Thoughts from the weekend

The Giants' 27-0 loss at the Eagles only reinforces the concept that no small sample size in the NFL should be treated as too much of the overall picture.  For instance, three consecutive wins over lesser competition did not change the fact that the Giants' roster is not good.  For all the criticism Jerry Jones takes in his running of the Cowboys - both fair and unfair - one thing Jones understands that Giants' GM Jerry Reese seems not to, is that you build a team with focus on the offensive line.  The Cowboys' 30-23 win in Seattle, sends the Cowboys to 5-1.  And it reinforces what our friend Dallas said on Sports Limelight two weeks ago:  Investing in the offensive line with early draft picks, pays dividends.  Yes, Reese spent a first round pick on Justin Pugh in 2013, and he's been solid - not terrible, not great, just solid - but it hasn't been nearly enough, and it showed last night as Eli Manning didn't have much of a chance to lead a scoring drive while laying on his back.  Simply put, the Giants' offensive line last night made the Eagles' defense look as good as they were portrayed in that stupid twitter video put out by the Eagles. 

Other thoughts...

*The new Budweiser commercial featuring the yellow Labrador is both touching and depressing.  Touching because labs are adorable (and I will admit I am always a sucker for labs), but depressing because it's as if they are saying, "All right, we know you dude-bros aren't going to stop drinking and driving on account of the innocent people you kill with your cars, or on account of your families or friends...so will you at least do it for your dogs?"

*The Bills-Patriots game Sunday was the first ever all-AFC matchup to air on FOX.  Nothing profound to say about that, just found it interesting.

*The air raid siren that the Jets play seemingly after every defensive snap (successful play for the Jets defense or not), sounds awfully loud on TV.  I have an uncle who is a long time season ticket holder for the Jets, and I hope this siren isn't causing him hearing loss. 

*I love that Peyton Manning is three touchdown passes away from Brett Favre's career record.  For me, when it comes to the recordbooks, ideally Favre will be left with nothing but "Most career interceptions thrown."  Never forget, he broke the INTs record first; then he played long enough to set the TDs one. 

*Mainly from Sunday's action though, I'm just left with sadness in my heart for Victor Cruz, as a person.  The Giants' season is over, but I already knew that, and this team is going nowhere with or without Cruz in 2014.  But to see him lose his season the way he did, just doesn't seem fair.  I realize there are 31 other teams who have players with knee injuries, but following these guys so closely really leads to...what's the term you humans use...empathy?  (I'm not familiar with this concept, but am trying to get better at it.)  And from both a "Giants on the field" perspective, and a "Murphy's Law" perspective, if someone had asked me, what is the worst possible injury that could happen to the Giants, and at what part of the body?", other than Eli Manning's right shoulder, I'd have said Victor Cruz's knee. 

Mercifully, just 14 games left this season...

"Gotham is yours!  None shall interfere, do as you please."

-Bane, The Dark Knight Rises
(and...
-The 2014 New York Giants)

I said this last week when the Giants dropped their Monday Night opener in Detroit, and I'll say it here now, after a 25-14 home loss to Arizona:  I'm not going to do what you think I'm going do, in reacting to the way these Giants are playing. No fire and brimstone, no ranting, no raving.

I think a more fitting word to describe my thoughts on this team, is "resigned." I am resigned to the fact that this is the worst Giants team in my lifetime. I give this squad the nod over the last Ray Handley season (1992, 6-10 record, -61 point differential) and the last Jim Fassell season (2003, 4-12 record, -144 point differential), because those teams had talent but quit on their coaches. One thing a Coughlin team will never do is quit - last season showed that. But looking around the league it's clear to see the Giants just don't have the kind of young, hungry, nasty playmakers that other teams have. And that points to GM Jerry Reese more than anyone. Sure, the Giants are struggling to learn Ben McAdoo's new offense, and have shown some of the same mistakes of Perry Fewell's defenses past - more on this later - but sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one. For the most part, the Giants simply do not have good players, and the teams they play against have better talent than they do. Before the season began I predicted the 2014 Giants would finish 6-10. I'll stick with that, but 3-13 wouldn't shock me either.  

It would take less time to list the people who aren't the problem with the current Giants, so I'll do that here: Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. Manning has shown that when he is given time, he will make plays. Of course that's not to say he never makes a bad decision. But most plays, he is not given time, with the offensive line being the Giants' #1 problem the past few seasons. And Coughlin, with a career coaching record of 290-158 (including 162-90 with the Giants) is a proven winner. He's trying his best to make chicken salad out of the chicken waste that he's been handed by Reese post-Super Bowl XLVI, and all things considered he's done an admirable job of it.

Last week, after the Giants' season opening 35-14 loss in Detroit, I ranked it a tie among 6 or 7 games exactly like it, as the worst Giants performance I'd ever seen. But the Week 2 loss to Arizona, was more like most other Giants losses in this era. In fact, it could serve as a perfect introduction to anyone in the Phoenix area who hadn't seen much of the Giants previously. As I watched this game, I sat on the couch calling out what would happen next, like a WWE fan who understands the anatomy of a 6-man tag match. "Okay, right here Roman Reigns is going to get tagged in, and beat up all three members of the bad guys' team, and at some point will deliver a 'Superman Punch' (jumping punch) and a 'spear' (tackle)." For example...

-The announcers state that Arizona's starting QB, Carson Palmer, would not be playing today. Instead, starting in his place would be Drew Stanton, who had not started an NFL game in 4 years. Great, right? Wrong. The Giants routinely make backup quarterbacks look like Hall of Famers, and would have been better off facing Brees, Brady, or Rodgers.

-Arizona faces a 3rd and 12. Their QB will have plenty of time to throw, and there will be a receiver running free, wide open. Easy completion, first down.

-Just enough of a tease to make you think the Giants have a chance to win. They climb back and take a 14-10 lead. The new Giants Stadium (That's my name for it; not calling it "Met Life") is rocking, and momentum is firmly with the Giants. Don't worry, they'll screw it up with...

-A special teams miscue. The first man to Ted Ginn has a clean shot, and goes for the knockout instead of tackling him. Ginn bounces off, and runs straight up the middle through the rest of the punt coverage team.

-The Giants rolling over and dying after the aforementioned miscue. It doesn't take much adversity for this team to completely lose composure, and more mistakes come fast and furious after the initial adversity. After Ginn's Punt Return TD to put Arizona up 19-14, still with almost a full quarter remaining, I knew the game was over.

I want to make it clear here that I'm not refusing to give credit to the Giants' opponents. It's just something that I liken to a Hollywood star like Elizabeth Taylor, having 8 divorces. If something happens enough, eventually you stop attributing it to the other person and have no choice but to say, "Gee, Liz, maybe you're the problem here."

So, are you a Giants opponent, and your backups or eventual washouts like Vince Young, Charlie Whitehurst, or Drew Stanton are looking like Johnny Unitas circa 1959 (or early-to-mid 90s Steve Young, if you're into references from the last 50 years)...you are able to do as you please on 3rd and long...and you're the sudden beneficiary of a flurry of turnovers and drive-extending penalties?  Well I'm afraid I've got some bad news. It's probably more the Giants' doing than yours. But you have nothing to apologize for.  Take the generous gifts, and move on to your next game, where such luxuries may not continue.

Q: What's wrong with the Giants? (A: How much time do you have?)

The Giants are 0-5, and while I think I'm doing a good job of not letting it affect my happiness most of the time, here is a rundown of what is wrong with the NFL's worst team:

*By unit, the Giants' offensive line and linebackers are the worst in the league.  You can only go so long not spending high picks on any unit before it catches up to you, and that addage has certainly caught up with these two groups.  They did use a 1st rounder on OT Justin Pugh in 2013 - and I think he'll be an okay pro - but it was too little, too late.

*The Giants are the NFL's easiest team to prepare for.  Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride and Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell are constantly out-schemed, and are horrible at making adjustments. 

*Metaphorically punch this team in the mouth early, and it will roll over.  Or, if one thing goes wrong in the early going, they won't recover.  Contrast this with another winless team, Pittsburgh, who in spite of being clearly outmanned, is feisty and battles you for 60 minutes.
*Eli Manning has turned back into the bumbling enigma he was criticized for being prior to 2007.  For a 10-year veteran, 2-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback, he throws a lot of dumb interceptions.  And long gone are the 4th quarter comeback wins that were his calling card from 2007-2011.   

*Most of all, the players are simply not very talented.  Turnover in NFL rosters happens so fast, that if you have 2 or 3 subpar drafts in a row, suddenly the cupboards are bare.  That has happened with this Giants team, with GM Jerry Reese having added so few good picks since 2010.  Add that to letting of key contributors like Bradshaw, Boley, Canty, Umenyiora, Blackburn, and Bennett, all walk for nothing in return, with no adequate replacements for most of them, and you've got a rotting corpse of a roster.
 

One man I didn't mention here is Tom Coughlin.  Sure, when you're 0-5, everyone is to blame, but Coughlin's way down on my list.  He's trying to make chicken salad out of chicken crap, and just can't do it anymore.  I don't think Vince Lombardi could win with this team.  I also give Coughlin a ton of credit for being front and center for the media after every loss, patiently answering every question when there is really nothing he can say.  Jerry Reese can hide, but Coughlin's got to take the slings and arrows.  Coughlin certainly can't say Reese gave him a garbage roster, even if that's painfully obvious.
 
I've seen some Giants fans say the 2011 run was the worst thing that could have happened to the franchise, because it covered up so many deficiencies.  I'm not one of those fans though.  I'll take a Super Bowl any way it will come, and if this was the Giants' version of "selling their soul" for a championship, then fine, mission accomplished.  If they don't win another for 17 years, it was worth it.  (That's the "Years Between Giants Championships" pattern in the Super Bowl era after all...1986, 1990, 2007, and 2011, makes 4-17-4...next one's 17 then, due in 2028.)  But, I do believe there is something to that "2011 covered up a lot of problems" theory, as well as two other theories that seem to fit these Giants perfectly:

*A team tunes out its head coach eventually

*Every dynasty - or even every good-to-great team - has an expiration date.

Pre-Preseason 2013 Giants thoughts

Giants owner John Mara said today that going into camp, his team has the talent to compete with anyone.  

I'm always wary of anyone in the Giants organization - even the man at the top - proclaiming the Giants to have a promising roster, especially with the dreaded "on paper" argument.

That said, I have more optimism going into 2013, than I had going into 2012, and here's why.

In 2012, they spent a full offseason on the banquet circuit, and being told how great they are. (I don't blast them too much for that, it's simply human nature that's hard to overcome.)

In 2013, they spent the offseason having missed the playoffs, and having finished 30th in the league in team defense. And it's not like the offense was the model of consistency either.

Distractions should be less this year, and that's when the Giants thrive. It won't be easy - we know this team just doesn't do dominant regular seasons very often - but I think they're in good shape.

Of course, one injury during camp can change everything, and there's a long way to go until September 8th.

Surprising, but also not...

Former Giants, Eagles, Rams, and Buccanneers receiver Steve Smith announced his retirement today.  I wouldn't be shocked if he attempted a comeback eventually, only being 28, but for now, a once promising career is over.

It's surprising, and not surprising, at the same time.  Surprising because in 2010, he was poised to become an elite-level NFL receiver - if he wasn't already - and less than three years later, he's out of the league.  But not surprising, because it shows the fleeting nature of a life in pro football.  

The great Mike Garafolo touches on it at the end of his article, and I keep coming back to Victor Cruz and how this relates to his current contract dispute with the Giants.  

If you're Cruz, you dig in even more in contract negotiations, and say, "This is why I need as much guaranteed money as possible"  

If you're the Giants, you also dig in even more, and say, "This is why we can't give you as much guaranteed money as possible."

So as far as Cruz's contract goes, hopefully a compromise can be reached.  I have to think Cruz is smart enough to know that, hypothetically, $7 million a year with the Giants is better than $9 million a year with the Chiefs, as his marketing value more than makes up for the difference in NFL salary.  Not to mention how much better he looks with Eli Manning throwing him the ball, like Steve Smith did before him.

And on a personal note, I can't help but remember how much of a disaster I thought it was for the Giants when in 2011, Smith signed with the Eagles as a free agent. 

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

A New Season

It's been a sunny and warm start to January here in the Phoenix area, a symbol of the feeling I've had since the Giants defeated Dallas on Sunday night, punching their ticket to the playoffs and a matchup with Atlanta.

Before we look ahead, I'd like to look back at the season that was. Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin have done a remarkable job this season in getting this team to the playoffs, considering Coughlin's ability to keep them fighting in spite of the injuries to key players pretty much from the start of camp, and the depth Reese gave this roster even though it seemed the Giants were sitting on their hands and not improving, while the Eagles were building a "dream team" in free agency. But there's something to be said for stability and continuity. Kevin Gilbride has been Eli Manning's coordinator for 4 years now, and was his QB coach before that. Their comfort with each other shows, and Eli has had a season for the ages. (This is somewhat overshadowed by three other quarterbacks, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers, having even more amazing seasons. A lot of other years, Eli Manning would have been MVP, but I can't blame voters for placing Eli likely a distant fourth this year.)

On defense, I'm still not the biggest Perry Fewell fan, but it seems his unit is starting to peak at the right time, with the secondary finally clamping down after being gashed all season, and the pass rush firing on all cylinders.

If the oddsmakers are any indication, the Falcons and Giants are as evenly matched as it gets. The Giants are a 3 point favorite, and usually the standard in setting the line is to grant 3 points to the team playing at home.

I have no idea what's going to happen Sunday, but I can't wait to find out.

So it all comes down to this

Cowboys at Giants, Sunday night, for the NFC East title.

A Giants win makes this season of hair-pulling ups and downs all worthwhile.

A Giants loss would be a microcosm of the aforementioned hair-pulling Giants fans have been doing all year.

Just in the last two weeks, the Giants lost at home to the Redskins 23-10, looking like they didn't want to be on the field. They then silenced* Rex Ryan and the Jets, in a road game in the new Giants Stadium, 29-14.

(Technically not "silenced" because he kept talking after the game.)

Anyway, what to expect Sunday, besides the unexpected? Let's draw from what we learned over the first 15 games.

Going in the Giants' favor, is that this is a big game, and when they've come out fired up (or at least not completely flat), they've played well against good teams. Dallas is a good team.

Also going in the Giants' favor, they're playing Tony Romo in December. As much as the Giants have collapsed towards the end of the season the last 3 years, the Cowboys have done it just the same.

Going against the Giants however - it's at home. They're 3-4 at home this season, and the wins have come against Miami, Buffalo, and St. Louis. And two of the losses have come against Washington and Seattle. I'd almost rather they be on the road in a big game like this, especially in Dallas where they're 3-0 in that new stadium.

Also going against the Giants, this game has been flexed to prime time. This is more anectodal than factual, and like Peter King I give up on doing actual research that takes more than 2 minutes, but it seems the Giants save their worst performances for night games. (Though more so Monday nights than Sunday nights).

For the 2011 Giants, this was the only way the regular season could have ended all along: One game, with everything on the line. Somehow I have a sneaking suspicion it won't come easy.

Two different teams

The headline this week could be a bit misleading.

What I'm not saying, is that the Giants seem to be two different teams: the one that shows up to beat teams like Dallas, New England, or almost beat Green Bay, when they came in as underdogs...and the one that loses to Seattle, the Eagles at home, or got embarrassed on a Monday night in New Orleans.

Nor am I saying Jason Pierre-Paul and most of the rest of the Giants' defense, belong on two different teams - or even, in two different leagues. Though that does often seem like the case.

It's yet a third description: Over the past three games, it's as if the Giants' offense, and the Giants defense, are two different teams, playing against each other. The offense has got to score enough to overcome the defense's ineptitude. Against the Cowboys, this formula worked. Against Green Bay, it almost did but fell just short. Against the Saints, it wasn't even close. This week, a lot of the focus is on the repeated problem of blown coverages.

And looking at the front seven again, I just haven't seen any imagination from Perry Fewell in the way of blitzes - or more specifically, disguising them - all year. I realize not everyone is Dick LeBeau. And many might point out that all the injuries have limited what Fewell can do. However, to that I would say, that creates even more need to be creative and deceptive. And that's when he blitzes at all, which has been rare this season. He finally blitzed when he brought 7 or 8 on that Dallas 3rd down with just over two minutes remaining, when Tony Romo overthrew a wide open Miles Austin, who had torched Aaron Ross in single coverage. The Giants really dodged a bullet there. I did still like the blitz call, though I don't quite understand why he can't just bring one extra guy for the blitz; why do they have to rush either 3 or 4, or 7 or 8...and nothing in between? Like most things in life, the sweet spot is in moderation. Bring the front four plus Kiwanuka (a great pass rusher playing linebacker) sometimes. The opposing QB won't have forever to throw (unless Pierre-Paul beats a double team) and you'll still have 6 in coverage.

It's not all gloom this week, of course. Pierre-Paul is force. Eli Manning is truly a great quarterback, and the Giants are never out of a game with him under center. (Or with him in the shotgun, with inconsistent snaps from otherwise solid Kevin Boothe.)

Speaking of the offensive line, whenever starting center and big money free agent signing David Baas is healthy, I'd like him to stay on the bench - the combination of Boothe at center, Mitch Petrus at guard, and David Diehl at tackle on the left side, has really sparked the run game, which had flat out stunk until two weeks ago when this change was made.

And to take a step back...what a game. One for the ages, and the Giants have bought themselves three extra weeks to get their act together on defense so they could actually make some noise in the playoffs if they can get there. Next up, a Redskins team that has nothing to play for, but is still playing hard. On paper this should finally be a game the Giants win big. But I know better than to expect that. And John Mara said it best: “It’d be nice to have an easy one, but I don’t think that’s in our DNA.”

Same movie, different week

I've really run out of creative ways to say "this Giants team drives me crazy." Instead I'm just going to shoot from the hip.

I am sick of trying to put positive spins on losses that should have been wins. I couldn't care less that the Giants "hung in there" against an undefeated team. There are no moral victories. You need to actually win the game.

For an undefeated team, the Packers weren't very impressive to me. They dropped a lot of passes. They got a gift TD when Greg Jennings never had possession of the ball in the end zone before Prince Amukamara knocked it away. They got another gift when a 4th and 20 was turned into a 1st down on a ticky-tack illegal contact penalty on Jacquian Williams. I realize that "fan of the losing team whining about referee calls" is just about as low as it gets, and I try never to be that guy...but if you get one "Referees blew the game" challenge flag per season, I'm using it here. A few friends and I like to joke that touching Tom Brady is a penalty...apparently "being a rookie against the beloved Green Bay offense" is also going to cost you dearly.

Nonetheless, this was another game lost by the coordinators. And it will never change. Coughlin, who I still believe to be a good coach, is too loyal to these morons and won't fire them.

Tom Quinn's special teams. If the Giants got one explosive play from special teams, just one, it would be a miracle.

Kevin Gilbride's offense. I've seen a lot worse from ol' Killdrive, and for the most part I liked what he did today. But the 3rd and 8 quick screen attempt to D.J. Ware was a joke. And he got lucky on the shotgun draw working for the 2-point conversion. That was the first time that play worked all year.

Perry Fewell's defense. I think I could call a better defense on my Madden video game. You know why I think that? Because I CAN CALL A BETTER DEFENSE ON MY MADDEN VIDEO GAME. Fewell calls an awful game, but oh can he talk tough during the week! What a great approach it is to talk tough during the week, hoping to distract from the fact that you suck at your job and not get fired. I don't know how many more times Fewell can possibly call his stupid 3 or 4 man rush, with a soft zone behind it, on 3rd and long, only to watch the QB have forever to throw, and find someone wide open beyond the sticks. It's more predictable than a punchline on the NBC sitcom, "Whitney." Oh, you don't watch Whitney? That's okay, neither does anyone. But it's staying on the winter schedule yet Community is going away. Maybe NBC is run by Perry Fewell too.

I'm also sick of the injuries. Injuries are part of the game, but why are the Giants among the most injured teams every single year? At some point they should take a look at the strength and conditioning coaches. And the field turf in the new Giants Stadium (I don't care if it's called the "New Meadowlands," I've made my choice) is no excuse. The Jets play on the same field and don't have nearly the same amount of injuries the Giants do.

And you know what the worst part is? I can't do the logical thing and simply admit what's staring me in the face, that this 6-6 team simply isn't very good. I'll be furious over this loss until about Wednesday...then the rest of the week I'll be deluding myself with playoff scenarios, and how they just need to manage to beat Dallas twice and they're champions of a mediocre NFC East. Beat Dallas twice? This team can't beat anyone right now.

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