Richard Lawson is streets behind

My friend Chris forwarded to me this blurb in The Atlantic Wire. It's just one paragraph, I hadn't yet talked about the benching and possible cancellation of my current favorite show Community, and as a bonus this crosses into the sports world definitely once and arguably twice:

Good grief. Community, a good show in danger of being canceled by NBC, has fans. Well, saying that Community has fans is sort of like saying the Red Sox have people who like to watch their games from time to time. Meaning, Community fans tend to err on the side of crazy. They are both evangelical and oddly protective of their beloved show and are thoroughly convinced that anyone who doesn't like it is some sort of evil simp. This is a wild generalization to be sure, but it's also totally true. So now, just when we thought they couldn't get more irksome, some Community fans have decided to hold one of modern's society's more annoying events: a flash mob. Yes, they'll be storming 30 Rockefeller Center, home of NBC, tomorrow to protest the show's jeopardized status. They'll be singing Christmas tunes and wearing fake beards and oh god just being so annoying. Sorry, guys. Community is a good show! But nothing merits a flash mob. Just absolutely nothing.

The stuff about flash mobs is mostly true - they are pretty annoying and nothing merits them. NBC executives certainly deserve worse treatment; just not a flash mob specifically. But two snippets merit further inspection...

Well, saying that Community has fans is sort of like saying the Red Sox have people who like to watch their games from time to time.

Here's a little secret that most of us sports fans know about our fellow sports fans across the country: We're all not so different. Red Sox fans are no more passionate than any other fan base. Oh, they sure think they are, so I tend to believe the piece's author, Richard Lawson, is himself a Red Sox fan, and was trying to throw in a, "You see, we Red Sox fans are soooo passionate you guys..." If he wanted to make a comparison to a fan base's uncommon passion in the face of heartbreak, he would have gone with Cubs or Vikings fans. But that's the thing about Red Sox fans - there's more narcissism, more "Woe is us" even after they won a couple titles, more "We care more than you," and especially more "If you are not from Boston you cannot possibly understand what it means to be a fan of sports."

They are both evangelical and oddly protective of their beloved show and are thoroughly convinced that anyone who doesn't like it is some sort of evil simp.

No, we just don't like NBC canceling a great show we love. I've always been fascinated by how often the likelihood of Person A calling Person B's behavior "odd," is the extend to which they disagree with it. It's just about the cheapest troll comment there is, and I could say that about anything; "What's the deal with this bizarre, oddly protective way people get about the Phoenix Suns?" If I don't like the Suns, I just marginalized their fans by saying their level of adoration is inconsistent with where I deem it should be. And that example doesn't even give the full effect, because with the Suns no one is TRYING TO TAKE THE TEAM AWAY and move it to Baltimore or something. Also, unlike Community - champions of Being Awesome - the Suns have zero championships in their 42 year history.

I fear I may have just crossed into troll territory myself with that last comment (no rings LOL U mad?), so I'll just end here. Save Community!

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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Inside Madness: A Live Blog

I hope to truly "live blog" at least one Giants game this season - I still haven't gotten around to it yet with just 6 games left - but in the meantime, here's the next best thing, a rundown of every comment I made on NJ.com's live blog during the Giants' 17-10 loss to the Dream Team Sunday night.

Some of the comments lack context as I'm replying to people, but if you watched this game you will understand anyway. (And also if you watched this game...I'm sorry.) So, if you want to relive the 2nd worst regular season loss in Giants' franchise history,* read on!

*I don't know how official any of these rankings really are.

--------------------------

WELCOME TO THE NFL PRINCE AMUKAMARA! WOOOOO!

8:46PM

For 9 weeks we were saying "Kevin Who..." Suddenly I miss Boss.

9:57PM

Plenty of football left to be played, including this drive. Get some points here!

9:58PM

Injuries seem to sweep through the Giants by position...looks like it's RB now.

10:01PM

F for the offense, F for special teams, and D- for the defense. (Grading on a curve because Young is horrible...a halfway decent QB would be up 28-0 right now the way the Giants played in the 1st half.)

10:03PM

Silver lining...as horrible as the Giants have played in this first half, they're only down 7. They play a decent 2nd half, and can win this game running away.

10:11PM

For the life of me I cannot understand how the Giants are the only team this year that can't run on the Eagles. 120 yards per game for the Eagles' run defense, and the Giants can't do a thing on the ground tonight.

10:17PM

7 more games left in Jacobs' Giants career. I don't know if it's a physical breakdown at his advancing age, or a lack of will, but he's a shell of his old self. If we can see this from our couches, surely the Giants coaching staff sees it.

10:21PM

Was just thinking on that last run...eventually, while McCoy's fighting for extra yards carrying the ball like that, the Giants have got to punch it out.

10:24PM

Might have been a season-saving INT there for Ross.

10:36PM

True to form in the 4th so far! 10-10, let's go Giants! Keep the momentum now defense.

10:53PM

No pass rush whatsoever tonight. Even VY will find someone open eventually.

11:00PM

How many times have we seen a 2nd and 15 or so, Giants rush 3, opponents picks up 12 or more yards. Don't make it so easy for them to get chunks back.

11:03PM

Just can't get off the field on 3rd down. Iggles are what, 4-for-4 on this drive?

11:04PM

Annnnnd Kiwanuka's down...just perfect. That's the 2011 season in a nutshell, eh?

11:08PM

Back in...huge sigh of relief.

11:11PM

And the Giants turn another scrub QB into a hero. To update list: Grossman, Whitehurst, Smith, Young.

11:18PM

One for the "You're gonna wish you could have it back" column

A brutal loss for the Giants Sunday, 27-20 in San Francisco. They committed way too many mental mistakes, something you just can't do against a playoff team on the road.

But here's the positive outlook. In spite of all of the following:

-Being unable to stop Alex Smith

-Allowing a surprise onside kick recovery

-Leaving Vernon Davis uncovered for an easy 31 yard TD

-Mario Manningham running the wrong route leading to Eli Manning's 2nd interception (a 3rd was nullified when the defender didn't get both feet down in bounds)

Again, all of this on the road against a 7-1 team...

The Giants didn't quit, fought back, and had a 3rd and 2 from the 49ers' 10 yard line before being stuffed on a draw to D.J. Ware for no gain (nice call, Gilbride), and a batted down pass on 4th down to seal their fate. It takes a talented team to be that close to a win in spite of all those maddening mistakes. Call me a delusion homer if you must, but although the 49ers are legit, I came away with the sense that the better team didn't win.

Going forward, I want to see less zone defense and more man-to-man, and more plays for Da'Rel Scott and less for D.J. Ware. To quote Jerry Maguire, when it comes to Ware and his skill set, "That's not what inspires people." This loss isn't the end of the world, but it's one that could really come back to haunt the Giants when they're losing out an a tiebreaker for playoff positioning at 10-6, or 9-7 or whatever.

They've got the Eagles this week, a game that has suddenly become crucial. The now 6-3 Giants can deliver a knockout blow to the 3-6 "Dream Team" and essentially make it a two team race between them and Dallas, while staying one game ahead of a Cowboys team that has a much more favorable remaining schedule than the Giants do.

Not Afraid

Giants 24, Patriots 20. What a game, what a win, and what a nice 6-2 start. And can the Giants play the Patriots every year? The Giants keep winning close games, and give fans blood pressure tests in the process.

I try not to put too much into one game, win or lose, but with all the injuries, this was really a character-building type win. It wasn't perfect, but like the other 5 wins the Giants had banked against lesser opponents earlier in the year, they did what it took to get the W. The (depleted) secondary had their hands full but for the most part kept a top tier passing attack bottled up. The fumble by Ross on the punt return hurt, but the Giants didn't quit when they had seemingly lost all momentum. Jacobs ran like the Jacobs of old - and like he should have been running all along. Eli Manning continues to play like an elite QB...as one NJ.com commentor wrote, "I wonder if Tom Brady thinks he is in Eli's class?" Ramses Barden looks to belong, and Jake Ballard and Victor Cruz continue to prove they do. And the Pats had a 20 game home winning streak coming into the game. Again, the Giants seem to be pretty good at ending Patriots streaks.

As my friend Matt often points out, the Giants played to the level of their competition. Another theme to come from this win, is I am no longer afraid. Firstly with regards to anyone getting injured - with the only exception being Manning. This team really has a "next man up" quality to it. I'm also no longer afraid of the remaining schedule. Antrel Rolle is just about my least favorite Giant, but he produced the season's best quote last week and it's now even more meaningful..."We're not worried about our schedule, our schedule should be worried about us." Really, after beating a good team on the road without your #1 receiver, running back, and center, is there any reason to be afraid of the 49ers, Cowboys, Saints, or Jets? I think not. They are capable of beating anyone. There could be something special about this team.

Another escape...and heavy hitters await

Before I get started, let me mention the Star Ledger and NJ.com's Mike Garafolo and his game reviews. As a fan I feel like I'm lucky he writes for the Giants. Here's this week's, you'll see what I mean. He covers everything so thoroughly that anything I thought about saying about a game Sunday night, as maybe the one key observation that I feel no one else will have...MG will say it in his review Monday, along with about twenty other observations that are even better. Of course, the downside to reading a guy this good, is that anything I say I feel like I'm copying him because he's already covered it. So when it comes to the Giants, I like to try to stick with the "macro" view at a given time knowing Mike's got the micro locked down. To that, then...

The Giants are now 5-2. First place in the NFC East by a full two games - but as I see it, still merely "par" for the first seven games, having won when they should have won (except for the Seahawks), and lost when they should have lost (except for the Eagles).

The "playing with fire" nature of the way they've had to come roaring back after sluggish starts to beat teams like the Cardinals and Dolphins, is concerning with respect to measuring up against the elite teams coming. But the good news is, once the game is over, all that matters is the win. (Barring of course, a wacky tiebreaker scenario where it goes all the way down to point differential.) Having banked 5 wins at this point, no matter how they came about, is a great position to be in. Granted, this team has a brutal schedule coming. But on the other hand, it's a team that hasn't really peaked yet - at least compared to the past three years when they looked unbeatable at this point in the season and were generally considered the NFC Super Bowl favorite.

First up in this "murder's row" is a visit to New England Sunday. The Patriots have won 20 consecutive regular season home games. But the Giants do have a pretty good history of ending Patriots streaks.

Bye Week Breather

It's been a roller coaster ride over the first 6 weeks of the Giants season. They're terrible (losses to Redskins, Seahawks), they're great (win over Eagles), they're just okay enough to squeak by bad teams (wins over Rams, Cardinals), and finally, there's hope (win over Bills).

At this point I'll stick with how I saw it playing out so far. They're not very good, but with the exception of the brutal Seahawks loss they've won the games they needed to win in order to buy themselves some time to actually get good.

This bye week is coming at the perfect time. Tuck, Jacobs, Snee, and Amukamara were all out Sunday, but should all be ready for the Miami game in two weeks. And by then maybe they can finally start to see what they have in 6'6'' Ramses Barden, who has been on the PUP list.

I wrote two weeks ago about the apologies I owed people with relation to the Giants, and that included GM Jerry Reese. Let me further expand that by adding Plaxico Burress to the list of guys that for the most part have been non-factors with their new teams, along with Kevin Boss and Steve Smith.

Over their first 6 games, here is how these three have performed:

Burress - 14 receptions, 218 yards, 2 TD.

Smith - 5 receptions, 63 yards, 0 TD.

Boss - 7 receptions, 149 yards, 1 TD. This includes a 35 yard TD reception on a fake field goal during which he was uncovered.

Meanwhile, their replacements:

Jake Ballard - 15-273, 2 TD.

Victor Cruz - 21-398, 3 TD.

I can't really think of who the third replacement would be here, as Burress has been gone 3 years now anyway - but I don't even need one, as the Ballard/Cruz combo (36 receptions, 671 yards, 5 TD) has outperformed Smith, Boss, and Burress combined (26 receptions, 430 yards, 3 TD). And Eli Manning looks just as comfortable with Ballard and Cruz as he did with any of the guys who left. In fact, Manning has had one of the best stretches of his career over these first six games: 296.3 yards per game, 63.8%, 11 TD, 5 INT, 101.1 QB rating. These are elite numbers.

The competition gets a lot tougher after the Week 8 Miami game, but I'm looking forward to seeing what this team really is. So first, a bye week to rest up. And then...Let's go have ourselves a season.

Apology time

The season's 1st quarter is complete, with the Giants sitting at 3-1. It hasn't been easy, but it's been a pleasant surprise for many, including this blogger, who expected doom in 2011. As a result, I owe apologies to the following people after a Giants 3-1 start.

GM Jerry Reese

Losing Steve Smith and Kevin Boss hurt. And with inexperienced Victor Cruz and Jake Ballard taking their places, it appeared Reese had really dropped the ball, having failed to find suitable replacements for key players. Instead, Cruz and Ballard have been just fine, and should only get better going forward. The time to pine for lost free agents is over.

Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride (often affectionately known as Kevin "Killdrive")

Gilbride had been my default whipping boy for whatever went wrong with the Giants' offense. He doesn't know what he's doing, I would say. No consistency. Doesn't play to the personnel's strengths. Sure, I'd still like to have the Redskins game back, in which Brandon Jacobs didn't touch the ball in the 2nd half. But since then, Gilbride has called good games, especially the last two. The offense has found a rhythm and come to life.

Osi Umenyiora

When a guy is injured while sulking over his contract, it's so easy to just say, "Who needs him, trade him and be rid of the headache." But Osi can still make an impact, and he was especially valuable yesterday with Justin Tuck out. What a boost a healthy Umenyiora can give the Giants over the remainder of the season.

Victor Cruz and Referee Jerome Boger

My immediate reaction was to be furious with Cruz for letting go of a seemingly live ball, after not being touched on the ground during the Giants' go-ahead drive late in the 4th quarter yesterday. But by rule, Boger made the right call. Although, Cruz should just take the ball back to the huddle with him for the rest of his career from now on, to be on the safe side. It would have been maddening to lose a game that way.


There is still a long way to go, and plenty of teams have started 3-1 or better in the NFL and not made the playoffs...but so far, so good.