Picking up the Pieces

The Giants' season ended Sunday with a 33-14 defeat at Baltimore, a week after being shut out 34-0 in Atlanta.  They are technically not eliminated from the postseason, but there is no point in entertaining any of those scenarios. 

Now the first question that has to arise is: Why should anyone care about this team, after what they have done the past two weeks?  Well, it's for the same reason a child typically feels worst when they get the following reaction from a parent - I'm not angry at them...I'm disappointed in them.  Because they were capable of so much better.  And it's not just that they lost; it's the lack of effort that I found downright disturbing.  

This is by and large the same team that only 11 months ago ran roughshod through the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons, and 15-1 Packers, then beat San Francisco in their own building in weather conditions laid out perfectly for the 49ers, en route to a second thrilling Super Bowl victory in five seasons.  And between then and now, they showed flashes of this unmatchable level of play, beating the 49ers 26-3, again on the road, and beating the Packers 38-10 at home - with both teams out for revenge.  

So what happened?  Let's take a big picture look at the smoldering wreckage.  

Firstly, in general it is human nature to be satisfied with what you have done.  There is a reason that in this era of parity, no non-cheating team has won back-to-back Super Bowls since 1999.  Teams that remain hungry after reaching the top of the moutain, are the exception rather than the rule.  

These Giants spent much of the offseason enjoying parades, banquets, and being told how great they are.  That has to have an effect.  What GM Jerry Reese has to do this offseason then, is find hungry players to replace the dead wood on this roster.  And that brings me to the next aspect of what went wrong.  

When you win a championship, there is a tendency to think all was/is perfect, and not tinker with your roster in ways that you may have, had you not won the championship.  It's a feeling of, "Hey, what could be wrong with Player X, he was part of a team that won it all!" 

So, now that Reese is no longer beholden to loyalty to players coming off of a Super Bowl, here is my list of who needs to go.  I will try my best to be objective here; after a two-game stretch like the Giants just had, the urge is to say, "Fire everyone."  But I am considering contracts and possible replacements here.

Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride - If I see one more shotgun draw on 3rd down in my life, it will be too soon.  It has become obvious over the second half of this season, starting with the Dallas game from which the Giants narrowly escaped in Week 8, that opposing coordinators have Gilbride's offense figured out.  And Gilbride is not imaginitive enough to adjust.  Eli Manning and Gilbride have a good relationship and have reached great heights together, but Manning has clearly plateaud under Gilbride and a new leader is necessary.  Ideally this would be Norv Turner.  A failed Head Coach but a known QB guru, Turner is likely to be fired in San Diego and I don't see him being offered another head coaching job. 

Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell.  Like GIlbride, also woefully outmatched and unable to adjust.  The Giants' personnel does not fit his scheme - a scheme described as "read and react," but as was pointed out by legendary NJ.com commenter Carbo, it would more accurately be called "stand and watch" - and last year's Super Bowl was won in spite of him, not because of him.  Fewell was just along for the ride, but it's time to cut him loose.  As for his replacement, I'd see if former Giants' DC Steve Spagnuolo becomes available.  Spags helped shut down the most prolific offense in NFL history in Super Bowl XLII, and is currently the DC for the Saints.  

CB Corey Webster - A horrible game yesterday, after a subpar season.   Being toasted by Joe Flacco is all the evidence you need, that he can't cover anymore.  Side note on Flacco, I told my wife Tuesday as we were watching last Sunday's tape of the NFL Matchup show (the only ESPN show I watch), that although Flacco is one of the worst QBs in the league, the Giants will make him look like best.  They did exactly that.

DE Justin Tuck - Did he even play this year?  No way the Giants should give a new, lucrative contract to the mopey defensive captain.  Thanks for your play in both Super Bowls Justin, but you either don't have the heart anymore, or cannot overcome nagging injuries

. 

T David Diehl - A human turnstyle.  Eventually he will get Manning killed. 

RB Ahmad Bradshaw - A fiery player on both championship teams, but his body is broken.  It's David Wilson's time now.  It's hard to imagine Bradshaw is finished at 27, but this is the Circle of Running Back Life.  

MLB Mark Herzlich - A great story as a man who has overcome bone cancer, but he can't play linebacker on an NFL level.  When Chase Blackburn is out of the game - and Blackburn himself is closer to the end than the beginning so it is time to look for his replacement - the Giants are gashed up the middle as Herzlich is slow to attack the hole, and is pushed 5-10 yards backwards.  

DT Marvin Austin - At least try to look disappointed when carted off the field.  A 2nd round bust.

WR Ramses Barden - A 3rd round bust.  It speaks volumes that in spite of being 6'6", Barden was a healthy inactive for 4 games this season.  He had all of 14 receptions this year, and 10 came in the Carolina game when Manning had no one else to throw to.  

Finally, on Tom Coughlin, I am not calling for him to resign, but I am also ready for what's next for the Giants.  It would be unfair to make the sort of sweeping conclusion that he has lost the team, but I don't see the same success the next 4 years with Coughlin as we saw in the previous five. Although, Coughlin has earned the right to coach at least one more season on his terms no matter what.

Sayings

I know you couldn't care less, but I am champing at the bit to show you the correct versions of a few misused or misspelled sayings that I have heard.  For all intents and purposes, this might help a lot.  

PS: Super Bowl. 

Album Review #4

Asia - XXX (2012)

What to say about this one - after realizing it's not pornography just by looking at the title, of course?  Well, I've listened to this one 3 or 4 times so far, and here are the good and the bad.

Good: While it's not as hard as their previous two albums from this comeback era, 2008's Phoenix and 2010's Omega (which are both excellent), the band still shows a knack for creating enjoyable songs. 

Bad: Not enough Steve Howe.  It just feels like he was used sparingly on this album - dare I say, as an afterthought.  When you have one of the top 5 guitarists I've ever heard, you have got to feature him.  In the previous albums, they did, but here he rarely shows his stuff.  I thought this might be due to either Howe's being in two bands at once - the other being whatever collection of dudes are being called Yes nowadays - or perhaps Howe not being a part of the original songwriting process.  Instead, Geoff Downes' keyboards fill the main riffs.  And when Howe does come in with a solo, I just want it to last and last; so it always ends too soon for me. (My suspicion was somewhat validated when looking at the writing credits for each song, and seeing that Howe is credited on only two - No Religion, and Judas.  There's certainly nothing here on the level of Parallel Worlds/Vortex/Deja from Phoenix; the last three or so minutes of that track are what heaven is like.  (Not to be confused with being like the song Just Like Heaven, by The Cure.)

Grade: C+.  It's catchy, but nothing special.  To me, the album's highlights are No Religion, Faithful, and Face On The Bridge. 

Album Review #3

Aerosmith - Music From Another Dimension! (2012)

I hope my prejudice didn't affect my ears.  Coming in, my feelings could have been summed up as, after 11 years in between original studio albums, "This had better be good."  And to be honest, it is pretty good - though perhaps my prejudice ended up working in the band's favor, as my expectations were so low that it was a pleasant surprise that this album sounded like Aerosmith.  At 64, Steven Tyler's voice hasn't lost very much, and Joe Perry's guitar talent still shines through.  On the other hand, the album's first single, Legendary Child, just seems kinda forgettable and "meh" to me.  I do like several of the other songs though.  Right now my favorites are Freedom Fighter, and Something, which coincidentally both feature Joe Perry on vocals. 

So, while Music From Another Dimension is not an embarrassment, Aerosmith is the "Bizarro World" Rush at this point.  While both bands are legends, Rush has spent the last 11 years on top of their game, thrilling their fans, and breaking new ground, while Aerosmith has spent it on again/off again, injured, and often bickering.  

(Oh, are you surprised that I shoe-horned Rush into a review that had otherwise nothing to do with them?  Well it just so happens that I'm seeing Rush tomorrow, and, making it even more special for me, they chose Dallas and Phoenix to be the two performances filmed for their Clockwork Angels Tour DVD.)

Okay, so back to Aerosmith.  At this rate, Music From Another Dimension could be their last album, and if it is, they went out with a performance that was just okay. 

Grade:  B-.  Good music by most standards, but not up to the high standard Aerosmith themselves set from 1973 to 2001.

NFL Films and Tecmo Super Bowl, together at last

It's not quite Nuts and gum, but when I heard NFL Films was doing a 30 minute show on Tecmo Super Bowl, I was excited.  It first aired a couple days ago, and I got the chance to see it today via this link. 

If I was the one allocating the coverage, I would have spent 20 minutes combined on the game's nuances and current and past NFL players talking about the game and what it meant to them...and 5 minutes on the "Madison Tecmo" tournament and its (fellow) nerd participants, instead of vice versa.

That said, things I loved: 

*Roosevelt Colvin's mention of the "immediate nose tackle dive for sack" trick - and the specific showing of the Tecmo player Bob Nelson as the one pulling it off.

*A few minutes of Christian Okoye playing and commenting on the game.  How awesome is this man?  I just want to hug him.  (And hopefully not bounce off him in the process.)

*Tournament player Chet, with the Brad Muster neck roll.

*Tournament player Mort licking the under side of his NES Tecmo Super Bowl cartridge.  After blowing on them so many times in my youth (which probably never did anything), is it possible that licking them was the real way to get them to work best?  Or, is that a non-functioning cartidge, and he's just licking it for luck?

*Mort saying "Sonofabitch," with the last portion of it bleeped out using a Tecmo sound effect

*Gameplay: A Chiefs FG attempt is blocked, and kicker Nick Lowery picks up the ball and blazes down the field to score a TD. 

A little clumsy, but whatevs

Probably no one else notices this kind of stuff or cares, but...

It appears Yahoo's official abbreviation for "Brooklyn" regarding the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, will be "Bkn."  As long as it's using three letters contained in the word there's no wrong answer, but "Bkn" just seems like a weird, clunky choice.  It's like abbreviating Chicago "Ccg," instead of "Chi."

I think I'd have gone with "Bro," or at worst, "Brk."  

Yeah, try to never do this in sports

 I was hesitant to post something like this, because I didn't want to give it any more attention than it deserves.  But I am doing so - not just to ridicule, but also to make a call to all fans of all teams, to hold each other accountable. For my part, I try to condemn any time something low is done on Giants fans' behalf, such as calling the Cowboys the "Cowgirls," or changing one letter in Tony Romo's name to turn it into an insult.  We're better than that as fans, and the Giants are better than that as a team (save for Week 1).  

Okay, disclaimer up...

Oh, so much to take in.  Where to begin?

*Neither the Joker in general, nor specifically Heath Ledger's remarkable performance of the character in The Dark Knight, has anything to do with the Arizona Cardinals.  The team's mascot is a small red bird.  (Although, a friend I showed this poster to, remarked that the Joker is fitting because the Cardinals are a joke, so that is duely noted.)  Sure, I get it, because "Cards," but again, that isn't short for "Playing Cards" in this case.  This is like shortening "Panthers" to "Ants" and representing them with the characters from A Bug's Life.

"Cardinals Fan...Yes I Am!"

"Fan" and "am" don't rhyme.  I feel like I'm being asked to accept that it does.  Also, this couldn't be more opposite of the tone of the rest of what is going on here.  "Cardinals fan, yes I am!" is something a happy-go-lucky 7 year old is meant to chant.  Guy Who Made This, you kind of compromised your theme of anger; It seems like you just wanted to combine everything you've ever heard about the Cardinals into one thing.  Next time maybe make two separate posters, and put this phrase in the other one.

"F{cardinalslogo}CK THE REST"

Strangely standoffish for a fan of a franchise that the overwhelming majority of fans of other teams, are apathetic about.  Also, representing your team with implied profanity is always a good decision.  This part mainly just makes me sad, so let's move on.

"BIRDGANG"

Along with the overall tone of this picture - minus the cute near-rhyme of course - the term "birdgang" does nothing to dispel the stereotype about Cardinals fans, which says that, besides people who don't know much about football, and/or people who only root for them because they feel obligated to support the team who plays their home games geographically closest to where they live, Cardinals fans is a group largely made up of gang bangers who wanted a different team to root for than the Raiders. 


I'm not going to go as far as to say that something like this encourages or incites fan violence.   But it sure doesn't encourage or incite peace.

Stay classy, Cardinals fan.

Two album reviews

Before I get started, let me say something about music that I said about sports in a post long ago.  (I didn't look back for it, because it was so long ago that I had little confidence my search would pay off.)  It's the concept that just because you don't do something personally, doesn't mean you should ever let yourself be pushed off of your opinion, or that it's any less valid. 

Much like the former athlete's go-to "gotcha" is, "What do you know, you never played at this level," there is a temptation for any current or former musician, or even music journalist, to protest your opinion on what music you like, if it's not what they like.  

With the two albums I'm about to review, I feel the greatness is self-evident.  But if the above disclaimer feels like I'm doth protesting a bit too much, well then, guilty as charged, because the disdain the mainstream music media has for Rush is certainly no secret.

 Away we go...

Rush - Clockwork Angels (2012)

If you've been listening to Sports Limelight over the past few months this will come as no surprise, but Clockwork Angels is already one of my favorite albums of all time.  Every song has so much effort, precision, and emotion in it.  I would say something like this comes along only once in a generation, but Rush has done this before...and have been around for more than a generation. My current favorite song is The Garden, but I will rarely start this album, or listen to any individual song from it, unless I have 62 straight minutes carved out so I can listen to it in its entirety.  

For converting someone who isn't already a fan, try Caravan.

For a review more articulate than mine - try here or here.  (I run out of different ways to say, "I like the way this sounds to me.")

Grade: A+.  There isn't much of a frame of reference for this because I haven't reviewed albums here before, but I can tell you that the only other A+ I have for the past 5 years, is Foo Fighters' Wasting Light.

 

The Offspring - Days Go By (2012)

 

Adam Carolla said this a few weeks ago, and it's so simple and obvious that I wish he hadn't said it because then I could say it and seem like I wasn't copying anyone...but truly, it's impossible to mess up an Offspring song.  This band has been around for over 25 years after all, and it's not surprising given their ability to turn out a bunch of catchy, enjoyable, no-nonsense songs every few years.  Like Rush, the pacing of their album releases has slowed with age, but whenever it's time for another, I'll be right back at the window, the well, or whatever other consumption metaphor fits here. 

Grade: B+.  The song Days Go By is an instant, mass-appeal classic along the lines of Can't Repeat.  O.C. Guns had to grow on me, and I sort of have to be in the mood in order to listen to Cruisin' California (Bumpin' In My Trunk), but the rest could play on a loop 24/7 and I wouldn't protest - until it's time to listen to Clockwork Angels again, of course.

$23 million, sure, that sounds about right

I have otherwise perfectly intelligent and logical friends who, amazingly, still don't understand why I'm not a fanboy for the NBA.  

The Washington Wizards yesterday paid Andray Blatche $23 million to go away yesterday, as part of the league's "amnesty" clause.  Here's a great summary of this complete bum's time in Washington, in the excellent D.C. Sports Bog.  

I'd love to expound on this, one of countless reasons (or might I say, 23 million reasons) why this league is unlikeable, but all I need to do is restate the fact in a way that the full effect is understood.  

Much like this nation's budget deficit, big numbers get thrown around so often that we become somewhat desensitized to exactly how much money we're talking about.  So let me spell it out.  Twenty-three million dollars.  To not play basketball.  $23,000,000.

And the NBA wonders* why it has problems relating to the average sports fan?  What a joke of a league. 

(*I don't think they actually wonder this, at least if they're being honest with themselves.)
 
You then might ask me, "But isn't the amnesty clause good?  What, would you rather teams be forced to keep these guys?"  The answer is, it doesn't matter, because NBA GMs are morons.  With one scrub off their salary caps, they'll just give the money to some other scrub anyway, which we've seen before. 


So, in two years (or maybe even less) when the Nuggets use their amnesty on "Wrong Way" JaVale McGee, paying him the remainder of his 4 year, $44 million contract to get him off their roster...just for giggles let's pretend it wasn't more predictable than a Three's Company episode.

Myra would have wanted it that way

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xs4lai_robert-kraft-acting-with-hot-girlfriend_sport

Pretty embarrassing, even for an organization like the Patriots.

Thanks for making this even easier, commissioner

My catch-all statement for the NBA in the past 5 years or so, has been, "I'm not going to be a fanboy for this league."  In short, it means I'm not interested in consuming it, and I'm not buying what the league is selling. 

I sometimes struggle to stake out this adamant position while not simultaneously thumbing my nose at those who don't agree with me.  Because if I'm saying I'd be a fool for watching this league with its crooked refereeing (not a "conspiracy theory" - THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED), and rigged lotteries, and flopping, I'm sort of by default calling you a fool who is not seeing any of these things.  

But today, I have a terrific example of the root of the problem.  I don't listen to Jim Rome so I didn't hear his interview with David Stern live, but it went mainstream yesterday. 

(Audio and transcript here, courtesy of Sporting News)

I've been clear in the past about why I'm not a Rome fan, but I don't think he was out of place here.  It was a fair line of questioning that the commissioner could have dismissed in a calm, diplomatic, and friendly manner.  Something like, "I'm glad you asked, I always appreciate the opportunity to debunk an unfair criticism of my great league..."

Instead - straight from the Doth Protest Too Much department - he gets immediately defensive, and comes off as a petty, dickish bully.  And need I remind you, this is a commissioner of a professional sports league!  

Mainly pay attention to the attacking of the source instead of addressing the issue at hand, right down to his final statement,  “Listen, I gotta go call someone important like Stephen A Smith now..."  Come on Stern, everybody knows Stephen A. Smith is awful, and name dropping him like it's some kind of super-trolling trump card was pathetic.

All that said, Rome missed out on a big opportunity to ask more specific questions, such as:

"Do you at least acknowledge that a lot of people have doubts about your lottery, and how do you intend to prove them wrong?"
"Why is the lottery not shown publicly?"
"Who supplies the 'codes' used to assign to the teams, and why is the overall process so unnecessarily convoluted?" 

So, again, this is why I don't watch the NBA, and probably never will again, at least as long as Stern is in charge.  You can join ESPN if you want, an organization that supposedly "covers" the league while also being a billion dollar partner in broadcasting their games (Hmm, conflict of interest there?), and be a lapdog for the NBA, but I hope you join me instead.   As consumers, like with most other products, our voice is expressed only by whether or not we consume this garbage. 


***6/15 Update***

Great article by Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski today, on why it's time for Stern to go.  A small portion to whet your appetite...

For all the young diva stars in the sport, no one has an entourage of yes men as deep as the NBA's commissioner. Rest assured, everyone told Stern how out of line Jim Rome was on Wednesday, that Stern’s public tantrum was validated, that Stern justifiably defended his honor. Rest assured, no one dared tell the commissioner he needed to put the NBA above himself, stop the preening and let Kevin Durant and LeBron James be the stars of these Finals.


No one dares tell Stern the ultimate truth that his ego, his vindictiveness, is an embarrassment to the league.

Also, delicious mop-up from Stern's "I gotta go call someone important like Stephen A. Smith now..." comment.  I went ahead and listened to some of that interview - Stern actually did talk with Smith that day, surely as part of a media sweep to promote the NBA during its finals. 

It was basically a 17-minute slobber fest right from the start, when Smith's co-host says to Stern as they bring him on, "What a great time to be you!"  That of course should not be surprising, as Smith works for ESPN television, and his show is on ESPN radio.

Opportunity in the face of a broken fifth metatarsal

Giants' receiver Hakeem Nicks broke his foot in practice last week.  He hopes to be back in time for Week 1, and I believe he can do it.  But even if he doesn't make it back in time for that one, against Dallas, it's not the end of the world.  

He should be back in midseason form by, well, midseason.  And in the meantime, his absence will provide opportunities for others to step up.  No team has thrived in the "next man up" aspect of football like the Giants in recent years.  It was Domenik Hixon's torn ACL just last year that opened the door for Victor Cruz to burst onto the scene, after all.  And this year, even well before the games that count begin, it's Hixon himself, along with Ramses Barden and rookie Reuben Randle who will benefit from extra practice reps. If you're any of those three, or if you're anyone evaluating them, these next 3-4 months will be crucial.

Hixon has to show that he's ready to bounce back from his second torn ACL.  He's been a tireless worker in coming back, and knows the playbook as well as any Giants receiver, so he's put himself in a good position if his body cooperates. 

Barden is coming into a "show me" year if there ever was one.  At 6'6", and having shown good hands, he has the chance this season to prove not just that he belongs in the NFL, but that he can be a mainstay in a rotation of capable receivers who are sure to benefit from having Eli Manning throwing them the ball. 

Randle was touted as a player who can start from day one.  We'll find out soon whether that statement is an accurate one. 

However, while no Giant is irreplaceable other than Manning, it is important to have another threat in the lineup so Victor Cruz can continue to flourish the way he did last year, without constantly facing double teams.

Your official Days of Thunder car rating system

Five stars = The car's perfect Harry.

Four stars =  The shocks are right, we're dialed in. Don't change a thing.

Three stars = All right Harry, when it comes to the car I take your word.

Two stars = Her ass is all over the place.

One star = The car just feels all wrong!

The 4th time being "Defending Champs"

With all its ups and downs, the 2011 Giants season was the most satisfying and fulfilling season that I've ever followed, in any sport.  It stands alone, complete and special, no matter what happens in 2012.  But what I welcome most regarding the 2012 Giants, is the opportunity to defend their title. 

How did the Giants fare in their previous 3 chances?

1987 - Started 0-5, including the players' strike that lasted 3 weeks, during which the Giants replacement players went 0-3.  They finished 6-9 and missed the playoffs.

1991 - Bill Parcells quit (I'm not calling it a retirement as he returned to coach 3 more teams) - and the head coaching job was given to Ray Handley, a name that makes just about any Giants fan cringe.  They finished 8-8, and again, missed the playoffs following a Super Bowl win.

2008 - With most of the miracle 2007 team minus Michael Strahan back for another run, they started 11-1, and looked unbeatable at times.  But then Plaxico Burress shot himself and the team wasn't the same.  They went 1-3 in their last 4 regular season games, finishing 12-4, and still earning 1st round bye...but came out flat in the divisional round and suffered a brutal 23-11 home loss to the Eagles.

So, needless to say, the Giants haven't fared well in title defenses their previous 3 tries.  But, I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do with the opportunity this year.  And when it comes to the Giants, title defense season or not, we should be prepared to expect the unexpected.

2004-2010 Giants and Jets draft reviews

2004

Giants
2nd round pick Chris Snee, has been an anchor on the offensive line from the start, and is a 3-time Pro Bowl selection. 4th rounder Reggie Torbor, 5th rounder Gibril Wilson, and 7th rounder Derrick Ward all played roles in helping the Giants win the Super Bowl in the 2007 season, and all are still in league. But the main story here, of course, is Eli Manning, the kind of #1 overall pick, and once in a generation player that you do give up multiple 1st round picks to get. Thank you, then GM Ernie Accorsi, for the best QB the Giants have ever had.

Grade: A+. Simply put, the foundation of a champion.

Jets
1st round pick Jonathan Vilma was with the team until 2007, and I felt he got a raw deal when he was pushed out the door by the Mangini regime because they deemed he didn't fit their 3-4 scheme. He's gone on to have a solid 2nd act with the Saints. Cornerback Derrick Strait, their 3rd round pick, was out of the league within two years, but they got good value in round 4 with receiver Jerricho Cotchery who was with the team through 2010, until he too was given a raw deal when the team decided on a whim they needed Derrick Mason instead. Mason was then released midseason. Cotchery spent 2011 with the Steelers. 5th rounder Safety Erik Coleman played 4 years with the team, and is currently a Lion.

Grade: B-. Some good players, but no lasting impact.

Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2004 here.

2005

Giants
Only 4 draft choices, but it was definitely a case of quality over quantity.  2nd round pick Corey Webster has been a mainstay at cornerback, and enters 2012, his 8th year with the team, looking as good as ever.  3rd round pick Justin Tuck is a dominant, versatile end, who has been the heart and soul of the defense, has 45 1/2 career sacks, and will go down as one of the best defensive linemen in Giants history.  And that wasn't all...in the 4th round, the Giants got Brandon Jacobs, who rushed for over 4800 yards, and a franchise record 56 Touchdowns, before leaving for the 49ers last month in free agency.  Even 6th round pick, defensive end Eric Moore, has hung around the league with 4 teams, and has been a Patriot the past two.

Grade: A.  Another Ernie Accorsi masterpiece that would pay dividends for years to come..

Jets
Also didn't have a 1st round pick in 2005, but did have two seconds, and used them on K Mike Nugent, and CB Justin Miller.  Nugent is currently a Bengal, with a career accuracy over 80%, but the 2nd round has proven to be too high for him.  Miller found a niche as a kick returner, but played his last NFL game in 2009.  The 3rd round brought the Jets Defensive Tackle Siona Pouha, still a key contributor with the team, and 4th and 6th round choices, Safety Kerry Rhodes and Tight End Joel Dressen, are still in the league, with Rhodes in Arizona and Dressen in Houston.

Grade: C+.  Best summed up with, "Eh."


Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2005 here.

2006 

Giants
Ernie Accorsi's last draft.  The Giants took Mathias Kiwanuka in the 1st round, a slightly better than servicable pro who has done an admirable job switching between defensive end, and outside linebacker.  I'd like to see him back in the end rotation full-time going forward.  2nd round pick Sinorice Moss was a bust, as was 3rd round pick Gerris Wilkinson.  They really rebounded in the 4th round though, with Barry Cofield, dependable and durable at defensive tackle until getting a big contract in free agency with Washington following the 2010 season.  Fellow 4th round pick Guy Whimper, and 5th round pick Charlie Peprah, didn't do much as Giants, but were still in the league elsewhere through 2011.

Grade: C.  Kiwanuka and Cofield are good players, but Accorsi didn't come away with the kind of depth he would have hoped for.
Jets
Surprisingly fruitful.  First year GM Mike Tannenbaum, succeeding Terry Bradway, came away with an excellent haul of talent.  T D'Brickashaw Ferguson wasn't quite #4 overall material, but isn't a bust by any means.  C Nick Mangold, taken late in the 1st round, is one of the best at his position, and while QB Kellen Clemens in the 2nd round didn't work out, 3rd rounder S Eric Smith, 4th rounder WR/KR Brad Smith, another 4th rounder, HB/KR Leon Washington, certainly did.

Grade: A-.  A draft that really helped the Jets rebuild quickly, and paved the way for two AFC divisional round victories at the end of the decade.


Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2006 here.

2007

Giants
To say that 1st year General Manager Jerry Reese was up to the task would be a gross understatement.  1st round pick Aaron Ross was taken a little high, but even if you swap his spot with 2nd round pick Steve Smith, you still come out ahead.   3rd round pick Jay Alford didn't have much of career, but who could forget his thunderous sack of Tom Brady in the final moments of Super Bowl 42.  4th round pick Zak DeOssie is still the team's primary long snapper, and 5th round pick Kevin Boss was dependable.  And Reese saved the best gem for last, RB Ahmad Bradshaw in the 7th round.

Grade: B+.  The class gets a little bonus because so many of them immediately stepped in and contributed to a championship, even if this group has fallen off a bit since.
 
Jets
Only had 4 choices, but made the most of them, first taking All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis in the 1st round, with the 14th overall pick.  They hit another home run in the 2nd round, with LB David Harris.  6th round pick T Jacob Bender didn't pan out, but 7th rounder WR Chansi Stuckey did. 
 
Grade: A.  If you're only going to have 4 picks, this is how it's done.


Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2007 here.

2008

Giants
Reese picked up where he left off in 2007, adding another layer of young talent.  The defending Super Bowl champs drafted at the tail end of each round as they will in 2012, and Reese took two defensive backs in the first two rounds.  Had it not been for knee injuries, Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas might have been two of the league's elite.  Still, a good start, and Reese followed up with WR Mario Manningham in the 3rd, now Rams LB Brian Kehl in the 4th, and another victim of serious knee injury, LB Jonathan Goff in the 5th.

Grade: B-.  A pretty solid draft with no real busts...and thank you one last time Manningham, for the sideline catch in Super Bowl 46.
 
Jets
Spent the #6 overall pick on Vernon Gholston, who would record just 16 tackles, and no sacks, before being released following the 2010 season.  They rebounded nicely by taking TE Dustin Keller later in the 1st round, but the rest of this draft class, CB Dwight Lowery, QB Erik Ainge, WR Marcus Henry, and T Nate Garner, didn't give them much either.

Grade: D.  Keller's good, but you just can't miss on a pick that early, as badly as they did with Gholston.


Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2008 here.

2009

Giants
They took a lot of raw talent - some has worked out, and some hasn't, at least not yet.  1st round pick WR Hakeem Nicks is a game-changing player, and might end up the best Giants receiver ever.  2nd round pick LB Clint Sintim spent the 2011 season on injured reserve with a torn ACL, and next year might be his last chance to stick.  3rd round choice T Will Beatty looks promising at tackle, as does WR Ramses Barden, but both sorely need to flash a lot more in 2012.  Another 3rd rounder, TE Travis Beckum, hadn't shown much before tearing his ACL in Super Bowl 46, and that may turn out to be his last game.  4th round pick HB Andre Brown, after spending most of his career on the practice squad, might face a make or break year in 2012, after the departure of Brandon Jacobs.

Grade: B.  3 years ago and it's already almost too early to judge this draft, but Nicks carries this class, and I'm projecting breakout years from Barden and Beatty.

Jets
Just three picks: Round 1, number 5 overall, Mark Sanchez, Round 3, number 65, Shonn Greene, and round 6, number 193, Matt Slauson.  Sanchez and Greene are entrenched in the Jets backfield for better or worse, going into their 4th season.

Grade: D+.  It's not that Sanchez and Greene are quite that bad...but having made such commitments to these two, especially Sanchez, the Jets deprived themselves of the ability to go in another direction, which almost makes it worse than if they hadn't drafted these players at all.

Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2009 here.

2010

Giants
In the 1st round, they took maybe the greatest singular Giants defensive force since Lawrence Taylor, in DE Jason Pierre Paul.  2nd round pick DT Linval Joseph also looks like a keeper, and I would love to see these two play together on the Giants' line for another 10 years.  3rd round pick S Chad Jones was injured in a serious car accident shortly after being drafted, and is still trying to fight his way back.  5th round choice, G Mitch Petrus, looks to be a good one, and really helped spark the running game whenever he filled in last season.  6th round pick DE Adrian Tracy is still around, but understandably will have a hard time finding his way into the rotation.

Grade: A-.  So hard to project after two seasons, but sure looks promising.
 
Jets
Another thin class, with just 4 players - Kyle Wilson in the 1st, Vladimir Ducasse in the 2nd, Joe McKnight in the 4th, and John Conner in the 5th.

Grade: C.  McKnight seems to have found a niche as a change of pace back, and Conner looks to be a solid starting fullback.  That's all I can give you on this class, for in a Joe Morgan like moment, I must admit that with the exception of bits and pieces of a few games, I haven't seen them play...but I hope they can be more consistent.

Listen to the Sports Limelight Extra for 2010 here.

Overall, I tried not to be swayed too much by two biases - my Giants fan bias...and the Super Bowl bias, which is that when you win a Super Bowl, it's hard to not look at a draft as a complete success, because you won a Super Bowl (or two) with these players.

I can't wait to see the Giants do Thursday through Saturday.  This is a great time of year because more than any other single aspect of the league, the draft is what the saying, "In Reese We Trust," is all about.

Faith Hilling

South Park hit it out of the park again this week, with the episode Faith Hilling, poking fun at the "Meme" craze. It's been said before ad nauseam, but whenever they spoof something current, it's great.

Meanwhile, The Simpsons will do a show on this subject in 2017, and it will be about "Bavaroing."

QB musical chairs almost over

In non-Giants news, here are some brief thoughts on each significant quarterback move over the past week.

Peyton Manning signs with Denver - The Broncos are instant Super Bowl contenders. And they make a soft landing out of Tebowmania with pretty much the only QB who could make it acceptable to Bronco fans. If Manning is healthy - and we'll certainly find out more definitively over the next few months, beyond the grainy, bigfootesque cell phone video footage of him throwing a couple weeks ago - I see no reason he can't resume being in the elite class of QBs, where his two-time Super Bowl MVP brother Eli resides.

Alex Smith re-signed by San Francisco - After missing on Manning, and after Smith's flirtation with Miami, the 49ers are lucky to have Smith back. Six months ago, who'd have thought that could be said?

Matt Flynn signs with Seattle - He could be the next Matt Hasselbeck, a capable starter for a long time who learned as a Packers' backup. Or, he could be Scott Mitchell, given way too much money based on a couple good games. It was curious that the Dolphins, with his former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin the new head coach there, didn't want him. That might point to Flynn being more Mitchell than Hasselbeck.

Tim Tebow traded to New York Jets - I try to evaluate each move regardless of a team's track record. Otherwise, I'm no different than ESPN talking heads who, when the Patriots acquire a known bum, jerk, and/or has-been like Albert Haynesworth or Chad Ochocinco, fawn all over the move. Whereas if it was any other team, especially the Redskins, those same pundits would have lambasted the move. But because it's the Patriots, who are soooooo much smarter than any other organization, they praise it for being super brilliant and shrewd. Which is fine, because it's even more fun to laugh when the move is a failure. Anyway, I bring this up here because I had to fight my initial urge, which was to say, "Typical post 2006ish Jets, not having a real plan or vision. Still just throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks, and playing fantasy football with big names, like when they brought in Favre, Tomlinson, Holmes, and Mason, and traded up to draft Mark Sanchez." But what I'm saying here is, don't do that. We know Tebow doesn't throw very well, but we don't yet know how the Jets will use him. At most he's competing for the starting QB job, and at least he brings enthusiasm, leadership, and let's face it, Tebowmania.

UPDATE: After the initial posting of this entry, the trade of Tebow to the Jets hit a snag, as apparently the Jets either weren't aware of a $5 million advance they would have to pay on Tebow's salary, or are had second thoughts about it...making this all even more typical post 2006ish Jets.

The harsh reality of free agency

The Giants lost another player to free agency this week, with cornerback Aaron Ross signing with the Jaguars. This after Mario Manningham headed to San Francisco last week, and the likelihood that Brandon Jacobs and Kareem McKenzie won't be back with the team.

It's not all bad, as Terrell Thomas is back, as is Steve Weatherford. But this is the nature of free agency, especially coming off of a championship. Guys are going to get big deals elsewhere, and you can't possibly keep them all. The disappointing part to me, is that the Giants don't get a chance to defend their title as the exact same group. But, of course, that's just not practical in the NFL, and it's understood going in that Super Bowl or not, your team isn't going to be the exact same one the next season.

So, to Ross, Manningham, and the inevitable others who won't be back with Big Blue, I say thank you. You'll always be remembered fondly for what you did as Giants, on such a special 2011 team - and in Ross's case, a special 2007 team as well. And I certainly can't begrudge them their massive free agency paydays.

However, these guys are all replaceable. Jerry Reese proved this last offseason, after Kevin Boss and Steve Smith left, and he'll again find players to step right in this year. For Manningham, it could be Domenik Hixon, Jerrel Jernigan, Ramses Barden, Devin Thomas, or none of the above. For Ross, it will be probably be Terrell Thomas or Prince Amukamara.

On a somewhat related Giants note, after struggling with worries of 5-11 last season, I have learned to never have that fear again. No matter who gets injured, or who leaves in free agency, between now and September. The reason is simple. As long as they have Eli Manning, they always have a chance. So many times during last season, I was thinking either, "Eventually this isn't going to work out," or at the very least, "Do they have to make it so difficult on themselves every time?" But what a joy it was to watch him lead the Giants to the game winning score, every single time they needed it.

NFL Free Agency, and the Peyton Manning chase

The Giants have been predictably quiet in free agency so far, and figure to continue to be. They did sign former Cowboys' TE Martellus Bennett this week, but otherwise it's been a matter of taking care of as many of their own as they have room for.

NJ.com has a nice Giants "Free Agent Tracker," it's nice to see all the info on one page there.

I've been pretty wishy-washy on Peyton Manning - I have no idea where he's going, and while it seems to be narrowed down to Denver and San Francisco right now, at this time last week it was looked like the Redskins, Cardinals, and Dolphins were the candidates. In a couple days, if he's not signed by then, who knows what other team(s) will emerge?

South Park did it

The Simpsons got around to doing an Inception parody in last night's episode. It's funny because the movie came out two years ago, and South Park did an Inception parody a year and a half ago. And in a podcast recorded two weeks ago, at about the four minute mark, I said this...

"They had an episode once, 'Simpsons Did It...' Since that episode, it's become 'South Park did it.' Even to the point where, the Simpsons are doing things South Park did a couple years prior."

(I promise I didn't know this Simpsons episode was coming. And even if you aren't buying that, hey, I've been noticing this for years.)

Anyway, the sad thing for me about last night's episode was, in spite of a strong start, it was the first time in 23 seasons that I completely lost interest in an episode. Sure, there have been plenty of times over the past three or so seasons when I've sat there and said, "Meh, this isn't very good." But I'd keep sitting there watching with undivided attention. Last night, I simply turned my back and starting putzing around on the PC.

Still, I hang on, out of obligation. In spite of being way, way over the TV/radio entertainment time salary cap, I keep a starting roster spot open for the Simpsons, which at this point would be like the Giants keeping Carl Banks at linebacker out of loyalty. And I don't mean Carl Banks when he was past his prime with the Redskins and Browns from 1993-95...I mean Carl Banks, right now.

Note: "Putzing around on the PC" is not a euphemism for viewing pornography.

Champions

Where to even begin?

The Giants have done it again. Four years after a run that appeared to be once in a lifetime.

24 hours later and I am still trying to fully digest what has happened, but here are a few thoughts.

Eli Manning now has a legacy. Beyond "super clutch" I don't know quite what it is, but I know he no longer deserves being compared to his brother, or anyone. He's his own man, and has his own special chapter in NFL history.

Tom Coughlin is a Hall of Fame coach. I say that for lack of a better term, because the Hall of Fame itself is so arbitrary and has Peter King voting on it. But needless to say, Coughlin isn't on the hot seat anymore. Nor can anyone question whether his players love playing for him, and can still be reached by his methods.

Like I said, for me it's still sinking in, but there is a strange feeling at this point. After being all-in for an entire season that was never short on drama, there is no game next Sunday. No heavily favored opponent. No confident yet nervous feelings leading up to the game. No superstitions. (I can now cut my hair, wash my Sunday t-shirt, and not insist certain people are seated next to me while watching the game.) It's really over. 32 teams, and the Giants were the ones left standing. Again.

Yes, there is no game next Sunday. No game for about six months, in fact. Somehow though, with the tape of this game that I'll probably watch a few times over again, I think I'll make it through the long spring and summer.

(Actually, I'll be able to enjoy it more the second time, after having been too on-edge to do so while it was happening.)

Finally, on another personal note, I couldn't have picked a better year to really immerse myself in a Giants season like never before. I tried to write almost every week, and by the 2nd half of the season, Drew and I had the podcast going almost every week. This all has been a blast, and thanks for coming along on the journey with me.

They got it right

I was quite critical of the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year when Curtis Martin, the NFL's 4th all-time leading rusher, was passed up for enshrinement. And while it's still a year late, they deserve a small amount of credit for doing the right thing and voting him in this year.

Curtis was remarkably consistent and durable, a great all-around back who could catch and block with the best of them, and according to just about anyone who knows him, is a great human being.

Congratulations to Curtis Martin for now being recognized as one of the greatest players who ever lived - a distinction that most of us who watched him play, knew all along.

Battle Tested

After being taken to the brink by a remarkably tough opponent, on the road, in terrible weather conditions, the Giants are Super Bowl bound.

It wasn't pretty, and I credit the 49ers for that, especially their defense. And it took some really heads-up special teams plays by Jacquain Williams and Devin Thomas, off of gaffes by 49ers' punt return man Kyle Williams. But championship teams find a way to win, and this team did exactly that, while minimizing their own mistakes.

I can still hardly believe it, but I've got plenty of time to come to grips with it now - as much as I wish this game could be played tomorrow, the Super Bowl is 13 days away. For now, I'll just say I like the Giants' chances. They open as 3 1/2 point underdogs, but I was more afraid of the 49ers than I am of the Patriots.

The Giants have faced so many challenges this year, and I believe those challenges have toughened them up to become what they have become, over the past 5 games.

What a season it's been...but there is still one more game to win.

Astounding

37-20 over the 15-1 Packers. That's not just a big road win, that's domination.

Watching this team make nothing look easy over their first 14 games, I still almost can't believe what I'm seeing.

In the 2nd quarter in Week 16 against the Jets, the Giants trailed 7-3, when Eli Manning hit Victor Cruz on a 3rd and 10 from the Giants' own 1 yard-line. Since Cruz sidestepped two Jets defenders and went the remaining 99 yards for the TD, the Giants have outscored the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons, and Packers, by a combined score of 118-43. It's as if they were sparked into becoming a completely different team.

Now, on to San Francisco for a rematch. The 49ers are awfully tough, and not to be overlooked. When watching their matchup with the Saints the day before, I was struck by how physical they are, and how well they tackle. I'll be shocked if the NFC Championship is a blowout for either side. But the way the Giants are playing, they can beat anyone.

And a last note - I don't usually get into the "bulletin board material" kind of stuff because at this point in the season, no player needs extra motivation. But I was amazed at what I heard from Vernon Davis when he was interviewed during halftime of Giants-Packers.

Davis was asked if he was rooting for the Packers or Giants. Every time I've previously heard an athlete asked this question, they have been diplomatic and not answered it. But Davis flat out said, he wanted the Giants to win. I understand he likes to play at home, but after what he saw done to the Packers yesterday, as the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for."

The goal now? Finish it.

LOL HOF

If I may interrupt the awesomeness of a Giants playoff week...Barry Larkin was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 86% of the vote. Okay, fine, 86% seems super high for a guy who, while good, wasn't a superstar, but whatever, he's in...

And Bernie Williams received just 10% of the vote? And still no Don Mattingly? Really? I have vowed to no longer give Halls of Fame the time of day in the past, but this seems especially ridiculous and anti-Yankee. Larkin was pretty good with his career 116 OPS+, played good defense at an important position, and has a ring. But then to mostly ignore Williams with his career 125 OPS+, also good defense at an important position, and 4 rings? And if the voters think Larkin's 3 gold gloves are meaningful...Williams had 4.

But then I guess I'm sleeping on Larkin for his 1995 MVP award. Williams never won one. Larkin's MVP season: .319/394/492, 133 OPS+, gold glove. Williams' best year, 1998: .339/422/575, 160 OPS+, gold glove. He finished 7th in the MVP voting that year.

Also, while Larkin didn't have control over playing on teams as good as Williams did...not for nothing, just look at where Williams ranks in the following lists for all-time playoff numbers:

Runs - 2nd

Hits - 2nd

Total bases - 2nd

Doubles - 2nd

HR - 2nd

RBI - 1st

Walks - 3rd

Halls of Fame don't really matter, we know this. But come on baseball, if you're going to pretend your Hall of Fame is important, at least try to get it right.

Thrill ride continues

Like the motto they have seemed to adopt for 2011-12, I am "All In" with these Giants.

After a nightmare start with one injury after another to key players, they're the healthiest they've been all season.

The offense, after a hiccup against the Redskins and Jets (pre-Cruz 99 yard TD), is back to its explosive self, and now with finally a threat to run the ball well.

The defense is playing as well as it has all season, after Perry Fewell simplified things towards the end of the season after the secondardy had been leaving gaping holes all year. I'd ask, "Where have these adjustments been the first 14 games?" but that would just be nit-picking at this point. All that matters is the present.

I've been critical of Gilbride and Quinn, and super critical of Fewell, but that's in the past, and I'm 100% behind them for this game, and believe they'll each be prepared with a good scheme for their units. And above all, I believe Coughlin will have them ready, down to every detail, to play a competitive game against a Packers team with an almost unstoppable offense...but a defense that can be scored upon.

Will it be enough? We'll see. A playoff run can end suddenly, so I'm going to enjoy it for however long it lasts. But I'm about as confident as I can possibly be in a 9-7 team going on the road to face a 15-1 team as 9 point underdogs.

This team believes, and they have me believing too.