a solid team like that and expect things to get better. The first half of the game was owned by the Packers but not by much. It was a pretty even game the whole way through but the Packers stood strong and kept the lead the entire game. The closest the Steelers ever got to the lead was by 3 points in the second half of the game. The Steelers still had a shot in the final minutes of the 4th quarter but once again turned the ball over, sealing their loss to the Packers for good.

I would be lying if I told you this was the best Super Bowl I have seen in a while but it definitely ranks up at the top for competitiveness. For those of you keeping score, Super Bowl 42 was the greatest Super Bowl ever in my opinion. The New York Giants beating the undefeated Patriots (18-1) has to be the greatest ever. It also had the greatest play in Super Bowl history with the Manning to Tyree helmet catch, hands down the best play ever.

Super Bowl XLV was very entertaining. We have to take our hats off to the Green Bay Packers and MVP Aaron Rodgers for their performance. I am also happy that they brought the Lombardi trophy to the NFC instead of the AFC. These are small pleasures but still mean something to the big picture. The halftime show was decent but not the home run that many were looking forward to. The Black Eyed Peas were the main act and they were flanked by Slash and Usher for a couple of duets. It wasn’t the best show but it wasn’t the worst show either in my opinion. Christina Aguilera was also singled out for messing up the words to the national anthem. Ouch!

Now that the season is over, football fans are faced with the reality of the CBA talks and the possibility of a lock out in 2011. I hope everyone enjoyed the game because it may be the last football any of us see for a long time. NFL Commish Roger Goodell has his work cut out for him this year.

Did you watch Super Bowl XLV and what did you think of the game?

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


Super Bowl Weekend Has Finally Arrived Fans

February 5, 2011

NEW YORK – Readers and fans alike have been sending me emails and asking me if I am bitter that the New York Giants missed the playoffs for a second year in a row. My answer is simple, yes I am. But more then being bitter, I am excited about getting the team ready for the 2011 NFL season. A strange thing to say when America is getting ready for the Super Bowl tomorrow night. I will watch the Super Bowl because I love football but my mind will drift away to the G-Men and what they need to do to improve.

Forgive me for not reporting about the Pro Bowl. It doesn’t take much to figure out why I choose not to write very much about that game. For the proverbial record, I will mention that the NFC beat the AFC by the score of 55-41, in another game that was more about vanity then actual competition. Forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm but I long for the day when the NFL puts on an actual game for the fans. I long for a game reminiscent of the famous “secret” basketball game between the 1992 USA olympic Dream Team players. This is widely considered the best basketball game ever played and nobody but the players and a handful of lucky people ever saw it. In fact, the NFL Pro Bowl is the only game that could be compared to that game because it is the only game that uses a collection of the best football players in the country.

Back to the Super Bowl discussion now. I expect this game to be right up there with some of the best to ever be played. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are two extremely talented teams and match up well on paper. I am still taking the Packers to win a close game. I am basically taking Aaron Rodgers over Ben Rothlisberger. I believe Rodgers will have a better game then Big Ben and the QB position will be the factor that matters the most. I know most of you will say it is the defenses that will win the Championship. I would normally agree with that but these two defense are equal in my opinion, so they cancel each other out. The next logical question is, which team has the better quarterback and I believe the answer to that question is the Packers. Fans will not have to wait very long for all of the answer because we are about 30 hours away from kickoff tomorrow night at 6:30 PM EST. Everyone here at the nygreporter would like to wish both teams the very best of luck. So the only question left to ask is, are you ready for some football?

Who do you think will win Super Bowl XLV and what will the final score be? My final score prediction is Packers 34 – Steelers 27.

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


2011 New York Giants Need a Redemption Season!

January 27, 2011

The New York Giants front office and upper management have a lot of work to do this off-season. Management can either reconstruct or revitalize the current roster. I’m quite sure General Manager Jerry Reese is already hard at work. Pending the current CBA talks and a possible lockout, certain issues will arise. What I respect about the Giants management is that they do a fine job of preparing. Preparation has been the cornerstone of the Giants success throughout their history. The tradition and practice won’t cease this off-season. I carefully analyzed the roster and the challenges ahead for Big Blue and came up with a few recommendations.

Bring back Ahmad Bradshaw! This will be one of the most important re-signings the Giants will conduct in the coming months. I understand that he has put the ball on the ground during critical times and in critical games. However, the upside is whats important. Given Bradshaw’s work ethic and commitment to excellence, he will address the issue and solve the problem. Keep in mind, he is also young and durable. Ahmad will only get better and in my view he is already a franchise running back.

The verdict is still out on Brandon Jacobs. However, I believe retaining him will be an important insurance policy down the line. Remember, all NFL teams, have dream teams on paper. We must remember that injuries are what bring us back to reality. Depth is more important in this league than a featured lineup. Some have suggested releasing Danny Ware. I’m not so sure, I’ve seen a lot from him in the limited capacity he was used. In case of an injury to a starter, he could provide depth at RB and prove to be a gem for the G-men.

WR Steve Smith and TE Kevin Boss are also a concern. I respect Kevin Boss but Steve Smith is more of a priority in needing to be re-signed. Smith is the best possession receiver in the game. Boss has value but you can create packages for his loss. The Giants coaching staff did a fine job at putting TE Bear Pascoe in as a blocking tight end and using Beckum in the slot. It has worked and with time and repetition it will only get better.

We now have DE Mathias Kiwanuka and LB Keith Bullock to look at. Kiwanuka has more stock than Bullock because of youth and versatility. However, Kiwanuka’s stock value has dropped because of the neck injury. I would still let Bullock go instead of Kiwanuka because he hasn’t shown me any reason why the team should retain him. He looked confused at times in the defense and much too slow in coverage. Mathias has more value, period. A one year contract would be a safe and wise bet to determine his future as a Giant. I wouldn’t give up on LB Clint Sintim. I have a sixth sense about his potential in the defense and think they should give him another chance.

The signing of DT Barry Cofield is a must. Cofield’s production this season has been stellar. Big Blue’s front four is the bread and butter of the defense, so they need to maintain the core of the defense. This signing is just as important as Steve Smith and Ahmad Bradshaw in my opinion. I think there is a project in progress with DT Linval Joseph and it might take a while. As for the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft, we need to take a cornerback in the first round and offensive tackle in the second. OL Will Beatty has potential but still needs work and the team needs protection at his position.

“Heaven Yeah”

Andrew G – nygreporter.com


Is There Such a Thing as Zen in the NFL?

January 27, 2011

NEW YORK – The strength of the pack is the wolf. This is a very old military term that explains how the strength of a unit, depends upon the strength of each individual within the unit. The military and the NFL have many similarities to them and are often compared in analogies. Teams of men go to war on the field of battle and all of that. The other side of that coin concerns results and what derives from those results. Does the act of winning release endorphins in the brain that elevate the man to an omnipotent experience with the universe? I’m not sure because I’ve never played football at the professional level but this topic certainly deserves further investigation.

What brings a player to a personal state of Zen? Does it occur during the NFL Draft when they hear their name called? Perhaps, when a player arrives at minicamp or training camp and they see their name on a locker or jersey? Is it that first preseason game or regular season game when the ball is snapped? Is it the development process or working out and practicing? Is it getting voted into the Pro Bowl? Or does it simply and only come from winning a Super Bowl? I have just mentioned a bunch of tremendous “moments” in a players career but I’m not sure if any of them pinpoint the exact moment when Zen is reached. The only one that makes sense would be winning the Super Bowl but even then, is it that moment when the stage in on the fifty yard line and the trophy is hoisted up or is at the moment when the last second ticks off the clock? It could even be further down the road when a player finally receives his Super Bowl ring. Who knows?

It’s hard to separate the money players make from their achievements on the field because one dictates the other. The famous basketball coach Phil Jackson introduced Zen to his players and they seemed to turn out alright. He created a culture that was less about money and more about state of mind and won championships. Perhaps, it is more of a constant state of Zen, then any actual moment that occurs and then leaves. I’m not sure about that theory though. I do not see how a football player can be in a constant state of Zen when their very job is to cause violence. It would seem more likely to me that they reach that euphoric state from reflecting on winning and what they have accomplished on the field of battle. I don’t know how someone can feel at perfect peace and bliss with the world, when a 265 pound man is trying to rip your head off. I guess the only people on earth who truly know the answer to these questions are the players themselves. How many of them have separated ego from true happiness can be debated but I’m hopeful at least one player has taken their mind and game to the ultimate level.

What are your thoughts about this topic and do you think a state of Zen can be reached through playing NFL football?

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


Super Bowl XLV Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

January 24, 2011

NEW YORK – I envy the final two teams standing tall after a rough season. The Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV and their fans must be having a blast! It doesn’t feel like it’s been four years since the Giants won Super Bowl XLII but it has been. The Packers beat the Bears to advance while the Steelers finally shut up the talkative Jets. All four of these teams deserve some respect for making it as far as they did during the 2010 NFL season. We must also congratulate the Packers and Steelers for getting to the big game and we wish them both luck.

The NFL Pro Bowl will be played next weekend in Hawaii, since NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, changed the game format to have the Pro Bowl played before the marquee Super Bowl. With the collective bargaining agreement looming in the wings, football fans may want to sit back and really enjoy these final two games of the season. Things could be a lot different come the beginning of the 2011 NFL season. I know it will be hard to watch the Pro Bowl with its lack of meaning but just try and enjoy it if you can.

I have to admit that I am gloating internally a bit because I picked the Green Bay Packers to win it all this year. They haven’t completed my prediction yet but they are in the Super Bowl and one win way from being the NFL Champions. If any of our readers would like in-depth Green Bay Packers coverage, I would suggest you check out my friend Jersey Al’s Packers website, Home. I expect this Super Bowl to be a throw back of the classic days of football. Both of these teams match up very well and I truly expect it to be a battle. I’m not sure if it will be a shoot out or a defensive game yet. All signs point to a low scoring defensive battle but things could very easily go the other way with these two outstanding offenses. As I mentioned, I will be rooting for the Packers and the NFC to take the Lombardi trophy home.

The Super Bowl will be played on February 6, 2011 at 6:30 PM EST in Cowboys stadium.

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


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


2011 New York Giants Need Changes on Special Teams

January 20, 2011

NEW YORK – The New York Giants need help on special teams and the sooner the better. There have been no reports about any coaching changes or news of any plans to make changes. I am surprised by this because I thought the team would address the special teams squad a week after their season ended. The future of punter Matt Dodge has not been discussed yet and the continued employment of special teams coach Tom Quinn has yet to be determined. Trust me, fans are paying close attention to both of these situations.

I do not believe that Coach Quinn’s job security should be contingent upon the leg of a rookie punter, let me be clear about that. If the woes were strictly limited to poor punting then I would focus solely on the punter but it was much worse then that. The special teams gave up big plays, gave up TD’s and made some boneheaded mistakes. It was painful to watch them on the field and I would cringe every time they lined up for a punt or kick. The return game was no better. The Giants went through a bunch of return men, including bringing in talent mid-season with Reynaud and Blackmon. It feels like Big Blue went through a dozen different returners by the time the regular season was over. This lack of consistency contributed to the team having one of their worst seasons ever on special teams. It was certainly one of the worst I can remember.

I mentioned possibly drafting a return specialist in the 7th round of the 2011 NFL draft (using the last pick). Some people think it is a good idea and some weren’t so sure about it. I made sure to include the stipulation that the return specialist should be a cornerback or wide receiver only. This way they could also double as depth to those crucial positions next year. I have not forgotten that WR Domenik Hixon will be back for 2011 but the truth is that we don’t know how well he will perform after coming back from an injury. I hope he is fully healthy and can be better then ever but I’m not willing to endure another season like 2010 on special teams and would like to hedge all bets. I’m sure that Coach Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese are very concerned about this group and will have the best possible talent on the field by the time the 2011 Giants training camp rolls around.

One position the team will not have to worry about for a while is long snapper. The Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie was named to his second Pro Bowl today and will be the 5th Giant named to the Pro Bowl this year. DeOssie has played his entire career in New York since being drafted by the Giants in 2007.

What changes can be made during the offseason to help the Giants special teams improve in 2011?

RD – nygreporter.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!


New York Giants Seek a Big Blue Redemption

January 19, 2011

First of all, let me begin by saying Happy New Year to everyone because I know it has been some time since my last post. However, I had to allow the reality of the New York Giants missing the playoffs this year to marinate. Reality has finally set in and the ill feeling has subsided. At this point, all we can do is take a look back at the 2010 season and try to learn from it, understanding that our playoff absence is deserved. Many Giants fans have a strong understanding of why we missed the post season and many others are still in denial. There is no need for perceptions or assumptions. It is what it is!

Why aren’t we playing in the NFC Championship game? Many factors have stopped Big Blue short of their goals but I will list just a few. Mental and physical mistakes? Take a look back at the Eagles game. The Giants pride themselves on defensive schemes. More importantly, the execution of the scheme is a priority for success. In the last 8 minutes of the 4th quarter, many of the players seemed to be confused and out of position. Poor tackling allowed Michael Vick to be elusive and gain extra yards on 3rd and longs. Deion Grant attempts what looked like a sure sack and Michael Vick blows right by him. Kenny Phillips has to make a play on the TE and if he can’t defend the pass, then all he has to do is make the tackle. Instead, Phillips gambles and allows a touchdown. The Eagles then have the Giants in the red zone. Terrell Thomas gives the opposing Wide Receivers so much of a cushion, the play ends in either a sure touchdown or a setup for a goal line score. The above examples are just a few that contributed to the 2010 collapse in my opinion.

What do I see in the future? Well, the Collective Bargaining Agreement will dictate so much next season. However, let’s take a look at what we have now. We must re-sign Kiwanuka! Also, take care of Ahmad Bradshaw and Barry Cofield, two huge team contributors. Steve Smith has great chemistry and continuity with Eli Manning and should stay. We must keep our WR corps intact and a potent threat to defenses. Not only a threat on the field but a headache for other teams when they have to prepare and game plan. Retain the playmakers that we have because they know the coaches and the system. That is an advantage for any NFL team.

What should we look for in the draft? Honestly, I realize that we need help at the Linebacker spot but I don’t believe it’s an immediate need. I strongly believe we should take a strong cornerback in the first round. We have a strong front four and everyone in the league knows this but in order to be a shutdown defense you need a strong secondary. We have great safety help but we don’t have any shutdown corners. With our first pick in the 2011 draft a strong corner is recommended. I believe we have young talent at the Linebacker position that can be groomed. I still believe in Gerris Wilkinson and the speed of Clint Sintim. We also have a sleeper on the practice squad roster by the name of Kenny Ingram out of Florida State. Just my synopsis from my General Manager mindset. Keep the faith Giants fans!

“Heaven Yeah”

Andrew G. – nygreporter.com